Category: Uncategorised

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. Job 41:33 

Whatever manner of creature this leviathan was, it was clearly known to Job and walked the earth in his day. We may imagine a dinosaur or perhaps even a fire-breathing dragon, but the fact that he was made without fear is remarkable in itself. While in a Roman prison, Paul rejoiced that many Christians were boldly speaking the word of God without fear (Phil. 1:14). Rather than being immobilized by being timid, may we also be without fear as we seek some lost soul for Him today. —Rick Morse

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A foll’wer of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name? —Isaac Watts

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts. Mark 1:13

He was with the wild beasts, but there was no peril. Adam had been given dominion over the animal kingdom but lost that position when he sinned in the garden (Ps. 8:3-9). But there is another Man and He has ever had dominion over creation for He is the Creator. Presently, “We see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:8-9). The Creator has tasted death for us and soon will be crowned with glory! “What manner of man is this!” (Luke 8:25). —L. Cain

Jesus, the Conqueror, reigns, in glorious strength arrayed;
His kingdom over all maintains, and bids the earth be glad. —C. Wesley

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

Each of these statements could be considered in this way: the young person who is walking, the middle-aged person who is standing, and the senior who is sitting. We all identify with one of them. Each is encouraged to delight in the law of the Lord and bring forth fruit in his season (vv. 2-3). No matter what season of life we are in, there is something we can do for the Lord. Let’s allow Him to use us until He calls us home to heaven. —Virginia Strout

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him, in all that I do.  —Thomas O. Chisholm

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. Genesis 49:27 NKJV
And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him. Deuteronomy 33:12

Wolves are never spoken well of in Scripture. Their nature is one of viciousness and pitiless killing. From the Benjamites’ awful crime in Judges 19 to Saul’s irrational hatred of David, Jacob’s assessment of Benjamin proved to be correct. It had not changed when another Saul persecuted the early Church. But how wonderfully different are our two texts today! The first could describe Saul of Tarsus by nature: the second, what he became by grace. Truly, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17). —Phil Coulson

Grace first contrived the way to save rebellious man;
And all the steps that grace display, which drew the wondrous plan.  —Philip Doddridge

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

That your love may abound yet more and more. Philippians 1:9

God’s Word is always challenging us to take the next step. Whether it be in our love toward each other (1 Thess. 4:9-10), our Christian walk (1 Thess. 4:11), or bearing fruit for Christ (John 15:2), we are encouraged to increase it more and more! This may likely require us to step out of our comfort zone. God does this because He knows that our places of comfort rarely promote spiritual growth, but rather complacency. May we respond to the Spirit’s prompting and
experience the “abundant life” He offers (John 10:10). —E. V.

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me. —Eliza E. Hewitt

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

And she vowed…and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid…[and] wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:11

Some people think “God owes me” because they have gone through much hardship. They think that the things that they have endured or the service they have done brings merit for them before God. Hannah received a son because God’s purposes for Samuel were greater than her grief. God owes us nothing. It is we who owe God our very lives because of His great grace. – K. W.

Grace it was, yea, grace abounding, brought Thee down to save the lost;
Ye above, His throne surrounding, praise Him, praise Him all His host;
Saints! Adore Him! Saints! Adore Him! Ye are they who owe Him most.  —Thomas Kelly

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

But make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son…And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 1 Kings 17:13, 15

God has promised to provide for our needs, but first, He wants to be the centre of our affection and devotion. He knows we will only be satisfied in life if He is first. God was gracious to this widow. When she put God first, her supply miraculously multiplied and sustained her for many days. If He is first, He will do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God
third, until your life is continually face to face with God.  —Oswald Chambers

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NKJV

Believers should remember that God is our Father and that He lovingly cares for us. Having dealt with our greatest need on Calvary, He may be trusted to provide for life’s lesser requirements. Our business is to seek His kingdom and righteousness through our daily activities (Matt. 6:33), knowing that He will supply our needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). By faith, we trust an unfailing God and can leave our material future in His hands. —Keith Keyser

Praise the Lord, and leave tomorrow in thy loving Father’s hands;
Burden not thyself with sorrow, for secure the promise stands.
He is faithful! Leave thy troubles in His hands. —William Sloan

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself. Luke 23:37 NKJV
The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Why didn’t He save Himself? He could not, because He would not! Think of the following reasons that Jesus gave Himself: He gave Himself to deliver us from this present evil age (Gal. 1:4); He gave Himself to redeem us and purify for Himself His own special people (Titus 2:14); He gave Himself for His bride, the church (Eph. 5:25); He gave Himself, a ransom for all to be testified in due time (1 Tim. 2:6). He would not save Himself, because He gave Himself for you and me. Hallelujah, what a Saviour! —Rex Trogdon

Ah, my soul, He loved thee,
Yes, He gave Himself for me. —J. J. Hopkins

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-21; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

I recently had cataract surgery on one eye. I didn’t think I needed it, but afterwards, the difference in colours was amazing and I could even differentiate between navy blue and black again. As my sight improved the above verse came to my mind. Now we only see the glories of Christ through a glass darkly. Our perception of Him and His glory is dim. Let us look forward to that joyful day when we shall see Him in fullness, face to face. —Mary Robins

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face, what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me? —Carrie E. Breck