Month: March 2024

Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

Let us do good unto all men. Galatians 6:10

At the crowning ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953, she declared on oath that she would, “keep the law, administer justice and execute all her judgments in mercy and to use her utmost power to maintain the laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel”. Ever under scrutiny in her many public engagements across the world, she was highly respected for her Christian faith and acts of kindness and concern for people. Despite her position, she lived out her faith to the glory of God and benefit of people. May we, let our light “so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). —Brian Powlesland

Merciful God, how shall we raise our hearts to pay Thee all Thy praise?
Our hearts shall beat for Thee alone; our lives shall make Thy goodness known.
—Charles Wesley

Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 NKJV
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3 NKJV

Learn to make yourself small. David, John the Baptist and Paul, along with many other believers knew this. Self promotion, while appealing to the flesh, is destructive to a meaningful life and service. Christ is our pattern. His pre-eminence is our goal. Great things are accomplished by those who know this. —Brian Gunning

Not I, but Christ be honoured, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known, and heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action;
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
—Ada Whiddington and Albert Simpson

Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

But we see Jesus…. Hebrews 2:9
Looking unto Jesus… Hebrews 12:2

Someone has written that when we come to the Bible we should always seek to get beyond the words to the Person. It is important that we diligently read, study, meditate on, and memorize the Word of God. These are important exercises for every Christian. But we are warned, we are not simply increasing our knowledge of the Bible, but looking beyond that to see Jesus in all His beauty and to recognize all He has done for us, so that we might deepen our relationship with Him. Our aim in coming to the Scriptures is to be like Christ and to live for the glory of God. —Paul Young

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious; see the Man of Sorrows now!
From the fight returned victorious, every knee to Him shall bow.
—Thomas Kelly

Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

…and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9
God….saved Noah…a preacher of righteousness. 2 Peter 2:5

Noah spent 120 years building an ark to escape the coming flood because he believed the word of the living God. Secondly he scorned the ridicule of those who scoffed at the thought of a coming judgement and that there was only one way to avoid it—the ark. Although he saw little in the way of results—only he and seven others entered the ark—yet he never gave up. Have we given up warning the world of the coming judgement and of Christ who is the only Way to be saved from it? —David Croudace

What regret must then be mine, when I meet my Lord divine;
If I’ve wasted all the talents He doth lend;
If no soul to me can say, “I’m so glad you passed my way;
For ‘twas you who told me of the sinners Friend.” —N. A. McAulay

Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

He was oppressed, and…afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Someone has well said of Isaiah 53 that, “It looks as if it had been written beneath the cross of Golgotha”. There, as the lonely Lamb led to the slaughter, He hangs upon the tree. There are no pitying eyes upon Him. His sealed lips which had spoken so eloquently before Pilate, Herod and the jeering multitudes are quiet now. The only word He speaks are not against His tormentors but on our behalf, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). How can our lips be sealed this Lord’s Day, as we gaze upon the silent Sufferer? —Jim Comte

The Lamb of God to slaughter led, the King of Glory see!
The crown of thorns upon His head, they nail Him to the tree!—R. Chapman

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

But one thing is needful. Luke 10:42

Our culture and society tells us that many things are needful to have a happy, successful and fulfilling life. But Jesus tells us that only one thing can provide what we need—Him! We don’t need a better image, more things, more relationships, more money, or more popularity. We need a relationship with the One who created us, died for us, and promises eternal life to all who will believe in Him. If I have Christ—I have all I need. If I don’t, I have nothing. What have you today? —Deborah Manera

Hallelujah!
All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah!
Jesus is my life.  —Jordan Kauflin

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

This day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. Exodus 12:14
The waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan…these stones shall be for a memorial… Joshua 4:7

History yielded few memorials for Israel, but the two greatest mirror what we have in Christ—deliverance from bondage and entrance into God’s glorious rest. We are living monuments of God’s grace, and should recognize such memorials are established in us. They are preserved in us by our obedient trust and God’s trustworthiness! —David J. Reed

The Lord God of Hosts, ‘Tis in Him alone we boast.
The Lord is His memorial name,
His trustworthy wonders we proclaim. —Drawn from Hosea 12:5

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. John 11:20

Mary is remarkable for her sitting. Luke records her deliberate choice to sit at the feet of the Lord Jesus, the better to listen to His words. By contrast, Martha missed hearing His voice because she was “distracted” by her service (Luke 10:38-42). In our text, Mary exemplifies the admonition of the psalmist, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Ps. 62:5). She was like Ruth who was told to “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall” (Ruth 3:18). How Mary’s piety should speak to us!  —L. Cain

Master, speak, Thy servant heareth, waiting for Thy gracious word.
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth, Master, let it now be heard.  —F. Havergal

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

Some Christians are good fighters in bad battles. They are focused and feisty and often pursue points of controversy rather than seeking common ground with the same vigour. Using the imagery of an athletic contest, Paul looks at the finish line with joy knowing he has expended his energy on contending in the only “good” contest, which was fidelity to Christ and the Gospel and fulfilling the ministry given to him. Am I engaged in the good fight or in some other
lesser cause? —Peter Ramsay

Fight the good fight with all your might,
Christ is your strength and Christ your right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be,
Your joy and crown eternally. —J. Monsell

Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work …being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11

It has been well said that we can never outgive God, but many of us are slow to learn and prove it. The magnitude of our giving should be marked by liberality (2 Cor. 9:6), and the manner of our giving should be “cheerful” and willing (v. 7). The motive behind our giving should be that thanksgiving will arise to God from the full hearts of those our giving has blessed (v. 11). —Phil Coulson

Thy blood, O Lord, was shed,
That I might ransomed be,
Thy life was given for me;
What have I given for Thee? —Frances R Havergal