Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

 

These are to find grace in thy sight.    Genesis 33:8

 

Jacob was returning home at the Lord’s command. Part of that process was meeting the brother he had so badly wronged. If we are facing an Esau-type situation in our life, there are a number of lessons we can learn from Jacob. Be gracious and humble. Jacob acknowledged his fault and took the low place. Remember that when there is a genuine desire for reconciliation, grace will smooth the way. Don’t come to take; come to give. God loves to see his people reconciled. It is worth every effort.    —Norman Craig Funston

 

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
—A. J. Flint

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

 

David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
1 Samuel 24:5
And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said … I have sinned greatly … for I have done very foolishly.    2 Samuel 24:10

 

David, like us, made many mistakes, but as “a man after God’s heart” he was usually quick to acknowledge his sin. Oh for a tender heart to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice as He points out my sin—whether it be a thought running out of control; a word ill-spoken; or possibly some sinful action—so that in brokenness and confession, I continue to walk in fellowship, with nothing between my Lord and me.
—David Croudace

Ah! Give me, Lord, the tender heart that trembles at the approach of sin;
A godly fear of sin impart, implant, and root it deep within. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.    1 John 4:10

 

What a mystery of love is associated with the coming of the Saviour! Remember, we did not love Him. He loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, the Father sent the Son into the world to redeem a people to Himself. He loved us first. He loved us when we were unlovely and unlovable. May our hearts overflow with praise and gratitude for His wondrous love!    —Mark Fenn

 

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above.
—J. Byrom

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

 

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.    Psalm 68:19
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Psalm 116:12

 

Some employers offer a variety of benefit packages. But isn’t the Lord our true employer? If we work as unto Him and not as unto men, He daily will load His benefits upon us. Do we remember that? And what is our response to the Lord for all His benefits towards us?
—Tom Steere

 

How vast the benefits divine which we in Christ possess!
We are redeemed from guilt and shame and called to holiness.
—A. Toplady

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

 

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?    John 18:11

 

Retaliation for wrongs suffered is common in this world, and sadly much violence is perpetrated in God’s name. Christ refused to take vengeance even when He was unjustly condemned and crucified. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). In the future, the Lord will perfectly mete out justice; we do not need to avenge ourselves now (Acts 17:31).    —Keith Keyser

 

Thou didst measure then sin’s distance;
Darkness, wrath and curse were Thine;
Man-betrayed, by God forsaken;
Thus we learn Thy love divine. —M. W. Biggs

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

 

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you.
Isaiah 30:18

 

The Saviour is very patient regarding the salvation of precious souls. He is not willing that any should perish. Yet regarding His glorious return, He says that He will not tarry, and has promised that He will come quickly. Both His patience and His soon coming are remarkable demonstrations of the heart of God in reference to lost sinners and redeemed saints? The door is still open but soon those who have entered will be home.    —William Gustafson

 

Lord Jesus, I am waiting, waiting Thy dear face to see;
Resting on Thy promise, Thou shalt come again for me.
—D. Penman

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

 

The Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive … but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.    John 14:17

 

The physical and visible presence of their Master would be temporary. But the omnipresent Spirit would take His place in the disciples’ hearts and in the hearts of all those who would follow Him. All that the  Lord Jesus was to His disciples as helper, guide, teacher and companion would be carried on by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Such is the significance of His declaration, “I will not leave you comfortless (orphans) I will come to you” (John 14:18). As we walk day by day, whatever the circumstances, this surely is a precious assurance.   
—Drew Craig

 

Joys are flowing like a river, since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever, makes the trusting heart His home.
—M. P. Ferguson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

 

Then they said to one another, We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.    2 Kings 7:9 (NKJV)

 

Four leprous men were caught in the middle at the siege of Samaria. Starving, they decided to turn themselves over to the enemy. To their surprise the enemy was gone. They filled themselves with the provisions left behind by the enemy until they were gripped with conviction. They came to the conclusion that they should go and tell the Good News. What will it take for us to do the same?    —Rex Trogdon

 

I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
—A. C. Hankey

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

 

Neither were [they] thankful.     Romans 1:21

 

An absence of thankfulness contributed to humanity’s history of degeneration. Why? Because a loss of thankfulness means a loss of focus. Our vision shifts from gratefulness to God to congratulating ourselves. After that it is only a brief journey before self is placed on the throne that God alone should occupy. Then we are free to do whatever is right in our own eyes. In many nations, today is a day of remembrance and thankfulness for those who gave their lives for freedom. Sadly many will rush on and pay little heed. May we truly be grateful, not only for our freedom and its cost, but for every good and perfect gift that comes from our Father of lights.    —S. McEachern

 

Give thanks to God the Lord; upon His Name now call.
Make known among the people on earth, what He has done for all.
—Susan H. Peterson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 24-25; John 9:1-17

 

Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.    Ephesians 5:2

 

The burnt offering (Lev. 1:9), the meal offering (Lev. 2:2) and the peace offering (Lev. 3:5) were each identified as a special sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ is all three. As the burnt offering, He surrendered His all to God’s will (Heb. 10:7,8); as the meal offering, He submitted His perfect life as a sacrifice for all on the altar of the cross (John 4:34). As the peace offering He reconciled man to God and united all the redeemed together in Himself (Eph. 2:14-17). He is indeed the sweet-savour sacrifice with whom God is well-pleased.    —K. C. Ung

 

And as now I eat and drink, let me truly, sweetly think,
Thou didst hang upon the tree, broken, bleeding, there—for me.
—Author Unknown