Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…  1 John 3:1

A Christian writer said, “What happened at the manger wasn’t designed to put me in the ‘holiday mood’. It was intended to shake me to the roots of my soul.” Almighty God became human to identify with us. Think of it! Laid in a manger—a feeding trough. How fitting for the One who became the Manna from Heaven, the Bread of Life for sinners like you and I. Such a condescension is beyond our comprehension. But in wonder we worship Him who is our Saviour. —E. Dyck

O Saviour, as my eyes behold the wonders of Thy might untold,
The heav’ns in glorious light arrayed, the vast creation Thou hast made—
And yet to think Thou lovest me-my heart cries out, “How can it be?”
—Avis B. Christiansen

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful…  Isaiah 9:6

Wonderful comes from the word “surpassing”. It is something that is beyond understanding. This verse tells us that a Child was born. It speaks to the uniqueness of His humanity, the virgin’s child. But it also speaks of a Son given. Here we see the uniqueness of His deity, the Father’s Son, eternal in His being. It is a fitting title for the Lord Jesus—Wonderful! He is wonderful in His name, wonderful in His person and wonderful in His work. May our hearts be filled with wonder as we adore and worship the Lord Jesus. —Jim Comte

He is wonderful to sinners who saw their Saviour die;
And knew it was to save them, He left His throne on high.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation…  Luke 1:67-69

Zacharias had just experienced the birth of a son. One born of a “barren” wife. You would think that he would bless God for that recent miracle. Instead, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and led to praise God for a birth that would happen six months later. That birth’s supreme glory would be further validated by the heavenly host who proclaimed; “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). With the Spirit’s help Zacharias recognized that wondrous birth. May we too rejoice in it. —Ken Gross

Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
—C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

He shall be great…  Luke 1:32

Precious words! He is a great God. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us” (Titus 2:13-14). He is a great High Priest. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Heb. 4:14). He is a great Shepherd. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will” (Heb. 13:20-21). —Jim Paul

Great are the offices He bears;
And bright His character appears,
Exalted on the throne.
—S. Medley

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

The headmaster asked the children what was the most important thing about Christmas. A young girl in the front row replied, “Love.” How true. In the gift of His Son, God has visibly expressed the greatest love ever known. Born in a manger and growing up in this sinful world, the Lord Jesus came that He might give Himself a ransom for our sin. Have you thanked Him for dying for you? —Janet Fleming

Jesus, mighty Creator;
Worshipped by angels above,
Nailed to the cross as my Saviour
Dying because He is love.
—Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:11

The wise men’s actions were instinctive. They fell down in adoration before the young child and worshipped Him. In love they presented to Him their costly gifts. As we live day by day, may we have such an instinctive sense of awe and worship for our Saviour—ever ready to give Him the gifts of love and obedience. —Anonymous

I’ve found the precious Christ of God,
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ I have,
A precious Christ I have.
—I. J. Mason

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin…  2 Corinthians 5:21
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. Psalm 69:5

David’s prophetic psalm brings to mind one of the greatest mysteries of Calvary—the fact of our Lord Jesus being made sin for us. Who can understand the Holy One so completely identifying with us that He became our sin offering? The holy, harmless Son of God became the object of divine justice when He took upon Himself the sin of humanity and made himself responsible for it. As we think on it today, may our worship gladden the Father’s heart. —Sid Halsband

Whatever curse was mine He bore; the wormwood and the gall,
There, in that lone mysterious hour, my cup—He drained it all.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

Let us draw near with a true heart…  Hebrews 10:22
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith… Hebrews 10:23
Let us consider one another…to love and to good works. Hebrews 10:24

Here are the main elements of the believer’s walk of faith: worship that comes from a true heart; a witness that does not waver and work that stirs others to fervently and faithfully serve the Lord. They issue from the blood of Christ that opens the way (v. 19), a rent veil that declares the way (Matt. 27:51), and a great High Priest who keeps the way open for us to exercise and enjoy the privileges of our faith. What an offer and what an opportunity! —Mark Kolchin

Thou in whom all fullness dwelleth, wilt Thou now impart to me,
Something of Thy blessèd nature, draw me nearer, Lord, to Thee?
—Helen Pierce

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you…the Lord shall rule over you…And Gideon made an ephod…and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.  Judges 8:23, 27

Greatly used of God as a younger man, Gideon told the Israelites the Lord would rule them. However by his foolish action of making a golden ephod, he led them into idolatry. As soon as he was dead they went a step further and “made Baal their god” (v. 33). I may correctly teach the Word of God but based on my actions let me ask myself, “What will I leave behind when the Lord calls me home?” Younger people will follow what I do rather than what I say. —David Croudace

Yes, for the sowers must pass from their labours,
Only remembered, only remembered, by what we have done.
—H. Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 4; Haggai 1; Revelation 9

Jesus heard that they cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?…Lord, I believe.  John 9:35, 38

Jesus had healed the blind man. That his sight was restored was utterly evident. Yet the religious leaders rejected this man and his account of what had happened to him. But Jesus in His love and compassion found him. And, in response to the Saviour’s invitation, he trusted in the Lord. Do you feel rejected, alone, forsaken? Jesus offers Himself to you as Saviour and Lord. Will you believe in Him today? —Bob Cretney

Troubled soul, the Saviour can see, every heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
—John M. Moore