Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 1-2; Daniel 4; 3 John and Jude

They shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon. Numbers 4:13

The brazen altar, when transported, was the only piece of furniture to be covered with purple (a royal colour). But before the blood sacrifice unto God could begin, the purple would be taken off. When the sacrifice was finished, the purple would be put back on. Physically, this happened to Jesus, “And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him… and led him out to crucify him” (Mk. 15:20). It happened spiritually too. He veiled His glory and left heaven to die as a man on the cross. But after death God highly exalted Him and He put on the purple again. — R. P. A

I have been at the altar and witnessed the Lamb burnt wholly to ashes for me;
And watched its sweet savour ascending on high, accepted O Father, by Thee.—A. H.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 3; 2 John

Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.  Amos 4:12b
As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

People pay heavily today for health insurance, car insurance, house insurance, and life insurance. They are well prepared for everything that may occur in this life, but not for the life to come! To be sure you will not be judged at the great white throne, prepare now! Confess that you are a sinner and accept God’s gift of eternal life, Jesus Christ the Lord.  —E. MacLelland

Hear the news, sinner, free! free! free!
Why not believe it? ‘Tis good news for thee,
Jesus the just One has died on the tree,
Died for guilty sinners, and “Salvation is free”.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 35; Daniel 2:24-49; 1 John 5

His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? 1 Kings 1:6a

What a sad commentary regarding David’s responsibility as a parent. A number of Christians have fallen into the same trap due to listening to the world’s philosophy of discipline, instead of following the Biblical pattern. Because we are born with a sin nature, discipline must be administered—the sooner the better. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” was the standard a few decades ago. Now we’re worried about harming the child’s self-esteem. Discipline is needful in the home and in the local assembly. Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth (Heb. 12:6). —William H. Gustafson

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily.—M. & R. Greene

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 34; Daniel 2:1-23; 1 John 4

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.  Isaiah 30:15

When life is brimming with success and even more opportunities beckon, it takes a strong will to slow down and reflect on God’s awesomeness—to consider who made the billions of stars and calls them all by name or to simply walk and observe God’s creativity in nature.  Vance Havner wrote, “Blessed is the man who does not let what he gets, get him.” When our Lord’s popularity was highest and the crowds largest, He would leave the multitude and resort to the mountain’s solitude and pray. May we learn from Him. —E. Dyck

Come Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. —Robinson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 33; Daniel 1; 1 John 3

But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. 1 Samuel 30:24

When the battle was over, David insisted that those who had stayed behind, should be treated the same as those at the front. Today, the success of those who are on the front lines depends upon those who stay behind. Missionaries depend on those who stay at home and pray for them, and support them in their work. The work of evangelism is carried on by a host of brothers and sisters who distribute tracts and speak to souls. When the day of reward comes, these workers will share alike in the glory that the most well known servants will bear. —W. H. Burnett

I may not go to yonder strand, or cross the stormy sea,
But here within my native land, may I a helper be? —W. H. B.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 32; Ezekiel 48; 1 John 2:12-29

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.      2 Corinthians 1:3-4

My mother had just been buried and as I turned to walk away from her grave another woman stepped forward and came towards me. She put her arms around me and I knew that she understood. Why? Because she had lost her mother.                 —J. Fleming

Have you ever shed a tear when your sister’s heart is breaking?
Have you tried to feel his pain, when a brother’s hurt and aching?
Have you helped to lift a friend, who today is feeling troubled?
Loads are half the weight to bear, when the strength to lift is doubled. —J. F.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 31; Ezekiel 47; 1 John 1 to 2:11

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.  Ecclesiastes 3:14

When the Berlin Wall was dismantled on November 9, 1989 a great “door” opened between East and West Germany. The wall had hindered free passage and citizenship, but after many years, families and loved ones were reunited again. 2,000 years ago, God opened wide heaven’s door at Calvary’s cross, offering unhindered citizenship and refuge to all who put their faith in Christ. Families and loved ones who have placed their faith and trust in the Saviour will be re-united in the glory, never to be separated again. —Jerry Proctor

There is a dark hill far away, without a city wall,
Where God’s dear Son was crucified, who died to save us all. —C. F. A.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Ezekiel 46; John 21

Jesus answered [Pilate]…to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.  John 18:37
Pilate saith unto them, Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him.  John 19:6b

The truth to which the Lord Jesus was bearing witness was the “the just for the unjust.” It was the Old Testament principle that an innocent sacrifice would be a substitute for the guilty sinner. Christ, as the Lamb of God, not only testified to this truth, but was its epitome. How different was Pilate. In the greatest injustice ever, he condemned Christ even as he proclaimed Him innocent. —Tom Steere

O Lamb of God, still keep me near to Thy wounded side;
’Tis only there in safety and peace I can abide. —James G. Deck

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Romans 5:19

The cliff top garden on the Island of Capri afforded a good panoramic view. I noticed the sign at the gate. “It is forbidden to eat any fruit in this garden”. Just then a couple passed by me eating an apple! Was this a repeat of the first sin in the Garden of Eden? Has nothing changed? No, people are still disobedient. How good to know that through the obedience of One [the Lord Jesus] many—you included—can be made righteous. Have you responded and put your faith in Him? —Brian Powlesland

Brethren in Jesus, let us be faithful, faithful to Him who is guiding our ways;
True in allegiance and loving obedience; till in his glory, hosannas we raise.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?  Judges 13:12

Manoah asked this question after being made aware that he and his barren wife were going to have a son, a future deliverer of Israel. The Lord responded, “Of all that I said unto the woman, let her beware,” then He reviewed again the behavioural limitations of the Nazarite vow. The Lord did not provide Manoah and his wife a “how to” manual on child rearing, but rather affirmed their upright conduct that should be lived out before their son. May each parent’s life be an example of the way their children should go (Prov. 22:6).
 —W. A. Henderson

My soul He doth restore again; and me to walk doth make,
Within the paths of righteousness, even for His own name’s sake. —W. Rous