Category: Uncategorised

2 Chronicles 34:1-33; Daniel 2:1-23; 1 John 4:1-21

Run, speak to this young man. Zechariah 2:4

Someone was moved by the urgency of my plight when they spoke to me as a young man still chained in my sins, and how glad I am they did! Our young people are being assaulted by an enemy who shows no mercy, and has honed his skills to attack every vulnerability with lethal force. We may not understand the intricacies of their culture, but we can and must run to them urgently, to rescue them from deception and destruction. —Rick Morse

Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint, and raising the fallen;
Pointing the lost to Jesus the Way. —William A. Ogden

2 Chronicles 33:1-25; Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 3:1-24

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress. 2 Samuel 22:2

The memorial service for a departed believer had ended. Then a group of relatives and friends wended their way to the grave site where his missionary son had devotional remarks and prayer as a closure for his father’s earthly journey. He then suggested we sing a hymn. Someone called for another song, then another, ending with Rock of Ages. The impromptu singspiration seemed a fitting tribute for this brother whose life had served the Lord with music. What will we be remembered for at our day’s end? May we diligently use the gifts God has entrusted us with to minister to some fellow traveller in need as we journey homeward. —E. Dyck

May I do the good I know, be Thy child below,
Then at last go home to Thee, evermore Thy child to be. —John Hoppes

2 Chronicles 32:1-33; Ezekiel 48:1-35; 1 John 2:12-29

Seek ye out the book of the Lord, and read. Isaiah 34:16
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Our daily musing, meditation and memorizing of the Word of God is crucial to our walk with Him, our confidence in Him, and our witnessing for Him. Let us be careful not to neglect this daily discipline. —E. C. B.

I have a wonderful treasure, the gift of God without measure,
We will travel together, my Bible and I. —Author Unknown

2 Chronicles 31:1-21; Ezekiel 47:1-23; 1 John 1:1-2:11

Fixing our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2, NIV

Daily we are bombarded with an overabundance of stimuli trying to capture our attention and affections. Always a new scheme or gimmick appears, promising to invigorate our lives with happiness and fulfilment. We are enticed to turn here and there to fill the emptiness within. But Scripture tells us to look in one direction and one direction only—Jesus. Only He can provide us with true comfort on earth, and hope of eternal life with Him. Are you looking for hope in the gimmick? Fix your eyes on Jesus, the answer for this life and abundant hope for the next! —Deborah Manera

When we have nothing left but God, we discover He is enough. —Author Unknown

2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Hebrews 12:12, NKJV

I watched as my two young grandchildren came down the rough hill. The older boy took his younger brother’s hand and helped him over the ruts and mud puddles. On another occasion three boys were walking home from a childrens’ program and had to cross a river. Two little boys took off their shoes and then proceeded to carry their friend to the other side. Is there someone who needs your encouragement and help today? —Janet Fleming

I want to be like Jesus, to do what’s right and fair,
Each day to help another and let them know I care.
I want to be forgiving, be kind and patient too,
Lord, in each thought and action I want to be like You.—Janet Fleming

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:16

The Lord, through Moses, made a passage for His people through the Red Sea, illustrating our salvation. The Lord also made a passage through the Jordan River (Josh. 4:17), illustrating our sanctification. Some day the Lord will make a passage through the air for His people (1 Thess. 4:17), illustrating our future glorification. From beginning to end it is all His blessed work. Are you living in the expectation of that great passage though the air? —W. Ross Rainey

Soon the “trump of God” will call us, soon we’ll meet Him in the air,
He, the altogether lovely, and the fairest of the fair. —J. Booth

2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-33; John 20:1-18

God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Innkeeper gave his stable for Jesus to be born. Peter gave his boat for the Lord to preach the Gospel to the people. A little lad gave his five loaves and two fish for the Lord to feed the multitude. A man gave his donkey because the Lord needed it. A master gave a large room furnished for the Lord and His disciples to keep the Passover. Joseph gave his empty tomb for Jesus to be buried in. There are many other practical ways we can give to the Lord, what will you give today? —Jim Paul

Measure your life by loss instead of gain,
Not by the wine drunk but the wine poured forth;
For love’s strength stands in love’s sacrifice,
And whoso suffers most hath most to give. —George Henderson

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

With all humility and gentleness. Ephesians 4:2a, ESV

It is convicting to carefully consider some small, easily overlooked words in the epistles. In Ephesians, Paul tells us to be completely humble and gentle. Paul urges Timothy to be kind to everyone. He urges the Colossians to let their speech be always gracious. The saints at Philippi are told to do everything without complaining, to let their gentleness be evident to all. The technical term for these adverbs seems to be “non-expiry.” There is no wiggle room anywhere to escape from the inclusiveness of these requirements and standards of godly behaviour. —M. MacMullen

Teach us, Lord, full obedience, holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thought and our attitudes, in the radiance of Your purity. —Getty & Townend

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Many disparage the prosperity enjoyed today. However, for many parts of the world there has never been a better time to be alive. Babies and mothers survive birth, people live longer and more healthily than ever before. More importantly, the Gospel is moving through the world with fewer political restrictions than at any time. There may be much to lament, however, let today be a season to thank God for the authorities He has ordained that have led to this incredible bounty of blessings. —J. D. Fraser

Kings and Kingdoms fall, but the Lord our God will reign forever.
Sovereign over all, the Lord our God will reign forevermore. —Travis Cotterel

2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

And the Lord was with Joseph. Genesis 39:2

Joseph was hated by his brothers, sold, slandered and imprisoned. Joseph’s early dreams of glory seemed far from being realised and yet we read, “The Lord was with Joseph.” All his trials were part of the unfolding of God’s purposes for his life that would culminate in him being Prime Minister of Egypt. At times we might think that God’s plan for our lives has gone terribly wrong but we must keep our eyes on the final result—that we will live and reign with Him. As the Lord was with Joseph, so also will He be with us in our trials and tribulations, and we can rest assured, that ultimately, glory lies ahead. —W. H. Burnett

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —Cowper