Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 15; Proverbs 12; 1 Peter 4

…he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:7

One day prior to an open-air meeting in which John Wesley was scheduled to preach, a troublemaker secretly determined to pelt him with stones. When the text at the head of this page was announced, the astonished would-be-disrupter dared not throw a rock. God’s Word is powerful (Heb. 4:12-13) and reveals men’s hearts. The only safe course is to believe the Lord Jesus who says “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isa. 45:22). —K. R. Keyser

As strangers then to God we lived, filled with enmity and fear;
Our souls from death He has reprieved, love revealed and brought us near.
—G. W. Fraser

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 14; Proverbs 11; 1 Peter 3

In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

Driving through a town in Pennsylvania, I caught sight of a sign outside a building which said “Christ’s Home”. It was a funeral home and I wondered how many people had found themselves, on their decease, being in that particular home, but not actually arriving in Christ’s eternal home (the Father’s house). To enjoy the comforts and companionship of the Father’s house requires being born into the family of God by accepting Christ by faith. Only then can a place be prepared. —Brian Powlesland

There is a home, a glorious home, a heavenly mansion fair;
And those we loved so fondly here, will bid us welcome there.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 12-13; Proverbs 10; 1 Peter 2

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Three prominent men had this final message to their sons in the faith. Moses said to Joshua “Be strong and of a good courage” (Josh. 1:6, 9). And as David prepared to give the kingdom to Solomon, he said to him, “Be strong and of good courage” (1 Chron. 28:20). And in Paul’s last letter to Timothy he writes “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). As we live before our children let us be “strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). —D. Pickup

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake,
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
—K. von Schlegel

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9; 1 Peter 1

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man…So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him. Isaiah 52:14-15

The word “astonied” means to be stunned or devastated. Those who viewed the Lord Jesus on the cross were stunned at the magnitude of His abuse. How could one so lovely in spirit be so maltreated. If the first verse causes surprise, so too does the next one. The nations and their kings will one day be surprised at the magnitude of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is far beyond what they had been told. One day we too will see that glory. —Paul Robertson

Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face what will it be;
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?
—C. Breck

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 10:11 to 11:3; Proverbs 8; Jude

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… Isaiah 66:1

What a grand and majestic picture this imagery offers. Isaiah began by bringing us into the throne room of heaven (Isa. 6:1). Now he closes on the same note and gives us the full circumference of God’s presence and authority. God’s throne is lofty in heaven. God’s gaze is lowly on earth. God’s Word is fearful among men.
—Sam Thorpe, Jr.

Seek ye the Lord while yet His ear,
Is open to your call;
While offered mercy still is near,
Before His footstool fall.
—W. Cameron

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 9 to 10:10; Proverbs 6:20 to 7:27; Mark 16

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:5-6

One of the greatest indicators that a believer is walking with the Lord is an appreciative spirit. Sometimes we are so taken up with the difficulties and challenges of life that we have forgotten all about the tremendous blessings we already possess. David was no stranger to difficulties, but as he reflected on the lot of land that was measured out to him and his heritage, he maintained an attitude of gratitude.
—Sid Halsband

Such blessings from Thy gracious hand, our humble prayers implore;
And Thou shalt be our chosen God and portion evermore. —P. Doddridge

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thess. 5:24

God’s Word says, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him” (Ps. 91:15). “Fear thou not…I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee” (Isa. 41:10). “I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). “I will come again” (John 14:3). Take courage child of God, you can trust your heavenly Father to fulfill all He has promised to do. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20).
—E. V.

It is no secret what God can do,
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
—Stuart Hamblen

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means…
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Visiting the seaside at Broadstairs, Kent on a stormy wet day, I was buffeted by winds and soaked with sea spray. I retreated to a sheltered street—fittingly called “Serene Place”. Sometimes we can best appreciate inner tranquility after we have experienced the storms of life. If your life is currently stormy, be assured a great calm is to follow if you place your faith in the will and wisdom and presence of the Lord. —Brian Powlesland

While I hear life’s surging billows, peace, peace is mine!
Why suspend my harp on willows? Peace, peace is mine!
I may sing with Christ beside me, though a thousand ills betide me,
Safely He hath sworn to guide me, peace, peace is mine. —J. Denham Smith

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 6; Proverbs 3; Mark 14:53-72

And ye are complete in him… Colossians 2:10

All our acceptance, all our completeness is because we are in Christ. Our blessings in Him are either superlative or else they do not exist at all. Everything we have, everything we are, everything we can possibly aspire to is provided because by faith we are in Him. Let us then serve Him in godly contentment in this little while that remains to us.
—Mark Fenn

O God of matchless grace,
We sing unto Thy name;
We stand accepted in the place
That none but Christ could claim;
Our willing hearts have heard Thy voice,
And in Thy mercy we rejoice.
—Hannah K. Burlingham

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

All believers are “in Christ”, but not all believers have this sentiment, “for to me to live is Christ”. Such a life is a surrendered and sanctified life, lived only for Christ. This occurs when our thoughts, words and actions are all for the glory of Christ. This means the person and virtues of Christ will be reflected in our daily life, in the home, at work, school, the church and in our leisure time. An inspirational Christian image pictures a bullock standing between a plough and an altar, with the caption, “Ready for either”. Ready to work or to be sacrificed for Christ! Then we will enter into Paul’s statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” —Milton Haack

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I would ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
—Judson W. Van de Venter