"God be merciful unto us, and bless us" [Psalm 67:1]
2023-10-07
That we don’t deserve it doesn’t matter; when mercy takes over blessings fall unimpeded. Call for mercy and He will bless you![/s
“God be merciful unto us, and bless us”. This prayer at the beginning of a delightful psalm acknowledges our need for mercy. We do not bring the good that we have done but our failings and sinfulness. It’s mercy that we need.
The Psalmist needed to trust in a promise for mercy; we may look back to a fulfilment. Mercy flows over from Calvary to every generation. Any needy soul that confronts the Lord cries out for mercy. It is judgment we deserve for our transgression: we call and we find Him ready to pardon, heal and restore.
All God’s blessings to us are carried on the cart of mercy ayit]

"an honest and good heart" [Luke 8:15
2023-10-08
“an honest and good heart”. It is not where you live or work that determines your success, it is what you are.
All too often we make our environment the excuse for our failure – as though what we really are will only reach its potential in different surroundings.
I always remember working with a brother who changed a door from left to right hand opening with nothing more than a hammer and a screwdriver. He worked for many years as a missionary in the heart of Africa and had learned to work with whatever tools he had.
Your prime need is not a set of new tools. It is a good and honest heart devoted to the Lord and dedicated to His service to be put to use right there where you are.

"in all points tempted like as we are" [Hebrews 4:15]
2023-10-09
“in all points tempted like as we are”. Because of this everybody and anybody can come to Jesus knowing He will understand their case.
We may come boldly to His throne in prayer and expect mercy and know forgiveness. But it does not end there.
Because He was tempted, He can guide you safely through the minefields. Once sin and rebellion are dealt with, He can guide and lead us in the way He would have us go.
Avoiding the pitfall does not remove the need for diligence. It gives us a victory yet does not remove our need to trust.
Placing one’s hand in His is linking with One Who knows our every need right down to how we feel just now. And it ensures the meeting of that need in the way that is best for us and from an unlimited supply
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"where have you come from, and where are you going? " [Genesis 16:8(RAV)
2023-10-10
“where have you come from, and where are you going? ” The two questions must be asked if you would accurately determine your present position. They relate to a spiritual journey, as Hagar was to learn. It is an honest answer to these questions that will help you.
The past you cannot change. You may, as Hagar, be running away from an unhappy domestic situation, or burdened with a child for whom you cannot properly care, when the Lord meets you. The important thing is to know that God will help you go forward, wherever it is in life’s way that He meets you. Once you get the direction right you’ll find many oases in life’s desert as though placed there by the Lord just for you. Life may be a desert, but those bound for heaven know their time in it is limited.

“Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you" [Matthew 12:38(RAV]
2023-10-11
“Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you”. Spectacular displays are short-lived and usually achieve little of lasting value. Jesus could have given the Pharisees all they wanted and much more. But three years of miracles would not have saved a soul. It was only by giving His life on the cross that Jesus could save us. A life of miracles with nothing more would soon have been assigned a place in history. As it is, the suffering death and resurrection of Jesus is a vital experience in the lives of many today.
Jesus told the Pharisees, there are many signs if they would read them aright, not least Jonah in the belly of the huge fish. Listen to the voice of Jesus in the Gospels; read the miracles and see the signs and believe. Not more displays but more faith is what we need.

"I will strengthen you" [Isaiah 41:10 (RAV)]
2023-10-12
“I will strengthen you”. What more do you need? If the Lord strengthens your weak frame you can be sure it will be strong enough to withstand all the strains it will meet, for He knows exactly what demands will be made upon it.
There will be no problem deciding when strength should be applied because He knows our frame – as Creator He was responsible for its design and as Protector He knows any peculiarities in it we may possess.
There will be no misfits or parts to quickly wear out if it is to the Sovereign Lord that we turn for repair. His fame has justly spread far and wide and His promise can be trusted implicitly.
To those who have no might He increases strength.

"meaningless talk" [I Timothy 1:6(NIV)]
2023-10-13
“meaningless talk”. It can be very convincing and sound very well and the more fascinating it appears the more useless it is likely to be. Talking for talking’s sake, or because you like the sound of your own voice is quite futile and can be harmful.
Paul’s wise counsel to the young man Timothy is not out of place today. The tongue is an unruly member and can lead many astray. There are folk around today who teach false doctrine and dwell upon myths and fables that they elaborate upon and detract from God’s work.
Sadly, they turn folk away from the truth. Paul describes them as not knowing what they are talking about!
Be on your guard against listening to or indulging in meaningless talk. Let your conversation be edifying and on heavenly things.

"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven" [Matthew 18:18(RAV)
2023-10-14
“whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” These words of Jesus remind the disciple of an important aspect of life that might otherwise be forgotten.
What has been done on earth will not be dismissed in heaven. Effort expended in supporting, gathering and strengthening human relationships for the betterment of all concerned will not be in vain. Set life’s mix in a godly mould and it will stay that way for ever.
Sails that are set heavenward will not only reach that shore, they will ensure untold blessing for all who are borne by them.
Set your affection on things above and get those around you to do the same: bind the broken hearts and seek to heal those whose life has been rent asunder. You will then most certainly be trading in eternal values.

"you will eat and be satisfied" [Deuteronomy 11:15(NIV)]
2023-10-15
“you will eat and be satisfied”. This is the promise for all who walk in obedience to the Lord. It speaks of God’s provision for His people. For the Israelites it was provision for their physical needs. The rain produced a harvest of grain, wine and oil which in turn provided food for them to eat. But it also touched their spiritual life. Time and again, as they went after other gods they not only broke the relationship they had with God but also missed out on the blessing. The same is true for us today. God will provide for all our needs as we walk in obedience to Him. True satisfaction can be found in God alone. As Jesus told the woman at the well, that which the world offers will never satisfy the longings of our hearts. The Lord can and will, to all who walk in His ways.

"David said to Gad, 'I am in great distress ....' " [I Chronicles 21:13(RAV)] ]
2023-10-16
“David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress ….’ “. His distress was all his own fault. He sinned in numbering Israel and had to suffer for his error.
Some of us only learn that fire is dangerous after we have been burned. The Bible makes it clear that sin and rebellion will not be allowed to go unpunished. None can presume that God will forgive without imposing restraint to prevent our doing it again. So for the sin of numbering Israel, David had to choose between three years of famine, three months defeat before his enemies or for three days plague by the sword of the Lord throughout Israel. These alternatives conveyed by Gad the prophet brought him great distress. It had been better if he remembered God’s injunction. Can we learn from his mistake?

"confessing their sins" [Mark 1:5]
2023-10-17
“confessing their sins”. John the Baptist preached repentance and those baptised by him in Jordan confessed their sins.
The Apostle John wrote that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and James in his letter says that we should confess our faults one to another.
It sometimes seems that we can forget the past and just believe in Christ now. Does this make for faith without a foundation? Properly dig the “footings” of confession and then be built on the Rock of Salvation.
Confession and repentance really go together. We shall not remember everything and much sin and transgression we must be ignorant of, but if we would be filled with His salvation and righteousness let us call upon Him to forgive all our sin.

"the angels of God met him" [Genesis 32:1
2023-10-18
“the angels of God met him”. The angels of God must often meet God’s children. The difference is that whereas Jacob apparently recognised they were angels, we do not normally recognise them.
Angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation through faith in Christ. There is no evidence that angels are ever in short supply. There is not an emergency in your life but God is there to support and uphold you though, because they are usually disguised, you may miss recognising them. The New Testament tells us to take care not to neglect entertaining strangers for in this way some have entertained angels unawares. Realise that God has done for you as He did for Jacob, though you have not known it. And His angelic ministration will uphold you in your deepest crises.

"He gives power to the weak" [Isaiah 40:29(RAV)
2023-10-19
p>“He gives power to the weak”. The Lord can confidently give this promise because the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary.
Do you ever run out of strength; out of moral courage to do that which you know to be right? Do you begin only to find you have not the strength to complete?
Does there seem to be a hidden force that is greater than that which you can muster? A sort of bias that turns you in a way you don’t want to go?
Do you see so much more you could do if you had time and energy; ways your life might be a blessing in greater measure?
Then in the measure in which you feel weakness, the Lord will pour His strength – but only if and when you place your vessel beneath the Divine supply.

"all the people said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord" [I Chronicles 16:36(RAV)
2023-10-20
“all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord”It was not the murmur we sometimes hear at the close of set prayer or intercession: neither was it the expression of relief I have sometimes made when an exceptionally long prayer has concluded!
It was a ‘so be it Lord’ to all that Asaph and his brethren had been proclaiming in their psalm of praise to the Lord. The psalm uplifted and magnified the Lord who had worked for His people. It exhorted all who heard it to sing of and proclaim the Lord’s goodness.
And it did not fall on deaf ears for all the people said ‘Amen’ and praised the Lord. This is what we want today: somebody to give us the lead. Exercise a Spirit-filled inspiring ministry and get us all praising His glorious Name.

"This fellow is one of them" [Mark 14:69(NIV)]
2023-10-21
“This fellow is one of them”. Peter missed his opportunity to witness! He could have stood out, true to his word and been the only voice raised in support of Jesus. Indeed, he could have died with His Lord.
We all miss these opportunities and try to excuse ourselves in numerous ways. “Are you a follower of Jesus?” “Do you believe the Bible?” and a host of other questions give us golden opportunities to witness. Do we pretend not to know when challenged about our faith? If so, why is this? Is it not that we actually follow Jesus at a distance – a distance long enough to loosen that bond of love and loyalty and subject us to the fear of man? Walk closely to Jesus and nothing will break the bond of love that exists – you will be glad for all the world to know you are His disciple.

"thy judgments are a great deep" [Psalm 36:6]
2023-10-22
“thy judgments are a great deep”. The Psalmist here is referring to all God’s ways and decisions particularly as they affect us. Knowing that His judgments are the product of an all-loving heavenly Father who cares for His children does not remove the difficulty we have in understanding or interpreting them.
When we do not know why God is dealing with us as He is, if we know it is the Lord we must exercise that gift of faith He gives us and trust in Him. His judgments are too deep for human understanding, but the end of the matter will display a glory that we could never have imagined while climbing the path leading to that summit.
No matter how deep, His love will keep us afloat: we shall not sink, but see in full the salvation that is now only partly visible.

"be imitators of God, as beloved children" [Ephesians 5:1(RSV)]
2023-10-23
“be imitators of God, as beloved children”. Children make good imitators because they watch. They stand and stare and take in everything. Then when you’re gone, they put on a little show that takes you off to everyone’s amusement.
Those striving after godliness should note the illustration. You will only become like the Lord as you walk with Him in your everyday life. You can only know His teaching when you read and listen to His Word. Your life will only begin to display His love and attraction when, like Him, the Holy Spirit dwells within you.
Those who walk in the Spirit do not fulfil the lusts of the flesh – they are beloved children. Those who love Jesus keep His commandments – and the love of the Father is in them. Discipleship is practised by beloved children.

"something should be given her to eat" [Mark 5:43(RAV)
2023-10-24
“something should be given her to eat”. It needed this word from Jesus to remind the parents of their need to give food to their daughter whom He had raised to life. It is a timely reminder needed today.
In the excitement that follows a decision to follow Christ let us not neglect to provide care in the period that immediately follows. No new-born babe must be neglected while the parents celebrate.
Remember that life does not end with the first step!
Becoming a Christian marks the commencement of being a Christian. Trusting Christ is a constant exercise: it has a beginning but should never end. Those with a little experience need to give help and encouragement to the beginners. Is there someone to whom you should be giving something to eat today?

"But Jonah ran away" [Jonah 1:3(NIV)]
2023-10-25
“But Jonah ran away”. Not the best thing to do in hindsight, but an instinctive reaction when called to go to Nineveh. Jonah could have thought of a number of places he would rather go to. Nineveh had a reputation and it wasn’t the sort of place to highlight wickedness. He would rather be all at sea.
Jonah is not alone in looking for a way out. Moses and Gideon are another two. But God chooses the weak, fearful and lowly in order to show His mercy and power. Following Christ is not about an easy life but it is about being available for God to use. It may be at your place of work or amongst your family and friends, but don’t run away. The One who calls, will enable. Be available for God today so that others might come to know Christ as Saviour and Lord.

"Christ lives in me" [Galatians 2:20(RAV)
2023-10-26
“Christ lives in me”. With these words the Apostle Paul describes the distinctive feature of true Christians in every generation the world over. They are not mere followers of Christ – Christ lives in them. For them, living the Christian life is not so much finding where the Lord is leading, but allowing Him to direct the life from within.
The Apostle could have said ‘Christ reigns in me’ for Jesus is Lord and on entry He must occupy the throne of the heart.
It is inconceivable that Jesus should be retained in an ancillary part of the life, though some seem to be misled into thinking that way. If Christ is living in you, brother, sister, He is reigning. Jesus Christ is Lord. And where He reigns blessings abound.

"all that is within me" [Psalm 103:1]
2023-10-27
“all that is within me”. The Psalmist told his soul to praise the Lord, but more than that, marshalled all his forces – “all that is within me”.
That would involve some drastic changes in most of us. Nothing within us is naturally inclined to do this. We need the cleansing from sin that the Lord gives and then we need the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Only by the Spirit can anyone call Jesus Lord.
If we can dedicate all we have to His praise, what eternal blessing that will bring! What a peal of praise it will be!
The life will speak when all that is within me praises His Holy Name! Others will see and praise His Name.
As heaven is filled with His praises so should the company of the redeemed on earth be so, too. There are no silent or dissenting voices in heaven: let there be none on earth.

"There is none to guide her" [ Isaiah 51:18]
2023-10-28
“There is none to guide her”. The prophet is making one of his calls to Jerusalem to waken from her drunken orgy. She is like a boat that has dragged her anchor in the sea of God’s fury. Like the world in the 21st century she does not know where she is going. The hands of help that are offered are pulling in different directions. There is none to guide her.
Man is lost when he has no-one to guide him. It was many years later that Jesus of Nazareth walked by the lakeside and said “Follow me” to some fishermen. That simple call has been heard many times since. It may be heard in your life today if you will silence the cacophony of sound all around you. Heed it and you will have Someone to guide you. It is a loving, dependable, all-knowing Lord who will lead you safely to His eternal Kingdom.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills" [Psalm 121:1(RAV)]
2023-10-29
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills”. There is something awe inspiring about a range of hills. They convey majesty, might and permanency as they rise up from the plains. Their irregular shape suggests some Almighty hand placing them there, never to be moved again. The sight of them reminded the Psalmist of the Lord and Creator. The feeling was that if He could place the hills so solidly upon a foundation, He could ensure that the fate of those who trust Him would not slip.
Standing dwarfed at the foot of them the Psalmist was made conscious of God’s keeping power as well as the refuge He was to all who trusted in Him: also of shade, eternal preservation and safety. It does good to look up to the hills from time to time.

"Christ died for our sins" [I Corinthians 15:3]
2023-10-30
“Christ died for our sins”. This is the simple truth behind the gospel of Jesus. Unless we acknowledge our part in Christ’s death, we cannot know the forgiveness His death can bring. It was His great love for us that fashioned the plan of salvation, but it was because of our sin that He died. This is not to make us run away and hide. Rather it is to lead us to the foot of the cross and receive the forgiveness that Christ’s death offers. Because it is for my sin that Christ died, then my forgiveness has been made possible. It may not seem fair, it may not seem right, but it is the only way for us to have peace with God and know Him for ourselves. Thank Him today and experience the forgiveness that Christ’s death brings
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"See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness" [Luke 11:35(NIV)
2023-10-31
“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness” Those who have the light should see that it is shining.
The entrance of God’s word gives light. Jesus is the Light of the World and calls disciples to be lights in the world.
That light shines out through lives that are changed by sin forgiven, peace with God and joy in the Holy Spirit.
There is no greater light than found in God through Christ and no greater disappointment when it is obscured by the dirty glass of human weakness. Jesus said that the eye is the light of the body and we need to look upon the good, pure and wholesome things of the Lord – to always look to Jesus. Have you checked your light today? Do friends and neighbours, work-mates and all whose lives you affect see Christ shining in you? It is the light they look for and light they need.

"remembering you in my prayers" [Ephesians 1:16(NIV)]
2023-11-01
“remembering you in my prayers”. Paul’s prayer is personal. He knows the saints in Ephesus. He knows their situation and their needs. He is encouraged by their faith in Christ and their love for all the saints.
Paul’s prayer is persistent. His thanks to God for their example and encouragement is ongoing and he keeps petitioning God on their behalf. His longing is for them to grow even more in their knowledge and experience of Christ.
Paul’s prayer is purposeful. He wants them to keep growing, to know the Lord better and not to become complacent. They may be doing well so far, but Paul makes it clear that there’s more to be done. God’s call on his Church is not simply to make a good start but to keep going and finish well. [ AP]

"Great peace have they which love thy law" [Psalm 119:165]
2023-11-02
“Great peace have they which love thy law”. It is these who have great peace because what they cannot explain they know God can and He has everything under His control.
They have great peace because when it seems they have failed, they know God can take the broken pieces and make them into something more wonderful than before.
Whether world events or things in the family circle, they know God’s will is done and that is best. They have peace in the storm knowing He will make the waters calm: they know that when darkness engulfs them, He will cause it to be light.
The more who love God’s law the more will be at peace. You be seen today to be among those who love God’s law.

"Arise, and do not be afraid" [Matthew 17:7(RAV)]
2023-11-03
“Arise, and do not be afraid”. The disciples fell on their faces and were greatly afraid when the voice of God the Father was heard on the Mount of Transfiguration.
No human eye can gaze upon God and no ear catch His voice without great consternation gripping the heart.
But for the disciple the eye of faith must see and the ear of the heart receive, if there is to be a ratification of the work of redemption in the heart. Whether the penitent or the backslider or the abject failures we all know ourselves to be at times, the awfulness of God’s holiness strikes fear into our frail spirits.
On these occasions Jesus, our Mediator, summons us to stand up and not be afraid. They stand firmest who first fall at Jesus’ feet.

"See that you do not refuse him who speaks" [Hebrews 12:25(RAV)]
2023-11-03
“See that you do not refuse him who speaks”. We can wilfully refuse to listen and obey God or we may do so without realising it. Because we do not train our ear to hear His voice or take time out to seek His face or are too busy and miss it, we may bring condemnation upon ourselves.
Receptivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are born of the Spirit is an essential quality to develop if we would walk in His way and know the blessing of life for evermore.
It is both a privilege and an honour to know God is speaking and something that we need to seek after. Refusing Him because we do not like what we hear is a great tragedy because He only speaks to His children for their blessing and good.

"What has happened to all your joy? " [Galatians 4:15(RAV)]
2023-11-04
“What has happened to all your joy? “. One way to judge your walk with the Lord is how much joy in the Lord you have. This is not superficial but a deep joy that derives its source from the peace He gives.
It is joy that is there in the midst of sorrow. Turbulence, persecution and trouble cannot deprive you of it.
Some of the Galatian believers lost their joy because they embraced erroneous teaching. They listened to those who taught them to observe ceremonies and ordinances for their salvation. And Paul felt he had wasted his efforts on them.
All that is done in unbelief is sin and sin deprives the believer of his joy. The devil would turn the believer’s freedom into bondage again and keeping the law instead of keeping the faith. Keep close to the Lord and you will keep the joy of the Lord as your strength.
