Category: Uncategorised

Peter Lewis writes, “Christ’s Lordship is more glorious here than anywhere else. He could produce the world with a word. But it took His own incarnation and death to produce a church of ransomed sinners.” The Old Testament recounts the preparation for Christ’s coming. Then He came. He walked without sin on the earth, then suffered and died—so that we could be redeemed. Christ asks us to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Have you prepared to worship Him today? —Donald MacMullen

Samuel had anointed David as the future king of Israel. Jonathan, Saul’s heir, had admitted that the throne would be David’s one day. Time and again the Lord rescued David from Saul—yet he still doubted, and decided to go down to the land of the Philistines for safety. We must continually remind ourselves that "our times are in His hand," and when we feel down and defeated, quietly rest in Him, and not panic. —Brian Russell

Jeremiah’s letter to his fellow Jews exiled in Babylon was full of assurance. The Lord would have them know that all was under His control, and that He would accomplish His own good plans for them. Today’s challenge for perplexed believers is the same—to trust the One who in love is planning for them. Be assured that He knows the way through your present adversity. —George Hall

Having rocks for pillows would not be very comfortable. Our Lord had even less comfort—no place to lay His head. Born in a manger He knew no comfort when He came into this world and He had none when He left it. Yet having experienced all that mankind can suffer, He is surely the God of all comfort. May we rest in His compassion today. See from His head, His hands, His feet; —Tom Steere

Entering the Jordan is a picture of entering death. Men enter different ways. Voltaire cried out desperately, “I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months’ life. Then I shall go to hell; and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!” The nurse that attended him exclaimed, “For all the wealth in Europe I would not see another infidel die.” As Stephen was martyred he calmly said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” How will you enter? —R. Surgenor

The power behind the words of Ezekiel did not come from within himself, but from the Spirit of God. Similarly, in Acts, God used humble men, "full of the Holy Spirit," to lead that mighty work that saw thousands saved, and continents evangelized. So often this is forgotten and the Spirit is displaced by man-made programmes and organization, rather than allowing Him to have His way in us and through us. Let us hear again the exhortation of the Lord, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," (Rev. 2:7). —W. H. Burnett

When English Reformer Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), was burned at the stake he first thrust into the flame the hand which had previously signed a document recanting his Christian faith. For him it was a form of penance for his previous weakness. Every year thousands of believers pay the ultimate price of laying down their lives for their faith. Are we praying for the persecuted church, and taking seriously the call on us to be faithful when we encounter militant opposition?—W. Ross Rainey

John records these words of Pilate, spoken twenty centuries ago. Outwardly the listening crowd would have seen a man beaten, bruised, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe of mockery. Not by any means attractive. But what about inwardly? Here was the only sinless Man who ever walked the earth. Every thought, word and deed was in total harmony with a holy God. Here was the only completely fragrant life that was ever lived. No wonder Pilate admitted, “I find no fault in Him,” (John 19:6). These words may have been spoken in derision, yet they thrill the heart of faith. —S. D. B.

We live in a world filled with stress, a world that is unstable in so many ways. But the world is not where we are to look. As believers we need to refocus the eyes of our heart on the only One that gives us true grace and true peace. He loves us with an everlasting love. “His love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure nor end.” We are safe in His keeping and we can trust Him. He is God and we belong to Him. —V. Gaynier

Recently, I noticed a bank that had a rock for its logo. In today’s economic uncertainties, it is apparent that many banks are anything but rocks. God is the only One who will never fail us, and He has consistently proven Himself to be the only One that we can trust in. When all else fails, He will protect us when we place our trust in Him! —Jon Foster