Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

Nothing more is known of Archippus than what is recorded here. It has been thought by some Bible scholars that he may have been the son of Philemon (see Phmn. 2). Most writers feel that this admonition implies some laxity of duty on his part. In any case, it was an exhortation to watchfulness and fulfillment of the ministry committed to him. It is good for each of us to ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the particular ministry committed to us. —W. Ross Rainey

Oh, that Christ may see,
The gift He’s given, fulfilled in me.
That I, dear Lord, might faithful be;
My heart, my life conformed to Thee. —W. R. R.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Cor. 12:14-13:14

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Revelation 8:1

It has been suggested that during this silence God is listening to the prayers of all the saints which are ascending before Him with the smoke of the incense. Our God not only speaks, He listens. How amazing! Someone who truly listens to us; to how we feel; to what we are saying, though often so imperfectly; to our groans—such a One is a rare find. Jeremiah agrees, and says, “Call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you” (29:12). Today let’s come before Him with thanksgiving, while ensuring that every idle word is also acceptable to Him who is listening. —M. MacMullen

Though high, yet He accepts the praise, His people offer here,
The faintest, feeblest lay they raise, will reach the Saviour’s ear. —T. Kelly

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Cor. 12:1-13

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16

My duties at our dairy require me to be up very early in the morning. I look for the moon every day. What a fascinating creation! It changes in appearance, colour, position, and brightness as the month goes by. Each day is a little different than the day before. Man has tried to explain the moon’s origin, composition, and orbit for centuries. It’s all very simple, God made it and set it in the sky. —Debbie Douglas

Creation shows the power of God, there’s glory all around.
And those who see must stand in awe for miracles abound. —John W. Peterson

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Cor. 11:1-33

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Psalm 116:8

We are so blessed. Not only have we been saved from perishing in hell, but we have also been spared a myriad of tears and a multitude of missteps. Imagine your life without Him—the misery you might have endured, the heartaches you may have had, the bad decisions you doubtless would have made. He may not spare us from all tears but praise God, we have been spared from useless ones. Our feet may have fallen but praise God, He has picked us up again and taught us the way we should go. We are so blessed! —Shane Johnson

Be still, let every heart be still, and all our sorrow quell,
We’ll bow submissive to His will, who doeth all things well. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:14; Isaiah 49:1-26; 2 Cor. 10:1-18

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 1 Kings 19:7

Here we find Elijah—God’s strong man—in a condition of depression and despair. But heaven recognized that his journey had been “too great,” and an angel was sent to minster to him. We learn here that even the strongest can fall into despair and discouragement. But it is good to know that heaven takes note, and in tenderness, resources will be brought alongside to restore and strengthen, and to make us useful in His service yet again. —W. H. Burnett

Though thy way be long and weary, eagle strength He’ll still renew;
Garments fresh and foot unweary, tell how God hath brought thee through. —J. N. Darby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; Isaiah 48:1-22; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Galatians 2:12

Paul was referring to Peter who hesitated to eat with those who were Gentiles. God had to teach him that in Christ, there was cleansing and salvation for them as well. Gentile believers were no different to Jewish believers—all were chosen and precious to God. Later Peter was able to write “Unto you therefore which believe” (1 Pet. 2:7), regardless of race. —G. Frear

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 47:1-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. 1 Samuel 22:23

Hearing from Abiathar that Saul had killed the priests, David assured this lone survivor that in the presence of Israel’s anointed king he was safe. Similarly our eternal security rests in Christ, the Son of David, the anointed One. Sealing us with the Holy Spirit, God takes the responsibility to save all who are in Christ. No one can snatch us from Him. Not the world. Not the devil. Fear not beloved, priest unto God (Rev. 1:6), in Him you are safe. —George Ferrier

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Isaiah 46:1-13; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16

Redeemed…so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Pet. 1:18, 21

A number of “what” questions are answered in this short section on redemption. We have been redeemed—from what? Our “aimless conduct” (v. 18). We been redeemed—through what? The “blood of Christ” (v. 19). But have you ever considered the following? We have been redeemed—for what? So “that your faith and hope might be in God” (v. 21). In other words, we have all been redeemed for a purpose. There is a point to our salvation. We’re not simply saved from hell, nor just for heaven. The blood of Christ has redeemed us from our aimless conduct and we can focus our faith and hope on God. —N. C. Funston

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus, no language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence with me doth continually dwell. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 2:1-36; Isaiah 44:24-45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11-6:10

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things. Revelation 4:11 
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Rev. 5:9

We know our God created everything and that He deserves praise for who He is—the great Creator God. But when we think of Him being slain for us, our hearts cry out in wonder at what He has done. This creation will pass away but our souls are eternal and His sacrifice provides eternal life. Oh how our praise should flow! —Ken Gross

Worthy, worthy is the Lamb;
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb—that was slain!
Thou redeemst our souls to God;
Thou redeemst our souls to God—by Thy blood. —William Mackey

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 1:1-28; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. Revelation 15:3
For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest. Isaiah 25:10

The Matterhorn is a majestic mountain in the Alps which has captivated the interest of many people over the years. Built into a wall of a railway station overlooking the Matterhorn is a text written in German “Groß und wunderbar sind deine Werke, Herr, allmächtiger Gott.” It means, “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty.” Whilst we justifiably marvel at the handiwork of God in creation, let us marvel even more that God can rest in what was done on that smaller mountain—Golgotha. —Brian Powlesland

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways display Thine attributes divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace above Thine other wonders shine. —Samuel Davies