Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 28-29; Isaiah 66; Romans 8:18-39

 

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  Philippians 4:15

There are those whom we have commended to what we call “full time” work, who serve diligently and faithfully amongst us, yet can’t make ends meet because of a lack of generosity from we to whom they minister. Some who contribute to this calendar may be in such a state, yet say nothing. May the Lord grant us to be less self-absorbed with our own needs and wants, so that those who serve need not fret about the things we take for granted. —Rick Morse

Give as ’twas given to you in your need; 
Love as the Master loved you.
—Ira Wilson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 26-27; Isaiah 65; Romans 8:1-17

 

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.  Ecclesiastes 11:1

We will never out give the Lord. He is a debtor to no one. But when we give to His work, hoping for nothing in return (Luke 6:35), He will undoubtedly repay in His time and in His way. It may not always come back the way we think, but in time it will and we can be sure that He will make good on His Word. Don’t be stingy with God. He will astound you with His generosity! —Mark Kolchin

We give Thee but Thine own, 
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, 
A trust, O Lord, from Thee. 
—William How

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 63:15 to 64:12; Romans 7:7-25

 

The high priest…shall not…rend his clothes.  Leviticus 21:10
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy. Matthew 26:65 
Then the soldiers…took his garments…They said…Let us not rend it. John 19:23-24

Who was the real high priest? Since the Jew’s high priest would not acknowledge Jesus as the Christ and tore His clothes, God used the ignorant, ungodly soldiers to show who was truly His High Priest. They spared His coat from being torn as He prepared to purify heavenly things with the better sacrifice of His own blood. Let us draw near to Him today and worship our great High Priest. —Tom Steere

Enthroned in Majesty, the High Priest sits within; 
His precious blood, once shed, has made and keeps us clean. 
—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Sam. 23-24; Isaiah 62 to 63:14; Romans 6:15 to 7:6

 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers tempations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  James 1:2-3

Dear Christian, is the way hard for you today? Our loving Father is too kind and too wise to make a mistake. God tests us to demonstrate our faith. Trust Him. Are you enduring with joy what He has allowed upon you? If so, this is a proof of your faith! Patience and a godly character will be the outflow of such abiding trust. —E. MacLelland

What love to Thee we owe, our God, for all Thy grace,
Our hearts may well o’erflow in everlasting praise. 
Help us, O Lord, to praise Thee thus,
For all Thy boundless love to us.
—Anne Gilbert

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 21-22; Isaiah 61; Romans 6:1-14

 

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran…  Acts 8:29-30

When the Spirit tells us to do something, we ought to run to do it. Had Philip delayed or deliberated he would not have arrived at the exact moment the Ethiopian eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53. Instead he came upon him at a time when he was full of spiritual questions and utterly open to hearing of the Saviour. When the Spirit speaks, our response is to walk through the doors He has thrown wide open—and right away! —Shane Johnson

He makes the path grow brighter ev’ry passing day;
He makes the burden lighter all along the way;
His Word is my delight, His will I now obey,
And all the time I’m singing glory!
—L. R. Minor

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 19:8 to 20:42; Isaiah 60; Romans 5:12-21

 

…I being in the way, the Lord led me…  Genesis 24:27

A street name in the French town of Travaillan when translated into English means, “The way of the Plan of God”. Are you a believer seeking a way forward in your life? Firstly, there is a need to recognise that God has a plan for your life. Then you need to establish what that plan is. Seek His guidance; read and reflect on His Word; be sensitive to circumstances and interventions in your life. Then you can come to know His plan and purpose for you. —Brian Powlesland

Have faith in God, the sun will shine,
Though dark the cloud may be today,
His heart hath planned your path and mine:
Have faith in God, have faith alway.
—May Agnew Stevens

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6 to 19:7; Isaiah 59; Romans 4:23 to 5:11

 

…Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.  Isaiah 28:16

The building at which I looked was attractive in design and finish. Why then was it to be demolished? The foundation was defective! How important it is to have “a sure foundation” for eternity! Only in Jesus Christ can spiritual security be had. Our “good works” provide no salvation. Whoever trusts in Christ is for ever secure (John 3:16). —George Hall

On Christ salvation rests secure;
The Rock of ages must endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown, 
Which rests upon the “living Stone”.
—Samuel Medley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32 to 18:5; Isaiah 58; Romans 4:1-22

 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18

Contrary to what many think, we are not told to pray or ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us! Rather it is an instruction for me to obey. To understand what it means, Paul gives us the illustration of being drunk with wine. If I decide to imbibe wine and get drunk I have chosen to allow wine to completely control me. Instead of that, I must daily make the decision to allow the Holy Spirit to completely control my mind; my heart; my life, indeed my all. I am then “filled with the Spirit”. I may not realize it but others will see it is true and my consequent actions will bring glory to the Lord Jesus. —David Croudace

I need to be filled with the Spirit, each moment of every day,
I need to be filled in the morning, ere starting upon my way.
—Habershon

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9 to 57:21; Romans 3

 

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:6

The unbeliever clings to life, fearing the dark unknown, knowing he must face God in his sins. How different it is when you know the Lord and His love. A woman who is 92 years old prays daily, “Lord, I want to go home. I want to be with you. Please take me. I love you.” Because of health problems this life has become very burdensome. She wants to go home, to go to heaven where a loving Saviour awaits her. Are you saved? Do you know your sins forgiven? Have you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If so, you too are ready for heaven. —Donald L. Norbie

Some day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing,
But, O the joy when I shall wake, within the palace of the King.
—Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 16; Isaiah 55 to 56:8; Romans 2

 

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands…but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.  Hebrews 9:24

The high priest of old, celebrating the Day of Atonement, entered the Holiest of all carrying a censor full of burning coals with his hands full of incense (Lev. 16:12-16). When he put the incense on the fire it emitted a cloud which covered the mercy seat, shielding him from the great glory cloud representing the presence of God, “lest he die”. What a contrast to our great High Priest who stands face to face, no cloud intervening. His saving work at Calvary is now fully accomplished. Marvel of marvel, it is “for us”. —Drew Craig

Without a cloud between; to see him face to face;
Not struck with dire amazement dumb, but triumphing in grace.
—Albert Midlane