Thursday, November 30, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5

Sometimes there are things known to us which, in the interests of protecting the good name of the Lord and His people, are best kept to ourselves. —Brian Powlesland

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill” declares the Greek.
“The tongue destroys a greater horde”,
The Turk asserts, “than does the sword.”
The sacred writer crowns the whole,
“Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul.” —Author Unknown

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord. Judges 2:21-22 (NKJV)

Why does the Lord permit His people to be tested? To know if “They will keep the ways of the Lord…or not.” God wants to labour with His people to do the impossible for His glory, but if His people will not work with Him, He has ways of bringing them back to the path that is best for them. The Lord longs to work with us. May we be faithful to work with Him (Mark 16:20). —W. A. H.

If dangers gather round, still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross when life is dark and cheerless. —Johann Heerman

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

And Jesus stood still. Mark 10:49

The Lord Jesus, the Creator of this vast universe was on His way to Calvary and the cross. However, on His journey He stopped and took time to heal this poor blind beggar man. No one else had any time for this man, but the Saviour did. The Lord has time for each one of us. He is never too busy and meets our every need. May we learn this simple lesson today. —John M.Clegg

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained,
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief. —Frank E. Graeff

Monday, November 27, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

How long halt ye between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21
No man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24

Indecision is a weakness that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time. Elijah challenged Israel to make a firm decision whether to follow God, or Baal. Jesus warned His disciples of their inability to serve two Masters, for inevitably they could only be loyal to one. How about you? Are you sitting on the fence when it comes to the things of God? “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). —E. V.

When I need someone to guide my soul,
Over the stormy sea,
Always to Jesus I give control,
He is the best for me. —Author Unknown

Lord’s Day, November 26, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

And sitting down they watched him there. Matthew 27:36

In the lovely hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, the author thinks about the Saviour on that cross and the work that was accomplished there. As we survey the cross we try, in failing fashion, to estimate its extent and value. We see that the work of Calvary extends from eternity to eternity—our sin removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). In value, there is no measuring the worth of Christ’s finished work there. —M. Robins

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Lord of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride. —Isaac Watts

Saturday, November 25, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 7:51

David and Solomon picture two aspects of Christ’s work. The former was a soldier who vanquished God’s enemies, sometimes becoming a weak instrument confounding the mighty; the latter, reigned in glory and brought the temple to completion. David’s conflicts made him “a man of blood”; likewise, Christ shed His blood to make new creatures who would one day adorn the temple as living stones. The Lord’s true temple is comprised of believers fashioned by the glorified Saviour who once suffered. —Keith Keyser

The Church’s pilgrim-lot; her lot until her absent Lord shall come,
And the long homeless here, shall find a home. —Horatius Bonar

Friday, November 24, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:1-12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:13-14

The master was gone establishing a kingdom and he left his servants to manage his affairs while he was away. He gave them the necessary provisions, but the environment was hostile. Would they be diligent about the master’s business in spite of opposition, in spite of not knowing the date of his return? Would they faithfully uphold the master’s honour, or would they seek their own? Will we occupy until He returns? Yes, even so, come Lord Jesus. —D. Pickup

Have we been true to the trust He left us? Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, we shall have a glorious rest. —Fanny J. Crosby

Thursday, November 23, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

This verse should not be restricted to a funeral where grief is expressed over the death of a loved one. This has much more to do with sorrow over the needs of a fallen world as we see the devastation caused by sin. Also it is sorrowing over the condition of our own lives as we develop a sensitive awareness of our own sinfulness. The result is comfort, just as Lazarus in the story of the rich man was “comforted” (Luke 16), so do we find comfort in Christ. —Paul Young

Death brought the saint release from want, disease and scorn;
And to the land of peace, his soul, by angels borne,
In Abraham’s bosom safely placed, enjoys an everlasting feast. —J. Newton

Book Review: Fisher of Men

Fisher of Men: Sharing God’s Word With Sailors at Glasgow Docks

By: Sam Laughlin

“This inspiring book relates how one man, with the heart of a true evangelist, reached out to seafarers from around the world on the many ships docked at Glasgow. In the Foreword, Alan Gamble tells how Sam Laughlin “of Ulster stock … spent most of his working life in the Clyde shipyards.” After his retirement at 65, he continued to visit the docks on a regular basis for 16 years. Together with his wife Wilma they opened their hearts and their home, welcoming strangers from all corners of the globe. Alan Gamble states that “God’s work today needs many more servants like Sam.”

The Introduction sets the scene, with Sam driving through the empty Glasgow city streets early one Christmas morning to visit the ships. This was his yearly custom, and “the ships that were in dock welcomed [him] with open arms.” Each seaman received a bag containing biscuits, a hand-knitted hat, a calendar, and a New Testament. Christian literature in their own language was also included where possible.

During his many visits to the docks as Port Missionary, with permission from Clyde Port Authority, hundreds of men and women were brought under the influence of the Gospel, and many visited Sam and Wilma’s home for supper after responding to his invitation to hear the Gospel preached on a Sunday evening at the Gospel Hall in Linthouse.

The book is divided into short chapters, with titles such as “Fire in the Galley”, “The Brave Aberdonian”, and “The Bottle Thrower”, and includes many illustrations and photographs, enabling the reader to enter into the atmosphere of Sam’s experiences, and the colourful characters that he encountered on the ships over the years.”

~ This book review was originally published by Believer’s Magazine (February 2017), written by Alan Cameron.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:34; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. Philippians 1:12

Paul is again in prison—this time in Rome—chained between two soldiers, yet the verses following this one tell us that as a result, all the palace soldiers were hearing the gospel; many timid believers were becoming bold witnesses for Christ and even those who were jealous of Paul began to preach the gospel. As believers living in an increasingly godless society, if we are called upon to suffer for proclaiming God’s truth we can be sure that He will use it in some way to further His work and encourage our souls. —David Croudace

Cast thou thy care upon the Lord, the care that loads thy heart;
Take Him this moment at His word and let Him do His part. —H. Moule