Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 1:1- 2:22; Psalm 31:1-24; Matthew 27:45-66

When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.  Luke 14:12

Every Lord’s day we have been invited to a feast. Our invitation is not based on our wealth, popularity, or our ability to pay back the host with a similar invitation. On the contrary, we’ve been invited because we have no way to return the favour. We’ve been invited solely based on grace. What an immense privilege to come, as our Host is the infinite and all-powerful God of the universe. He looks for no repayment or favours just gratitude and worship from our redeemed hearts. —Sid Halsband

Here, O my Lord, I see You face to face;
Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace. —H. Bonar

Genesis 50:1-26; Psalm 30:1-12; Matthew 27:27-44

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak… Psalm 85:6-8 NKJV

Having earnestly poured out his heart in prayer to God, what did this unnamed Son of Korah do next? He eagerly anticipated an answer from God: “I will hear what God the Lord will speak” (v. 8). He was willing to wait on God! How often have we prayed lacking the faith that God would answer us? May we be willing to look up, and look out, and wait upon Him for His answer.  —David A. Dunlap

I have spoken to Him;
Now I will hear what His answer is,
I will hold my ear attentive,
To listen to His voice. —C.H. Spurgeon

Genesis 49:1-33; Psalms 28:1-29:11; Matthew 27:1-26

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26

While facing a serious medical test I became paralyzed by fear. I felt like a failure as I couldn’t seem to trust God and find peace. When I read this verse, I realized that my own strength may fail me but God’s strength could not! God would rise up and become the strength I needed. The day of the dreaded test, my anxiety eased, and the test itself was nothing to fear. How thankful I am that God becomes my strength when I need Him most! How thankful I am
that He is my portion forever! —Deborah Manera

We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus,
But because He holds tightly to us. —R. C. Sproul

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26:1-27:14; Matthew 26:57-75

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter . . . he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Acts 10:5-6

The angel of God directed Cornelius to send for the messenger who would preach Christ’s Gospel to him.  Simultaneously, the Lord was preparing Peter to carry this good news to the Gentiles. This is an instance of R. A. Torrey’s adage: “It will not take a seeking Saviour and a seeking sinner long to find each other.” Dear believer, ask God to prepare you to witness to someone specific; and pray that He prepares their heart to hear the Word. — Keith R. Keyser

Tell the guilty of their danger,
While they wander far from God;
While they live to Christ a stranger,
And reject His precious Word. —E.P. Hammond

Genesis 46:1-47:27; Psalm 25:1-22; Matthew 26:31-56

For this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. Exodus 9:16

God often allows evil men to rule, so that in some way His power may finally be seen, and His name glorified. All around us biblical principles are being undermined, but in faith we must rest on His promises. Ps. 76:10 says “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.”  That is what happened when Pharaoh and his army were about to destroy the Israelites. Instead the Egyptians were drowned in the sea causing all the people to fear God (Ex. 14:27). —David Croudace

We rest on Thee our shield and our defender,
We go not forth alone against the foe.
Strong in Thy might; safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee and in Thy name we go. —E. G. Cherry

Genesis 45:1-28; Psalms 23:1-24:10; Matthew 26:1-30

All thy males (shall) appear before the Lord…and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. Deuteronomy 16:16-17

This command is serious because those who appear, will appear before the Lord. Equally solemn is the command not to come empty handed. Their giving may vary according to their ability, but all shall give. This passage is about giving earthly blessings, but we can learn a spiritual lesson. “[He] hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). Our best offerings will be spiritual, those of thanksgiving and worship. May we never be guilty of coming
empty handed. —Ken Gross

Must I go and empty handed, thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet? —C. Luther

Genesis 44:1-34; Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 25:31-46

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV

Is your soul cast down today and disquieted? Take heart dear one! The Lord knows all about it. Wait quietly for Him to respond to the situation knowing He is our help and shield. We can depend upon Him. He hears our prayers and will answer according to His plans and purposes. Trust Him. —Annette Baal

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”  —Louisa M.R. Stead

Genesis 43:1-34; Psalms 20:1-21:13; Matthew 25:1-30

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

Ponder the blows that stung His face; the spittle that ran down His cheeks; the thorns that pierced His brow; His back like a plowed field; the mockery and taunting. When wounded and abused by man, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). But, when forsaken by His Father, He cries that piercing cry, Why? Martin Luther meditating on this text cried out, “God forsaken by God. Who can understand it?”—Jim Comte

Behold! Behold the Lamb of God, on the cross! On the cross!
For us He shed His precious blood, on the cross! On the cross!
O hear His all-important cry, “Eli, lama sabachthani?”
Draw near and see the Saviour die, on the cross! On the cross! —J. Hoskins

Genesis 41:50-42:38; Psalm 19:1-14; Matthew 24:29-51

What manner of man is this? Matthew 8:27

Field Marshall Lord Montgomery once exalted the prowess of British paratroopers by asking “What manner of men are these?”. He was referring to their exceptional qualities of courage and bravery. Our Lord faced a stormy sea and calmed it; met demented persons and put them in their right minds; touched the diseased and disabled and effected their cures. Our Lord is unique in that it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint any particular exceptional quality about Him, because every quality is exceptional.  —Brian Powlesland

No one, no one like my precious Saviour:
No one, no one such a friend can be.
No one, no one like my precious Saviour,
Glory, glory, Jesus cares for me. —Eliza E Hewitt

Genesis 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matthew 24:1-28

(The Lord) who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. Psalm 147:8

Our God is full of surprises for His own. No one plants seed on the barren, rugged mountain, but God is a God of miracles, and accomplishes results that are not anticipated. Never despair from bleak conditions or a disheartening outlook on life. God can produce blessings which far outweigh the negative experiences we suffer. “Hope thou in God” (Ps. 42:11). —Brian Russell

God is still on His throne,
And He will remember His own;
Though trials may press us,
And burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;
God is still on the throne. —Kitty Suffield