Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 25 to 26:51; Prov. 22:17 to 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

This precious psalm that outlines God’s goodness to the children of Israel, could also be a tracing of your life and mine. Think of fortuitous events which may not even have involved us directly, but spoke to us by example. The voice of God was heard, seen or felt in a most personal way. God not only had mercy on us in salvation, forgiving us our sins, but He has made us His children and heirs. Each step of our life is a treasured revelation of the loving kindness and mercy of God.
—Vernon Markle

Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand.
—William Williams

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

And Moses said unto the Lord…I am not eloquent… Exodus 4:10

God had commissioned Moses for a task. The God who could turn a rod into a serpent, a healthy hand into a leprous one and reverse the procedure, could certainly enable Moses to address Pharaoh. Aaron was to help him, but he let Moses down more than once, including speaking against him in the wilderness, along with his sister, Miriam. If God has given you a gift He will help you to exercise it. Don’t be fearful, lazy or self deprecating. —Brian Russell

Stand then in His great might,
With all His strength endued,
And take to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
—Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20 to 21:11; James 4:13-5:20

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5:19

A friend shared with me one day that she was having trouble sleeping. After trying several natural products with little success, she told me at bedtime she started singing that lovely children’s chorus, “Jesus Loves Me”, over and over. She said, “It put me right to sleep”. Listening to and singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, can be a great comfort to the troubled soul. Why not make this a part of your bedtime routine! —Bob Cretney

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19; James 3 to 4:12

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering… James 1:6

An old missionary in China who had taught his locals to pray and expect an answer was challenged: “Teacher, we are hungry. This is the time to prove what you told us”. The missionary knelt down and prayed. When he arose, he looked on the horizon and saw a storm approaching. A hurricane swept over the mission and rained great supplies of beans from many miles away. —Edith MacLelland

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchward at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
—James Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 21; Proverbs 18; James 2

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Jeremiah’s quest had a happy outcome! Having found “the Word”, he thoroughly “digested” it. Being thus refreshed and cheered, he marvelled again at the strong, living link between “the Lord of hosts” and himself. The time and energy spent in assimilating the Word had not been a waste. A keen appetite for the Word of God will result in genuine, spiritual growth. —George Hall

May the Word of God dwell richly,
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph,
Only through His power. —Kate B. Wilkinson

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 20; Proverbs 17; James 1

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 2 Timothy 4:16

Nothing hurts more than when someone we hold close turns their back on us. It can pain deeply and few would deny our right to hold a grudge. Yet the Spirit of God would lead us to higher ground; to love the unlovable and forgive the unforgiveable. Paul and Stephen both displayed this operational grace in their lives. It would seem that only a life fully yielded to the will of God will be one where such an illogical attitude can grow. Lord, help me to yield! —Rick Morse

O let this love constrain us, to give our hearts to Thee,
Let nothing henceforth pain us, but that which paineth Thee.
—J. G. Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 19; Proverbs 16; 2 Peter 3

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. Hebrews 11:23

Our children are growing up in a hostile and godless world, which has overwhelmingly rejected God. Things were not much different when Moses was born. A decree had been given to kill all the Israelite baby boys. One mother, Jochebed, determined not to fear the king’s command. By faith she feared God more! She knew her boy was a proper or “beautiful” child and that God had a purpose for him. All of our children are “beautiful to God”. Instill in them from infancy that God has a purpose and destiny for them. —Jim Comte

Happy our home when daily prayer bears every daily need;
Where parents share God’s Holy Word and daily let Him lead. —K. Bible

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 18; Proverbs 15; 2 Peter 2

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. Psalm 90:16

As Israel wandered in the desert, undoubtedly the endless funerals must have weighed heavily on Moses’ heart. Yet, after contrasting the infinite nature of God with that of finite humanity, he was more encouraged. He understood that only what was done in the will of God had value for eternity. What motivated Moses to do God’s will? He wanted to see the majestic power of God and he wanted others, including his children, to see it too. Similarly, if our children are to see the glory of God, we must surrender to the Lord all that we have and number each day for eternity. —W. A. H.

Children of the heavenly King, as ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour’s worthy praise, glorious in His works and ways.
—John Cennick

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:41 to 17:13; Proverbs 14; 2 Peter 1

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

In Armenia their word for Bible literally translates as “God’s breath”. The Bible is alive. It teaches us the fundamentals; points out our faults; guides us and promotes our spiritual growth. Meditating upon it brings stability (Josh. 1:8). Memorizing it bears fruit (John 15:7-8), helping us in temptation (Ps. 119:11), teaching (Col. 3:16) and in gospel preaching (Rom. 10:17). It helps us to see things God’s way and know His will (Rom. 12:1-2). Obeying it changes us (Jas. 1:22-25). His Word—what riches; what profit! —George Ferrier

The Bible stands every test we give it, for its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it, and to prove and to make it mine.
—Haldor Lillenas

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13; 1 Peter 5

…They saw the people who were there, how they dwelt safely, in the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure…They were far from the Sidonians, and they had no ties with anyone. Judges 18:7 (NKJV)

This tiny nation, nestled in its own comfort and ease, was destroyed—because they had no allies to help them. God created us to be in relationship with Him and others—to bless and to receive help in time of need. Prosperity isn’t bad in itself—unless it causes us to become so self-sufficient and so self-reliant we no longer see the value in connecting with others or God. Invest in your spiritual and personal relationships. That’s the kind of prosperity that will follow you from this world to the next! —Deborah Manera

Lord, help me live from day to day, in such a self-forgetful way;
That even when I kneel to pray, my prayer shall be for others.—C. Meigs