Category: Uncategorised

Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

Be strong and of a good courage. Joshua 1:6

The call to be both strong and courageous is repeated four times in this chapter. The powerful, intelligent and righteous leadership of Moses had ended. Now the awesome responsibility for leadership of the nation fell upon his successor, Joshua. Humanly speaking it seemed an impossible task but Joshua was reassured that the Lord would be with him. But he must obey the Law. If he did what was right and trusted in God then his courage would not fail him
and he would provide strong leadership for the people. We should also remember the Lord’s nearness as we face difficult and dangerous situations. God is greater than all our problems. —Paul Young

Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies, through His eternal Son.  —Charles Wesley 

Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

…Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king…And the Lord said…they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me. 1 Samuel 8:5,?7

Samuel was a great man of God but his failure to bring up his sons in the fear of the Lord caused Israel to reject God by asking for a king. In the same way my family life will have a great effect for either good or bad in the local church fellowship. Indeed if I do not lovingly lead my own family in the things of the Lord, how can I be a leader among God’s people (1 Tim. 3:4,?12)? Furthermore, I may even be the cause of some rejecting God. Let us pray for all who have young children. —David Croudace

Does your family see the Lord Jesus, in all you seek to do?
Will they follow your life for Him and trust His teaching too?  —Anonymous

Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

When God saved us by His grace, “The love of God [was] shed abroad in our hearts” (Rom. 5:5). God, who is love, and is the source of our love, enables us to love God and also other people. That love is confirmed when we see others and desire to bless them. We love lost souls because we see them as God sees them. There is value in them that they do not see in themselves. God’s love in His children is part of our new nature. Reflect it and bless those with whom we come in contact. —Gaius C. Goff

Chance and change are busy ever;
Man decays, and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never:
God is wisdom, God is love. —John Bowring

Exodus 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matthew 28:1-20

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. John 11:6

Consider the “therefore” in our text. The previous verse has told us of Jesus’ love for His friends in Bethany. Because He loved them, He abode two days still in the place where He was! Can we reconcile devotion with delay? Are we often impatient with what appear to be God’s delays in our lives? Do we question His wisdom, His power or His interest in the crises in our lives? The death of Lazarus was “for the glory of God” (11:4) “Hope thou in God: for I
shall yet praise him” (Ps. 42:5). —L. Cain

My times are in Your hand,
Whatever they may be,
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As You know best for me. —W. F. Lloyd

Exodus 1:1-2:22; Psalm 31:1-24; Matthew 27:45-66

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence,  incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:7-8 NKJV

Overseers and leaders are to consistently showcase what appropriate Christian behaviour and testimony looks and sounds like. Titus himself was responsible to show how high the bar is set. Paul made it clear to him that he was to walk what he talked. Leaders lead by example. They, in particular, must be our Christian exemplars. But the expectation is no less for any of us. The only offense the unconverted should have against us is our devotion to Christ
and the Gospel. —Peter Ramsay

O Lord, with sorrow and with shame we meekly would confess,
How little we, who bear Thy name, Thy mind, Thy ways express. —J.G. Deck

Genesis 50:1-26; Psalm 30:1-12; Matthew 27:27-44

He said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things. John 21:17

Our Lord knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew Peter would deny Him three times and His disciples would forsake Him and flee. He knew there would be the agony of the garden of Gethsemane and the awful anguish of the cross. Knowing all this He went to the place called Calvary for you and me. Hallelujah, what a Saviour! —John M. Clegg

O Lord, when we the path retrace
Which thou on earth hast trod;
To men Thy wondrous love and grace,
Thy faithfulness to God.  —James G Deck

Genesis 49:1-33; Psalms 28:1-29:11; Matthew 27:1-26

He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Revelation 20:2

Today Chinese people all over the world celebrate their lunar new year—the year of the Dragon. It is popularly believed that people born this year have superb leadership, are ambitious, and have a strong drive to realize their dreams. However, in the Bible the Dragon (Cruelty) is just another name for the Serpent (Subtlety) of Eden, the Devil (Slanderer); Satan (Adversary). All of these descriptors demonstrate the kind of enemy he is. As Christians we need to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). —K. C. Ung

Stretch out Thine arm, victorious King, my reigning sins subdue;
Drive the old dragon from his seat, with all his hellish crew.  —Isaac Watts

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26:1-27:14; Matthew 26:57-75

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

As if the extremities of Job’s ordeal were not enough, he had also to endure the insensitive words of thoughtless men. Determined to maintain a righteous course before God, Job was confident that strength would be provided, but he longed to be delivered from men devoid of compassion. What wisdom is needed when seeking to comfort the suffering saint! Often, a silent embrace is more eloquent than ill-judged words, and a brief prayer, committing them
to the One who knew most what it was like to bear reproach, is the greatest help. —Phil Coulson

Thine is the heart our griefs to feel,
And Thine the love each wound to heal.  —John Newton

Genesis 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matthew 26:31-56

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2

This psalm was written by David during the rebellion of his son Absalom. Although Absalom was eventually defeated and killed, David was overwhelmed at the tragic loss, and lamented his son’s
death (2 Sam. 18: 33). Feel David’s deep, heart emotions as he cries out to God, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. Samuel Rutherford wrote, “Your rock is Christ, and it is not the rock that ebbs and flows, but your sea”. No matter how overwhelming the circumstances of life, our Rock will never move! —Jim Comte

Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee,
Thou blest Rock of Ages,
I’m hiding in Thee. —William O. Cushing

Genesis 45; Psalms 23 to 24; Matthew 26:1-30

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

The Christian life is one of growing in faith, and in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The source of faith is the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). It supplies what we need for our spiritual sustenance (1 Pet. 2:2). That’s why it is so important to spend time with the Lord in prayer and reading the Bible daily. If we eat three times a day physically, why not enjoy a continual feast spiritually with the Lord. There’s milk, meat, and something sweet when we open God’s Word. —Rex Trogdon

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty; hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.
Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore. —William Williams