Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20 to 21:11; James 4:13-5:20

 

Jesus … saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.    John 19:26-27

 

On a day when people of the world think of their mothers, it becomes us too to remind ourselves that in the midst of His anguish on the cross the Lord Jesus thought of His mother. He ensured that she would have a home to stay in as He was about to leave for His heavenly home. It manifests to us the depths of our Saviour’s selfless love. Even in His hour of deepest woe, His heart was moved with the needs of others. What a Saviour we have come to worship today.    —K. C. Ung

 

I will sing of Jesus’ love, sing of Him who first loved me;
For He left bright worlds above, and died on Calvary. —F. E. Belden

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19; James 3 to 4:12

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.    Isaiah 55:8

 

Consider how contrary to our thinking are God’s ways. Regarding fame, God says, “He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant … and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:11-12). Regarding wealth, it is written: “There is he that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches” (Prov. 13:7). And regarding our soul’s salvation the most blessed contradiction of all—we must be made white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isa. 1:18).    —D. Pickup

 

Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? —E. A. Hoffman

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 21; Proverbs 18; James 2

 

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.    Isaiah 46:4

 

Dear aged saint, sometimes the golden age is not so golden. Do you feel lonely, worry about your physical ailments, your financial distress and an uncertain future? Place your burdens at the feet of the one who is called the Ancient of Days, (Dan. 7:9). He understands (Ps. 139:2); He cares (1 Pet. 5:7); He is able (Eph. 3:20). He has made you. He will bear and carry you and deliver you today.    —Robert Gentile

 

Our times are in Thy hand;
Father, we wish them there!
Our life, our souls, our all,
We leave entirely to Thy care. —W. Lloyd

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 20; Proverbs 17; James 1

 

If we believe not (are unfaithful), yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself.    2 Timothy 2:13

 

Thankfully our salvation does not depend upon our faithfulness or consistency, but on His never changing faithfulness. “Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13.8). “His compassions …  are new every morning” (Lam. 3:22-23). Rest your weary soul on those truths!    —William Gustafson

 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
—T. O. Chisholm

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 19; Proverbs 16; 2 Peter 3

 

Jesus wept.    John 11:35

 

It may indeed be the shortest verse in our Bible, but is it also the sweetest? How tender and how blessed! What a spectacle! The Son of God, the Lord of Glory, shedding silent tears in heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved sisters of Bethany. The tears of Jesus reveal His true and perfect Manhood; they express, without words, His feelings for His sorrowing people, and His oneness with those who weep. His heart is still the same—He knows, He loves, and He cares.    —Jim Flanigan

 

Be still my soul—when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy tears.
—K. von Schlegel

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 18; Proverbs 15; 2 Peter 2

 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4

 

We have a thriving baby in our home. It is such a thrill to watch him as he begins to walk, to talk and to grow. As he explores new things, he needs our loving help to keep him safe, to guide him, and to encourage him. Do we treat spiritual babies with such care? Are we patient with them if they fall? Are we clear, but tender, in the guidance we offer? Do we delight to see them growing? What joy we will experience if we do!    —L. Shatford

 

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
Let us gather jewels for a crown above.
—C. H. Gabrie

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:41 to 17:13; Proverbs 14; 2 Peter 1

 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12

 

Is it right or wrong for the Christian to do this or that—to go here or there? If in doubt see what God says. Answer the following questions.  Is it of the world? (1 John 2:15). Is it to the glory of God? (1 Cor. 10:31). Can you ask God’s blessing on it? (Phil. 2:13). Is it a stumbling block to others? (Rom. 14:13). Does it have an appearance of evil? (1 Thess. 5:22). Is it a weight? (Heb. 12:1). Is it honouring to Christ’s name? (Col. 3:17).    —E. MacLelland

 

God gives the answers in His Word!
So rest thereon today,
Its light will shine upon your path,
And guide you all the way. —E. M.

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13; 1 Peter 5

 

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.     John 1:29

 

“The Lamb of God” is the most unique title given to God’s Son. John saw the Lord Jesus coming towards him and cried out in a spontaneous tribute, “Behold the Lamb of God.” In so doing he drew the attention away from himself and focused solely on the “Lamb of God.” William Barclay writes, “One word (Lamb) sums up the love, the sacrifice, the suffering and the triumph of Christ.” John recognizes that this Lamb alone can effectually deal with the sin problem. The Lamb not only took our guilt, but He took our sin out of the way, once for all, (Heb. 10:12). Thank God for the sacrifice of the Lamb.    —Jim Comte

 

Precious Lamb of glory, love’s most wondrous story,
Heart of God’s redemption of man—worship the Lamb of glory.
—Steve Green

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 15; Proverbs 12; 1 Peter 4

 

And [Samuel’s] sons walked not in his ways.    1 Samuel 8:3

 

How many times in the Old Testament have great men of God suffered heartache because of their children’s failure to follow on.  This should bring a response from us who have been blessed with believing children. Firstly, thank the Lord for his goodness to us—salvation is not inherited! Secondly, pray for those families who have done their utmost to instruct their children in the right paths, that they will be blessed by seeing children and grandchildren saved, or restored, later in life.    —Brian Russell

 

We ask not for them wealth or fame,
Amid the worldly strife;
But in Thy all prevailing name,
We ask eternal life. —Thomas Hastings

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 14; Proverbs 11; 1 Peter 3

 

For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord; and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him.    Numbers 16:11

 

Progress towards Canaan had stalled because of Israelite disbelief. The strongest attack on God’s leadership and order for Israel occurred at this time. Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, but God viewed that assault as being against Himself and took drastic measures to quell the revolt. If the vitality of your local fellowship is waning, do not rebel against the Lord’s leadership or His order for His Church. Rather, remove what is hindering good body-life: complacency, pride, and selfish attitudes.    —W. A. H.

 

Sprinkle Thy blood upon my heart, and melt it by Thy dying love;
This rebel heart by love subdue, and make it soft, and make it new.
—Charles Wesley