DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 9; Psalms 109-110; Mark 1:21-45
A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. Ecclesiastes 8:1
The writer is saying that a man’s wisdom brightens his face and changes his whole appearance. The trials of life often leave one feeling low in spirit and sometimes, sadly, bitter. What a great testimony it is when suffering believers are seen with a smile. A hard and foreboding appearance may drive folk away, but a ready smile is heart warming. —Brian Russell
Let your drooping heart be glad; March in heavenly armour clad. Fight, nor think the battle long; Victory soon shall tune your song. —H. K. White
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 8; Psalm 108; Mark 1:1-20
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1:13
Translated—it is an accomplished fact! We have been brought into our Saviour’s kingdom. Since it is a kingdom, we rightly must give Him our allegiance as King now. This present experience is a preparatory stage for a future literal reign. Scripture is unambiguous: “He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:25). But there is more to follow. We are encouraged to look forward to a new creation wherein dwells righteousness (2 Pet. 2:13). —Drew Craig
No future but glory, Lord Jesus have we, For man is already in glory in Thee; The brighter the glory that shines in Thy face; The clearer our title to glory through grace. —H. D’A Champney
At the wedding feast at Cana there was a shortage of wine. Jesus and His mother were there. It was not quite time for the Lord to perform His first miracle. However, His mother anticipated it and said to the servants, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” Sometimes what we ask of the Lord seems to fall on “deaf ears”. But before He acts, He may require us to do what He wants first. We need to obey and trust Him. Then leave what we need for Him to answer in His time. You can be sure it will be good (John 2:10). —K. C. Ung
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet; Or we’ll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey. —John H. Sammis
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
The New Testament places a great deal of emphasis upon Christian fruitfulness. Indeed Jesus says that we can recognize true Christians from those who are false by their fruit. He said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:20, NIV). So this is an important subject with strong implications for us today.
We can also say that the fruit of the Spirit was most fully and most wonderfully witnessed in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is our example of someone who truly lived the fruit of the Spirit. We are called to walk in His footsteps, to be like Him and to show the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit in our lives as Christians.
Paul Young comes from Maesteg, South Wales and is married to Alison. He earned his initial degree at the University of Wales and has since completed a Masters degree in Theology through distance learning. Having taught at the Secondary School level for six years, Paul now devotes himself to full time Christian ministry (since 1981). Much of his service takes place at his local church in Maesteg. This includes preaching, teaching, and children’s ministry, along with school visitation. He also travels throughout the United Kingdom and to many countries overseas for ministry.
Paul has participated in a regular radio program with Trans World Radio (Truth for Today) as well as written ten books. He contributes articles to a number of publications. He is also a trustee of Echoes of Service, a support service to overseas church workers.
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 6:8 to 7:10; Psalm 106; Acts 28:1-16
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17 …Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:24
In Britain on February 15, 1971 (Decimal Day) the centurys-old monetary system was changed, bringing in a completly new one. Complete conversion! The conversion of a soul is outstanding evidence that the Gospel is the power of God. This power is expressed in a changed life when a person’s words, attitudes, actions and friendships are different. Let us finish with the old and put on the new!—Jim Paul
I have ceased from my wandering and going astray; Since Jesus came into my heart. —R. H. McDaniel
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 5:14 to 6:7; Psalm 105; Acts 27:27-44
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Leviticus 1:4
In the burnt offering, the sweet value of the animal was transferred to the offerer and then the animal was burned on the altar before God. In the non-sweet savour sacrifices—the sin and trespass offerings—the sin of the offerer was transferred to the animal and, except for the fat and kidneys, the animal was burned outside the camp. Both offerings have their fulfillment in Christ. With our sins upon Him, He was judged outside the camp, but through the Holy Spirit, the goodness of Christ in each believer will continue to refresh the Father forever. What a transaction! Our sin for the praise of God! —W. A. H.
The gifts you bring with loving hand, your Lord will not disown! Their odours sweet to Heaven, shall rise like incense round His throne. —Fanny Crosby
DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 4:27 to 5:13; Psalm 104; Acts 27:1-26
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The moment a sinner trusts in the reconciling blood of Jesus Christ, they have made peace with God. By putting on the whole armour of God, this same one is guarded against evil and enjoys fellowship having the peace of God. Furthermore, they have obtained an inheritance; Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. —E. MacLelland
O, that the world might hear Him speak, The word of comfort that men seek; To all the lowly and unto the meek, Jesus whispers peace. —D. M. W.
The hastily typed out verse mistakenly read “Untie my heart to fear thy name.” A mistaken quote but marvelous advice! Knotted hearts most surely need to be untied, loosed from the binding influences of this world that keeps them from rising to a higher plane. But likewise the heart also needs to be united. It is so easily divided and its affections set more on things below rather than on things above. Both aspirations are appropriate reminders, if we are to press on to the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). —Mark Kolchin
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith, on Heaven’s table land, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. —J. Oatman
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 2 Corinthians 8:16
The tendency to put other believers on pedestals can often be simple misdirection. We’ve been the recipient of an extraordinary kindness, and we do well to be grateful. However, we must carefully remember that every man carries his own share of flaws and failures. As our verse says, the care for other believers is placed within the saint’s heart by God Himself. To Him, we must always be diligent to extend our deepest thanks for every good and perfect gift, including our caring brothers and sisters. —Rick Morse
Oh to be saved from mysef, dear Lord; Oh, to be lost in Thee; Oh, that it may be no more I, but Christ that lives in me. —A. Whiddington
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6
Prayer is not a passive pastime, but an active pursuit. Enter into your closet—get away from the day’s busyness and everyone around you. Shut the door—get intimate with God by yourself. Pray to the Father—acknowledge that there is no other God to whom you can go. He has promised that the faithful, diligent and secret prayers of His children will not go unnoticed, but will be rewarded. What a privilege to go to God in prayer! What a great motivator to get busy in prayer! —Deborah Manera
Work as if everything depended on you; And pray as if everything depended on God. —D. L. Moody
