Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. Psalm 12:1 (NKJV)

David laments that there are few godly people dwelling in the land. Sound familiar? He then contrasts the vanity of a culture ignoring God with the untainted purity of the Scriptures. His confidence is in the latter and therefore he prays that God will judge the wickedness all around him. In the eternal picture, the spiritual darkness that envelopes the world today is temporary. Let us follow David’s example and trust in God’s unchanging promises. —W. A. H.

Thy faithfulness, Lord, each moment we find,
So true to Thy Word, so loving and kind!
Thy mercy so tender to all the lost race,
The vilest offender may turn and find grace. —Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

We have all heard the excuse. “What about those who have never heard?” The truth is that all men everywhere have some light! God reveals Himself through creation and conscience. So they are without excuse. If someone in darkness responds positively to this light, God will send them more light. Remember the Ethiopian eunuch seeking the truth? God sent him a messenger with the answer. A seeking sinner and a seeking Saviour will always meet! —Sid Halsband

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
—C. Boberg

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul. 1 Samuel 21:10
…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it… Philippians 1:6

David was needlessly fearful. God had instructed Samuel to anoint David to become King. This meant it was God’s plan and it would surely happen. Paul assures us that the same is true of God’s plan for us. His plan is to do a good work in us. Note that first, it is in us and then perhaps, later, through us. Let us move forward knowing He is in control. —Ken Gross

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride,
I now surrender, Lord in me abide. —Edwin Orr

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

…thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Psalm 61:5

As my grandfather lay dying he expressed his wish to leave me something of value. “Grandpa!” I exclaimed, “You brought the Bible to our family…no other gift could be more valuable to me!” Fifty years before, Grandpa had received a Bible in a prisoner-of-war camp. He read it, believed its message and carried it back to his family. That Bible changed our family’s destiny influencing the generations to come. How thankful I am he had something of lasting value to leave me—the Word of God! —Deborah Manera

How precious is the Book divine, by inspiration giv’n;
Bright as a lamp its pages shine, to guide our souls to Heav’n.
—J. Fawcett

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

Today, as we were chatting at the table about the tragic circumstances of some children, I made the comment to our visitors that many people don’t have a chance. One of our friends responded, “Some have a poor start, but everyone has a chance”. How true. The day of grace is still upon us and Jesus invites you to come, in repentance, to Him today. Trust Him for salvation and know His forgiveness and cleansing. You will have a new start. —Janet Fleming

He died to make the way for you, so you might be forgiven,
So you can know that you are on the road that leads to heaven.
Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

When Jesus heard it [John the Baptist’s death], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him… Matthew 14:13 (NKJV)

The Saviour’s heart was deeply saddened when He learned of John’s death. Like you and I, when a loved one dies, He took time to be alone with His thoughts. Certainly, He reflected on his cousin, the faithful herald, but when Jesus saw “a great multitude…He was moved with compassion for them”(v. 14). He mourned for John, but now there was work to be done. To grieve and mourn is natural, but then there is work to be done. May the Lord give His needed grace to move on for Him and minister to the needs of others. —Jim Comte

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will. —Charles W. Fry

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

Beloved, Christ our Shepherd is watching over us. He feeds us from His Word, guards our souls and shows loving interest in our spiritual growth. Facing difficulties He imparts wisdom. In danger He protects us. He is our strength in service. Burdened with sorrow, He comforts us. Overwhelmed with fear He instills confidence. He is our encouragement. Safely in His hands, He will not let go. Guiding us through life He will bring us to our heavenly home. He is our overseer, a genuine friend, our shepherd. Come to Him, He cares. Come back to Him, He will not disappoint. —George Ferrier

Hallelujah what a Saviour! Hallelujah what a Friend,
Saving, helping, keeping, loving; He is with me to the end. —J. Chapman

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

When the Lord bowed His head it was not in defeat but control. All around was confusion. He alone knew what was being accomplished. We might ask why must it be so? The Scriptures give the answer. He was fulfilling His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). Dealing with the claims of a broken law (Rom. 3:19). Making possible the reconciliation of fallen humanity to God (Rom. 5:10). And destroying the works of Satan (Heb. 2:15). His triumphant resurrection was the assurance of victory and His mission accomplished! —Drew Craig

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him, crown Him Lord of all.
—Oliver Holden

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

In quoting Ephesians 2:8-9 we often stop quickly, emphasizing that salvation is not by works. While that is utterly true, today’s verse focuses on the practical result of our salvation. And it involves works—good ones. The word “workmanship” is poi?ma in the original. From it we get our English word “poem”. We are His poem. He is the poet. Salvation is by grace through faith, but then we begin a new life that should be characterized by good works. And so we trust the Lord day by day and let Him compose His poem in us. —Harold G. Smith

Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. —George Stebbins

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14

In 2014, the French city of Caen mounted displays to enable visitors to better appreciate the allied Normandy landings and the sacrifices made by so many in 1944. The outer wall of the memorial building in Caen was emblazoned with the words, in red ink, “A River of Freedom Sprang from my Wounds”. Our blessed Lord gave Himself as a sacrifice at Calvary and from His wounds flows the forgiveness of sins and freedom from their consequences. —Brian Powlesland

Th’ atoning blood is flowing—Let all the tidings hear;
The gospel word is showing, How sinners may draw near.
Th’ atoning blood’s relieving, The prisoners from their chains,
And sinners in believing, Lose all their guilty stains.
—Charles R. Hurditch