Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

 

[God] hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.  Ephesians 1:22

Regarding true Christians, it is correct to state that: every moment we live; every relationship we have; every decision we make; every dollar we spend; every task we undertake, belongs under the rule of Christ. There isn’t one tiny part of our lives that He does not own. All belongs to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ reigns on the throne of heaven. Does He reign on the throne of your life? —W. Ross Rainey

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide. 
—J. Ed­win Orr

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

 

This is my body which is given for you…This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  Luke 22:19-20

In a large, furnished, upper room the disciples made ready. Ready for the Passover meal, yes, but who could have been ready for what they heard that night? “This is my body which is given for you” and, “This is my blood…which is shed for many” (Matt. 26:28). What stood out to their hearts that night? Could it have been those last two words, for you? We also meet this Lord’s Day to make ready. Ready to respond to those words of love and His great sacrifice. Beloved, never get over the wonder of it all, He gave Himself for you. —Rex Trogdon

Lord, we worship and adore Thee; for Thy rich, Thy matchless grace;
Perfect soon in joy before Thee, we shall see Thee face to face. 
—J. J. Hopkins

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

 

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.  Romans 3:25

Our Lord Jesus is the propitiation for our sins—His finished work has made complete satisfaction for them. He extinguished the guilt by suffering their penalty. The price of this was enormous. At Calvary the  spotless Son of God took our sins upon Himself. The judgement that was due to us, fell on Him. Mercy is now extended to all who come to Him by faith. Thankfully, we receive it. —Drew Craig

If all the sins of Adam’s race, with perfect justice to each case, 
In heaven’s balances were laid,
They would be utterly outweighed by Jesus death. 
The value lies, all in the infinite sacrifice.
—William Blane

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.  Psalm 42:5

We all wonder, at times, just why we experience certain pains and trials in our lives. Warren Wiersbe said “Explanations do not heal broken hearts, but promises do. Promises depend on faith, and faith puts us in contact with the grace of God.” We must trust the one who knows best and lean on Him rather than question Him. —Brian Russell

Trust ye in the Lord for ever;  
Trust by day and night.
He is with thee, and, moreover,
He will give thee light.
—H. M. Warner

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

 

…Warn them that are unruly.  1 Thessalonians 5:14

The word “unruly” (disorderly) comes from the Greek word ataktos, a military word, for those who are out of step, not following orders, not keeping rank, doing their own thing, causing disturbance. Friend, if you resent the idea of obeying the Lord and submitting every area of your life to Him, then you have a very serious problem. God will have order in His household. —Carl Knott

Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus ev’rything, 
Now I gladly own Him as my King, 
Now my raptured soul can only sing;
Of Calvary.
—William R. Newell

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

 

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:15
…Yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  1 Peter 1:8
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:4

An unspeakable gift. It is too great to describe! Unspeakable joy. It is too joyous to understand! Unspeakable words. It is too sacred to be uttered! “Unspeakable” means indescribable. No earthly language has an adequate vocabulary to express the marvel of God’s purposes for the redeemed! What a privilege to be linked and included in this unspeakable plan of redemption. —Sid Halsband

The love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.
—F. Lehman

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 24-25; John 9:1-17

 

…I was the king’s cupbearer. Nehemiah 1:11

Nehemiah started as a cupbearer! It was an important task for a responsible and trustworthy person. But God had bigger plans for him. When Nehemiah learned of the desperate condition of Jerusalem, his response was sorrow and a prayer to the God of heaven. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and used him to remedy the problems in Jerusalem. In 54 days he saw the walls of the city reconstructed. Nehemiah proves the saying, “Faithfulness always leads to a higher calling.” —Milton Haack

Why should we ever weak or heartless be,
Why are we ever overborne with care,
Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,
And joy, and strength, and courage are with Thee?
—R. C. Trench

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 26-27; Ezekiel 23; John 8:31-59

 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Isaiah 26:3
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

So often our minds are anxious and in turmoil instead of at peace. It is all too easy to focus on the many trials and circumstances of life. As we refocus our thoughts on Him and the things which are honest, pure, lovely, and of good report, our minds will be renewed and experience that peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). —E. V.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom not but calm is found.
—Edward H. Bickersteth

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 24-25; Ezekiel 22; John 8:12-30

 

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.  Matthew 26:7
…And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:3

When this woman poured out the ointment on the Lord there was a fragrance that accompanied her act of worship. Everyone in the house  enjoyed it. But as she left the room and walked the street there was a fragrance that lingered on her person and all who passed by would enjoy that sweet aroma. As worshippers, when we meet around His table and heartfelt worship is offered, there is a fragrance that fills the room and lingers on us as we go out into the world. —Jim Comte

Some gave Him shelter, clothing, food, and some the love that cheers; 
One gave to Him (‘twas all she could) her spikenard and her tears.
—Evans

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chron. 22-23; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

 

It is vain for you to…eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

We spend one-third of our lives asleep. Why did God create us to need sleep when He never slumbers? Perhaps our verse gives one reason. Sleep is a gift to His beloved, a gift we can dismiss, however, if we are consumed with anxiety and overwork. So each night we are reminded that God is awake because He is in control. I need to sleep for I am not indispensible. God is pleased with our peaceful trust that fears Him and hopes in His steadfast love. —Marilyn MacMullen

Sorrow and care may meet, the tempest cloud may low’r,
The surge of sin may beat, upon earth’s troubled shore;
God doth His own in safety keep, He giveth His belovèd sleep.
—J. C. Tildesley