Category: Uncategorised

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NKJV

The sentiment of this verse is sometimes referred to as the Golden Rule. Many philosophies and creeds express the idea, but in a negative way. “Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you.” So we feel good when we can say, “I don’t steal, I don’t murder, I don’t lie, etc.” This verse teaches that God desires more than this. He wants us to be proactive toward others. This is far more than not sinning. This affects every area of life and is the true goodness of God. How do you compare? Christ died for sinners who couldn’t keep the Golden Rule. When we believe in Christ, He enables us to live out the Golden Rule just as He taught. —J. D. Fraser

Help me in all the work I do to ever be sincere and true,
And know that all I’d do for You, must needs be done for others.—C. Meigs

2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

What does it mean to be justified? When I was a young believer an old preacher helped me understand the concept of justification with this little phrase, “Just as if I’d” never sinned. The thought that all my sordid past sins were erased was fantastic. But it’s even better. Jesus paid the debt and God says that all who trust in Him are declared righteous. What is the result? Peace with God. My friend if you are not saved remember the Lord Jesus bore your sins so that you might be justified before God. —Sid Halsband

O joy of the justified, joy of the free!
I’m washed in that crimson tide opened for me;
In Christ, my Redeemer, rejoicing I stand,
And point to the print of the nail in His hand. —Francis Bottome

2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

The Lord who has all power in heaven and earth, has called us to go to all places and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that He has commanded. He has promised that He is with us always and is able to make all grace abound toward us. Truly, we serve the all sufficient One! —Rex Trogdon

When thro’ fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
—“K.” in Rippon’s Selection of Hymns

2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book…lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left. Joshua 23:6 NKJV
Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:11 NKJV

It is so easy to grow cold in heart, to lose one’s passion and to turn away from the truth of God! Make it your goal today to be obedient to God’s Word, whatever the cost! Safeguard your relationship with the Lord and let nothing come between that would spoil your love for Him! —Pete Smith

The fire Thy love hath kindled shall never be put out;
The Spirit keeps it burning, though dimmed by sin and doubt. —Author Unknown

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Psalm 112:1 

To obey, love and fear the Lord reaps great benefits. The commandments of God are a mirror that reveal who we really are, and what we are like. They reveal to us our need of the Saviour. They teach that God’s righteousness is unchanging and eternal. His light shines in the darkness of this age showing what we need and who He is. They apply to all. The poor and lowly are as important to Him as the rich and mighty. We are blessed and can bless others when we fear the Lord and delight in His commandments. —G. C. G.

I found that fears which stirred,
My startled soul God’s will to do,
On me more lasting peace conferred
Than in life’s calm I ever knew. —Author Unknown

2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27

This do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24

The architect, Edwin Lutyens, was invited to design a monument to be erected in Whitehall, London to remember the fallen of World War I. Lutyens’ design featured an empty plaster coffin on a wooden pillar and was called a cenotaph (“empty tomb” in Greek). Later it was replaced by a permanent structure in Portland Stone. Once a year, on Remembrance Sunday, crowds gather to remember those who gave their lives for others to live. For two thousand years Christians have gathered every Sunday to remember the One who gave His life so that others might have eternal life through faith in Him. Have you remembered Him
today as He asked? —Brian Powlesland

Saviour we remember Thee, Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suffering on the tree, Saviour we adore Thee.  —Samuel Trevor Francis

2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:22

We usually don’t think of creation in terms of feeling or consciousness, but this passage tells us that creation suffers and groans and is an unwilling slave to bondage. It also earnestly expects and waits for deliverance. Various verses (Ps. 96, 98; Isa. 44:23, 55:12) give us some idea of what that deliverance will look like. Then the heavens will rejoice, the earth will be glad, the mountains, hills, fields and trees will break forth into singing. The floods and trees will clap their hands. —P. W.

Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy. —Isaac Watts

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4:16
Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

As my grandson and I plodded along the hill I said to him, “Just follow in my footsteps.” There was silence for a moment and then he spoke up. “Grandma,” he said, “you’re walking in the mud.” I wonder what sort of example I am leaving to those watching me, and especially to those of the younger generation. —Janet Fleming

We would see Jesus, He who is the light,
Bringing His life to those in sin’s dark night.
We would see Jesus, Word for all to see,
But can my neighbours, view His love in me? —Janet Fleming

1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41

Father, forgive. Luke 23:34

The city of Coventry, where I lived for a number of years, received one of the most dreadful bombing raids in World War II. It happened on the night of 14th November 1940 and the devastation was extensive, including the ancient Cathedral. Someone visited those ruins the next day and picked up two charred beams
and formed them into a cross and scrawled the words, “Father, forgive”on the wall. That became the basis for Coventry’s centre for peace and reconciliation and reflects the loving heart of our Saviour who when men did their worst to Him said, “Father, forgive.” —Paul Young

Suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice,
And as they crucify prays: “Father, forgive.” —Graham Kendrick

1 Chronicles 28:1-21; Ezekiel 24:1-25:17; John 9:1-17

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17

Those things which weigh on us and seem so heavy and hard to bear now will seem “light” in view of our “eternal weight of glory.” Thank God for His eternal perspective on things! When we focus on eternity, our burdens lighten. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28, 30). —E. C. B.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —Helen H. Lemmel