Saturday, April 11, 2015

 

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

 

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:7

We look forward to special events with anticipation but the day after can often turn out to be anticlimactic. The Christan experience is different though. Today’s enjoyment of Christ in His Word, prayer and service should not be the summit of our experience. Each day He offers new displays of His grace to us. Furthermore, He promises that eternity will hold increasing revelations of His grace. Each remarkable experience will be followed by another. Neither time nor eternity will exhaust His grace and His demonstration of it. —George Ferrier

What will it be to dwell above, and with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of His love, so brightens all this dreary plain?
No heart can think, no tongue can tell, what joy ’twill be, with Christ to dwell.
—Joseph Swain

Friday, April 10, 2015

 

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

 

…Where is God, my maker, who giveth songs in the night.  Job 35:10

There are times when life’s cares and concerns invade our peace and tranquility. We feel powerless and afraid of what may happen next. Job knew all about this. He suffered the loss and devastation of everything dear to him. Yet in the midst of his suffering Job turned to the only source that can give new hope, new light; he turned to God. Are your nights long and sleepless? Are you overcome by cares and concern? Look to God, your Creator, and ask Him to give you His peace and rest, a new song in the night! —Deborah Manera

Is there nothing to sing about to-day? Then borrow a song from tomorrow;
Sing of what is yet to be. Is this world dreary? Then think of the next.
—Charles H. Spurgeon

Thursday, April 9, 2015

 

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

 

…And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.  1 Samuel 3:8

Due to his own sinful negligence, Eli was no longer on speaking terms with the Lord. The Almighty was raising up young Samuel to be His servant and thus He spoke to him directly. Tragically, Eli could perceive when God was calling someone else, but he was not receiving direct messages himself. More mature saints ought to maintain their relationship with the Lord so that they may provide a godly example to younger ones who are learning to heed God’s voice. In this noisy world young believers must learn to listen to and obey God’s will for them. —K. R. Keyser

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak, in living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek, thy erring children lost and lone.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

 

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

 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?…  Matthew 10:29
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?…  Luke 12:6 
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house…even thine altars… Psalm 84:3

Two small birds for one farthing, five for two farthings. One may be virtually valueless by man’s standard, but not by God’s. He knows when it falls to the ground. We, being of much more worth than many sparrows, are brought into a much better place; we have been accepted in the Beloved. If the sparrows have found a place of safety in the altars of Jehovah, where they may nest undisturbed, how much more have we a place prepared by Him in the altar of the cross! —Tom Steere

Beneath the cross of Jesus, I fain would take my stand, 
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land.
—E. C. Clephane

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

 

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

 

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  John 11:21

While going through an extreme trial or sorrow, we often wonder where God is and question whether He could have prevented our suffering. Be assured of God’s love. He is not unaware of our pain. He desires to comfort us under His wings. Rejoice in knowing that God will use this trial of faith to bring even more glory to Himself through us. Trust Him. —D. Pickup

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! All power to Him is given,
To guard me on my onward course, and bring me safe to heaven.
Th’eternal glories gleam afar, to nerve my faint endeavour;
So now to watch, to work, to war, and then to rest forever.
—James G. Small

An Unshakeable Kingdom (Gooding)

An Unshakeable Kingdom: The Letter to the Hebrews for Today
By: David Gooding

In a clear and concise manner informed by pastoral concern, David Gooding explains the meaning of Hebrews’ warnings as he expounds the letter as a whole. He carefully examines the position and temptations of its original readers in the first century. Many were undergoing such severe persecution that they might easily have wondered why, if Jesus really were the Messiah, they had to experience such pain and loss. He expounds its major themes in order to show that its unified message is that hope and enduring faith in Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, will never be put to shame. As he guides us step by step, he reaches outside the limits of the letter itself in order to explore rich fields of Old Testament history, prophecy, ritual and poetry from which the letter has drawn so many of its insights.

Reviews:

“An Unshakeable Kingdom communicates both an inspiring hope and a solemn warning to all those who are following Christ on a journey of faith. This book is written with serious scholarship, penetrating reflection and challenges the reader to uncompromising discipleship.” ~Dr. Patrick Fung, General Director, OMF International
“Hebrews is without doubt the crown of the whole Bible. All its great lines of revealed truth flow into and converge here, and are given their full and final expression and application. David Gooding rises to the occasion. His unique gifts as a Bible analyst and expositor are given full play; his delight in the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ matches that of Hebrews itself. It is a bit invidious to single anything out for special mention, but I have never read anything more helpful or perceptive on the Psalm-list in Hebrews chapter one. The whole book is worthwhile for that alone! We owe a great debt to the Myrtlefield Trust for this republication.” ~Alec Motyer, Author, formerly Principal of Trinity College, Bristol

Monday, April 6, 2015

 

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

 

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  Job 23:10
…I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12

We tend to question Job’s self-confidence, but he was willing to admit the need for refining in his life. We need to make that same assertion, then we would emerge as fine gold. That refining process would be greatly helped if we would follow Job’s admonition, putting great value on the influence of God’s word in our lives. —William Gustafson

Search me O God, and know my heart today;
Try me O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray. 
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.
—J. Edwin Orr

Lord’s Day, April 5, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 12 to 13:23; Psalms 116-117; Mark 3:13-35

 

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  Matthew 28:6

From the cross the Saviour cried, “It is finished,” but from the empty tomb the Father cried, “It is finished indeed!” (Eph. 1:20). God the Father was satisfied with the work of His Son and triumphantly raised Him from the dead. Because of the resurrection of Christ, God is able to justify unworthy sinners (Rom. 4:25), and impart new life (2 Cor. 5:17). Because of His resurrection we have a glorious hope (1 Cor. 15:19-20). A tour guide took tourists to the tomb of Napoleon and said, “Here lies the glory of France.” We look at an empty tomb this morning and cry, “Here is the glory of Christ!” —Jim Comte

O let us now proclaim the glory of His name,
And tell to all He lives today. 
—Oswald J. Smith

Saturday, April 4, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 11; Psalms 113-115; Mark 2:23 to 3:12

 

…In the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place His name there.  Deuteronomy 16:11

Each Sunday morning my wife and I drive by religious buildings, each bearing various names which promote the doctrinal stand that they take. And although many to hold sound teaching on key matters, that’s not the purpose of our drive. We’re looking for a place where Christ has promised to be in the midst, where He is the reason for the Christians to come together, where He is central, not a doctrine or a human. And thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ, we’ve found a place where He has never missed a meeting. —Rick Morse

Around Thy table, holy Lord, in fellowship we meet, 
Obedient to Thy gracious word, this feast of love to eat. 
—Thomas Cotterill

Friday, April 3, 2015

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 10; Psalms 111-112; Mark 2:1-22

 

But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.  Genesis 24:4
…Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. Genesis 24:58

This lovely story starts with the determination of Abraham to secure a bride for his only son Isaac. It ends with Rebekah choosing to accept the invitation. This brings before us an encouraging insight into God’s purpose for the Church, the Bride of Christ. It also reminds us of the necessity of personal choice in receiving Christ. God has planned to present to His Son a glorious, beautiful Bride. But to be a part of it we must say “I will go”. —Sid Halsband

Now the Saviour invites you to come, and fly to the arms of His love;
In His kingdom of grace there is room, and a mansion of glory above.
—Fanny J. Crosby