Category: Uncategorised

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 27:20 to 28:14; Psalm 73; Acts 15:36 to 16:15

The soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head. John 19:2 
…he said It is finished: and he bowed his head… John 19:30
And the napkin, that was about His head… John 20:7

As we gather today to remember our risen Lord, may our hearts truly worship. Consider the agony of His thorn crowned head, as He suffered for us. Then the victory of His bowed head, as He accomplished the Father’s will and through death completed our salvation. But ultimately the glory of that wrapped head and body, being raised from the dead! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Pete Smith

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won.
—Edmond Budry

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:31 to 27:19; Psalm 72; Acts 15:22-35

Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him: and all kingdoms of the earth shall wail because of him. Revelation 1:7

Before Jesus died His enemies accused Him of being a deceiver. They taunted Him on the cross that He saved others but could not save Himself! In looking for their Messiah, He was not what they had expected—a man upon a cross. What a shock it will be to Israel’s conscience when their Messiah re-enters Jerusalem bearing the marks of Golgotha’s crucifixion! Then His identity will be vindicated and the claims He made validated. Those too, of every nation acknowledging Him as Lord and Saviour, will rejoice at His appearing. —Drew Craig

O day of days! Hail Thy appearing!
Thy transcendent glory forever shall shine.
—M. J. Camp

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70-71; Acts 15:1-21

We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14

Have you noticed? In the political world there is no forgiveness. If you run for some office your opponents will search your past with intense interest. Any moral failure will be broadcast to the four winds. They will destroy you if they can. How different is our God. If one repents sincerely and trusts Christ for salvation, he is forgiven. And God promises never to remember. Come to Him for forgiveness today.
—Donald L. Norbie

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: Exodus 25; Psalm 69; Acts 14

O that you had heeded my commandments! Then your peace (shalom) would have been like a river.    Isaiah 48:18 (NKJV)

The children’s chorus, “Obedience is the very best way, to show that you believe,” applies to this verse! How often has a parent said, “If you would only obey, things would be a lot easier?” The result of obedience is “peace like a river” flowing gently in blessing to all who are subject to God’s Word. Shalom means harmony and fellowship indicating the spiritual health and true prosperity that can only be bestowed by God. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (or cause them to stumble)” (Ps. 119:165). If you are not enjoying His peace, is it because you are not obedient? —Jim Comte

Obedience is the very best way, to show that you believe,
Doing exactly what the Lord commands; doing it happily.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 24; Psalm 68; Acts 13:26-52

The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  1 John 1:7b

Martin Luther records that he once dreamed that Satan came to him and told him he could never hope to get to heaven because he was such a sinner. “Have you a list of my sins?” Luther asked. “Yes,” said Satan, and brought him a long list of failures. Twice Luther asked if there were any more, and twice Satan brought him a long list. Again, Luther asked if there were any more. “That is all,” Satan said. “Then” cried Luther, “write now across them all, ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’” And Satan left! Have your sins been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ?    —W. Ross Rainey

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? —Elisha A. Hoffman

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66-67; Acts 13:1-25

One of his disciples said unto him, Lord teach us to pray. Luke 11:1

At a group discussion on prayer, a teenage girl expressed surprise about receiving an answer to her prayer even before verbalizing it to God. It reminds us of Isaiah 45:24, “Before they call I will answer.” Most answers do come from spoken petitions, but we may also agree with an 18th century hymn writer who penned, “Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear.” Some deeply felt needs seem inexpressible. But if the heart’s sincere desire rises silently on a wing of prayer, God hears that cry from the darkness of the soul. —E. Dyck

The saints, in prayer appear as one;
In word, and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son;
Sweet fellowship they find. —James Montgomery

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 22 to 23:9; Psalms 64-65; Acts 12

Boaz said, unto Ruth, Go not to glean in another field, but abide here fast by my maidens.    Ruth 2:8

The eye of Boaz observed Ruth, the recently arrived young widow from Moab. Soon, looks turned to love. Because of his loving concern, he wished to see her safely gleaning in his field. His young men were instructed not to touch or harm her and to provide her with refreshing water as she toiled in the blazing sun. In the field of the one who was to become her kinsman redeemer, Ruth found protection, provision, and enjoyable fellowship with others in the same service. Don’t leave the field where God has placed you for a non-satisfying world.  —Arnot McIntee

Go labour, on; spend and be spent; thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still?
—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 21; Psalms 62-63; Acts 11:19-30

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12

To think that, even now, the glorious theme around the heavenly throne is the Lamb that was slain! In our private meditations and in our collective remembrance, let us be caught up with this theme that will occupy us in eternity. In this way, we will find that, in our worship and service, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” —Mark Fenn

“Praise the Lamb,” the chorus waking,
All in heaven together throng;
Loud and far each tongue partaking,
Rolls renewed the endless song.
—J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60-61; Acts 11:1-18

Being made so much better than the angels.    Hebrews 1:4

We find in the letter to the Hebrews that Jesus is a better priest (7:7), serving under a better covenant (8:6), in a better sanctuary (9:11). His was a better sacrifice (9:22-23), which speaks of forgiveness rather than vengeance, and thus of better things (12:24). Therefore, we have a better hope (7:19) established upon better promises (8:6), of a better substance (10:34). We are going to a better country (11:16) and will obtain a better resurrection (11:35). What a better thing for us (11:40)! —Tom Steere

The veil is rent: Lo Jesus stands before the throne of grace:
And clouds of incense from His hands fill all that glorious place.
Within the holiest of all, cleansed by His precious blood,
Before the throne we prostrate fall, and worship Thee our God.
—James G. Deck

 

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 19; Psalms 58-59; Acts 10:24-48

This same Jesus shall so come in like manner. Acts 1:11
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

The statement has been made, “A ‘changing’ Christ for a ‘changing’ world.” But is that what is needed? Is that really the issue? Or is it that the world wants to change the rules to accommodate a sinful lifestyle, to resist what conscience knows is implicitly wrong? What is needed is not a change ahead to new things, but a change back to what has stood the test of time—given by the One who said, “I am the Lord, I change not!” (Mal. 3:6). The only thing that is new is His mercies, and they come every morning. Let’s thank the Lord that He who is untainted by time or trend never changes and is always the same. —Mark Kolchin

Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same.
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His name!
—A. B. Simpson