Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3

In the book of Jonah, one verse describes Jonah’s bad decision. The rest of the book details the consequences of that decision: how it affected the sailors, the residents of Ninevah and Jonah himself. What a solemn lesson! A choice, made hastily and emotionally, so clearly against the Lord’s will, had significant consequences for Jonah and those around him. That danger exists for us too. How vital for us to remain in the presence of the Lord! —Lynn Shatford

I come into His presence, all my questions become clear,
And for a sacred moment, no doubt can interfere. —B. & G. Davis

Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10

A seemingly healthy man walked into the doctor’s office for a routine checkup. Feeling fine he was shocked to hear the diagnosis. He needed a heart transplant. No amount of diet, exercise, or medicine could fix his inherited condition. Similarly, many today view themselves as morally fine but the Bible has already diagnosed our spiritual condition. Born sinners, our condition is terminal. However, upon being born again, Christ, the great Physician gives us a new heart, making us a new creation. Praise God! —George Ferrier

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart! —Rufus H. McDaniel

Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God. Psalm 40:3, NKJV

Before the Lord God saved us, the song we sang was one of woe, sadness and grieving. But when the Lord Jesus pulled us from that miry pit, He gave us a new song to sing. And we truly sang it loudly with great joy for all to hear. But sometimes in this life we grow weary, taking our eyes off the Lord. Our song grows weak and others can barely hear it. Today ask the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation that you might again sing loudly that song for all to hear. —Vickie Gaynier

Feasting on the riches of His grace, resting neath His sheltering wing. Always looking on His smiling face, that is why I shout and sing. —L. Bridgers

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace…But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods. Daniel 3:17-18

Perhaps you are going through what seems like a fiery furnace. How should you respond? These three young men believed their God was able to deliver, “but if not” they were prepared to accept the trial as from the Lord’s hand. Naturally our prayer is that the Lord would do a miracle and deliver us from our difficulties “but if not” remember to let God be God. The Lord either saves us out of our troubles or He is with us in the troubles. —Sid Halsband

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain. —William Cowper

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17:15

The Psalmist describes the blessed prospect that lies before each saint. That moment, when, raptured to the skies, we shall see our Saviour face to face and be like Him. This is the ultimate end that God had in mind in redeeming our souls—to populate Heaven with a people like Christ. The apostle John anticipated that moment when he wrote “But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). —W. H. Burnett

And is it so, we shall be like Thy Son,
Is this the grace which He for us has won?
Father of glory! Thought beyond all thought,
In glory to Thine own blessed likeness brought. —John N. Darby

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Cor. 14:40

When built, Scarborough’s Grand Hotel had the calendar as its design concept—12 floors, 52 chimneys, and 365 rooms. Solomon’s temple had multiples of ten in its design—the holy place was 40 cubits long, 20 cubits wide and 30 high. The most holy place measured 20 by 20 by 20 cubits. The temple design conveyed that our God loves order. We are encouraged in our corporate assembling to conduct our meetings decently and in order, for the glory of our God and in the spirit of harmony, reverence and consideration for one another. —Brian Powlesland

The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end. —S. J. Stone

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2, NKJV

How do we react when serious trouble comes? Some helpful New Testament verses to keep in mind when trouble comes are: Romans 12:12; 1 Corinthinas 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4; Hebrews 10:32-34. Ultimately, if not immediately, testing through various troubles is for our good, even though difficult. Trouble will either sweeten or embitter. May God help us to be better and not bitter. —W. Ross Rainey

Thank the Lord when trouble comes, His love and grace expressing;
Grateful praise releases faith, Turns trials into blessing. —David C. Egner

Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father. 2 Samuel 17:23

It is in the heart of every human to always want our own way, and to be resentful when we don’t get it. Ahithophel’s suicidal reaction exhibits this in the extreme. To what depths are we willing to go to get our way? Are we mistrusting our Lord, injuring someone else, or hurting ourselves? May we ever have that contrite spirit which always submits to what God allows. —Rick Morse

Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord in me abide. —J. Edwin Orr

Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76:1-77:20; Acts 17:1-15

Is not your reverence (fear of God) your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? Job 4:6, NKJV

Did Job think his upright life would make him acceptable to God? Perhaps we might ask, can my good works or religious deeds get me into Heaven? No. It is “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:9, NKJV). The best I can do will never be good enough because “all [my] righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). Can I then ever be sure of Heaven? Yes, by turning from sin and trusting Christ for He “hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). —David Croudace

Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save and Thou alone. —Augustus M. Toplady

Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74:1-75:10; Acts 16:16-40

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 2 Corinthians 12:8

Many Christians have problems that will not go away—often in the form of bad health. God is able to remove the problems but sometimes He doesn’t. In Paul’s experience this prevented pride coming to the surface. God hates pride. He has promised to give you sufficient grace to endure the suffering. Let us rejoice in the grace given and not complain of our problem. Praise will often overcome pride and help ease the pain. —Brian Russell

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul. —Horatio Spafford