Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 9 to 10:11; Eccl. 11-12; Luke 9:1-17

 

No man taketh [my life] from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.  John 10:18

This is the climax of the Shepherd’s ministry. It signals the indivisible union of Father and Shepherd Son in this mighty work. He laid down His life for us and defeated Satan, wrestling from his grasp all who were held captive. God grant that we, His children, saved and enjoying His resurrection life, never speak in a matter-of-fact way of this mighty act of selfless love. —Drew Craig

Love found a way to redeem my soul,
Love found a way that could make me whole; 
Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,
Love found a way O, praise His holy name!
—Constance B. Reid

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 7:12 to 8:20; Eccl. 9:11 to 10:20; Luke 8:40-56

 

I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.  Revelation 1:11

The Lord Jesus is the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. Alpha and Omega are His glorious titles. He is also described as having “the keys of hell and of death” (v. 18). It follows that He is greater than all our circumstances. It also follows that we can completely trust Him in all of our circumstances. Are we casting all our cares on Him today? —Mark Fenn

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, 
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!
—Aurelius C. Prudentius

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 6 to 7:11; Eccl. 8 to 9:10; Luke 8:22-39

 

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come…  John 7:6 
But no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. John 7:30

These phrases regarding times and hours, are repeated on numerous occasions in John’s Gospel. The Lord Jesus knew that events, and their timing in His life were all in accord with “the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). We should also be aware that events and their timing in our lives are not the outworking of random fate, but the unfolding of the loving plan that the Father in His wisdom has determined for us. This knowledge will give us peace and assurance in difficult times. —W. H. Burnett

Our times are in Thy hand; Father, we wish them there;
Our life, our souls, our all we leave, entirely to Thy care.
—W. F. Lloyd

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 5; Ecclesiastes 7; Luke 8:1-21

 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Philippians 4:6

Are you worried today? Maybe your job situation is uncertain. Perhaps you have family problems. Maybe your health is poor. Pray! Do you remember how as a little child when hurt or afraid you ran to your mother or father for comfort. Embraced in their arms and surrounded by their love, you felt safe and happy. So we should run to our heavenly Father in prayer and be embraced by His almighty arms. And be thankful! As you dwell upon all of your blessings your perspective will change. Do not worry. Pray. —Donald L. Norbie

God has given you His promise. That He hears and answers prayer. 
He will heed your supplication. If you cast on Him your care.
—Ma­ry Bern­stech­er

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 4; Ecclesiastes 5-6; Luke 7:30-50

 

…When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son… Romans 5:10

To reconcile is to resolve a difference. When it is between two earthly parties it is usually done by each party giving in to some degree. In the spiritual realm it is different. When we become reconciled to God, we are the ones who must do all the changing. But we can’t do it ourselves. The Son was the only one who could do it, but to do it He had to die in our place. We rejoice He was willing. We rejoice He did the work. Now we who were hopelessly lost can be  reconciled to a holy God. —Ken Gross

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
—Robert Lowery

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 3; Eccl. 3:16 to 4:16; Luke 7:1-29

 

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.  Psalm 14:1

Three fools stand out in Scripture. The atheistic fool does not believe there is God. His ways are corrupt and vile (Ps. 53:1). The materialistic fool is prosperous and optimistic of leading a good life but does not consider eternity (Luke 12:20). Finally there is the fool who does not believe the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-26). They are distressed when God works because they have not learned His ways. There is one other fool. Paul was prepared to be a fool for the sake of Christ (1 Cor. 4:10). What kind of fool are you? —K. C. Ung

Fools in their heart believe and say, “That all religion’s vain;
There is no God that reigns on high, or minds th’affairs of men.”
From thoughts so dreadful and profane, corrupt discourse proceeds;
And in their impious hands are found abominable deeds.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 2; Eccl. 2:12 to 3:15; Luke 6:20-49

 

…And they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  Luke 22:13-14

How did those two disciples occupy themselves between the end of their preparation for the Passover and the arrival of the Lord Jesus to take His place in their midst? We don’t know exactly, but they must have been waiting with anticipation. As we wait for His coming, what a privilege it is to sit around the emblems prepared on the table on a Lord’s Day, to let the Spirit of God lead our thoughts and to consider Him. To be aware of His presence as we join in fellowship with our brethren is a sweet foretaste of what awaits us in the glory! —Dan Coulson

We show Thy death till Thy return. Thou for our sins didst die!
“Remember Me,” Thy parting word; Amen, our hearts reply.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 1; Eccl. 1 to 2:11; Luke 6:1-19

 

And looking up into heaven, He sighed… Mark 7:34
When Jesus therefore saw her (Mary) weeping…he groaned in the spirit and was troubled. John 11:33
…The Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Can we not feel the deep emotion of the Lord Jesus in these two incidents? He entered into the heart feelings of both the deaf man and the grieving Mary. Thank God we too have the intercessory groanings of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. How often has your heart been so heavy, that you have just cried out, “O God!” “O God!” He knows. He cares and He groans too, making intercession for us! —Jim Comte

Thy tears He will change into jewels bright,
Where now there is darkness, there shall be light.
—T. P. Westendorf

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 35:9 to 36:13; Proverbs 31; Luke 5:17-39

 

…When he made mention of the ark of God… 1 Samuel 4:18

Eli was, by all accounts, a failure. Whether we see him as a priest or a father, he struggled in carrying out his duty. His poor response to Hannah’s prayer and his ineptitude towards his immoral sons, are two examples of failure, both in the temple and the home. That’s why our text stands out. Eli had just heard of Israel’s defeat, as well as his sons’ deaths (4:17); but his greatest alarm was at the loss of the ark. We don’t know his thoughts about the first two issues, but it was the news of the ark—a symbol of God’s presence and power—that moved him. Did this reveal his true priorities? Amid all his weaknesses and failings, his heart was still soft towards the things of God. —N. C. Funston

God, renew us by your Spirit! Come in gladness, hearts console!
Grant us joy so we may share it! Oh, restore us; make us whole!
—J. Dalles

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 34 to 35:8; Proverbs 30; Luke 5:1-16

 

…When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  Acts 24:25

An article in a Scottish newspaper reported that the average Briton spends more than 3 years of their lives putting off essential tasks by delaying tactics and avoiding important decisions and actions. Perhaps there is something that is calling for your action—some deed of kindness to show, somebody to visit, some communication to make, some apology to offer, some word of encouragement. Don’t delay! Do it today. —Brian Powlesland

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, 
Tell of His power to forgive; 
Others will trust Him if only you prove true, 
Every moment you live. 
—Ira B. Wilson