Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

The Apostle Paul saw the cross of Christ as central to all that he
was and did. Everything that he had been, a privileged and passionate
Jewish zealot, now counted for nothing. For him to live was
Christ and to die would be gain. His Lord’s death, burial and resurrection
was the sum total of his life and hope for the future. He now
knew through revelation that all the hatred and sinning of the old
Saul was crucified and buried with Christ and that on the Damascus
Road he had been raised through amazing grace to walk in newness
of life. Do we have his determination? —Drew Craig

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.—E. Mote

DAILY READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet My people
have forgotten Me days without number. Jeremiah 2:32

A bride is not likely to forget her bridal dress on her wedding day,
nor is a mother likely to disregard her nursing child (Isa. 49:15), yet
God bemoans the fact that His people often forget Him. Busy-ness,
materialism, education, entertainment, careers, and even good ministries
can displace our affection for the Lord. Keep first things first—
don’t neglect daily quiet times with the Lord. The first day of forsaking
the Lord can easily become “days without number” and He feels
the loss of each and every one. You will too. —Warren Henderson

In the stillness of Your presence, I hear Your voice serene and mild,
The pure delight of time with Thee; of privileged saints, reconciled. —W. H.

DAILY READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:42

The weakness of the church today is attributable to many things,
not the least of which is worldliness. Horatious Bonar (1808-89) said
many years ago, “I looked for the church, and I found it in the world;
I looked for the world, and I found it in the church.” Imagine what
his reaction would be if he were here today! Occupation with worldly
things so consumed Noah’s generation that the flood came upon
them in swift judgment. In our time it is possible that a similar occupation
with worldliness and materialism may so grip us that we fail
utterly in our Christian service. Let it not be so! —W. Ross Rainey

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

 

DAILY READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. John 3:16

He was a Maori brother who stood by the side of his son’s open
coffin and began speaking with deep sadness in his voice. “Some
years ago,” he said, “my son left home. I missed him so much. How
much more I will miss him now, but, what did it cost God to give His
Son?” It cost Him everything. As we gather to His person today, may
we give Him our heartfelt worship and love. —J. Fleming

As the angels sang from the radiant skies,
That a child, a Son was given,
What did the Father feel that day,
As He looked to earth from heaven?—J. Fleming

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His
star in the east, and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2

The search by the wise men for the new born King reveals four different
responses to the Lord’s birth. With the people, it was ignorance.
They did not know the answer to the question. With the chief
priests it was indifference, since they knew the prophecy and place of
His birth, but failed to act. With Herod it was irritation. He was troubled
with the news of the One who would eventually expose his evil
nature. But with the wise men it was interest, demonstrated by their
diligence in traveling a great distance and their devotion in bringing
Him treasures. What is your response? —Mark Kolchin

Seek with the wise men seek, and ye shall find,
Seeking all the world He came, Saviour of mankind. —B. Winslow

 

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:25
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace. Luke 2:29a

You can almost see the tears well up in faithful old Simeon’s eyes
as He holds the long awaited Saviour in his arms. He holds a babe,
yet He is the Ancient of Days! He is the child born, the Son given and
the eternal One. This is the “Desire of all nations” that Haggai prophesied
about. (Haggai 2:7) His longing eyes had seen God’s salvation,
and he was ready to go “home.” What a hope the Saviour brings at
this Christmas season. “O come let us adore Him.” —Jim Comte

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our
God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Ps. 40:3

Despite life’s experiences, which we know drag us down at times,
a Christian who acknowledges his Lord for all his benefits, with an
attitude of praise, is a great witness. It is lovely when a non-Christian
questions your cheerful demeanour—it’s an open door for witnessing
to the One who does all things well. —Brian Russell

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
He from death to life has brought me;
Son of God with Him to be. —P. P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

While driving my grandson home, we saw a bright “thumb-nail”
moon. He asked why the moon was that shape. I explained that the
moon only reflects the light from the sun. It does not have any light
of its own. Since the sun was on one side of the earth and the moon
on the other, the world was blocking some of the sun’s rays so that
the moon was not shining to its fullest. We are to reflect the light
from our Sun, the Son of God. How much of the world is blocking
our reflection of Him? —Paul Booker

O let your light shine steadily on, that all the world, beholding,
May glorify your Father above, and praise His boundless love.
—Fanny Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2

The devil wants us to look within for assurance of heaven. Have
you lived a good enough life to think you will go to heaven? What
about that outburst of temper yesterday? Or when you looked with
longing at someone who was not your wife or husband? Trusting in
our goodness is to fail. Living faith is not trusting in self but trusting
in Christ and His promises. To look within for assurance is to be filled
with doubt. "Looking away from all else unto Jesus” is the force of the
passage. This will give one assurance and joy. —Donald L. Norbie

Christ has for sin atonement made, what a wonderful Saviour!
We are redeemed! The price is paid! What a wonderful Saviour!—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

The Lord is coming. Not only is He coming, we also want Him to
come, do we not? We are not looking for business success to make
our retirement easy. We are not looking for politicians to make our
lives down here more comfortable. Yes, we must labour in the Gospel
and seek the welfare of the Lord’s people. But over and beyond these
activities is the blessed, certain hope of the Lord’s coming. “Even so,
come Lord Jesus.” —Mark Fenn

My Father’s house on high, home of my soul how near!
At times to faith’s far seeing eye the golden gates appear! —J. M.