Category: Uncategorised

1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Psalm 67:3-4

What a wonderful God we have! As we read His Word, we will be stimulated to praise Him for His blessings to us. We may not always understand His doings, but we can always trust Him to do what is right and for our ultimate good. —G. Frear

God be praised in all the earth, as we sing His utmost worth.
May I daily praise His Name, and all His people do the same.
Then we all will gladly sing, to Him our great and Holy King;
God will all His people bless, as they in turn their sins confess.  —G. F.

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Once captives in sin’s slave-market, Christians were emancipated through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice (Eph. 1:7). The incalculable value of that blood-price elicits obedience from every recipient of this divine grace. God’s incomparable gift moves us to separate from the world’s impurity and falsehood; instead saints embrace a holy life, mirroring the True Vine’s character (John 15:1-8). Being delivered from shame and death, we now desire to glorify our redeeming God. The Cross’s logic demands holiness. —Keith R. Keyser

A sacrifice to God in life or death are we;
Then keep us ever, blessed Lord, Thus set apart to Thee.
Bought with a price, we’re not our own,
We died, we live to God alone! —H. K. Burlingham

1 Chronicles 21:1-30; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

And the Lord was with Joseph. Genesis 39:2

It wasn’t Joseph’s fault that he was sold as a slave, wrongly accused and imprisoned. He had lived righteously before God and man. Yet the actions of others, including his own brothers, caused him great sorrow and pain. We too may have good repaid with evil from those closest to us. But God reminds us He is with us through our pain. His love and faithfulness will never leave us. God used men’s evil intent to bring redemption, restoration and salvation to a
family and nation. He can do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, Oh, abide with me. —Henry Lyte

1 Chronicles 19:1-19; Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; John 6:41-7:11

When we were still without strength… Romans 5:6 NKJV
[When] we were still sinners… Romans 5:8 NKJV
When we were enemies… Romans 5:10 NKJV

These three statements remind us of our lost estate when our Saviour laid down His life for us. We were without strength, helpless in and of ourselves and He became our Helper. We were still sinners, with sin-sick souls and He became our Healer to make us whole. We were enemies, and He became our Friend to reconcile us through His death on the cross. Yes, we remember our shame and guilt. Better yet, we remember our Saviour who gave Himself
for us. —Rex Trogdon

Guilty, vile and helpless we; spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be? Hallelujah! What a Saviour!  —Philip P. Bliss

1 Chronicles 17:1-18:17; Ezekiel 17:1-24; John 6:22-40

They came as grasshoppers (locusts) for multitude… Judges 6:5

The Midianite army invaded and subdued Israel for seven years. The army was like a plague of locust invading the settlements of God’s people and seemed utterly invincible. They were a mounted force attacking on camels and they cleared the land like locusts, taking everything including crops and animals, leaving Israel impoverished, fearful and helpless. Eventually just 300 men led by Gideon defeated this huge force. God brought greatness out of smallness
and chose insignificant Gideon to be a victorious warrior. Today devastating enemies like secularism and atheism are overrunning society but God is always ultimately victorious. —Paul Young

An army of ordinary people, a kingdom where love is the key,
A city, a light to the nations, heirs to the promise are we.  —Dave Bilborough

1 Chronicles 16:1-43; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

It is easy to be thankful when things are going our way and running smoothly. However when things are not going as well, we may find it more difficult to give thanks. David wrote some of his sweetest psalms when going through dark trials and tribulations. He looked to God and gave thanks in every situation. May we learn this lesson and praise to His glory be continually in our mouths. —John M. Clegg

Praise Him! Praise Him! Never ceasing,
Ye who prove God’s boundless grace;
Have we asked and He has answered?
Thankful hearts to heaven raise,
He is worthy, to receive His children’s praise. —George F. Trench

1 Chronicles 15:1-29; Ezekiel 16:1-34; John 5:24-47

Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Exodus 14:13
Their strength is to sit still. Isaiah 30:7
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Have you ever been told, “Take time to smell the roses”? We anxiously rush from one thing to another and are never at rest. We are constantly distracted by our cell phones, iPads, computers, and TV, things which, sadly, often control us! One old preacher said, “Jesus said, come apart and rest awhile, because if you don’t come apart, you’ll soon find you’ve come apart!”. Set aside time daily to stand still, sit still and be still, to enjoy sweet commune with your Lord and precious truths from His Word. Put away the distractions and enjoy the sweetness of His presence! —Jim Comte

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. —William D. Longstaff

1 Chronicles 13:1-14:17; Ezekiel 14:1-15:8; John 5:1-23

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Prov. 1:7

Faith in God is a fundamental principle for effective living, for understanding the times and having a right attitude toward God, people and life. It enables one to live in an honourable and wise way. Others then should be able to discern our values, standards and priorities. Our conduct, speech, reverence for God and respect for others, reveal what we have really learned. —Gaius C. Goff

Lord, give me faith!—to live from day to day,
With tranquil heart to do my simple part,
And, with my hand in Thine, just go Thy way.
Lord, give me faith!—to trust, if not to know;
With quiet mind in all things, Thee to find,
And, child-like, go where Thou would have me go. —John Oxenham

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 64:10

David had many enemies over the years. At times he could not be sure who to trust. No wonder he depended on the Lord so much. He is the only One who is ever trustworthy! And David knew that one day God would give his enemies righteous judgment. David’s task was to continue to live righteously before the Lord himself. God will take care of the rest. —G. Frear

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.  —Thomas Chisholm

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

Remember me, O my God, for good. Nehemiah 13:31

Nehemiah closes his book with this very brief prayer. Such prayers permeate the book as a whole and teach us that he was a man who was truly in touch with God. The fact that his story is recorded on the pages of Scripture shows that this prayer was answered positively. God remembered him for good and so do we! If we should be called home before the rapture how will we be remembered? Will we, like Nehemiah, be remembered for our communion with and devotion to the Lord? —Philip A. Kaye

Remember me,
O my God, for good,
May I have lived
Just as I should. —Philip Kaye