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A life without the fruit of the Spirit testifies to a life without the fellowship of the Son. A fair show of leaves there may be, but without Him, no fruit! Nothing to glorify the Father who loves us. Nothing to magnify the Son who died for us. Nothing to satisfy the needy around us. Nothing to justify the life behind us. May God preserve us from such barreness! —J. B. N.

The joy of the Lord does not depend on circumstances. It is the condition of our heart and our communion with the Lord that counts. Philippians is sometimes called the “Joy Book,” yet Paul's experience at Philippi seemed anything but joyful. He and his companion were unjustly put in a horrible prison, their backs bleeding and their hands and feet in stocks. Yet they rejoiced that the Lord was with them, listening to their songs and prayers. They rejoiced in their opportunity to witness to their jailor. They rejoiced to see his salvation and also that of his family. If we look, we too will find many reasons for joy today.—Milton Haack

Only the perfect Man could say “I am meek” and remain so. If other men said it there would, paradoxically, be a tinge of arrogance or pride in their meekness. But meekness is one facet of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23), and our Lord Jesus bore that fruit in its fullness. Paul could say, “I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:1), and he urges that meekness upon us who love the Saviour (Col. 3:12). —Jim Flanigan

How can God conclude this when many people appear decent and upright? Scripture says, "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart,” (1Sam. 16:7). "There is none righteous, no, not one," (Rom. 3:10). How then can we be made right with God? "Cast away from you all your transgressions…make you a new heart, and a new spirit: for why will ye die?” (Ezek. 18:31). Dear unsaved one, why not confess your iniquities today, and turn to Christ to receive a new heart, and the gift of eternal life. —W. H. Burnett

Here from Elisha’s grave a light shines forth like the afterglow of the setting sun. Contact with the mortal remains of the prophet brought a dead man back to life and enabled him to stand up for all to see. Similarly if our lives are truly lived for God, it may be that, even after we ourselves are at home in heaven, something we once said or did down here could eventually bring some needy soul to new life in Christ and enable them, in the power of that life to stand up for Him. —W. P. M.

These days we can live such busy lives that time is often at a premium for the things of God. Make sure that if you receive some special word from the Lord in the Scriptures, that you write it down in a way which will benefit you and others in the daily round of life. Make your notes brief and to the point, so that he that is rushing along can read them, be spoken to and blessed. May the Lord bless this calendar this year. —Brian Russell

The Lord Jesus revealed to His disciples the purpose of their journey to Jerusalem but they couldn’t fully grasp the significance of all that was before Him. They wanted a conquering King, rather than a suffering Saviour. But He must suffer and shed His precious blood. It was all part of the purposes of God for our salvation. On this Lord’s day will you remember Him in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup? —James Comte