Category: Uncategorised

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

Moses’ hands were heavy…and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. Exodus 17:12

The Amalekites fought with Israel. Moses was old at this time, but he was still able to lift up his hands and intercede with God for His people. His prayers influenced the battle. When his hands were up Israel prevailed. When they lowered, Amalek prevailed. It was in Moses’ weariness that Aaron and Hur came forward and interceded for the interceder. They held his hands up so he could pray, and Israel won the day. May each of us desire to support one
another in any way possible. —Mary Robins

Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, Oh Saviour I pray.
Make me a blessing, to someone today. —Ira B Wilson

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

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. James 3:6
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. Luke 4:22

How often have we spoken before we’ve thought and regretted it afterwards! The flesh within us is always ready to speak out and unleash the tongue’s potential to cause trouble out of all proportion to its size. Our Lord Jesus always said the right thing in the right way. Although men set themselves against Him, no one could justifiably object either to the words He used or the manner in which they were delivered. May the indwelling Spirit help us to be more like our blessed Saviour, not only saying the correct thing but with the right manner and attitude. —Philip A. Kaye

Take my lips, and let them be,
Filled with messages from Thee. —F. R. Havergal

Ezra 10:1-44; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6:1-17

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

All that God is, Christ is. Every attribute and every ability are as much contained in the Person of God’s Son as are in God the Father. Christ’s incarnation never lessened His perfect deity. It was merely contained in a vessel of human flesh, as you and I possess, yet apart from sin. The mystery of His incarnation is a wondrous truth, and the man-made religions of the world refuse to acknowledge it because they have nothing to compare. He is our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. —Rick Morse

O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth, unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky. —William W. How

Ezra 9:1-15; Daniel 10:1-21; Revelation 5:1-14

Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law…and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. Genesis 11:31

Be careful where you settle. God calls us into a personal relationship with Him, but often we hang on to our old life, causing us to fall short of God’s promises for us. Terah had to die for Abram to move forward, but Lot still travelled along. We can carry along baggage that hinders our spiritual walk too—as Lot eventually proved to be. Happy is the
Christian who leaves the old life behind and follows God unhindered by distraction. Can that be said of us? Lord make it so today! —Deborah Manera

The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. —S. S. Singh

Ezra 8:1-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Revelation 4:1-11

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Have you ever tried to drive in fog? Lights ahead of you are woolly smudges. You try to follow but wonder if you are being led astray! Sometimes our lives seem foggy and we wonder if we are going the way God wants us to go. We can only see one step at a time. In these unclear times it is imperative to trust Him. He can see through the fog, and we know He will show us the way. Fix your mind on Him and He will give you perfect peace, even in the fog. —Virginia Strout

Be still if the way is not clear,
When answers do not seem to come.
Remember that God is still near,
And He will keep guiding me Home. —V. Strout

Ezra 7:1-28; Daniel 8:1-27; Revelation 3:7-22

Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God? 2 Samuel 9:3 NKJV

David was king. His main enemy, Saul had died, yet because of his love for Saul’s son Jonathan, he wondered if there was anyone from Saul’s household left to whom he could show the kindness of God. What an insight into David’s heart! Truly he was a man after God’s own heart. May it speak to us, that we might show the kindness of God to someone today. —Rosemary J. Richardson

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Oh Saviour, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today. —Ira B. Wilson

Ezra 6:1-22; Daniel 7:1-28; Revelation 2:18-3:6

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Much is learned when under the pressure of potential failure. God sometimes allows such challenging things into our lives because they are powerful learning experiences. Who we really are becomes evident under tension, as God prepares us for service. Sincere devotion and worship often come after potential defeat. As we read the Scriptures, we are comforted in such times because we know God has a plan and we find hope based on His promises. Wait for God
to work. He will bless us and fulfill the needs of others through us. —Gaius C. Goff

Set a renewed faith before my eyes,
And a new hope to live by. —W. C. Ackerly

Ezra 5:1-17; Daniel 6:1-28; Revelation 2:1-17

The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, nothing shall escape them. Joel 2:3

Joel described God’s judgement as successive plagues of locusts and his description is no exaggeration. When such a plague sweeps through the land, the lush, green vegetation rapidly disappears and the earth ends up dry, dusty and desolate. A small swarm of 20,000 tons will easily eat 40 million pounds of green vegetation in a single day. Locusts are known in Arab lands as “Jarad” which means “to scrape clean,” while the Romans called locusts “burners of the land.” The Bible is utterly accurate in what it describes and even in pictures of judgment it can be trusted. We thank God for His infallible Word. —Paul Young

Oh Word of God incarnate, Oh wisdom from on high,
Oh truth unchanged, unchanging, Oh light of our dark sky. —W. How

Ezra 3:1-4:24; Daniel 5:1-31; Revelation 1:1-20

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The word renew can mean “change,” and what better thing to do when you are worn down and worn out than to exchange your own limited strength for the Lord’s unfailing omnipotence. It is disastrous to try to go it alone. Just as riders would change out their weary horse for a fresh one, let’s put on a fresh cloak of strength, His strength—for
He alone is “mighty to save!” How? Spend time alone with Him, in the solitary place (Mark 1:35). —Eunice Free

Awake, and in His strength renewed,
The battle cry take up again;
All enemies shall be subdued,
And Christ the Lord shall reign. —C. Austin Miles

Ezra 1:1-2:70; Daniel 4:1-37; 3 John 1:1-14

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

It was not possible! There was no other way. Only through the shedding of blood could forgiveness be procured. Only by a sinless sacrifice bearing the curse could the curse be removed. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). Only an
impeccable Man could be the Redeemer. At Calvary, the justice of God was vindicated. The adversary was defeated. Salvation was procured. Only the impeccable Christ could drink the cup! Hallelujah, what a Saviour! —L. Cain

Calvary! O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea,
Love, eternal love to me. Saviour, we adore Thee! —S. Trevor Francis