Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62

This was a turning point in Peter’s life. The bold, brash disciple, confident in himself, came face-to-face with who he really was. After this we see a much-subdued Peter, that is, until the day of Pentecost, the day when God’s Holy Spirit filled him with power! Then his boldness in proclaiming the Gospel resulted in the conversion of 3,000. No longer did he cower in the shadows. He was transformed, fit for the Master’s use. May we share in this experience. May we too be transformed by the Holy Spirit, fit for the Master’s use!  —Deborah Manera

The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity.
It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.  —A.W. Tozer

Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45

Midday was turned to midnight. No human eye could see Him on the cross during those three hours. His suffering during that holy time was veiled in darkness. No mind can fully comprehend what took place. No tongue can fully describe that awful scene. By faith, we believe. We are so thankful that He endured it! Such was His love for you and me. —John M. Clegg

Darkness hung around Thy head,
When for sin, Thy blood was shed;
Victim in the sinners stead,
Saviour, we adore Thee.  —S. Trevor Francis

Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76:1-77:20; Acts 17:1-15

Now King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all she desired…much more than she had brought to the king.  2 Chronicles 9:12 NKJV

What grace! The Queen of Sheba was given “much more than she had brought to the king.” King Solomon is a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had great riches, wisdom and generosity, but our Lord far surpasses him. When we come to remember the death, resurrection and ascension of our King we bring offerings to Him. And like the Queen of Sheba, we leave with our hearts filled with much more than we came with. —K.J.W.

By and by when I look on His face, beautiful face, thorn-shadowed face.
By and by when I look on His face, I’ll wish I had given Him more.  —Grace Reese Adkins

Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74:1-75:10; Acts 16:16-40

(Jesus)…when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout…we…shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air. I Thessalonions 4:16-17

There are certain things only the Lord Himself can do. In the past only He could die for our sins to bring forgiveness. At the present time, only He knows our deepest needs, and can bring genuine and lasting comfort, as He did on the Emmaus road. In the future, He, who knows His sheep by name, will suddenly snatch us away to be forever with Himself. —David Croudace

The blessings Jesus gives to me, are by His love outpoured.
But dearer far than these could be, is He Himself, My Lord. —M. Smith

Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

These words…shall be in thine heart… bind them for a sign upon thine hand… as frontlets between thine eyes. Deuteronomy 6:6, 8

Israelites bound pouches containing specific portions of God’s Word to their foreheads and hands, literally indicating that His words of wisdom were at the forefront of every thought and that His words would strengthen their hands for the day’s labour. Our mouth is not only for food, but for the spiritual nutrition of His sustaining Word (Matt. 4:4). Bound to our fingers, His words help us manipulate life’s complexities (Prov. 7:3); and at our feet they illuminate our walk (Ps. 119:105). The Scriptures should be no empty word for us, but our very life (Deut. 32:46). A daily read is a
must! —David J. Reed

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life. —Philip Bliss

Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Acts 15:31

The word “consolation” here, could read “encouragement”. This letter was sent from the church at Jerusalem to encourage the believers at Antioch. If there is ever a day when we need encouragement it is now. We live in an anti-God world which has gone its own way, not only to ignore, but to deny biblical principles. We need to constantly lean on the Lord and each other. We need more like Barnabas who was known as the “son of consolation” (Acts 4:36). —Brian Russell

We share our mutual woes; our mutual burdens bear.
And often for each other flows, a sympathising tear.  —John Fawcett

Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 1 Thessalonians 2:17

The apostle Paul was prevented from being with the saints at Thessalonica. But although physically absent, he was spiritually present. What a testimony of his love for the believers. Sadly we sometimes are guilty of being physically present, but spiritually absent. The saints were Paul’s passion and joy. Lord revive our hearts and give us a fresh heart for your people. —Sid Halsband

Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love.
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, revive us again. —W. P. Mackay

Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

The men of Israel retired in the battle. Judges 20:39

This was a tactical maneuver. Israel’s army withdrew to deceive the enemy and returned to conquer. Retirement and withdrawal may have a place in military strategy, but there should be no retirement in the onward march of spreading God’s Gospel. Oh, dear fellow believer, don’t retire from shepherding, teaching, preaching and winning souls. Continue in the youth work, the support of missionaries, the public proclamation of the Word, and any other
ministry to which you are called of God. —Arnot P. McIntee

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army, none can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging, victory is secure;
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.  —Frances Havergal

Exodus 24:1-18; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 13:26-52

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 Chronicles 7:1

Solomon acknowledged that our omnipresent God is not confined to one location (1 Kgs. 8:27). Instead, the temple was a place for the Lord to commune with His people. At its inception there were no competing glories. Sadly, in their spiritual decline, Judah placed foreign idols in the temple and eventually God’s glory left. Today believers are the temple of the living God and we have the privilege of manifesting Christ’s glory. May He completely fill our  house! —George Ferrier

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.  —Kate B. Wilkinson

Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66:1-67:7; Acts 13:1-25

He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

The distractions of daylight activities are gone when communing with the Lord in the night. Faith then has a clean slate to work with, as soul and spirit lift unhindered to God in prayer. A few words of thanks, urgent words of concern, praise notes, rush to the throne of grace faster than they can be spoken. The Mediator speaks for the one praying in the darkness and makes that case His own. He has been here and knows our sorrows. —Gaius C. Goff

We come, obeying, laying our sins and sorrows at Thy feet,
On everlasting strength our weakness staying,
Clothed in Thy robe of righteousness complete;
Rising and refreshed we leave Thy throne,
And follow on knowing as we are known. —Jane Borthwick