Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 2; Psalms 99-101; Acts 25:13-27

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:3

This is the first time that the title “Lord Jesus” is used in the Scriptures. How appropriate that it is in connection with His resurrection and the empty tomb! The Lord of glory conquers death! The Lord of lords is victorious over Satan, sin and sorrow! The Lord of all is alive for evermore! Remember Paul’s words to the Romans, “For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom. 14:9, NKJV). Let’s truly rejoice in our Lord Jesus today. —Pete Smith

Christ our Lord is risen indeed, Christ is now the church’s Head;
Loud the song of triumph raise, Celebrate the Victor’s praise.
—Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 1; Psalms 96-98; Acts 24:24 to 25:12

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark 11:17

In the temple, the only place a Gentile could learn about God was in the courtyard of the Gentiles. Yet the greedy priests had turned it into a profiteering market place! What a hindrance to the “nations” wanting to get to know God! What about my life? Is it a hindrance to others? What do my neighbours see in me? A person with double standards? Do they see a person so busy with their career they’ve no time to share their life and the gospel with them, or do they see a beautiful temple filled with the Spirit of God? —David Croudace

We cannot be channels of blessing, if our lives are not free from all sin;
We will barriers be and a hindrance, to those we are trying to win.
—James George Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 40; Psalms 94-95; Acts 24:1-23

…he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6

…who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places… Ephesians 1:3

“You’re in.” “You’re accepted.” “You’re included.” These are usually joyful words. If true in the secular world, how much more in the spiritual realm. However, “you’re in” only becomes a matter of celebration when we find out “in what.” Our Saviour told us we are in His hand and also in the Father’s hand (John 10). He told the thief he would soon be in paradise (Luke 23). What blessings! One thing is certain, you are either in or not in. Are you in the family of God? If so we can say together, “Hallelujah, what a Saviour”! —Ken Gross

“In the Beloved”, accepted am I.
Risen, ascended, and seated on high. —Civilla Martin

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 39; Psalms 92-93; Acts 23:12-35

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7:10

Education and learning are essential for young people to progress in the world. How many of us may regret not getting down to our books early in life. The biggest mistake, however, is for young Christians to delay getting down to “the Book” until after school and university. Give time to Him and He will honour your secular studies. We older ones should always remember that we will forever be in the school of God until He takes us home. —Brian Russell

Open to us Thy word, Thy precious thoughts reveal,
Thy purposes and ways explain, and teach us all Thy will.
—Daniel Webley

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 38; Psalms 90-91; Acts 22:22 to 23:11

So also is the resurrection of the dead… 1 Corinthians 15:42

Through the dead, cold leaves of winter, fresh daffodil green thrusts bravely upward, opens a smiling face and turns toward the sun. Spring has come! Dear Christian, rejoice. You too shall break through cold death with new life and vigour and will turn your face toward the Son. —Donald L. Norbie

And is it so–I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory (thought beyond all thought),
In glory to His own blest likeness brought!
—J. N. Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 37; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

…the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? John 18:11

God is the most generous Person in the universe. He has given to “us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17) and He gave many things to His Son to use for our blessing. Yet in the words of this verse we enter the holy place. How the Father could give such a thing to His only beloved Son escapes our reason and befuddles our senses. Yet He did. How the Saviour could lovingly and willingly drink that cup on our behalf exceeds our understanding and brings us to tears. Yet He did.
—Rick Morse

What was it, O our God, led Thee to give Thy Son?
To yield Thy well-belov’d, for us by sin undone?
—Anne Taylor Gilbert

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 36; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. Genesis 22:4

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world… 1 Peter 1:20

Just as Abraham saw the place afar off in the distance, so our loving God in the eternal past saw the place where His beloved Son would be sacrificed. It is beyond human understanding to imagine that long before the foundation of the world, even before the fall of man in the garden, God had a plan to redeem sinners. —Sid Halsband

Before Thy hands had made, the sun to rule the day,
Or earth’s foundation laid, or fashioned Adam’s clay,
What tho’ts of peace and mercy flow’d, in Thy great heart of love, O God.
—John Kent

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 35; Psalms 87-88; Acts 21:1-16

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4

Paul was likely aware of some disagreement amongst the saints in the assembly at Philippi (Phil. 4:2). He had reminded them to be of the same mind (2:2) and now he reminds them not to be selfish. While it is true, we should be aware of our own needs, this should not stop us from being concerned for the welfare of others. When need is evident in others, let us strive to be a help to them. —Bob Cretney

Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.
—Charles D. Meigs

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85-86; Acts 20:17-38

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law… Psalm 119:34

Give…thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people. 1 Kings 3:9

…the children of Issachar…were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do… 1 Chronicles 12:32

With the scriptural admonition “…lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5) in mind, we would do well to ask God for wisdom and understanding as both the psalmist and young Solomon did. The result will be the same as experienced by the men of Issachar: “understanding of the times” and “knowing what we ought to do”.
—Wm. H. Gustafson

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy gracious aid afford, teach me Thy way. —Mansell Ramsey

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 33 to 34:3; Psalms 83-84; Acts 20:1-16

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

The day had been extremely busy for Jesus. He had taught in the synagogue. He had healed Simon’s mother-in-law and then, as the sun began to sink and darkness descended, all sorts of people turned up at the door. Jesus then spent time healing the sick and casting out demons. It was utterly demanding work but before the sun rose the next day He had left the house and found a solitary place so that he could commune with His Father in prayer. Do we find that solitary place each day where we can pray and find spiritual renewal for the day’s activities? It is vital that we do! —Paul Young

O for a closer walk with God, in a calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb! —W. Cowper