Category: Uncategorised

Nehemiah 12:1-47; Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21

She brought forth her firstborn son…and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:7

Oh the wonder of His birth! It was unique in every way, for He was “God…manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16). Our verse says she brought forth her firstborn son. True, He was Mary’s firstborn, but there is a deeper meaning. He was more than her firstborn in time. Did Mary fully grasp, as she held Him, that He was the “firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15, NKJV), the “firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18)? Did she really understand that her little One was the Son of the Highest, the Saviour? —Jim Comte

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? The sleeping Child you’re holding is the great, I Am. —Mark Lowry

Nehemiah 10:1-11:36; Zechariah 7:1-14; Revelation 15:1-8

Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim…(but the servants who had drawn the water knew). John 2:7, 9, NKJV

If we do not read closely we might miss something of the miracle. The servants were faithful in that they filled to the brim. They were also trusting servants because when they initially drew from the vessels it was water not yet wine. We’re not told exactly when it became wine. These servants also accomplished more than they realized. Because of this miracle, we read “his disciples believed on him” (v. 11). We can learn much from these faithful servants. —Ken Gross

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

Nehemiah 9:1-38; Zechariah 5:1-6:15; Revelation 14:1-20

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. Psalm 30:1

This is a Psalm that begins in distress and ends in joy and praise. When we are in times like this, it may seem as though things will never get better and that there will be no end to it all. Yet it will pass. As we focus on the things that God has already done for us, our minds will be taken off our present problems and we can rise above them in giving praise to God. —G. Frear

I’ll praise You Lord, for You’ve lifted me,
You heard my cry when I called to Thee;
Weeping may endure a night,
But morning comes and all is right. —G. F

Nehemiah 8:1-18; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 13:1-18

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables…but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16

Being an eyewitness to something gives irrefutable credibility to one’s testimony. While Jesus walked with them here on earth, the disciples were eyewitnesses to His life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Peter, James and John were given the amazing privilege to see Christ’s majestic splendour with their own eyes on the mount of transfiguration. This glorious view will not be ours till we see Him in the glory. Till then, we can still be credible witnesses for our Lord and Saviour by the way we live our lives here on earth. What kind of a witness are you? —E. V.

So exalt, lift up on high, the name of Jesus;
Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King! —Jack. W. Hayford

Nehemiah 7:1-73; Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 12:1-17

His servants will worship him. Revelation 22:3, ESV
True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.John 4:23, ESV

Worship is the highest occupation of the believer. John tells us in Heaven his servants will worship him. Dan Smith offers this marvellous definition when he writes, “Worship is of utmost importance…It should be the daily duty of all believers to offer their adoring worship and praise to God, our Father, through the atoning merits of His beloved Son, and the energies of the eternal Spirit.” Let us worship God with reverence and awe. —Bob Cretney

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned, upon the Saviour’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned, His lips with grace o’erflow. —Samuel Stennett

Nehemiah 6:1-19; Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 11:1-19

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul felt an obligation to thank God for the Thessalonian believers as he heard about their growing faith and abounding love. Their progress was a direct answer to his earnest prayer (1 Thess. 3:10, 12). Likewise, we too should pray for the spiritual growth of other believers. When God answers our prayer, let us remember to joyfully thank Him. Our gratitude is only fitting. It acknowledges His work in their lives and brings glory to Him. —George Ferrier

I help from Him obtained, and therefore give Him praise;
And while my heart exults with joy, my songs to Him I raise. —Scottish Psalter

Nehemiah 5:1-19; Haggai 2:1-23; Revelation 10:1-11

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23

These words were penned in a dark Roman dungeon. For the apostle it would have been “far better” to exchange it for the light and glory of Heaven. But he recognizes that God might have a reason for him to remain. There are times in the lives of suffering saints when it would be “far better” to be “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). At such times, peace can be found in knowing that this blessed release will be given, once His purposes for us in this world have been fulfilled. —W. H. Burnett

Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is oe’r,
Wait till I see the morning, break on the golden shore. —Fanny Crosby

Nehemiah 4:1-23; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 9:1-21

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

What a wonderful directive. Rejoice in the Lord. What blessings would accrue in our lives if we would challenge ourselves to find joy in our life every day. It’s there, just look past the many things to do, the trials that try to overtake, the negative thoughts that want attention. Let there be joy in your heart. —Debbie Douglas

I am the Lord’s! O joy beyond expression,
O sweet response to voice of love Divine;
Faith’s joyous “Yes” to the assuring whisper,
“Fear not! I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine.” —L. A. Bennett

Nehemiah 3:1-32; Daniel 12:1-13; Revelation 8:1-13

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

Here are three gifts the believer in Christ receives from God. They are gifts of great value for which we could never pay. Water reminds of life—the new life begun in us through Christ’s finished work at Calvary. Wine often refers to joy; the joy that comes with believing. Milk is the image used for the Word of God. We need to read it daily to grow and mature. Thank God for His gifts. —Lorne Perry

Of all the gifts Thy love bestows, Thou giver of all good!
Not Heaven itself a richer knows, Than the Redeemer’s blood. —William Cowper

Nehemiah 1:1-2:20; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7:1-17

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Psalm 139:17, NKJV

The word precious means to be “highly valued, esteemed, costly.” Of what value are God’s thoughts to us? How wonderful that they have been written down for us to read and study! We can immerse ourselves in His thoughts, His Words and His deeds in His precious book. Oh that we might continue growing in the knowledge of Him who has loved us with an everlasting love. May we learn what it is to trust Him in all things as we read of God’s faithfulness in His Word. —Vickie Gaynier

Open Thy word of truth, that I may see Thy message written clear and plain for me. —Mary Lathbury