Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 13:1-31; Zechariah 9:1-10:12; Revelation 17:1-18

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6

Today we remember the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. He came into this world as a babe and being “made in the likeness of men…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death” (Phil. 2:7-8) that He might save us from our sins. Jesus was the Son given by God to demonstrate how much He loved the world. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). Our best response is to accept Him as our Saviour and to rejoice in God’s unspeakable gift to us! —K. C. Ung

To us a child of hope is born, to us a Son is giv’n,
Him shall the tribes of earth obey, Him all the hosts of heav’n.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace, forevermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counselor, the great and mighty Lord. —J. Morrison

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12:1-47; Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16

Two thousand years ago, a baby was lying in a manger in Bethlehem. Wrapped in swaddling clothes, He was in that manger because there was no room for Him in the inn. Yet this babe, despite His humble surroundings, was utterly wondrous and unique! He was the Creator of this vast universe and had come to redeem us from our sins! We cannot fully comprehend this, but by faith we believe it. We have to say, great is the mystery of Godliness! —John M. Clegg

God manifest in flesh! Oh wonder to behold,
Creative power within the breast, that felt the blast of cold;
God in our likeness made, O may we understand,
The One who made the universe, appears as lonely man. —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 10:1-11:36; Zechariah 7:1-14; Revelation 15:1-8

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not. Luke 2:9-10

“O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie,” depicts a quiet town scene of tranquility. But this was far from the case. A cruel tyrant governed the world. He imposed heavy taxes. Fear gripped people’s hearts. Yet behind it all, a sovereign God was at work. An angel bursts from heaven telling poor shepherds to “Fear not”, and that “a Saviour (Deliverer), which is Christ the Lord” (v. 11) had been born. The long promised Messiah had finally come. During this Christmas season there is still hope. He is coming again! —Jim Comte

Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight. —P. Brooks

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 9:1-38; Zechariah 5:1-6:15; Revelation 14:1-20

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Galatians 4:4

A grandfather clock was being examined by a potential buyer impressed by its brass mechanism and the gold numerals on the clock face. What caught my eye was the carved nativity scene above the clock face and lettering which said, “When the fulness of the time was come.” The timing of the coming of Christ was so precise—the stage for His arrival was set, the characters that would interact with Him were in place. What is also amazing is that His decease was equally timely—”In due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). Perhaps for you “It is time to seek the Lord” (Hos. 10:12)? —Brian Powlesland

Soon, as I journey on, I’ll find time gone.
May Christ have saved my soul, by then, Amen. —H. Twells, G. Pentreath

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8:1-18; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 13:1-18

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19:8

Time is short. Let every saint of God prepare themselves for the crowning day. Like a bride spends the morning of her wedding beautifying herself and adorning herself in a spotless dress, so too, let us spend this brief period of time we call “life” arraying ourselves with purity and holiness for the gaze of our coming bridegroom—our Prince, the Lord Jesus Christ. We may only have a few days, weeks, months left before we hear “Go ye out to meet him!” (Matt. 25:6). —Shane Johnson

O spread His fame abroad;
Loud hallelujahs sing;
He clothes thee in a beauteous dress;
His own blest robe of righteousness. —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7:1-73; Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 12:1-17

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Reuben A. Torrey (1856-1928), evangelist, teacher, and author, was teaching a class on James. When he came to James 1:5 he asked the students what the primary secret of obtaining wisdom is. Everyone replied, “Asking God.” After making them think a little more about the matter, he told them that they had missed the point. He then kindly informed them that the primary secret of obtaining wisdom is realizing we lack it. —W. Ross Rainey

Oh, teach us more of Thy blest ways,
Thou holy Lamb of God!
And fix and root us in Thy grace,
As those redeemed by blood. —James Hutton

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 6:1-19; Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 11:1-19

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. 1 Kings 20:11

Prior to battle, the Syrian king boasted of his martial prowess. However, making grand claims as if he had already won was foolish. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Christ promised beforehand to die as a redemptive sacrifice on the cross and rise again (Matt. 16:21). This was no idle boast, for He did exactly what He said He would. He has also promised to take believers to heaven’s glory. —Keith Keyser

To gladdest day, from saddest night,
From deepest shame to glory bright,
From depths of death, to life’s fair height,
From darkness to the joy of light. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 5:1-19; Haggai 2:1-23; Revelation 10:1-11

These things said Esaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. John 12:41
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all. Luke 2:38

After having a personal encounter with Christ, both Isaiah and Anna spoke about Him to others. Whether it was following a sight of His majestic glory or seeing something of His lowly humanity, they both felt an urgency to share Him with others. As we get a fresh glimpse of Him today, may we then, with thankful hearts for who He is, seek opportunities to share our Lord with those we meet. —Pete Smith

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful name. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 4:1-23; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 9:1-21

When they saw the young child…[they] fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

The wise men worshipped the incarnate Christ when they saw Him. What does true worship involve? For them, it was three things: a posture of humilty, a heart’s desire to see and know Him, and the giving of their treasures. Worship for us today should be the same, the right attitude in the presence of God and a heart’s desire to speak to and about Him. —G. Frear

When wise men came seeking for Jesus from afar, With rich gifts to greet Him and led by a star, They found in a stable, the Saviour of men, A manger His cradle, so poor was He then.—Richard Slater

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 3:1-32; Daniel 12:1-13; Revelation 8:1-13

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought…The counsel of the Lord standeth forever…Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:10-12

What in the world is happening? For many years we have purportedly had the greatest peace-keeping force the world has ever known—the United Nations. Yet we see nothing but war, chaos and confusion! The reason is that one cannot find any nation “whose God is the Lord” (v. 12). But in the midst of this bleak situation, as believers we rejoice, for we have the sure Word of God (v. 11). It tells us that one of these days, not only will we be raptured but seven years later Christ will return to set up His kingdom. —David Croudace

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. —Edward H. Bickersteth