Category: Uncategorised

1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people. 1 Chronicles 19:13

The small town where I live has recently honoured three of its sons who were awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery during the two world wars. To commemorate this fact, name signs were erected at all the road entry points to the town which not only names the town but has an added description to define its heritage—“A Town of Courage.” To live a victorious Christian life great courage is required. The apostle Paul behaved in such a courageous way in the face of adversity that it set a valiant example for us to follow. —Brian Powlesland

He who would valiant be ‘gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master. —John Bunyan

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp… therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you. Deuteronomy 23:14, NKJV

Because God was walking in the midst of Israel’s camp, His holiness required diligent removal of any unclean thing. In the New Testament, the Church, as the body of Christ is pictured as God’s temple with Him dwelling in their midst, and should thus display His holiness. Individually, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and should glorify God in our bodies. Whether corporately or individually, we should examine our lives for anything that would defile or mar His holiness. —E. V.

Oh, teach us more of Thy blest ways, Thou holy Lamb of God!
And fix us in Thy grace, as those redeemed by blood. —James Hutton

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, NKJV

Peace at all times and in every way! The Lord is the fountain and dispenser of the peace you are seeking. His reservoirs never run dry during peak season. His storehouses are never depleted during a famine. He has every means at His disposal to calm your fears and silence your doubts. He can sweeten bitter waters and soothe your wounded spirit. The Lord of peace Himself can do it. Open yourself to Him today, so He can pour in His peace. —Peter Ramsay

There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I’ve a peace that has come there to stay! —Anne S. Murphy

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24-25; Colossians 2:8-3:4

[Jesus] said unto him…sell all that thou hast…and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18:22-23

This man lost out all the way around. He was unwilling to give up his treasures on earth to have treasures in Heaven. And yet he still was very sorrowful, even as he returned to his riches. As we follow our Lord, do we forget to lay up treasures in Heaven? They will be the only ones that last. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:20-21). —Ken Gross

So now Thy blessed Name I love, Thy will would e’er be mine.
Had I a thousand hearts to give, my Lord, they all were Thine! —Charles Wesley

1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Phil. 3:19

“Enemies of the cross” (Phil. 3:18) are characterized by worshiping or putting their stomachs first. Food is necessary and good, but the results of gluttony and unhealthy eating eventually show themselves on the scale. We eat when we’re bored, sad or distressed. Do we trust God to satisfy us in these instances, or are we looking to other things to satisfy us? —Danielle Robins

Let Your song be the song I sing,
Through the blessing and burdens this life will bring,
In You alone I’m satisfied. —About a Mile

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

How beautiful…are the feet of him. Isaiah 52:7
And [she] began to wash his feet with tears…and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:38
They came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Matthew 28:9

There is a reverence to worship that is rightly expressed by falling at the feet of the one worshiped. We see it here, as these women worship at the beautiful feet of the Saviour. What does He mean to you today, dear sister and brother? What’s your heart’s response to the beautiful man of Calvary? —Pete Smith

That man of Calvary has won my heart from me,
And died to set me free, blest man of Calvary. —M. P. Ferguson

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. Psalm 31:1-2

In the psalmist’s sadness, there is an echo of our Lord’s suffering. As He suffered, He depended on His Father for strength. His greatest agony was when Heaven was silent as He bore the weight of the world’s sin. We cannot understand it! How much we have to praise Him for! —G. Frear

In You O Lord, I put my trust,
For You are right and good and just,
You are my Rock and Fortress strong,
Lead and guide, for this I long. —G. F

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. Mark 15:24

A few men left Calvary that day happy that the lot fell on them, and they had obtained a new garment. But the dying thief who had just had his legs broken was leaving Calvary (ascending really) wearing a glistening white robe of righteousness. Never lose sight of the unseen eternal realities. —D. Pickup

When I shall stand within the court of Heaven,
Where white-robed pilgrims pass before my sight—
Earth’s martyred saints and blood-washed overcomers,
These then are they who walk with Him in white. —Almeda J. Pearce

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

And be ye…tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

At a Sunday School picnic years ago, a woman was greatly hurt by comments made by another concerning the cake she had baked. Sadly this caused a major problem in the assembly. If I have been offended I must take the initiative and forgive the one who may have upset me even though no apology has been forthcoming. I should delight to forgive others because God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven me—undeserved grace! —David Croudace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.—J. Newton

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel. Micah 4:12

It is evident that man’s heart has not changed since Micah penned those words. There is a famine of the Word of God (Amos 8:11) and its principles pervading our culture. The lifestyles and attitudes of people prove this out daily. The urgent need of the hour is a clear proclamation of the Scriptures in both the word and deed of believers. Only then will society realize the power of God’s Word to address their desperate condition in bringing conviction, repentance, and forgiveness. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Oh, make me understand it, help me to take it in,
What it meant to Thee, the holy One, to bear away my sin. —A. M. Kelly