Saturday, April 20, 2019

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

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Psalm 2:1 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Psalm 2:6

The question asked by the psalmist can be applied to our day. The entire globe has descended into a pit of chaos and darkness: socially, morally and politically. Luke wrote about these days when, “men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21:26), and indeed these days are upon us. However, as saints we can take heart, knowing that in the final analysis, God’s purposes will be fulfilled and the King this world crucified, will return in power and glory, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. —W. H. Burnett

O the crowning day is coming! Is coming by and by!
When our Lord will come in power, and glory from on high! —D. W. Whittle

Friday, April 19, 2019

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

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

Amidst the sorrow of losing a loved one comes great opportunities for a Christian to witness. Often you will find that because unsaved friends are occupied with the concept of death and eternity we can confirm the realities of our faith and let others know that our Lord carries us. —Brian Russell

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul can rest. —Mrs. Van Alstyne

Thursday, April 18, 2019

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

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psalm 22:1

Were God to forsake us, there would be no mystery as to why, but why should He forsake His holy, perfect, sinless Son in whom was all His delight? We know why. It was for you and me. He took our place on the cross. He was forsaken that we might be forgiven. Have you availed yourself of His forgiveness through faith in Him? —W. Ross Rainey

Forgiven, yes forgiven, My sins forever gone;
Joyful, yes joyful, My heart is filled with song. —W. R. R.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

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

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Ecclesiastes 12:1

Fourteen year old, cancer-filled Celeste had a choice to make as her life was slipping away. She chose to meet with a number of Hollywood celebrities. Her mother said, “They were the people she desperately wanted to meet”. She did, but there was no desire to meet God, and He the one she was soon to meet. Ancient Amos had valuable, God-given, advice when he said, “prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12). Regardless of age, we must all meet God. Acts 16:31 tells us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”. Do so this very moment. —Arnot P. McIntee

I come to Jesus, He will take my hand,
He will kindly lead me to a better land. —Fanny J. Crosby

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

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

I have found David…a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil (do) all my will. Acts 13:22

Where was David when God wished to anoint him as the future king? He was looking after the sheep! Others were at the exciting meeting with the great prophet Samuel, but David was faithfully doing the job he had been given to do. Here was a young man upon whom God could depend. A young man “after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). Small unpretentious jobs are often the testing ground God uses to see if He can depend upon us for something bigger. “He that is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). —David Croudace

Can He depend upon you? His blessed will to do?
Have you told others the story of love, Showing them what they should do?
Can He depend on you?—W. Bacon

Monday, April 15, 2019

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

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. Zephaniah 1:18

Forgiveness cannot be bought. Money is the universal passport to everywhere except heaven. But the gospel goes out even to him “that hath no money” (Isa. 55:1). Nor are spiritual life, power or positions in the church for sale, as the sorcerer Simon Magus soon found out—“Thy money perish with thee” (Acts 8:18-21). Some say that money makes the world go round, but God is not swayed by them. Let us learn godliness with contentment, which is great gain, and show no partiality or respect of persons in our preaching. —Carl Knott

Lord, I care not for riches, neither silver nor gold;
I would make sure of heaven, I would enter the fold. —Mary A. Kidder

Lord’s Day, April 14, 2019

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

Thou man of God, the king said, Come down. 2 Kings 1:9
Let him now come down from the cross. Matthew 27:42

Twice Elijah was ordered by Ahaziah to “come down”. He refused and God sent down fire and consumed the king’s men. The crowd around the cross ordered Christ to “come down” to prove who He was. We would have expected the fire of heaven to consume these accusers. God rather sent the fire down on His Beloved Son, so that sinners might be forgiven. —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

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

Saturday, April 13, 2019

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

The gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:1-3

Romans is a systematic and glorious unfolding of the gospel and right here at the beginning we have its salient features. Firstly, the source of the gospel is God. The gospel was not the invention of man but flows from the heart of deity. Secondly, it had been predicted and promised in the Old Testament. The prophets spoke of it over the centuries. Thirdly, it centres upon the Lord Jesus. He is the heart of the Gospel message and it is through Him that the good news came to earth for our salvation. —Paul Young

Good News, Good News, Christ died for me.
Good News, Good News, If I believe.
Good News, Good News, I’m saved eternally. —Author Unknown

Friday, April 12, 2019

Leviticus 19:1-20:27; Psalms 120:1-123:4; Mark 7:1-23

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. Psalm 71:9

Sometimes we can feel that we have reached our “sell by date”. An age where we get the impression that we are of no use to anyone. That is when the Lord tells us, “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God” (Isa. 41:9-10). “And even to your old age I am he; and even to [grey] hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isa. 46:4). Continue on and finish well. —Ken Gunnell

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not, He cannot desert to its foes;
That soul tho’ all hell should endeavour to shake,
He’ll never, no never, no never forsake. —Robert Keen

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Leviticus 17:1-18:30; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:30

When circumstances are beyond our control, we are to remember that God’s ways are always perfect. We are not told that we will understand what is happening, but we are told that we are to trust and He will be our shield and preserve us. We see a young widow stand by her husband’s grave, or a busy wife engrossed in the Lord’s work and taken, and we wonder why. But, God’s way is perfect, beyond our comprehension. —G. Frear

Your way is perfect, Your Word is tried,
In You our Rock, we always hide;
You keep us from the forces ’round,
Your peace encircles and surrounds. —G. F.