Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 8; Jeremiah 42:7 to 43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25a

Last summer I emptied the contents of a box that had contained spring flowering bulbs. Somehow I forgot about collecting up those dry brown bulbs to plant the next autumn. Imagine my surprise and delight on finding a clump of freesias flowering in profusion behind the water tank. Those bulbs and the resulting flowers remind me of a brother’s favourite comment: “The graves of Christians are the seed beds of resurrection.” —J. Fleming

Raised unto glory then; at His return;
Joyous our song shall be; at His return;
Gathered round to Him; all learn the heavenly hymn;
Jesus our joyful theme; at His return.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:24 to 7:20; Jer. 41 to 42:6; Heb. 10:19-39

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne … stood a Lamb as it had been slain. Revelation 5:6a

Because of who He is, this throne was eternally the Lord Jesus’ just and proper place to sit as Sovereign. But because of His love for His creation, He is now seated there as a Lamb as though it had been slain. It is a humbling thought that the One who is all powerful and all knowing laid down His life for a sinner like me. Because of His great love, God’s Son will be displayed as the resurrected Lamb for all eternity. What a Saviour! —Baylor Crawford

Lamb of God! Thou now art seated, high upon Thy Father’s throne;
All Thy gracious work completed, all Thy mighty victory won.
Every knee in heaven is bending, to the Lamb for sinners slain;
Every harp and voice is swelling, “Worthy is the Lamb to reign.”—J. G. D.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39-40; Hebrews 10:1-18

If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord…all these blessings shall come on thee.  But…if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord…all these curses shall come upon thee    Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15

On a recent school trip, two boys went missing because they failed to obey their teachers instruction as to where and when to meet the bus. After some anxious moments they were found, but how different the outcome could have been. God gave Israel the choice, obey and be blessed, or disobey and suffer the consequences. The Bible reveals that they chose their own path and suffered for it. Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments (John 14:15).  —C. Tempest

Have thine own way Lord, have thine own way
Thou art the potter, I am the clay. —Adelaide A. Pollard

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 5; Jeremiah 38; Hebrews 9:15-28

Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.  Psalm 69:20

Here we get a glimpse of the loneliness of our Lord in His sufferings. When we are tempted to feel sorry for ourselves in moments of loneliness, let us remember Him. Judas betrayed Him, and the rest of the disciples forsook Him and fled. His nation rejected Him and declared Him worthy of death. No man defended Him. Roman justice failed Him. Even heaven was silent, and He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Yet He suffered alone, that we might never have to be so. Bless Him! —Carl Knott

It was alone the Saviour prayed, in dark Gethsemane;
Alone He drained the bitter cup, and suffered there for me. —Ben H. Price

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 4; Jeremiah 37; Hebrews 9:1-14

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36

The value of a soul is priceless! Would you be so foolish as not to consider the worth of your own soul, that will live forever in hell or heaven? Be wise! Accept God’s offer of mercy today! Trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. He loves you and died to save your soul. Eternal riches will then be yours. —E. MacLelland

The treasures of earth must all fail,
Its riches and honour decay,
But the riches of love that are mine,
Even death cannot take them away. —H. B. Hartzler

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 3; Jeremiah 36; Hebrews 8

They brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-14

The mighty God took those little children in His arms and blessed them. The disciples would have sent them away! Are we seeking to reach the children of our generation? Are we bringing the words of our Saviour to them? The judgment seat will reveal and reward the effort invested in bringing the Gospel to the children.  —Jim Paul

But Jesus saw them ere they fled,
And sweetly smiled and kindly said,
Suffer the little children to come unto Me —William M. Hutchings

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 2; Jeremiah 35; Hebrews 7

For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded. Isaiah 50:7

An alternate rendering of this verse reads, “The Lord God will help me; therefore I have not suffered myself to be overcome.” What was the Lord’s secret of victory over the pain, suffering and humilation He experienced in His life? He was wakened “morning by morning” (vs. 4) by the Father. What a marvelous way to start the day! We may access the same power “morning by morning” so that we will not allow ourselves to be overcome or shaken. And the result? “I know I shall not be ashamed; for the Lord God will help me.”   —M. MacMullen

Early will I seek thee, at the dawning of the day;
With my heart open and still, I will bow my head and pray.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 1; Jeremiah 34; Hebrews 5:11 to 6:20

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.  Joshua 1:1-2

We learn two things about God in this brief statement spoken so long ago. First, He knows our name—yes, the Creator of all things knows us personally. Second, He knows our service. While He remembers our sins no more (Heb.10:17), He’ll never forget a single labour of love (Heb. 6:10). Isn’t it thrilling to know a God who knows us so intimately?  —Bob Cretney

God will take care of you, through every day o’er all the way
He will take care of you, God will take care of you. —W. S. Martin

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 22; Jeremiah 33; Hebrews 4:14 to 5:10

I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  Luke 22:32

Like Peter, we have been delivered from the clutches of Satan’s grip and the prayer of our Shepherd underpins our faith. Now that we are His sheep, we have a responsibility to His flock. During precious times at the feet of our Saviour, we are being equipped to wash the feet of the saints. Now that we have been converted, our focus is no longer self, but as the Lord leads, we go forth to serve. May we provoke one another unto love and good works, to strengthen His own and stir the hearts of His servants.  —Sam Thorpe

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour, that thy love laid hold on me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me, that I might Thy channel be.               
                                                                             —Mary E. Maxwell

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 21; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  Matthew 14:26-27
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.  Matthew14:33

After a long, hard day, a spirit appeared from out of the darkness! The worst of their fears, however, turned out to be an unrecognized blessing. What changed the disciples’ viewpoint was the realization that Christ was present and in control. The same realization will bring us peace of mind, and bring praise to God.  —David J. Logan

Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if Thou art near. —John Keble