"Great peace have those who love your law" [Psalm 119:165(NIV)]
2025-06-04
“Great peace have those who love your law”. Great peace ensues once a soul recognises God’s law, and especially when that soul hears God speaking through His word. The trespasser must always be wary of the landowner catching him, the transgressor of being found out. Neither can ever really be at rest.
Religion wherever and in whatever form it is found could be described as man’s attempt to appease and please God. That person who sincerely desires to find the truth must rejoice in the Word of God. God could not speak more clearly than through the inspired page conveyed to the heart of the reader or hearer by the Holy Spirit.
Those who know the Lord, love to hear His voice: His voice brings deep peace.

"now he commands all men everywhere to repent" [Acts 17:30(RAV)]
2025-06-05
“now he commands all men everywhere to repent”. These words are taken from the Apostle Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill Athens, after he had seen the altar they had erected “to the Unknown God.” He told of the true God’s dealings with men in time past. Now, since Jesus came, God is looking for those who will repent and turn from their evil and superstitious ways.
This is the first step to receiving the gospel, believing in Christ and being saved. It is like a right-about turn. It calls for renouncing the wrong and it can attract ridicule and opposition from those who will not turn themselves. By very nature it is a definite act and it is the important step in the right direction.
Without it, the would-be Christian is walking backwards.

"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" [Joshua 8:1(NIV)]
2025-06-06
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”. These were God’s words to Joshua and that made all the difference. We are afraid and become discouraged because we do not know and cannot see God’s plan.
God says “Do not be afraid” because those who follow Him have nothing to fear. Fear will be fuelled by the devil: trust is built on faith and these are gifts of God.
Joshua was fearful and discouraged by past failure and defeat at the battle of Ai. But the sins of Achan had been dealt with. Whatever the mistakes and failings of your past, if dealt with by confession and the cleansing of the blood of Jesus, you need have no fear. When fear is done away the cause for discouragement disappears too. Look to the Lord to give you this victory today.

"faith as small as a mustard seed" [Luke 17:6(NIV)]
2025-06-07
“faith as small as a mustard seed”. The disciples had asked Jesus to increase their faith. It was as if they thought Jesus was responsible for their level of faith. Jesus put the onus back on them.
It is not so much about how much faith we have but rather what we do with the faith that we have. Faith grows as it is exercised.
What’s more, if the little faith that we have is in a great God, then it’s surprising how much a little faith can achieve! The focus of our attention needs to be on what the Lord is able to do rather than on what little faith we might have. We are simply channels through which His power is able to flow. Step out today, with faith in the Lord and let Him work in and through you.

"we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" [Acts 4:20(NIV)]
2025-06-08
“we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”. You can’t keep quiet: what has happened directs your mind and governs your tongue. You know that if God can bless you, He can bless anybody and you tell them so.
It has been so wonderful to experience the Lord at work that you talk and testify about it and expect to see the same happening to others. It does happen, because Jesus meets the deepest need of the heart of man. And when you see that talking about Him provides an introduction and somebody responds, you want to talk to more. That is the great joy of following Jesus – becoming a fisher of men, pulling them out of sin’s mire.
It makes it all so sad when you meet those who did witness, but now keep quiet. Don’t emulate them.

"live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" [Galatians 5:16(RAV)]
2025-06-09
“live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”. Think and act positively expecting the new life in the Spirit to kill the desires of the flesh. Go on the offensive, be strong in the Lord. Draw your strength and pleasure from Him. Don’t entertain the devil for one moment. Filled with the Spirit means no room for anything else. Know satisfaction in Christ and you will not look longingly at any aspect of the world.
Life in the Spirit is an on-going experience. Directed and protected, instructed in all you do, seek ever to please Him.
There is a certainty about the statement – not most likely or if all goes well, but you will not gratify the sinful nature. And is not this what, as a true Christian, you need!

"Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge" [Proverbs 23:12(RSV)]
2025-06-10
“Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge”. Learning comes more easily to some than others. Some find no difficulty in paying attention while others have thoughts that wander all too easily. Learning about the Lord is the highest application for the mind and attention to His voice will produce the deepest knowledge. Any who think that such treasure can be found without application must surely be mistaken and we might add that “growing in grace” does involve sitting at the feet of the Master and learning of Him.
Being still, putting other matters out of mind, avoiding interruption, training the mind to listen and to pray are some of the qualities that are in our own power to develop in readiness for heavenly wisdom that the Lord would give us and which brings true peace and contentment.

"You have stayed long enough at this mountain" [Deuteronomy 1:6(NIV)]
2025-06-11
“You have stayed long enough at this mountain”. Some of us can settle down and be comfortable anywhere. But a halfway house is not for permanent residence.
The Children of Israel lingered too long at Mount Horeb and the Lord had to tell Moses to get them on their way to the Promised Land. A “sit-down” should only be for a short rest. Relaxed and restful is not advancing you on the path God has ordained for you to walk.
Some sit down and never get up again – they stay so long they lose all desire. Some wait for others to join them or for the moving of waters that never takes place. Many are content with a limited blessing and see no need to advance further.
Let us be up and going when we are told to move forward.

"salvation has come to this house" [Luke 19:9(NIV)]
2025-06-12
“salvation has come to this house”. We are not told what happened other than Jesus stayed there with Zacchaeus. He was a seeking soul and it is therefore not surprising that he found salvation in this Friend of Sinners.
That Jesus included “this house” suggests that the others in the family trusted Christ, too. They recognised they were lost and trusted Jesus to save them. For them, receiving Christ meant looking forward by faith to the salvation soon to be effected on the cross.
This salvation experience did not evaporate when Jesus left. It was not an imagination but a blessed experience soon to be experienced by many. Start praying and keep praying that for your whole household.

"be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray" [I Peter 4:7(NIV)]
2025-06-13
“be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray”. No good being taken up with an hundred and one other things if you want to be effective in prayer. You must be able to put out all the hindrances and temptations if you would wrestle in prayer with God.
If, like the church in John Mark’s house, you would pray Peter out of prison you must pray non-stop. If, like Elijah, your prayer is to shut up the heavens and then open them again, you must know what you are about and then exercise implicit faith that the Lord both hears and answers prayer.
When you’re clear it’s salvation you want you take a hold of yourself and cry “Lord save me”. When it’s help, enlightenment, or any divine undertaking and you recognise your need, you can pray believing and see God answer.

"Take careful heed to yourselves" [Deuteronomy 4:15(RAV)]
2025-06-14
“Take careful heed to yourselves”. The Lord leading and protecting His people for 40 years in the desert did not absolve them from responsibility, neither was God’s care any excuse for them to be careless.
The Israelite’s experience was not unique. We who claim to be disciples need to take heed these many years later. A Bible full of promises that the Israelites never knew and a Holy Spirit sent by the Father to fill and guide all who seek Him still does not diminish the need for care.
If the spiritual plane onto which we are lifted in Christ is higher than anything found in the Old Testament, we have further to fall and need to take more care than ever.
The care alluded to is that of making the Lord our God and allowing no other to be the object of our worship and adoration.

"these men had been with Jesus" [Acts 4:13(NIV)]
2025-06-15
“these men had been with Jesus”. Not only had they been with Him, but they had become like Jesus. They had caught something of the power and authority that Jesus was known to have – something of Him had rubbed off on them.
Those who attempt to live up to the demands of the gospel without having met with the Lord are lifeless by comparison. Jesus shone out in all that Peter and John said and did.
There was no need to debate whether Jesus was alive. All that was needed was to look at the disciples. Their prosecutors may have liked to think that they only met Him before He was crucified. But the events surrounding the healing of the crippled man pointed to Jesus living in these men by the Holy Spirit. So, today, it is meeting with Jesus that makes all the difference.

"who changes rocks into pools of water and solid cliffs into flowing springs" [Psalm 114:8(GNB)]
2025-06-16
“who changes rocks into pools of water and solid cliffs into flowing springs”. Our verse lists rocks becoming pools of water and cliffs flowing springs, no doubt alluding to water flowing from the rock when Israel journeyed through the wilderness. One cannot imagine any two more opposites than flint stone and running water.
The Children of Israel’s journeyings through the desert to the Promised Land are a picture of the disciple’s pilgrimage through this world. In our journeyings we come against rock-like obstacles. Our prayer often seems directed towards the moving of mountains.
But the God of Jacob has not changed. He provides for His children, often waiting until their cry is urgent and the opportunity one that displays His mighty power – even turning a forbidding rock into a refreshing pool.

"According to your faith be it unto you" [Matthew 9:29]
2025-06-17
“According to your faith be it unto you”. The two blind men were vociferous in their appeal for mercy and their cries caused them to be brought before Him. But they were to learn it was not then up to Jesus: their healing was as much up to them.
Jesus asked if they believed He was able to restore their sight. They said they did. Jesus then touched their eyes and gave them opportunity to demonstrate their faith. He made it clear to them that it was their faith that unlocked His mighty power.
Things have not changed. We need faith to triumph in Christ and it is our faith that overcomes the pull of the world. God’s mighty power is available in our lives today. But we need to connect up with the divine supply – it is according to our faith the Lord works.

"seeing him who is invisible" [Hebrews 11:27]
2025-06-18
“seeing him who is invisible”. This is a paradox that only those who have the experience can understand. Those listed in this great faith chapter knew about it and so do those who have exercised faith in the promise of God.
There is an unseen hand guiding the affairs of history. More important is God working unseen through Christ and bestowing His gift of eternal life on those who have the assurance of sin forgiven, peace with God and a home in heaven.
The seeing is done by the eye of faith. The reality of it has sent the disciples of Jesus proclaiming the gospel message far and wide.
The day cannot be far away when faith’s eye becomes heavenly sight and we see Jesus face to face.

"fear the Lord your God … walk in all his ways … love him … serve the Lord your God … with all your soul" [Deuteronomy 10:12(RAV)]
2025-06-19
“fear the Lord your God … walk in all his ways … love him … serve the Lord your God … with all your soul”. With these words God commands His People through the words of Moses today.
Fear – an appreciation and respect for who He is and worship and honour given to His Mighty Name.
Walk in His ways – seeking His will in your life and then conforming to the plan He has for you.
Love Him – a love resulting from His great love for us. A poor yet sincere reflection of Divine Love.
Serve the Lord – recognise that once a believer, you are a serving member of the Body of Christ.
With all your soul – complete commitment and dedication.

"taken up dead" [Acts 20:9]
2025-06-20
“taken up dead”. The unforeseen happens, our circumstances change, things are no longer the same and what we knew as something very much alive we take up as something dead. We begin a new project but it dies on us; nothing we can do will revive it – we take it up, but it’s dead. What was going so well we now have to say is as good as dead. This can be the experience of any one of us.
Was it negligence on Eutychus’ part that he was asleep and fell? Should those responsible for the seating have moved him away from the window? But what use an enquiry when we think he’s dead? Thank God the miracle of resuscitation took place as Paul embraced him. And in God’s providence what you think has died on you can come alive and you can start praising again today.

"the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play" [Exodus 32:6]
2025-06-21
p>“the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play”. Aaron proclaimed it a feast to the Lord but it was idolatry. When worship becomes eating, drinking and playing it becomes idolatry. True worship is both happy and deeply satisfying, but it is not hilarity or play.
God was graciously real to the Children of Israel and worked miraculously on their behalf bringing them out of the bondage of Egypt. Yet when Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Law, the Israelites turned to idolatry in a way one could hardly imagine. And they made the worship of an idol made from their earrings a most festive occasion.
Their behaviour reminds us that happiness and a good time are not enough. What is important is whether our conduct pleases the Lord.

"Peace, be still" [Mark 4:39]
2025-06-22
“Peace, be still”. There are really two statements in these words of Jesus as He stood among the frightened disciples in a storm.
Peace – that is His Name – Prince of Peace. He challenged the fear that had gripped His disciples. In that boat with Jesus was the safest place they could be. “Peace” was spoken to their troubled hearts and it is Christ’s word to you today.
“Be still” – that was the command to the raging sea. We can understand that the devil saw to it that the storm was the fiercest the disciples had seen. Jesus turned storm into calm – wind and waves had to obey Him.
We can be at peace in the storm when Christ is with us. A hostile environment changes at His word of command.

"I am a woman who is deeply troubled" [I Samuel 1:15(NIV)]
2025-06-23
“I am a woman who is deeply troubled”. Hannah was disturbed in spirit because God had shut her womb and prayer did not seem to be having any effect. So she sets us the good example of continuing more fervently in prayer rather than giving up praying.
Furthermore, her fervent prayer was misunderstood by the priest Eli who thought she was drunk since her lips moved but no voice was heard.
Yet God heard her prayer and the fact that she was made to wait and prayed the more intently caused her to make the promise that her son would be wholly given to the Lord. And we all know how God blessed Samuel whom she gave to serve the Lord.
Let your deep trouble drive you to the Lord.

"I want to encourage you" [I Peter 5:12(GNB)]
2025-06-24
“I want to encourage you”. What a lovely expression! How we should all be seeking to do this, one to the other! Here are some ways in which we may encourage our brothers and sisters:
take a genuine interest in their situation
tell them you appreciate what they are doing
assure them you’re praying for them, talk positively with them
tell them about others who have won through
be an overcomer in the Lord yourself and help them to do the same
pick them up when they’re down, put them right when they’re wrong and do it all in true brotherly love
be ready to sacrifice something in order to help them
show them from the Scriptures the goodness of the Lord.

"you have put all my sins behind your back" [Isaiah 38:17(NIV)]
2025-06-25
“you have put all my sins behind your back”. Hezekiah had just been granted an extension to his life after God had told him to put his house in order because he was about to die. He had been very distressed about this and pleaded his case before the Lord. And the Lord confirmed by a miracle that Hezekiah’s prayer had been heard. The shadow on Hezekiah’s sundial went back ten steps.
Hezekiah, though a godly king, was sinful as we all are, and he was told that God had put all his sins behind His back. Today we know that to be gloriously real when we confess our sin and receive the forgiveness made possible by the death of Jesus on the cross. This is a truth that lifts the burden from the spirit.

"The Lord has done great things for us" [Psalm 126:3(RAV)]
2025-06-26
“The Lord has done great things for us”. Often at the time, God’s plan and purpose was obscure – you did not recognise just what He was doing. But now you can see things in better perspective. You are enjoying today the fruit of God’s blessing upon your life in days past.
The way He called you out of sin’s darkness: the way He calls to you day by day in loving guidance and fellowship. These are great things. That He has given you great and precious promises in His Word which you may prove as you exercise the gift of faith. This is a great thing. The fact that He has gone ahead, preparing the way and preparing to receive you into His eternal Kingdom.
These and the myriad other “greats” the Lord has done for us make us glad.

"He touched her hand and the fever left her" [Matthew 8:15]
2025-06-27
“He touched her hand and the fever left her”. Fever rages in many today.
The fever of frustration – trying so hard yet never seeming to get there.
The fever of human effort – demanding we put all we have into it yet gaining nothing of eternal value.
The fever of passion and of evil desire – a fever that can rise to great pitch if left unchecked.
The fever or fire of temptation – its temperature is so hot.
Suffering the fever of persecution and animosity against the children of God.
But the touch of the Lord will dispel all these and many more. Don’t let Peter’s mother-in-law be the only one to benefit. If you’re running one of these fevers, it’s the touch of the Lord you need.

"women who work hard in the Lord" [Romans 16:12(NIV)]
2025-06-28
“women who work hard in the Lord”. This is not about whether you go out to work or not. It’s not about getting status from a job title or how much you earn. This is work that is done ‘in the Lord’ – based on a relationship with Christ. Hard work involves effort, sacrifice, even struggle. What makes it worthwhile is that it is done ‘in the Lord.’ Paul encourages the Church in Corinth with the words ‘you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.’ Whether working for a secular or Christian business, whether helping the local church or helping family and friends, our love for Jesus and desire to honour Him should motivate us to work hard ‘as unto the Lord.’ Irrespective of what reward we get on earth, a reward is waiting in heaven.

"set your affection on things above" [Colossians 3:2]
2025-06-29
“set your affection on things above”. There is so much to attract below that it needs a conscious effort to do this! Our world is so full of fascinating things which, while not evil in themselves, detract from the things of God.
Fascinations, obsessions and desires that are not of the Lord need pulling out like weeds from our garden if we would please the Lord.
This only happens when you set your affection in the right place. The Bible tells us not to love the world because it wants us to love the Lord. You cannot serve both – if you try you will hate one and love the other.
Fall in love with the Lord and enjoy a life in the Spirit and claim the promises that God has given you.

"the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man" [Titus 3:4]
2025-06-30
“the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man”. Where can greater love be found than in God so loving the world that He gave His Only Son?
The object of that loving kindness was rebellious and unlovely. Even now most of those on whom this love was expended are disinterested in what God has done for them.
Christ dying for our sins was but the beginning of a caring and loving that would protect and guide those who would respond.
God’s love for His children must be the wonder of the hosts of heaven. It never ceases to amaze those who reach out in faith and receive it. The kindness and love of God reaches the very depth of one’s being. The blessing you may experience today is but the beginning – the day is coming when we shall bathe in its eternal fullness.

"and great will be your children's peace" [Isaiah 54:13(NIV)]
2025-07-01
“and great will be your children’s peace”. This chapter in the prophecy of Isaiah describes the future glory of Zion, the city of God. Those journeying there should not be afraid – they will not suffer shame. They should not fear disgrace and will not be humiliated.
It is the Holy One of Israel who is their Redeemer, the Creator of all things, the Almighty One whose word is pledged for you. With everlasting kindness He will have compassion on them and His love for them be unfailing.
The city will be built with stones of turquoise, its battlements will be rubies, its gates sparkling pearls and its walls precious stones. Best of all, their sons will be taught in the Lord and great will be their children’s peace. Comforting indeed in a world of strife.

"children of the promise" [Romans 9:8(NIV)]
2025-07-02
“children of the promise”. This is what we have become through faith in Jesus Christ. God promised Abraham that “through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”
In and through the work of Christ, the blessing is now available to all. In Christ we have become children of God and now share in the eternal promises given to Abraham.
This is not for a worldly inheritance that will fade and perish but for a place in the new heaven and earth. It’s a promise that still stands and is secure in Christ. It will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again.
Until then, let us be sure to live as ‘children of the promise.’

"narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life" [Matthew 7:14(RAV)]
2025-07-03
“narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life”. A man must humble himself if he would enter the gate.
Once sin is confessed and forgiven and Jesus is in His rightful place as Lord, there can be no sitting back at ease. All hell may be loosed to get the Child of God back into the devil’s camp again. Add to this the fact that the Christian life is an upward climb all the way and you will see that “difficult” is no overstatement. Yet neither the narrowness of the gate nor the difficulty of the way need deter the one who would attain life.
The gate is not too narrow for the Holy Spirit to lead you through it, neither is the way so difficult that the strength of the Lord cannot sustain you in it. Whoever will may come. Those who come He does not turn away. Once on the way, eternal life is yours in Christ.
