Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

 

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:4b

 

As I rowed down the bay I couldn’t help but notice the water dripping from my oars. Each droplet was so tiny, but upon touching the water it began to spread in an ever increasing circle. Maybe you feel your witness is small. In God’s hands it can become far greater. Perhaps you should become involved in an outreach. Put your hand into the Master’s hand and step out in faith. Think of what Jesus did when one small boy shared his lunch. He can use you if you let Him. —J. Fleming

Give me a vision of the lost, who walk the road to hell,
And grant me courage everyday; the words of life to tell,
That neighbours, friends, acquaintances and family may hear,
The message that can change their life and bring them hope and cheer.
—J. Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 16; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

 

I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe…
Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)

 

Habakkuk had just asked God some tough questions. How long are you going to ignore my cries for help? Why am I faced with wickedness and trouble? Why is evil going unpunished? God was neither cross with Habakkuk for his questions nor was He caught sleeping. He was at work; His answer was growing, maturing, ripening and meanwhile Habakkuk was learning to know the heart of his God—always loving, always listening, always answering.     —M. MacMullen

 

Speak Lord in the stillness while I wait on Thee,
Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy.
—E. M. Grimes

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 15; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

 

And they continued steadfastly together in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.    Acts 2:42

 

The encyclopedia tells us that the giant redwood trees attain the height of 200-300 feet, yet their root system may reach no deeper than 6-12 feet, with major roots being only one inch in diameter. But they typically spread 50-80 feet. One way these trees maintain strength for many years is by growing close together and mingling their roots. Believers can learn from them, to spread our roots wide; to bond together in love; to uphold one another in difficult times. Our testimony will thus be strengthened, and we will be an effective witness to the world around us.    —E. Dyck

 

We will work with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land. —P. Scholtes

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near.    Hebrews 10:19

 

When on holiday, I like to visit a Jewish synagogue where one exists. Most have wall cabinets containing the Torah scrolls. Above it is invariably a plaque with Hebrew script, interpreted as “Know Before Whom You Stand.” The inference is to have a sense of privilege, responsibility and awe in the presence of God and his Word. When Christians approach God boldly in prayer, this does not mean to come brashly or casually but rather that in the choice of words used and attitude of mind adopted, we give Him the respect He deserves.        —Brian Powlesland

 

The holiest we enter, in perfect peace with God;
Through whom we’ve found our centre, in Jesus and His blood.
—S. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41

 

Who being the brightness of His glory … when He had by Himself purged our sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3
Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour.    Hebrews 2:9
Who … endured the cross … and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.    Hebrews 12:2

 

May our hearts rise in true worship as we meditate upon our Lord today. The amazing stoop He made to go to the cross. His awful
sufferings as He bore our sin. Then the awesome sight of the lovely Man of Calvary, now exalted far above all!    —Pete Smith

 

We love Thee for the glorious worth which in Thyself we see;
We love Thee for the shameful cross, endured so patiently.
—Joseph Stennett

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 13:24-59; Psalm 118; Mark 4:1-20

 

In all things, show thyself a pattern of good works.    Titus 2:7

 

For the Christian, every day is full of opportunities—opportunities for the Lord: to speak for Him, to represent Him, to be His ambassadors in a world that does not know Him. Our constant aim should always be to do those things that please Him (Heb. 13:20-21), to be accepted of Him (2 Cor. 5:9) and found in Him (Phil. 3:10). In a day when everyone is encouraged to make their personal lives public, let us use every opportunity to honour Him by showing ourselves a pattern of good works.    —Mark Kolchin

 

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day;
By things that you do; by things you say.
Others read that gospel, whether faithless or true!
Say! What is the gospel according to you? —L. Brownlow

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 12 to 13:23; Psalms 116-117; Mark 3:13-35

 

The angels ministered unto Him.    Mark 1:13

 

The word “ministered” is the word from which we get our word “deacons.” What privileged servants these angels were! Their Lord was in a barren wilderness. He had been assailed by the Devil; He was hungry, and must have been weary too (Luke 4:2). These angelic beings became His deacons, serving Him in the wilderness! It is still a privilege and joy, in the wilderness of a barren world, to minister for Him and to Him.    —Jim Flanigan

 

May none but Jesus only,
Our praises here employ,
To serve Him and Him only,
Our chiefest aim and joy.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 11; Psalms 113-115; Mark 2:23 to 3:12

 

Great is thy faithfulness.    Lamentations 3:23
The faithful fail from among the children of men    Psalm 12:1

 

These are wonderful words that thrill our souls, and rightly we love to sing them! But what about our faithfulness to God? He desires and deserves it. Are we faithful in our love for Him or have we left our first love? Many now profess Christ but love the world. Are we faithful stewards (1 Cor. 4:2), or stingy and selfish? Many love materialism and pleasure more than God. Are we faithful to the Word (2 Tim. 2:2) or contemporary so as to please others? Brethren, let us be faithful to God, whatever the cost!    —Carl Knott

 

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, however dark may be!
Lead me by Thine own hand of love, choose out the path for me.
—Horatius Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 10; Psalms 111-112; Mark 2:1-22

 

The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.    Psalm 84:11

 

How generous a giver is our Father! Like the sun, He is unfailing in His generosity. In addition, when troubles assail us, He is our shield, protecting us from “the fiery darts” (Eph. 6:16) of our subtle foe. His resources of grace are boundless, and when our journey ends, we have the assurance of glory! Let us aim to “walk uprightly,” in response to His rich grace.    —G. Hall

 

Sun and Shield, O Lord art Thou, Sun and Shield forever!
Never wilt Thou cease to shine, cease to guard us never!
—Horatius Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 9; Psalms 109-110; Mark 1:21-45

 

And Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.     1 Samuel 7:9b
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16b

 

Before  my mother-in-law was called home to heaven, if there was a major problem with a family member, she was the one we resorted to first and asked her to pray about the situation. Why? She was a righteous and virtuous woman who had a link in prayer with her Lord that was an example to us all. Prayer works—especially when offered by a righteous brother or sister.    —Brian Russell

 

There is a spot where spirits blend, and friend holds fellowship with friend;
Tho’ sundered far, by faith they meet, around one common mercy seat.
—H. Stowell