Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 19:9-43; Jer. 3:6 to 4:2; Gal. 4:21 to 5:9

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his suff erings, being made conformable unto his
death. Philippians 3:10

While traveling, John Wesley became alarmed that he had not suffered
persecution for three days, “Can it be that I have sinned?”
Slipping from his horse to his knees, Wesley prayed. A rough fellow
passing by heard him. He picked up a brick and threw it at him. The
brick missed, but Wesley leaped to his feet and joyfully exclaimed,
“Thank God, it’s all right. I still have His presence.” Why did Paul
want to fully know the fellowship of Christ’s suff ering? He wanted
to know the full joy of Christ’s presence. —Warren Henderson

The joys of earth can never fi ll the heart that’s tasted of Thy love;
No portion would I seek until I reign with Thee, my Lord, above.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 18 to 19:8; Jer. 2 to 3:5; Gal. 4:1-20

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And
it came to pass, that for a whole year they assembled themselves
with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were
called Christians fi rst in Antioch. Acts 11:26

One of the joys of expectant parents is to choose the name they will
give their child. It can refl ect a name that has been in the family
for years or be something totally new. Those who have been “born
again” into the family of God, have also been given names. Christian,
saint, holy and royal priest, believer, servant, brethren and disciple
are just some of the names we bear as children of God. Let us
live up to our heritage and to the names given to us.—Bob Cretney

He maketh the rebel a priest and a king,
He hath bought us and taught us a new song to sing. —Philip Bliss

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 16-17; Jeremiah 1; Galatians 3:15-29

He…bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
But a certain Samaritan…bound up his wounds. Luke 10:33, 34

The thought behind “to bind” is “to make whole, heal, and cure.”
Luke records the story of a Jewish man who was wounded by thieves
and left for dead. Two of his own people—religious fi gures—came
by and ignored him. But then a Samaritan arrived, someone despised
and rejected by Israel. This man rescued him, bound up his
wounds and made sure he was taken care of. Isaiah records that our
Lord, like the Samaritan, was “despised and rejected of men”. Yet
He came to us in our need and did more than heal our bodies, He
gave us eternal life. —Charlie Tempest

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful Jesus will save. —Fanny Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 15; Zephaniah 3; Galatians 3:1-14

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is
to search out a matt er. Proverbs 25:2

Much of the Word of God is quite easily understood, but at times
there are passages that baffl e us. Have you appreciated that it is an
honour of the highest degree to examine the Word of God in depth?
To give up without even really trying is so foolish. Concentrating
and meditating on the Word of God is the honour of kings and so
rewarding. It is our duty to pursue it. —Brian Russell

Open to us Thy Word;
Thy precious thoughts reveal;
Thy purposes and ways explain,
And teach us all Thy will. —Daniel Webley

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 14; Zephaniah 2; Galatians 2

The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh
such to worship him. John 4:23

William Temple (1881-1944), wrote a classic defi nition of worship:
“For to worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God;
to feed the mind with the truth of God; to purge the imagination by
the beauty of God; to open the heart to the love of God; to devote
the will to the purpose of God.” The greatest desire a Christian can
have is to hunger and thirst to worship the living and true God. To
lose that desire is to suff er the greatest possible loss. This happened
at Ephesus (Rev. 2:4). May it never happen to us. —W. Ross Rainey

Father, we worship Thee, thro’ Thy beloved Son;
And, by the Spirit, now draw near, before Thy holy throne. —Alfred P. Gibbs

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 13; Zephaniah 1; Galatians 1

The Word was made fl esh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begott en of the Father), full of
grace and truth. John 1:14

John had lived with Jesus for more than three years. Daily he beheld
the moral and spiritual glory of his Lord. His character was “full of
grace and truth”. His life was fi lled with beautiful grace and compassion.
He oft en said to sinners, “Your sins are forgiven you.” His
life was fi lled with truth. His teaching was always true. His conduct
was real, without hypocrisy. He was fearless in rebuking sin and
hypocrisy. Believers are to emulate His conduct. Do we long to be
fi lled with grace and truth? —Donald Norbie

Let us love and sing and wonder; let us praise the Saviour’s name.
He has washed us with His blood, He has brought us nigh to God. —Newton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 12; Habakkuk 3; Romans 16

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt
love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Moses instructed the Israelites to teach this great commandment
diligently to their children. Home is a learning centre governed by
the parents. God’s Word should be invested in tender pliable hearts
before they enter any other school of learning. It will shield them
from harm and bless them all their lives! —E. MacLelland

Happy the home where Jesus’ Name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early speak His fame,
And parents hold Him dear. —Henry Ware Jr.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 10-11; Habakkuk 2; Romans 15:14-33

He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature. Mark 16:15

Our Lord’s commission remains in force. Sinners are still rapidly
heading for a lost eternity. Family, friends, and neighbours need the
Saviour, and the time is short. Let us redouble our eff orts in witnessing,
praying, and loving the lost. Dear Christian, sound the gospel
trumpet today. As 2 Corinthians 5:20 puts it, “Now then we are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray
you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” —K. R. Keyser

See, the shadows lengthen round us,
Soon the day-dawn will begin;
Can you leave them lost and lonely?
Christ is coming—Call them in. —Anna Shipton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 8-9; Hab. 1; Rom. 14:19 to 15:13

He himself hath suff ered being tempted, He is able to succour
them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18

Trials and temptations oft en assail the child of God, but he is not left to
struggle alone. The Lord is able and willing to succour them that are
tempted. The reason of course is that He Himself endured trials while
here on earth. His succour will come to us directly through prayer and
meditation in the Scriptures. It may also be through the help of others
who themselves have trodden the vale of tears. We should therefore
welcome the support of the Lord and allow Him into our suff ering. He
really does care for us, so cast all your care on Him. —Roy Hill

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour, and life more abundant and free.—H. H. L.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 7; Nahum 2-3; Romans 14:1-18

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
2 Samuel 1:27

When David sang his lamentation over Saul and Jonathan’s death
(II Sam. 1:17-27), he used an intriguing phrase three times, “How
are the mighty fallen” (vv. 19, 25, 27). His greatest grief, it appears,
was the loss of his best friend, Jonathan. But he includes his mortal
enemy, Saul, in that lament. This was the same Saul that repeatedly
tried to kill him, the same one that had a bounty on him, the one
whose throne he would fi ll. But despite all the turmoil that Saul
caused him, David was gracious to him in death. May we all be so
gracious in the lives—and deaths—of those who have harmed us.
—Craig Funston

Let your smile be cheerful, ever warm and bright,
Make the hearts around you, happy with its light. —Fanny Crosby