Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 3; Daniel 12; Revelation 8

What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. Job 34:7-8

These are the words of Elihu who assumed that Job’s suffering was the result of his wickedness. We know that Job eschewed evil. Never assume that sad circumstances befalling God’s people are due to God’s deliberate intervening action. The enemy is often allowed to inflict his wounds so that godly saints can shine even more brightly in the crucible. —Brian Russell

My song shall be of Jesus;
Whatever ill betide,
I’ll sing the grace that saves me,
And keeps me at His side.
—Mrs. Van Alstyne

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

…O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?  Matthew 16:3

The Pharisees and Sadducees were better at homespun meteorology than interpreting Christ’s signs. Though He gave ample evidence to back up His claims, they clung to their erroneous and preconceived notions of Him. Academic intellect, scientific understanding, business acumen, and other forms of human wisdom are not adequate means of evaluating the Lord. Only divine revelation from His Word provides a sure guide for learning the truth. —K. R. Keyser

While created things are wasting, still our God abides the same;
All His words are everlasting, all His works His love proclaim.
—G. W. Frazer

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Psalm 89:48

Within a little graveyard adjoining a chapel in a small village is a grave marked with this touching epitaph, “She has done what she could.” Long after her death the townsfolk still spoke of this woman’s devotion; she spent herself freely and untiringly in service to them. If the Lord be not come, each of us will take up a temporary residence in a cemetery. We cannot escape death, but we can, by the grace of God, live a full life in Christ. How will your friends and neighbours remember you after your sojourn on the earth has passed? —W. A. H.

I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s land.
—Anne R. Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son…  1 John 4:10

The manifestation of God’s love is that Christ Jesus died for my sins. He now lives, interceding for me. Soon He shall come Himself and take me to be with Him for evermore. —E. MacLelland

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
And ev’ry man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Tho stretched from sky to sky.
—Meir Ben Isaac Nehoral

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 8; Daniel 9; Revelation 4

…To him that overcometh…  Revelation 2:7
…Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5

In John’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation one recurring statement is set forth as a challenge, “To him that overcometh”. When overcoming seems overwhelming, remember that our Lord has overcome the world (John 16:33). How do we overcome? By trusting in Him (1 John 5:5). We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:37). Today, may we live out His victory as overcomers. —Rex Trogdon

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
—John H. Yates

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 7; Daniel 8; Revelation 3:7-22

…I wholly followed the Lord my God.  Joshua 14:8

This was Caleb’s testimony when he was forty years old. And it was his testimony when he was eighty-five. Praise God! He was marked by a life of faith and obedience. Even to old age his faith did not waver. He was an inspiration to Israel then and he still is to Christians today. It is possible to live a consistent, godly life, even to old age. The choice is ours. Caleb’s God is the same today, ready to strengthen faith and to enable us to persevere. And surely we need men and women today like Caleb to inspire the younger generation to live for God. Be a Caleb in this age. —Donald L. Norbie

“He Died Climbing”
—Swiss Guide’s Tombstone

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 6; Daniel 7; Revelation 2:18 to 3:6

…Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.  Romans 5:20

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) waged a long, difficult, and stressful campaign to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire. When Wilberforce sought counsel from converted slave trader John Newton, Newton summarized his life, your life and mine, and the gospel in one sentence: “I am a great sinner; Christ is a great Saviour.” Have you realized you are a lost sinner, and that Christ is the only Saviour? —W. Ross Rainey

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
—John Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  1 Corinthians 15:33

We are all like sponges, permeable, quickly able to take on board the things that are around us. When we choose to keep company with those who love sin and disrespect the things of God, we will find that  we can quickly “soak up” their attitudes. Often it can be so subtle that we may not even realize what is happening. For this reason, it is essential that we surround ourselves with friends who will challenge us and inspire us to greater things for Christ. —Shane Johnson

With joy I heard my friends exclaim,
“Come, let us in God’s temple meet;
Within thy gates, O Zion blest,
Shall ever stand our willing feet.”
—Psalter

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 3-4; Daniel 5; Revelation 1

By faith Enoch…had this testimony, that he pleased God.  Hebrews 11:5
And Enoch walked with God… Genesis 5:22

Scripture says very little about Enoch, yet what an amazing testimony he had! He pleased God! How did Enoch please God? By walking with Him. It’s so simple, yet so profound! Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they “might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:10). May we too have this testimony, that we please God. —E. V.

Change your Church! Renew us, Lord, till we all reflect your Word!
Make of us a shining light, ever pleasing in your sight!
God, revive us by your love; send your Spirit to reprove!
Take away sin’s awful blight, help us all to do the right!
—J. Dalles

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 1-2; Daniel 4; 3 John

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. Song of Solomon 1:12

The fragrance associated with sitting at a table is a lovely image in the Scriptures. Here in this passage, the fragrance of the beloved enveloped the table when the king came to sit. In the New Testament, a supper was also being made for the King. As the guests sat around the table, Mary anointed her Lord with expensive perfume and the house was filled with the fragrance (John 12:2-3). As we gather to His table, there should be a sweet fragrance too, as we offer up our worship to Him. —K. C. Ung

I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured.
—Horatius Bonar