Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 3:1-4:22; Isaiah 43:1-44:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Let not your heart be troubled…In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2

Thirty years ago I faced a move of over 2,000 miles. I didn’t know what lay ahead and the thought of a new beginning was overwhelming. But God assured me that He knew what I needed and that He would go ahead of me. Decades later, I can attest to His incredible faithfulness. Are you facing a daunting transition? Don’t let what lies ahead trouble you today. Trust and pray—and let God prepare the way! —Deborah Manera

Brightly doth His Spirit shine, into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall, trusting Jesus, that is all. —E. P. Stites

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 2:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-25; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Another way to translate the “valley of the shadow of death” is as a “valley of deep darkness.” It occurs seventeen times in the Old Testament, and nine of those times are in the book of Job. Perhaps you are not exactly in the valley of the shadow of death, but you are certainly traveling through a very deep darkness. Do not fear. Be comforted. He is still with you! —Lynn Shatford

Under His wings, I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
I am redeemed, and I am His child. —W. O. Cushing

DAILY READINGS: Ruth 1:1-22; Isaiah 41:1-29; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 1 Kings 10:6

The Queen of Sheba was attracted to Solomon by the things that he did and the things that he said. This important order of being known first for works then for speech is confirmed by Luke who summarised his gospel in Acts 1:1 as, “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” Even if we never speak and only hear, we still have a responsibility for action as James states “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jas.
1:22). Let us be identified as belonging to Christ by what we do as well as what we say for His glory. —Dan Coulson

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power, flowing through us,
Thou canst use us every day and every hour. —Mary E Maxwell

DAILY READINGS: Judges 21:1-25; Isaiah 40:1-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 

If we truly desire to follow after Christ it will involve a cost. Many are not prepared to pay it today. It will involve denying ourselves, and setting aside our own interests. It will involve taking up our crosses daily, going forth, and enduring the mockery and jeering of the world around us. It will involve following Him and living our lives by His example. “That [we] may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:10). —Ken Gunnell

So, while here my cross I’m bearing
Meeting storms and billows wild,
Jesus for my soul is caring,
Naught can harm His Father’s child. —Mary E. Servoss

DAILY READINGS: Judges 20:1-48; Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish. Proverbs 10:3

Our gracious, heavenly Father has made every provision for our souls to be fed. Psalm 23 is replete with descriptions of His rich provision. Green pastures, still waters, restoration and His presence with us, are all available in abundant supply from our Shepherd. There’s no need for our souls to feel famished. He promises that those who seek Him shall not lack any good thing (Ps. 34:10). —E. V.

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack since I am His,
And He is mine forever. —Henry W. Baker

DAILY READINGS: Judges 19:1-30; Isaiah 37:8-38:1-22; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord. Gen. 24:48

The posture of worship in the Scriptures often involves the worshipper prostrated on the ground (Gen. 24:26, 52; Matt. 2:11). While we do not have to act that way physically, the attitude of our heart, soul and spirit should be prostration—paying homage and reverence to God. He is Spirit and they that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Our approach before Him should reflect this reverent attitude, taking care not to be careless or irreverent. Worship is not for our enjoyment but for His pleasure. —K. C. Ung

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His name! —J. S. B. Monsell

DAILY READINGS: Judges 17:1-18:31; Isaiah 36:1-37:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Psalm 92:4
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the works of our hands. Psalm 90:17

As we consider the wonders of our God’s creatorial handiwork we rejoice at His glory and power. However, those same hands were nailed to a tree, as He suffered for our sins. With what joy we triumph in the victory of Calvary! Today, those mighty, caring hands are able to strengthen our hands in His service. —Pete Smith

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him. —Kate Wilkinson

DAILY READINGS: Judges 16:1-31; Isaiah 35:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The goodness of God endureth continually. Psalm 52:1
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8

Amidst an evil, turbulent and uncertain world, we find certainty, stability and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, He is our Rock and our Refuge. We are safe and secure in Him forever. And more than that, we experience His grace and goodness on a daily basis. Praise Him for His goodness and wonderful works to the children of men. —D. Pickup

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea-billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. —William Cushing

DAILY READINGS: Judges 14:1-15:20; Isaiah 34:1-17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Preach the word. 2 Timothy 4:2

To a young preacher who insisted it was essential to preach relevantly to the times, the man of God gave this advice. “Young man don’t preach to the times. Go and preach to broken hearts and you will preach relevantly and to the eternities.” The Word of God, preached in the enabling power of the Spirit of God, will still accomplish that which He pleases and shall prosper in the thing whereto He sends it.  —Arnot P. McIntee

I love Thy Word, O God;
That tells me of Thy Son;
Of His redemption on the cross,
For needy sinners won. —J. Harold Gwynne

DAILY READINGS: Judges 13:1-25; Isaiah 33:1-24; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

Let all those who seek You rejoice. Psalm 70:4 (NKJV)

There are blessings, and then there are blessings! David prays for a “blessing” upon three groups trying to: eliminate him (v. 2a), hurt him (v. 2b) and intimidate him (v. 3). Then he turns to his friends and prays
for a blessing upon them in the experiences of life—that they might find joy (v. 4). David’s prayer for his friends should be a prayer for our friends. One, that they may experience the things they seek for, and two, once obtained, that they might enjoy the things they seek for. The key? Seeking God and loving His salvation! —N. C. Funston

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,
By His presence all divine?
True and tender, pure and precious;
O, how blest to call Him mine. —Thoro Harris