DAILY READINGS: Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12
Four U.S. Presidents give testimony of the above verse. Andrew Jackson: “The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests.” Ulysses Grant: “Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties and as our guide for the future.” William McKinley: “The more profoundly we study the wonderful Book…the better citizens we will become.” Woodrow Wilson: “When you have read the Bible, you will know it is the Word of God.” —E. Bennett MacLelland
Precious Holy Bible, treasure rich and rare, Word of God eternal, balm for ev’ry care; God’s full revelation of the sin of man, And of Christ’s redemption, and salvation’s plan. —Alfred P. Gibbs
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 6:1-27; Proverbs 3:1-35; Mark 14:53-72
But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:5
How do we view and value the local church’s prayer meeting? Is it an essential priority or an occasion of little importance? We learn from verse 12 of this chapter that “many were gathered together praying”. It
was well attended! Their praying was earnest and persevering. It was specific and concentrated. United prayer resulted in heavenly intervention. Chains were loosed, doors and iron gates were opened! What a heart-thrilling climax when Peter joined them in person. Don’t miss being part of God’s spiritual “power-house”. —Pete Smith
Now may we prove the power of prayer, To strengthen faith and banish care. —William Cowper
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 5:1-31; Proverbs 2:1-22; Mark 14:27-52
But king Solomon loved many strange women…For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God. 1 Kings 11:1, 4
Beware the “buts” that can steal our hearts. Early in his rule Solomon loved God and depended upon Him. But later loving his many wives, they turned him to idols. Unlike his father David, Solomon had divided loyalties. Believer, God wants our whole hearts. Beware spiritual adultery. Not only sinful, but also good things can gradually come between us and Christ. Like David may God unite our hearts to fear His name (Ps. 86:11). —George Ferrier
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds; And nothing I desire compares with You. —Lynn DeShazo
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26
And his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15 But my God shall supply all your need. Philippians 4:19 He healeth the broken in heart. Psalm 147:3 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27
We all from time to time experience trials and tribulations, heartaches and disappointments. We are assured from God’s Word that He: hears our prayers, helps with our every need, heals the heart that is aching and holds us forever with his loving arms. Our God is indeed an awesome God. —Bob Cretney
God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you. —Civilla D. Martin
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37
The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? John 18:11
God is infinitely generous. He has given to us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17), and He gave many things to His Son to use for our blessing. Yet here we enter the holy place. How the Father could give such a thing to His only beloved Son escapes our reason and befuddles our senses. Yet He did. How the Saviour could lovingly and willingly drink that cup on our behalf exceeds our understanding. Yet He did, and we shed tears of joy. —Rick Morse What was it, O our God; led Thee to give Thy Son? To yield Thy well-beloved, for us by sin undone? —Ann Taylor Gilbert
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44
There are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25
The Library of Congress in Washington is the world’s largest library. It has over 32 million books and new items are added at the rate of 10,000 per day. Yet that vast number could not begin to tell the full
story of our Saviour. It is startling to consider that only a fraction is recorded of the Lord’s exploits and what is written is so that “Ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Is this a truth you have grasped and believed? —Brian Powlesland
Lord, I have made Thy Word my choice, my lasting heritage; There shall my noblest powers rejoice, my warmest thoughts engage. —Isaac Watts
DAILY READINGS: Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
In 1965, Jim Elliot was one of five godly men who died at the end of Auca lances in Ecuador. In his diary he had written, “Lord, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.” The Lord granted Jim Elliot’s request, and today the fire, then ignited, still burns in the hearts and lives of redeemed Aucas. What is our passion? —Arnot P. McIntee
Breathe on me, breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine, Until the earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine. —E. Hatch
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 27:1-34; Psalms 142:1-143:12; Mark 11:1-26
And the men did the work faithfully. 2 Chronicles 34:12
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2
Our culture defines success and accomplishment by statistics— whether numerical growth or dollar value. In dramatic contrast our Lord defines success simply by His people being found faithful. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). How blessed the prospect of hearing Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). —W. H. G.
True hearted, whole hearted, faithful and loyal; King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be. —Frances Ridley Havergal
To the fearful disciples, gathered in the upper room, having the doors “fastened,” as the word means, Jesus showed His hands and His side. Luke notices that our Lord showed His hands and feet; John, His hands and side. His hands of power, His side of pity.
The hands and the heart of Christ are for His own fearful ones. His hands to provide, His heart to care. The rich of earth have hands that could provide for our need, but they have no heart to do so. Our well-meaning friends have hearts to sympathize, but not the means to supply our need. In the resurrection, blessed be His Name, our Lord has both.
Are we afraid? Do our sins like a mountain tower above us, or like a heavy burden, are they too heavy for us? Then let His pierced hands and side speak peace to us. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities. De we have no fear for eternal issues, but strangely enough, harbor fears about present possible eventualities? Fear of ill health, unemployment, bereavement, loneliness? These specters haunt us and disturb our rest.
The risen Christ is the cure. He would show us afresh His hands and side. None shall pluck us out of His hands. These powerful hands can hold and help and heal. His heart is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
“We have not an high priest who cannot sympathize” (Heb. 4:14, RV). “The heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” “Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment?” (Mt. 6:25) Will He who has given the life—the eternal things—not see to the food and the raiment? We betray the anomalous position of a people who, having no fear of our future transportation to heaven and of an amazing transformation even while we journey there, yet have fears of our daily sustenance while we wait for this glorious redemption.
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 26:1-46; Psalm 140:1-141:10; Mark 10:32-52
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21
The last words of the last book in the Bible are a prayer. John was on Patmos, but ”in the Spirit”. He was fully concentrated on, and totally attentive to God. In this attitude of personal intensity before God, he saw and heard and received God’s revelation of His Son. The ancient rabbis had a saying that anyone who desired above everything else to be in God’s presence, had to be prepared to die, but it would be fully worth it. Fervent prayer requires focus, passion, concentration, and intensity before God, but the results are not knowledge about God but a deeper relationship with Him. —M. MacMullen
Lord Jesus Thou who only art the endless source of purest joy; Come and fill this longing heart, may none but Thee my thoughts employ. —Author Unknown
