Category: Uncategorised

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 NKJV

Certain personal characteristics, cultural distinctives, and conversation patterns often reveal one’s heritage. It should be the same for believers as citizens of heaven. In Philippians 4 we read of some of these traits. We are to stand fast, display unity and fellowship with other believers. We should rejoice in the Lord, be gentle in dealing with others, and not be anxious. Our conversation should be marked by thankfulness; our conduct like that of the Lord Jesus, and we should be content. If these features characterize us, others will recognize our citizenship is not of this world.—Gary McBride

To be like Jesus! My desire to be like Him!
All thru life’s journey, from earth to glory,
My desire to be like Him. —Author Unknown

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 1 Kings 18:1

God’s word may not come the moment we want it to, but it will come. Elijah had been waiting three years for God to speak and end a devastating famine. Finally, after many days, the answer came. Do you find yourself in a prolonged season of waiting with no answer in sight? Take heart! When God spoke, “an abundance of rain” fell, and the drought was over. He knows the place and exact moment that the answer should come. Trust Him today!  —Deborah Manera

God never hurries.
There are no deadlines against which He must work.  —A.W. Tozer

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:21; Matthew 8:28-9:17

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 church is made for gathering around the Lord for worship, encouragement, and edification. When circumstances like sicknesses or other crises prevent individuals or entire congregations fromassembling, it hurts us and impairs our divinely-designed service. Paul missed his fellow-saints and endeavored to see them again. Recent years should teach us to value our meetings and to faithfully use them for God’s glory, as we are able. —Keith R. Keyser

Soon shall all Thy blood-bought children,
Round the throne their anthems raise,
And, in songs of rich salvation,
Shout to God’s eternal praise. —R. Hawker

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

You are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ… written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:3
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Reading and meditating on God’s Word enables the Spirit to engrave the likeness of Christ on our hearts. Such a transforming treasure, which deters sin and purifies us cannot remain hidden. As we, “His epistles” live out the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ will transform the hearts of those we meet. —David J. Reed

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wondrous compassion and purity.
Oh! Thou Spirit divine all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. —Tom M. Jones

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17

We become Christians when we trust Christ as our Saviour and receive Him into our hearts. However, Paul’s prayer is not that Christ may enter a person’s heart, but that, having entered, He may “dwell” or “settle down and feel at home” (Greek) in the heart of each believer. I have been asking myself, “Does the Lord have complete control of me, so that He feels at home in my heart? Or have I only given Him a small corner of my life?” —David Croudace

What shall I give Thee, Master? Thou who didst die for me.
Shall I give less of what I possess, or shall I give all to Thee?
What can I give Thee, Master? Thou hast given all for me!
Not just a part, or half of my heart, I must give all to Thee!  —Homer W. Grimes

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

He is not here: for he is risen. Matthew 28:6

On this day as we remember Him, how thankful we are that the tomb is empty and the throne is filled! We rejoice that He is not here but at God’s right hand. We do not have a dead Saviour but a risen and glorified Lord. He has gone before and one day we will be forever with Him. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! We praise and thank God for this wonderful fact!—John M. Clegg

He lives! He lives! What glorious consolation!
Exalted at His Father’s own right hand;
He pleads for us, and, by His intercession
Enables all His Saints by grace to stand.  —Russell Hurditch

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

Light is come into the world. John 3:19

The picture showed winter twilight. The trees were heavily laden with snow and a dreary darkness enshrouded the house. It was a sad, cold, depressing sight. Then the artist with a quick stroke of yellow put a light in the window. The entire scene radiated comfort and cheer. The birth of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ was just such a light. —Arnot P. McIntee

Ye who sit in darkness, look,
For the Light now shineth;
He will great deliverance give you,
From the chain that bindeth.  —Unknown

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle. 2 Chronicles 5:9

Why were the staves or poles protruding so that they were seen in the Holy Place where the priests ministered? The ark indicated the presence of God and while the poles were seen by the priests, they were assured that God was still there. We suffer when we fail to appreciate the presence of God in our lives. The enemy loves to instil doubt and fear. The Lord says to us today, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). —Brian Russell

Oh love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow,
May richer, fuller be! —G. Matheson

Genesis 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matthew 5:1-20

He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35

Keepers at The Tower of London were thrilled last year to see healthy chicks growing in the nests of its resident population of ravens. I learned that the collective name for a group of ravens is not “a flock” but strangely “an unkindness” – so an “unkindness of ravens”. Ornithologists tell us that this choice of word is not entirely appropriate, because by nature ravens show a marked level of kindness, such as consoling fellow ravens when they lose one of their own. Like the Lord, believers should show kindness, even in the face of evil and unthankfulness. —Brian Powlesland

O God of love, You’ve taught us, You’ve shown us what to do;
Be just, commit to kindness, walk humbly here with You.
Your Spirit gives us courage to truly live this way.
May love become our message: may kindness win the day. —C. Gillette

Genesis 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matthew 4:1-25

And He was teaching daily in the temple… Luke 19:47 NKJV

As Jesus taught daily in the temple, so too we can enjoy learning from Him daily. Peter reminds us that God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him” (2 Pet. 1:3). This knowledge of Him is found in His precious Word. How blessed we are to have ready access to God’s wonderful Book. How sad if we do not avail ourselves of this incredible treasure on a daily basis. —Annette Baal

Thy Word, O Lord, Thy precious Word alone, can lead me on;
By this, until the darksome night be gone, lead Thou me on!
Thy Word is light, Thy Word is life and power;
By it, oh, guide me in each trying hour. —Albert Midlane