Category: Uncategorised

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

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV

This benediction speaks to our completeness in Christ. It announces blessing from God through our great Shepherd. These blessings work in us to make us a blessing to others as He works through us. And it brings blessing to God through Jesus Christ that keeps bringing Him glory forever and ever. Can you add your “Amen” (Lord, let it be so!)  to this benediction? —Rex Trogdon

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below. —Thomas Ken

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

Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2 NKJV
He made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter. Jeremiah 18:4
…stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house 1 Kings 6:7

The husbandman’s pruning, the potter’s forming, or the craftsman’s chiseling upon our fragile beings is often  difficult. But pruning’s severity, forming’s persistence, or sculpting’s forceful blows, are never more than we need or can bear as the Father’s loving hand conforms us to His beloved Son’s likeness. —David J Reed

My Jesus, as Thou wilt: O may Thy will be mine!
Into the hand of love, I would my all resign. —Benjamin Schmolk

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

Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales. Isaiah 40:15 NKJV
Yet I have set my King on My holy hill of Zion. Psalm 2:6 NKJV
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Isaiah 40:23 NKJV

Whether it is the military and economic might of the United States or the massive army of China or Russia with their nuclear weapons, these empires are trivial to God. How foolish it is for the believer to find security and comfort in the strength of our nation or the one who leads it. Our confidence, our hope can only be in the one King who reigns over all. —Kevin Shantz

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. —Edward Mote

Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.  1 Samuel 20:18 NKJV

Imagine sending out dinner invitations, and one of the invited guests does not attend. Not only would their presence be missed, but you as host would be greatly disappointed. In a similar way, how it must grieve our Lord’s heart if we choose to decline His invitation of, “do this in remembrance of Me” (l Cor. 11:24). Not only so, but our own hearts are robbed of the blessing of being in His presence. Scripture encourages us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25). Will your seat be empty this Sunday morning? —E. V.

Gathered in Thy name Lord Jesus, losing sight of all but Thee,
Oh what joy Thy presence gives us, calling up our hearts to Thee!  —C. A. Wellesley

Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. John 16:28

Eternity to eternity in 22 words! Our Saviour is without beginning and is without end. He who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger was the Son of God who came forth from the Father. He lived a perfect life and died the death of the cross. But praise God, that was not the end. He rose from the dead, left this world and went to the Father again. He lives in the power of an endless life. One day He is coming for us that we might be with Him for eternity. It could be today! —John M. Clegg

Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father’s only Son;
God, manifestly seen and heard,
And heaven’s beloved One. —J. Conder

Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. John 21:25

The National Library of Scotland is entitled by law to one copy of every new book published in Britain and Ireland. Some 300,000 new items are added yearly to its collection. Luke wrote to Theophilus referring to “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Truly, the half has not been told of Him who went about continually “doing good” (Acts 10:38), but one day we will marvel at the full story. Meanwhile, may we “study to show [ourselves]
approved unto God” (2 Tim. 2:15) and “give attendance to reading” (1 Tim. 4:13). —Brian Powlesland

Oh, may these hallowed pages be our joy by day and night,
And still new beauties may we see, and still increasing light. —A. Steele

Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2 Chronicles 20:22

Praise enfeebles the enemy. Praise hails the heavenly host. Praise glorifies God, for it gives Him His due. And praise adjusts my attitude. It changes my heart from fearful to faithful, from discontented to delighted, from bitter to bountiful, from envious to engaging, from rebellious to restful. “Praise is comely for the upright” (Ps. 33:1). Let’s commit ourselves to it! —Eunice Free

At the name of Jesus, Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!  —S. Baring-Gould

Exodus 24:1-18; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 13:26-52

This day shall be to you a memorial. Exodus 12:14 NKJV

This “memorial day” was the day that, redeemed from slavery, Israel left Egypt. Prior to this day, each family had selected an unblemished lamb, and examined it for flaws for nearly four days. This lamb was slain and its blood applied to the door frame of each home. Judgment fell on every house where the blood was not applied. In a
similar manner every traveller to heaven has a “memorial day” when their journey began. Facing judgment, they realize that God provided the Lord Jesus, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) to die for sin. But this truth must be “personally applied,” or eternal judgment will fall. Thank God for His perfect Lamb! Have you received Him? —David W. Oliver

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. —Doddridge

Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66:1-67:7; Acts 13:1-25

They continued steadfastly. Acts 2:42

It is a wonderful thing to begin on the Christian pathway. It is an even better thing to continue on it. But the best thing is to continue steadfastly. The early Christians were consistently wholehearted in their testimony: eagerly gathering together to listen to Bible teaching, conversing together, remembering their blessed Lord in praise and worship at His supper, and remembering others in prayer. Their attitude of mind and heart honoured God above
themselves. No wonder it produced unity and love, kindness and joy among them. Not only that, it overflowed in the blessing of salvation to those around them. It was truly infectious. May we recapture something of their zeal. —Clark Logan

Toiling on, toiling on: let us hope, let us watch,
And labour till the Master comes. —Fanny J. Crosby

Exodus 22:1-23:9; Psalms 64:1-65:13; Acts 12:1-25

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:28
[The Bereans] received the word with all readiness of mind. Acts 17:11

These two examples of “listeners” are representative of those who attend a local church—passive and active. Dr. Charles Stanley says, “Passive listeners just sit in their pew and let their minds wander. Active listeners, on the other hand, are excited about what the Lord is going to say.” We all are prone to let our minds wander and lose focus. We need to ask the Lord to help us to keep our minds stayed on Him (Isa. 26:3). Be an active listener! —Bob Cretney

Jesus is my Shepherd, His voice I do hear;
I follow it so to Him, I can stay close and near.  —Deborah Ann Belka