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DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

 

 

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

It had been an extremely hard time when my husband received this note. “This short letter comes to you with much love and prayer. I do not know what situation you are in or how you are, but I want to let you know that you are special… and I appreciate you very much.” The letter concluded with a poem. Its last line said, “But only at ‘Wit’s End Corner’ is the God who is able proved.” The next day God worked a miracle for us, but the value of that encouragement continues to this day.—J. Fleming

 

O give Thine own sweet rest to me, that I may speak with soothing power;
A word in season, as from Thee, to weary ones in needful hour.—Francis R. Havergal

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

 

 

Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22

 

Years ago, on a snowy winter Sunday morning, in Essex, England, a young boy took his mother’s advice and went to a Primitive Methodist Chapel. Because of the weather, the minister hadn’t shown up. A “layman” from the little congregation took his place and expounded repeatedly on the above verse. Addressing the visitor he said: “Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! You have nothing to do but to look and live.” Charles Spurgeon looked and was saved. —E. MacLelland

Life is offered unto you, Hallelujah!
Eternal life your soul shall have,
If you only look to Him, Hallelujah!
Look to Jesus who alone can save. —William A. Ogden

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

 

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:10

 

This verse was fulfilled at the cross and will be fully realized when Christ returns. Four divine attributes are mentioned here and come to us because of Christ’s death. Mercy flows from God’s heart because of Calvary (Eph 2:4). All the demands of His holy truth were met there. Thus we stand in His righteousness and in all of His acceptability. We now enjoy perfect peace, for He is our peace (Eph. 2:14). Rejoice in the blessed position He has placed you in today. —Jim Comte

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. —Edward H. Bickersteth

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

 

And they shall take away the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth thereon. Numbers 4:13

 

When it comes to the outer covering of the tabernacle, badger’s skins were used. They were not particularly attractive to the human eye, and speak of Christ’s cloak of humility when He came to earth. In contrast, the ashes indicate a sacrifice has been offered, and they were to be covered and carried in a purple cloth. Calvary and the sacrifice offered will always be the most precious event to God, and should always be hallowed by us. There should not be a day when we do not thank God for it. —Brian Russell

Calvary, O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea,
Love, eternal love to me, Jesus we adore thee. —S Francis

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

 

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Acts 1:1

And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. Mark 6:30

 

Note the order. “Do and teach”. Doing should always come before teaching. It was the example of our Lord and also His apostles. It is in the measure that we do things that qualifies us to teach them. Brethren if we want our words to be more than tinkling cymbals let us be careful to back them up with a life that exemplifies what we teach. Let’s be careful to practice what we preach. —Sid Halsband

 

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing O Savior I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.—Ira B. Wilson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

 

They gathered manna every morning. Exodus 16:21

They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. Joshua 5:12

 

As long as Israel remained in the wilderness they were like new born babes who needed the special wilderness diet of manna. After Israel arrived in Canaan, their diet changed to include the, “old corn of the land” (Josh 5:12). Carnal believers never mature in their longings, but the spiritual believer’s diet will change from milk, to meat—moving into a deeper understanding of Christ and the Christian experience. May God help us to long for deeper things. —Milton Haack

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God. —C. McAfee

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

 

 

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:8

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed. 2 Timothy 1:12

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. 2 Timothy 1:16

 

Here are three things of which we should not be ashamed: the testimony of our Lord, persecution for that testimony, and those who are persecuted for that testimony. Are we committed to an unashamed testimony of the Lord? Are we committed to our brothers and sisters who are unashamed of the testimony of the Lord? —Tom Steere

 

There with unwearied gaze, our eyes on Him we’ll rest,
And satisfy with endless praise, a heart supremely blest. —J. Montgomery

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

 

When Aquila and Priscilla had heard [Apollos], they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26

 

This couple didn’t write a book or plant a church. There is no record of them preaching a sermon. But in their own way they did much to expand God’s work. A young man came into their midst, a man with a powerful gift in the Scriptures. However, they perceived some lack, and so they took him under their wing and mentored him. What an appropriate idiom! Couples, you can make a huge impact on the work of God by quietly and graciously discipling those young Apollos-types that come into your assembly! —Norman Craig Funston

 

I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait. —A. Waring

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36

 

Alexander the Great was arguably the greatest conqueror in history. He captured many lands and his empire grew larger and larger. Yet at the age of 32 Alexander passed out of time into eternity. Many people today place great emphasis on possessions and material goods rather than thinking about their soul. Your soul’s salvation is far more important. To be saved is the most important thing in your life, far more important than material prosperity. We do not know what time we have left. May you make the right decision today! —John M. Clegg

 

Take the world, but give me Jesus, all its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever, through eternal years the same. —Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

 

Remember the battle, do no more. Job 41:8

 

Some battles are more memorable than others whether won or lost. When the fighting has been fierce and costly, the battle is vividly remembered by both winners and losers. The greatest and most significant battle ever waged was at Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ, though sore wounded and trodden underfoot, was victorious over sin and death and hell. This was the battle of all battles and now that it is over there is nothing more to do than to remember it. The victory was final and once for all. While there is nothing to add to the work of the cross we do remember the battle, its participants and our ensuing blessings. —Roy Hill

 

On Calv’ry’s brow, my Saviour died, ’twas there my Lord was crucified: ‘
Twas on the cross He bled for me, and purchased there my pardon free.—W. M’K. Darwood