Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 7:11 to 8:19; Job 9-10; Matt . 5:21-48

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and sett eth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. James 3:6

This is a harsh description of the tongue, yet the damage that an unbridled tongue can cause is immense. Words from the tongue can ignite hatred and division, break up a marriage or a church. We need to kill our evil thoughts before they take form as words that can create a fearful blaze. The Spirit of God is holy and He will enable us to control this little, destructive member. —Donald Norbie

Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitt erest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word. —H. R. Palmer

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 6 to 7:10; Job 8; Matt . 5:1-20

Wilt thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Psalms 85:6

Only true revival will bring joy to God’s people. Whether for a nation, a church or an individual, the conditions for revival are the same. The Lord’s Spirit convicts us of our failures and brings us to a place of confession and cleansing. This leads to a heightened awareness of God’s presence with us, His workings in us and His complete sovereignty over us. If these things are not true of our lives, we will know litt le of His regenerating and renewing power. May God revive us and bring us to a place of joy in Him.                                                                                                              —Drew Craig

Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. —William P. MacKay

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 4-5; Job 6-7; Matt . 4

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

Here is the reason for the coming of the Son of God. His incarnation itself was a great price to pay—a monumental condescension, followed by a life where He was despised and rejected of men, and known as a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. But even that was not suffi cient to save—He must die the death of the Cross. He must endure the forsaking of His very own, the injustice of Pilate’s judgement hall, but worst of all, abandonment by God in the awful darkness of Calvary. Hallelujah! What a Saviour. —W. H. Burnett

Was it for me, for me alone; the Saviour left His glorious throne,
The dazzling splendours of the sky; was it for me He came to die?—J. Whyte

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 3; Job 4-5; Matt . 3

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

The world’s welcome of the New Year is a time for great excess, yet in many places of this “prosperous” planet, there is deep poverty such that many wonder where their next meal will come from. There are disasters and wars that strike without mercy and leave multitudes facing a desparate future. In contrast to these realities the world’s excess seems hollow and empty. As we step into this new year may we be truly thankful for our blessings, yet resist being caught up with them. May we refl ect and choose to live this year for that which is real and eternal—for God’s things. —K. C. Ung

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee. —Frances R. Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11 to 3:26; Matt . 2

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

This is a time when millions make New Year’s resolutions. Sadly, many last only a day or two before the commitment is broken. In contrast, the verse above presents a promise that will never be broken. “I will come again.” The Lord’s pledge is immutable. A new year is commencing by the grace of God. This could be the year of our Lord’s return! Are you ready? —John M. Clegg

Jesus is coming! The promise is true;
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few;
Waiting and watching, prepared for review?
Jesus is coming again! —D. W. Whittle

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

God…hath shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels. 2 Corinthians 4:6, 7a

God has sealed a treasure into jars of clay. His glory has shone in our hearts and He has poured His pure light into earthen vessels. But the treasure must not remain there. Light is meant to shine! Indeed it will do so inherently—if not limited by the vessel. So the jar must be broken. Only then will the full spectrum of the light’s glories gleam: illuminating Christ to the lost; warming those whose hearts have grown cold; comforting those whose burdens are heavy and revealing in us the character of Him who is light itself. —S. McEachern

Here at that cross where fl ows the blood, that bought my guilty soul for God,
Thee my blest Master now I call, and consecrate to Thee my all. —S. Davies

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

Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Psalm 90:2b

From year to year it is easy to become anxious about what the future holds. Happily, we have an eternal God, who knows the past and the future with perfect knowledge and His eternal grace is sufficient to overcome all the ravages of time. —Keith Keyser

The course of time! Oh, can we scan,
Its streams since first our lives began;
The past with all its joys and tears,
Its sunny hopes, and cloudy fears;
Nor trust that He, whose tender arm,
Hath crowned with good, preserved from harm,
Will never cease our Guide to be,
Through Time and through Eternity? —J. G. Deck

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

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  Psalm 37:37

Pay attention to the blameless and upright people that you know. Peace is in their future. Why is that? Doesn’t life tend to be stressful for those who maintain a blameless and upright testimony in a corrupt society—especially when dishonest demands are made by those in authority over them? The secret is this—His peace is not dependent on peaceful circumstances, but on the peaceful certainty of His omnipotent presence in our lives. A conscience free of guilt, and conduct firm in goodness make it a joy to live a blameless and upright life. —Kingsley Baehr

Peace, perfect peace—our future all unknown?
Jesus we know and He is on the throne. —Edward H. Bickersteth

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

Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  Jude 1:23

The literal meaning of this verse is simply “Have mercy on some who are doubting.” If we are honest with ourselves, we all suffer from fears and doubts at times, which in effect challenge God and his ways. However, remember that the Lord understands that we are frail mortals. Let’s not condemn ourselves or others for these lapses. Even John the Baptist had his doubts. —Brian Russell

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all. —Edgar P. Stites

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

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Galatians 4:4

The Lord Jesus came and partook of humanity—veiled in flesh but apart from sin. Unresistingly He went to Golgotha, where He poured out His soul unto death. At that moment, the rocks split open, the sun was darkened and the great veil of the temple was torn in the middle from top to bottom. Nothing like it ever happened before or since. Our hearts are wondrously moved in adoration to the One “whom having not seen we love.”  —Drew Craig

All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall,
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all. —E. Peronnet