Category: Uncategorised

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

Then answered all the people…His blood be on us, and on our children. Matthew 27:25

Even as they cried out this self-curse, Jesus was taking steps to redeem them from it by shedding His own blood. Soon the Roman scourge furrowed His back and blood streamed down. His head was crowned with plaited thorns, driven ever deeper with a reed and blood flowed down His face. He was led to be crucified
and there blood ran freely from His nail-pierced hands and feet. Finally a spear pierced His side and blood and water gushed out (John 19:34). As we take the cup today, may we remember His blood shed for us. —K. C. Ung

On the cross of Calvary, Jesus died for you and me;
There He shed His precious blood, that from sin we might be free.   —S. J. Graham

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

Make thee an ark of wood. Deuteronomy 10:1

The two replacement tables of stone were preserved in an ark of wood. We know this ark was the ark of the covenant because of the statement “and there they be, as the Lord commanded me” (v. 5). Also, many years later, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone” (1 Kgs. 8:9). But the ark was made of wood overlaid with gold (Ex. 25:11), so why just mention “an ark of wood”? Wood overlaid with gold depicts our Saviour now glorified, so the omission of gold calls our attention to Him when He was on earth.  Concerning Him, Isaiah wrote “he will magnify the law, and make it honourable” (Isa. 42:21). —Phil Coulson

Sinless ever, and by God approved,
He stands unique in lovely purity.   —James Tait

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15

Luke 24 begins with broken hearts, blinded eyes and discouraged disciples, but it ends with burning hearts, opened eyes, and disciples praising and blessing God (v. 53). This remarkable transformation took place because the Lord Himself drew near, listened to their sad story, and soothed their troubled souls as He
opened the Scriptures to them. Darkness and depression can afflict the people of God, and we must ever remind ourselves, that He is always near, and “to carry everything to God in prayer”; to open our hearts, and tell Him just how we are feeling. Jesus will dispel the darkness and fear and replace it with boundless joy.  —W. H. Burnett

Bring Him thy sorrow, bring Him thy grief,
Bring Him thy heartache, He’ll give relief. —Author Unknown

Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14 NKJV

Many Levitical offerings portray Christ’s substitutionary death and the imputation of righteousness to the offerer. For example, the offering priest would use the skin to make coverings for himself, like shoes and clothes (Lev. 7:8). So when not at the tabernacle, others would see the sacrifice, rather than the priest. Likewise, our righteous standing should cause Christ to “shine out” in our daily affairs. Others should not see us, but the “sacrifice.” In heaven, the beauty of the bride is His glory displayed in the bride’s righteous
deeds (Rev. 19:7-9). May we have a dress rehearsal now!—W. A. H.

Look to Jesus, sinless is He; God’s righteousness is now found on me.
No longer given to sinful woe, but to show the One whiter than snow.   —W. A. H

Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 NKJV

It is difficult to detect false prophets. They appear to be sheep: full of love, patience, kindness and goodness. In reality, they are ravenous wolves. If you’re looking at their life, you will not be prepared. How, then, can we detect them? Paul tells us these wolves will come “speaking perverse things” (Acts 20:30 NKJV). Micah said they cry, “Peace” (Mic. 3:5). But a true prophet “declare(s)…to Israel his sin” (Mic. 3:8). Don’t be led astray. God wants you to have peace but only through the right way—sinners trusting in the work of Christ. Listen carefully to what the prophets say and keep yourselves in the grace of God. —J. D. Fraser

In the cross of Christ I glory, tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story, gathers round its head sublime.—J. Bowring

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

These things have I written…that ye may know that ye have eternal life. 1 John 5:13
We know that all things work together for good. Romans 8:28
But we know that…we shall be like him. 1 John 3:2

Confidence in God’s promises sustains us through life’s storms. God does not want His people filled with worry and doubt. We know we have eternal life. We know that all things are under His control and for my blessing. We know that when in His presence sin and sorrow will be gone and we will be changed to be like
Him. Let’s embrace these life-changing truths! —Sid Halsband

And is it so! We shall be like Thy Son,
Is this the grace which He for us has won?
Father of glory! Thought beyond all thought,
In glory to His own blest likeness brought. —J. N. Darby

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Psalm 119:45

In our society, laws are associated with restrictions and the loss of personal freedom. In God’s kingdom His law is the law of liberty because in keeping God’s rules and surrendering to His will, we experience freedom. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Those who would not have this man Jesus to reign over them are in true bondage, the bondage of sin.   —D. Pickup

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood.
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.   —Lewis E. Jones

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

This Child. Luke 2:17 NKJV
This Man. Mark 6:2; 15:39; Luke 7:39; 23:4, 41 NKJV
That just Man…this just Person. Matthew 27:19, 24 NKJV
This is Jesus. Matthew 21:11 NKJV

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV). This Child was born to be the Saviour of the world. This Jesus, this Man, this just Person, is truth and grace. If you have believed on Him then you have been forgiven for all of your sins. He alone is worthy of all glory. Praise Him and thank Him today! —Annette Baal

Behold the Lamb with glory crowned,
To Him all pow’r is giv’n:
No place too high for Him is found,
No place too high in heav’n. —Thomas Kelly

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples. John 21:1 NKJV

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to different saints. Does this mean that when they did not see Him, He was not with them? Absolutely not. He is always with us. But in times of great need He loves to reveal Himself to us in highly personal ways. The grief of failure can be such a moment. The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. As they drifted through the darkness, tired and discouraged, daybreak began to illuminate the shore. The brightening sunlight revealed a solitary figure. Jesus. Standing.Waiting. Into their failure, He manifested Himself, bringing guidance, sustenance and the warmth of His presence.
—S. McEachern

Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory, will the toils of life repay. —E. Hewitt

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

He who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30 NKJV

In the sporting world there is fierce competition to win games. Whether it is an individual game like tennis or a team sport like football, the opportunity to play is a great privilege. The great purpose is to defeat the opposition. The object is winning the game! In reaching souls opportunity is given to share the gospel.
Are you doing it? There is opposition in secularism, humanism, atheism, materialism, worldly attractions, ideologies and more to confront. Genuine wisdom is to keep the object in mind. Someone shared the gospel with you, so seek souls to win. —Jim Paul

Saved to tell others of the Man of Galilee,
Saved, saved to live daily for the Christ of Calvary.
Saved, saved to invite you to His salvation free,
We’re saved, saved by His blood for all eternity.—Hollywood Gospel Team