Month: April 2025

Numbers 10:11-11:3; Proverbs 8:1-36; Jude 1:1-25

Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh. Jonah 1:1-2
And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh. Jonah 3:1-2

How gracious of God to give Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh after his abject failure to go when first instructed. Despite his reluctance and rebellion, God didn’t write him off. Instead He brought him to the point of repentance and restoration, resulting in a successful mission to Nineveh. Failure can mark all our lives from time to time but where there is repentance there can be recovery and God can use us again. Let us not be despondent but look in faith to the God of the second chance! —Philip A. Kaye

Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love,
May each soul be rekindled, with fire from above. —William Mackay

Numbers 9:1-10:10; Proverbs 6:20-7:27; Mark 16:1-20

You became followers of us and of the Lord…so that you became examples to all…who believe. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 NKJV

Regardless of our station in life or our area of influence, we all have the potential to be good examples. Whether you’re a student, a homemaker, in the workplace, or a retired senior, your example of godly living can speak volumes. Paul encouraged Timothy that though he was a young man, his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity could be an example to all the believers (1 Tim. 4:12). So wherever the Lord has placed you, seek His help to emulate Paul and Jesus who “led by example.” —E. V.

A shining example I’m longing to be,
Pointing others only to Thee.
By my speech, conduct, faith and love,
Reflecting the One, I am serving above. —E .V.

Numbers 8:1-26; Proverbs 5:1-6:19; Mark 15:24-47

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11

The psalmist despaired over past events and was anxious over what lay ahead. It is easy to become despondent over circumstances beyond our control and become pessimistic and fearful of what lies ahead. Discouragement over the past and dreading the future rob us of our present joy. The solution is to keep trusting the Lord. He is with us and will bring us through our present problems as we fix our eyes upon Him, our sure hope and certain future. —George Ferrier

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.  —Edward Mote

Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23

He trusted on the Lord. Psalm 22:8

As prophesied by David, at the Lord’s crucifixion, one of the mocking taunts was, “He trusted in God.” And they were right! Prophecy said of Him, “I was cast upon thee from the womb” (Ps. 22:10) and from His birth to the tomb and then to the throne, every thought, word, step, deed, and motive exemplified perfect dependence and trust. The concept causes amazement. The reality evokes worship. At His baptism the Father said, “Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). It was true from eternity past, but it had an added dimension in His earthly work. —David W. Oliver

As Lamb of God, Thy path we view,
Thy Father’s will Thy whole delight;
To Calvary we trace Thy way,
Each step of Thine, with glory bright. —I. Fleming

Numbers 6:1-27; Proverbs 3:1-35; Mark 14:53-72

Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? Haggai 1:4 NKJV

God’s people had been diligent in making sure that their own houses were “arched and richly adorned.” But the Lord’s house lay in ruins! This is all history, of course. Now the Lord dwells in the church, in the bodies of believers. The question arises then; how well are we taking care of the Lord’s dwelling place now? No doubt our physical dwelling is well taken care of, but are we building and taking care of the spiritual; the body of Christ, and our spiritual life in particular? —Ray Jones

Still let the Spirit cry;
In all His soldiers, “Come!”
Till Christ the Lord descend from high,
And take the conquerors home. —Charles Wesley

Numbers 5:1-31; Proverbs 2:1-22; Mark 14:27-52

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:16-17

The Lord wanted disciples who could cast the net, an apt picture of the work of the evangelist. Their fishing career had been an excellent preparation for evangelism. In it they had learned about toils, trials, and triumphs, all components of winning souls too. A charge to cast the net is given to us all. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). We all have been given a net. Cast it today. —L. Cain

I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me. —Harry D. Clarke

Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. Psalm 42:5 NKJV
Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him. Psalm 42:11 NKJV
Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him. Psalm 43:5 NKJV

Three times David repeats this phrase, encouraging himself to put his hope in God, despite his current situation. He determines not to let life overwhelm him and repeatedly reminds himself to put His hope in God, not his circumstances. Is life discouraging today? Do as David did and remind yourself that your hope is in God. He can take the worst and make it the best for His glory. Put your hope, your trust, your all in Him! —Deborah Manera

Oh how comforting is a little glimpse of God! —David Brainerd

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV

Christians have the comfort of the Spirit and the comfort of the Scriptures. We also have the comfort of the saints which, as we learn in this verse, also comes from the God of all comfort. He comforts us, not so we may be comfortable, but that we may be equipped and prepared to comfort others. There is no comfort in telling others what we’ve been through, but rather showing them the comfort of God that brought us through. —Rex Trogdon

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me. —Joseph H. Gilmore

Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44

The contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other. Acts 15:39
It hath been declared unto me of you…that there are contentions among you. 1 Corinthians 1:11
Only by pride cometh contention. Proverbs 13:10
Therefore leave off contention. Proverbs 17:14

Contention between believers can limit or destroy the unity and testimony of the local church, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God as well (Eph. 4:13-14, 30). Instead of contending with one another, let us, with one mind and one spirit, “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3), so that others may see “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Our God has made us one—His glory is displayed,
For as we build each other up, our love becomes His praise. —Niles Borop

Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Mark 3:35

The Lord Jesus acknowledged a much larger spiritual family than His immediate family. We need to be involved in other people’s lives as led by the Lord. It takes time and work to be a part of someone else’s life, so be prepared. We may be the one the Lord uses to encourage them or keep them grounded during difficult times. They may be struggling with their faith, family relationships, or a wrong romantic involvement. Let us embrace our spiritual family and responsibility to each other. —K. W.

You will notice we say “brother and sister” ‘round here,
It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. —Bill & Gloria Gaither