Category: Uncategorised

Judges 5:1-31; Isaiah 26:1-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13

The tendency in coming to the end of years of service is to look back. It is good to reflect on blessings God has brought along the way—to talk about the good old days! But Solomon says, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this” (Eccl. 7:10). Everything in the past is over! Let’s take Paul’s advice by pressing forward and run the race to the finish line! The prize of God’s calling in Christ Jesus is waiting. —Jim Paul

Face to face! O blissful moment! Face to face to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.—C. Breck

Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. John 18:6

At the State Opening of parliament in Britain, the Lord Chancellor climbs the steps of the throne to hand the Sovereign a prepared speech. Once read out, the Lord Chancellor retrieves it and walks down the steps backwards so as not to be disrespectful to the Sovereign. Jewish officers entered the Garden of Gethsemene looking for Jesus. He said to them “I am he.” Note that they did not fall backwards at this word. Rather it says “they went backward, and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). They spontaneously recognised His diety. One day every knee will bow. How much better to bow now!  —Brian Powlesland

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him, King of glory now. —Caroline Noel

Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

This Bible is a living, energizing book that can quicken the vilest sinner. It is a two-edged sword, which can pierce into the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds. Today, many are critics of the Scriptures, yet this Book is a discerner and literally, a critic, of their very hearts. The critics of this age defy and ridicule this Book, but the Bible still stands. Believe it! —Jim Comte

The Bible stands like a mountain tow’ring,
Far above the works of man;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can. —H. Lillenas

Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel (Ahab). 1 Kings 22:34

Was this just a lucky shot? No! In God’s work there is no such thing as luck—good or bad. That arrow was directed by God to bring judgment on the man who had troubled Israel for 22 years. When I hand the control of my life over to the Lord I don’t need to depend upon “luck” but rather on the One who directs my every step day and night. God says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8).  —David Croudace

I know who holds the future, and He’ll guide me with His hand
With God things don’t just happen; everything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow, with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all. —E. L. Clark

Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2-3 NKJV

This leper did not ask if Jesus was able—he already had confidence in the Lord’s ability. What the leper wondered was whether Jesus was willing. As Christians, we often talk, sing and preach about God’s might, strength and power to meet our need. As we see His works, we readily identify that God is able. But Christianity is summed up in believing that God is both able and willing to save us. Take confidence today dear Christian, God is able and readily desires to meet your need and He proved it through Christ’s death on the cross. —J. D. Fraser

We have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.—Priscilla Owens

Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

What are some of the joys that we draw out of the wells of salvation? A few might be: the knowledge of sins forgiven (1 John 5:13); the assurance and security of our life with Him (Rom. 8:35-39); a guaranteed inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4); and the promise that we will one day see our Saviour (1 John 3:2). Drawing water from any well is hard work, but it pays off with the benefit of cool, refreshing water. Take the time this week to draw from the well that truly satisfies the soul. —M. Kolchin

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking,
For things that could not satisfy,
And then I heard my Savior speaking,
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.” —Richard Blanchard

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God. Acts 2:22

There are other men called Jesus, but only One is approved of God. He is the One who is Lord and Master of the universe. He died, rose, lives and is the Lord. He is the One we confess as Lord. He has that right. He is Lord, when I do what He says. If there are areas of life that I preserve for myself, He is not Lord. He accomplished His mission. He was anointed to bring life and immortality to light. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). —G. C. G.

Stand forth, my soul, and take command.
Tis I, thy Master, bid thee stand.
Claim thou thy ground and thrust thy foe,
Plead not, thine enemy should go.   —Angela Morgan

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Adam and his wife hid. Genesis 3:8
We hid. Isaiah 53:3
I hid not. Isaiah 50:6

In the Garden, Adam and Eve hid themselves because they were ashamed of their sin. At the cross, we hid our faces because we were ashamed of God’s Son. We know too that God would be well within His right to eternally hide His face from us (see Deut. 32:20). But what does Isaiah prophesy of Christ on the cross? “I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (50:6). Our Lord took it all and the judgment that accompanied it. For those who have received His salvation, we discover that, wonder of wonders, instead of hiding from God, we now hide in God (Col. 3:3). —Brian Cretney

In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee. —W. O. Cushing

Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears. Leviticus 2:14

The meal offering beautifully depicts the life of the Lord Jesus and of the four ways in which it could be presented, the offering of green ears of corn dried by the fire would seem to illustrate to us the forty days between His resurrection and ascension to glory. Green ears suggest His having been “cut off out of the land of the living” (Isa. 53:8) and the fire of divine judgment had certainly left its mark—the ears were parched. Everything He bore on our behalf had been consumed, but the fire had in no way diminished Him— the ears were still full. —Phil Coulson

O blessed God, to Thee we raise, the fruit of lips in priestly praise,
Of Him who bows our hearts as one—Thy holy Son, Thy holy Son.   —Isaac Ewan

Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:26

At first the disciples did not recognize the Lord in the storm. It was not that their vision was dimmed, but that their minds were dulled. May we not fail to recognize His presence in life’s storms. May we not fail to expect Him when He at last shall come again to take us out of the darkness and distress of this sin-sick world. Remember, He could return today! —W. Ross Rainey

O child of God, there is for thee
A hope that shines amid the gloom,
A gladsome hope that thou shalt see
Thy Lord, for He will surely come.  —T. D. W. Muir