Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 16-17; Isaiah 11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13 to 3:13

 

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.     Luke 22:31-32

 

The Lord anticipated the fall of Peter but also anticipated his restoration. If one of God’s choicest servants fell, should I be surprised if I fall too? Dear child of God remember falling is not the end! Remorse for past failure is good but don’t stay there and dwell on it. Lift up your eyes and remember we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.     —Sid Halsband

O Lord God of Hosts, us restore to Thy grace,
And then we shall live in the light of Thy face.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 14-15; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1 to 2:12

 

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.    1 Corinthians 10:13

 

Many of us go through trials and testings, and some have sorrowful feelings unknown to even those dearest to us. At times the problems appear “one step too far.” Being on the edge leaves you with a feeling (as the apostle Paul had), that to be with Christ would be far better!  Be patient, wait on God, and the reality of the “escape route” will be shown you.    —Brian Russell

 

Let your drooping heart be glad, march, in heavenly armour clad,
Fight, nor think the battle long, victory soon shall be your song. —K. White

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.    1 Timothy 1:17

 

Jesus Christ is the King and one day every knee will bow to Him. He is the eternal King (King of the ages), whose kingdom will never end. He is King of kings, and we gladly own Him as King of saints (Rev. 15:3). He is immortal and incorruptible. Our King lives in the power of an endless life. He is at this moment an invisible King—not represented by images or art. We have not seen Him but we love Him. He is the only wise God—His Word can be trusted. Let us give Him honour and glory every day of our lives.    —Carl Knott

 

Come let us join our cheerful songs, and thus approach the throne;
Had we ten thousand thousand tongues, our theme of joy’s but one.
—Issac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 11-12; Isaiah 8:5 to 9:7; Luke 24:13-35

 

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? whist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?    Luke 2:49

 

His business should be our business. Sadly sometimes we are too busy being busy. Are you overwhelmed with the pressures and rigours of life? Take care of the Father’s business and the Father will see that you are taken care of. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).        —Robert Gentile

 

Teach me Thy Way, O Lord; Teach me Thy Way!
Thy gracious aid afford; Teach me Thy Way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith less by sight,
Lead me with heav ‘nly light; Teach me Thy Way.
—B. M. Ramsey

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 10; Isaiah 7 to 8:4; Luke 23:47 to 24:12

 

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.    Psalm 18:1

 

The Lord is the strength of our salvation (Ps. 140:7)—the One who is able to exert great power on our behalf day by day. We are strengthened by His Word (Ps. 119:28). Our inner beings are strengthened by power with His Spirit (Eph. 3:16) and by His grace (2 Tim. 2:1). This brings blessing (Ps. 84:5) and “It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace” (Heb. 13:9). Our task is to recognize our own weakness that He might be the strength of our heart.    —L. DeVries

 

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. —E. Mote

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 9; Isaiah 6; Luke 23:13-46

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble … be still and know that I am God … I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:1, 10

 

Be still and know that God is your refuge, your strength, your very help in times of trouble. Stop and remember what He has done for you. Lift up your God and give Him praise and honour. He is a holy God who has provided a way for us to meet His standard of perfection through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way but through the Lord Jesus Christ to come to God the Father. Be still and know He is God and He has saved you from His wrath. He loves you with an everlasting love.    —V. Gaynier

To God be the glory, great things He has done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 8; Isaiah 5; Luke 22:54 to 23:12

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, …  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.    Romans 12:1-2

God’s perfect will is known to those believers who present their bodies as living sacrifices to Him. They refuse to let the world squeeze them into its mould and they renew their mind through the sanctifying power of the Word of God.    —Sid Halsband

 

Who can tell all the love, He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet, we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid. —E. A Hoffman

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 7; Isaiah 3-4; Luke 22:31-53

 

And when he is come, (the Holy Spirit), he will reprove the world of sin … of righteousness … and of judgement.    John 16:8

 

Here is the three-fold work of the Spirit to the lost. He convicts them of sin. Without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, people dead in their trespasses would never know their need for a Saviour. He convicts them of righteousness. The Holy Spirit’s work shatters the pretentions of self righteousness and exposes the futility of working to earn eternal merit with God. He convicts them of judgement. The day of grace continues to provide an open door but judgment is coming. In God’s eyes, Satan is already judged. Oh listen to the faithful message of the Holy Spirit today and be saved.    —Drew Craig

 

Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Ready my God thy will to see, Spirit divine! —C. H. Scott

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 5:13 to 6:27; Isaiah 2; Luke 22:1-30

 

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.    Acts 9:10

 

It is not an easy discipline to provide support in the background for others whom God has called to a more visible role. Although secondary to others, Ananias, whose name means “God is gracious,” was not second rate. There is a vast difference. In God’s sight the Christian who goes on faithfully for Him, even though playing a secondary role, is always first rate and will some day receive the Lord’s “Well done!”    —W. Ross Rainey

It takes more grace than I can tell,
To play the second fiddle well. —Charles H. Spurgeon

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 4 to 5:12; Isaiah 1; Luke 21:5-38

 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother.    John 19:25

 

One can only imagine the feelings of Mary as she courageously stood vigil at the cross. Her beloved Son was being treated so cruelly. Yet there is such eloquence in her silence as she quietly listens to the taunts, the abuse and the jeers being hurled at her precious Son. Not a word does she speak in His defense. And in that moment, she understood the words of old Simeon, “A sword will pierce through thy own soul also” (Luke 2:35). She realized more than ever that He loved her, for He was dying for her sins too! Mary was, in spite of her tears, “rejoicing in God her Saviour” (Luke 1:47). May we too rejoice in His presence today as we worship Him.    —Jim Comte

O love of God most full; O love of God most free,
Come, warm my heart, come fill my soul, come, lead me unto Thee!
—Oscar Clute