Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

 

A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.    Proverbs 1:5

 

Solomon’s desire was to pass on the wisdom that God had given to him. But this wisdom would do no good unless there was a willingness for the hearers to receive it and obey it. Wisdom must be taken and used. The Bible says that we lack because we don’t ask! Ask for God’s wisdom but remember that there is no such thing as instant spirituality. Salvation is immediate, but God’s wisdom comes by asking and seeking for it, then obeying and acting on it.    —G. Frear

 

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

 

But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.    Luke 1:20 (NKJV)

 

Zacharias doubted God’s message and this resulted in his mouth being stopped. What happened to Zacharias in the first century still happens to us today. We may not be physically mute but if we doubt God’s Word and fail to believe what it says we will be unable to open our mouth in either praise or testimony. Our lips are sealed. David said “I believed, therefore have I spoken” (Psalm 116:10). Also “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2).     —Sid Halsband

 

I believe the Bible, O it is divine!
Heaven’s golden sunlight in its pages shine.
—E. S. Ufford

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.    Jeremiah 15:16

 

The work that God called Jeremiah to do was a discouraging work. There were times when he, like Job, blamed God for his troubles. However he found great comfort in God’s Word. There it was affirmed that he belonged to God and was called by His name. What an honour to be called a Christian. It means a Christ-one. One that is united with Christ. As Jeremiah found his strength and joy in the Word of the Lord and his identify in the Name of the Lord, so should we in the evil days in which we live.    —Harold G. Smith

 

There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear, the sweetest name on earth.
—F. Whitfield

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

 

They crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.    John 19:18

 

For the two thieves, the moment of parting had come. Never again, either in this world, or in that to come, would they be together. Separating them is the final Divider of us all. This division was much more than physical, for one had repented and was forgiven, whereas the other persisted in his impenitence and unbelief (see Luke 23:39-43). All the evidence points to one being “saved” and one being “lost.” Eternally, on which side of the Saviour will I be?    —George Hall

 

Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied,
To look on Him and pardon me.
—C. L. Bancroft

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

 

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (overcame) it not.    John 1:5

 

The darkness of evil has never been able to overpower or extinguish the Light which came down from heaven. We have all experienced the light going out at inappropriate times and we grope in the darkness. It makes us realize how helpless and hopeless we would be, if not for light. The Light of the world is Jesus, and when we walk in His Light, the darkness is dispelled and we find our life is ever in the radiance and warmth of its heavenly glow.    —Milton Haack

 

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion.    Genesis 1:26
(Christ Jesus) took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.    Philippians 2:7

 

We were made to be like Him. But we sinned, marring the image. Thus Jesus our God had to be made like us (yet without sin). He paid the penalty of our sin and triumphed over all powers. Now He invites us to be His brethren and reign with Him. Hallelujah! What a Saviour. We gladly bow the knee and confess Him as Lord.    —D. Pickup

 

How hast Thou triumphed and triumphed with glory,
Battled death’s forces, rolled back ev’ry wave!
Can we refrain then from telling the story?
Lord, Thou art Victor o’er death and the grave.
—H. D’A Champney

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

 

And God saw everything he had made, and, behold, it was very good.    Genesis 1:31
God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,… And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth.     Genesis 6:5-6

 

The works of God are perfect. When God beheld, with satisfaction, the creation which He had completed, man was a part of His gratification. However, it was man who grieved the Creator to the point of revulsion. How gracious of God that He did not simply wipe out the human race and turn elsewhere to fulfill His purposes. Rather, at the cost of the death of His Son, He offers to man a perfect new creation, via new birth in Christ.     —Doug Kazen

 

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain. —W. Cowper

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

 

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
John 1:35-37

 

This chapter records the story of the first five converts to Christ and the variety of means which God uses to draw men to the Saviour. It was the influence of a preacher which affected Andrew and John. It was the influence of Andrew which drew Simon his brother. The personal appeal of the Lord Himself drew Philip and Philip’s testimony drew Nathanael. What a privilege to be a link in the chain to bring men to Christ.    —Jim Flanigan

 

O use me, Lord, use even me, just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see; Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

 

The people were called together after Saul … the people were distressed … the people hid themselves … the people followed him trembling … the people were scattered.    1 Samuel 13:4-8

 

Saul’s reign was a poor one. Much intitial potential was quickly squandered. He based many decisions on his emotions and thus destabilized his subjects with uncertainty and uneasiness. What choices do I face that my feelings could lead me astray on? Our deceptively wicked hearts will always draw us away from His will. Only by hearing and heeding His Word can we keep our emotions from turning us to a deadly detour. Just trust Him.    —Rick Morse

 

Open my ears, that I may hear, voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.         —C. Scott

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

 

Thou wilt keep (protect, guard) him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength.    Isaiah 26:3-4

 

What amazing confidence is given to us in the midst of life’s struggles! God promises His perfect peace. This verse literally says, “Him you will keep in peace, peace.” Peace is a beautiful word, suggesting God’s favour, blessing and well-being. This peace is available, but it is conditional to the one “whose mind is stayed on Thee.” It is a peace that is not based on the absence of troubles, strife or conflict, but it is a peace that is given in the midst of the raging storm when our hearts and minds are focused and fixed on Him.     —Jim Comte

 

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. —E. Bickersteth