Category: Uncategorised

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword. Hebrews 4:12

The weapon the Holy Spirit uses to bring conviction of sin and conversion to the Lord is the Word of God, not my feeble comments! As a preacher I must publicly read it carefully and distinctly and then simply make its meaning clear. The older I grow the more I realize that a genuine work of the Spirit in people’s
lives is accomplished not by any colourful or entertaining sermon I may give but by the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). —David Croudace

God’s Word is like a hammer that breaketh the rock in twain,
A lamp to guide our footsteps, and a light on the stormy main;
A sword that has two edges, a mirror ourselves to see,
Oh, yes! This is the best of books—the B-I-B-L-E. —W. B. Mackie

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved. John 10:9

The highest road in Wales is a narrow single track pass squeezed between the mountains of Twmpa to the west and Hay Bluff to the east. In winter it is often inaccessible. It is called “Gospel Pass”— allegedly because the Christian gospel message first reached Wales through this pass. The Lord used a parable about a broad road leading to destruction with many people on it, in contrast to a narrow way which leads to life eternal which few people find. This latter way is accessible via the gate (door) which is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the way to life eternal. —Brian Powlesland

Two roads stand before you, which one will you choose?
Wide is the way of the wicked, but bright is the way of the truth.  —C. L. Morgan & L. Morgan

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the Lord. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated. 1 Kings 7:51

Imagine Solomon’s satisfaction, as he completed the Lord’s glorious house, using the materials obtained by his father. Similarly, believers in this dispensation are called to build on the foundation of Christ with precious materials (1 Cor. 3:11-12). At the Rapture, the house will be finished and those who have built with the materials supplied by the Saviour will have the joy of being part of that lovely, completed spiritual temple (Eph. 2:20-22). —K. R. Keyser

View the vast building, see it rise:
The work how great! The plan how wise!
O wondrous fabric! Pow’r unknown:
That rests it on the “Living Stone”. —Samuel Medley

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them. Joshua 1:2

There’s a time for waiting and a time for walking; a time for introspection and also for action. There’s a time for reading and working. There is a time for planning and a time for carrying out plans. There is a time for thinking and a time for speaking. There is a time for defining problems and another for fixing the problems. In the remaining time I have, let me not just sit and observe, but arise, overcome the obstacles to blessing and joy. If this can be done, the effect will be seen by others and they too may act in a positive way. —G. C. G.

Let us then be up and doing, with a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labour and to wait.  —H. W. Longfellow

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

But the Lord had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore (relentlessly). 1 Samuel 1:5-6

Hannah was constantly provoked. Yet the Lord had a purpose in this provocation. It forced her to make a vow and pray in earnest for a son to dedicate to the Lord. Hannah kept her vow and the Lord opened her womb and she became the joyful mother of Samuel and four others. So dear reader, are you being provoked by something or someone today? Be encouraged and take it all from the Lord. Maybe He wants you to make a fresh vow to Him. God is getting you ready for something wonderful. —Eleanor Isaacson

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child. —William Cushing

Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man? Psalm 8:3-4 

Clearly the psalmist had the ability, like us, to focus his attention upon creation, enabling him to reflect, analyze and ask questions about the physical world and especially about the seemingly infinite majesty of the cosmos. Atheism claims that such marvelous wonders owe their existence to lifeless matter but surely it is more reasonable to believe that a living, intelligent and superior reality brought such marvels into existence. God, Himself, gave us the capacity to view, with questioning awe, the glory of creation.  —Paul Young

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below. —Thomas Ken

Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

Jonah had preached to wicked Nineveh and it repented. Now, 100 years later, they had forgotten God, and because of their evil, Nahum pronounces God’s judgement on them. In spite of this bleak situation, Nahum, (meaning comfort) sought to bring a message of hope to fearful Judah and assured them that “The Lord is
good.” A man maneuvered a wheelchair through a thick crowd. His son was secured with straps and braces in the chair. On the father’s t-shirt were the words, “God is Good”, and on the back, “All the Time”. No matter your situation, have courage and rest in the promise, God is good—all the time. —Jim Comte

The Lord is strong to help the weak, upholding those that fall,
Restoring those bowed down with grief, and doing good to all.—Psalter

Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. Psalm 62:1

This glorious truth was sufficient to anchor David’s soul to wait, silently content, upon God. But there are so many more! The Word of Truth affirms that from Him comes love, peace, hope, joy, wisdom, strength, patience and an expected end. And more besides all that! What precious provisions! How prudent to wait, to silently rest upon such a gracious God. —D. J. Reed

For God is rest,
And where He dwells is stillness,
And they who dwell in Him,
That rest shall share.   —Freda Hanbury Allen

Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

During a political revolution in a South American city, the bullets flew and frightened bystanders ran for cover. Many fell wounded and dying in the city square. A lad ran for cover behind a large tree just as a bullet embedded itself in the trunk. When the firing ceased and all was safe he dug the bullet out with his knife,
and with deep gratitude carved in the scarred trunk, “God bless this tree.” The tree saved his life and the death of Christ on Calvary’s tree can save your soul. —Arnot P. McIntee

It was for me, yes all for me,
O love of God so great, so free
O wondrous love, I’ll shout and sing,
He died for me, my Lord the King! —John M. Whyte

Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines. Song 2:15

Little foxes pose a big threat to vineyards. They’ll either chew off the new shoots or eat the fruit itself. What “little foxes” are preventing spiritual fruit in our lives? A “little sleep, a little slumber”—be on guard against spiritual laziness (Prov. 6:10)! A “little folly”—one foolish deed could mar an otherwise honorable testimony (Eccl. 10:1); a “little leaven”—sin that is ignored will spread like a cancer in my life (1 Cor. 5:6); that “little member” in our mouth can cause fiery destruction (Jas. 3:5); “little faith”—not taking God at His Word
(Matt. 6:30) and little love, the result of lightly esteeming our forgiveness (Luke 7:47). May we deal with those little foxes before they spoil our fruit. —Brian Cretney

The Father up above is looking down in love,
O be careful little hands what you do. —Unknown