Month: February 2015

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 19; Psalms 58-59; Acts 10:24-48

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?  John 6:9

Great crowds had gathered! The Saviour looked upon them and “was moved with compassion toward them” (Mark 6:34). The disciples said to the Lord, “Send them away” (Luke 9:12). But that was not His way. He challenged them to meet the need. Eventually Andrew brought forward the lunch of a lad—five barley loaves and two small fishes. The resources were so limited, it was almost comical. But He took them and fed the multitudes with 12 baskets left over! God can take our limited resources and multiply them to minister to others in ways beyond our comprehension. Never limit God. —Jim Comte

Little is much when God is in it! Labour not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it, if you go in Jesus’ name.
—K. Suffield

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 18; Psalms 56-57; Acts 10:1-23

…when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.  2 Timothy 4:13

A teacher at Sakeji School in the 1960s used to tell us that if she were taken to prison she would take with her a French Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare. We tried in vain to imagine what crime she might be capable of committing. In retrospect most of her pupils would also concur with the value both she and Paul placed on the Word of God. We watch as men and women receive their first ever copy of God’s Word, embracing it with tears of joy. Truly this is not just a living Book; it is life-giving. —Marilyn MacMullen

Blessèd Bible, pure and true, guide me all my journey through;
Heav’nly light within me shine, help me make Thy precepts mine!
—Fanny Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 17; Psalm 55; Acts 9:32-43

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

Aeschylus reputedly said: “And even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despite, against our will, comes wisdom to us.” The heartaches of life do indeed bring a certain wisdom of their own. Yet by God’s wondrous grace in Christ there is a deeper wisdom to be grasped. The believer may rest entirely in the glorious Substitute’s death which, to its full and final extent, He willingly suffered at the Cross. —Mark Fenn

How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One, bring many sons to glory.
—S. Townend

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 16; Psalm 52-54; Acts 9:1-31

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.  Phil. 1:3-4

Christian fellowship is truly one of the great joys of the Christian pathway. Because our relationships are based on our common bonds in the Lord Jesus, each one is special indeed! It is a blessing when God brings a particular one to remembrance. I trust today you will take the opportunity to uphold some dear believers before the throne of grace! Pray for strength and encouragement for them in their times of service and need. You will be blessed as an intercessor! —Jim Paul

There is a spot where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith we meet,
Around one common mercy seat.
—Hugh Stowell

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 15; Psalm 51; Acts 8:5-40

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.  1 Thessalonians 1:10

The pre-tribulation rapture is the blessed hope of every living believer. The last “from” (the wrath) in this verse is the Greek word apo and means “away from”. It is not “out of” or “through” or “in”. The Man that was on the cross is the Man in heaven, God’s Son. It is He who is coming again to rescue us away from the wrath soon to be revealed from heaven. “God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:9). —Dan Coulson

How it thrills our hearts with rapture, as we feel the hour is nigh,
When the voice of the archangel, shall resound throughout the sky.
—A. A. P

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49-50; Acts 7:30 to 8:4

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses…And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.  Numbers 12:1-2

We are all prone to be critical. We need to take heed that the Lord is listening. Miriam and Aaron forgot that the Lord could hear their bitter conversation! Judgment fell upon them. To gossip or complain about another person or to say anything disparaging of someone should never be part of a believer’s conversation. What will the Lord hear us say today. —Pete Smith

Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme,
And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works, or mightier name,
Of our eternal King.
—Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 13 to 14:4; Psalms 47-48; Acts 7:1-29

For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.  1 Corinthians 11:26

As I drove into town on a beautiful Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but notice the boats heading toward the harbour. Numerous people were gathering for an annual “fun run” which ends at the harbour. As I paid for the bread and wine for our Breaking of Bread, the lady behind the counter commented, “Oh, is it Sunday today?” What value do I place on Sunday—the Lord’s day? Do I want to go and meet with the Lord and His people, or is it just another day to live for myself? Today may I remember His death for me on the cross, and bring Him the worship that He truly deserves, for He is worthy. —Janet Fleming

Today He speaks to each of us, Compelling, tenderly,
I gave my life, I died for you, Will you remember me?
—Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45-46; Acts 6

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands…but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.  Hebrews 9:24

In this chapter there are three appearings of the Lord Jesus. Presently, He now appears in Heaven as our Advocate (1 John 2:1) pleading on our behalf. He has never lost a case! He won the right to be there through His past appearing when He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (v. 26). He will appear a second time in the future for salvation (v. 28). What a day that will be! —Rex Trogdon

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; 
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified; freely forever:
One day He’s coming! Oh, glorious day!
—J. Wilber Chapman