Month: August 2025

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus. John 12:3

Just before going to Calvary, the Lord Jesus was honoured by Mary in a home in Bethany. Her silent devotion spoke volumes when she took a pound of ointment of spikenard—pure, plentiful, and precious, and anointed His feet. The men spoke up in protest, their harsh indignant words threatening to spoil the moment. Their hearts were out of tune regarding her sacrificial gift, seeing it as a waste. They knew nothing of the eloquence of silent adoration, but Mary did. The fragrance of her worship filled the house. When we gather to remember the Lord, may we experience the same blessedness. —Clark Logan

Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him, all we are and have. —Thomas Kelly

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51

Multitudes have fallen asleep in Christ. Many other believers will be added to their number, even today. Their journey here is finished but a new eternal vista has opened up before them—forever with the Lord. During life here, they came to know Christ. They lived for Christ. They died in Christ and they are presently “with Christ” (Phil. 1:23). But their bodies are sleeping, awaiting the resurrection day. And soon that day will come, when, along with those believers who are living, we will all be united with Him. Look up! He may come today! —L. Cain

God, my Redeemer lives, and ever from the skies
Looks down and watches all my dust, till He shall bid it rise.  —Isaac Watts

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1

When I was a child, our family toured Tom Sawyer’s cave in Hannibal, Missouri. When we had descended deep into the cave, the tour guide turned off his flashlight, and we were immediately cast into complete and total darkness! He left his light off for about a minute, but to me, it felt like “the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:13). What a relief when the light was restored, and we emerged once again into the day. Praise God for the spiritual “light of the world” (John 8:12), Jesus Christ our Saviour, who enlightens the hearts of all who believe in Him! —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Come to the light, ‘tis shining for thee;
Once I was blind, but now I can see,
The light of the world is Jesus. —Philip P. Bliss

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To show that the Lord is upright. Psalm 92:13-15

Age may take away our youthfulness, but it should not take away our usefulness or our fruitfulness. Psalm 71 is “A prayer for old age”. If you are older and feel like your days of fruitfulness are waning, read and pray over this wonderful psalm. “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Ps. 71:18). Remember, He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5 NKJV), even in your old age! —Richard I. Bishop

Teach us, all the days of our lives; to apply our hearts to wisdom and Thy will.
Establish Thou the work of our hands, and Thy beauty rest upon us still.—E. C. B.

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

Call to Me, and I will answer you. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

Returning home, Howard noticed a neighbour driving his tractor around the paddock. A voice spoke to Howard saying, “You must stop.” Howard continued, only to hear the voice again. Howard stopped and got out of his car. The neighbour also stopped and calling to Howard asked, “How can I become a Christian?” It turned out the neighbour had prayed, “God, if you are real, then let Howard stop!” Howard and his wife visited his home that evening  explaining the way of salvation. Ten days later they had the joy of seeing the man and his wife trust Christ. That was fifty years ago and they followed the Lord until recently when both went home to glory. —Janet Fleming

Tell others about Jesus, how He took your sins away,
That they can know forgiveness, by trusting Him today. —Janet Fleming

2 Samuel 8:1-9:13; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Romans 14:19-15:13

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4

When the report of Gaius’ faithfulness reached John, he was moved by the Holy Spirit to write words of appreciation to him. Gaius was a faithful companion of the apostle Paul, and John was grateful to hear that he was continuing steadfastly. Sometimes all we need to do is be observant of each other and when we see a worthy example be quick to acknowledge that faithful brother or sister. Rather than wait for a funeral to send a bouquet or say good things about others, perhaps we should give them the flowers and verbal affirmation now. —Rick Morse

We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road;
We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load.  —Richard Gillard

2 Samuel 7:1-29; Nahum 2:1-3:19; Romans 14:1-18

Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly…and thou heardest my voice. Jonah 2:1-2

Jonah did not consider his location when he prayed. He simply knew that God was the only One who could help him. We know that God is everywhere. “I will therefore that men pray every where” (1 Tim. 2:8). He is never too far to hear us when we cry out to Him. No problem is too big for Him. He is always listening. Pray and expect Him to answer. It will be in His own time and His own way, but God will answer. Regret cannot change the past, but
prayer can move us forward. Keep praying. —V. Strout

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer. —Joseph M Scriven

2 Samuel 6:1-23; Nahum 1:1-15; Romans 13:1-14

If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.  Romans 8:17

We are joint heirs with Christ. The word heir makes us think of coming into possession of an inheritance at someone’s passing. It seems strange to think that Christ, who made all things, needed to inherit anything. It’s all His. Then we realize He had to pay for His inheritance. Us, the church, His bride. We are His and His forever but He will not come fully into His inheritance until we are with Him. Then we will truly give Him the love, worship, adoration,
and devotion that we feebly try to give Him now. —Ken Gross

What will the sunshine of His glory prove?
What the unmingled fullness of His love?
What hallelujahs will His presence raise?
What, but one loud eternal burst of praise! —James Deck

2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21

I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing. Gen. 12:2 NKJV

At Babel people refused to listen to God, resulting in a confused and disintegrating society. However, God graciously spoke again, but now to an individual, Abram. Yet how could one man make a difference in such a chaotic world?  God told Abram, “You shall be a blessing.” Is that not what we all desire to be in the hands of God? Like Abram, we must both listen to and obey God’s Word, perhaps leaving behind what is familiar and seemingly secure. In response to Abram’s willingness, five times, God said, “I will…” It is through such a life that God promises to work and to bless. See what God says “I will” to you about today. —Michael McKillen

His flock to Him is dear, He watches them from high;
He sends them trials here, to fit them for the sky. —H. Lyte

2 Samuel 3:1-39; Micah 6:1-16; Romans 11:13-36

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey…when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. Luke 2:44-45

Have you ever assumed the Lord was with you when He really wasn’t? We know that positionally the Lord is always with us … but how often in an experiential way have we made “a day’s journey” supposing Him to be with us when actually He wasn’t? Losing contact with the Lord can happen by sin, worldliness, or a lukewarm heart. If this is our experience, we must go back to when we last enjoyed His company, confess our wrongs and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. —Sid Halsband

While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. —John H. Sammis