Category: Uncategorised

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

And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath
given me in this place. Genesis 48:9a

Separation from family, slavery, and unjust imprisonment failed to
derail God’s purposes for Joseph. In his exaltation, the Lord gave him
two sons. Likewise, Christ has gained offspring through his unparalleled
sufferings, saying “Behold I and the children which God hath
given me” (Heb. 2:13). Have patience in life’s trials and He will eventually
accomplish His will for you, even bringing you to glory as His
son (Heb. 2:10). —Keith Keyser

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all—ere in the love of Christ I stand. —Getty and Townsend

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

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where
art thou? Genesis 3:9

God misses His child. That hour of fellowship was much to Adam,
and it was more to God. God’s love craves fellowship. How sad when
that beautiful fellowship was broken by sin and disobedience. God
sought His child. He did not wait till Adam found his way back to
His side, but He hastened in search of him. God knew the answer to
the question, “Where art thou?” but Adam didn’t understand that he
was lost, condemned and ready to die—just as many today don’t
realize it. Still the good Shepherd is seeking lost sheep to bring them
home to the eternal fold. Have you come to Him? —Milton Haack

Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating, wanderers on the mountain astray;
Come unto Me, His message repeating, words of the Master speaking today. —Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 26-27; Ezekiel 23; John 8:31-59

Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things
that are commanded thee of God. Acts 10:33b

These words to Peter by Cornelius demonstrated his personal faith
in the Lord along with those assembled with him. They understood
that the apostle’s words were in fact God’s–a heaven-sent message
designed exclusively for them. Whenever the Word of God is faithfully
delivered by one of His servants, we can count on the fact that
God is speaking to us through His unchanging Word, delivered at the
right time by the right person with the right message to the right people.
The heart that wants to learn will be ready to hear. God is speaking—
are we listening? —Mark Kolchin

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth, waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth; Master! let it now be heard.—Anon.

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

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but
the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. John 21:4

This must have been an amazing morning for those tired, cold and
weary disciples. They toiled all night for fish to feed their hunger, to
no avail. Trusting in their own efforts and expertise as fisherman they
came up with nothing. But Jesus stood on the shore! What they needed,
the Lord provided in the way He alone could. The Creator of the
universe had the fish ready on the fire. He is still the same today—
able to provide in unique ways to those who trust Him alone for their
needs. —Jim Paul

Every need He is supplying, plenteous grace He bestows;
Every day my way gets brighter, the longer I serve Him;
The sweeter He grows! —Bill Gaither

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chron. 22-23; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

I restored that which I took not away. Psalm 69:4

Because of sin, Adam lost his peace, for he was afraid. The last
Adam, the Lord Jesus, gives peace to those who believe, “My peace I
give unto you” (John 14:27). He gives position, “Beloved, now are we
the sons of God” (1 John 3:2). He gives possessions, “the riches of His
grace” (Ephesians 1:7), “the riches of His goodness” (Romans 2:4),
and "the riches of his glory” (Phil. 4:19). Truly we “are satisfied with
favour, and full with the blessings of the Lord". —Neil Dougal

Satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus, I am blest;
Peace which passeth understanding, on Thy breast;
No more doubting, no more trembling,
Oh, what rest! Oh, what rest!—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 21; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

Salvation is the key theme of this text, and three things are readily
observed about it. First, its narrowness—“neither is there salvation in
any other” (see John 14:6). Second, its name—“there is none other
name under heaven given among men” (see Matt. 1:21). Third, its
necessity—“whereby we must be saved” (see John 3:7). Have you
received this salvation through simple faith in Christ?
—W. Ross Rainey

We love to sing of the Lord who died, and His wondrous love proclaim;
How there’s life and peace thro’ the Crucified, and salvation thro’ His name.
—T. D. W. Muir

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 19-20; Ezekiel 18-19; John 6:41 to 7:11

That ye may be blameless and harmless…in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:15

The high-beam glare of an on-coming car at night can blind and
annoy us. How about our witness? Is it a glare to the world or are we
like the moon, which absorbs the rays of the sun and reflects them back
to earth shining with a soft glow. All believers are reflectors of the
source of Light, God’s Son. We represent the altogether lovely One.
May our reflection be the same, with love and concern. —E. Dyck

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us,
Ev’ry day and ev’ry hour. —Mary E. Maxwell

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 17-18; Ezekiel 17; John 6:22-40

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak
unto you the Gospel of God with much contention. 1 Thess. 2:2
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

In the church at Philippi were the jailer and probably others who
(before their conversion) had seized Paul, dragged him to the marketplace,
falsely accused him, severely beaten him, thrown him in
jail, then put him in stocks. How can he be thankful for every remembrance
of them? The secret is in Philippians 1:12. It all resulted in "the
furtherance of the Gospel”. When wronged, we too can give thanks
knowing that God can turn it into blessing. —David Logan

The deeds of his brothers, Joseph well understood:
They meant it for evil, God meant it for good. —D. J. L.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 16; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens: and Thy faithfulness reacheth
unto the clouds. Psalm 36:5
How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Psalm 36:7

I don’t know about you, but I feel so wretched at times—so weak
in my discipleship that I expect the Lord to come in and chastise. The
psalmist, however, reminds us that his mercy and loving kindness
are limitless. David experienced a love and understanding that never
ended—so let’s lift up our heads and bask in this fact. —Brian Russell

He saw us ruined by the fall,
Yet loved us, notwithstanding all;
He saved us from our lost estate,
His lovingkindness oh how great. —Samuel Medley