Category: Uncategorised

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

“Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 1 Peter 3:14-15, NKJV

Peter speaks here of the harsh realities of faithfully living for Christ in a hostile environment. You may be experiencing a powerful wave of outright rejection or a subtle under-current of ridicule for being a Christian. Your strength to remain calm and strong will come from your focus upon Christ. Exalt Him afresh today as Lord in your heart. Bow your soul and elevate Him above all others and all else. He is your strength (Isa. 40:29). —Peter Ramsay

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones,
Above all wonders the world has ever known,
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth,
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth. —Michael W. Smith

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Songs 2:10

At last, the long winter of the bridegroom’s absence was over, and he had come to claim his bride. At present the long winter of our Lord’s absence is running its course and there are times when the wintry blast and the rising storms make us long for Heaven and home. But especially we long for Him. We must also keep in mind that His longings for us are just as passionate as ours and that He waits with patience until that blessed hour, when He will arise and say “come away.” May this blessed prospect cheer our hearts mid the darkening gloom around us. —W. H. Burnett

Oh the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past!
Oh the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last.—P. Gerhard

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:10b-11

While Joshua fought, Moses prayed. As long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed in battle, but when his hands drooped, Amalek prevailed. This battle was not won by Israel’s fighting ability since they were not experienced soldiers nor adept at warfare. The battle was won by Moses, through prayer. What a reminder as to the value, power, and absolute necessity of prayer! Have you prayed today? —W. Ross Rainey

Behold the throne of grace! The promise calls us near!
To seek our God and Father’s face, who loves to answer prayer.—Newton

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. Acts 20:13, NKJV

This journey is about 30 miles. Paul chose to walk it alone. Sometimes we need solitude. Preaching, shepherding, social demands, leadership, opposition and persecution. These things are exhausting. We need to give our all for Christ but we also need times to refresh and recharge. How Paul must have savoured the blessed loneliness of this walk with the Lord—the turquoise waters of the Aegean on one hand and pastoral hills on the other. Are you weary? It is not a sin to take some time alone. —S. McEachern

’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, step by step and day by day;
Stepping in His very footprints, walking with Him all the way.—Simpson

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. Galatians 6:1

There are times when feelings of failure and sadness overtake us and we find ourselves paralyzed to the point where the simple basics of Christian life seem hollow and hopeless. How precious are those brave souls who draw near to help! With care and courage, they come at our Lord’s bidding to rescue us from despair. It has been an honour to have been the recipient of such help and it would be an honour to be used of our Lord to do the same for another. —Rick Morse

Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad. —Ira B. Wilson

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth. Numbers 21:10, NKJV

The Lord brought fiery serpents among His people to teach them that lusting for the illicit results in death (separation from Him). Death could be avoided by looking at Moses’ bronze serpent on a pole in the midst of the camp. Bronze speaks of “fiery” judgments; the serpent signifies sin, and the pole prefigures Christ’s cross. We were all born spiritually snake-bitten, but those who come to Christ for healing obtain life and are also able to “move on” in the things of God. —W. A. H.

This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on,
Time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone. —Brian Wren

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:17

When asked about paying tax, the Lord took a penny and taught a principle. “Whose is this image and superscription?…Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” (Mark 12:16-17). When it comes to the government, we are to pay (Rom. 13:7), pray (1 Tim. 2:1), and obey (1 Peter 2:13). But they marveled when He added to render “to God the things that are God’s.” His image and inscription is on us! —Rex Trogdon

Only one life to offer—Take it, dear Lord, I pray,
Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey,
Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for me,
Claim this life for Thine own, to be used, my Saviour,
Ev’ry moment for Thee. —Avis B. Christiansen

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

What marvelous thoughts are contained within this Psalm! God, the Creator has every right to possess and rule His creatures! Yet humanity in pride has lifted itself up against their Creator and rejected His Word and His ways. But still, those who approach Him in humility have the right to come before Him. They are glad to bow before Him and acknowledge this. —G. Frear

The Earth is God’s, and His alone, He created it; it is His own,
Who can stand before His face? Who can rise to His holy place?
Those who have clean hands and heart, are those alone, who have this part. —G. F.

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Genesis 3:20

It was only after life had been lost, as a result of the fall, that Adam gave Eve her name—“living or life,” recognizing that her seed would ultimately bring the “life giver,” the Saviour! This is the greatest honour that God conferred upon Eve and it is truly a blessed privilege that God gives to all mothers. They are given the vital opportunity to train their children in truths that are eternal (2 Tim. 3:15). Society may change in many ways, but godly mothers will endure! —Jim Comte

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me.
They have clung to me all my life. —Abraham Lincoln

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

In the beginning God. Genesis 1:1
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17

God has no beginning and no end. He is the one true God and there is no one like Him. He created us in His image but that image was marred when sin came into the world. However, God promised that He would send the seed of the woman to crush the evil one. He has kept that promise and He has sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to pay our debt in full if we believe in Jesus and receive the free gift of salvation. —Vickie Gaynier

To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son. —Fanny J. Crosby