BAM

"the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark" [Acts 12:12(GNB)]
2025-07-25
“the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark”. A godly home in which John Mark was brought up to love the Lord and desire to serve Him. It was the centre for meaningful church activity and the natural choice for an all-night prayer meeting among the believers when Peter was imprisoned and under sentence of death. Many were gathered there because it was a place where it was good to be. No wonder it was the house that Peter made for when the angel left him on the streets of the city after releasing him from prison!
Our churches and church fellowships may be warm and friendly and church activity and service can take a lot of time once we become disciples of the Lord. But it is in the home where we really relax and where the love and warmth of the Christian family can be best appreciated.

"Teach us to number our days aright" [Psalm 90:12(NIV)]
2025-07-26
“Teach us to number our days aright”. We do need to value and properly use each day the Lord gives us. Today added to yesterday prepares us for tomorrow.
Few things are completed in a day, just as some things we need to leave for others to complete. A night’s sleep is for refreshment not for forgetting what began yesterday. God’s treatment extends from conversion to completion.
God’s plan for us is that we may increase in wisdom and stature as Jesus did and wisdom, which is promised us on request, is a degree gained in the school of experience.
Rightly numbered days may be expected to include praise and thanksgiving, intercession and proclamation. Make today one of them.

"By faith Moses … refused" [Hebrews 11:24]
2025-07-27
“By faith Moses … refused”. The offer Moses refused included all the ease and comfort that Pharaoh’s court could offer. It was made on the pretext that Pharaoh’s daughter had taken a liking to him since finding him in the bulrushes.
But the offer was an enticement away from his real identity and from God’s purpose in his life. So it is today! The achievement of God’s plan in your life means to refuse the devil’s offer of ease and godless pleasure. Doing right must be matched by the refusal to do wrong. Refusing wrong is doing right.
Some things may not seem harmful, but they hinder God working in you. So Moses inherited leadership of God’s People. Exercise your right to refuse evil today.

"When she heard about Jesus" [Mark 5:27(RAV)]
2025-07-28
“When she heard about Jesus”. What had she heard? Report from many of the leaders in the synagogue would be critical but from the crowds that heard Him it would be wonderfully thrilling. Not having seen Him herself, the word of others was enough.
She recognised that this was the Person who could do for her what all others had failed to do. In fact, she saw He was so powerful that merely touching the hem of His garment would gain her healing.
Hearing about Jesus is the most blessed sound that can fall on the human ear. And then to realise what He is ready to do for you and to ask Him, whatever form that takes, is as marvellous as this woman’s healing of a twelve year long sickness.

"my salvation shall be for ever" [Isaiah 51:6]
2025-07-29
“my salvation shall be for ever”. God’s salvation stands as a lighthouse in the stormy seas of life. We work and plan as though we are in this scene of time for ever. We make as little mention as we can of the reality of death and destruction. We fail to see that the bricks we build will all topple and fall.
God’s salvation is the one thing that is for ever. Only this can lift a man to the plane of immortality. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: His name was called Jesus because He would save His people from their sin. The gift of God is eternal life: it is its eternal quality that makes it different from all else.
Salvation purchased at great cost at Golgotha is for all who will repent and receive it. God builds for eternity, his salvation shall stand for ever.

"a left-handed man" [Judges 3:15(NIV)]
2025-07-30
“a left-handed man”. Years ago people who were left-handed were made to use their right hand for writing and other everyday tasks. Thankfully God had no such prejudice and used Ehud’s left-handedness to act unexpectedly and bring an end to the oppression of Israel under king Eglon. It’s surprising what God can use for His purposes. There may be things about you that make you feel odd or vulnerable or simply mark you out as being different. The pressure of society is to conform and be like everyone else. Well don’t dismiss the impact small differences can make, especially under the blessing of the Lord.
Whether in speech, actions or our way of living, offer yourself to the Lord for His glory today.

"I have written briefly" [I Peter 5:12]
2025-07-31
“I have written briefly”. Then it’s unlikely your letter will bore the reader. Your letter will deal with the things that matter. Because brief, it will most likely be read.
What you say will not be so long and complicated that the reader either doesn’t know where to start or forgets half you’ve written. Lots of people will be made glad if you write briefly and because you’re brief you’ll have time to write to lots of people.
Now if you’ve never written a letter of encouragement, or it’s so long ago you’ve forgotten, get the ink flowing through your pen again. Look around you: lots of people need encouragement: life’s quite hard for some. They’ll appreciate the letter you write, reading it again and again, delighted you’ve taken time to consider them. And do keep it brief.

"Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new' " [Ecclesiastes 1:10(NIV)]
2025-08-01
“Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! This is something new’ “. It may be new to you, but in one way or another it’s likely to have been around for many years. Old ideas appear in a new guise. Our new machines run on old track and are subject to the laws of nature in existence since the beginning of creation. We describe a new (and usually ugly) situation developing, yet any historian will tell you it is but a repetition of what took place in time past.
Solomon’s question can be answered positively, however. Since the appearance of our Saviour, Jesus, to put away sin and the great salvation offered freely by faith in the Lord Jesus, God’s Word tells us that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away and all things become new.

"Go, stand and speak … all the words of this life" [Acts 5:20]
2025-08-02
“Go, stand and speak … all the words of this life”. So commissioned the angel who opened the prison to release Peter.
That night in prison did Peter good. It was the common prison and he saw prison conditions at their worst. His arrest was made at the request of the high priest and other leaders who were incensed at the great number of people turning to Jesus. But it was God’s way of getting Peter to meet an angel and experience a mighty deliverance.
The words of “this life” were of the new life in Christ. It was God’s will that all should hear then and now.
Many years ago, I heard of a Christian imprisoned in Yugoslavia who while in prison showed the prisoners how to tune in to a gospel broadcast on the radio!

"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you" [Luke 11:9]
2025-08-03
“And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you”. This promise of Jesus was given after Jesus had related the parable of the ‘Friend at midnight’. Strength of friendship may not get a person out of bed to help, but continual asking will secure the desired aid.
So we should know that while we cannot presume a strength of friendship in the light of our folly and waywardness, yet the Lord will give to those who keep asking.
The man in need in Jesus’ parable obviously felt sure that if he kept asking, his friend would rise and give him. He also thought his was a justifiable request. We may therefore gather that Jesus’ promise is to those who ask in faith for what is their justifiable need. Once these criteria are met, it calls for asking and keeping on asking and expecting to receive.

"Why do you say … 'My way is hidden from the Lord' " [Isaiah 40:27(NIV)]
2025-08-04
“Why do you say … ‘My way is hidden from the Lord’ “. Isaiah answers this question for all who cannot or will not believe God is at work in their lives.
The Lord is the everlasting God, Creator of all things: there is no-one greater than He. He does not grow weary or disinterested and His understanding is of everything and everybody.
He gives strength to the weary and increases power to the weak. Though all of us grow tired and weary and the most athletic stumble and fall, those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength.
The answer then is to place your hope in the Lord – not in yourself or your prospects. Then you will soar on eagles’ wings, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.

"As for God, his way is perfect" [II Samuel 22:31(NIV)]
2025-08-05
“As for God, his way is perfect”. In whatever man says or does there will be a flaw, it will not be perfect; some aspect or fact of it will let you down.
Not so the Lord. “Trust Him wholly, and find Him wholly true”, as the line of the hymn says. So you can depend upon Him to lead you aright today. You can be sure that He will act in perfect love towards you: He understands and cares for all that is involved. No need to fear weakness in one area or of something being not quite right.
This contrasts so much with man’s way that we find it difficult to appreciate. Most of all we need to walk in His perfect way. Accepting the truth of His perfection is of no practical use to us until we walk in it.

"workers together with him" [II Corinthians 6:1]
2025-08-06
“workers together with him”. God could manage without us but chose not to do so!
He could have saved those He had chosen and placed them safely in His display case called heaven for all to marvel at without any one of them doing anything. But He didn’t.
He called His servants, the Patriarchs and prophets and judges, priests and kings in the Old Testament. In the New Testament He called twelve disciples, then 120 on the Day of Pentecost and today a countless number of true followers: all of them are called to be co-workers.
Do you know the special task God has called you to do? Are you working with the Lord? Is He in everything you do? What an honour to be workers with Christ!

"how can we know the way? " [John 14:5]
2025-08-07
“how can we know the way? “. More than just listening to the words of Jesus, we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit upon the words. Thomas lacked this.
He should have known that when he saw Jesus he saw the Father. He should have believed that the Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. He should have recognised that the words that Jesus spoke and the works He did were the result of the Father dwelling in Him.
Had he believed this Thomas would have experienced the Father likewise working in his own life. He would have known a prayer-answering God.
But he didn’t. Instead he asked this question that revealed that he had missed the point of Jesus’ comforting words. Not knowing the way is the same as being lost.

"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul" [Proverbs 13:19]
2025-08-08
“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul”. This is especially so when it is a noble desire. There is no satisfaction like the job well done. God’s plan extends to the smallest things in life and is undertaken by the humblest of persons.
Patient perseverance is a valuable addition, for the greater the task the more is needed. It is a great help to be able to see what the end product will look like. A good idea of what you’re aiming for is half-way to hitting the target.
The lazy man knows nothing of this and will finally have to go ferreting for his buried talent which he will ashamedly be made to produce and immediately lose. A godly aim attained will bring a good reward and lasting contentment.

"if this come to the governor's ears" [Matthew 28:14]
2025-08-09
“if this come to the governor’s ears”. Did the chief priests and elders really think the Resurrection could be kept secret? The tale about ‘stolen while the guards slept’ must have worn very thin!
Jesus appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection. That He was alive was attested by many infallible proofs.
The launch of the church on the Day of Pentecost and its phenomenal growth was built upon the Name of the resurrected Lord Jesus.
‘Silence money’ given to the soldiers to keep quiet didn’t have any effect. Having paid the price for redemption by His atoning sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus rose from the dead and triumphantly leads His church. Not just governors’ ears, but everybody must know. Receive the news and pass it on.

"a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth" [Psalm 86:15]
2025-08-10
“a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth”. A poor soul indeed that cannot find help here!
Compassion looks upon us with an appreciation of our need and a readiness to help in situations where no one is doing anything.
Graciousness conveys love and concern; it is a quality that uplifts and beautifies.
Longsuffering is something we all need. It tries again and again and does not give up until the target is reached. Yet another expression of love, by its nature longsuffering believes in what it is doing and the one it is done for.
Mercy and truth – a couplet that it takes the divine hand to forge and that meet perfectly in Jesus.
All these are found in God who so loves us.

"no room left" [Mark 2:2(NIV)]
2025-08-11
“no room left”. It was worth going to hear Jesus and they did so until the house was full.
“No room” happened then because the words of Jesus were localised into one place. Today the words of Jesus are proclaimed by His followers the world over.
“No room” even though they did not really know who Jesus was – just that He was wonderful. We would have thought so too. We can today for He speaks to the attentive heart still.
A day is coming when this sign may be displayed in heaven, when every place will be taken. We are not there yet. Still there is room for you if you will come personally confessing your sin and asking Jesus to save you!

"Abdon … had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys" [Judges 12:13,14(NIV)]
2025-08-12
“Abdon … had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys”. This is an unusual way to describe Abdon who judged Israel for eight years. Yet it emphasizes the importance the Lord attaches to families. And in a day when the family is under threat this is a good reminder.
It must have been a common sight – Abdon’s seventy donkeys and their riders.
We need to pray for godly families where sons and grandsons follow in their father’s path of right. The saying goes – “the family that prays together stays together”. If it took a throng of donkeys to keep the boys happy, it was money well spent.
Happy are those families that are bound together with Christ’s love.

"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.
