Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Exodus 10:1-29; Psalms 42:1-43:5; Acts 4:32-5:11

When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Their ship had gone to the bottom and twelve men in an overcrowded, storm-tossed lifeboat laboured to stay afloat. Suddenly, one seaman, in an e?ort to lighten the boat, jumped overboard. The eleven were subsequently saved. The heroic sailor died for all and for each one individually. So, the Lord Jesus Christ died for all of mankind, but in doing so, He died specifically for you. Avail yourself of His vicarious death and you too, will be saved. —Arnot P. McIntee

Behold a spotless Victim dies, my surety on the tree:
The Lamb of God, my sacrifice, He gave Himself for me. —Author Unknown

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Exodus 9:1-35; Psalm 40:1-41:13; Acts 4:1-31

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. James 3:4

The tongue can be used for evil and also for good. James uses the ship as an illustration of the power of the tongue. Ships carry goods and cargo across the sea, delivering helpful and useful merchandise to needy people in a timely manner. The tongue can be used the same way. Our words can encourage those who are weary, exhort those who are weak. Like a ship, seek to deliver a good cargo every day to someone who needs it. Give grace to those who hear you and aim to build them up (Eph. 4:29). —Shane Johnson

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

Monday, February 17, 2020

Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26

My grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV

Haman had just been invited to a second banquet with Queen Esther and King Xerxes. Arriving at home, he called together his wife and friends and boasted of his vast wealth, his many sons, and the many honours the King had showered on him. Then comes this telling statement: “But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as…” (Est. 5:13, NIV). How do I complete that sentence? If I had nothing more than the grace that saved me, would I be content? In fact, I have been blessed abundantly—salvation and then blessing upon blessing. My satisfaction will come only as I look to the Lord Jesus alone with gratitude for His sufficient grace. —M. MacMullen

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. —M. Redman & J. Myrin

Lord’s Day, February 16, 2020

Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

Joseph of Arimathea…which also waited for the kingdom of God. Mark 15:43a

Joseph “waited” for the kingdom to come, yet craved the body of the King and placed it in the tomb. At that moment, disappointment must have filled his heart. But oh, what joy is ours, what peace of mind, to “wait” for our risen King of kings and His kingdom. All earthly disappointments will be over then; no tomb, but our Saviour on the throne. —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

He was better to me than all my hopes;
He was better than all my fears;
He made a bridge of my broken works,
And a rainbow of my tears. —Anna Shipton

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Revelation 22:20

A sign on a plot of land in my home town announced a development of luxury homes. “Coming Soon!” was splashed across it. Five years later the sign is still there. No new houses have been built. Reputedly, the builder did not have enough money to even get the project started. Christians are assured that a future home has been prepared for them—everything is ready and paid for and the Lord is coming soon to collect us. There is nothing to hinder His coming. Could it be today? —Brian Powlesland

I am waiting for the coming of the Lord Who died for me;
O His words have thrilled my spirit “I will come again for thee”. —S. Trevor Francis

Friday, February 14, 2020

Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV

Why is love the greatest? Among other things, faith and hope relate more to self, whereas love is the most useful to others. Furthermore, the fact that God is love makes it the greatest of the three, love being the greatest force in the universe; Calvary having been its greatest and fullest expression. —W. Ross Rainey

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown. —Isaac Watts

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Exodus 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matthew 28:1-20

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to make thee a servant and a witness. Acts 26:16

It’s truly amazing what God has been able to do with broken people who have been willing to be remade. Many of the great influential saints of history were once individuals whom we’d scarcely give a second glance. I wonder what God could do with you or me today, if we would only yield all that we are and have to Him? What is it costing someone because we haven’t? What glory is He being robbed of because we remain stubbornly complacent? —Rick Morse

Master speak, and make me ready, when Thy voice is truly heard;
With obedience glad and steady, still to follow every word. —Frances Ridley Havergal

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Exodus 1:1-2:22; Psalm 31:1-24; Matthew 27:45-66

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3

The Lord Jesus su?ered the continual slander directed at Him. Denying His eternal Sonship, they sneered, “He is just the carpenter’s son.” Contradicting His heavenly origin, they mocked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Repudiating His holy character, they sco?ed, “He is deceiving the people.” Alone at the cross, reproach broke His heart (Ps. 69:20). Yet today what joy must fill His heart when someone trusts Him as Saviour, proclaiming “I believe you Lord.” Have you? —George Ferrier

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

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Genesis 50:1-26; Psalm 30:1-12; Matthew 27:27-44

They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel. Psalm 106:13, NKJV

Humans are forgetful, especially when times are difficult. Our Lord God has been good to us in the past. Why would He forsake us now in our hour of deepest need? Let’s remember His good works toward us and wait upon Him for guidance. His loving counsel will see us through whatever we are facing. —Annette Baal

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —Frances Ridley Havergal

Monday, February 10, 2020

Genesis 49:1-33; Psalms 28:1-29:11; Matthew 27:1-26

I know that in me…dwelleth no good thing. Romans 7:18 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

Psychologists and sadly some preachers tell us we need a “good self-image”. God’s Word tells us He uses one who recognizes that he is “the chief of sinners”, “in whom there is nothing good”, and who sees himself as “less than the least of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8). These statements all applied to the apostle Paul—the greatest missionary of the New Testament. Oh to see myself in the light of Calvary, that my precious Lord may be seen to be everything. —David Croudace

Oh to be saved from myself dear Lord,
Oh to be lost in Thee,
Oh that it may be no more I,
But Christ that lives in me.—A. B. Simpson