Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 40:1-38; Psalms 94:1-95:11; Acts 24:1-23

The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them. Acts 19:16
Mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Acts 19:20
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 NKJV

The Greek word here, translated “prevailed” or “avails”, means “to be strong or powerful”. Thank God, though our spiritual enemies may be daunting, we can have the victory. How? Through the effective use of the Word of God and fervent prayer, both linked to a godly life. May the Lord help us in this today! —Pete Smith

Whate’er be our wants we need not to fear,
Our every petition His mercy shall hear;
His fullness shall yield us abundant supplies;
His power shall shield us when dangers arise. —J. Fawcett

Exodus 39:1-43; Psalms 92:1-93:5; Acts 23:12-35

Salute Urbanus, our helper in Christ… Romans 16:9

Urbanus was a common name among slaves. Many slaves were attracted to faith in Christ. Indeed Christianity has sometimes been called by historians the “secret religion of slaves”. In Christ they found spiritual freedom and through Christian fellowship, relief from the authority under which they served. It is possible that Urbanus was a freed slave or belonged to a Christian master. He had given great support and encouragement to Paul who sends greetings to him personally. This is the only mention of him in the Bible, but it is an honourable mention. —Paul Young

Free from the law, oh happy condition!
Jesus has bled, and there is remission!
Cursed by the law, and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all. —Philip P. Bliss

Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

Do you recall the moment when your heart was illuminated? Darkness. Then light! God burst in upon your soul; yes, God Himself, in the radiance of His Son Jesus Christ, shone into our hearts. But my heart was never meant to be a mere receptacle of such glorious light. Today, is my heart a closed container, or an open and active diffuser emitting the light to others of such a wonderful and life-transforming knowledge? —Peter Ramsay

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright,
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light. —Eliza E. Hewitt

Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10

“Fear not” is a consolation when confronted with something beyond our comprehension. Press forward with the  Gospel without fear, servants of the Lord! The Master says, “Thou shalt catch men.” Do the ordinary service and He will take care of the miracle of saving lost sinners! —Gaius C. Goff

We bear the torch that flaming, fell from the hands of those,
Who gave their lives proclaiming, that Jesus died and rose.
Ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours;
Fired by the same ambition, to Thee we yield our powers.  —F. Houghton

Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. Ecclesiastes 9:14-15 NKJV

This fascinating parable is one that we can relate to. We were in this world, a little city, besieged by a great king, our adversary — the devil. Then He came, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, and delivered us from so great a death! (2 Cor. 8:9; 1:10). No one remembered that same poor man, but we do. —Rex Trogdon

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suff’ring on the tree, Saviour, we adore Thee!  —Samuel Francis

Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

The devil, taking [Jesus] up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Luke 4:5

Actor, Jim Carrey, said: “I wish that everyone could get rich and famous and have everything they ever dreamed of so that they would know that’s not the answer”. Notice it took only a “moment of time” for the devil to show Jesus this world’s glory. Yet so many are enticed by the passing pleasures of this world in a futile attempt to experience lasting inner joy. As famous comedian Russell Brand admitted: “Drugs and alcohol are not my problem. Reality is my problem. Drugs and alcohol are my solution to fill up a hole inside me”. Will you keep trying to fill that hole your own way? Or are you willing to be made whole in God’s way? — Brian Cretney

O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found, and found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy I sought so long, the bliss till now unknown. —E. Bevan

Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt.  Hebrews 8:9
Thou led thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.  Psalm 77:20

These verses indicate God’s tender care for Israel. As they went out from Egypt, God held their hand. The Lord then gave them into the hands of His faithful servants. It is still true today. Could we possibly have it any better than this? Even better, the good Shepherd has said of His sheep, “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). — Ken Gross

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry, touch the spirit there. —Frances R. Havergal

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 57:1

“Under the shadow of thy wings” is a repeated metaphor relating to the protective covering that a mother bird gives to her young. Throughout life, we are “under the shadow of His wings”.  There is no better place, for He is our  Protector; our Refuge and our Fortress, (Ps. 91:1). Under His wings, every need is met; every satisfaction is found. —Jim Comte

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.  —William O. Cushing

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Revelation 21:4 

This verse becomes more precious to me every day. What a joy that we can cling to these precious truths and promises God has given to us. Do not lose heart my dear brothers and sisters. We have so much to look forward to! The One who loves us most is going to come soon and take us home to be with Him forever! Let’s tell at least one person today about Jesus and His love. —Pam Hagey

When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!  —E.E. Hewitt

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

Until the time that his word came: The word of the Lord tried him. Psalm 105:19 

Joseph prophesied of God’s salvation for Egypt and the nations, yet he had to wait for its fulfilment. Meanwhile, he was tested as to his faith in his message. Throughout his sufferings in slavery and prison he had no word of bitterness towards the Lord. Like Christ, he “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23 NKJV). Similarly, we must await His coming and final deliverance from this world. As we are tried by this fallen world’s
afflictions, do we actively trust in the Lord? Our God never fails, and will fulfil His promises. —Keith R. Keyser

O Holy Father, keep us here, in that blest name of love,
Walking before Thee without fear, till all be joy above.  —J. N. Darby