Month: October 2022

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

These that have turned the world upside down. Acts 17:6

The town of Thetford in Suffolk has a prominent statue erected in memory of Thomas Paine who, amongst other things, was a critic of the Christian faith. Scrutiny of the statue shows him holding a book he wrote called “The Rights of Man” which is upside down—allegedly intended by the sculptor to stimulate discussion. I wonder whether he knew that the early Christian believers “turned the world upside down”. Lives can still be turned upside down if only people were to read the Bible, believe it and apply it. —Brian Powlesland

Oh Lord, all the world belongs to You,
And You are always making all things new.
What is wrong You forgive, and the new life You give,
Is what’s turning the world upside down. —Patrick Appleford

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Job 11:7

The testimony of creation gives us awe-inspiring insight about the majesty, wisdom, and power of God. But without His revelation of Himself through the Lord Jesus, we would be left with an absent personality at best. The visibility of our God in the person of Christ is the grand theme of the New Testament. If we have seen Him, we have seen the Father! It is the greatest of unveiled mysteries, that of God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). —Rick Morse

In Thee most perfectly expressed,
The Father’s glories shine;
Of the full Deity possessed,
Eternally divine. —Josiah Condor

1 Chronicles 8:1-9:44; Ezekiel 11:1-25; John 3:22-36

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. Ephesians 2:4, NKJV

According to a study commissioned by the BBC’s Radio 4, all the Covid-19 viruses in the world would not fill a soft drink can. It is astounding how such a small thing could be so devastating. It reminds us anew of humanity’s frailty. Our prayer should be that events like this pandemic would turn people’s hearts to God. In many ways the world has been stopped that people might think of Him and the spiritual needs that only He can meet. He is the only  answer for you. Turn to Him today. —Paul Robertson

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder of sunrise I see,
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul,
Is the wonder that God loves me. —George Beverly Shea

1 Chronicles 7:1-40; Ezekiel 10:1-22; John 2:23-3:21

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

Hospitality seems to be a dying ministry in these materialistic days. Yet one of the characteristics of an elder is “given to hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2). Hospitality is an act of love. It is emphasising that people are more important than things. The welfare of our homes and possessions must always take a lower priority than our care for the needs of others. Do we use our homes to refresh the saints, to introduce the needy to the gospel and to bring glory to the Lord
through our obedience? —Paul Young

O Master, grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved, as to love with all my soul. —Sebastian Temple

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant.” Jeremiah 43:10, NKJV

These are days of great uncertainty. With a pandemic, riots, floods, hurricanes, political animosity and general unrest, our hearts are tempted to fear. But when we look to our sovereign God who turns emperors into servants and uses them to do His bidding, we are filled with hope. He has promised to never leave us and that nothing can separate us from His love. God is in control. Be still my soul. —Glenda Paquette

The splendour of a King, clothed in majesty,
Let all the earth rejoice,
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at His voice. —Chris Tomlin

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27

I have a friend that is confined to her home. She is doubtful, restless, unsure about her earthly future. One of my favourite gospel singers has a song that says; “When you need a friend to lean on, there’s no other name I know…sing Jesus”. Aren’t those beautiful words? My prayer is that she will be able to “sing Jesus” and get through this trial. —Debbie Douglas

Let His name speak peace and comfort,
To the trouble in your soul…sing Jesus.  —Wayne Haun & Joel Lindsey

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20, NKJV

A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to put myself on the path of healthy living. Sometimes, however, junk food seems to make up more of my diet than fruits and vegetables! Thankfully, I do not regain all of my lost weight because of one ill advised binge. How often do we tell ourselves that when we fail before the Lord, there is no return to His good graces until we have suffered rebukes and punishment? There is no doubt that sin damages us and exacts its price, but our Father runs to meet us in our repentance, to lavish us with His mercy and grace. —Cathy Oriold

Grace, grace, marvellous grace!
Grace that is greater than all our sin. —Julia H. Johnston

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but  whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-14

God the Father and God the Son are in complete agreement with all the Holy Spirit teaches us. As we come to our quiet time with the Lord, we would be wise to acknowledge that this is God’s Word. He is the Author, and only He can make it plain! Then He will minister His Word to us. —Ray Jones

Oh the pure delight of a single hour,
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend. —William H. Doane

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” John 10:31-32, NKJV

They had lifted stones to hurl at Him when He said: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58, NKJV). Facing stones again, in gracious calmness He reasoned with them regarding His deity. With divine composure He reminded them of the good works they had witnessed. Ultimately, no stone was thrown. He was not a blasphemer. He truly was God. —P. Ramsay

Verily God, yet become truly human,
Lower than angels to die in our stead;
How has that long promised “Seed of the woman”
Trod on the serpent and bruised his head! —H. D’Arcy Champney

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Jesus…said to her…“whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14, NKJV

Walking through a son’s paddock, I thanked God for the water bubbling in the creek below. During the drought of summer, my husband carted water for our cattle over a period of five months. I was reminded of the woman who met Jesus at the well and how He offered to give her living water. What a change Jesus made in her life, and He can do the same for you today. —Janet Fleming

Beautiful water, living and free, that is what Jesus offers to me.
Lasting forever, bringing me peace, bubbling a fountain never to cease.
Drink of that water, why not today? Find life in Jesus, joy for your way,
Share it with others, answer His call, living water offered free to all. —J. F.