Month: March 2018

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Many things we buy say “some assembly required.” We may think the included directions are not for us. We can do it without instruction. It usually does not end well. God tells us here that if we want our path to prosper, we must follow His step by step guide. We may think we know better. But He says to trust Him with all our heart. Don’t trust your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. These instructions produce success. Any other plan fails. Humbly follow the directions. —Ken Gross

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. —John Sammis

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43

When the “repentant” thief woke up on the morning of his execution, he was without Christ. In the afternoon, when nailed to his cross, he trusted Jesus as his Saviour. He was in Christ. That night when he was in paradise, he was with Christ. He went from a place without hope to being in the Lord’s presence. This can happen to you! Will you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? —Bob Cretney

Eternity! Time soon will end, it’s fleeting moments pass away;
O sinner say, where will you spend eternity’s unchanging day? —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

These first ten words in the Bible are under tremendous attack in the world in which we live. Schools, TV, radio and literature promote the theory of evolution more and more. Yet we believe the Word of God and that in six days our world was created. We may not entirely understand it but by faith we believe it. We have a great God and he has done great things. We wonder in the beauty of creation today. —John M Clegg

O Sovereign one who fashioned oceans deep by whisper strong;
Who rends the waters from the land and lends the depths her song;
The fullness of the sky and sea, in reverence do they stand,
To testify to the sovereignty and goodness of Your hand. —Matt Boswell

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

(Since) we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…Consider him…lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3

While we are encouraged when hearing about believers who by faith have overcome fierce opposition, or been martyred for Christ, we must not look to them for spiritual leadership! Rather we must keep our hearts fixed on Him who enabled them to be overcomers—the Lord Jesus Himself. Then we must spend much time meditating upon Him. In this way we will ensure that we do not become discouraged when God calls us to face similar hostility. —David Croudace

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit’s vision, looking at the Crucified. —Mary D. James

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76:1-77:20; Acts 17:1-15

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. John 14:31

Here we read of the Son’s love for His Father, manifested by His perfect obedience—even to death on the cross. On many other occasions we read that the Father loves His Son. How does He demonstrate this? He has committed all judgment to Christ (John 5:22) and has given Him all things (John 3:35). He has set Him at His right hand, highly exalting Him above all things and He has given Him the Name above all names (Eph. 1:20-23, Phil. 2:9-11). Yet God has given this One, who is head over all, to us, the church. What an incalculable gift! Today let us exalt Him. —George Ferrier

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity. —M. Bridges

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74:1-75:10; Acts 16:16-40

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

When I asked a friend whose husband was terminally ill whether any church friend had come to offer encouragement, she shook her head and sadly answered, “No.” It made me wonder where are the comforters? Surely in every company of believers, God has gifted someone with compassion. Maybe we need to examine the intents of our hearts. Are we listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice? Is He saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21), pointing to a ministry of helpfulness. —E. Dyck

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Saviour meet, near to the heart of God. —C. McAfee

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isaiah 65:17

What the eternal scene will be like is beyond our highest thoughts and deepest aspirations. One thing we know is that things on earth as we know them now will never be seen again. When we see the wonder of God’s universe displaying His glory how exciting to anticipate all the new things He will create then. What world are you living for? The temporal where everything has no lasting value? Or the eternal where His majestic glory will be displayed forever? —Jim Paul

No future but glory, Lord Jesus have we,
How bright is the prospect of being with Thee!
O home of all homes with the Father above,
O wonderful dwelling of infinite love. —John F. Wade

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

He shall see his seed…and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10

Isaiah tells us that the Lord Jesus was cut off out of the land of the living. The Gospels record that He died unmarried and without offspring! Yet He would see His seed! Seeing of the travail of His soul, He would be satisfied. He would go before them as the firstfruits of a glorious harvest. As Hebrews puts it, the Lord is “the captain— pioneer—of their salvation, leading many sons to glory.” Our Saviour did the seemingly impossible, what no one else has ever done before and triumphed over every obstacle and circumstance. —Drew Craig

And when He comes in bright array, and leads the conquering line,
It will be glory then to say, that He’s a Friend of mine. —John Henry Sammis

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? Job 6:25, NKJV

Right words have force, but inappropriate words dig a pit for the innocent. Job’s challenge to his friends is a good one for us to heed. It is our nature to jump to conclusions without all the facts and then deliberately and ungraciously share these rash verdicts with others. This is what Job’s companions did. Such behaviour distorts the truth concerning the guilty and even worse, defames and defrauds the innocent. Words can heal or hurt; let us be wise in how we use them, especially when conversing with those who are locked into a cell of despair. —W. A. H.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be, filled with messages from Thee. —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30, NKJV

There are four main ways in which people die: by natural causes, by homicide, by suicide or accidently. Yet there is a fifth category— you can die sacrificially by giving your life for the life of another. Not many can claim to have died in such a fashion and of those who have, it usually was to save someone dear to them. The Lord Jesus was the epitome of a sacrificial death. He stands alone. He gave His life for all, including those who were His enemies. He knew there was no other way. He knew the cost. But still He came. —Shane Johnson

And now complete in Him, my robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. —E. M. Hall