Category: Uncategorised

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To show that the Lord is upright. Psalm 92:13-15

Age may take away our youthfulness, but it should not take away our usefulness or our fruitfulness. Psalm 71 is “A prayer for old age”. If you are older and feel like your days of fruitfulness are waning, read and pray over this wonderful psalm. “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Ps. 71:18). Remember, He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5 NKJV), even in your old age! —Richard I. Bishop

Teach us, all the days of our lives; to apply our hearts to wisdom and Thy will.
Establish Thou the work of our hands, and Thy beauty rest upon us still.—E. C. B.

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

Call to Me, and I will answer you. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

Returning home, Howard noticed a neighbour driving his tractor around the paddock. A voice spoke to Howard saying, “You must stop.” Howard continued, only to hear the voice again. Howard stopped and got out of his car. The neighbour also stopped and calling to Howard asked, “How can I become a Christian?” It turned out the neighbour had prayed, “God, if you are real, then let Howard stop!” Howard and his wife visited his home that evening  explaining the way of salvation. Ten days later they had the joy of seeing the man and his wife trust Christ. That was fifty years ago and they followed the Lord until recently when both went home to glory. —Janet Fleming

Tell others about Jesus, how He took your sins away,
That they can know forgiveness, by trusting Him today. —Janet Fleming

2 Samuel 8:1-9:13; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Romans 14:19-15:13

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4

When the report of Gaius’ faithfulness reached John, he was moved by the Holy Spirit to write words of appreciation to him. Gaius was a faithful companion of the apostle Paul, and John was grateful to hear that he was continuing steadfastly. Sometimes all we need to do is be observant of each other and when we see a worthy example be quick to acknowledge that faithful brother or sister. Rather than wait for a funeral to send a bouquet or say good things about others, perhaps we should give them the flowers and verbal affirmation now. —Rick Morse

We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road;
We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load.  —Richard Gillard

2 Samuel 7:1-29; Nahum 2:1-3:19; Romans 14:1-18

Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly…and thou heardest my voice. Jonah 2:1-2

Jonah did not consider his location when he prayed. He simply knew that God was the only One who could help him. We know that God is everywhere. “I will therefore that men pray every where” (1 Tim. 2:8). He is never too far to hear us when we cry out to Him. No problem is too big for Him. He is always listening. Pray and expect Him to answer. It will be in His own time and His own way, but God will answer. Regret cannot change the past, but
prayer can move us forward. Keep praying. —V. Strout

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer. —Joseph M Scriven

2 Samuel 6:1-23; Nahum 1:1-15; Romans 13:1-14

If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.  Romans 8:17

We are joint heirs with Christ. The word heir makes us think of coming into possession of an inheritance at someone’s passing. It seems strange to think that Christ, who made all things, needed to inherit anything. It’s all His. Then we realize He had to pay for His inheritance. Us, the church, His bride. We are His and His forever but He will not come fully into His inheritance until we are with Him. Then we will truly give Him the love, worship, adoration,
and devotion that we feebly try to give Him now. —Ken Gross

What will the sunshine of His glory prove?
What the unmingled fullness of His love?
What hallelujahs will His presence raise?
What, but one loud eternal burst of praise! —James Deck

2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21

I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing. Gen. 12:2 NKJV

At Babel people refused to listen to God, resulting in a confused and disintegrating society. However, God graciously spoke again, but now to an individual, Abram. Yet how could one man make a difference in such a chaotic world?  God told Abram, “You shall be a blessing.” Is that not what we all desire to be in the hands of God? Like Abram, we must both listen to and obey God’s Word, perhaps leaving behind what is familiar and seemingly secure. In response to Abram’s willingness, five times, God said, “I will…” It is through such a life that God promises to work and to bless. See what God says “I will” to you about today. —Michael McKillen

His flock to Him is dear, He watches them from high;
He sends them trials here, to fit them for the sky. —H. Lyte

2 Samuel 3:1-39; Micah 6:1-16; Romans 11:13-36

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey…when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. Luke 2:44-45

Have you ever assumed the Lord was with you when He really wasn’t? We know that positionally the Lord is always with us … but how often in an experiential way have we made “a day’s journey” supposing Him to be with us when actually He wasn’t? Losing contact with the Lord can happen by sin, worldliness, or a lukewarm heart. If this is our experience, we must go back to when we last enjoyed His company, confess our wrongs and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. —Sid Halsband

While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

2 Samuel 2:1-32; Micah 4:9-5:15; Romans 11:1-12

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. John 18:10

Drawing his sword, Peter attempted to rescue the Lord. Christ told Peter to put his sword away and restored the man’s ear. Peter was impeding the Lord’s divine plan to give Himself into the hands of sinners. Often, we can act quickly without first seeking the Lord’s direction. Our haste leads us to fight unnecessary battles, avoid heaven-sent circumstances, and neglect His clear guidance. By God’s grace let us put aside the sword of self-will for His will.
—George Ferrier

It’s not always easy to do the Father’s will.
It wasn’t so easy to climb Calvary’s hill.
But we as His children, should learn to obey;
Not seeking our own but seeking His way. —Glenda Fulton Davis

2 Samuel 1:1-27; Micah 3:1-4:8; Romans 9:30-10:21

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Paul was writing to the Corinthians. The church there had many problems including immorality, factionalism, and arrogance. Paul told them to avoid comparing themselves to others, to resist inaccurate exaggerations, and seek only God’s commendation. Humility, honesty, and integrity are spiritual essentials for Christian maturity. We should all take that to heart when dealing with one another and also when talking to unbelievers about the Gospel. —Rosemary J. Richardson

Fill all my vision, Saviour divine,
Till with Thy glory, my spirit shall shine. —Avis B. Christiansen

1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; Micah 1:1-2:13; Romans 9:1-29

Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 NKJV

How remarkable was Esther’s rise from “foreigner” to queen! She couldn’t have known that her personal success was God’s plan to bless His people. Made aware of this, she was willing to hazard her life to fulfill God’s purpose. God plans “such a time as this” for each of us. Although perhaps not as notable as Esther’s, they’re the reason behind life’s learning experiences. Esther likely experienced other less dramatic, “such a time as this” events. Are we willing to be a living sacrifice for our “such a time as this” event? Embrace today for the Lord. It might be “for such a time as this.”
—David W. Oliver

Faithful endurance in life’s daily race,
Fits us for the “such a time,” that we will surely face. —D. W. O.