Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 12-13; Proverbs 10; 1 Peter 2

 

The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.    Genesis 3:13

 

Ah, yes, the serpent is so charming and persuasive.  Sin can become so alluring, so seemingly legitimate. Does not God want our happiness? And at the moment of temptation Satan promises us happiness. But he is the father of lies and one must turn away from his seductive voice and cling to the word of God. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. Sin will bring sorrow and destruction into your life. God loves you and wants your best. Obey Him.    —Donald Norbie

 

Happy the man whose cautious feet,
Shun the broad way that sinners go,
Who hates the place where atheists meet,
And fears to talk as scoffers do. —I. Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9; 1 Peter 1

 

Every beast that parteth the hoof … and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.     Deuteronomy 14:6
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly … But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.    Psalm 1:1-2

 

There is an interesting similarity between the clean animal and the blessed man. Two things characterized the animal that was acceptable to God. It chewed the cud and it had a parted hoof. So it is with the blessed man. He ruminates the Word that was read earlier, going over it again as he feeds his soul. This meditating process gives him power to walk a separated life, unspotted from the world.    —Sid Halsband

 

I love t’employ the morning light, amongst the statutes of the Lord;
And spend the wakeful hours of night,
with pleasure pond’ring o’er the Word. —Issac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 10:11 to 11:3; Proverbs 8; Jude

 

My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?    Matthew 27:46

 

It is recorded of the Reformation leader, Martin Luther (1483-1546), that he once set himself apart to study and meditate on these profound words of Christ from the cross. When at length he rose from his thoughts, he was heard to exclaim with amazement, “God forsaken of God! Who can understand that?” Have you realized that Christ was forsaken that we might be forgiven? Have you truly believed on Him and availed yourself of His forgiveness?    —W. Ross Rainey

 

Forgiven, forgotten, all cleansed in the blood,
My sins are remembered no more;
Atoned for by Jesus in Calv’ry’s flood,
My sins are remembered no more.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 9 to 10:10; Proverbs 6:20 to 7:27; Mark 16

 

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.    Psalms 34:1

The Lord takes great pleasure in our praise; hence it should be our constant practice. Rare today, the world takes notice when we publicly praise our Saviour. It also sets an example for the saints and can become contagious. Knowledgeable praise displays a deepening relationship with Christ. Constant praise expresses a thankful heart. Today let us look for opportunities to praise Him. With practice it can become as natural as breathing. He is worthy.    —George Ferrier

 

Praise ye the Lord, again, again.
The Spirit strikes the chord;
Not toucheth He our hearts in vain;
We praise, we praise the Lord. —M. B. Peters

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

 

So great salvation.    Hebrews 2:3

 

Why is it great? Because it is of God, not man. It’s Gods great idea. It’s great because of the price paid, the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s great because of the work it accomplishes, complete forgiveness of sin. It’s great because of the transformation it brings, the new birth. It’s great because it doesn’t depend on us. It’s great because it lasts forever. It’s great because it brings us exceeding great and precious promises. It’s great because it’s free! Great should be our praise to our  great God and our Saviour!    —Carl Knott

 

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!
—W. R. Newell

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

 

And there arose a great storm of wind.    Mark 4:37
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.    Mark 4:39

 

Many people are going through tumultuous storms. From physical infirmities to financial burdens to family problems, all are overwhelming. The Lord’s fishermen friends learned long ago in the stormy waves, it is only when Christ is allowed to be Captain of our lives that we experience true peace. For, after He took full control of the vessel, “There was a great calm.” Will you put your faith in the Prince of Peace?    —Bob Cretney

 

The raging storms may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
—Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

 

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the Lord loveth, He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.    Proverbs 3:11-12

 

Does it seem strange to be told here that unpleasant experiences may come upon us? It shouldn’t. Never did the Lord Jesus say that we would be exempt from trials and tribulations. Paul is a good example for us. He experienced great trials but God’s grace and strength were sufficient for his suffering. So we too can rejoice in our troubles knowing that we will profit from them later.    —G. Frear

 

Troubles and trials are sent to us all,
But our Lord is beside us and won’t let us fall;
He’ll carry us through, and give us more grace,
As we look in His Word, and gaze on His face. —G. F.

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 4; Proverbs 1; Mark 14:1-26

 

The print of the nails.    John 20:25
They pierced my hands and my feet.    Psalm 22:16

 

Iron-smelting furnaces have been found in many legionary fortresses throughout the old Roman Empire. Indeed the success of the Roman Empire in its pursuit of world domination was in no small part due to its expertise in the production of iron and shaping implements and weapons from it. Among the many crafted items that they developed were iron nails—large and jagged items. These horrible implements were used to nail him there. In love He stayed.    —Brian Powlesland

 

Was it the nails that bound Thee, Lord Jesus to the tree,
Nay t’was thine everlasting love, Thy love to me, to me.
Oh help me understand it, help me to take it in,
What it meant to Thee the Holy One, to bear away my sin.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 3; Psalms 148-150; Mark 13

 

She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.    Luke 2:7

 

Consider the humble circumstances of the Lord Jesus’ birth. Consider also His humble, obedient walk on earth—lived in poverty, as He went to Calvary: “He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Phil. 2:8). So, too, to those who humble themselves does He reveal Himself. How is your heart today? Is your heart now humbly receptive to the redeeming love of the Saviour?    —Mark Fenn

 

No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
—P. Brooks

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 2; Psalms 146-147; Mark 12:18-44

 

And Ruth said, …  for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.    Ruth 1:16

 

Commitment! It’s in short supply today. Many Christians will follow as long as the way is easy and does not clash with their own desires. The Greek word to “believe” means both to “depend upon”, and to “commit to”. When I trust Christ I am depending upon Him to take my sins away, but I am also making a complete commitment of myself, with all my hopes, ambitions, plans and possessions to Christ—a commitment never to be rescinded. I am saying “I’ll go where You want me to go; I’ll be what You want me to be.”    —David Croudace

 

All for Jesus! All for Jesus! All my being’s ransomed powers,
All my thoughts and words and doings, all my days and all my hours.
—Mary D. James