Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 4; Psalm 34; Acts 1

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

At Calvary, God’s love was manifested and proved. He had only one Son and how dear to His heart He was. What it must have cost the Father to send Him! Today’s verse should cause us all to meditate on this thought—Christ became man. He walked on earth as a stranger, without a place to lay His head and at last, died hanging on a cross. All this, because of His love for you and me! May our worship reflect our deep appreciation for what He has done for us. —Jim Pizzulli

O Lord, Thy love’s unbounded! So sweet, so full, so free!
My soul is all transported, whene’re I think of Thee.
—John N. Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 2:23 to 3:22; Psalms 32-33; Matt. 28

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year…of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. Deut. 14:22-23

The Lord taught His people to honour Him with the firstfruits of all their increase (Prov. 3:9). Not that God needed their offerings. It was for their own good and the good of others around them that they acknowledged and honoured God. Notice here that giving was associated with learning the fear of the Lord. It is a reminder that we have nothing but what He has given us. He is the owner. Is it not true that a lack of the fear of God shows up in our offerings? —Carl Knott

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.—Issac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 1 to 2:22; Psalm 31; Matt. 27:45-66

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

The child of God can have confidence throughout all of the varied circumstances of life. God will lead the way before us and stay with us. God has promised never to let us down nor to forsake us. God is committed to the believers. In view of this commitment, fear should not paralyze our lives. Our walk should be steady and confident. May God help us. —Donald L. Norbie

It is enough that Thou wilt do, and wilt not tire,
Wilt lead by cloud, all the night through by light of fire,
Till Thou has perfected in me Thy heart’s desire.
—Amy Carmichael

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 50; Psalm 30; Matt. 27:27-44

For who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem?…Or who will turn aside to ask how you are doing? Jeremiah 15:5 (NKJV)

“How are you doing?” is a typical greeting in North America. We use it all the time, but usually without any thought of making a sincere inquiry, much less waiting to hear the answer. People all around us yearn for someone to care. David lamented this sad fact saying, “no one cares for my soul” (Ps. 142:4, ESV). We know that Jesus cares, but do we? Take time to ask someone today, “How are you doing?” Then, wait for the answer. —Rex Trogdon

No one ever cared for me like Jesus.
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take my sin and darkness from me,
Oh, how much He cared for me. —Charles Weigle

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 49; Psalms 28-29; Matt. 27:1-26

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.  Colossians 4:2

Prayer is vital to the Christian life. Every ministry, endeavour, and decision ought to be brought to the Lord in order to receive His guidance. The New King James Version renders the opening phrase “Continue earnestly”. It demands time and zeal and necessitates thanksgiving for all that God has done in the past as well as His future labours. His servants on the front lines of evangelism, church planting, foreign missions and other public activities require prayer. Saints’ interactions in the assembly also need supplication. All believers must pray, for the work is great and the time is short. —K. R. Keyser

Boldly the heart and voice we raise, His blood, His name, our plea;
Assured our prayers and songs of praise ascend by Christ to Thee.—J. Deck

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 47:28 to 48:22; Psalms 26-27; Matt. 26:57-75

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

How much do we fulfill this proverb? Can we commit everything that we do and think to the Lord each day, or are there things that would make us cringe if the Lord were to walk into the room? What about the TV programmes we see and the magazines we read? Do they exalt the Lord or honour Him in any way at all? David prayed that the Lord would help him to walk within his house with a perfect heart and have no wicked thing before his eyes. —G. Frear

Jesus, ’tis my aim divine, hence to have no will but Thine,
Let me covenant with Thee, Thine for evermore to be:
This my prayer, and this alone, Saviour, let Thy will be done!
—O. Winslow

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matt. 26:31-56

…and all the widows stood by him [Peter] weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Acts 9:39

For more than 2,000 years, the name of Dorcas and her loving service has been remembered. The challenges of a thriving business were second to Dorcas’ loving care of the widows in her church fellowship. What will believers in Christ share with each other about your life and mine? Of Enoch’s life it was said, “…he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Heb. 11:5). May we too. —Arnot P. McIntee

I wonder have I done my best for Jesus,
Who died upon the cruel tree?
To think of His great sacrifice at Calvary,
I know my Lord expects the best from me. —Edwin Young

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 45; Psalms 23-24; Matt. 26:1-30

Thanks [grace] be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. 9:15

In this chapter, Paul had been writing to the Corinthians regarding the grace of giving. Finally he sums it all up with the greatest Giver and the greatest gift! In summarizing the Giver and the gift, he reaches for a superlative but finds himself struggling for the right language to express the inexpressible! The gift is so incomprehensible, that we must stand back in awe and simply prostrate our hearts in worship in His holy presence. May true worship flow from our beings as we worship this day. —Jim Comte

Like shoreless seas, Thy love can know no bound; Thou lovest me!
Deep, vast, immense, unfathomed, Lord—profound, Lord, I love Thee!
—Edward C. Quine

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 44; Psalm 22; Matt. 25:31-46

…when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Jeremiah 36:23

With this reckless act, King Jehudi thought he had rid himself of the Lord’s words. Fire is just one of the means that man has used over the centuries, in his rebellious attempts to rid himself of God’s Word. Systematically, methodically, consistently, energetically…he has failed. The famous atheist Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) was once asked why he wouldn’t just leave the Bible alone. “Because it won’t leave me alone”, was his reply. Like the bush encountered by Moses, they can burn it, but it will not be consumed. —Rick Morse

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted, ‘mid the raging storms of time;
It’s truth by none ever was refuted, and destroy it none ever can.—Lillenas

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 43; Psalms 20-21; Matt. 25:1-30

O Lord…revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 (NKJV)

Here is a cry for revival and a request for mercy. When it comes down to it, who are we to deserve God’s mercy? We deserve far less than what we receive. But just as the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle was covered by the mercy seat, so too God’s mercy comes between God’s holiness and that which speaks to our condemnation, the Ten Commandments contained in the ark. What a debt we owe and what reason for revival! —Mark Kolchin

The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
—Augustus Toplady