And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14
Calvary is a low hill; but it casts a long shadow. To our Lord, it was always before Him; from His earliest spoken words onwards to His last, it is evident that He was living in anticipation of Calvary. The shadow of the cross hovered over all the incidents of His life. May we, this day remember Him, and all that He suffered in our stead. —Ken Gunnell
“Lifted up” was He to die, “It is finished” was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Phillip P. Bliss
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1
When the Liberian tanker, the Arrow, ran aground and broke in two off Canada’s east coast, it polluted 125 miles of shoreline. Confessing it to be his error, the Captain said, “I did not believe the message of my electronic depth sounder.” Friend, if, on the sea of life, you ignore the warnings of God, your soul will be lost on the shores of eternity. —Arnot P. McIntee
O, turn, while the Saviour in mercy is waiting, And steer for the harbour light; For how do you know but your soul may be drifting, Over the deadline tonight? —Virginia W. Moyer
Therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity. Joshua 24:14
The sermon’s title was, “A Life That Matters.” Two famous athletes were being questioned as to their legacy. Ted Williams pointed to his success in baseball. And Michael Jordan noted his achievements in basketball. The speaker commented, “How sad!” A lifetime quest for fleeting fame. The apostle Paul had the best goal declaring, “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). We all leave imprints in the sands of time.
May our steps inspire holy living for the generation following us and leave a legacy that counts for eternity. —E. Dyck
Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, gladhearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me. —Thomas O. Chisholm
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. Psalm 56:5 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Psalm 56:8
Suffering does not always come from sickness and bereavement. One of the greatest trials occurs when others—especially if they are believers—question our motives and actions and make us feel like spiritual failures. The psalmist reminds us that God understands our pain and registers it in His book and there is not one tear that is not collected. —Brian Russell
No-one understands like Jesus when the foes of life assail. You should never be discouraged. Jesus cares and will not fail. —John W. Peterson
That the generation to come might know them. Psalm 78:6
We seem to have little appreciation of our Christian heritage today. Great men and women missionaries have come and gone, yet so few have any knowledge of their lives and work. Biographies of great Christian men and women from the past are important to understanding God’s work throughout history. The psalmist here is speaking of an even earlier historical period and exhorting an understanding of it. We need to see how God has worked in the past to understand our place in the divine continuum of His dealings with mankind. —N. C. Funston
Be still, my soul! Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. —K. von Schlegel
This is an interesting and informative book, written by Alma Turnbull, recording how the Lord has worked in a mighty way in a settlement on the banks of the Zambezi River called Chitokoloki. The remarkable story commences in late 1913 when three faithful men – Mr. Frederick Arnot, Mr. T. Lambert Rogers and Mr. George Suckling heeded God’s call and established a ministry in an area of Zambia yet to be reached with the gospel.
This beautifully illustrated book uses many photographs, historical accounts and documents spanning 100 years of service in order to bring the story to life for readers who have never experienced what it would be like living and working in such a region of Africa. There is a helpful map which can be used to locate the places referred to, and a chronological index of missionary workers to help readers understand where and when the workers fit into the history. My only slight criticism of the book is that it would have been nice if all the photographs came with a brief description.
The author sets the scene well and then focuses on the mission station and its workers, the advance in education, the spread of the gospel and the teaching of God’s Word. A large proportion of the book records the development of the medical work from a small hospital with few patients to a fully fledged hospital with modern equipment capable of conducting major surgical operations, interspersing this with touching accounts and testimonies of individuals whose lives were changed both physically and spiritually.
What makes this book interesting and challenging is the thread that runs throughout – God is faithful! Yet the reader is caused to stop and appreciate the remarkable nature of events that are recorded so simply. There is a good balance between the joys of being involved in such a work and the heartaches, difficulties and at times seemingly inexplicable circumstances that have been faced along the way.
Alma Turnbull gives a clear insight into the work that has been done but when reading this book it needs to be remembered, this is an ongoing work. It is also likely that this book will leave you challenged, to quote Gordon Hanna speaking at a graveside in Chitokoloki, ‘what is important is not the quantity of our life but the quality- not how long we spend here on earth, but what we do with the time God has given us’.
This book is available at https://b1111bea8e.nxcli.io/product/chitokoloki-celebrating-a-century-of-the-lords-work/
As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. Joshua 1:5
It was an awesome task for Joshua to assume the role of Israel’s leader after the death of Moses. Moses was highly educated, intelligent and powerful. He delivered the nation from slavery, brought them miraculously through the Red Sea and led them for 40 years in the desert. His was a God-given authority and for Joshua to take his place must have seemed daunting, but God reassured His servant with the
promise of His presence. Let us not be daunted by our divine calling. Our Saviour’s presence will be help enough. —Paul Young
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths, Its flow may richer, fuller be. —George Matheson
Tell (count) the stars, if thou be able to number them. Genesis 15:5 He calleth them all by names. Isaiah 40:26 Your heavenly Father feedeth them. Matthew 6:26 For your heavenly Father knoweth. Matthew 6:32
Abraham must have been filled with amazement as he scanned the mass of twinkling stars above him. Can you not hear him thinking, “Count the stars, how is that even possible?” But God has named every one of them! It is beyond the comprehension of our minds, but it is not beyond His. How wonderful to know that this great God is our Father. He feeds the sparrow and He knows every detail of our life. He is limitless in His love, care and faithfulness to us. —Jim Comte
God sees the little sparrow fall, it meets His tender view; If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me, too! —M. Straub
We marvel today at these five words! Christ, the very Son of God suffered and bled and died upon a cross. One who was sinless, paid the price of our sin at Calvary. Yet we remember One today who is not dead, but alive and alive forevermore! We have to exclaim Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —John M.Clegg
Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood, Sealed my pardon with His blood, Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
To come to God requires two things. First, we must believe that He is, that He exists. Nearly everyone believes this. But, that’s not enough. We must also believe that He will reward those who seek Him out. Call upon Him in faith for salvation, knowing that He will respond. Then, for spiritual growth, don’t grow weary in your prayers, nor your passion for living for Him. Seek Him in every situation. He is there. He will reward. —Rex Trogdon
Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much. —John Newton
