Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 28:38-68; Amos 5-6; Luke 14:25 to 15:10

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth… Luke 4:22

As oyster farmers, people regularly steal from us. Often, when confronting thieves, they use harsh and abusive words to justify what they are doing. How different our words should be, whether at home, at school or in the work place. Let us speak gracious words like those of our Saviour, words of kindness and encouragement.
—Janet Fleming

Words of kindness, gently spoken, ease another’s pain,
Cheer and lift a heart that’s broken—bringing hope again.
May my words be kind and gracious, as I speak today,
So I give a word of comfort by the things I say.
—Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 28:1-37; Amos 3-4; Luke 14:1-24

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:1

We could do numerous things today. We could look at ourselves and marvel at the fact that our God could see us as holy. But we know how we got that way. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). We could glory that we are fit to be kings and priests (Rev. 1:6). But our text says “consider”, let your entire focus and admiration, be on the High Priest of our profession. That should fill our hearts to overflowing. —Ken Gross

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. W.

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 26:16 to 27:26; Amos 1-2; Luke 13:22-35

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The word rest means perfection or completeness. God rested on the seventh day after He had finished making the heavens and the earth. The born-again believer rests fully upon the finished work of Christ for the rest of their soul. —Edith MacLelland

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come upon me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast”;
I came to Jesus as I was, weary, and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 25 to 26:15; Jonah 3-4; Luke 13:1-21

So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands…Jacob hid them…by Shechem. Genesis 35:4 (NKJV)

God told Jacob to move on—enough time had been wasted conforming to his surroundings. God stirs us up too, revealing when we are too attached and too comfortable in this world. Once Jacob set his house in order they moved to Bethel (God’s House) where fellowship with God and the family’s testimony were restored. Does our relationship with the Lord lack power and effectiveness? Are things crowding Him out? Is our family too endeared to worldly things? Perhaps it’s time to move forward—or back—to where our focus is on the Lord. —Deborah Manera

Back to Bethel I must go, back where the rivers of sweet water flow,
Back to the true life my soul longs to know, Bethel is calling and I must go.
—B. B. McKinney

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1-2; Luke 12:41-59

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends. John 15:14-15

We have often told people it’s not religion but a relationship. But how is my relationship with the Lord going? Good friendships are based on intimacy and honesty. My quest for intimacy with the Lord starts with getting to know Him—who He is, what He does, how He thinks and what He desires. These things are discovered when I spend time with Him. Am I too busy to spend time each day with Him? —Sid Halsband

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: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

…I will stand…with the rod of God in mine hand. Exodus 17:9

While Joshua was fighting Amalek, Moses was standing on the hill, holding the “rod of God” in his upraised arms. This staff represented the name of God, I Am—whatever you need, and the promises of God. Today and every day let us lift up God’s Name and His promises as we intercede on behalf of those He has entrusted to us. On the other hand, perhaps a Moses needs us to be his Aaron or Hur—holding their arms up for the battles they face. —M. M.

Behold the throne of grace;
The promise calls us near,
To seek our God and Father’s face,
Who loves to answer prayer. —J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 20-21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

…to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 13

John Welsh, a Scottish Covenanter, known for his prayer life and defence of the Scriptures, rejected State interference in church matters. His beliefs landed him in a notorious castle at Blackness, near Falkirk. Banishment in total darkness here led many to despair but Welsh declared, “It is better to know the darkness of Blackness than to experience the blackness of darkness”. No such fate awaits the believer—rather enjoying all eternity in the light of His glory and grace. —Brian Powlesland

O souls in darkness groping, and longing for the light,
Believe ye that the Saviour, can give the blind their sight?
Oh, look to Jesus only, with Him is love and might;
Believe that He is able, to lead thee into light. —Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…And the Lord said unto Moses…speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Exodus 14:13, 15

Physically it is not possible to “stand still” and to “go forward” at the same moment! In our spiritual walk with the Lord, however, both “standing still” and “going forward” are suggestive of essential steps for the development of mature Christian character. We “stand still” as we gratefully reflect upon the wonders of divine love showered upon us. Energized by such heavenly considerations, we “go forward” to whatever duties, battles or difficulties His all-wise providence appoints. —George Hall

Is the wilderness before thee? Desert lands where drought abounds?
Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God’s exhaustless tide.
—John Nelson Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The story is told that during the Napoleonic wars, a man having been drafted into the French army, hired a substitute. Later the substitute died on the battlefield. Subsequently another conscription was held and this man was again recruited. At the enlisting office he argued that he could never be drafted again because one had already taken his place and that substitute had died. They agreed and released him. Each week at the Lord’s Supper the believer proclaims “Christ died for me”. Praise God He took our place. We will never be punished. Christ our blessed, holy substitute. —George Ferrier

Dying for me, dying for me, There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see, All because Jesus was dying for me.
—Gladys Watkin Roberts

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 16; Song of Sol. 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life… John 5:24

The “everlasting life” spoken of in our text refers to life that is rich, real, radiant, and running over. Note, this life is a present and eternal possession as conveyed by the word “hath”. When Charles H. Spurgeon preached on John 5:24, he shut his fist up tight as he pronounced the word “hath” and said, “H-A-T-H” spells got it, and I’ve got it!” Have you by faith laid hold of everlasting life? —W. Ross Rainey

Though all unworthy, yet I will not doubt,
For him that cometh, He will not cast out;
“He that believeth,” O, the good news shout,
“Hath everlasting life!” —James McGranahan