Lord’s Day, December 4, 2022

2 Chronicles 34:1-33; Daniel 2:1-23; 1 John 4:1-21

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.  Psalm 107:29

This verse is on a plaque on the lighthouse at Whitby, North Yorkshire, England. Those who read it are reminded of the mighty power of God. Our Lord displayed such power when He calmed the storm on Galilee. Through His work, amidst the raging of a great storm, the disciples suddenly found themselves in a great calm (Mark 4:39). We marvel at this miracle and say with them “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). —John M. Clegg

All things praise Thee—gracious Lord, great Creator, powerful Word,
Omnipresent Spirit, now, at Thy feet we humbly bow;
Lift our hearts in praise to Thee; all things praise Thee—Lord, may we! —G. W. Conder

Saturday, December 3, 2022

2 Chronicles 33:25; Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 3:1-24

Because that by reason of him (Lazarus) many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. John 12:11

Lazarus had a tremendous testimony! Many people believed on the Lord “by reason of him”. Yet, what did he  actually do? Although he probably spoke of his experience, there is no record in the Bible of him preaching, or of a single word he said. He didn’t heal anyone or perform a miracle. So what made him so influential? He lived out the resurrected life and that’s what spoke to the people. Sometimes the silent witness of a resurrected life is more effective than words. —Sid Halsband

Then let my life and labours, henceforth and ever be,
In fervent love abounding, acceptable to Thee;
Upon Thy strength relying, in weakness and when tried,
And seeking that in all things, Thy name be glorified. —E. Costello

Friday, December 2, 2022

2 Chronicles 32:1-33; Ezekiel 48:1-35; 1 John 2:12-29

Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23

Because of the incarnation, man could touch the Son of God in physical form. Of course, John’s privilege was more than tactile; he enjoyed a close friendship with the Lord, as was indicated by his seat next to Jesus at the table. Even though Christ is currently in heaven physically, believers likewise may draw near to Him and commune with Father and Son. This is made possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16-23). They may come into His presence in prayer, and listen to Him speak to them through His Word. —K. R. Keyser

How happy and favor’d was he, who could on Thy bosom repose!
Might this favour be granted to me, I’d smile at the rage of my foes.  —John Newton

Thursday, December 1, 2022

2 Chronicles 31:1-21; Ezekiel 47:1-23; 1 John 1:1-2:11

Arise, get thee to Zarephath…behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 1 Kings 17:9
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail. 1 Kings 17:14

Elijah may have wondered why God would send him to a widow. But God had commanded her to sustain His servant. He had already learned that God works in extraordinary ways and so he went. And now the widow was about to experience God’s faithfulness. Through it, she learned a lesson that is valuable for us all. If God commands us to fulfill a task for Him, He will see that we have the resources to do it. Trust Him. —Ken Gross

I trust in God wherever I may be, upon the land or on the rolling sea,
For, come what may, from day to day, my heav’nly Father watches over me.  —W. C. Martin

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench. Isaiah 42:3, NKJV

A reed was not valuable. A bruised reed even less so. Easily discarded. But not to the Lord. He treated it with tenderness. We were all broken reeds; broken by sin. But the Lord Jesus would not discard us. Perhaps today you are sensing the great weight of your sin and feeling broken by it. You don’t know where to turn. There is Someone who can fully help. The Lord Jesus Christ accepts us in our brokenness. He promises He will never turn you away. He will forgive you and give you the peace that only comes with forgiveness. He accepts broken reeds. I know because He accepted me. —Paul Robertson

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.—John Newton

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  Philippians 4:23

In every greeting and closing comment, in every letter that Paul wrote to the churches, he included the word grace. Why? At one time he was a religious zealot who persecuted the innocent and brutally murdered in the name of his religion. He was a wicked man and a stranger to grace. Then the Lord met him on a dusty road! He conversed with him, convinced him, converted him and gave him eternal life. Paul became overwhelmed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be too! —Ray Jones

Grace, grace it was that brought Thee down;
Love shone in all Thy ways;
Through death Thine is the Victor’s crown;
And Thine the endless praise. —Douglas Russell

Monday, November 28, 2022

2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?  Romans 9:19
Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.  Acts 7:51
Who will have all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4

The will of God expressly states that He wants all men to be saved. Yet many are not saved. Is the arm of the Lord shortened, that He cannot save? Not at all. We are each given the capacity to resist His will, albeit to our own eternal hurt. Resisting the Holy Spirit, who points us to Christ, is most certainly not without consequences. Heed the Spirit’s plea and come to Christ today.  —Rick Morse

Tell the joyful news, wherever man is found,
Whosoever will may come. —Philip P. Bliss

Lord’s Day, November 27, 2022

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. Revelation 1:10

John tells us here that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” when he was given his great vision of the glorified Lord. In response he fell prostrate in worship. If we, like John, would be worshippers on the Lord’s day, then being “in the Spirit”, as worshippers, must be our habit of life during the week. —W. H. Burnett

Here rejoicing in Thy nearness,
Gladly by Thy Spirit led,
Calmy in the blest remembrance,
Of Thyself, Thy blood once shed.  —Mrs. Thompson

Saturday, November 26, 2022

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

Where are you? Genesis 3:9, NKJV
Where have you come from, and where are you going?  Genesis 16:8, NKJV

God asks the important questions. First, “Where are you?” This question was asked of Adam that he might realize that he could not hide from God. He asks the same question to our hearts, that we might know that we are lost. Second, “Where have you come from?” This should cause us to focus on the Life-giver and get our bearings from our Creator. Third, “Where are you going?” This is the ultimate question. Where will you spend eternity? What is your answer? —Rex Trogdon

I know my mansion He prepareth, That where He is, there I may be;
O wondrous tho’t, for me He careth, And He at last will come for me.   —Jessie B. Pounds

Friday, November 25, 2022

2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Numbers 14:18
The Lord…is longsuffering [toward us], not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9

Longsuffering is simply defined as “patience”. How thankful we should be for that attribute of God. If He had not been longsuffering with us, where would we be? Because we belong to Him we should reflect that same attribute in our dealings with others, whether saved or unsaved. It surely is a rare commodity in our world and shines bright when manifested. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Teach me, Lord, to wait down on my knees,
Till in Your own good time You answer my pleas,
Teach me not to rely on what others do,
But to wait in prayer for an answer from You. —Stuart Hamblen