Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matt. 4:1-25

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

The motto of the London Stock Exchange is “Dictum Meum Pactum” meaning “my word is my bond.” Founded in 1698, its sentiment goes back to a time when many business deals were confirmed with a handshake. A promise became a contract and the minds of the parties involved were contented. If man’s mind can be at peace on the basis of a verbal promise, how much more peace of mind can be enjoyed by trusting in the word of the Lord. —Brian Powlesland

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord.
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. —R. K. Carter

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matt. 3:1-17

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10

It is a great day when someone puts their trust in the Saviour. There are often tears of joy that accompany that blessed moment of salvation. How wonderful to know that there is joy in heaven too! Are you saved? If not, there can be joy on earth and in heaven if you repent and put your trust in Him today. —John M. Clegg

O happy day, that fixed my choice,
On Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day! Happy day!
When Jesus washed my sins away. —Philip Doddridge

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matt. 2:1-23

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Matthew 17:8
But we see Jesus… Hebrews 2:9a

The world seems to get busier and more challenging every day. But thankfully, we have the Lord Jesus Christ as an anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19a). As we keep our eyes solely upon Him, we can rest assured in His perfect peace. He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2a). We can trust Him completely no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in today. —Annette Baal

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —Helen Howarth Lemmel

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matt. 1:1-25

In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. Genesis 8:13, ESV

This moment marked a new beginning for Noah and his family. For us, today is the beginning of a new year. Today is auspicious, but in truth, each day is a new beginning for us. So as this year unfolds and as each day unfolds, let us keep our focus on the Lord, serve Him more fully, love Him more deeply and learn to rest in His love! —Vickie Gaynier

O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
To see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly, day by day. —Richard de Wych

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7-4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

What a “Happy New Year” this was to be. Freedom from slavery, poverty and hopelessness. To come under a new head—Moses. To have a new hope—the promised land of Canaan. All this because of the blood of the Passover lamb, which sheltered the people from judgment. Dear reader, would you like to have a Happy New Year? Would you like to receive redemption through the blood of Christ, to be made a new creature in Christ Jesus, to have the sure prospect of heaven’s bliss at the close of this life? Trust Him now. —W. H. Burnett

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His wondrous love to me,
On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Rev. 21:9-22:5

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1

These complainers, living as far as possible from God, were burnt by fire. To live apart from God is death. God wants us to come near, but the only option is to do so in practical holiness and through His holy Way—Christ. The writer of Hebrews warns us that God has not changed, that “We may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). —W. A. H.

Adore and tremble, for our God is a consuming fire!
His jealous eyes His wrath inflame and raise His vengeance higher. —Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 5:1-6:14; Malachi 1:1-2:9; Rev. 20:7-21:8

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5

The God of heaven and earth has His careful watch over the fatherless and the widows; the orphans and the elderly; the needy and often neglected of this world. James reminds us that this is the nature of true religion: “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (Jas. 1:27). Our God has a heart full of compassion for those in need. Do we? —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop and never a moan;
Never a danger, but there on the throne,
Moment by moment, He thinks of His own. —D. W. Whittle

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 3:1-4:17; Zech. 13:7-14:21; Rev. 19:11-20:6

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

Rahab protected the spies and that was a great act of faith. Had she been caught she may have been executed for high treason. Why did she do this? Firstly, she and her people had heard of the miracle of Israel’s Red Sea crossing. It had happened 40 years before (maybe before Rahab was born) and was still talked about. They had also heard of the recent victories of Israel on the East Bank. All the people of Jericho lived in fear and Rahab knew that Israel was powerful because of their God. She had come to recognise the glory of the God of Israel and had trusted Him. Her faith pleased God. —Paul Young

I believe there is a God in heaven who paid the price for all my sin;
Shed His blood to open up the way, for me to walk with Him. —Bilbrough

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 2:1-23; Zechariah 12:1-13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27
The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

What a sobering thought to have our lives weighed in God’s balance and then to be found that we do not measure up to His standard. What might be causing this imbalance? Perhaps unconfessed sin or neglect of God’s Word and prayer are to blame. Only by giving God first priority in our lives can this imbalance be corrected. —E. V.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. —William D. Longstaff

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1:1-22; Zechariah 11:1-17; Revelation 18:1-24

We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:2

These may have been the wisest men that ever lived because they were seeking Jesus just to worship Him! They weren’t looking for blessings or miracles or the granting of three wishes—but to worship and adore Him. When they found Him, they fell to their knees in reverence and adoration. They brought gifts worthy of His kingly status. Their desire was to see Him, bless Him, and tell others they had found the Christ! Let’s be wise like them and do the same! —Deborah Manera

Now wise men still seek His face, as they did in days of old,
To give the Lord their hearts, more precious than silver and gold. —Julie Carro