Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

 

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  Luke 8:35

The Lord Jesus delivered this man from horrible bondage and a hopeless existence. After seeing the once possessed man in his right mind, the local people asked the Lord to depart from them—which He did. Apparently the Lord provided clothes for this man. For those who humble themselves, the Lord will clothe in divine righteousness and bestow spiritual understanding. For those who merely fear, but will not accept Him—He will depart. —W. A. H.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine.
—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6

 

…And Peter followed afar off…And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord…And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:54, 61-62
…Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19

Perhaps as you read these verses today, you are like Peter, following afar off, keeping company with the world and denying your relationship with the Lord. One look at the Lord melted Peter’s cold heart and caused true restoration! Take the first steps back to the Lord today. —Pete Smith

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
—Robert Robinson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 2; Isaiah 42; 2 Corinthians 2

 

Nevertheless God…comforted us by the coming of Titus.  2 Corinthians 7:6
…Titus…was refreshed by you all. 2 Corinthians 7:13

Titus was a lightning rod for encouragement. When he arrived at Paul’s residence, he was a great comfort to the apostle. But there was reciprocation. When he spent some time with the Corinthian church, they were an encouragement to him. He was both a giver and a receiver of encouragement. These verses speak to the need today for both individuals and churches to comfort, refresh, and encourage others. In turn they will receive comfort. It isn’t hard. We can be a comfort to others by simply being there! Let us take on this holy ministry! —N. C. Funston

Touched by the lodestone of Thy love, let all our hearts agree,
And ever toward each other move, and ever move toward Thee.
—Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 1; Isaiah 41; 2 Corinthians 1

 

…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…  Hebrews 12:2

What was the joy set before Him? Providing salvation for millions of lost men and women. Purchasing for Himself a Bride. These are reasons we cannot grasp. What was the shame He despised? In His infinite humility, He despised the shame of hanging on a cross and being made sin for us. How awesome, incredible and marvellous! His love should make us fall before Him and give Him the glory that is His due. —Vernon Markle

To us Thy cross is life and health; ’twas shame and death to Thee:
Our present glory, joy, and wealth, our everlasting stay. 
—Thomas Kelly

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 21; Isaiah 40; 1 Corinthians 16

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  Luke 4:18-19

The One speaking was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. He came to deal with the enormous problems that have affected mankind throughout history: sorrow, suffering and sin. His coming was the dawning of a day of grace for the world’s sighing and sobbing multitudes. He presented Himself as the answer to the ills of earth. This He fully accomplished at Calvary. —Drew Craig

Calvary covers it all, my past with its sin and stains;
My guilt and despair, Jesus took on Him there.
And Calvary covers it all.
—Mrs. W.G. Taylor

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 20; Isaiah 38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

 

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.  Proverbs 1:8

Three mothers stand out in Scripture. Because of a mother’s courage, Moses was saved from Pharaoh’s edict to slay all newly-born sons. Because of Hannah’s selflessness she lent her first-born son to the Lord and Samuel became a leading prophet in the history of Israel. Because of Mary’s obedience and faith, she, though a virgin, gave birth to the Messiah. Godly mothers are an inestimable blessing. They have a special, spiritual relationship with their children that will influence them every day of their lives. May God continue to raise up godly mothers. —K. C. Ung

At the cross, her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, 
For her soul of joy bereavèd, bowed with anguish, deeply grievèd.
—Alfred H. Ackley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 19; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

 

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  Hebrews 13:16

Praise and service are twin activities for believers. Hebrews 13:15 and 16 describe both of these in sacrificial terms. Each costs something. Praise flows out of regular meditation on God’s Person and work. It requires the serious investment of time and mental energy poring over the Scriptures to enjoy communion with the Lord and gain knowledge of His deeds. Service and giving material things also require time, as the servant discovers other’s needs and prayerfully seeks to share with them. Time, talent and treasure must be used in faithful stewardship to minister to others. —K. R. Keyser

Worship, honour, power, and blessing, Thou art worthy to receive;
Loudest praises, without ceasing, meet it is for us to give.
—J. Bakewell

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 17-18; Isaiah 36 to 37:7; 1 Corinthians 14

 

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28

How can we serve God acceptably? We are told here to have grace, literally “holding” onto grace and then we will serve God in a pleasing fashion. What is grace for the believer? Grace is the message that you and I have freely received God’s love, favour and acceptance. Recognizing that, we cling to these freely given gifts for strength each day and seek to pass them on to others in the same free fashion they were bestowed to us. —Jared Fraser

He has sowed the precious seed, nothing left for us unsown;
Ours it is to reap the field, make the harvest joy our own.
—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.  Colossians 3:16

An unsolicited email contained a simple yet thought provoking message. It just said “Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” When I thought on this, I realized that the only template for such sentiments could be the Lord Jesus. These characteristics were exhibited consistently by the Lord in His earthly sojourn. It is incumbent on believers to seek to emulate these traits, so that others may be helped, blessed and encouraged. —Brian Powlesland

O lend a hand to help, haste to speak a word of cheer,
And gloomy clouds will brighten, when the day is drear.
—Frona Scott

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12

 

Remove not the ancient landmark (boundary), which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28

Today there is a relentless war on the traditional values of home and parenthood. The boundaries have been pushed back so far, that there are hardly any landmarks left! The Scriptures present the father as the “patriarch” and the mother as “keeper at home” (Titus 2:5). The term “patriarch,” has the idea of the “leader, protector, teacher, provider of godly family values”. Mothers as “keepers at home” are to be the “watcher, keeper, guard of their own home”. A lady turned to her friend and said, “Oh. I’d give my life to have such children.” The lady replied, “That’s exactly what it cost!” —Jim Comte

May our home be an altar with worship to Thee, 
A beacon of light for the wayward to see.
—Author Unknown