Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 10; John 2:23 to 3:21

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  Proverbs 27:18

It takes time and care before a young fig tree bears fruit. It is the same for those who would seek to be mature and fruitful servants for the Lord Jesus. What an example was our Lord. As the perfect Servant, “He did always those things that pleased the Father.” What was His honour? “He was despised and rejected of men.” However, in a soon coming day, countless myriads will honour Him forever. Is honouring Him more important to us than the opinion of others? Or will we face eternity thinking, “Oh, that I had lived more for the Lord.” May our heart’s desire be to serve Him. —V. Markle

Only the best is good enough for Jesus, who died for me.
May I give, while on earth I live, the best that I have to Jesus.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 6; Ezekiel 8-9; John 2:1-22

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.     1 Peter 5:7

Peter had often cast his net and in so doing, always maintained a hold on it so that he could draw it back again. But here  Peter uses a different word for “casting.” It means “to cast upon”—they cast and let go (as in Luke 19:35). In life’s experience how often we cast our care and, like the fisherman, hold on, reluctant to let go! The sweetness of the promise, “He careth for you” is known and cherished best by those who cast and leave their care with Him.        —J. Strahan

Oh! Leave it all with Jesus, drooping soul.
Tell not half the story, but the whole,
Worlds and worlds are hanging on His hand,
Life and death are waiting His command;
Yet His tender bosom makes thee room—O, come home! —Ellen H. Willis

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 4:24 to 5:26; Ezekiel 7; John 1:19-51

Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23

The Scriptures proclaim that the Lord is central to His people’s worship. In a coming day we will be where He is—the centre of the new Jerusalem. But even now the church worships where He is—in our midst (Mt. 18.20). How can we ever grasp the significance of the Lord being present as His obedient people gather together? Consider His presence among you as you come together today. —Drew Craig

Amidst us our Beloved stands, and bids us view his pierced hands,
Points to his wounded feet and side, blest emblems of the crucified.—C. H. S.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 3 to 4:23; Ezekiel 5-6; John 1:1-18

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter.  Acts 17:32

When Paul preached on Mars Hill and mentioned the resurrection of the dead, it stirred a vocal reaction among the listeners. Some mocked, some procrastinated, and some believed. Among those who believed were Dionysius (a judge of the court of Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris. There are those who think Paul pandered to philosophy on Mar’s Hill (read 17:18-21) and failed. The fact that some believed on Christ repudiates such a notion. What is your attitude toward Christ and His resurrection? Derision? Delay? Or decision? —W. Ross Rainey

The Saviour lives, no more to die; He lives, our Head enthroned on high;
He lives triumphant o’er the grave; He lives eternally to save. —S. Medley

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 2; Ezekiel 3:16 to 4:17; 2 Timothy 4

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Amidst the inflated claims by false teachers at Corinth and the flurry of untrue accusations against him, the apostle Paul countered that he was simply a servant of the Lord and a steward of the truth. His responsibility was to faithfully deliver what he had received from above. Our calling is the same. Despite ridicule or threats, when we faithfully declare the Word of God we are following in the steps of the greatest of servants who said to the Father, “I have given them Thy Word” (Jn. 17:14). —Mark Kolchin

Only this hour is mine, Lord—may it be used for Thee,
May every passing moment count for eternity. —Avis Christiansen

DAILY READINGS: 1 Chronicles 1; Ezekiel 2 to 3:15; 2 Timothy 3

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.  Isaiah 41:7

It is obvious from Christian experience, and from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 that we cannot all be good at everything in our service for the Lord. Fine! Exercise your own gift to the full but make sure you encourage others in theirs. Encouragement and positivity to others “oils the wheels” of a local New Testament church. Failure to do so can discourage and harm. —Brian Russell

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.
                                                                                     —Ira Wilson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 25; Ezekiel 1; 2 Timothy 2

Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:23-26

The Lord does so much for us! He secures and guides us now and in a coming day He will sweep us up to glory. Sometimes it seems like our lives are one mistake after another and yet the one true God is always there, showing us that He is all we need. When all else fails, He strengthens our heart. Whatever your challenge today, He will see you through it. We may fail, He will not. —John Mark Bjorlie

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, in every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim, Thy being and Thy ways. —H. Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 24; Lamentations 4-5; 2 Timothy 1

Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 1 Sam. 15:15

Even though he was told to destroy all, Saul spared what he called the “best” of Amalek. He rationalized his disobedience by saying that he had done most of what God had asked, conveniently avoiding the truth that partial obedience is disobedience! Are there parts of the old life which you have spared and carried over into your new life in Christ? Partial obedience is not obedience. Through the Spirit, allow Him to “destroy all” in total obedience. —Lloyd B. Cain

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.                               —E. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 23; Lamentations 3; 1 Timothy 6

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.  Daniel 2:19

Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler yet though he had power, riches and fame, he did not have peace. Because of a dream he was troubled and could not sleep. His wise men could not interpret the dream and therefore all of them were to be killed, including Daniel. Daniel’s life was in jeopardy, yet he simply trusted in his God. While he was sleeping, God revealed the dream to Daniel. Interesting. Daniel had peace and Nebuchadnezzar didn’t. What a wonderful thing—to have peace in God in the most trying circumstances. Can you sleep tonight resting your burdens on Him? —Paul Robertson

O what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear!
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. —J. M. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20; Lamentations 2; 1 Timothy 5

What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto him, The Son of David.  Matthew 22:42

At Calvary, both man and God answered that question; “What think ye of Christ?” Man answered, “Crucify with Him, crucify Him, we will not have this Man to reign over us” (Lk. 23:21; 19:14). God answered, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). At the cross, man’s wicked heart was exposed and God’s infinite love was revealed. —Milton Haack

On Calvary’s brow my Saviour died,
T’was there my Lord was crucified;
T’was on the cross He bled for me,
And purchased there my pardon free. —W. M. Darwood