Month: December 2008

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9-10; Malachi 3:7 to 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Psalm 90:2b

From year to year it is easy to become anxious about what the future holds. Happily, we have an eternal God, who knows the past and the future with perfect knowledge and His eternal grace is sufficient to overcome all the ravages of time. —Keith Keyser

The course of time! Oh, can we scan,
Its streams since first our lives began;
The past with all its joys and tears,
Its sunny hopes, and cloudy fears;
Nor trust that He, whose tender arm,
Hath crowned with good, preserved from harm,
Will never cease our Guide to be,
Through Time and through Eternity? —J. G. Deck

DAILY READINGS: Esther 7-8; Malachi 2:10 to 3:6; Rev. 21:9 to 22:5

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  Psalm 37:37

Pay attention to the blameless and upright people that you know. Peace is in their future. Why is that? Doesn’t life tend to be stressful for those who maintain a blameless and upright testimony in a corrupt society—especially when dishonest demands are made by those in authority over them? The secret is this—His peace is not dependent on peaceful circumstances, but on the peaceful certainty of His omnipotent presence in our lives. A conscience free of guilt, and conduct firm in goodness make it a joy to live a blameless and upright life. —Kingsley Baehr

Peace, perfect peace—our future all unknown?
Jesus we know and He is on the throne. —Edward H. Bickersteth

DAILY READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  Jude 1:23

The literal meaning of this verse is simply “Have mercy on some who are doubting.” If we are honest with ourselves, we all suffer from fears and doubts at times, which in effect challenge God and his ways. However, remember that the Lord understands that we are frail mortals. Let’s not condemn ourselves or others for these lapses. Even John the Baptist had his doubts. —Brian Russell

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all. —Edgar P. Stites

DAILY READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Galatians 4:4

The Lord Jesus came and partook of humanity—veiled in flesh but apart from sin. Unresistingly He went to Golgotha, where He poured out His soul unto death. At that moment, the rocks split open, the sun was darkened and the great veil of the temple was torn in the middle from top to bottom. Nothing like it ever happened before or since. Our hearts are wondrously moved in adoration to the One “whom having not seen we love.”  —Drew Craig

All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall,
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all. —E. Peronnet

DAILY READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  Gen. 1:1

It is said that Queen Victoria once asked her distinguished prime minister, W. E. Gladstone (1809-98), “In all your wide reading, what in your judgment is the most sublime passage in literature?” Without hesitation Gladstone answered, “The first verse of the first chapter of Genesis.” This first verse of the Bible is sublime, direct, positive, and complete. Believe the fact of God and you can believe all else that follows in the Bible. To deny God’s existence is to be labeled a fool (Ps. 14:1; 53:1). —W. Ross Rainey

That there is not a God, the fool doth in his heart conclude:
They are corrupt, their works are vile; not one of them doth good.
                                          —Psalm 14:1 (The Scottish Psalter)

DAILY READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor. 6:10

“I thank God for what He has allowed in my life,” said John who was interpreting my message from English into Portuguese. What had God done for him? As a child he lost an eye when he contracted measles! While still a young boy, a cobra reared up in front of him, spat in his good eye and left him completely blind. In spite of such a calamity John became a teacher, even teaching sighted children. But more than that, he was gloriously saved, and is a wonderful witness for Christ, as he daily rejoices in the Lord.  —David Croudace

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. —J. Oatman

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14

Heaven could not refrain from proclaiming the joyful words, “Glory to God in the highest.” The heavenly beings praised God for the “glory” that was now being manifested, the glory of the incarnate Son of God. Glory was shining forth in the Babe that had been born—God’s Saviour. The King had come. God was manifested, “Emmanuel, God with us.” During this Christmas season may we proclaim with joyful wonder, “Glory to God in the highest.”   —James Comte

Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.  1 Corinthians 11:26

Last Christmas Eve we decided to open one of our gifts early. I chose the heaviest package I could find. It was a heavy duty rechargeable battery for power tools. My wife didn’t quite understand how I knew what was in my other gifts, but from opening one gift I knew what was to come. Every time we remember the Lord as He requested we not only proclaim His death, but we’re also reminded of what’s to come. Jesus is coming again! —Rex Trogdon

Jesus is coming! Sing the glad word!
Coming for those He redeemed by His blood,
Coming to reign as the glorified Lord!
Jesus is coming again!       —D.W. Whittle

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

Thou, Bethlehem Ephratha, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  Micah 5:2

Micah’s name means, “Who is like Jehovah.” His prophecy reveals the birth place of Christ. When the Magi inquired where the King of the Jews would be born, the scribes answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea” (Matt. 2:5). But why did He travel such a distance—from the ivory palaces to a lonely stable? Micah knew—He was born to die (Micah 5:2). As we worship Him for His coming, with wonder, we echo the question “Who is like Jehovah?”  —Les Rainey

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth, over sin, and death and hell. —Philip Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  Ephesians 4:29

There are words that heal and words that hurt. An article told of a little, left-handed girl who was teasingly told that left-handed people don’t go to heaven. This wounded the child’s sensitive spirit and took her years to overcome. James 3:11 asks, “Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” Harsh or condemning words are cruel and intimidating, whereas good words will inspire and build up. May we carefully think, before blurting careless words. May we use our speech in an honourable way. —E. Dyck

Hurtful words oh, let them never, from our tongues unbridled slip,
May we heed the Spirit’s warning, set a guard at heart and lip.—Anon.