Month: April 2020

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

Is there any word from the Lord? And Jeremiah said, There is. Jeremiah 37:17

On Good Friday April 18, 1930, the BBC’s newsreader announced to its listeners—“There is no news.” The remainder of the news slot was filled with piano music. At every Easter time, we can announce that there is news to hear: the same good news announced at the tomb of the Lord Jesus—“He is not here: for he is risen” (Matt. 28:6). Because He lives, we can face life’s trials. Because He lives we shall live beyond death. Because He lives we will spend eternal life in His presence in Heaven. Will you be there? —Brian Powlesland

Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living, just because He lives. —Bill Gaither

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

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:1-2

What a beautiful picture! Yet it is true in the spiritual sense for those who know this wonderful Shepherd of the sheep. We can truly say, “Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.” Not only does He provide our physical needs, but more importantly He gives us our daily spiritual needs as well. What a wonderful prospect we have as we look ahead! —G. Frear

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need,
I rest in green pastures, by still waters He’ll lead;
My soul He restores, His paths are all right
As He leads each day, I walk in His light. —G. F.

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

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3

It is a profound experience to watch the life candle of a beloved one flicker out. In our grief, it can seem that all that is left is ash. Yet ash is beautiful when we see it for what it is—the residue of something that has been wholly consumed in the fire. In that moment, God enters our grief, reminding us of the fragrant, sacrificial life of the one who has left us. And we find beauty in the ashes, joy in our mourning and a garment of praise—for the glory they have entered and the example they have left. —S. McEachern

When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory. —E. Hewitt

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

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat. 1 Corinthians 3:2

Babies drink nothing but milk, but as they mature they add to their diet “meatier” things. There is a place for milk, as part of a balanced diet (see Heb. 5:12-15). But as we mature, God’s desire is that we would expand our diet with solid, nutritious spiritual food to help us grow. A simplistic diet keeps us as infants. We need to ingest “meat,” if we want to flourish for God. It is always a challenge to make sure we are eating well in the things of the Lord. May He help us to do so. —N. C. Funston

Open my eyes that I may see,
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
That shall unclasp and set me free. —Clara H. Scott

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

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20-21

What did our Lord deem critical for His future believers? Unity. So often we quickly default to what we disagree about. When you meet a fellow Christian why not focus on Christ, so that “the world may believe that thou hast sent me”? —Danielle Robins

And love will hold us together,
Make us a shelter to weather the storm;
And I’ll be my brother’s keeper,
So the whole world would know that we’re not alone. —Matt Maher

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

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. Song of Songs 1:12

Here we have the bride enjoying sweet communion with her beloved at his table. We note that she not only partook of the bounty that her beloved had supplied, but she came with something to offer to him. She came with a fragrance that would be a delight to him. As we gather around the table of remembrance, in the presence of our Beloved, let us come prepared to offer the fragrance of our worship to Him. Like Mary of Bethany, let us break our precious box of ointment—our expressions of worship—in honour of Him, and may “the house [be] filled with the odour” (John 12:3). —W. H. Burnett

In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill its vow,
Some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee. —S. D. Phelps

Leviticus 11:1-47; Psalms 113:1-115:8; Mark 2:23-3:12

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

When she was young, a little girl I knew would open her arms whenever she saw me. It indicated she was glad to see me. Similarly, we should be happy to receive all believers. Getting along in God’s family takes love, submission, and hard work. Christ has brought together people with many differing interests and opinions but what unifies us is Christ. Beloved, let us show impartiality (James 2:1-9), forbearance (Eph. 4:2), and forgiveness (Eph. 4:32) toward one another. Let us esteem our brothers and sisters highly (Phil. 2:3-5). After all Christ does. —George Ferrier

Blest be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. —John Fawcett

Leviticus 10:1-20; Psalms 111:1-112:10; Mark 2:1-22

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

This first commandment summed up all the other commandments, laws and directives God gave His people. God first. If God is first, we won’t make “gods” out of people, wealth, success, fulfillment, pleasure, dreams, or desires. If God is first, we won’t use our time, energy and abilities for constant self-indulgences. If God is first, we won’t sin against our neighbour, or whine about what we do not have. If God is first, we will reflect a satisfaction, contentment and faith others will desire. Is this our reality? Is He first in our hearts today? —Deborah Manera

The failure of many is to seek from man what can be found only in God. —Watchman Nee

Leviticus 9:1-24; Psalms 109:1-110:7; Mark 1:21-45

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. Genesis 20:2

The tragedy surrounding this incident is that this is the second time Abraham told a lie to save himself (Gen 12:10). Surely God would not forgive again. Not only did God forgive him but helped him escape from this self-inflicted mess. Take heart believer, our Heavenly Father is more merciful than we deserve. Confess, and remember that His blood avails in our weakness (1 John 1:9). —Brian Russell

Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From Him, no power of evil can sever. —Norman Clayton

Leviticus 8:1-36; Psalm 108:1-13; Mark 1:1-20

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

I asked a gentleman if he planned on attending a friend’s funeral, to which he replied, “I’m too busy to attend; in fact, at the moment I’d even be too busy to attend my own funeral.” One sure certainty is that death is coming for each of us and we will meet that appointment, busy or not. If today should be your last day on earth where will you be tomorrow? —Janet Fleming

Two choices you have and only two,
I ask you what will you choose to do?
Accept the Saviour or turn away,
What is the choice that you make today? —Janet Fleming