Month: November 2015

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Ezekiel 46; John 21

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Though small, I noticed some alyssum plants flowering in the cracks between the concrete. Each tiny flower was beautiful, though prone to be trampled on. In spite of their challenges, they made a colourful and cheerful display of white and mauve flowers. Perhaps you feel your life is insignificant and you may even feel “trampled” upon. Maybe you are feeling the limitations of old age, have financial difficulties or have an unbelieving spouse from whom you suffer insults. Give your pain to Him and let His light shine forth through you today so that others may see His beauty reflected in you. —Janet Fleming

Be a light for Jesus, shine now for Him, Others soon will see it too.
You can help the Saviour reach to the world, Let your light shine bright and true.
—Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts…  Zechariah 13:7

What an unspeakable moment in the annals of eternity! When Jehovah lifted up His sword against His fellow, who had been by His side from all of eternity—His “well beloved Son” in whom He had found all His delight. Why this moment of terrible, incomprehensible judgment upon this innocent victim? The mystery deepens when we realize that it was for us, guilty, sinful rebels, that Jehovah made to meet upon Him the iniquity of us all, and had Him bear the punishment that was our due. Hallelujah! What a Saviour. —W. H. Burnett

Jehovah bade His sword awake; O Christ, it woke ‘gainst Thee,
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake, Thy heart its sheath must be,
All for my sake, my peace to make, now sleeps that sword for me.
—Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not…  Jeremiah 45:5
…but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister. Mark 10:43

The world’s concept of “greatness”, is often contrary to Scripture. Jesus taught His disciples that the secret to greatness was to humble themselves as a little child and to become the servants of all! We too, need to guard against self-glorification. May we rather have the mind of Christ, who made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5, 7). May we follow His example. —E. V.

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling,
All I do and say.
—Kate B. Wilkinson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…  Genesis 50:20

It is amazing how God works in His people’s lives. His dealings with us are unique and wonderful. Abraham was called out of Ur to be a pilgrim in a promised land. Joseph was sold into slavery (for the good of his family). Moses was brought back to Egypt that he might lead the children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land. The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to let the children of Israel go back to Jerusalem (2 Chron. 36:22). What an amazing picture of the supremacy of our God and of His care and keeping of His people. What a God! He will work mightily in our lives too. —M. Robins

God is working His purposes out, as year succeeds to year;
God is working His purposes out, as His return draws ever near.
—Arthur Campbell Aigner

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron…  Joshua 17:16

The children of Joseph complained that their allotment of Canaan’s land was “not enough” (17:16). Yet God had provisioned them with exactly what they needed in accordance with their capacity to seize it in faith. They were to stop complaining and get to work! Then they could use those resources to attain more land. In many situations God has provided all that we need to be conquerors, but either fear or complacency rob us of the blessing. Appropriate what He has given and new resources will come when they are needed. —W. A. H.

Ever forward, up and onward! Men, lift up your hearts and pray,
Trust in God and press the battle, victory will be ours today.
—E. Hoffman

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  Acts 2:47

The church is called Christ’s body (Col. 1:18). The intimacy expressed in that image is hard to fathom. We are intimately linked with Him. The foundation for the church was laid at Calvary. There our Lord settled the sin question and opened up the door to life in His body. The worship of the church begins at Calvary as well. There the  Spirit of God has opened up our eyes and given us vision to see Calvary as the divine fulcrum, upon which rests the work of God from eternity past unto the endless reaches of the eternity that lies ahead. Have you been “added” to the church? —Vernon Markle

The Church’s one foundation, is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation; by water and the Word.
—Samuel Stone

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  1 Thessalonians 5:15

How quickly we want to get back at someone and return evil for evil! Slights, insults, open rejection—hurtful words and actions that sometimes come our way. Our immediate response is to retaliate, to show that we will not stand for it and to silence the source. But that strategy, appealing to the flesh and encouraged by the world often deepens the problem. If that is your situation today, commit the matter to the Lord who experienced the same (1 Pet. 2:23) and watch how He will work with you and for you. —Mark Kolchin

Jesus, meek and gentle, Son of God most High,
Gracious, loving Saviour, hear Thy children’s cry.
—G. Prynne