Wednesday, April 28, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Matthew 28:8

We do not know what the days ahead hold. But we do know the One Who does, the Lord Jesus Christ. The women went to the tomb that morning with much sorrow and distress. They walked away with godly fear and great joy. As Christians, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Souls are in the balance. It is a fearful thing that we do. We have fear and great joy as we face the days ahead, but praise God He goes before us in all things. He is faithful! —V. Gaynier

Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies,
Through His eternal Son. —Charles Wesley

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Wouldn’t it be nice if food that is good for our hearts would also be a joy to our tastebuds. It seems that this rule of thumb is fairly accurate: “If it tastes good, spit it out.” Thankfully, on a spiritual level, we can enjoy the promises and precepts of the Word of God, and as we read them, we can rest assured that they are of excellent value for our spiritual hearts as well. —David Logan

They are my wisdom, treasure complete;
Sweeter than honey, lamp to my feet.
They are my counsel, Word of the Lord,
Keeping thy precepts brings blessed reward. —Grant C. Tullar

Monday, April 26, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 6; Proverbs 3; Mark 14:53-72

And Moses was content to dwell with the man. Exodus 2:21a
And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. Exodus 2:23b

Moses was content but his people were not! Neither was God! Today we may relax and enjoy Christian fellowship but remember while we may be content, the Lord is not! Neither are millions for whom Christ died, but who are still in bondage to sin. Maybe no-one has been to tell them of Him. —David Croudace

Perishing, perishing! Thronging our pathway,
Hearts break with burdens too heavy to bear;
Jesus would save, but there’s no-one to tell them,
No-one to lift them from sin and despair. —L. A. Meyer

Lord’s Day, April 25, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself…redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Ruth 4:6
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:3

The kinsman with the right to redeem Ruth said, “I cannot redeem it”. He was like the Mosaic Law of which Paul said, “it was weak through the flesh”. Boaz, the willing kinsmen, said, “Ruth, I have purchased to be my wife.” We have been redeemed by the death of Christ. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13). Thank God for our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus.— Arnot McIntee

Redeemed – how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed by His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.—Fanny Crosby

Saturday, April 24, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 4; Proverbs 1; Mark 14:1-26

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Isa.59:2

When calamity strikes a person, his first reaction is to pray. It is said that there are no atheists in foxholes. When circumstances overwhelm us we call out to God. And yet the Scriptures say that unless one is saved and has his sins forgiven, the heavens will be brass to his prayers. Repent. Confess your sins. Trust Christ for salvation. He died and paid the penalty of your sins. God will forgive and then the ear of heaven will be open to your prayers. —Donald L. Norbie

That rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled ‘round we see,
Provides for those who come to God,
An all prevailing plea. —John Newton

Friday, April 23, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 3; Psalms 148-150; Mark 13

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10

Talk about global warming! Our world and everything in it is temporary and soon to be dissolved, melted, burned up, finished…gone. It vividly reminds us of the temporary existence of earthly things. It makes you wonder why we so passionately expend our lives to attain things that will one day be burned up. So what does Peter want us to learn? Considering the world’s temporal nature, we should be people of “holy conduct and godliness” (3:11). —Sid Halsband

When this passing world is done, when has sunk yon glaring sun,
When I stand with Christ on high, looking o’er life’s history:
Then, Lord, shall I fully know, not till then, how much I owe. —R. M. M.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 2; Psalms 146-147; Mark 12:18-44

But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? Matthew 26:8

The Western world is, rightly, concerned about waste and governments are taking action to reduce it. It is a major problem. When the Lord fed 5,000 people, and later 4, 000, He took care to ensure nothing was wasted. The disciples gathered up all the fragments that remained. But when Mary anointed the Lord’s feet with ointment some cried, “Why this waste?” They were mistaken: time, effort and gifts to the Lord are never wasted. He appreciates them. However, we do need to be careful not to waste our time or spiritual gifts and talents. —Roy Hill

Let every thought, and work, and word, to Thee be ever given;
My life shall be Thy service Lord, and death the gate of heaven.—M. Bridges

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 1; Psalms 144-145; Mark 11:27 to 12:17

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Therefore take heed…to feed the church of God. Acts 20:28

The good Shepherd was going to die. But prior to His death, for over three years, He had ministered with unstinting compassion to heart and body-broken individuals. He was always in the right place at the right time to administer comfort. Paul’s charge to the shepherds of Ephesus illustrates that elders today must exhibit these same qualities else the sheep will not recognize their voice. —Drew Craig

Open Thy Word of truth that I may see
Thy message written clear and plain for me;
Then in sweet fellowship walking with Thee,
Thine image on my life engraved will be. —Mary A. Lathbury

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 27; Psalms 142-143; Mark 11:1-26

Thou, even Thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in Thy sight
when once thou art angry? Psalms 76:7
Who knoweth the power of Thine anger? even according to Thy
fear, so is thy wrath. Psalms 90:11

The psalmist’s questions remind us that no unredeemed sinner
can stand before a holy God and survive. Who then could possibly
know the full anger of God? The Lord Jesus. He personally experienced
the full wrath of God for our sins. The billows and waves of
judgment fell on Him and He opened not His mouth. Rejoice believer;
you will never know the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10),
but will bask in His love forever. —Warren Henderson

Jehovah lifted up His rod – O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God; there’s not one stroke for me. —A. C.

Monday, April 19, 2010

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 26; Psalm 140-141; Mark 10:32-52

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

The athletic example Paul uses has no age, or gender associated
with it. The only prerequisite is to know, love and obey the Lord
Jesus. In the youthful spring of our lives we press on with enthusiasm
and energy, in the middle aged summer of our lives it’s with
patience and wisdom gained through experience, and in the older fall
of our lives we press on with quietness and determination. The
devil’s plan is to discourage us in every season, but the Bible says
press on! —Charlie Tempest

This world is not my home, I’m just passing through;
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. —A. E. Brumley