Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

For the love of Christ constraineth us…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Christ’s sacrifice makes no request unreasonable nor any duty excessive for believers. His dying love and risen glory impelled the church’s first generation to evangelize the Roman world against massive opposition and challenging circumstances. Subsequently, saints laboured in difficult places to win the lost to the Lord. Need encouragement to witness? Consider the cross afresh, and tell others of God’s love. —K. R. Keyser

Oh! that strong in faith abiding,
We may to the Saviour cleave,
Naught with Him our hearts dividing,
All for Him content to leave. —James Allen

Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

This verse calls us to consider our Lord´s person, “I am” and His provision “I will”. These two great truths should assure us when faced with any looming crisis. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18). Also, “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Trust Him. He will see you through it all! —K. C. Ung

No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised never to leave me alone. —Eliza E. Hewitt

Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. John 19:39, NKJV

To a Jew, execution on a cross was an accursed death and removing a body from a cross (particularly at Passover) utterly contaminated the one who did it. There are few examples of the transformative power of new birth as notable as this scene, as we witness Nicodemus—a wealthy, ruling religious man—physically remove the Lord’s body from the cross. This took both great humility as well as courage, something only the Gospel can provide in equal measure. First, the law lowers us to the ground then God’s grace raises us to the heavens. —J. D. Fraser

The cross, the cross! The blood-stained cross! The cross of Christ I see,
It tells me of that precious blood, that once was shed for me. —J. Stockton

Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

The hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Mark 14:41
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee. John 17:1

His hour had come! The hour for which He had made Himself of no reputation, when He came in the likeness of  men. The hour when He would be betrayed, denied, rejected and nailed to a cross. But the hour when He and His Father would be glorified as He made the only way for sinners to be saved. —David Croudace

For me it was in the garden He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs, But sweat drops of blood for mine.
How marvellous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvellous! How wonderful! Is my Saviour’s love for me! —C. H. Gabriel

Exodus 24:1-18; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 13:26-52

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 

In the city of Edinburgh lies the famous Royal Mile which has Edinburgh Castle at its highest point. Adjacent to the castle is a very old building which houses a “camera obscura”—a lens device which enables viewers to see the cityscape of Edinburgh. Above the entrance to this old building are engraved two words— “Giving” and “Forgiving”.
The Bible portrays our God as a giving God and also a forgiving God. Has God forgiven you of your sins? He can forgive because He gave His Son to pay for your sin and He can give eternal life as a gift to those who have faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. —Brian Powlesland

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.  —Annie Johnson Flint

Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66 to 67; Acts 13:1-25

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11, NKJV

During a time of aloneness, I feared I’d be depressed and anxious. But God used that time to prove His sufficiency. Instead of anxiety and depression came peace and rest. Instead of longing for others, God filled those longings with Himself. I felt a strength that wasn’t mine, and a tranquility that possessed me.  God gave me words to write that encouraged others. Let’s not fear our alone times, but cling to God who is ready to satisfy and sustain us with Himself! —Deborah Manera

It is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself.  —Elisabeth Elliot

Exodus 22:1-23:9; Psalms 64:1-65:13; Acts 12:1-25

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord…Am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:3, NKJV

Darkness does not seem to be a place where we would find treasure. But we are reminded here that periods of darkness can prove to be places of rich blessing for us. Physically, the darkness is a time for sleep when our mind can rest and the body’s systems are refreshed. Spiritually, it is in the dark times of our life that we are drawn into the Word and ever closer to His presence.  The treasures and riches we gain during these times will remain with us forever. —Eleanor Isaacson

Lead, kindly Lord, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home. —John Newman

Exodus 21:1-36; Psalms 62:1-63:11; Acts 11:19-30

And with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name. 1 Chron. 16:41, NKJV

When David restored proper worship at the tabernacle he installed various individuals to carry out particular duties. They were chosen because of the skills they had for the task and were “designated by name”. God always calls those who love and serve Him by name. He knows your name. He knows you and He loves you. The very hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). This passage does not record all of the names of these men who were “designated by name”. But God knows their names (and ours) and that is enough. —Annette Baal

“Knowing as we are known!” How shall we love that word!
How oft repeat before the throne, “Forever with the Lord!” —James Montgomery

Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60:1-61:8; Acts 11:1-18

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:24

March is the month of cold, blustery winds. Often in our lives, the wind blows harsh and contrary, yet in these times, as always, the Master is watching. The Lord had sent His disciples on this voyage (v. 22). He then retired to pray on the mountain, (v. 23), but He was not unaware of His disciples plight. The entire scene reflects His present ministry of intercessory prayer for us, (Heb. 7:25). L. B. Cowman wrote, “Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in the storms. He has never promised us an easy passage, only a safe landing.” —Jim Comte

With Christ in the vessel,
We can smile at the storm,
As we go sailing home. —Author Unknown

Exodus 19:1-25; Psalms 58:1-59:17; Acts 10:24-48

Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31:16

Many a servant of God has laboured faithfully for years without seeing results. This can be very discouraging, and can cause the servant to doubt his calling. But in the parable of the sower, the Lord made it clear, that it is not for us to be concerned about results, but to faithfully sow the seed of the gospel, and to leave the results with God. Scripture gives us encouragement to do so, when we read “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:6). —W. H. Burnett

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. —Geo. A. Minor