Category: Uncategorised

1 Chronicles 17-18; Ezekiel 17; John 6:22-40

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span.  Isaiah 40:12
Heaven is my throne…saith the Lord…Hath not my hand made all these things? Acts 7:49-50

We believe what we read in the Scriptures concerning God, but in truth our minds really cannot fathom or comprehend His greatness. We would say with David “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast  ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” (Ps. 8:3-4). These verses concerning the work of His hand are astounding but surely the most humbling thing about His hand is that I am held securely there (John 10:28) —Ken Gross

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.  —R. Keen

1 Chronicles 16:1-43; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers. Philemon 4

It is a special blessing when one Christian verbally commends another to God and to other believers. When we habitually give thanks for fellow-believers, it has great value. Think about a brother and sister with thanksgiving, and your intercession will be effective for you and them. Joy and thanksgiving for others warms our souls. Paul could see God’s grace at work in Philemon, and he told him so. —G. C. G.

For man’s unceasing quest for God,
For God’s unceasing quest for man,
For records of His love and power,
Surrounding life since life began,
We thank Thee, Lord most high. —Alice M. Pullen

1 Chronicles 15:1-29; Ezekiel 16:1-34; John 5:24-47

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Proverbs 14:13

Similar to a masquerade party where masks are worn to disguise identities, we often wear the masks of laughter and smiles to disguise hurting hearts. But when the laughter ends, the grief remains. What is the answer for this hidden state of heaviness? Jesus invites you to come to Him, take off your mask of pretense, and lay your burden at His feet (Matt. 11:28). It is there, being honest in His presence, you will find rest for your soul. Then your laughter will no
longer be a temporary mask, but a permanent joyful reality. —E. V.

Lay down the burden of your heart, I know you’ll never miss it.
Show the Father where it hurts, and let your Father lift it.  —J. Winchester

1 Chronicles 13:1-14:17; Ezekiel 14:1-15:8; John 5:1-23

Never man spake like this man. John 7:46

The most important words ever spoken came from the lips of our Saviour. He spoke to thousands at a time (Luke 9:14) but took great delight in conversing with individuals too (John 4:7). Storms were stilled by His word (Mark 4:39). The dead heard His voice and responded (John 11:43). At Calvary He expressed the full success of His earthly ministry when He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). No man ever spoke like this Man. —John M. Clegg

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth,
Master, let it now be heard.  —Frances R. Havergal

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

These that have turned the world upside down. Acts 17:6

The town of Thetford in Suffolk has a prominent statue erected in memory of Thomas Paine who, amongst other things, was a critic of the Christian faith. Scrutiny of the statue shows him holding a book he wrote called “The Rights of Man” which is upside down—allegedly intended by the sculptor to stimulate discussion. I wonder whether he knew that the early Christian believers “turned the world upside down”. Lives can still be turned upside down if only people were to read the Bible, believe it and apply it. —Brian Powlesland

Oh Lord, all the world belongs to You,
And You are always making all things new.
What is wrong You forgive, and the new life You give,
Is what’s turning the world upside down. —Patrick Appleford

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Job 11:7

The testimony of creation gives us awe-inspiring insight about the majesty, wisdom, and power of God. But without His revelation of Himself through the Lord Jesus, we would be left with an absent personality at best. The visibility of our God in the person of Christ is the grand theme of the New Testament. If we have seen Him, we have seen the Father! It is the greatest of unveiled mysteries, that of God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). —Rick Morse

In Thee most perfectly expressed,
The Father’s glories shine;
Of the full Deity possessed,
Eternally divine. —Josiah Condor

1 Chronicles 8:1-9:44; Ezekiel 11:1-25; John 3:22-36

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. Ephesians 2:4, NKJV

According to a study commissioned by the BBC’s Radio 4, all the Covid-19 viruses in the world would not fill a soft drink can. It is astounding how such a small thing could be so devastating. It reminds us anew of humanity’s frailty. Our prayer should be that events like this pandemic would turn people’s hearts to God. In many ways the world has been stopped that people might think of Him and the spiritual needs that only He can meet. He is the only  answer for you. Turn to Him today. —Paul Robertson

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder of sunrise I see,
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul,
Is the wonder that God loves me. —George Beverly Shea

1 Chronicles 7:1-40; Ezekiel 10:1-22; John 2:23-3:21

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

Hospitality seems to be a dying ministry in these materialistic days. Yet one of the characteristics of an elder is “given to hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2). Hospitality is an act of love. It is emphasising that people are more important than things. The welfare of our homes and possessions must always take a lower priority than our care for the needs of others. Do we use our homes to refresh the saints, to introduce the needy to the gospel and to bring glory to the Lord
through our obedience? —Paul Young

O Master, grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved, as to love with all my soul. —Sebastian Temple

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant.” Jeremiah 43:10, NKJV

These are days of great uncertainty. With a pandemic, riots, floods, hurricanes, political animosity and general unrest, our hearts are tempted to fear. But when we look to our sovereign God who turns emperors into servants and uses them to do His bidding, we are filled with hope. He has promised to never leave us and that nothing can separate us from His love. God is in control. Be still my soul. —Glenda Paquette

The splendour of a King, clothed in majesty,
Let all the earth rejoice,
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at His voice. —Chris Tomlin

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27

I have a friend that is confined to her home. She is doubtful, restless, unsure about her earthly future. One of my favourite gospel singers has a song that says; “When you need a friend to lean on, there’s no other name I know…sing Jesus”. Aren’t those beautiful words? My prayer is that she will be able to “sing Jesus” and get through this trial. —Debbie Douglas

Let His name speak peace and comfort,
To the trouble in your soul…sing Jesus.  —Wayne Haun & Joel Lindsey