Thursday, March 21, 2019

Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

My cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

The believer’s cup is a cup of joy and blessing overflowing from the never-failing fountain of the Lord poured into it. A Christian saved from the depths of sin once said, “The Lord makes my cup and saucer to run over”. This is only because Christ drank that bitter cup, overflowing with God’s righteous wrath and judgement against our sins, which He drank to the full for you and me. Have you thanked Him for what He has done for you? —W. Ross Rainey

Death and the curse were in our cup— O Christ, ‘twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop, ‘Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup—love drank it up; Left but the love for me. —Ann Ross Cousin

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” John 21:5, NKJV

Did the Lord Jesus need to ask the disciples this question? No, He didn’t—He already knew that they hadn’t caught anything. He was willing and able to provide for them, but they first had to be honest about their need. Rather than denying their empty nets, or claiming that they could catch something themselves, the disciples simply told the truth about their situation. Dear friend, have you been honest with the Lord Jesus about your need of a Saviour? He is willing and able to provide for you! Acknowledge your need today! —Lynn Shatford

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling. —A. Toplady

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11
I am come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. John 10:28

The Lord Jesus came so He could give abundant life to us! In order for Him to accomplish this He gave His life for us! What amazing love that by our receiving Him, He has put His eternal life in us! We will never perish. —Jim Paul

He is our Life—we cannot die.
He is our Peace—it must endure.
He is our Strength—to help us nigh.
He is our hope—steadfast and sure. —William Blane

Monday, March 18, 2019

Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

Who art thou, Lord?…I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts 9:5

Who is He? Jesus! And because He is—I don’t have to be anything but submitted to Him! I don’t have to live in a state of panic or worry, anxiety or despair. I may sometimes feel hopeless but I don’t have to live there. “I am Jesus” frees me from carrying my own burdens. It lifts me to joyful thoughts of my eternal destiny, heaven with Him. My friend, are you trying to run the universe yourself or are you looking to Jesus? He was, He is, and He will be forevermore. Let your gaze be on Him today! —Deborah Manera

Christ will always accept the faith that puts their trust in Him. —Andrew Murray

Lord’s Day, March 17, 2019

Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15, NKJV

Paul uses the Greek word “anekdiegetos” in this verse, to refer to God’s “indescribable” gift of His sinless Son. This word conveys the idea that the nature of this gift cannot be fully expounded. It is beyond our comprehension! The fact that this Greek word only occurs here in the New Testament is significant. It cannot be compared to any other Scriptural usage. As we contemplate the vast worth of Christ from God’s perspective we are left dumbfounded, but not speechless. Let us praise God for His incomprehensible love! —W. A. H.

‘Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries,
To sound the depths of love divine! —Charles Wesley

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:32

Christ’s resurrection far exceeds the Law’s standard of two or three witnesses. We have the prophetic witness of the Father (Ps. 2:7) and the Son (John 2:19). The stone rolled away and the empty grave both attest to it. The Lord Jesus bore witness by His many post-resurrection appearances and the Holy Spirit has been testifying to it for 2,000 years (John 15:26). The Lord asks us to believe His Word, the apostles’ testimony, and hundreds more (1 Cor. 15:5-6). So let us obey Christ’s command and go and tell “He is risen” (Matt. 28:7, 19-20). —George Ferrier

Go, and search the tomb of Jesus, where the Lord of glory lay;
Jesus is not there, but risen, and has borne our sins away. —R. C. Chapman

Friday, March 15, 2019

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Some saints never fully enjoy their Christian lives because they cannot really believe that confession brings forgiveness. Sadly, sometimes fellow believers do not help by treating them as second class believers. We all have faults and failings. Let us enjoy the Lord’s forgiveness and help others to do the same. —Brian Russell

Praise my soul the King of heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise shall sing. —Henry Francis Lyte

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

Brethren, the time is short. 1 Corinthians 7:29

The great Napoleon knew the value of time. He often said, “In every battle there is a crisis of perhaps ten to fifteen minutes on which the outcome depends. The proper use of that short period means victory. Improper use of those few minutes and one is destined for defeat”. Realizing, with Paul, that the time is short, let us, in fellowship with our Heavenly Commander, use every minute for His glory and service. “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). —Arnot P. McIntee

Go, labour on while it is day,
The world’s dark night is hastening on,
Speed, speed your work, cast sloth away,
It is not thus that souls are won. —Horatius Bonar

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

So the Lord alone did lead him (Israel)…But Jeshurun (Israel) waxed fat, and kicked. Deuteronomy 32:12, 15

Initially led by God, Israel later becomes so self-sufficient they thrust the Lord right out of their lives. Amazingly He still loved them and in anguish cried out, “O Jerusalem…how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37, NKJV). You may have rejected God, but He lovingly calls you again, to return to Him and be saved. He died to cleanse and forgive you and He is waiting to personally welcome you into His family today. —David Croudace

I hear Thy welcome voice, which calls me Lord, to Thee,
For cleansing in Thy precious blood that flowed at Calvary.
I am coming, Lord! Coming now to Thee.
Wash me, cleanse me in Thy blood, that flowed on Calvary.—Hartsough

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Exodus 29:38- 30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

Thy people also shall be all righteous: They shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Isaiah 60:21

I have a weeping mulberry tree at the front of my house. Every year the branches grow so long that the leaves trail onto the lawn. So I trim them back. Yet, despite my sometimes excessive pruning, it always grows full and green. So it is with the Lord’s chastening (Heb. 12:5-11). When He prunes us, He is teaching us something so we can glorify Him. This in turn helps us grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). —Annette Baal

More like Jesus when I pray, more like Jesus day by day,
Born of Him through grace renewed, by His love my will subdued. —Fanny J. Crosby