Category: Uncategorised

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20, NKJV

A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to put myself on the path of healthy living. Sometimes, however, junk food seems to make up more of my diet than fruits and vegetables! Thankfully, I do not regain all of my lost weight because of one ill advised binge. How often do we tell ourselves that when we fail before the Lord, there is no return to His good graces until we have suffered rebukes and punishment? There is no doubt that sin damages us and exacts its price, but our Father runs to meet us in our repentance, to lavish us with His mercy and grace. —Cathy Oriold

Grace, grace, marvellous grace!
Grace that is greater than all our sin. —Julia H. Johnston

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but  whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-14

God the Father and God the Son are in complete agreement with all the Holy Spirit teaches us. As we come to our quiet time with the Lord, we would be wise to acknowledge that this is God’s Word. He is the Author, and only He can make it plain! Then He will minister His Word to us. —Ray Jones

Oh the pure delight of a single hour,
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend. —William H. Doane

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” John 10:31-32, NKJV

They had lifted stones to hurl at Him when He said: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58, NKJV). Facing stones again, in gracious calmness He reasoned with them regarding His deity. With divine composure He reminded them of the good works they had witnessed. Ultimately, no stone was thrown. He was not a blasphemer. He truly was God. —P. Ramsay

Verily God, yet become truly human,
Lower than angels to die in our stead;
How has that long promised “Seed of the woman”
Trod on the serpent and bruised his head! —H. D’Arcy Champney

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Jesus…said to her…“whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14, NKJV

Walking through a son’s paddock, I thanked God for the water bubbling in the creek below. During the drought of summer, my husband carted water for our cattle over a period of five months. I was reminded of the woman who met Jesus at the well and how He offered to give her living water. What a change Jesus made in her life, and He can do the same for you today. —Janet Fleming

Beautiful water, living and free, that is what Jesus offers to me.
Lasting forever, bringing me peace, bubbling a fountain never to cease.
Drink of that water, why not today? Find life in Jesus, joy for your way,
Share it with others, answer His call, living water offered free to all. —J. F.

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1- 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

She saw him that he was a goodly child. Exodus 2:2

God used five women to rescue Moses from the death decreed by Pharaoh. The two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, believed they should obey God rather than Pharoah and were instrumental in preserving the lives of Hebrew children. Moses’ mother, Jochabed, risked her life to keep him alive, as did Miriam, his sister. Even Pharaoh’s daughter, who must have known he was a Hebrew baby, did her part in providing for his immediate needs as well
as his overall development. The men in Moses’ life were doubtless doing their part but it is only these women who are mentioned by name as contributing significantly in God’s plan to raise a deliverer for Israel. May we have similar hearts. —M. MacMullen

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me;
And may I faithfully do my part to win that soul for Thee. —L. Tucker

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:16
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Since the omniscient God is our sufficiency we have no need to fear the uncertainties of life’s tomorrows. Whether family issues, work place problems, or difficulties in the local church, He is able. As the Psalmist reminds us, our total care falls on the shoulders of our good, great, and gracious Shepherd. Rest on Him!  —Wm. H. Gustafson

All that I want is in Jesus,
He satisfies—joy He supplies;
Life would be worthless without Him,
All things in Jesus I find. —Harry D. Loes

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

Throughout the Bible, God entreats people to come to Him. He describes Himself reaching out His hands, imploringly to wayward Israel. When He walked on earth, Christ told the weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest and salvation. Unsurprisingly, the Bible’s final chapter continues the same offer for the living water of eternal life. Yet, there is an added person inviting others: “the bride”. Believers join in this glorious invitation! Let us not
weary in witnessing. Tell someone today. —K. R. Keyser

God and the Lamb shall there the light and temple be,
And radiant hosts forever share the unveiled mystery.  —John N. Darby

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt…Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake. Psalm 106:7-8

As I write this, my nation (Great Britain), as is the rest of the world, is suffering an epidemic of massive proportions. On the whole, the privileged “West” has turned its back on God. Nevertheless, in His great mercy God is helping us get through. Not only should we be thankful, but we should not hesitate to remind our political leaders to honour the Lord as did the late King George during the Second World War. We need days of prayer and thankfulness. May the goodness and severity of God lead many to repentance (Rom. 11:22). —Brian Russell

I’ll strengthen you, help you and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.  —George Keith

2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son…I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand…upon the sea shore. Genesis 22:16-17

When God asked, Abraham was willing to give up Isaac, the son of promise, the son whom he so dearly loved. This great man of faith believed God when he didn’t know why. In response to Abraham’s faith, God provided a ram and his boy’s life was restored, and his family (Israel) would indeed become as “the stars and the sand” in number. Abraham was faithful. Isaac was faithful. God is faithful and still keeps His promises! Are we being faithful? —Jim Comte

How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure nor end.  —J. Hart

2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Leviticus 1:4

Reverence for God is not put on and off at will. When it is real, there will be constant obedience and submission to God. This commitment is demonstrated by giving God the best I have. Then my worship will be in spirit and truth. The heart of the one who brought the perfect sweet-savour sacrifice in appreciation of God’s grace was to be filled with gratitude, and God then would be glorified.  —G. C. G.

And when I think that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. —Carl Boberg