Month: November 2024

2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

John 3:16 is probably the best-known verse in the Bible. Someone has called it “the Bible in brief” because the whole message of the Bible is contained in its twenty-five words. The first half of John 3:16 is all about God. The last is all about us. It’s the greatest verse, about the greatest Giver, of the greatest love, who gave the greatest Gift ever given, to meet our greatest need! Share it with someone today. —Rex Trogdon

Oh, believe it! Oh, believe it!
Christ has died upon the tree,
That from sin you might be free;
Jesus died for you and me, Oh believe it! —John Ferguson

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Waiting is not easy – even if we are waiting on God. It can be frustrating and sometimes when we have to wait, we can even begin to question God and His goodness. Easy as these thoughts are to have, may God deliver us from such doubts. This verse assures us that waiting time is not wasted time. It is not a problem but an opportunity. David says that if we will wait, our hearts will receive divine strengthening. What a wonderful blessing! We can always trust in God’s timing. Wait on Him. —Caleb Riordan

Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land,
We’ll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, some time, we’ll understand. —Maxwell N. Cornelius

2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly. Eph. 3:20

The word “redound” is the verb form of “exceeding abundantly” that we see here in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. Isn’t it amazing that when God does “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”, we can “redound” with thanksgiving, all to the glory of God! Let us give back to Him our “superabundant” thanks during this season of
Thanksgiving, as well as all year long! —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home:
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied.
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home. —H. Alford

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

The professional chorister never once took her eyes off the conductor. During every song in the concert, she was completely focused on the one leading the choir. When I asked her about it after, she explained: “The conductor sees the big picture and knows if any adjustments need to be made. Focusing on her prevents me from getting distracted, and she is so encouraging after a job well done”. In these tumultuous days, let us remember to keep our eyes on our Conductor, trusting that He will lead, focus, correct and encourage us. —Lynn Shatford

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —Helen H. Lemmel

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. Psalm 57:1 NKJV

This verse brings to mind the story of a mother hen trapped and facing a raging fire. Gathering her young chicks under the safety of her wings, their lives are spared, but at the cost of her own. Jesus too, gave His life enduring the fire of God’s wrath against sin, so that we might be saved. Now, as His children, we can run to Him with whatever calamity is currently raging in our lives. His loving arms will gather us close, sheltering us and providing just what we need. —E. V.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever. —William Cushing

2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

Stand fast in the Lord. Philippians 4:1
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

It has been well said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”. That is never more true than in the crooked and perverse times in which we live. To take a stand may be very costly in the workplace or family, yet the Lord is the divine Enabler who said He would never leave us or forsake us. Blessed is the man who refuses to stand in the way of sinners, but whose delight is in the Law of the Lord. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. —Russell K. Carter

2 Chronicles 21:1-22:12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6
Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” John 21:12 NKJV

Here are two facts attached to the Lord’s resurrection: the empty tomb, and broiled fish! On resurrection morning the angel showed those faithful women the empty tomb, and they were the first to spread the glorious news. Some time later, the disciples returned from a night of fishing and could smell broiled fish! The Lord had already eaten that with his disciples (Luke 24:42) and undoubtedly He did here again. C. S. Lewis, discussing the resurrection, said, “The resurrection of Christ was as literal as broiled fish”. The Saviour’s death was a literal death, and His resurrection is just as real! Will you believe it? —Jim Comte

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Saviour;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! —Robert Lowry

2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ shall rise…to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

What a prospect! Not only will we go through a transformation—we shall be changed! But we will also experience a translation—from earth to heaven. Made like Him and ever with the Lord! —Warren Hagey

And is it so—I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory, thought beyond all thought!
In glory, to His own blest likeness brought!  —J. N. Darby

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

Peter then denied again and immediately the cock crew. John 18:27

When the Lord was tempted in the wilderness, the wild animals were subject to Him (Mark 1:13). To help Peter with his taxes, He was in control of the fish (Matt. 17:24). Now we see Him in control of the birds. As the animal world obeyed Him, so does the human world. Whatever our circumstances, He is in control. Never forget that no man can touch His own unless He gives permission, and He will not give permission unless it is for our good (Rom. 8:28).
—Brian Russell

Nature with open volume,
Stands to spread her Maker’s praise abroad,
And every labour of His hands
Shows something worthy of our God.  —Isaac Watts

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

He saved others; himself he cannot save…let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. Matthew 27:42

These were the taunting words of one of the thieves crucified with the Lord Jesus. It is jarring to listen to a fellow sufferer with the Lord and one on the edge of eternity, mocking the Saviour who came to save him! Jesus came from heaven to go to the cross to take his place and to pay for sins he had committed. If He came down from the cross, the thief would have had to pay for the penalty of his own sins and so would we. Yes, if Jesus saved Himself, He could not save others, and that includes you and me! —K. C. Ung

Jesus, to save them, from heaven came down;
Suffered for them on the tree,
Leaving His heavenly mansion and crown;
Wonderful! How could it be? —Martin W. Knapp