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DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Ezekiel 46; John 21

 

 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11

 

Christians know that exaggerating, lying, gossiping, arguing, or any other negative habits are wrong. They may be ashamed and apologetic about it; tearfully confessing and resolving never to do it again. But they have no power and will never quit until they attend to what God’s Word says about it. Scripture will identify these things as an offense to our Father, not merely an embarrassment. Meditation on an appropriate verse puts the sword of the Spirit in the believer’s hand; a word from God for the moment of temptation. “It is written” has power for one born of the Spirit. —C. F. Anderson

 

O may I find my armour there; Thy word my trusty sword;
I’ll learn to fight with every foe, the battle of the Lord. —Edwin Hodder

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

 

 

The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:13

 

In his parting charge to Timothy, Paul declared that he had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. Yet, he was not satisfied to sit idle until Nero took his life. As long as God granted him breath, he wanted to study God’s Word (likely “the parchments” of our verse) in order to encourage himself and edify others. Until God’s work for us is complete we are immortal and invincible, and when it is finished, we, like Paul, will rejoice in Christ’s presence. —Warren A. Henderson

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. —Henry Lyte

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

 

He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. John 15:23

 

Several religions give Jesus respect as a man or a lesser god, but fail to honour Him as the Father’s equal. Others deny Him outright as a deceiver or a sorcerer, while still affirming their supposed belief in God. This verse makes it apparent, however, that one’s attitude to the Son is reflective of their feeling for the Father. If they love the Son, the Father will receive them as His own. If they abhor Christ, His Father will reject them. Do you worship the true God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? —Keith Keyser

O God, we see Thee in the Lamb, to be our hope, our joy, our rest;
The glories that compose Thy name, standing engaged to make us blest.—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

 

Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7

 

Job’s friends were not very encouraging. But the truth is that life can be difficult at times. It is a false message that assures people that if they accept Christ they will become wealthy and healthy. Very godly people may be poor their whole lives and troubled with health problems. But the good news is that God is committed to us and will never leave us (Heb. 13:5). God in His grace will work all of these trials into a tapestry of beauty according to His providential design (Rom. 8:28). Praise God! —Donald L. Norbie

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.—William Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

 

If at the next coronation ceremony in Britain historical protocol is followed, then at some point in the proceedings a Bible will be presented to the new monarch with the words “We present you with this Book, the most valuable thing this world affords. Here is wisdom. This is the Royal Law. These are the living oracles of God.” There are millions of people in the world who would like to be able to read a copy of the Bible in their own tongue. Pray that this will happen and if you own a copy, you should treasure it and read it daily. —Brian Powlesland

The best book to read is the Bible!
If you read it every day, it will help you on your way,
Oh the best book to read is the Bible! —Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

 

God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name. Philippians 2:9

 

Because of what the Lord Jesus did at the cross, He now occupies the place of highest honour at the right Hand of God. His name is unique, supreme, beyond compare, excelling all other names. May our hearts respond with a resounding amen! May we highly value being identified with all those who give Him the highest place and may we rejoice as we come together to worship Him today. —Mark Fenn

Behold the Lamb with glory crowned!
To Him all power be given;
No place too high for Him is found,
No place too high in heaven. —T. Kelly

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

 

 

And the Lord showed him a tree which when he had cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. Exodus 15:25

 

 

Three days. Sun. Heat. Dust. Dryness. No water. Then a tell tale shimmer and sparkle. Eager with thirst the Israelites rushed to the water, only to find it bitter. One of life’s hardest tests is to endure a lengthy trial and then think it is over—only to find it has gotten worse. All the defenses we erected to struggle on are now dismantled and we feel betrayed. This is where faith comes fully to the fore. Will we trust—even then? At just the right time the Saviour will immerse Himself into the trial with us. And His purpose for us and His presence with us will make the bitter sweet. —S. McEachern

Grant that I may never, fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever, cast my care on Thee. —J. Montgomery

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

 

I the LORD search the heart. Jeremiah 17:10

 

Reading what the prophets say about our heart is like going from one physician to another and getting bad news at every turn. Moses says that our hearts are proud and lifted up. Isaiah tells us that our hearts are dull and distant. Jeremiah declares the heart to be deceitful above all else and desperately wicked. Time for another opinion? No. We must go to the Lord, the great Physician, who searches the heart. He not only knows us best and loves us most, but He alone is able to change us. He always starts at the heart. —Rex Trogdon

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray,
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

 

Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me. And I know Thou hearest me always. John 11:41-42

In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

 

It is beyond human understanding that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, would be thanking God for hearing him. We might say something like that in order to convince someone to listen to us. But our Lord knew the Father always heard him. However, he was displaying a powerful object lesson for us. God answers the prayers of thankful hearts. Lord, give us hearts filled with thanksgiving, today and every day.—Ken Gross

Rejoice, ye pure in heart, rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.—Edward H. Plumptre

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

 

 

I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, who gave them Me, is greater than all: no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28-29

 

 

Oh how precious are the “hands” of our Father and His Son. In these verses the Lord assures us we have eternal life and we shall never perish. This safety is a double work of Father and Son. We are safe in our Saviour’s hand and in His Father’s hand too. The end result of this is rendered in a double negative in the original, “They shall never no never perish!” How thankful we should be for the hands that bear the marks of Calvary and keep us eternally secure. —Dave Spearing

 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There, by His love overshadowed, sweetly my soul shall rest. —F. J. Crosby