Month: April 2015

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 9 to 10:10; Proverbs 6:20 to 7:27; Mark 16

These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.  1 Chronicles 4:23

What an honour to serve the King of Kings! He has a task for you! If you would “work for Him” the essential thing is to “dwell with Him”. Listen to His voice, learn His will, submit to His authority, and follow His leading.  —George Hall

Is your place a small place? 
Tend it with care! He set you there!
Is your place a large place? 
Guard it well! He set you there!
Whate’er your place, it is not yours alone, but His! 
He set you there!
—John Oxenham

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his.  Psalm 30:4

Singing is an important part of our worship. When God created the universe, the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). When God delivered Israel from Egypt, they sang the first recorded song in Scripture (Ex. 15:1-2). In the Psalms, eleven times the psalmist encourages us to, “Sing unto the Lord.” Paul exhorts us to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19). The last song recorded in Scripture is the song of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3). Have you a song to sing to the Lord today? —K. C. Ung

I feel like singing all the time, my tears are wiped away; 
For Jesus is a Friend of mine, I’ll serve Him every day; 
I’m singing, singing, singing all the time.
—E. P. Hammon

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  Proverbs 4:18

Past navigators of the oceans would look to the heavens to find their compass bearings. What would Henry Hudson and others have discovered if they had not relied upon the position of the stars for their direction? Even today, from Hudson’s Bay to the Sea of Tranquility, travel involves direction finding and accurate bearings. For believers, we are led by the Spirit of Christ and also the certain and necessary light of the Scriptures of truth. And so our path shines. —Mark Fenn

True north, there’s a strong steady light that is guiding us home,
True north, in the lingering light we are never alone. 
His shining light, please show the way,
Star of the night, light as the day.
—Twila Paris

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 6; Proverbs 3; Mark 14:53-72

…I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him and would not let him go… Song of Solomon 3:4

Harry Ironside’s comment is as valid today as the moment he said it. “Nothing gives our Lord more delight than to find a heart that joys in Him for what He is in Himself. Too often we think rather of the gifts, the gracious favours He bestows. It is right and proper that these should stir us to thanksgiving; but it is as we get to know Himself and to joy in His love that we really worship in blissful communion.” —Pete Smith

The Bride eyes not her garments,
But her dear Bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace!
—Anne R. Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

And Judah said unto Israel his father…I will be surety for him.  Genesis 43:8-9
Then Judah came near. Genesis 44:18

The sons of Jacob argued with their father over taking their youngest brother, Benjamin, down to Egypt. Reuben offered, “Slay my two sons if I don’t bring him back.” What good would that do, except reveal what a scoundrel Reuben was? They were at a deadlock. Then, Judah offered himself as surety. That made the difference. When the test came to make good on his offer we read, “Judah came near.” As with Judah, so with his descendant, Messiah, our Saviour, who came near and offered Himself as our surety on the cross. —Rex Trogdon

Behold! A spotless victim dies, my surety on the tree;
The Lamb of God, the sacrifice. He gave Himself for me!
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 4; Proverbs 1; Mark 14:1-26

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Matthew 18:18-19

Our first response when someone gives us a command is often “Who are they? What authority do they have to tell me what to do?” That is why our Saviour prefaced his final command by establishing His right to give the order. He is not only our Saviour, but our Lord. We are His. Since this is the case, what choice do we have but to obey? And if we love Him as we should, why would we not willingly want to? What are we doing to carry out His command? —Ken Gross

Christ of God, our souls confess Thee—King and Sov’reign even now!
Thee we rev’rence, Thee obey— Own Thee Lord and Christ alway.
—R. Holden

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 3; Psalms 148-150; Mark 13

…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.  Matt. 25:21

What a return on investment—reigning over many things because of faithfulness in a few things. Reward is one incentive to be true to Him who has been true to us. But higher still is the service that issues from a grateful heart overflowing with the knowledge of sins forgiven, His abiding presence now, and a loving Saviour waiting to welcome us to our eternal Home. This above all, should be the greatest motive to faithfully serve the King. —Mark Kolchin

Hear ye the Master’s call, give Me thy best! 
For be it great or small that is His test.
Do then the best you can, not for reward, 
Not for the praise of men, but for the Lord.
—S. Kirk

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 2; Psalms 146-147; Mark 12:18-44

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.  1 John 3:13
Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19

Even the secular media today reports on the hatred existing and being displayed against believers in Christ. Christ Jesus clearly stated when He experienced hatred in the first century, that we might expect the same as His followers. When walking the planet, Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We know with certainty of this world’s coming demise and that persecuted saints will ultimately reign with Him. What a prospect! —Arnot P. McIntee

And though here on earth rejected, ‘tis fellowship with Thee;
What besides could be expected, than like Thee, our Lord, to be?
—S. P. Tregelles

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 1; Psalms 144-145; Mark 11:27 to 12:17

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  1 Timothy 6:7

When Alexander the Great was dying, he summoned his generals and told them of his final wishes. One wish was quite unusual and vivid; He wanted his hands to hang out of his coffin! He said “I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people understand that we come into this world empty handed and we leave it empty handed.” We can accrue as much of this world’s goods as we like, but we will leave them all behind. Only what has been done for the Lord can be “sent ahead” into heaven. —Brian Powlesland

Must I go—and empty handed? Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him? Must I empty handed go?
—C. Luther