Month: April 2018

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 19:1-20:27; Psalms 120:1-123:4; Mark 7:1-23

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Physical activity, such as climbing, running and even walking, demands a high level of energy. Many Scriptures indicate that this physical fact has a spiritual counterpart. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we “Set [our] affection on things above” (Col. 3:2) as we “run… the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). It is most important that we maintain our spiritual vigour and freshness. This is achieved only as we “wait upon the Lord.” —George Hall

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. —W. D. Longstaff

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 17:1-18:30; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

Uzziah slept (died)…and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper. 2 Chronicles 26:23

Uzziah, a good man, became proud, and thought he could enter God’s presence on his own merits. God judged him and he became a leper. Because of that, when he died, he could not be placed with his ancestors in the tomb of the kings but was buried alone in a field. If you are expecting to enter the Lord’s presence depending on your own good life instead of trusting in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus you too will be greatly disappointed. —David Croudace

There are loved ones in the glory, whose dear forms you often miss,
When you close your earthly story, will you join them in their bliss? —Ada R. Habershon

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 16:1-34; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him. Acts 2:22
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power (miracles) and signs and lying wonders. 2 Thess. 2:9

Our present dispensation of grace started with a man who did miracles, wonders and signs. This evidence confirmed God was with Him. This dispensation will also end with a man. The man of sin will is rapidly being set for the last scene. It is quite possible that this generation will be the last. Today is still the day grace; who will you choose? —Sid Halsband

Echo it, hilltops; proclaim it, ye plains: Jesus is coming again!
Coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain; Jesus is coming again! —Jessie E. Strout

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 15:1-33; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13

Before trusting Christ we focused our eyes upon ourselves and used our body for sin. Now we may live victoriously by solely focusing on Christ and offering ourselves to Him. We can use our feet to spread the gospel (Rom. 10:15) and use our hands for good works (Titus 2:14). With our lips we can consistently offer thankful praise to Him (Heb. 13:15) and with our mind bring our thoughts into subjection under Him (Rom. 8:5). He is worthy. —George Ferrier

Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in endless praise. —Frances R. Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. Hebrews 12:2
Behold, Jesus met them, saying, [Oh joy]! Matthew 28:9

Multiple motives brought our Saviour to the cross. His love. His grace. His compassion. Here is another. Joy! A divine joy that was set before Him—fallen sinners who would come by faith to the forgiveness ground of Calvary; there to find blessed intimacy with Him. As this little band of women departed the empty tomb, behold, Jesus met them. As He gazed upon them, the bewildered and frightened first fruits of His salvation’s mighty harvest, He said, “Oh Joy”! And they worshipped Him. —S. McEachern

Through death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—for more than conquerors we are! —Helen Howarth Lemmel

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1

Just before the glorious descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples of Jesus we read that “they were all with one accord in one place.” This suggests more than being in the same geographical location. They had a togetherness of purpose, of expectation, of prayerfulness and as a result received great blessing. Jealousies, petty disputes, personality clashes need to be done away with and then God will pour out the blessing by His Spirit’s power. —Paul Young

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity. —St. Bernard of Clairvaux

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 13:24-59; Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 4:1-20

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. John 6:4

It is a tragedy when a group of professing believers have assumed that God is amongst them when He is not. Three times John refers to the feast of Jehovah as a “feast of the Jews.” The passover was a celebration of thanksgiving for God delivering His people from Egyptian bondage. The heartfelt praise and thanksgiving had been replaced by legalistic tradition void of life and reality. The danger still exists today! Each Lord’s day as we come to recall a greater deliverance, let us endeavour to examine our hearts and keep our praise and worship fresh. —Sid Halsband

If now, with eyes defiled and dim, we see the signs, but see not Him,
O may His love the scales displace, and bid us see Him face to face. —C. H. Spurgeon

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 12:1-13:23; Psalms 116:1-117:2; Mark 3:13-35

And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar. 1 Chronicles 25:8

To those who are regularly given opportunity to teach God’s Word in your assembly: are you also a scholar? A lot of precious “pulpit time” is being used for personal opinions, anecdotes, and irrelevant stories, because the person teaching has not also been a scholar. The Spirit’s injunction to “feed the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2) requires that teaching brothers be steadfast students of the Bible. Are you? —Rick Morse

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach;
The precious things Thou dost impart. —Frances R. Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 11:1-47; Psalms 113:1-115; Mark 2:23-3:12

Come now, and let us reason together, Says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow…Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted. Isaiah 1:18a; 43:26, NKJV 

The Lord is the most reasonable Person in the universe. He reasons on your behalf as your Advocate before the Judge. Our sins can be forgiven. If you do not listen to His reason, you will be called into court and He will become your Adversary. Who will be able to stand in that day? Which will it be, Advocate or Adversary? Be reasonable. —Rex Trogdon

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. —Elvina M. Hall