Category: Uncategorised

2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42, NKJV

It is of great eternal value to sit at the Lord’s feet daily, giving Him the place of honour as He teaches us the lessons He has prepared for us. Day by day, our Lord has a portion that He has prepared for each of us and it is worthy of receiving. Mary chose to sit at the Lord’s feet to receive her part, to hear His word for her. No one could take it away from her. Do we desire the part the Lord has for us today? Or are we losing out on invaluable spiritual blessings?
—Jennifer Flokstra

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be: more love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee! —Elizabeth Prentiss

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3

Mountain-tops or valleys? Most of us want the mountain-tops but the most valuable lessons in life are in the valleys. True wisdom is not learned but earned when hammered out on the anvil of life’s trials. One of the paradoxes of life is that joy can coexist with sorrow. Sorrow and suffering are the means God uses to develop His people. They give us a fresh appreciation of the suffering Saviour and they enable us to draw near to others who are experiencing similar trials. —Sid Halsband

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. —William O. Cushing

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. Psalm 49:16-17, NKJV

Let us be careful not to confuse physical blessings, which tend to turn us earthward, and spiritual blessings, which turn our eyes upon eternity. If the Lord has blessed us physically, let us use these blessings in service to the Lord for the benefit of others, and then teach them of the spiritual blessings they have in Christ Jesus, which will last forever! —E. C. B.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always. —Mary E. Byrne

2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14

Babies tend to put everything they pick up into their mouths. Therefore, their parents must protect them. Similarly, zealous immature believers can often fail to distinguish between sound doctrine and harmful teaching. All believers have a responsibility to feed upon Christ’s Word so we can spiritually grow up. As we mature, we learn to reject unhealthy teaching. Until then, seasoned believers have a responsibility to lovingly and kindly teach and guide their spiritual children away from harm. —George Ferrier

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way! —Benjamin Ramsey

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

These men have set up their idols in their heart. Ezekiel 14:3
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21

An idol is anything or anybody who takes first place in my heart—the place which should be reserved for God Himself. Although some of the elders of Israel seemed to be very devout, God revealed to Ezekiel that they had set up idols in their hearts. I may appear to be godly to others but let me daily search my heart to ensure that nothing such as money, friends or even a hobby might be creeping in to slowly usurp the place of supremacy, where Christ alone should reign. —David Croudace

Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free. —James E. Orr

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.  1 Thessalonians 3:9, NKJV

When it comes to thanksgiving, is your list complete? We usually think of two categories of blessings—spiritual and material. We are indeed blessed! But there is a third area of blessing. It is personal. God has made us part of His great big family, with brothers and sisters in the Lord, and fathers and mothers in the faith. Have you taken time to thank God for the members of His family with whom we enjoy fellowship each time we gather? Paul said, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3:15, NKJV). —Rex Trogdon

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.—The Gaithers

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

What a picture of God, our great Sustainer. He gave us this promise, made millenia ago, which has never been broken. We see His greatness and power in keeping the earth’s axis tilted perfectly so we have the seasons every year. We see His dependability and goodness in that year after year seasons come and go, providing sun, rainfall, heat and food. We bow in worship today when we consider the One who is in complete control. —John M. Clegg

O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed. —Carl Broberg

2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10

Throughout the Bible, we learn that no matter the circumstance, it is better to dwell in the presence of the Lord than to dwell in the “tents” of this world. The book of Psalms begins with these words, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps. 1:1, NKJV). We will be blessed if we obey the Lord and follow Him. If we plant ourselves by the rivers of living water, we will flourish in Christ. —Bronwyn Hagey

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. —Carolina Sandell

2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41:1-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Initially our ability to be refreshed in the Lord’s presence is dependent upon our repentance and faith in Christ. Following this, those times of refreshing depend upon our closeness to Him. If our relationship with Him has lost its vibrancy, due to any number of things which have crept in, those times of true refreshment in His presence will be scarce. If this condition describes you today, return again to your “first love”, and enjoy anew the refreshment of
His presence. —E. V.

There shall be showers of blessing; this is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Saviour above.  —Daniel W. Whittle

2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:16; Hebrews 10:1-18

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:13-14

Paul puts it very succinctly. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Let us each one be faithful to the area of witness God has called us to, to work together with others, to win and build up precious souls for the Lord’s household. Are you a partner with God and His servants in this planting, watering, soul winning process? —K. C. Ung

You may not go to a far heathen land, or to a country new;
But in your home for the Master stand, and win the one next to you. —C. H. Forsythe