Category: Uncategorised

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 29:38 to 30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15

 

“Absent from the body and present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). What a wonderful truth to rest upon. His saints are those who truly believe Christ died for them. They are His Bride—the Church. The death of a believer is also the answer to the Lord’s prayer, “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, be with Me where I am” (John 17:24). What a joy we have ahead!     —E. MacLelland

 

He and I in that bright glory,
One deep joy shall share;
Mine, to be for ever with Him,
His, that I am there.
—P. Gerhardt

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76-77; Acts 17:1-15

 

Then they came to Philip, … and asked him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.    John 12:21 (NKJV)

 

Do you have a wish list? Most of us do. If you could have only one wish, what would it be? Some Greeks wished to see Jesus. They took their request to Philip who told Andrew who told Jesus. The Lord’s response made it possible for all who wish to see Him to have their wish granted. He would soon be crucified for all to see. From that moment on, those who believe on Him will one day see Him face to face. It will be our wish come true!    —Rex Trogdon

 

Face to face I shall behold Him, far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!
—C. E. Breck

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74-75; Acts 16:16-40

 

Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.    Psalm 45:2

 

In this lovely Messianic psalm, the Psalmist is totally occupied with Christ. He outlines the indescribable excellencies of His person and the sweetness of His words. Even the officers could say, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). As Jesus closed the book of Isaiah and took His seat in the synagogue, “They marvelled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). Yet the sweetest words, that He ever spoke, were heard at Calvary, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).     —Jim Comte

 

The more I see His beauty, the more I know His grace;
The more I long, unhindered, to gaze upon His face.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 27:20 to 28:14; Psalm 73; Acts 15:36 to 16:15

 

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.     Hebrews 10:12
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.     Acts 7:55

 

Jesus sat down as the victorious Monarch, His work completed, His foes vanquished. Yet this glorious one graciously rises from his throne and stands to welcome and honour his beloved servants as they arrive in His presence. What a Saviour!    —Sid Halsband

 

He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, whose mercy faileth never.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:31 to 27:19; Psalm 72; Acts 15:22-35

 

I will make him an help meet for him.    Genesis 2:18

 

In the creation narrative God creates the man first and then the woman. The man needs a mate to pass on his life. But his wife is to be much more than that. She is to be his companion and a helper for life. The man is to be the leader and she is to be his beloved supporter. The Lord thus spells out their distinctive roles in marriage. Women should marry a man they can follow and respect. The man is to be the provider, the protector and leader. There will be happiness in a marriage as each fulfills their role.    —Donald L. Norbie

 

Lord, I would be as Thou art; give me Thine obedient heart;
Thou art pitiful and kind, let me have Thy loving mind.
Let me, above all, fulfill, God my heav’nly Father’s will;
Never His good Spirit grieve; only to His glory live. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70-71; Acts 15:1-21

 

When [Barnabas] had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and [encouraged] them all, that with purpose of heart they would cling to the Lord.    Acts 11:23

 

One of the most needful ministries among the people of God today is that of the encourager. There is so much to be discouraged about. When we look at business and industry, government, the medical field, the educational world, international finance, there seems to be confusion on every hand. How blessed to have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us when we need encouragement (John 14:16). David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Sam. 30:6). Who can you encourage today?    —William Gustafson

 

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
—C. D. Martin

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 25; Psalm 69; Acts 14

 

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?    John 11:40

 

John 11 is a story of sovereignty, sympathy, and supremacy. In sovereignty the Saviour delayed coming to Bethany for two days. When He did come He came in real sympathy, mingling His silent tears with those of the weeping sisters. He then displayed His supremacy in calling Lazarus out from his tomb. Sovereignty had more in mind for them than the healing of their brother, and so the delay. If at times He seems not to answer our prayers we must remember His word to Martha, that if only we would trust we would see the glory.    —Jim Flanigan

 

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, on Thy name I call,
I am trusting Thee for ever, and for all.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 24; Psalm 68; Acts 13:26-52

 

So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him.     1 Samuel 19:18

 

How much David must have appreciated having an older spiritual man to resort to, and unload all his troubles. Thank God for those men and women, older and experienced in the faith, who are not only prepared to listen, but dispense comfort and advice. Senior saints, make sure that your home and telephone lines are open to other believers, especially the younger ones. Your presence and help is vital in these last difficult days.     —Brian Russell

 

But thou art near and with us, still to keep us on the way,
That leads along the vale of tears, to the bright world of day.
—E. Denny

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66-67; Acts 13:1-25

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.    Isaiah 6:5

 

What made Isaiah so small? His eyes had seen the King! What a lesson for us. The more we see of the beauty and majesty of the King, the smaller we will become. Isaiah was a good prophet, and humanly speaking could have thought very highly of himself, but this was not so. Here is true meekness. He saw himself in the true light of the King, the Lord of Hosts. Do we measure ourselves by others or by the King? “In me (that is, my flesh) dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18).        —Harold G. Smith

 

Once our blessed Christ of beauty, was veiled off from human view;
But thro’ suffering death and sorrow, He has rent the veil in two. —Herrell

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 22 to 23:9; Psalms 64-65; Acts 12

 

Now unto the king eternal … be honour and glory forever and ever.  Amen.    1 Timothy 1:17

 

Men rose as Britain’s king entered the room. “Please take your seats, gentlemen,” he said. Then jokingly added, “I’m not the Lord you know.” “No, your highness,” replied one of the group, “if you were, we would have gone to our knees.” Such was the response of adoring wise men to our beloved Lord as they gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are joined today by blood-bought believers who praise and adore their living, loving Lord Jesus Christ.        —Arnot P. McIntee

 

Glory, glory, everlasting, be to Him who bore the cross,
Who redeemed our souls by tasting death, the death deserved by us.
—T. Kelly