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Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer. Acts 6:4

One day when I was reading this calendar, it occurred to me that, even as each author had been a blessing and help to me, very likely they had some challenge or difficulty going on in their life. We all do. That day, I decided to include that person in my prayers for the day. Maybe it is stress or health, or family. Maybe it is something good and a thank you is needed. Whatever our issue, each of us needs the prayers of another believer, whether we know them or not.
—Debbie Douglas

Can I pray for you?
Can I mention your name to the Lord?
When I seek His face,
Can I plead your case?
That’s what praying is for. —Mark Bishop

Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17

I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:11

The sovereign will and divine purposes of God are assured in His Word. No matter what humans may do or think, what laws they may pass in the governments of our day, God is overall. We can rest fully upon His promises and trust in Him, come what may! So don’t be alarmed by current events, the Lord is on His throne and is in full control, and we can rest in that! —Pete Smith

Our souls are in God’s mighty hand,
We’re precious in His sight;
And you and I shall surely stand
With Him in glory bright.  —J.H. Tenney

Leviticus 27:1-34 Psalms 142:1-143:12; Mark 11:1-26

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.  Jonah 1:17

When Bella Durnell woke up on January 5th, 1885 in Littleton, Gloucestershire, England, she could hardly believe her eyes as there was a huge whale washed up on the coast. People came from all around to see the sight. Charlie Smart, a local preacher, took the opportunity to get into the whale’s mouth. Charlie was over six foot in height and was able to stand upright. He proved that it was not impossible for a man to be swallowed whole by a whale, a great sea creature. So Jonah’s story is not as far fetched as some skeptics have suggested and we are absolutely sure that God’s Word is truth and can be fully relied upon. —Paul Young

So as I face tomorrow, with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all.—A. Smith & E. Clarke

Leviticus 26:1-46; Psalm 140:1-141:10; Mark 10:32-52

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV

There is coming a day when this present tense will turn the page to become past tense. Then, fight the good fight will become, I have fought the good fight. Run the race will become, I have finished the race. And keep the faith will become, I have kept the faith. This will happen one day, that final day when all is finished, and saints are rewarded with a crown of righteousness. —Rex Trogdon

Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won; teach me Thy way!  —B. Mansell Ramsey

Leviticus 25:1-55; Psalm 139:1-24; Mark 10:1-31

And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. Exodus 33:18 

Despite all Moses had seen of God’s power and might, and all he had heard directly from God, he still wanted one thing more—to see Him in all His glory. So should we! Having tasted His goodness, and delighted in His fellowship, let us yearn for that forever moment when we shall see Him as He is. Oh that even today we may have a closer glimpse, a more intimate time of fellowship with Him! Is this the desire of your heart? Lord, show us Thy glory we
pray! —Deborah Manera

Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by.  – Carrie Ellis Breck

Leviticus 24:1-23; Psalms 137:1-138:8; Mark 9:33-50

An idle soul shall suffer hunger. Proverbs 19:15

“Keep yourselves from idols”, warns our holy God. But there are other “idles” we might also come to love. There are idle promises: Commit to something; say “I’ll do it”, then renege. Guaranteeing satisfaction, but in the end it is all talk, no action (Prov. 14:23). Idle habits make me lazy and waste so much precious time. Opportunities to invest in eternity are squandered for brief moments of pleasure (Prov. 19:15). Idle words come so easy. They pour like water from a spout: gossip, crude and godless humour. It is so easy to stir the pot or start a rumour (Matt. 12:36). Idle pride, the flesh arises. Godly counsel, it despises. Marching thus to my own drum, self-absorbed I soon become (2 Thess. 3:6). Yes, dear Christian, this  is vital: guard against each subtle “idle”. —Brian Cretney

Idle things their idols make, our souls to bind, our hearts to break. – B.C.

Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135:1-136:26; Mark 9:14-32

My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. Job 19:14
He shall not fail. Isaiah 42:4

If we are honest with ourselves there are times when we fail our family and friends. There may be times too, when they fail us. There has only been One who has never failed in anything. We give thanks today for Jesus Christ in the glory who never fails or disappoints. —John M. Clegg

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine forever. – Henry W. Baker

Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132:1-134:3; Mark 8:27-9:13

You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5 NKJV

Shame is not something we hear much about these days. People are urged to flaunt what once was disgraceful. The Lord Jesus came to bear our shame. He was baptized in the Jordan, identifying with those who were admitting they were sinners. In contrast, the established religious leaders thought of themselves as so good they did not have anything to repent of and refused John’s baptism. Shame is a crushing emotion but He was crushed for our iniquities and we are pardoned. —Marilyn MacMullen

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood.
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour.  —P.P. Bliss

Leviticus 22:1-33; Psalm 128:1-131:3; Mark 8:11-26

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28 NKJV

On the eve of Independence for the nation he was labouring in, my father-in-law received an unsigned letter warning him, “[He] would eat in fear; work in fear; and sleep in fear”. He answered it publicly by saying he had another message from One who had signed it, namely, the Lord Jesus. He then read Luke 12:32. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”. In this chaotic world, whatever happens, remember that we have an unshakeable kingdom, reserved in heaven for us. —David Croudace

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast.
There by His love o’er shadowed, sweetly my soul shall rest.—F. Crosby

Leviticus 21:1-24; Psalms 124:1-127:5; Mark 7:24-8:10

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? Proverbs 1:22
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

The Hebrew word for “simplicity” in our first verse means, “foolish, simple, seductible, or silly”. In contrast, the word “simplicity” found in our second verse, means “sincerity, without self-seeking, genuine, liberal (in giving)”. Let us not be foolish or silly but seek to be like Christ in our simplicity and sincerity as we serve Him till He comes. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting Him whate’er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all. —Edgar P. Stites