Category: Uncategorised

1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

These words of the Lord Jesus, emphasise that no human being is excluded from receiving God’s grace in salvation. Sir Robert Anderson has written “There is no shuffling of the cards; There is no deception in it; If forgiveness is preached to all, it is because all may share it.” And again he writes “He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”—and he adds, “not as a cold formula which the initiated know to be overshadowed by the doctrine of
election—and that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —W. H. Burnett

Marvellous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe. —D. B. Towner

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  Mark 9:44, 46, 48

In the country that is now Turkmenistan, in 1971, geologists found a vast underground supply of gas. Suddenly the ground cratered and all work ceased as foul smelling methane gas poured out. The geologists left but before they did they set fire to the gas which they estimated would burn off in a matter of days or weeks. Over five decades later the crater still burns furiously and is known as the “Door to Hell”. What a picture of the awfulness of eternal punishment which can only be avoided through Jesus Christ our Lord. —Paul Young

But you, believers, may rejoice, Satan well knows your mighty Friend;
He trembles at your Saviour’s voice, and owns he cannot gain his end.  —John Newton

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.  1 Peter 1:23, NKJV

Other books may impact our emotions, inform our intellect, and influence our thinking. But the Bible is alive. It has power to transform a hardened sinner into a worshipping saint. It actively calms worries. It fortifies crumbling spirits. It brightens dark days. It warms cold hearts and rebukes straying ones. It deconstructs the formidable barriers our fearful hearts create. We can rest assured that the living Word accomplishes God’s purposes. —P. Ramsay

The Bible stands tho’ the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands. —Haldor Lillenas

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:38; Colossians 2:8-3:4

Having on the breastplate of righteousness…take the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:14, 17

It has been remarked that a breastplate has no back, which indicates we are not to run from Satan. However, historical records show that both Roman and Greek breastplates had full protection for the back and front, as does a helmet. Our enemy is a master of what’s termed the “sucker punch”, and it’s the blow we don’t see coming which is hardest to defend against. God’s armour is vital for both seen and unseen attacks. It’s time to get dressed! —Rick Morse

Soldiers of Christ arise,
And put your armour on;
Strong in the strength which God supplies,
Through His eternal Son. —Charles Wesley

1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

Two evils were committed: Forsaking the Lord and seeking satisfaction from this world. Many of us tried for years to make this fatal substitute. We tried to fill the void in our lives that only He can fill. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they find rest in You”. —Rex Trogdon

I tried the broken cisterns, Lord, but ah! The waters failed!
E’en as I stooped to drink they’d fled, and mocked me as I wailed.
Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other name for me;
There’s love, and life, and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee.  —Emma Bevan

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.  2 Corinthians 6:2

High school Geography students are taught that there are three classes of resources: renewable (soil, plants, air, sun), non-renewable (fossil fuels, minerals) and flow resources. The latter are resources that must be used where and when they occur—like moving water, wind, and the rays of the sun. Opportunities for sowing the Word and for harvesting for the Kingdom are also “flow resources”. Time and opportunities cannot be revisited when it is more convenient. May we this day be alert to opportunities to share the good news and work “while it is day” (John 9:4). —M. MacMullen

Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth,
Give Him your loyal devotion, Give Him the best that you have.  —H. B. Grose

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Luke 17:17

Ten were cleansed by the Lord but only one was thankful. Nine men who had just experienced a life changing event couldn’t be bothered to return to give thanks to the Lord for His caring and healing hands. We are kept by His hand and abundantly blessed each day. May we in turn be thankful daily for His blessings and benefits. We have much to be thankful for! —John M. Clegg

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

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1- 4:1

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 1 Kings 10:7

This visit by the Queen of Sheba to see Solomon’s glorious kingdom was far from what she had expected. She saw firsthand Solomon’s fame. His wealth, His wisdom, and how he went up to the house of the Lord captivated her attention and testified to the greatness of his kingdom. So too, it shall be for anyone who looks closely at Christ. You too, shall believe when you come and see for yourself. Behold, a greater than Solomon is here! —Mark Kolchin

His glory broke upon me when I saw Him from afar,
He’s fairer than the lily, brighter than the morning star;
He fills and satisfies my longing spirit o’er and o’er,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before. —W. Martin

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6
I find no fault in him. John 19:6
That ye may know that ye have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

What wonderful things God has assured us that we may with certainty know. We may know forgiveness of sins through Him. We may know that He can forgive sins because there was no fault in Him. Finally we may know that we have eternal life if we confess our sin and trust Him. In an age when nothing seems certain, praise God for what we may know. —K. J. W.

But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able,
To keep that which I’ve committed,
Unto Him against that day. —Daniel Webster Whittle

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

For the Lord had made the host of Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host. 2 Kings 7:6 

In a day when many Christians wrongly place too much emphasis on so called signs and wonders, we must not forget that our God is still the God of the impossible. Many of us that have experienced situations that were impossible to resolve, found that the Lord intervened in ways we could never have envisaged. He is still the God of miracles. —Brian Russell

Power and authority,
Splendour and dignity;
Bow to His mastery
Jesus is Lord.  —Timothy Dudley Smith