Category: Uncategorised

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

[Daniel] kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10

Though public prayer is prohibited in many places, today the believer still has “round the clock” access to the throne of grace for any and every type of need (Heb. 4:16). It has been said that as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. That’s true for every facet of life. He knows every need of our hearts. May we today, appropriate and enjoy this privilege, of coming to the God of Heaven regardless of our circumstances or location. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear,
The upward glance of an eye when none but God is near. —Montgomery

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

Moses said unto the Lord…thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Exodus 33:12
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14

Moses seems to be asking for a man to go with him. In response, God promised He would be the one to go with Moses. A wise man has said, “Safety does not consist in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.” The believer is promised no less, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). —Ken Gross

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms:
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Elisha A. Hoffman

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle…thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. Obadiah 4

Obadiah’s prophecy spoke to Edom, a proud nation who gloried in their wealth, wisdom, warriors and fortresses. Those fortresses were easily defended being cut into the rock face, high upon the cliffs, with entrances through narrow gorges where enemies could be quickly repulsed. They thought they were impregnable and no one could harm them. Yet God resists the proud and said He would bring them down. That prophecy came true and Edom no longer exists. It is a warning. Pride is something God hates. We should never allow it to flourish in our lives. —Paul Young

Humble yourselves, under God’s mighty hand,
So that He will lift you up. I bow down before You Lord. —Billborough

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Isaiah 55:6
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. John 7:34

Society constantly asks us to follow our dreams no matter the cost. Many find though, that when they finally achieve their longings, it leaves them empty. Some have found world fame or earned great wealth only to find that their emptiness has not been filled. Everything associated with this life is temporary. Paul says, “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). Have you taken the time to seek the Lord? He alone can give you the satisfaction this world cannot. —Jim Paul

Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other name for me
There’s life and love and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee. —Emma F. Bevan

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. Luke 10:39, NKJV
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42, NKJV

Mary was in the right place. She sat in lowly and quiet submission before the greatest Teacher ever. She had the right purpose. She wanted to hear His word and learn from Him. She had the right priority. She valued time alone with Christ above everything else! Mary chose the right pathway. It was her definite choice to be a devoted follower of God’s Son. How devoted are we in wanting to spend quality time with our Lord? —Pete Smith

Speak, O blessed Master, in this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord, feel Thy touch of power. —E. M. Grimes

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

Preach the word. 2 Timothy 4:2

To a young preacher who insisted it was essential to preach relevantly to the times, the man of God gave this advice. “Young man don’t preach to the times. Go and preach to broken hearts and you will preach relevantly and to the eternities.” The Word of God, preached in the enabling power of the Spirit of God, will still accomplish that which He pleases, and shall prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. —Arnot P. McIntee

I love Thy Word, O God; That tells me of Thy Son;
Of His redemption on the cross, For needy sinners won. —Author Unknown

Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

The day that the Son died on the cross it was foremost in obedience to His Father. When He was on the cross, His first cry was “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). His last cry was, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). He had finished His mission to demonstrate His Father’s love for sinners (Rom. 5:8). Now we too can call Him “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). Today, as we honour our earthly fathers, let us remember to honour our heavenly Father. —K. C. Ung

Behold th’amazing gift of love the Father hath bestowed
On us, the sinful sons of men, to call us sons of God! —Isaac Watts

Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them…to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:15

The cemetery in Sutton Hoo has a sign at its boundary which says “No Exit From Burial Site.” A newspaper journalist wrote “We never thought there was.” The Bible disagrees and explains that one day the bodies of those committed to the ground will be raised. The great hope of the Christian is that just as Christ was raised from the dead so too will those who have died in Christ. Then, Paul says, we who are alive and remain will join them and together we will meet with the Lord. What a glorious prospect. —Brian Powlesland

Jesus is coming! The dead shall arise,
Loved ones shall meet in a joyful surprise,
Caught up together with Him in the skies. —Daniel Whittle

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

Our thoughts are an indication of what holds the most value in our lives. By intentionally placing our thoughts and attention on the Lord daily, He will become our treasure. The world is full of distractions; cling to Him, hold fast and look up! —Danielle Robins

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. —Robert Robinson

Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

Ye have said, it is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? Malachi 3:14

The last book of the Old Testament mirrors our present day with alarming accuracy. Surrounded by a fallen race of those who only seek self-gratification, many of us have fallen prey to the current atmosphere of selfishness. Instead of heading to our local Church meetings with the idea of what we can get out of it, why not ask ourselves what we can bring to them? Our Saviour gave His all for us; shall we not do likewise? —Rick Morse

Give me a faithful heart—likeness to Thee,
That each departing day, henceforth may see, some work of love begun, Some deed of kindness done—something for Thee. —S. D. Phelps