Month: April 2012

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 27; Psalms 142-143; Mark 11:1-26

 

He hath done all things well. Mark 7:37

 

The saint of God toiling here for this “little while” will ultimately be victorious. This is wholly because the Lord Jesus “hath done all things well.” Through trial and tribulation, we may be assured that our success is through God “which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15.57). —Mark Fenn

Precious is the blood that healed us,
Perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
All must be well. —Mary Peters

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 26; Psalm 140-141; Mark 10:32-52

 

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 98:4

 

Two young starlings landed near our feeder. Their loud, incessant cries of hunger alerted the neighbourhood to their distress. When their needs had been met, the songs of the other, full-grown birds could again be heard—contented chirps and the full repertoire of the cardinal. A small inner voice seemed to ask, “What will your voice sound like to Me today—demands, never satisfied, always wanting more, or songs of gratitude and praise, of joy to the Giver of sunshine, food, flowers, winds and rain. —M. MacMullen

Stand up and bless the Lord, the Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless His glorious name, henceforth forevermore.—James Montgomery

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 25; Psalm 139; Mark 10:1-31

 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

 

Our verse tells us not only of a hope, but of a blessed, happy hope. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for” (Rom. 8:24). It is with anticipation and expectation that we look for His glorious appearing. Older saints among us would often say, “We are not looking for the undertaker, we are looking for the uppertaker.” He has not come yesterday, but He could come today. Maranatha! —Robert Gentile

Jesus is coming! O sing the glad Word!
Coming for those He redeemed by His blood. —Daniel W. Whittle

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 24; Psalms 137-138; Mark 9:33-50

 

Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13b

 

It is not uncommon for some believers to continually grieve over forgiven sins. While the consequences may remain, we ought to rejoice that God has completely removed them (Psalms 103:12) and remembers them no more (Isaiah 43:25). So let us spend our time usefully getting to know the One who did this for us. Let us seize the moment to worship and serve Him, allowing Him to prepare us for even greater service. Excessive regret not only steals from today but will also hinder our future. Beloved, choose instead to focus on Christ.—George Ferrier

 

Kept peaceful in the midst of strife, forgiving and forgiven,
O may we lead the pilgrim’s life, and follow Thee to Heaven. —J. Gurney

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135-136; Mark 9:14 -32

 

Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. Mark 1:30

 

When a need arises in the home, the Christian should use whatever means to meet it. But, the first thing to be done is to tell the Lord Jesus about it. This is what He has invited and desires us to do (Phil. 4:6). If we fail to tell Him, we may miss the reality of His presence and the revelation of His power. Is there someone sick in your home? Tell the Lord Jesus! Are there unsaved loved ones in your home? Tell the Lord Jesus! Is there lack of harmony and happiness in your home? Tell the Lord Jesus! —W. Ross Rainey

I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly helps me, He ever loves and cares for His own.—E. A. Hoffman

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132-134; Mark 8:27 to 9:13

 

And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb… and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Matthew 27:59-60

 

A linen cloth! A new tomb! A great stone! These few words tell the story of our Lord’s burial. His last garment was a clean linen cloth. Man’s last gift to Him was a new rock-hewn tomb. There was a last glimpse of Him before the great stone closed the door of the sepulchre. Those who love Him now wait for their first glimpse of Him, whom, having not seen, we love. —Jim Flanigan

Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by. —C. E. Breck

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 22; Psalm 128-131; Mark 8:11-26

 

Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

 

One Hundred years ago today, over 2,200 people were on board the “unsinkable” Titanic. They were no doubt enjoying the trip and looking forward to getting to New York City. Sadly 1,517 of them never made it. They lost their lives as the ship hit an iceberg and sank. We do not know what will happen from one day to the next and we are not promised tomorrow. To trust Christ is the most important thing. May you find Christ precious today. —John M. Clegg

Now is the accepted time; the Saviour calls today:
Tomorrow it may be too late, then why should you delay? —J. Dobell

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 21; Psalms 124-127; Mark 7:24 to 8:10

 

And God made two great lights: The greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16

 

The sun and moon were instituted to control, with great precision, the phenomenon of time which is unique to earth. God installed time as a feature of earth so He could present to man a marked and limited interlude during which God could make known in a unique way His power, love, grace, salvation, and judgement. But time has an end. He will not always strive with man. Learn and enjoy the attributes of God while you have time. —Doug Kazen

The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am His, for He is mine forever. —John H. Gurney

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 19-20; Psalms 120-123; Mark 7:1-23

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. John 14:27

 

What an amazing blessing the Lord gave to His disciples when all around them was chaos and unrest. They were soon to experience sadness as the rulers of the world united to crucify Jesus! What the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples He gives to those who put their trust in Him today! No matter the circumstance or experience we are called to pass through, we can enjoy His abiding peace within. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts! (Colossians 3:15) —Jim Paul

Peace like a river is flooding my soul,
Since Christ my Saviour maketh me whole.
Sweet peace abiding my portion shall be,
Jesus my Saviour is precious to me. —Grant C. Tullar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

 

But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15

 

There is no earthly discouragement that a thoughtful reflection on God’s greatness cannot dispel. As we recall His many amazing attributes, our memories connect with past experiences and examples of how He has revealed Himself to us. Following such activity, a worshiping heart will find it very difficult to worry or complain, and it will truly “rejoice the soul” (Psalm 86:4). —Rick Morse

Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art;
That, that alone can be my soul’s true rest;
Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart,
And stills the tempest of my tossing breast. —Horatius Bonar