Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

And he said…What do you see? And I said…a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps. Zechariah 4:2
Then he answered and said unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

When I allow the Holy Spirit to control my life and flow through me as the oil flowed through the pipes to each lamp, I will become the Spirit-filled witness I am meant to be. If Christ is to be seen in me, the
pipes to the lamps must be cleansed of self and sin. Then the Spirit will be able to accomplish whatever God desires. —David Croudace

Lord take my life and make it wholly Thine,
Fill my poor heart, with Thy great love divine. —J. Edwin Orr

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. Exodus 31:2-3

The names Bezaleel and Aholiab do not readily come to mind as Old Testament saints. We live in an age where there is maybe too much emphasis placed on academic achievement, in preference to practical skills. Thank God for organizations like Brass Tacks, where skilled workmen give their time and money to help missionaries build halls, homes, schools and hospitals for the use of local believers. We need more of these skilled and dedicated saints. —Brian Russell

Go labour on, spend and be spent, thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still?—Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Hebrews 5:9
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28

The eternal Son gives eternal life to each and every precious soul, who as a guilty sinner, trusts Him as their own personal Lord and Saviour. Have you received God’s free gift of eternal salvation? Have you obeyed His Word? “God…now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV). —Pete Smith

Lord, help my unbelief! Give me the peace of faith,
To rest in child-like trust on what the gospel says,
That “Whosoever will believe, shall everlasting life receive!” —Arthur T. Pierson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Before she travailed, she brought forth…Who hath heard…who hath seen such things?…shall a nation be born at once? Isaiah 66:7-8

This is a remarkable prophecy concerning the birth of a nation before labour pains! Modern Israel was born on May 14, 1948. But the nation still faces the years of “Jacob’s trouble” when nations will be gathered against it. But then their Messiah will come. They will be delivered and the new Israel will “be born in one day” (ESV). Peace and joy will reign in Jerusalem from henceforth. As we see what is happening in Jerusalem today, do we believe what is promised will take place? We need to pray to that end. —K. C. Ung

Jerusalem, lift up thy voice! Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Thy King is come, whose mighty hand,
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land. —J. O. Wallin

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15

One of the greatest impressions a believer makes on the world is not how he conducts himself when things are good, but how he conducts himself when things are bad! The world knows how to enjoy life when circumstances are favourable but is hungry for answers when circumstances are hard. Some of the most effective sermons you and I can preach are silent sermons of contentment and joy when facing adversity! —Sid Halsband

And when I, in Thy likeness shine, the glory and the praise be Thine,
That everlasting joy is mine, O Lamb of God, in Thee. —Mary Jane Deck Walker

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41:1-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

Now from the sixth hour there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45

Camping at Sheriff Hutton just outside York, England I remember August 11, 1999 very well. We experienced a solar eclipse. For a few minutes we witnessed it getting darker and cooler and then a few minutes later the sun’s rays brought us into true daylight again. We stood in awe at the wonder of creation. When our Lord was crucified, midday was turned to midnight. This was no eclipse for a few minutes but a total darkness over the earth for three hours. His suffering in those hours was not for man to see. We are so thankful for our Lord who paid the price of our sin. —John M. Clegg

Well might the sun in darkness hide and shut His glories in,
When the incarnate Maker died for man, His creature’s sin. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:16; Hebrews 10:1-18

And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Deuteronomy 21:7 

God’s people must be clean from bloodshed’s taint. The Canaanites defiled the land through child sacrifices and violence. If an unsolved murder occurred in Israel, the nearest elders had to swear that they were
not complicit in the deed or in a subsequent cover up. Their sacrifice atoned for the bloodguilt of the killing. In Christ’s day, by contrast, the nation cried out for His blood, bringing guilt on themselves and their
offspring. Thankfully, His shed blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7), even pardoning an arch-persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13). —K. R. Keyser

But Jesus lives! The Saviour lives! In heaven He pleads for me;
And boldly I approach to God, His blood my only plea. —John Stockton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 5; Jeremiah 38; Hebrews 9:15-28

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Isaiah 1:13, NKJV

The Lord detested Israel’s vain religiosity! The Jews were a morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt people. They had sacred form without the power of the truth (God’s Law) within them. The temple was bustling
with religious activity, but true worshippers must approach God in revealed truth, and with pure hearts and clean hands to refresh His heart. God has not changed, Christianity that is empty form displeases Him in the same way vain Judiasm did. He is looking for those who will worship and serve Him in spirit and in truth. —W. A. H.

The praise of hypocrites and gifts rebels impart, are offerings of futility.
But a broken spirit and contrite heart, delights God for all eternity.—WAH

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 4:1-44; Jeremiah 37:1-21; Hebrews 9:1-14

A friend loveth at all times. Proverbs 17:17

Today, I received a card in the mail from a thoughtful friend. She was thinking of me, concerned how I was doing, praying that I was well. How blessed that made me feel. Do you know someone that needs encouragement? Someone that could use a kind reminder that they are important to you? Send a note and brighten someone’s day. God may be using you to lift a burden from a heavy heart. —Debbie Douglas

I’ve found a friend, oh such a friend,
So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counsellor and Guide,
So mighty a defender. —J. G. Small 

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. John 5:22

An accused coming to trial would want to know all they could about the judge. Jesus told the Jews of His day who their judge would be, Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. For many today that information is good news, for they have sung since childhood, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” But the day will come when this offer of salvation will be finished. Then those who do not love Him will face Him as judge. In loving kindness, He told the Jews, “He that…believeth…hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation” (v. 24). Receiving Him is essential. Have you believed? —Ken Gross

Saviour of sinners, Saviour of sinners like me,
Shedding His blood for my ransom, Christ is the Saviour for me. —Heyman Wreford