BAM

"Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven" [Peter 3:21,22]
2025-08-13
“Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven”. We can rejoice and be glad that Jesus not only rose from the dead but that He went into heaven. There He is exalted to the right hand of the throne of God, angels and authorities and powers made subject unto Him.
And it is as our glorified Lord and Saviour that He hears our prayer, sends us help, extends His care and compassion to all His children.
Because He is exalted to the highest place and because all are subject to Him, He can provide all we need, send the very help that will turn defeat into victory.
While in heaven He has sent the Holy Spirit to take His place. He it is who empowers us to live godly lives.

"I will come again" [John14:3]
2025-08-14
“I will come again”. This promise is for all the followers of Jesus. Those who fall asleep in Jesus will not be left forgotten in the grave. If the Lord is preparing a dwelling place for each one of His redeemed children, He will see to it that each one is there to occupy it. Jesus said that all who are in the grave will hear His voice.
That Jesus will Himself return to this earth has been the hope of believers all down the years and will continue to be so until that day dawns when Jesus comes back.
This promise gives a vibrant hope to every believer. The alert disciple lives looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus. Grasping this promise must make a profound effect upon us.

"expecting to receive something" [Acts 3:5]
2025-08-15
“expecting to receive something”. We all expect to receive something from life. The Lord wants to give us more than we could ever think.
This crippled beggar expected to receive money: any disappointment he had on hearing Peter and John had none soon evaporated when his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Take those expecting to receive money to talk with some of the miserable millionaires; those expecting fame and acclaim to see how short-lived and empty it all is. Similarly get those looking for worldly goods talking to refugees who had everything one minute and nothing the next.
Then find a true Christian and discover how he found his pearl of greatest price. Look to Christ expecting to receive something for today.

"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the Lord really speaks through you! " [I Kings 17:24(GNB)]
2025-08-16
“Now I know that you are a man of God and that the Lord really speaks through you! “. Those who have descended to the very depths and risen again can best testify to having found the Lord in reality and truth.
This widow gave her last cake of bread to Elijah and witnessed God’s miraculous provision for them both. But the blessing seemed short-lived when her son fell sick and died. She actually accused Elijah of slaying the boy. It was to her as though the prophet’s presence stirred up her past sins and his death was retribution upon her for the same.
But just as she was allowed to get down to the last cake for the Lord to miraculously provide, so she had to see her son die for him to be raised up. At our point of greatest need the Lord will meet us and make Himself known to us.

"when they had received it, they murmured" [Matthew 20:11]
2025-08-17
“when they had received it, they murmured”. Not content with what was given them, looking at how others were doing, working for what they could get out of it, dissatisfied with the agreement they had made; having much, they wanted more. Are we like this? We murmur when we do not fully trust the Lord’s providence. Those who sowed seeds of discontent in the parable may have found a ready ear, but the Master severely reprimanded them.
Do we murmur? Do we wish we were someone else or had what others have? The Lord deals with His children individually. He knows what is best and does what is best.
Ignorance of the situation or failure to understand may tempt us to murmur or complain. Faith in the Lord enables our eyes to be upon Him and this invokes our worship, whatever our lot.

"shining ever brighter" [Proverbs 4:18(NIV)]
2025-08-18
“shining ever brighter”. Each new day in the path of discipleship sees the light at the end of the way grow brighter. Even when hidden in the mists of this world or obscured from our view by the valley we are called to cross, it is growing brighter, for in the path of discipleship we are ever moving forward. Each day is one step nearer home! And when we reach the summit of the next hill we shall see that our Father’s mercy gleams brighter than before. The day star that has arisen for the believer in Jesus will never set. We are moving forward to the perfect day. The important thing is never to let go the hand that promises to keep us and the arms that enfold us. Looking unto Jesus can only mean shining ever brighter.

"they kept themselves pure" [Revelation 14:4(GNB)]
2025-08-19
“they kept themselves pure”. These words are taken from the thrilling scene of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion. This was the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God that earlier had taken the scroll of the purposes of God the Father and broken the seals.
Now He stands with an attendant company of 144 thousand with His Father’s name written on their foreheads. Heaven’s harpists provide the accompaniment as they sing their new song before the throne.
This select company that attend the Lamb constantly kept themselves pure. When subjected to temptation, they resisted: in the dusty ways of life they did not defile their garments that had been washed in the blood of the Lamb.
And in Christ we are exhorted to keep ourselves pure.

"Lord, it is good for us to be here" [Matthew 17:4(NIV)]
2025-08-20
“Lord, it is good for us to be here”. Thank God for the mountain top experience! Peter and the others didn’t appreciate it all, but felt it was wonderful.
God give you and me those experiences when we seem to be ushered into the very throne room of heaven where the glory of God radiates everywhere. Peter said it was good but was soon to realise it could not last. That idea he had of building tabernacles and dwelling there was not on!
The mountain-top was to prepare him for the valley. Soaring into the heavenlies gives us courage to dive into the valleys. Glory on the mountain-top can enable us to tackle the grime when in the workplace.
Don’t try to build tabernacles on the top of the mountain. Get your hands dirty rescuing those trapped in the valley.

"I will teach you the good and the right way" [I Samuel 12:23]
2025-08-21
“I will teach you the good and the right way”. Thank God for men like Samuel. Value and foster the friendship of all who do this. Modern life, the media, popular trends may combine to teach you the wrong way. Do not be overwhelmed by the weight of the opposition.
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple is greater than the evil in the world. Listen to His voice: obey His leading. Attend upon God’s Word: meditate and think on those things that are good. This will become good meat for your soul today. In the Old Testament they did not have the blessing of a complete Bible, an outpoured Spirit and a full salvation. We are blessed to have them and need to apply them.

"Please let me speak to the people" [Acts 21:39(NIV)]
2025-08-22
“Please let me speak to the people”. The Roman soldiers ran to rescue Paul from the mob that was beating him and were about to take him into their barracks when Paul made this request. The appearance of these soldiers had quietened the riotous crowd and Paul saw his opportunity to speak to the people. Others might have taken the opportunity to go inside for safety, but not Paul.
Paul was motivated by the love of Christ as it reached down to him on the Damascus Road and commissioned him to be an ambassador for Christ.
Whether to family, friends, workmates or strangers who might listen, our prayer to the Lord might be “Please empower me to speak to them today!”

"Many waters cannot quench love" [Song of Solomon 8:7]
2025-08-23
“Many waters cannot quench love”. The beauty of true love found in this book transcends the imperfections of human love and shows us divine love.
Water may quench many fires, both of passion and arson but it cannot dampen love.
True love is the property at the centre of one’s being. Something painted on the outside is what the world describes as “love” today.
God’s love is greater far than all else and it is so wonderful because we can behold it in Jesus. See the water of persecution and oppression that has been poured upon the lovers of Jesus down the years and then look at the way that it has only caused that love to spread.
Then remember we love Him because He first loved us.

"the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" [Luke 12:40(RAV)]
2025-08-24
“the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. Describing His Second Coming in this way, Jesus is showing us the need to be always ready. You can be busy with the many things in life and yet ready at a moment’s notice. Ready to hear His voice; ready to do His bidding; ready to stop what you are doing and to move on to something else. Most of all, be ready with garments unspotted by the world because they are made clean and white in the blood of the Lamb.
Life is full of surprises both pleasant and unpleasant. We need to realise that one day the greatest surprise of all for the believer will be the return of Jesus. It could be today. He is coming, of that there is no doubt. His will be a summons no lover of the Lord will want to miss.

"Come now, and let us reason together" [Isaiah 1:18]
2025-08-25
“Come now, and let us reason together”. Reason is often relegated to a low place in the list of qualities we apply in spiritual things. Is it not reasonable to think that God would do something about the havoc caused when man rebelled against His directive in the Garden of Eden?
The wonderful thing is just how great a thing God did. Not merely instigating a plan of salvation (a relief operation) but sending His own Son to pay the price of redemption and ratifying it by raising Him from the dead.
The plan is in place: the way is open: forgiveness and freedom are available. Men and women, boys and girls need to see their need, recognise the action they must take and come to God through Jesus.

"the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house … because of Sarai" [Genesis 12:17]
2025-08-26 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
“the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house … because of Sarai”. Even early in the Book of Genesis the Lord can be seen supporting the marriage bond. Abraham was thinking of his own life which he feared he might lose if Pharaoh had designs on his wife, so he pretended Sarai to be his sister.
The Lord didn’t support this action and when Pharaoh took Sarai into his household a plague fell upon his house.
The protection that the Lord extended to Sarai should be of comfort to all who are being used by others to attain their own selfish ends.
It will, of course, take the universal judgment to put right all the injustices perpetrated, but God has that in hand.
Meanwhile God’s judgment can be seen today as natural law reacts to the unnatural behaviour of men.

"Remember how short my time is" [Psalm 89:47]
2025-08-27
“Remember how short my time is”. For some of us it is very short: others do not consider the matter because life should give them a long time yet. What might we want God to do with the time we have left?
Grant us a smooth journey – yet it is in testings and trials that our faith is proven.
Supply every need – but not without our being made aware of it and supplicating His throne for it.
Lead us not into temptation – and grant us victory over it when we meet it.
Enable us to catch up on lost time – few can look back on no wasted years.
Let us have a good time? – Yes providing the ‘good’ is ‘godly’. Lord, take me as I am and do something to Your eternal glory with whatever time you have left for me.

"your reward is great in heaven" [Luke 6:23]
2025-08-28
“your reward is great in heaven”. Statements of account held in heaven’s bank are not published on earth. Jesus said that when a statement of their account was shown them the righteous said, “When did we see you hungry and fed you, thirsty and gave you drink, naked and clothed you” and so on. They were surprised at the record heaven kept and the interest that was given.
Jesus says that those who suffer reproach and hatred and all manner of evil for the gospel’s sake, should rejoice and leap for joy because they can identify with those who have gone before. And without telling us the precise rate, Jesus assures us that the reward in heaven is great. Keep in touch with fellow sufferers whenever you can, so that you can rejoice together!

"Shall your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? " [Psalm 88:11(RAV)]
2025-08-29
“Shall your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? “. The Psalmist is saying that it should be made known now. There need be no doubting the reality of God’s loving-kindness. Seen above all in the sending of His Son to be our Saviour, the lovingkindness of our God extends to every part of our life. Even at those times we are insensitive to the goodness of the Lord, it is still reaching out to every one of us.
It is the goodness of the Lord that leads a man to repentance. His loving kindness and tender mercy save and restore us. He lovingly leads us into paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We are to proclaim the lovingkindness of the Lord now; in the grave is too late. For many the grave is regrettably the place of missed opportunity – but it need not be so for us.

"And they stirred up the people" [Acts 6:12]
2025-08-30
“And they stirred up the people”. Stirring up what can only be described as the baser nature of a man – greed, hate, strife, antagonism.
It seems that once aroused, these must burn themselves out in vengeance upon one’s fellowmen. A big question mark must hang over what war achieves, yet somewhere or other men are for ever engaged in it.
What is the satisfaction in the sadistic atrocities we see and hear have been committed? How often do we inflict upon our brother mental or physical pain that we would shrink from choosing for ourselves? Not only armies, but whole nations are stirred to perpetrate evil upon their fellow men.
Our pressing need is to cultivate those pure and godly qualities such as love, peace and compassion so that they become the driving force in our life.

"He is a good man" [II Samuel 18:27]
2025-08-31
“He is a good man”. This is the only thing we’re told about him, yet what better epitaph could he ask! His name is Ahimaaz son of Zadok and few know of him. He came running from the battlefield to tell king David that the insurrection was over.
We are grateful to the watchman who saw him running towards them with the news for saying that he looked like Ahimaaz and the king added “he is a good man”.
Our world needs good men: good men of this calibre stand out. True goodness is something we need to seek. Peter said, “Who is he that will harm you if you are a follower of that which is good?”
The goodness we need is the righteousness that is of God by faith. Get the goodness of God inside by faith in Christ and the impression you make will be that of “a good man”.

"Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too" [Deuteronomy 20:8(NIV)]
2025-09-01
“Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too” .An unusual order the officers of the Children of Israel were told to give, but sensible when you think about it.
Dead weights slow down progress and the afraid and fainthearted can have a bad influence in the battle of the Lord.
Victory is assured to those who trust in the Lord; but the work of the Lord calls for full dedication. Gideon won his battle after he sent home all who did not want to fight.
If you’re going to dishearten others, it’s better you stay at home. But best is when you’re strong in the Lord and the power of His might. We need you to inspire others, not discourage them!

"he … found Elisha … ploughing" [I Kings 19:19(RAV)]
2025-09-02
“he … found Elisha … ploughing” .God calls His servants from industry, not from idleness! If you are doing nothing with your life except waiting for God to call you, it is likely He never will.
Ploughing is a good illustration of what we should be doing in the field of life where God has placed us. Ploughing is preparing the ground for sowing. Some scatter seed without preparation on ground that is too hard, too shallow or full of weeds, causing more to be lost than necessary.
The Word of God tells us to plough in hope: to break up our own fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord. If I am to lead others to Christ, I must be led by Him myself: if I am to call others to responsibility I must have been responsible to the Lord myself. It is no surprise that Elisha made a good servant of the Lord.

"Will you not revive us again, That your people may rejoice in you? " [Psalm 85:6(RAV)]
2025-09-03
“Will you not revive us again, That your people may rejoice in you? ” .Here are two cardinal truths. First, that revival comes from the Lord. It comes down: we do not stir it up. It revives dying embers (or members) and is a breath from heaven and it makes all the difference. It is to the Lord our eyes should be looking for revival – not on our planning skill and ability.
Second, when revival comes it brings true joy and rejoicing. It is a blessed state of heart.
Revival from the Lord is no palliative or transient euphoria. Experiencing it leaves the recipient in no doubt about its blessing and its effect fills all with deep and overflowing joy. It appears to come in waves, perhaps related to our falling away, so we need to ask the Lord to revive us again.

"Sarah your wife shall bear you a son" [Genesis 17:19(RAV)]
2025-09-04
“Sarah your wife shall bear you a son” .When Abraham suggested to God that Ishmael would be the son through whom God would fulfil His promises, the Lord repeated that Sarah would bear him a son.
When there appears to be delay in the fulfilment of a promise, we are not out of place to seek confirmation. It is natural to question whether it is His promise or our imagination. When it is God’s promise He may be expected to confirm it to us.
Sarah had doubted the promise and offered her maid as a compromise. Ishmael was born but the whole thing was a failure. Then it was Abraham’s turn to doubt and offer to accept Ishmael as substitute.
But God reiterated His promise and miraculously fulfilled it. Delaying the answer enhanced the miracle.

"a highway for our God" [Isaiah 40:3]
2025-09-05
“a highway for our God” .In the apparent desert wastes of this world, the Lord is preparing a highway for His return. Unseen by human eye, the Holy Spirit oversees the preparation that is going ahead. The Kingdom is already established in the heart of every believer where Jesus reigns as Lord.
Jesus said He would come again and attention to this promise has not been neglected. God is building His church in purity and holiness with Holy Spirit power.
The signs of the times, the fulfilment of prophecy, the fear in the heart of non-believers and the turning to Christ of tens of thousands in hitherto backwaters of the world tell us the highway is almost complete for the arrival of the King.

"I am innocent" [Matthew 27:24]
2025-09-06
“I am innocent” .This is what Pontius Pilate hoped would be the accepted verdict. By an overwhelming majority the world has pronounced him guilty. He had said earlier ‘What shall I do with Jesus?’ While he was free to take advice, that did not absolve him from responsibility. Pilate allowed the crowd to sway his better judgment. He had told them he found no fault in Jesus. He gave orders for Him to be crucified and then tried to say he was not responsible – innocent, in fact.
Going with the crowd has been the downfall of many. Each of us individually has responsibility for the life that is given to us. An important part of that responsibility is what we do with Jesus. If we reject and deny Him, we cannot say we are innocent. Such action crucifies again the Son of God Who came to save us from our sin.

"So you will be my people, and I will be your God" [Jeremiah 30:22(NIV)]
2025-09-07
“So you will be my people, and I will be your God” .The Old Testament prophets show us the difficulty God was having with His people. As we read in this chapter, their wound (received when turning away from the Lord) was incurable and their injury beyond healing. Guilt was great and their sins many and God had to punish them.
In the New Testament we read that no chastisement is pleasant. But God knows what He is about and God’s assurance to His people in whatever generation they were called upon to serve Him, would come through the instruction and correction and be to His glory.
It is a two way promise – we will be His and He will be ours. Don’t dwell on present conditions, but the promise of God for the future.

"enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul" [Acts 9:11]
2025-09-08
“enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul” .We should not forget the house of Judas. If Judas had not lived in Straight Street, Saul could not have been found there though Ananias knocked on every door. No great acclaim for what Judas did – he just offered to put up travellers and encouraged them along the way. Judas was at least sympathetic to the Christians if he was not one himself. He must have tried to give comfort and succour to Saul, though perhaps a little suspicious of him.
Put simply, he did not mind taking on Saul of Tarsus, a man confused, temporarily blinded, covered in dust and most likely forsaken by his entourage. You may feel you can identify with Judas. The Lord will bless you if you have the same ministry.

"Would God my lord were with the prophet" [II Kings 5:3]
2025-09-09
“Would God my lord were with the prophet” .How grateful all could be that the servant girl gave expression to her thoughts! It often takes a servant to say what others only dare think. Furthermore, how good that this girl was concerned for her master! Maybe his service gave her a sense of belonging and she felt her future lay in his hands.
Perhaps best of all was that she had a faith and a conviction that, properly approached, the prophet in Samaria could do something. The servant girl knew better than the noblemen: she said go to the prophet. That he chose to go to the king resulted in a problem. Let more servants of a greater Master be bold and say what they think today. This can only result in more being delivered from their spiritual leprosy.

"Are you also still without understanding? " [Matthew 15:16(RAV)]
2025-09-10
“Are you also still without understanding? ” .With these words Jesus reproved His disciples for being dull. He knew what they were capable of and that they had not attained their potential. It is to be feared that we often fall into the same category. Peter on behalf of the disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the blind leading the blind. He could not understand how these words applied to the Pharisees. Had their concentration been wandering as Jesus was speaking? Had they stopped trying to learn and just depended on the Presence of their Master with them?
Spiritual understanding is a gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Whether conveyed by another person as when Philip talked to the eunuch as he travelled in his chariot or directly, we need to ever feed upon the word of the Lord.

"the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame" [Romans 9:33(NIV)]
2025-09-11
“the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” .The Apostle Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. And all who trust in the Lord will find they have no need to be ashamed.
It is the devil who seeks to make us timid and to keep our faith to ourselves. There is nothing to be ashamed about and yet all too often we are ashamed to testify. The Apostle Peter asks “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? And even if you suffer for doing right you are blessed”.
Perfect trust casts out fear. Peter said, “Do not fear their (the opponents of the gospel) threats; do not be frightened”. Keep close to Jesus: trust Him and receive Him into every part of life – you’ll never be ashamed.
