Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 23:23-44; Psalms 135-136; Mark 9:14 -32

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints
which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Eph. 1:1

Biblical saints are sinners saved by grace. But as saints His grace
has brought us into wonderful blessings. Saints are members of the
body of Christ, of which he is the Head. Saints are living stones
fi tt ed together into the holy temple of God, of which Christ is the
Chief Corner Stone. Saints are the bride of Christ. He is the Bridegroom
and will come again and take us to heaven! Saints are set
apart for God—in this world, but no longer of it. Are you a saint?
—E. MacLelland

Suffer a sinner whose heart overfl ows,
Loving his Saviour to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it, would I embrace,
I’m only a sinner saved by grace! —James M. Gray

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 23:1-22; Psalms 132-134; Mark 8:27 to 9:13

When they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of
Olives. Mark 14:26

Hymn singing fosters fellowship and helps unite the people of God
in spirit and endeavour. This is particularly so in times of deep sorrow
or exuberant joy. In our verse for today, when the disciples were
under great stress and increasingly aware of the darkness that lay
ahead, they presumably welcomed the opportunity of fellowship
and strength in song. For some believers it is no longer possible
to join with others in fellowship in publicly singing God’s praise,
yet they can and do individually and silently make melody in their
hearts unto the Lord. He appreciates that. —Roy Hill

Sing, my soul, adore his Name! Let his glory be thy theme:
Praise him till he calls thee home; safe with Him before the throne.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 22; Psalm 128-131; Mark 8:11-26

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suff ered the
loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Philippians 3:8

As we gain knowledge of the Lord Jesus we learn that everything that
the fl esh once valued is putrid to God. Paul had previously boasted
of his ancestry, education, natural abilities, and achievements, yet
he now knew that these were worthless, apart from knowing and
winning Christ. There is nothing in the fl esh that can please God
(Rom. 8:8). May we each gain victory by apprehending Christ and
losing our passion for earthly gain. —Warren Henderson

O the unsearchable riches of Christ! Who would not gladly endure,
Trials, affl ictions, and crosses on earth, riches like these to secure. —F. J. C.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 21; Psalms 124-127; Mark 7:24 to 8:10

Be it far from Me; for them that honour Me I will honour, and they
that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30b

Numerous avenues are open to us if we would honour the Lord!
Like Abraham, we can honour Him by saying, “Yes” to His call.
Like Joseph, we can honour Him by saying “No” to the seductive
allurements of Satan. Like Hannah, we honour Him when we fulfi ll
the promises made to Him. Like Mary, we can honour Him by conferring
on Him our fragrant worship, or like Mary Magdalene, by
standing true to Him when others waver. We lose eternally if, like
Eli, we give the highest honour to less worthy ones (1 Sam. 2:29)! In
what way can we honour Him today? —George Hall

We lose what on ourselves we spend, we have as treasure without end,
Whatever, Lord, to Thee we lend, who givest all.—Christopher Wordsworth

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 19-20; Psalms 120-123; Mark 7:1-23

Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me,
and see for a spirit hath not fl esh and bones, as ye see Me have.
Lk. 24:39

The Lord’s resurrection was a bodily one, and He challenged any
doubters to test this claim. Not only so, but the Lord took that body
into heaven when he ascended. Here is a wonderful fact—that humanity
is already present in Heaven, and this is the guarantee that
we also will experience a physical resurrection, and take our physical
bodies into heaven. We read, “Christ the fi rstfruits; aft erward
they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Cor. 15:23). The wave sheaf is
already in the granary of heaven, and soon we believe, the mighty
harvest will follow. —W. H. Burnett

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign. —R. Lowry

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto
him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet
very much land to be possessed. Joshua 13:1

Today, many employers are constantly looking at the retirement age
of their workforce. Many companies have reduced the age when
their workforce may retire. However there is no retirement in the
Christian life. We can never be too old to work for the Lord. You
may be feeling discouraged by the limitations brought on by passing
years but if you are still willing to work, He will fi nd new areas
of land to be possessed in your life. —John M. Clegg

Go, labour on while it is day, the world’s dark night is hast’ning on;
Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away, it is not thus that souls are won.
—Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 16; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fi ery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 1 Pet. 4:12

One of the key themes of Peter’s fi rst epistle is suff ering. In this short
section (4:12-19), he tells us that suff ering is to be expected (v. 12); is
a good thing (vv. 13-14); should be for the right reasons (vv.15-16);
must begin with believers (vv. 17-18); and that it is the will of God
(v. 19). He also tells us that suff ering should not be “strange” to us.
In other words, suff ering in the life of a believer should be seen as
a part of the normal Christian experience. Though hard at the time,
He will use it for His glory and our good. —Craig Funston

Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide till the day is done.
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus! No, not one! No, not one!—J. O. Jr.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 15; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

When He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him:
and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this?
They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then touched He their eyes, saying,
According to your faith be it unto you. Matt hew 9:28-29

We should ask ourselves this question when we pray, “Believe ye that
I am able to do this?” His Word assures us that He is able! He is able
to establish you (Rom. 16:25); to make all grace abound toward you
(2 Cor. 9:8); to aid those who are tempted (Heb. 2:18); to keep what
I have committ ed to Him until that day (2 Tim. 1:12). Then, aft er we
pray, we need to affi rm that He is able, “to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think!” (Eph. 3:20) —Rex Trogdon

Christ Jesus hath the pow’r, the power to console,
The pow’r to carry all your care—on Him your burdens roll. —J. M. Gray

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

And in the time of distress did he trespass yet more against the
LORD. 2 Chronicles 28:22

Like King Ahaz, most saints at some time or other go through periods
of distress. There are always two ways of dealing with trials
in the Christian experience. You can either allow the trial to bring
you closer to the Lord, or you can become angry and detached from
your greatest Friend. As diffi culties come, let us make sure that we
become bett er and not bitt er Christians. —Brian Russell

When through the deep waters He calls thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overfl ow;
For I will be with thee in trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. —Richard Keen

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41

Looking unto Jesus the author and fi nisher 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

Recently our fi rst grandchild was born. Due to my husband’s recent
surgery, it was necessary for me to drive us to see the baby. I have
never driven in a large city and felt overwhelmed by the busyness
of the traffi c. What kept me going? It was the joyful thought that at
the end of the journey we would meet our new granddaughter! In a
small measure, it helped me understand the heart of our Saviour as
He made His way to Calvary to redeem you and me. We were the joy
that was set before Him and so He endured the cross. —J. Fleming

What a joy one day to fi nd, heaven’s door is opened wide;
And Jesus there with nail scarred hands, to welcome me inside. —J. Fleming