Category: Uncategorised

1 Samuel 28:1-29:11; Isaiah 66:1-24; Romans 8:18-39

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

God’s Word is not negotiable. I may not like what it says. I may be told by others that it can be interpreted some other way, but I must remember that it has been inspired by the Spirit of God Himself. If I desire to be equipped to serve my Lord properly I must read it, meditate on it, and humbly obey it.—David Croudace

The Bible stands and it will forever, when the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given, all its precepts, I will obey.
The Bible stands every test we give it, for its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it, and to prove it and make it mine.  —Haldor Lillenas

1 Samuel 26:1-27:12; Isaiah 65:1-25; Romans 8:1-17

Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Matt. 27:36 NKJV

As we gather this morning to remember our Saviour in the way that He requested, consider Him and the far-reaching effect of His cross. The cross with its central vertical beam reminds us that God was reaching down to man. Yes, God was reaching down by His grace so that man could respond by reaching up in faith. The horizontal cross beam reminds us that God was reaching out to all mankind so that whosoever will may come. —Rex Trogdon

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee:
How great Thou art! How great Thou art! —Carl Boberg & Stuart Hine

1 Samuel 25:1-44; Isaiah 63:15-64:12; Romans 7:7-25

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

“Be still” literally means “to allow to fall, to let hang down, to be relaxed,” especially the hands. It does not mean to quote the verse and then proceed to talk, to plan, to pray for needs, etc! It means to be still. Elijah had to learn what that meant. On the holy mount, the Lord told him to go and stand, just stand still! Then He passed by with a violent wind storm, followed by an earthquake and then a fire. One can only imagine the noise and commotion. But the Lord was not in any of that. He spoke in a still small voice. So often our lives are full of noise, aren’t they? Have you learned to simply stop and quietly listen? Be still, and know the reality of the presence of God. —Ray Jones

Speak, Lord, in Thy stillness, while I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart, to listen in expectancy. —Emily Crawford

1 Samuel 23:1-24:22; Isaiah 62:1-63:14; Romans 6:15-7:6

Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

My imagination was captured by an article written by Dr. Steve Price on the filling of the Holy Spirit. He says the word “filled” used here is a nautical term, very familiar to the Ephesian readers who lived beside the Aegean Sea. This “filling” refers to the sails of a vessel billowing out when completely embracing the wind. Paul urges us to be filled with the Spirit, so that just as the sailboat is powered by the wind alone, we too should open wide our spiritual sails to the filling of the Spirit each day, allowing His wisdom to direct our thoughts, His power to guide our activities, His purposes to determine our priorities, His life to suffuse ours. —Marilyn MacMullen

More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me. —Eliza Hewitt

1 Samuel 21:1-22:23; Isaiah 61:1-11; Romans 6:1-14

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

After the Titan submersible imploded during a deep-sea expedition, there was much discussion about what exactly had caused the accident. Various scientific theories were put forth, but many experts seemed to agree that the real problem was more elemental: the head of the company refused to have his designs examined by experts in the field. He had no desire to submit to those who could hold him accountable. Had he done so, disaster most likely would have been averted. What a cautionary tale! How important it is for each of us to have a teachable spirit and to find those who are willing and able to speak the truth in love to us. —Lynn Shatford

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. —J. Scriven

1 Samuel 19:8-20:42; Isaiah 60:1-22; Romans 5:12-21

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Psalms 100:2 NKJV

Some days we feel discouraged and drag our feet. We go through the motions of devotion, but our lack of enthusiasm betrays our inner emotions. Others can see that our energy for the Lord is suffering. We may be present and participating, but something is compromising our joy. The King noticed that Nehemiah was serving him sadly, not
gladly (Neh. 2:1-6). Shocked and shaken by the exposure, Nehemiah shared his burden with the King. Will you be transparent before the Lord today? —P. Ramsay

There is joy in serving Jesus,
As I walk alone with God.
Tis the joy of Christ, my Saviour,
Who the path of suffering trod. —O. J. Smith

1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-12; Romans 4:23-5:11

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

What an abundance of blessings there are for those who know Christ as Shepherd! He provides lavishly for His flock—green pastures, still waters. He does not point to our destination but leads us in the paths we should be traveling. He protects us! As we enjoy His constant presence and walk with Him and obey His voice, He pours out blessings to our soul. —D. Cetola

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use, Thy folds prepare. —Dorothy A. Thrupp

1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32

Being single can be difficult. For most, the heart’s desire is to be married and if you’re still single today, you may be having feelings of doubt and loneliness. Your prayers speak of trust in God, but you struggle with a sense of injustice concerning your state. In the midst of your pain, remember your true calling is to have a relationship with Him. Rest in that and then surrender control to God moment by moment. There is no partiality with God (Rom. 2:11). He will not grant marriage to someone and not another because He loves or favours one above the other. He has placed you exactly where you need to be for now. —K. W.

All to Jesus I surrender, make me, Saviour, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Spirit, truly know that Thou art mine. —J. Van De Venter

1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The Gospel changes lives. Despite fierce opposition, Christians carrying forth this message have impacted the world from Christ’s resurrection to this day. We too need to carry the Gospel to our generation. Its essentials have never changed. According to God’s Word, Christ died for our sins. He was buried, but that was not the end. He was raised again. The empty tomb affirms a finished work and that eternal life is offered to everyone. May we be faithful and
pass on this life-giving message to someone today.—Gaius C. Goff

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood: Hallelujah, what a Saviour!    —Philip P. Bliss

1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18

A young man walked down a busy street wearing a sandwich board sign which read on the front, “I’m a fool for Christ.” As you turned to see the back, it read, “Whose fool are you?” The cross of Christ is still the object of the world’s hatred and rejection. Is it because while the cross reveals God’s love and grace, at the same time, it speaks of man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness? Although those facts may make us uncomfortable they are true. And it is
also true that if you reject Christ and treat the cross as foolish, you are rejecting your only hope for eternity. I ask the question, whose fool are you? Trust the Saviour today. —Jim Comte

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away. —Isaac Watts