Category: Uncategorised

Esther 1:1-22; Zechariah 11:1-17; Revelation 18:1-24

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

Jesus was born to die. At his birth he was wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12), and when He died He was buried in linen clothes (Luke 23:52-53). At His birth, He lay in a manger (Luke 2:12); in death, He lay in a sepulchre (Luke 23:53). As we remember His birth, let us be reminded that He was born to die, to redeem us from our sins. His later resurrection proved that He had fulfilled His mission and, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). —K. C. Ung

With joy the chorus we’ll repeat, glory to God on high:
Good-will and peace are now complete, Jesus was born to die.  —S. Medley

Nehemiah 13:1-31; Zechariah 9:1-10:12; Revelation 17:1-18

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah…Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. Micah 5:2 NKJV
Joseph also went up from Galilee…to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Luke 2: 4 NKJV

Bethlehem. In patriarchal times a foreshadowing birth took place here. Rachel, dying in childbirth, called her son’s name Ben-Oni, “son of my sorrow.” But Jacob stepped in and changed it to Benjamin, “son of my right hand” (Gen. 35:16-18). Sadly Rachel died, and “was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is Bethlehem)” (Gen. 35:19). What a picture of Him who was eventually born in Bethlehem—Man of sorrows, yet Son of God. 2,000 years ago, the shepherd’s fields blazed with glorious light! Celebrate Him! —Jim Comte

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts, the blessings of His heav’n. —P. Brooks

Nehemiah 12:1-47; Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21

And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:7

These words describe the introduction of God’s redemptive plan for mankind. It began with the godly submission of a young virgin, Mary, who yielded complete control of her being to the Holy Spirit to introduce Christ to the world, and to be prepared for the shame and disgrace that men would heap upon her in doing so. While Mary’s calling was unique to her, we also in our day should so yield ourselves to the Spirit, to present Christ to the world, no matter the
cost. —Willie H. Burnett

My glorious Victor, Prince divine,
Clasp these surrendered hands in Thine;
At length my will is all Thine own,
Glad vassal of a Saviour’s throne. —Handley C. G. Moule

Nehemiah 10:1-11:36; Zechariah 7:1-14; Revelation 15:1-8

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:17

The message to the shepherds was good news, the Gospel. They were watching their flocks, doing their regular work, when suddenly they heard the message (v. 8). They wondered (v. 9) and believed. Then without doubting, they went to see the Christ-child (v. 16). They responded by sharing what they had witnessed (v. 17). Finally, they worshipped (v. 20). This should be the heart of those of us who have received the Gospel message and know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. We heard. We believed. We responded. We need to share and worship.—K. W.

Yes, we’ll go and tell of Jesus, the pure and holy, meek and lowly
Jesus;Yes, we’ll go and tell of Jesus, who died our souls to save.  —Edward Hammond

Nehemiah 9:1-38; Zechariah 5:1-6:15; Revelation 14:1-20

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. Matthew 1:18

The birth of our Lord was different than any other. It was unique and miraculous. There will never be a birth like it again—born of a virgin; born without sin. The world would attack this wonderful truth. However, may we hold it dear as we consider at this time of the year His miraculous entrance to this scene and the worthy sacrifice He was because He was born without sin, the spotless Lamb of God.  —John. M. Clegg

Jesus Christ, Thou King of glory,
Born a Saviour—Prince to be,
While the angel hosts adore Thee,
We joy in Thee,
Singing of Thy grace the story,
Praise, praise to Thee. —H. K .Burlingham

Nehemiah 8:1-18; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 13:1-18

“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
John 12:28 NKJV

The glory story began before creation and is communicated across the skies as the heavens tell the glory of God. It echoed to Abraham and Moses when they met the God of glory and dwelt in both the Tabernacle and the Temple. Angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest!” at our Saviour’s birth and John affirmed, “We beheld His glory.” The Lord Jesus glorified the Father by laying down His life and the Father glorified His Son by raising Him from the dead. God’s glory still shines in the face of Jesus Christ and will illumine the celestial city forevermore. —Rex Trogdon

Glory, glory everlasting, be to Him who bore the cross,
Who redeemed our souls by tasting death, the death deserved by us. —T. Kelly

Nehemiah 7:1-73; Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 12:1-17

He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:26 NKJV

At this time of year, our thoughts begin to turn towards the coming to earth of God the Son. He appeared then for the express purpose of “putting away” our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. But the wonderful truth continues; for Christ now “appears in the presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24). He is in the very presence of His Father as an advocate for all who have trusted Him. But it gets even better! “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time,
apart from sin, for salvation” (Heb. 9:28). —Ray Jones

Maybe morning, maybe noon,
Maybe evening and maybe soon!
O what a wonderful day it will be;
Jesus is coming again! —John W. Peterson

Nehemiah 6:1-19; Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 11:1-19

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Ps. 119:140

Dogs enjoy human interaction, and experts say they tilt their heads to show they want to continue the conversation. Sometimes it indicates they have heard a word they understand. Other times they have heard a novel sound they want to understand. Do we also listen with expectant ears desiring the Lord to speak to us from His Word? Do we desire Him to show us treasures that we did not previously notice? Do we enjoy afresh previously illuminated truths?
Let us honour the Lord with our ears and listen with full attention when our Lord speaks. —George Ferrier

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You,
To receive the food of Your holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us,
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness. —S. Townend & K. Getty

Nehemiah 5:1-19; Haggai 2:1-23; Revelation 10:1-11

Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:24 NKJV

Joy and wisdom flow from studying God’s Word. Both individually and corporately, believers must be “people of the Bible,” basing our lives on the eternal Scriptures. We are born again through the Word (1 Peter 1:23), sanctified by its truth (John 17:17), and instructed through its light (Ps. 119:105). The church’s doctrines and deeds must be biblically determined (1 Tim. 3:15-16). Human opinion should bow to its precepts, and Christian conduct ought to conform to
its teaching. Daily immersion in this fount of truth is essential for our spiritual growth. We delight in communing with our altogether lovely Lord by reading our Bibles. —Keith Keyser

May Thy Word be dearer still, and studied more each day;
And as it richly dwells within, Thyself in it display. —E. Bickersteth

Nehemiah 4:1-23; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 9:1-21

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35 NKJV
For the Lord will be your confidence. Proverbs 3:26 NKJV

A young child quivered fearfully at the end of the diving board, lacking the confidence to plunge into the deep end. His father shouted words of encouragement, as he treaded water nearby. “You can do it,” he called, “I’m right here to catch you!” Often, we also lack the confidence to plunge into the deep waters of life, fearing the unknown. But out of the depths, our heavenly Father calls these words of encouragement, “Fear not my child, I’m right here!” —E. V.

In the Lord our Saviour, let us all confide,
Daily seek His guidance, walking by His side. —T. C. O’Kane