Category: Uncategorised

2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed. Revelation 5:5
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us… from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:16

The Lion and the Lamb—contrasting images of our Lord. It is surprising which image is emphasized in these verses. The figure of a lamb naturally portrays the qualities of gentleness, vulnerability, and weakness. Yet the whole earth trembled at the presence of the Lamb. By way of contrast, the lion is naturally the king of the jungle; bravery, nobility, and strength are his. Yet on the cross, our Lord withheld employing His strength and gave His life in humility. —Sid Halsband

And now the mighty deed is done, on the cross!
The battle fought, the vict’ry won, on the cross! —J. Hoskins

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 NKJV

No individual can elude death’s grasp, but for the believer, our loss is wrapped in peace, and the emptiness left behind is filled with hope. Take heart in this time of loss. God will hold you near. In the meantime, Jesus holds your loved one in His nail-scarred hands in glory, where they will sing His praises until the day we are all reunited and all sorrows cease. —Alyssa Gee

The only scars in Heaven, they won’t belong to me and you,
There’ll be no such thing as broken, and all the old will be made new;
And the thought that makes me smile now, even as the tears fall down,
Is that the only scars in heaven, are on the hands that hold you now.  —Mark Hall & M. J. West

2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27

It displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Jonah 4:1
Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah 4:4

Jonah’s anger was rooted in God’s unwillingness to bring judgment upon the Ninevites. Even though they had turned
from their wicked ways, Jonah was frustrated with God as he would have preferred judgment to have fallen. When we become dissatisfied with God’s ways and workings in and through us, we need to be challenged about our attitude in the same way God challenged Jonah, learning afresh this truth “As for God, his way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). —Philip A. Kaye

Thy will, O Lord, not mine, teach me to say:
Not my will, Lord, but Thine, I would obey;
Then shall I know the joy and Thy name glorify.
When I, on earth, shall try to follow Thee. —Elizabeth Frazer

2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42

God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NKJV

As a teenager, Joseph had revelations from God in the form of dreams. Yet he did not know exactly how God’s plan would unfold. Undoubtedly, He never envisioned separation from his family, becoming a slave, and years in prison. This is often true in our lives. God is working but often in unexpected and sometimes painful ways. But we rest in this, “that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). May we accept that God will fulfill His perfect purposes in us regardless of circumstances. —Gary McBride

Deep in unfathomable mines,
Of never-failing skill;
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will. —W. Cowper

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:67 NKJV
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes (word). Psalm 119:71 NKJV

The psalmist is here assured that God’s hand of discipline was never vindictive, but always with a caring and loving purpose. We all have times of distress and wonder why. The Father loves and cares for us, reminding us that “No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). —Jim Comte

Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, don’t worry, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by. —W. B. Stevens

1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:3

Between July and November, 2014, a visual art project, entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, was open for public viewing at the Tower of London. 888,246 red ceramic poppies were installed in the moat of the tower. Each poppy represented a British or Commonwealth life lost in the First World War. The effect was stunning. A staggering display of suffering and loss! Millions passed by and paid their respects. Today we remember those who died for our freedom. We are grateful for them and honour their memory. But we also think of another place of suffering, Calvary.
There the precious blood of our Saviour was shed. There He won for us forgiveness, peace with God and a glorious hope. – S. M.

A thankful heart, a simple faith, a life of love in You each day;
Til we are one and face to face, and all is joy and endless praise! —K. Bible

1 Chronicles 28:1-21; Ezekiel 24:1-25:17; John 9:1-17

And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning…And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 13:3-4 NKJV

Abram had gone to Egypt to escape a famine. While there he got rich in sheep and cattle but had no freedom to worship God. Compromise may make us “fat in the land” but we will soon hunger for better things—God Himself. Better to go without, to be in a place where we can worship Him, trusting for our needs. Blessed is the one who clings to the Lord without compromise, even when times are hard. Blessed are we if we do the same! —Deborah Manera

The true Christian ideal is not to be happy, but be holy.  —A. W. Tozer

1 Chronicles 26:1-27:34; Ezekiel 23:1-49; John 8:31-59

The Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Luke 9:58
He said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the Spirit. John 19:30
The napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes. John 20:7

A place to lay one’s head is associated with rest. Our Lord found no rest in the world He created. Taken by His sinful creation, a crown of thorns was placed on His head, and He was nailed to a cross. After completing His sacrifice, He bowed His head and gave up the Spirit. Then for three days, His body lay at rest in the grave. But then—resurrection! It was an event like no other. May we rejoice in it as we remember Him today. —Ken Gross

Looking off unto Jesus, my spirit is blest,
In the world I have turmoil—In Him I have rest. —Anna Warner

1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30

The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places. Philippians 1:12-13

Paul was thrown into prison but realized it was a marvelous opportunity to give the Gospel to those he had never met and who had never heard it before. Whatever adverse circumstances I may face, such as a broken water pipe, an illness, or a financial problem, remember God has allowed them so that others like my plumber, my doctor, my bank manager, and whoever else God may bring into my life, may hear the Gospel. —David Croudace

I love to tell the story; for some have never heard
The message of salvation, from God’s own holy Word.  —Katherine Hankey

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. Mark 5:19

In the task of worldwide evangelism, our Lord calls for action. “Go!” The Gospel is to be proclaimed anywhere and everywhere, to anyone and everyone. Every believer is a missionary, one sent with a message. But where might one begin? Begin at home, telling family and friends of the wonderful difference the Saviour has made in your life. God may not be calling you to cross an ocean to be a soul-winner. He may be simply calling you to go next door and speak to your neighbour. —Clark Logan

Christians, go and tell of Jesus, how He died to save our souls.
How that He, from sin might free us, suffered agonies untold. —E. Hammond