Category: Uncategorised

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

 

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains and the keepers before the door kept the prison.    Acts 12:6

 

Maximum security for Peter! These were difficult days for the apostle. His fellow apostle James had been killed, (v. 2). Chains. Guards. There was no way of escape out of his dreadful situation. All seemed lost, except for two words, “But prayer” (v. 5). G. C. Morgan comments, “That force of earnest prayer was mightier than Herod, and mightier than hell.” Does your situation or that of a loved one seem completely impossible? Never forget these words—but prayer.            —Jim Comte

 

God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon,
God answers prayer in the evening, so keep your heart in tune.
—Ken Bible

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

 

They crucified Him.     John 19:18
See in His hands the print of the nails.    John 20:25

 

My son accidentally stepped on a nail one day as we were sorting cattle. It went through his boot and a considerable way into his foot. The pain was excruciating for him and lasted through the next week. The experience made me think of the suffering the Lord Jesus went through with nails piercing His hands and feet. To willingly endure such pain without complaint, shows how much He loved you and me.
—D. Douglas

 

Crucified, crucified and nailed upon the tree;
With pierced hands and feet and side—for you and for me.
—C. A. Miles

 

 

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

 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.    Ephesians 5:20
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.    Luke 22:19

 

Giving thanks for everything is difficult. It is hard to be grateful for great suffering or a loved one’s death. Yet our Lord shows the way. He gave thanks for His body about to be broken. He knew what was ahead—becoming sin for us. Yet His death opened the way to forgiveness for us. And so He gave thanks. Oh Lord, help us to be grateful for everything You have given us, or allowed in our lives.    —J. Lee

 

Whatever our lot, Lord teach us to say,
Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord, O my soul.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.    Romans 5:1

 

At the moment of salvation, the believer enters a new relationship where they enjoy peace with God. As the believer grows in grace, the peace of God becomes sweeter and deeper flowing through the soul like a river. The Lord Jesus himself, ere He left this world gave His disciples a legacy—my peace. With this perfect peace dwelling in our hearts we should never be afraid.    —E. MacLelland

 

A mind at perfect peace with God,
Oh! What a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood;
This, this indeed is peace! —C. Paget

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.    Psalm 19:1, 7a, 14

 

Psalm 19 is a wonderful psalm of communication. God speaks in three ways. First, God speaks from the heavens through the stars and sun. Then He speaks through the Scriptures in His precepts and law. Lastly, He speaks through His saints. No wonder David prayed as we should, too, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).    —Rex Trogdon

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be, filled with messages for Thee.
—Frances R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13

 

Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.    Isaiah 53:4
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.    Psalm 23:6
Surely I come quickly.    Revelation 22:20

 

What confirmation and assurances are these that the believer’s past, present and future have all been taken care of. The sufferings of Christ have atoned for our guilty past. His goodness and mercy shall always be with us in our present life, and He will certainly come back for us as He promised.    —Jim Flanigan

 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
—T. O. Chisolm

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

 

Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.    John 2:5

 

Mary knew that the joy and blessing of this marriage feast was dependent on Jesus. For this to become a reality the servants had to do what He told them to do. Obedience to His commands is a prerequisite to every joy and blessing. The words of Jesus, “Fill the waterpots with water,” (John 2:7). was not just good advice; it was essential for the blessing of the marriage. It was also an opportunity for the disciples to prove their obedience. “They filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). Here is an abiding principle, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.”     —Milton Haack

 

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God. —C. D. McAfee

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8

 

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

 

Jeremiah spoke for God in the midst of a rebellious people, and suffered much as a result, but the source of his strength and support was in the Word of God. The Word of God was to Jeremiah as important as his daily food, and the reason why he could rejoice in the midst of affliction. How do we regard the Word of God? Do we hunger for the Word as much as we would for our daily food, and do we take the time to digest what we read? Here is the secret of a joyful Christian life—being fully occupied with the Word of God.    —W. H. Burnett

 

We taste Thee, O Thou living bread! And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee the fountain-head, and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
—Bernard of Clairvaux

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 7; Isaiah 28; 1 Corinthians 7

 

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.    Psalm 22:6

 

What shocking prophetic words concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. “I am a worm.” A nothing. Stepped on. “He is despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:6). Our Saviour voluntarily became the lowest of the low. He identified with His own creation, their guilt and shame, at Calvary. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). Your iniquity and mine. And thus comes grace. “The gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:15). Let it move our hearts with gratitude and praise today.    —Vern Markle

 

Who is this, despised and rejected, who the winepress trod alone?
Who is this by all forsaken, left to comfort there are none? —L. N. Morris

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6

 

Through this man is preached unto you the foregiveness of sins:.
Acts 13:38

 

In a quiet and beautiful cemetery outside New York is a grave marked with a simple tombstone with just one word engraved on it—Forgiven. Who is interred there is not revealed. The occupant chose not to reveal an identity but to assure the passerby of what was really important in life and before death, to be forgiven. —Brian Powlesland

 

Not far from New York, in a cemetery lone,
Close guarding its grave, stands a simple headstone,
And all the inscription is one word alone – Forgiven
The death is unmentioned, the name is untold,
Beneath lies the body, corrupted and cold,
Above rests his spirit, at home in the fold – Forgiven.
—Author Unknown