Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 24-25; John 9:1-17

…he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

How privileged we are to have the Lord’s leading as we go along our path of life. He leads and guides us through the good and the difficult; beside still waters, or through troubled seas, over mountains high or valleys deep. He is ever near us when we need Him. Call on Him today, “...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matt. 6:8). —Ken Gunnell

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still, ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me!
—J. H. Gilmore

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 26-27; Ezekiel 23; John 8:31-59

What shall I do for thee?…what hast thou in the house? 2 Kings 4:2

Here we have a crisis in the home of a godly widow woman. It came at the hands of a ruthless creditor. From the questions that Elisha asked, we learn that in the midst of our trials, we must first clearly express our need to the Lord. James says “ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2). Secondly, we learn that we must yield to the Lord whatever meagre resources we have available. Remember, the Lord fed five thousand, with five loaves and two small fishes. Even today, the Lord wants to use what we have in His service. —W. H. Burnett

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near.
—James Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 24-25; Ezekiel 22; John 8:12-30

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? Isaiah 43:18-19

There are times in believers’ lives when past events or wrong sinful choices keep them from moving spiritually forward. Our verses suggest that the only way to move forward is to let go of the past. These circumstances keep us in bondage and hinder our growth. God wants to set us free from these strongholds, so He can do something fresh and new in our lives for His honour and glory. Remember, “There’s no future in the past”. —E. V.

My past with its sin, the searching and strife,
Forever gone, there’s a bright new dawn,
For in Christ I have found new life. —John W. Peterson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chron. 22-23; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

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

Perhaps today there is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who is in the deep valley this psalm speaks of. Death is casting a shadow over your life. Be assured God’s presence will never leave thee nor forsake thee. What great comfort to know He is right beside you and will be with you all the way. Is there someone in the same situation who has not trusted the Saviour? How sad if you pass through death without God’s presence, only to meet Him as your judge. —Jim Paul

I am walking in the valley while I wait upon Your call;
For I know that You are anxious to welcome me in heaven’s hall.
—Morrow

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 21; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

What an amazing “about-turn” took place in Paul’s life! By parentage, upbringing, natural abilities and education, he had much of which he might boast. Prior to his conversion, his opposition to Christ and Christians was unequalled. What brought about the change? It was God’s revelation to him of the absolute uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the eternal significance of His death and resurrection. Christ and His cross had eclipsed all! Every other glory fades and dies at Calvary! —George Hall

In the cross, in the cross be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 19-20; Ezekiel 18-19; John 6:41 to 7:11

I will go in the strength of the Lord… Psalm 71:16

Five times David speaks of God’s strength in this psalm: its basis (v. 3); its testimony (v. 7); its faithfulness (v. 9); its ministry (v. 16) and its aim (v. 18). In and of ourselves, we are weak. It is God alone who enables us to get up, go out, and keep on. We must never forget that all power and strength comes from God, not ourselves. We are weak, but He is strong. —N. C. Funston

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 17-18; Ezekiel 17; John 6:22-40

Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1

How lopsided and unbalanced we can be at times! We can see the right that others should do, but can’t apply the same rules to ourselves or our families! Often the wrong that others are doing is not as bad as what we are doing ourselves. They have a mote (a speck) in their eye, while we have a beam (or a board) in ours! Our Lord tells us to be careful in condemning others lest we should be judged by the same rules. But how wonderful it is that our Lord paid all of our debts for us! —G. Frear

Don’t judge others lest you should fall too,
Watch all that you say and all that you do;
We all have failings and careful should be,
Much we need His mercy and His grace so free! —G. F.

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 16; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s…And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Luke 5:3

The Lord reached out to Simon Peter in a unique way. He stepped into his boat. It changed his life forever. Simon listened as the Lord taught the people. After His message, Jesus told Simon to launch out into the deep for a catch. Simon was soon in over his head. Caught; convicted; Simon confessed, “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (5:8). Jesus reassured him, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (5:10). Has the Lord stepped into your boat? Don’t be afraid. Just follow! —Rex Trogdon

I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men;
I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me.
—Harry D. Clarke

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 15; Ezekiel 16:1-34; John 5:24-47

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… Ephesians 3:17

The basic need of people is to be right with God, to be forgiven of their sins. This happens when we repent of our sins and open our hearts to the Lord Jesus. God comes into one’s life and we are born again. Paul is then concerned that Christ by the Holy Spirit may dwell, have permanent residence, in our hearts by faith. This means that there is a commitment and loyalty to Christ. It also indicates that there is daily fellowship with the Lord. If Christ is dwelling in one’s heart there will also be a desire to please Him and not to grieve Him by sin. This will bring you joy and peace. —Donald L. Norbie

Abide with me from morn til eve, for without Thee I cannot live.
Abide with me when night is nigh, for without Thee I dare not die.
—John Keble

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 13-14; Ezekiel 14-15; John 5:1-23

For thus saith the Lord God…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

Paul’s exhortation, “study to be quiet” (1 Thess. 4:11) is expanded by a writer who said, “Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear God’s voice.” When too much to do overwhelms us, it is time to evaluate “the tyranny of the urgent” and respond to only the “important” need. After a busy time of ministry Jesus wisely invited His disciples to a desert place to rest awhile. In quietness of spirit we’ll be guided to the activities we’re to pursue or eliminate. Our purpose is to honour the Lord in what we do. —E. Dyck

Father lead me day by day, ever in Thy loving way.
May my life be pure and true, show me what I ought to do.
—John Page Hopps