Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  Gen. 1:1

It is said that Queen Victoria once asked her distinguished prime minister, W. E. Gladstone (1809-98), “In all your wide reading, what in your judgment is the most sublime passage in literature?” Without hesitation Gladstone answered, “The first verse of the first chapter of Genesis.” This first verse of the Bible is sublime, direct, positive, and complete. Believe the fact of God and you can believe all else that follows in the Bible. To deny God’s existence is to be labeled a fool (Ps. 14:1; 53:1). —W. Ross Rainey

That there is not a God, the fool doth in his heart conclude:
They are corrupt, their works are vile; not one of them doth good.
                                          —Psalm 14:1 (The Scottish Psalter)

DAILY READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor. 6:10

“I thank God for what He has allowed in my life,” said John who was interpreting my message from English into Portuguese. What had God done for him? As a child he lost an eye when he contracted measles! While still a young boy, a cobra reared up in front of him, spat in his good eye and left him completely blind. In spite of such a calamity John became a teacher, even teaching sighted children. But more than that, he was gloriously saved, and is a wonderful witness for Christ, as he daily rejoices in the Lord.  —David Croudace

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. —J. Oatman

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

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14

Heaven could not refrain from proclaiming the joyful words, “Glory to God in the highest.” The heavenly beings praised God for the “glory” that was now being manifested, the glory of the incarnate Son of God. Glory was shining forth in the Babe that had been born—God’s Saviour. The King had come. God was manifested, “Emmanuel, God with us.” During this Christmas season may we proclaim with joyful wonder, “Glory to God in the highest.”   —James Comte

Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.  1 Corinthians 11:26

Last Christmas Eve we decided to open one of our gifts early. I chose the heaviest package I could find. It was a heavy duty rechargeable battery for power tools. My wife didn’t quite understand how I knew what was in my other gifts, but from opening one gift I knew what was to come. Every time we remember the Lord as He requested we not only proclaim His death, but we’re also reminded of what’s to come. Jesus is coming again! —Rex Trogdon

Jesus is coming! Sing the glad word!
Coming for those He redeemed by His blood,
Coming to reign as the glorified Lord!
Jesus is coming again!       —D.W. Whittle

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

Thou, Bethlehem Ephratha, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  Micah 5:2

Micah’s name means, “Who is like Jehovah.” His prophecy reveals the birth place of Christ. When the Magi inquired where the King of the Jews would be born, the scribes answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea” (Matt. 2:5). But why did He travel such a distance—from the ivory palaces to a lonely stable? Micah knew—He was born to die (Micah 5:2). As we worship Him for His coming, with wonder, we echo the question “Who is like Jehovah?”  —Les Rainey

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth, over sin, and death and hell. —Philip Bliss

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

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  Ephesians 4:29

There are words that heal and words that hurt. An article told of a little, left-handed girl who was teasingly told that left-handed people don’t go to heaven. This wounded the child’s sensitive spirit and took her years to overcome. James 3:11 asks, “Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” Harsh or condemning words are cruel and intimidating, whereas good words will inspire and build up. May we carefully think, before blurting careless words. May we use our speech in an honourable way. —E. Dyck

Hurtful words oh, let them never, from our tongues unbridled slip,
May we heed the Spirit’s warning, set a guard at heart and lip.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

We indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  Luke 23:41

These words from a dying thief have echoed down through the centuries and how true they are today. Three men on three crosses outside the city of Jerusalem. Two of the men deserved to be there. One certainly didn't! The Lord who was on the centre cross was sinless, spotless, pure and undefiled. He was there for your sin and mine. Hallelujah, what a Saviour! —John M. Clegg

All our sins were laid upon Him,
Jesus bore them on the tree,
God who knew them, laid them on Him,
And believing you are free. —J. Denham Smith

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

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings…saith the Lord God. Ezek. 20:44
 
As we travel the pathway of life, we often fall into sin. If we focus on our faults we can often be disheartened and even contemplate giving up. But we can be encouraged by these two things—first, His mercy. God never deals with us in direct proportion to our sins, but always has mercy on us. Second, His sanctification—God has started a work of cleansing in us and will not stop that work until it is perfected and brings glory to His name. Have you stumbled? Do not lose heart. Get up. He is working. —Baylor Crawford

With mercy and with judgement, my web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love. —A. Cousins

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

The LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  Habakkuk 2:2

Vision statements are quite the “in” thing for institutions like schools, churches, and businesses. How about a vision statement for the family? It can be expressed verbally, but something written might work well, too. Keep it simple for the whole family to understand. Such a statement gives a basis for swift decisions regarding what comes into the home or what stays out; what will edify the family or what will weaken it. Obviously, it must come from the Lord Himself, and be the basis for all decisions. The family would then, literally, be working off the same page.  —Craig Funston

What wilt Thou have us to do, O Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?
Sing of Thy mercy who died for me? Tell the good news, salvation is free?—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

The LORD is…my buckler Psalm 18:2

The buckler was a thick leather shield approximately eighteen inches in diameter which was worn on the arm of the soldier going into battle. With the buckler on one arm and his sword in the other hand, the soldier went forward. With the buckler-covered arm, he defended himself and with his sword he attacked his enemy. We can say, “The Lord is my buckler.” He takes the blows Satan intends for us. At the same time, we can use the sharp sword of the Word of God (Heb. 4:12) to further the advance of the Gospel.  —Arnot P. McIntee

We rest on Thee—our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors we rest with Thee, through endless days. —Edith G. Cherry