Category: Uncategorised

Leviticus 5:14-6:7; Psalm 105:1-45; Acts 27:27-44

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1, NKJV

Behold! Stop and consider! Some things we behold are discouraging but here is something wonderful to view. John joyfully interjects an exclamation of a transcendent reality to this verse—we are not only “called” the children of God as a title, but so we are right now! This unearthly love was graciously and extravagantly lavished upon us. When He appears, who we are now will become fully apparent then. —P. Ramsay

Love of Christ so freely given, grace of God beyond degree,
Mercy higher than the heaven, deeper than the deepest sea.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus. —Thoro Harris

Leviticus 4:27-5:13; Psalm 104:1-35; Acts 27:1-26

Go up and possess it (the land), as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Deut. 1:21
We will send men…and they shall search us out the land. Deuteronomy 1:22
Send thou men, that they may search the land. Numbers 13:2

In spite of our doubt and unbelief, our God is ever gracious in dealing with His people. Israel had been assured of victory, yet they wanted further assurance and so determined to send the spies. God understood their human frailty and in His kindness told them to go ahead with their plans. He does the same for us in giving us daily assurances that He is all sufficient for every situation. —Wm. H. Gustafson

In times like these, you need a Saviour,
In times like these, you need an anchor. —Ruth Caye Jones

Leviticus 4:1-26; Psalm 103:1-22; Acts 26:19-32

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:26

How we rejoice in those three words “till he come”. It is good to remind ourselves that what we do today is not permanent but temporary. One day there will be no more need of the emblems. We shall see the One of whom they speak. It could be the last time we remember Him in such a way. What a thought! —John M. Clegg

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet passing points to that glad feast above;
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love. —Horatius Bonar

Leviticus 3:1-17; Psalm 102:1-28; Acts 26:1-18

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19

Mary’s memory, affections and intellect were all involved in her appreciation of the Lord Jesus. When Mary heard the message from the shepherds, her memory was involved, “Mary kept all these things”. Her affections were involved. “Mary kept all these things…in her heart”. Her intellect was involved. “Mary…pondered them”. When we bring a message to the Lord’s people will it be remembered? Will it stir up our affection for the Lord Jesus and does it challenge our intellect? —Sid Halsband

O Lord, it is Thyself to meet, to this sweet feast we come;
Like Mary, resting at Thy feet, we learn of Thee alone.  —B. Thompson

Leviticus 2:1-16; Psalms 99:1-101:8; Acts 25:13-27

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice. Psalm 18:4-6

Many nights of sobbing in the Lord’s presence won’t reverse the tragedies of the past. “What ifs”, “maybes”, and “might have beens” haunt our helplessness. But He does hear, and is able to liberate us from the overwhelming grief that pins us down. Crying during life’s journey is inevitable, and effectual if those tears flow heavenward. —Rick Morse

In suffering, be Thy love my peace,
In weakness, be Thine arm my strength.  —John Wesley

Leviticus 1:1-17; Psalms 96:1-98:9; Acts 24:24-25:12

Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day. Exodus 14:13

So spake Moses to Israel when the Red Sea was before them, and the might of the Egyptian army behind them. We can well imagine that Israel found it was difficult to “stand still” under these circumstances, and to feel that they had to do something to deliver themselves. So it is with us. When we face insurmountable problems, it is so difficult to “stand still”, and allow God to bring peace to our troubled hearts. Israel found that when they left things to God, He
did not fail them, and so also will we who trust Him. —W. H. Burnett

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —J. Mountain

Exodus 40:1-38; Psalms 94:1-95:11; Acts 24:1-23

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18, NKJV 

We are living in the “un-generation”. Paul begins this list and calls them undiscerning, untrustworthy, and unmerciful (Rom. 1:31). They are ungodly (Rom. 5:6) and unrighteous (1 Cor. 6:9). He further warns of the last days when people will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, and unforgiving. The final summary statement comes from John. He says they are unbelieving (Rev. 21:8). We had our part in this un-generation. Like Isaiah, we were undone and
unclean and unable to do anything about it. That is, until we heard of the One who gave Himself for us—the Just for the unjust. —Rex Trogdon

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding, dying for me! —Avis B. Christiansen

Exodus 39:1-43; Psalms 92:1-93:5; Acts 23:12-35

Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3

Disobedience has identifiable symptoms. We must be watchful for them. Disobedience takes paths contrary to God’s known will (1:3); is desensitized to present danger (1:5); is easily discouraged (1:3); denies our part in negative circumstances (1:6); and in the end leads to disgrace (1:10). In contrast obedience gives boldness before our enemies (3:4); it leads to belief and blessing for those who have not yet heard the message (3:5, 10); and also reveals God’s grace, as He draws us back into the wonders of our relationship with Him (4:3-11). —David J. Reed

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.  —Edgar P. Stites

Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

The children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. Exodus 34:35

It was very evident by his face and demeanour that Moses had been with the Lord. Not many of us can be  “Hollywood good lookers” but the world should see by our expressions and behaviour that we are different. I trust that others may not regard me as that “old misery” down the road. I believe that the Lord who was the “man of sorrows” (Isa. 53:3) always had a warm and winsome way with everybody. —Brian Russell

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?  —Carrie Breck

Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. Psalm 47:7

Compared with our God, how futile man-made false gods are! When Elijah gathered the people together to decide who the true God was, the prophets of Baal couldn’t get any response for all their dancing and rituals. Elijah exposed the emptiness of their claims and then prepared his sacrifice and prayed to his God. Fire fell and burned it up. What a difference! This is our God and He does wonders for His people still. Let us be sure to give Him the praise that is due to His holy name! —G. Frear

O Lord my God! How great art Thou!
With honour and with glory crowned;
Light’s dazzling splendours veil Thy brow,
And gird the universe around. —J. Q. Adams