Monday, April 25, 2022

Numbers 5:1-31; Proverbs 2:1-22; Mark 14:27-52

Now is the accepted time…now is the day of salvation.  2 Corinthians 6:2

A man I know had discomfort in his chest and his daughter drove him to hospital. They were just in time as three times in the 20 minutes he was in the emergency ward, his heart stopped beating. They revived him and an ambulance took him to a bigger hospital for heart procedures. I visited him the same day and he was desperate
for prayer. He has refocused his life upon the Lord and wants to be at all the meetings, most of which he had previously neglected. He wants to make up for lost time. What a warning—don’t wait until it might be too late. —Paul Young

Then melt my heart, O Saviour, bend me, yes, break me down,
Until I own Thee Conqueror, and Lord, and Sovereign crown.   —Katherine Agnes May Kelly

Lord’s Day, April 24, 2022

Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26

That they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way. Luke 4:29-30
But when they came to see Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs. John 19:33

It was not according to the dictates of Rome when the Lord would die. God appointed the time. Men tried to cast Him headlong down a hill; they were too early! And when they came to break His legs upon the cross; they were too late! God too, has appointed a day when our risen Lord will come for us. It could be today! May He find us  worshipping. —John M. Clegg

O wondrous hour, when Jesus, Thou,
Co-equal with the eternal God,
Beneath our sin didst deign to bow,
And in our stead didst bear the rod. —E. Denny

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

Behold, I come quickly. Revelation 22:7

Three times in the last chapter of Revelation, the Lord Jesus said, “I come quickly” (22:7, 12, 20). The response to His declaration comes from three different sources and is “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (22:20). “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (22:17). The Spirit and the Church welcome the Lord’s coming. Can you echo them and say to Him, “Come”? If not, His invitation is still open. Come to Him and drink of the water of life so that you will be able to welcome His coming also. Will you even now? —K. C. Ung

Even so, Lord Jesus, come;
Hope of all our hopes the sum,
Take Thy waiting people home. —A. J. Gordon

Friday, April 22, 2022

Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6, NKJV

Claiming to be a Christian is not enough. The proof will be fully revealed in how I live. Salvation in Christ is the message this broken world needs to hear. Sadly, many who claim to follow Christ are smearing the credibility of true evangelism, undermining the message in every other signal they send out to a world in distress. If we live deeply in Him, we will reflect His radiance in the darkness. —P. Ramsay

O to be like Thee! Full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.  —Thomas O. Chisholm

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days. Acts 1:3

This forty-day experience was like many others in Scripture, a challenge to His followers as to the depth of their commitment and to see how they would respond to an extended time of testing. For Mary, it was to comfort; for Thomas, it was to strengthen from doubt; for those on the road to Emmaus it was to teach; for Peter, to restore. Extended trials are difficult to go through, but properly responded to, they will yield fruit as we further commit ourselves to His care and keeping. —Mark Kolchin

Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me. —Philip P. Bliss

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Leviticus 27:1-34; Psalms 142:1-143:12; Mark 11:1-26

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46

Four out of seven sayings from the cross were quotations from the Old Testament. In His hour of greatest testing Christ relied on what was in God’s Word. So should we. James, in writing to people who were suffering persecution for their faith in Christ, quotes from 21 of the 37 Old Testament books. How will we stand in the day of testing? We must know the truth of His Word and the One who is the Truth. They will set us free. —M. MacMullen

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?  —J. Rippon

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Leviticus 26:1-46; Psalm 140:1-141:10; Mark 10:32-52

He saith…Let us pass over unto the other side. Mark 4:35
They…say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38
He said…Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40

The disciples were all convinced that they were going to die. The Lord described them as “so fearful” and having “no faith”. If only one had believed and demonstrated his trust in Christ, others might have been encouraged to do the same. May God help us, amidst the storms of life, to have faith in Him and to believe His Word and then encourage others to do the same. —Ken Gross

On my bark so small and frail,
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds. —W. C. Martin

Monday, April 18, 2022

Leviticus 25:1-55; Psalm 139:1-24; Mark 10:1-31

[Moses] choosing rather to suffer affliction…Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. Hebrews 11:25-26

What an amazing moment for a young man faced with the biggest decision of his life. He had the world at his feet! “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” (Acts 7:22). He could have been the most powerful ruler in Egypt. However, he walked away from it all because he had his eye on the eternal and not the temporal; the spiritual and not the material. The reproach of Christ has greater treasures than the world! Are you prepared to put in your lot with God? Or are you seeking riches or pleasures with no lasting value? —Jim Paul

Then, farewell earth with all your transient pleasures,
I’ve more in Him, than all earth’s boasted treasures. —Jim Paterson

Lord’s Day, April 17, 2022

Leviticus 24:1-23; Psalms 137:1-138:8; Mark 9:33-50

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen. Revelation 1:18

A preacher was preparing his Easter message when the thought gripped his heart that his Lord was living. He  jumped up and excitedly cried, “He is not the great I was, but the great I am”. Thank God, He is the “I Am”, who lives in the blessed present continuous tense. The Saviour did die, which, thankfully is in the past tense. The tomb is empty, but the throne is filled. Rejoice, for the Lord Jesus said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). He lives forevermore! —Jim Comte

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.—A. Ackley

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135:1-136:26; Mark 9:14-32

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Meditating upon God’s unique design of every person fills us with praise. No two are alike. With the same care He is molding each believer into Christ’s image until our future glorification. Then we shall be morally perfect like Christ. Yet in our glorification we shall retain our distinctiveness. God redeems each believer without erasing His creative design and our individuality. Praise be to our Creator! Praise be to our Redeemer! —George Ferrier

And is it so! I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory—thought beyond all thought!
In glory, to His own blest likeness brought! —John N. Darby