Category: Uncategorised

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
In everything give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Here are three attributes which should mark every believer. We should be joyful, ever rejoicing in our salvation (Phil. 4:4). We should be prayerful, praying for each other and for those who need Christ. We should be thankful for everything we have received from our great Provider. May these characteristics mark our lives as we continue to live for Him and His glory. —John M Clegg

Rejoice! Rejoice! Ye saints rejoice!
Rejoice with one accord;
Rejoice with all your heart and voice,
In Christ, the exalted Lord.  —C. Russell Hurditch

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy. Psalm 62:11-12

A 15-year-old boy in Phillipi was hooked on drugs but longing for a better life. He struggled in vain to give them up. Finally, he chained himself to his bed so that when the overpowering craving for drugs came upon him he would not be able to reach them. Sadly he knew no other way. He desperately needed someone to tell him that mercy to forgive his past sin and power to give him a new life were both available in Christ, who not only died to forgive him but rose again to indwell him thus enabling him to break the chains of sin. —David Croudace

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. —A. Ackley

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:4-5

This is a wonderful psalm to read and meditate on when feeling downcast. To know that God is always listening to us,
and hears our every prayer is a wonderful comfort! It reminds us that our God is great and that there is nothing else in this world that compares to Him. Even in our discouragements we must not let anything else take the place that He wants in our life. —G. Frear

Bow down Your ear and hear my cry,
Help me to know that You are nigh;
Show mercy to my inward soul,
For You have made my spirit whole. —G. F.

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” John 21:17 NKJV

Peter’s denials grew progressively stronger. First, he denied, then he denied with an oath, then he denied with cursing and swearing (Matt. 26). Here, after the resurrection, the Lord’s call on Peter’s love grew progressively weaker: Do you agapao (sacrificial love) Me more than these? Do you agapao Me (at all)? Do you (at least) phileo (brotherly affection) Me? God’s people may experience each of these three levels of love at some point in their life. Yet, even when it seems that all we can give Him is phileo, His command remains unchanged: “Feed My sheep…follow Me.” —Eunice Free

When our love is but a flickering flame,
He still says, “Come—Go in My name.” —E. Free

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.” 1 Samuel 15:16 NKJV
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” Luke 7:40 NKJV

Both Saul and Simon expected to hear words of praise about what they had done. However, that was not the case. Each had acted in their own way and in their own strength. Only what is done for the Lord and by His strength will last and bring Him the glory He so richly deserves. In all our endeavours, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). —Annette Baal

Only one life t’will soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. —C. T. Studd

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matthew 13:44

I am really looking forward to the Lord’s return and going “home.” How about you? As we await our departure, may we be like the man in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13. He was happy to give up everything he owned because he knew that what he had found in Jesus was so much better! Let’s search God’s Word to find the desires and heart attitudes that He wants us to have. Let’s ask that we will only be satisfied with what really brings joy. —Pam Hagey

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory! —E. E. Hewitt

2 Samuel 16:1-17:29; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Galatians 3:15-29

And he (the Lord) saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Matthew 8:26

The disciples had followed the Lord when He entered the ship (v. 23) and immediately a great storm arose which terrified these seasoned fishermen, to the point where in their terror they awakened the Lord saying “Lord, save us: we perish” (v. 25). The Lord gently chided them for their lack of faith and rose and stilled the storm. We learn here, that even when we closely follow the Lord, we will not be exempt from the storms of life, but we must rest in the assurance that He is in control and will bring calm to our troubled souls. —Willie H. Burnett

When the storms of life are raging, tempests wild on sea and land,
I will find a place of refuge, in the shadow of God’s hand.  —Mary E. Servos

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus. John 12:3

Just before going to Calvary, the Lord Jesus was honoured by Mary in a home in Bethany. Her silent devotion spoke volumes when she took a pound of ointment of spikenard—pure, plentiful, and precious, and anointed His feet. The men spoke up in protest, their harsh indignant words threatening to spoil the moment. Their hearts were out of tune regarding her sacrificial gift, seeing it as a waste. They knew nothing of the eloquence of silent adoration, but Mary did. The fragrance of her worship filled the house. When we gather to remember the Lord, may we experience the same blessedness. —Clark Logan

Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him, all we are and have. —Thomas Kelly

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51

Multitudes have fallen asleep in Christ. Many other believers will be added to their number, even today. Their journey here is finished but a new eternal vista has opened up before them—forever with the Lord. During life here, they came to know Christ. They lived for Christ. They died in Christ and they are presently “with Christ” (Phil. 1:23). But their bodies are sleeping, awaiting the resurrection day. And soon that day will come, when, along with those believers who are living, we will all be united with Him. Look up! He may come today! —L. Cain

God, my Redeemer lives, and ever from the skies
Looks down and watches all my dust, till He shall bid it rise.  —Isaac Watts

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1

When I was a child, our family toured Tom Sawyer’s cave in Hannibal, Missouri. When we had descended deep into the cave, the tour guide turned off his flashlight, and we were immediately cast into complete and total darkness! He left his light off for about a minute, but to me, it felt like “the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:13). What a relief when the light was restored, and we emerged once again into the day. Praise God for the spiritual “light of the world” (John 8:12), Jesus Christ our Saviour, who enlightens the hearts of all who believe in Him! —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Come to the light, ‘tis shining for thee;
Once I was blind, but now I can see,
The light of the world is Jesus. —Philip P. Bliss