Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 1:1 to 2:3; Job 1:1 to 2:10; Matt. 1

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy
faithfulness. The LORD is my portion saith my soul; therefore will
I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to
the soul that seeketh for Him. Lamentations 3:22-25

On the edge of consuming fire, His mercies rescued us. Before the
first ray of sun leaps the horizon, His compassions are new. In life’s
bitterest moments, He never fails. Great is His faithfulness. He is our
soul’s portion—closer than a brother. We lift our eyes to the heavens
and smile. Our hope lies beyond the farthest star. Could He be any
better to us? Wait for Him. Seek for Him. And see. —S. McEachern

All my hope on God is founded; He doth still my trust renew,
Me through change and chance He guideth, only good and only true.—R.B.

DAILY READINGS: Est. 9-10; Mal. 3:7 to 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgett ing those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14

As we look to the year ahead, may we fi x our eyes on the prize of
the high calling of God. As for the fi nished year may we forget those
unprofi table things that are behind. But there are some good things
we must not forget—His ways in dealing with us to teach us lessons
(Ps. 25:4), and the works that He performed to benefi t us (Ps. 103:1-5).
Let us take these treasures from times past and use them to make our
lives shine bright for His glory in the year ahead. —K. C. Ung

Look to the Lord’s great strength; remember all His deeds.
His judgments are in all of the earth; He is the Lord indeed. —S. H. Peterson

DAILY READINGS: Est. 7-8; Mal. 2:10 to 3:6; Rev. 21:9 to 22:5

And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with
thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither
be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes we feel that we have come to a complete stand still. The
storm within rages and we feel like heaven has steeled itself to our
needs. The verses of scripture that comforted in times past are silent
to us now. Ah, look away! Look away to the Lord Jesus, the master
of the stormy sea and hear His compelling voice, “Peace be still! It is
I, be not afraid!” (Mk 4:39; Mt. 14:27). —L. Pell

Come, O Lord, like morning sunlight, making all life new and free;
For the daily task and challenge, may we rise renewed in Thee.
Come, O Lord, like mountain breezes, freshening life in vale and lea;
In the heat and stress of duty, may our souls fi nd strength in Thee.—M S. L

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

He answered and said, It is writt en, Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matt hew 4:4
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

In Martin Luther’s “Tabletalks” he said he “fought the devil with
ink.” Undoubtedly one of the ways he did this was by translating
the entire New Testament into German. James tells us, “Resist the
devil and he will fl ee from you.” (Jas. 4:7b) The best way we can accomplish
this is to immerse ourselves in the Scriptures. The Word of
God is what defeats our foe. —W. Ross Rainey

Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair,
And fi nd, for life’s long batt le day, all needful weapons there. —E. Hodder

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

The [cows] took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and
went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not
aside to the right hand or to the left . 1 Samuel 6:12a

The catt le were taking the ark of the Lord back to the Israelites
where God intended it to be. It was a miraculous situation though,
because as they went towards Israel, they were leaving behind their
calves, all that was most important to them. When God directs us to
leave behind what seems most important to us, can we go without
turning to the right or to the left ? Are we so controlled by the love of
God that we go without hesitation to do his will? —M. Robins

All to Jesus I surrender; humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now.
—Judson W. Van De Venter

DAILY READINGS: Est. 2; Zech. 12 to 13:6; Rev. 19:1-10

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment,
that, if any man knew where He were, he should shew
it, that they might take him. John 11:57

If they had asked Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, they would have
known, for He was in their home, enjoying their fellowship. So it
is today. The world does not know where He is, but Christ’s own
know. As we gather together to remember Him this Lord’s day, He
is in our midst. What a blessed portion is ours! May we honour Him
with our love and worship. —Robert E. Surgenor

Jesus, Lord, we know Thee present, at Thy table freshly spread.
Seated at Thy priceless banquet, with Thy banner overhead.
Precious moments at Thy table, from all fear and doubt set free;
Here to rest, so sweetly able, occupied alone with Thee. —B. Thompson

DAILY READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift . 2 Corinthians 9:15

Millions of gift s have been exchanged over the past few days. Some
will be valued, some less so. Here is the greatest gift ever given. God
gave His well beloved Son, His very best. If you haven’t accepted
the gift , you may do so today. It is a matt er of believing who you
are—a sinner standing in jeopardy of the judgement of God and believing
who He is—the Saviour who gave his life to pay the penalty
for your sins. Believe it and receive His gift today. —John M. Clegg

To God be the glory, great things He has done:
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son;
Who yielded His life, an atonement for sin,
And opened the Life-gate that all may go in. —F. Crosby

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

The angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be
called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

The message of the angel to Mary teaches us that the babe to be born,
was none other than the Holy One from all of eternity (Isa. 6:3). This
is one of the att ributes of His Deity—He was holy. There was a time
when Adam was innocent, but we never read about Adam being holy.
The Lord Jesus was not just “one of us.” Paul writing to the Corinthians
reminds them, “The fi rst man is of the earth, earthy: the second
man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Cor. 15:47). —W. H. Burnett

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in fl esh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. —Charles Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and
heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee. 1 Kings 8:27

Christmas is not a Biblical holiday. It is doubtful that the Lord was
even born at this time of year. Many who “celebrate” Christmas
don’t understand its meaning and the world’s commercialization of
it is absurd. But I still love it. Christmas splashes a litt le of heaven’s
light into our lives. It draws out generosity, fellowship with family
and friends, and a spirit of quietness and refl ection. It is a wonderful
segue to witness to others of its true meaning. The heaven
of heavens could not contain our Lord, yet see Him in a manger
laid. May our hearts be warmed as we celebrate the Saviour’s birth.
—S. McEachern

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! —J. Mohr

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

All thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be
the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13

What greater legacy can we pass on to our children than a knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ? Our desire should be to bring them
up in an atmosphere where He is honoured; where the Word of God
is held in high esteem, so that they can be taught biblical principles
of life, for time and eternity. At this time of gift giving, here is a gift
that will have value all life long. “Great shall be their peace,” even
in the midst of this confused world we live in. — W. H. Gustafson

There’s a Friend for litt le children, above the bright blue sky,
A Friend who never changes, whose love will never die;
Unlike our friends by nature, who change with changing years;
This Friend is always worthy, the precious name He bears. —A. Midlane