Category: Uncategorised

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

He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lift ed up His hands,
and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He
was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. Luke 24:50-51

Did our Lord ascend to heaven from Bethlehem, the place where
He came into this world? Or did He ascend from Jerusalem, that
great city upon which God placed His name so long ago? No, it
was from Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the place
where He found respite and fellowship with those He loved. May
our hearts be like Bethany, a place where He can fi nd reception, a
place that lift s Him up and where His return is longed for—a place
through which the living waters can fl ow. —Tom Steere

Set loose from earth, and evermore, fast bound to that eternal shore,
So all our life and love shall be, ascended Master, hid with Thee!—S. J. Stone

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

So David prepared abundantly before his death. 1 Chron. 22:5

David was greatly disappointed that he was not able to do that
which was in his heart—to build a house for his God. However, he
did not sit down and bemoan his lot. Rather, he did all he could,
right up to the day of his death, to make preparations for his son
Solomon to build it. We may not be able to accomplish all we have
aspired to do for God, but the Lord reads our hearts. Let us give
all the support we can to those whom He has chosen for the task.
—Brian Russell

Search all my thoughts, the secret springs,
The motives that control;
The rebel heart where evil things,
Hold empire o’er my soul. —F. Bott ome

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

But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of
the nails…I will not believe. John 20:25

The foundation of our Christian life is to believe. Believing truly is seeing!
It is how we were saved. It is the only way anyone is saved (Acts
16:31). It is what pleases God (Heb. 11:6). Even now, it is imperative.
We must believe that He is going to complete the work He has begun
in us (Phil. 1:6). Thomas missed out on a whole week of enjoying the
reality of a living Lord because of unbelief. We will miss out too, if we
fail to take Him at His Word and believe. —Charlie Tempest

Once again the Gospel message, from the Saviour you have heard;
Will you heed the invitation? Will you turn and seek the Lord?
Come believing, come believing, come to Jesus, look and live.
—Daniel W. Witt le

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of
the nails…I will not believe. John 20:25

The foundation of our Christian life is to believe. Believing truly is seeing!
It is how we were saved. It is the only way anyone is saved (Acts
16:31). It is what pleases God (Heb. 11:6). Even now, it is imperative.
We must believe that He is going to complete the work He has begun
in us (Phil. 1:6). Thomas missed out on a whole week of enjoying the
reality of a living Lord because of unbelief. We will miss out too, if we
fail to take Him at His Word and believe. —Charlie Tempest

Once again the Gospel message, from the Saviour you have heard;
Will you heed the invitation? Will you turn and seek the Lord?
Come believing, come believing, come to Jesus, look and live.
—Daniel W. Witt le

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He
increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:29

“Low on power? Get a free charge!” So read a number of signs in
Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Travelers were invited to recharge their
electronic equipment without cost. As a believer, are you running low
on power? Did you run well at one time, but now you desperately
need to reconnect to the greatest source of power? The above verse
gives the solution, “He giveth power”. His power is found as you
bend your knees before the Lord and an open Bible. He promises to
increase your spiritual strength. Connect today. —Arnot McIntee

His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infi nite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! —Annie Johnson Flint

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 4; Haggai 1; Revelation 9

What will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation
which shall come from afar? To whom will ye fl ee for help? And
where will ye leave your glory? Isaiah 10:3

The context of this verse is judgement for defrauding the poor, but a
“day of visitation” from the Lord can occur for many reasons. Visitation
is a signifi cant intervention by God to bring about a change
in the situation of His people. There have been many days of visitation
when God has dealt with His people in a corporate way, but He
loves to be involved with us on a personal level too. When was the
last time He had a “day of visitation” with you? Have you been giving
Him opportunity? —Duncan Maxwell

Jesus, before Thy face we fall, our Lord, our life, our hope, our all!
For we have nowhere else to fl ee, no sanctuary, Lord, but Thee! —S. Medley

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 3; Daniel 12; Revelation 8

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men. Colossians 3:23

In Gordon Brown’s acceptance speech as the new Prime Minister,
of the United Kingdom he said, “I will do my utmost.” If someone
can bring this sentiment and ambition to a work that is earthly and
temporary, surely we can give our all for that which is glorious and
eternal. The world is full of unbelievers living their lives fully for
this world’s ambitions. Where are the believers who are living with
such passion for Christ? —Brian Powlesland

Who answers Christ’s insistent call, must give himself, his life, his all,
His purpose aye unshaken.
Who sets his hand unto the plough and glances back with anxious brow,
His calling hath mistaken. —Author unknown

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten
my darkness. Psalm 18:28

A room may have a candle in it, yet be totally dark if the candle is
not lit. For an unlit candle is as dark as all that surrounds it. Perhaps
you are surrounded by darkness, sitt ing in an atmosphere of sin
or fear. Let the Lord light your candle. He is light itself. In Him is
no darkness at all. Where He is, it cannot be dark. So, get into His
presence. Abide in the light of His Word and His person. Then you
will fi nd that He has lit your candle; driven the darkness away, and
brought light to your life. He will light your candle. —Doug Kazen

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The Light of the world is Jesus. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward
God. Luke 12:21

Rather than acknowledge God’s goodness as a means to serve others,
the rich fool hoarded and gloated over his increased riches. In
the end he lost everything. Missionary Hudson Taylor said that
there are two ways to be rich. “In the abundance of possessions or in
the fewness of wants.” He added, “I enjoy the luxury of few things
to care for.” Missionary Anthony Groves’ mott o was, “Labour hard,
consume litt le, give much and all to Christ.” He also said, “Love is
measured by sacrifi ce.” May we seek to sacrifi ce the temporal to apprehend
the eternal glory of Christ. —Warren Henderson

Our souls and bodies we resign; with joy we give to Thee,
Our all, no longer ours, but Thine, to all eternity. —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also
last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. Mark 12:6

Clearly, our Lord’s introduction of “the son” into His parable is a
reference to Himself. It is evidence of His awareness of His unique
relationship to His Father. The words “one” and “well-beloved”
portray Him as distinctive from the “many others” who had preceded
Him (v. 5). Note, too, that the son was the last to be sent. In
sending His Son, God has spoken His fi nal word to mankind. Divine
revelation has climaxed in His unique and well-beloved Son.
He deserves our adoration and worship today. —George Hall

Thou are the everlasting Word, the Father’s only Son,
God manifestly seen and heard, and heaven’s beloved One. —Josiah Conder