Year: 2012

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

 

How greatly I long after you all. Philippians 1:8

 

Paul had boundless enthusiasm for the church at Philippi. He no doubt recalled both the meetings and the beatings of his short time there. His affection for the church manifested itself in prayer for them (vv. 3-4); in confidence for their future success (vv. 5-6), and came from the depths of his heart (vv. 7-8). Later, when he rebuked them about error, they knew it came from a man who truly cared for their spiritual well-being. Those under our shepherding will find it easier to hear us if they sense we love them. —Norman Craig Funston

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! —A. J. Flint

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

 

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:6, 22

 

Talk about a change of heart! The disciples had sad hearts (vs.6) because the Saviour was going away. He was going by way of the cross to taste death for everyone. He assured them that, in a little while, He would see them again and their hearts would rejoice (vs. 22). His death for our sins and resurrection to life changed their hearts from sad to glad. Have you had a change of heart? —Rex Trogdon

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart! —Rufus H. McDaniel

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

 

When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Matthew 17:8

 

Peter, James and John had shared this moment when the Lord was transfigured before them in company with Moses and Elias. Peter wanted to make this scene permanent where the Lord, Moses and Elias would have booths to dwell. It was then that Heaven intervened, and a cloud enveloped the scene, and a voice was heard to say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5).When the disciples opened their eyes, Moses and Elias had disappeared and they saw Jesus only. God would not allow even the greatest of men to share the same place as His beloved Son. —W. H. Burnett

 

No mortal can with Him compare, among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair, that fill the heavenly train. —S. Stennett

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

 

In my fathers house are many mansions;… I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make our abode with him. John 14:23

 

The word mansion is actually the word “abode”. The same word is translated “abode” in verse 23. Thus it becomes wonderfully clear that if we keep His words we can share an abode with God this side of heaven. Jesus says that the motivation for keeping His words is loving Him. If we meditate on what He has done for us, loving Him should come easy. Do you love Him and keep His words? Then you know His abiding. —Ken Gross

Happy still in God confiding, fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit’s guiding, all must be well. —M. Peters

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 4; Haggai 1; Revelation 9

 

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

As you behold a beautiful butterfly lighting on a lovely flower, think of its great transformation from humble caterpillar to a fluttering creature of brilliant colour. It was once bound in a cocoon made of a silk thread 500 or more yards in length. But in that cocoon it built a valve-like exit door. In fullness of time the former caterpillar came out of that one way door into the fresh air and sunshine, into newness of life. We too have been gloriously changed. Are you a new creation in Christ Jesus? —E. MacLelland

Transformed by grace divine, the glory shall be Thine;
To Thy most holy will, O Lord, we now our all resign. —F. G. Burroughs

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 3; Daniel 12; Revelation 8

 

As living stones… to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40

 

In Luke 19:37 the disciples could not contain their joy because of what they had seen the Lord do, and they began to praise Him with a loud voice! The Pharisees told the Lord to rebuke them, but the Lord said if they held in what was due, the stones would cry out. We are called living stones, and have opportunity, at this time when He desires and deserves our worship, to let our praises resound to His glory! As living stones let us cry out today! —E. N.

 

If we should hold our peace, stones would cry out apace;
Praise ye His name! Love does our souls inspire with heav’nly, pure desire.—James Allen

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

 

Encourage one another. Hebrews 3:13 (NASV)

 

The saintly F. B. Meyer used to say that if he had his ministry to live over again he would preach more sermons on encouragement. The Japanese have a proverb that says, “One kind word warms three winter months.” On one occasion Mark Twain said, “I can live a whole week on a good compliment.” No doubt each of us can attest to the difference a word of encouragement has made in our life at a particularly difficult time. Is there someone you know to whom you can speak a word of encouragement today? —W. Ross Rainey

 

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. —C. D. Martin

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

 

She took for him an ark of bulrushes… and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. Exodus 2:3

 

How could Moses’ mother be so calm? Her child was the target of an evil tyrant and yet she calmly placed her son in harm’s way, into the river. In Hebrews 11:23 it says of Moses’ parents that, “They were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Obviously they had been communing with the true King in the secret place. When the heart is put in tune in the inner sanctuary, the life will be in step in the market place. This includes remaining calm in a crisis. Faith may not calm the storm, but it will calm our fears in the storm. —Milton Haack

 

Cause me to walk in Christ, my Way; and I Thy statutes shall fulfill,
In every point Thy law obey, and perfectly perform Thy will. —C. Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

 

And the LORD God commanded the man… Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:16-17

The serpent said… Ye shall not surely die. Genesis 3:4

 

Has God given you a command? Does it seem strange? Perhaps out of touch with society’s thinking? The devil is a liar, and with time he will try to convince you to disobey God’s Word. He will whisper, “Why may everyone else walk that road and not you?” We do well to remember that he hates us and wants to spoil our life. Jesus came to bring life. He does not change, neither does His Word. Stick to His instructions. He loves you and wants your best! —Johannes Bruwer

His love is so boundless, they know no dismay;
To those who confess Him, believe, and obey. —Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 8; Daniel 9; Revelation 4

 

 

He was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. Acts 9:28

 

The believers at Jerusalem were understandably reluctant to receive Saul of Tarsus into their fellowship and trust until reassured by their mutual friend Barnabas. Saul joined the church and was a model of consistency and support. Now, having been against them, he was with them both in coming in and going out; perhaps going in to worship and going out to service. We, like him, should be humble, realizing that our fellowship with the saints should not be viewed as a right but as a privilege. This gives us the opportunities of participation in worship and service to God’s glory—coming in and going out. —Roy Hill

So shall no part of day or night, from sacredness be free;
But all my life, in every step, be fellowship with Thee. —H. Bonar