Category: Uncategorised

2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people. Neh. 8:5

Ezra’s faithful ministry had brought about a spiritual recovery so real that the people requested the book to be read, and they stood for hours as Ezra and other priestly men “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). Reverence for the Book has waned in our time, and while there is convenience and benefit in having the Scriptures available on an electronic device, there is a particular dignity, befitting the Word of God, when it is “opened… in the sight of all the people” and read with care. —Phil Coulson

O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine!
Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to show a Saviour’s love. —John Burton

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. Matt. 9:2b

Five times, the Lord uses the phrase “Be of good cheer” or “Be encouraged”. The first two relate to salvation, this man forgiven and later in this chapter, a woman made whole (Matt. 9:22). Twice He used them while speaking to His disciples; once while they strained in a stormy sea (Mark 6:50) and once in the upper room as He encouraged them concerning the challenges of this world (John 16:33). Finally, Paul, in prison hears these wonderful words from the Lord in heaven (Acts 23:11). We can be encouraged to know our sins are forgiven; that the Lord is with us in the storms of life; that He has overcome the world; and that our future is in His hands. —Gary McBride

No one understands like Jesus, when the foes of life assail; 
You should never be discouraged, Jesus cares and will not fail.  —J. W. Peterson 

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. John 19:34

This is the first mention of blood being shed at the cross. There was more, of course, as Jesus was beaten severely, His head pierced with thorns, and His hands and feet nailed to the cross. But it is mentioned here for the first time, in connection with water. Is this connection to affirm its wondrous cleansing power? We do know for a certainty that, “without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin]” (Heb. 9:22) and “In [Him] we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7). What a comfort to know that precious blood was shed and we can claim it for the forgiveness and cleansing of our sin. —Mary Robins

Precious, precious blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary,
Shed for rebels, and for sinners, shed for me! —Frances R. Havergal

2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jer. 13:23

“I’ve tried a thousand times to change”, cried the broken prostitute, to my wife. Sadly, it is true: however hard you  try, you cannot change your character, just as you can never change a leopard’s spots. We were born in sin and our lives will always show the fruits of that sinful origin. But Christ not only died to forgive our sin, He also rose again so that He could live in the heart of each repentant sinner; change their character and make them over anew. Yes, you
were “born in sin” but you can be “born again” by the power of the resurrected Saviour and have a new life, if only you will trust Him to save you. —David Croudace

Just lay the broken pieces at the Saviour’s feet;
He will put them back together; make your life complete. —R. Kitchen & J. Martin

2 Chronicles 21:1-22:12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts… James 4:8
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean… Isaiah 1:16a NKJV

Our oyster farms have strict criteria for us to be able to harvest oysters. Should heavy rain fall, we are unable to sell oysters as they may be contaminated from what they are feeding on, and they will need to depurate in clean water before they are cleared for sale. In like manner, it is so important, as Christians, that we are careful what we feed our minds, because it will impact the way we live. What are we watching, reading and listening to today? —Janet Fleming

What words am I hearing and what do I watch?
What am I filling my mind with today?
What do I read, will it bless those I meet?
These things will impact, what I do and I say. —Janet Fleming

2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Psalm 116:12
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Psalm 116:17

This is the only time this beautiful Hebrew word, translated “benefits”, is used in the Scriptures. It literally means “acts of grace”. Each day God showers us with acts of grace, things we do not deserve—from the physical blessings we too often take for granted, to all the spiritual blessings found in Christ. He gives us everything. Let us give to Him the sacrifice of our thanksgiving. —S. McEachern

Thou suffered the cross and the torment, that I might forever go free;
A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings, I bring, blessed Saviour, to Thee! —Ernst C. Homburg

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… Ephesians 3:17
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock Revelation 3:20

What a loss! Instead of Christ being “at home” in Laodicean hearts, He was outside, patiently knocking. He wants nearness, and first place in my affections. This nearness will enable my being to be filled with all the fulness of God: enjoying every spiritual blessing (Eph. 3:19). If I hear His voice and open the door, He will be “at home” with me. There are no shortcuts. By daily meditating in His Word (Psalm 1:2), we “sup together”. Anything less endangers us and also a lampstand’s testimony. —David W. Oliver

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room,
For Thy holy nativity,
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
There is room in my heart for Thee. —Aubrey Suwito

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

For I long to see you…that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Rom. 1:11-12

Having breakfast before my flight to speak at a weekend family retreat, an elderly stranger asked me what I was eating. I soon learned that he was a believer from a restricted country where they must secretly gather. I told him it was a privilege to meet him. He put his hand over his heart and said it was a privilege to meet me. Our mutual faith and oneness in Christ knit our hearts like Paul’s to the Romans. The Lord blessed and encouraged both of us with this divinely appointed meeting. He ever watches over us. Thankful! —George Ferrier

There shall be showers of blessing: this is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Saviour above.  —Daniel W. Whittle

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

The people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? Exodus 15:24
They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. I Corinthians 10:4

From chemical manufacturing complexes and other pollution, man produces “acid rain”, which has damaged many of Canada’s northern lakes. They no longer contain clear, satisfying, thirstquenching water. Unfortunately, many places from which believers seek satisfaction are polluted by sin. May we, like Israel, find our spiritual thirst quenched in Christ. —Arnot P. McIntee

I thirst, but not as once I did,
The vain delights of youth to share;
Thy wounds, Emmanuel, all forbid,
That I should find my pleasure there. —William Cowper

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. John 19:5
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple. Acts 16:14

Archaeologists in Israel recently discovered a piece of fabric dyed a vivid purple. Tabernacle coverings included a purple dye. Lydia, of Thyatira, sold purple dye for a living. The dye, recovered from a tiny gland in shellfish, was more expensive than gold due to the lengthy production process. Our Lord was given a crown of thorns and a purple robe in mockery. Marvellous to think that just as a cloth with purple in it covered the Divine presence in the tabernacle, so too was the Holy One of God covered with a purple robe.—Brian Powlesland

Crowned with thorns upon the tree, silent in Thine agony; 
Dying, crushed beneath the load, of the wrath and curse of God.  —H. Gratton Guiness