Month: May 2019

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

The Son of man came…to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

“I owe my life to a ransom paid, not by the government, but by donations from many caring people”. So said a young woman released after 460 days of captivity. It was gifts from friends that made possible her release. The ransom price for our sins was the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter wrote, in 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Ye were not redeemed with…silver and gold…But with the precious blood of Christ”. His blood was sacrificially shed to pay for your sins. Have you thanked Him for paying the penalty price for your sins? —Arnot P. McIntee

Precious blood that hath redeemed us, all the price is paid!
Perfect pardon now is offered, peace is made. —Frances R. Havergal

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

What do you want Me to do for you? Mark 10:36, 52, NKJV

The Lord Jesus asked this question in two different settings. The first was to two of His disciples who answered, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory” (Mark 10:37, NKJV). The second was to two blind men who cried, “Son of David, have mercy on us” (Matt. 9:27, NKJV). They answered, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened” (Matt. 20:33, NKJV). The disciples could see but were blind to their pride. The blind men could not see, but recognized the Lord, and He opened their eyes. What would you answer? —Rex Trogdon

Open my eyes, that I may see,
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
That shall unclasp, and set me free. —Clara H. Scott

Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Between 1983 and 2017, one of 7 possible mottos inscribed on the pound coin was that of the city of Edinburgh “Nisi dominus frustra”—“It is vain without the Lord”. We can often be so taken up with trying to do things for the Lord that we can forget to ask for His help and blessing. Said the psalmist “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Ps. 127:1). —Brian Powlesland

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone—
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. —W. D. Longstaff

Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Revelation 21:5-6, NKJV

“It is done” is in a rare Greek verb tense that denotes a completed action in the past with timeless results. Wuest translates it: “I make all things new in quality…Write at once, because these words are trustworthy and dependable…They have come to pass and stand accomplished”. Only the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, can achieve in the past, what lasts for eternity and makes all things new in between! —W. A. H.

When He from His lofty throne stooped to do and die,
Everything was fully done; hearken to His cry!
“It is finished!” Yes, indeed, finished, for all eternity. —James Proctor

Numbers 30:1-31; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, (God’s Word) and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Exodus 18:20

Jethro gave Moses sound advice which those in leadership roles would do well to emulate. Firstly they must teach God’s Word. Then they must show the believers by example how to walk in obedience to that word. Finally they should show them the work of God in which they should be involved. Not just encouraging them to work but rather to demonstrate it, by going out with them and so showing them how to do God’s work. —David Croudace

Many now are watching the footsteps that we take;
Many soon will follow in the choices that we make.
So let us then be faithful to be what we should be,
And leave a good example that they can clearly see. —J. Zichterman

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

They that…sow wickedness, reap the same. Job 4:8

Sin begins as a seed. If it is not dealt with immediately, it becomes a weed, a weed that begins to choke out spiritual desires and nourishment. Before long, that weed becomes a deed, manifesting itself in behaviour that is not honouring to the Lord. In time, that deed becomes a need, an addiction. It becomes hard to get through a day without fulfilling that sinful desire. That need begets greed, a pursuit of sin at all costs, leaving a trail of broken hearts and homes in the process. Hence the well-known truism: first, sin fascinates, then it assassinates. There is a two-fold antidote to this declining spiral: feed your soul the Word of God and heed the convicting prompts of the Holy Spirit to “flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). —Brian Cretney

Sowing to the Spirit, praying as we go;
From the seed we scatter, soon the blade will grow. —Fanny J. Crosby

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140

The Word of God is absolutely pure, free from any kind of distortion, error or contradiction. It also has a purifying effect upon those who read it prayerfully, regularly and systematically. Many shy away from reading it because it can be painful as it draws attention to our sins, failures and disobedience. However, it can bring washing and cleansing to us as we embrace its message and surrender to its truth through faith in Jesus Christ. —Paul Young

Purify my heart, cleanse me from within,
And make me holy.
Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin,
Deep within. —Brian Doerksen

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

He who is emasculated…shall not enter the assembly of the Lord. Deuteronomy 23:1, NKJV
The eunuch said…What hinders me to be baptized? Acts 8:36, NKJV

Upon a confession of faith—nothing! This devout man had drawn as close to God as the Law would allow. He had come to worship Him. All the way from Africa to Jerusalem’s temple. But now Philip pointed him to another place—a place of anguish, darkness and separation—a place of glory. There he found a Lamb whose work had torn the veil in two; whose blood could wash the foulest clean; a Lamb who opened the way for all to the heart of God. How he must have wept for joy at the grace Christ afforded him! No less separated, are we similarly affected? —S. McEachern

The veil was rent in an instant, revealing that holy place.
For on a hill nearby, on a rugged cross, justice met grace.—S. M.

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. 1 Timothy 4:8, NKJV
Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7b

Although exercising our bodies is beneficial for our physical health, God’s Word says it pales in comparison to the benefit godliness produces in our spiritual lives. The neglect of exercise in either the physical or spiritual realm, can cause atrophy to set in due to lack of use. This may result in complacency, ineffectiveness, and lack of growth. May God keep us disciplined to exercise unto godliness every day. —E. V.

Only this hour is mine Lord, may it be used for Thee;
May every passing moment, count for eternity. —Avis B. Christiansen

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

As David contemplated the greatness and might of God, he began to realise his own sin and weakness, even in the small things. If he couldn’t control his tongue and his heart’s thoughts, which others couldn’t see, then how could he control his actions which they could see? As we think of our own lives, how much more should we pray this prayer! —G. Frear

Oh Lord, I cry to Thee, beset by secret sins,
Let them not o’er me, the victory win,
Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart,
Be acceptable to Thee, for this is my part. —G. F.