Category: Uncategorised

Judges 10:6-11:28; Isaiah 31:1-9; 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks. Luke 17:15-16

These verses are part of the account of the healing of the ten lepers. Can you imagine this healed leper, heading to the priest, looking at his formerly leprous body and seeing perfect flesh! His fitting action was to glorify God in a loud voice and fall at Jesus’ feet. When we realize the spiritual healing we have been given, how can we do anything less than worship our Saviour. May we bring that worship today at the Lord’s Supper. —Ken Gross

For us Thine untold sufferings there, for us the darkness and the woe,
In love, transcending all compare, Thou, Lord, for us to death didst go.
We worship Thee, all glorious Lord, forever be Thy name adored! —Inglis Fleming

Judges 9:1-10:5; Isaiah 30:1-33; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. Mark 7:24, NKJV

Jesus was pursued by those who were determined to find Him. He taught like no one else could. He healed, He fed, He consoled, He gave hope, He understood, He cared, like no one else could. He presented Himself as living water, bread that would satisfy, a doctor for the sick, and the way, the truth and the life. He is still the only way of salvation and eternal life for everyone who believes. Have you believed? You will find Him if you seek Him today! —Deborah Manera

He died, He lives, He reigns, He pleads;
There’s love in all His words and deeds;
There’s all a guilty sinner needs
Forever more in Jesus. —James Procter

Judges 8:1-35; Isaiah 29:1-24; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Peter 4:16, NKJV

Our humble Saviour tirelessly pursued the marginalized in society, yet He was despised and rejected. He was kind and compassionate without discrimination, yet suffered emotional abuse and physical assaults. Ultimately, He was crucified. If you are suffering for no other reason than belonging to Christ, Peter said: “Rejoice”. But perhaps, the real reason for my suffering is not for being Christ-like; but for failing to be like Him. May the fruit of the Spirit always be evident in our lives. —P. Ramsay

O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches.
Willing to suffer—others to save. —Thomas O. Chisholm

Judges 7:1-25; Isaiah 28:1-29; 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Whatsover things are are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report…think on these things. Philippians 4:8

The castle in Carlisle, England is accessed via an underpass beneath a busy road. The walls of the underpass bear memorabilia of the age of the steam train but also a six foot high bronze plate engraved with a list of words under the heading “Whatsoever Things”. The “things” listed are taken from today’s verse. The Bible may be a closed book to many, but when you know the Author, reading it is a pleasure. It is food for the mind as we read its challenging exhortations and precious promises. —Brian Powlesland

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —K. Wilkinson

Judges 6:1-40; Isaiah 27:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

How beautiful are thy feet with [sandals], O prince’s daughter!  Song of Solomon 7:1

The spouse considered his beloved’s beauty enhanced with sandals on her feet. But that was the beauty of the flesh, which many pay much attention to these days. When Moses appeared before the Holy God, he was told, “Draw not nigh…put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5). Christians coming into the presence of God today should draw a line between fleshly beauty that attracts attention to  themselves and the reverential piety that a holy God demands. Flesh and holiness cannot come together (Gal. 5:16). —K. C. Ung

How beautiful His feet appear, high on the mountain tops, who brings,
Glad tidings of salvation near, salvation from the King of kings!  —Charles Wesley

Judges 5:1-31; Isaiah 26:1-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38, NKJV

In the past few years beavers have moved into our town. They are causing problems as they block streams and  creeks, creating ponds where there weren’t any before. We can have similar issues spiritually. What is blocking the flowing river of living water from my heart? Is it unconfessed sin? Is it disobedience to the Word of God? Is it preoccupation with the world? Lord, help me to confess these to You and to be the witness for our Lord Jesus Christ You would have me be. —Annette Baal

Lord, make me a blessing today,
A blessing to someone, I pray;
In all that I do, in all that I say,
O make me a blessing today. —Fanny J. Crosby

Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Psalm 106:8

When Asa and his mighty men of valour went out to fight against Zerah, the Ethiopian (2 Chron. 14), Asa proclaimed how powerful the name of the Lord truly is: “Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude” (2 Chron. 14:11). As we fight our daily battles, let us too acknowledge how great the name of the Lord is! Because of His great name and His power, He is able to be victorious against any enemy that crosses
our paths today. —E. C. B.

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go. —Edith G. Cherry

Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of  Melchisedek.  Hebrews 5:8-10

In the Old Testament, high priests were trained to perform their duties. Similarly, Christ, by suffering, was fitted to exercise His special work of consolation, intercession, and edification. He experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual pain, as well as family problems, attacks on His reputation, and rejection by His local and national community. Consequently, He knows how to succor suffering souls by applying comfort and strength. —K. R. Keyser

Exalted on His glorious throne, I see Him make my cause His own;
Then all my anxious cares subside, for Jesus lives and will provide.  —John Newton

Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

One of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray.  Luke 11:1

Throughout Scripture we are constantly reminded of the importance of prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day. The Lord spent whole nights in prayer. The disciples spent days in prayer before they preached on the day of Pentecost. When Saul of Tarsus was converted he spent his early days in constant prayer. The energising power for effective gospel proclamation comes from believing prayer. That is why the great preacher C. H. Spurgeon once wrote, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” Our desire should be, “Lord, teach us to pray.” —Paul Young

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.  —James Montgomery

Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. John 11:42

Waiting on God is never easy but often God’s delays are God’s opportunities. God’s timing is in perfect harmony with His will for us. His power is not limited from acting immediately, but waiting may bring more glory to Him. When there is more than one alternative before us, read God’s Word, pray and then decide which is most suitable to bring benefit to others and glory to God. Remember that a quick answer may be only a quick fix. —G. C. G.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me,
Glows with Thy fire divine.  —Edwin Hatch