Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

There is an everyday hopeful expression that says “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.” Some of us are getting on in years and we recognize this experience. The Lord and His glory are our object, but the closer we get to the end of a Christian life, the brighter His glory shines. It brightens everything around us. —Lorne Perry

Lamb of God! Thy faithful promise, says “Behold I quickly come,”
And our hearts, to Thine, responsive cry, “Come Lord and take us home,”
Oh! the rapture that awaits us, when we meet Thee in the air,
And with Thee ascend in triumph, all Thy deepest joys to share. —J. G. Deck

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Psalm 137:6

Indisputably Jerusalem is a city with a unique history, future and importance. The psalmist, speaking for his nation, promises to remember and prefer Jerusalem above his chief joy. But we who know and believe in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, remember Him, and prefer Him above our chief joy. “There is none like thee” (2 Sam. 7:22). We should tell Him so today! —Carl Knott

All that thrills my soul is Jesus;
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand,
In my blessed Lord I see. —Thoro Harris

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 23:137; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

The word of the Lord is right. Psalm 33:4
The counsel of the Lord standeth forever. Psalm 33:11
The eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him. Psalm 33:18

Because the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, He knows and understands our frailties. He is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Society abounds with counselors claiming to be a source of help in any and every area of life. Their counsel is at best temporary and subject to change. The sovereign God says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye”
(Ps. 32:8). —W. H. G.

The Bible stands ev’ry test we give it, for its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it, and to prove it and make it mine. —Haldor Lillenas

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-24

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Many of our problems are caused because we lack understanding. Paul combats such ignorance about Christian death by stating the truth, namely that we have hope, a hope which is certain and secure. This enables God’s people to die well. As a faithful lady missionary lay dying, her niece said, “You’ll be going home soon to the Lord.” Her response was “Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.” She died soon afterwards. What triumph! —Paul Young

Then when all of life is over,
And our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. —James Milton Black

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

For me to live is Christ. Philippians 1:21

In the late 1800s Charles T. Studd (1862-1931) gave up a professional athletic career in cricket and became a missionary to China. At 25 he gave away a family fortune to support the work of D. L. Moody and George Müller. He wrote words that have impacted many to surrender their lives to Christ: “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” What sacrifice have we made for Him? —W. Ross Rainey

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. —Judson W. Van de Venter

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

When my mother passed away, friends gave me a beautiful flower arrangement of fuchsia, pink and purple flowers. In reading, I discovered there is a reason for each flower’s brilliant colour. Purple attracts bees because these flowers are rich in nectar. Pink, red and orange attract hummingbirds. Even a flower’s scent has purpose. The fragrance of blue, yellow and white flowers attract butterflies. God also designed us with a special purpose, to be the fragrance of His love to a hurting and broken world, by sharing His good news of salvation. No gift is as precious as the saving grace of Jesus. No need is greater in our world’s desperation! Share His gift today. —Glenda Paquette

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound. —F. Bottome

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Do not call me Naomi. Ruth 1:20, NKJV

Life had been very hard on Naomi. Things had gone from “pleasant” (Naomi) to “bitter” (Mara). She had gone from being a wife and mother to the sorrow losing both her husband and her sons. And to add even more stress, she was also now the mother-in-law to two Moabite widows. Moab was no place for a widow; Israel was. The providence of God was found in the place of God. We don’t know if Naomi had any say in the original move, but she ended up suffering its consequences. Life can be very harsh and cruel, and we need to choose how we react. When she finally saw things from God’s perspective, she became “Naomi” again in truth. —N. C. Funston

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Take my hand, precious Lord.—Dorsey

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day… 2 Timothy 4:8

An article in the London Daily News in 1903 reported that after hearing a Dean in the Church of England preach on Christ’s return, Queen Victoria remarked, “O how I wish the Lord might come during my  lifetime…I should so love to lay my crown at His feet.” Many humble believers, who are also royal priests, want to give any future rewards for earthly service back to the Lord. In the light of His soon return let us aspire to do His work faithfully so that we might actually have something to give Him. —Brian Powlesland

Must I go—and empty-handed? Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet? —C. Luther

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29

The woman at Jacob’s well got her eyes opened little by little. When He asked her for a drink of water, she saw the Lord Jesus as just a Man (v. 9). When He revealed hidden areas of her life, she acknowledged Him to be a prophet (v. 19). When she changed the subject to worship, He revealed Himself to her as the Messiah (v. 26). She recognized Him as the Saviour who could satisfy her soul thirst. She left her waterpot and went into the city proclaiming, “Come, see a man…the Christ.” —Rex Trogdon

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

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jer. 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

He [Christ] cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43

Just as Lazarus was called forth from the grave, so too we are called from a life of sin and bondage by the voice of the Lord Jesus. If we respond to the call, the Lord Jesus Christ becomes not only the difference in our lives, but by faith, the Restorer of spiritual life and the Light to life’s pathway. Most of all He becomes our all in all, the very life we will everlastingly live. —Ken Gunnell

Take the world but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey,
Light will cheer me all the while. —Fanny J. Crosby