A touch can and does speak volumes. It can convey sympathy and affection
and create understanding. The leper in Luke 5:12,13
addressed Christ with the words 12 ...
‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’
13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying,
‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately
the leprosy left him.
(NKJV). Whatever our condition or need, just a cry to Jesus
will bring His touch of compassion and power to our lives. Face your difficulties today
in the knowledge that Christ is willing and able to help you. (DG)
Here is a Christmas scripture which the prophet Isaiah, nearly 750 years
before Christ was born, wrote by divine inspiration: Isaiah
7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
(KJV) The New Testament quotation of this verse, in Matthew
1:23, tells us the interpretation of the name Immanuel - it means God
with us.
What a wonderful thought for Christmas! The dear Lord is called God
with us.
One who has God has the wealth of the universe. Jesus is not only God,
He is my God. He is not only God with mankind, He is God with me. How can I be lonely
when I’ve Jesus as my Companion and Friend! (DG)
As Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well in Samaria, He declared
this great truth concerning worship: John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that
worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
(KJV). Going
back one verse we notice that He said, John 4:23
... for the Father seeketh such
to worship him.
(KJV). Think of it - God is looking for those who
will worship Him! He wants this above everything else! Nor is He primarily
concerned with the place, or the form, of worship. Jesus told the woman that
it was not important whether or not she went to Jerusalem to worship, as the
Jews thought - just that the worship was offered in spirit and in truth.
Do go to a place of worship this week-end. (DG)
John Wesley asked a group of friends for a definition of faith,
and when no one gave a satisfactory statement he turned to a woman known for her deep
spirituality. What is faith?
he asked her. She replied simply, It is taking
God at His Word.
That is enough for us all. Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.
(KJV). Take God at His Word for your need today. God is faithful,
Who has promised. (DG)
Complete honesty includes being honest with God. How futile it is to make
excuses to God! He knows the reasons why we act as we do, and He knows who
is to blame. Hebrews 4:13 states the truth that,
... all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with
whom we have to do.
(KJV). Don’t let us make the mistake of saying,
I’m sorry I did this, Lord ... but ... but ... but.
Away with
excuses - they will not help. Rather let us repent of the fault and admit it,
because this is the primary step to doing something about that fault. Let us
offer God complete honesty today. (DG)
It is good to be positive in our thanksgiving. In this way, we are kept
from making out that things are worse that they really are. A man was complaining
that taxes had increased, and that he had five children at school, and that
he had to work so hard. A friend told him, Be thankful that your tax-laden
house has not been taken from you, and that your children are not sick in
hospital, and that your body is not too weak to work.
Let us act according
to Ephesians 5:20 and Giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ;
(KJV) . It will surprise us how rich we are in the blessings of God.
(DG)
Even before His death Jesus challenged His disciples in the words of
Matthew 16:24, ...
If any man will come after me, let him ...
take up his cross, and follow me.
(KJV).
They did not know where He would lead, but they followed because they had implicit
faith in the One who was leading. They knew He would not deliberately lead them
astray. Christ may lead His own in paths of sacrifice and suffering, for
John 15:20 ...
The servant is not greater than his lord ...
(KJV). But whatever He does, we can be sure it is for our best interests and for
the best interests of His Kingdom. Are we ready to take up our crosses and follow
Him? (DG)
The quest of scientists and educators today is for the truth. Jesus Himself
is the Truth, and He reveals Truth to us. In John
14:6 Jesus says, ... I am
the way, the truth, and the life: ...
(KJV). As Truth, Christ is
opposed to error and deceit. If we would know truth today, we need learn no more
than the truth as it is in Jesus. We can be thankful that we know the
personification of truth, Jesus Christ. We can also rejoice that His Truth opens
to us new doors of spiritual discovery. Christ is the Truth by which we come to
the Father. (DG)
Christ said, A sower went forth
to sow
. All men are sowers of seed - the harvest depends on what men
sow. Galatians 6:7 states the law of harvest.
... for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(KJV). The certainty of harvest should be a solemn warning to us to ensure
that the right seed is sown. The true seed is the Word of God, which, sown
to the spirit, reaps life, and a God-glorifying harvest. The fruit of the
seed of sin is evidenced around us. The seed we sow affects our home - our
community - our church - and eternity. Don’t let us deceive ourselves - God
is not mocked. What we sow now, we shall reap! We cannot live carelessly,
or unto ourselves. (DG)
Mariner II made the headlines of the world as it completed its 36
million-mile trip to Venus. Though forgotten, there was a Mariner I.
It was made as perfectly as science could make it - yet it went off course tens
of thousands of miles. What happened? It seems that, in typing out the electronic
instructions to the missile, someone left out a hyphen, and of course, the space
ship behaved in accordance with the faulty instructions. How perfect is God’s
physical universe, and how dependable are its laws! Equally perfect are the laws that
govern the moral and spiritual realm. Psalms 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: ...
(KJV).
The most trouble in the world is the human heart. Lack of joy and peace and all
disorders are traceable to lack of harmony with God and His laws.
(DG)
James 4:2 states, ... Yet you
do not have because you do not ask.
(NKJV) James would know the words of the
Saviour, Luke 18:1 ...
that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
(NKJV). It is not always essential to go aside to a secret place to commune with God.
The Lord Jesus often went to Olivet, but His daily attitude was one of ceaseless
dependence upon God. We should not neglect the specified place of prayer,
but if a man’s heart be attuned to the Highest, he may pray even as he walks
down the street. (DG)
We have an essential rule for fellowship given to us in
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider
one another ...
(KJV) Fellowship with other Christians is indispensable for
spiritual growth. To stay away from meeting with other travellers is both unwise
and contrary to the will of God. They who would be helped must themselves render
help. Therefore out of love’s consideration for other believers, we must be
in our place, in fellowship with others. May we keep this rule of fellowship in
every way. Consider one another.
(DG)
A Scottish physician, noted for his skill and Christian faith, died. When
his books were examined, several accounts were found with these words written
across them, Forgiven - too poor to pay.
His wife, who was of a different
disposition, said, These accounts must be paid.
She therefore sued for
the money. The judge asked her, Is this your husband’s handwriting in
red ink?
She replied that it was. Then,
said the Judge, there is
not a tribunal in the land that can obtain the money where he has written
‘forgiven’
. It is the same with the accounts of our sins; where
Jesus has written forgiven
, no power can bring us into condemnation. It
is stated in Ephesians 1:7, regarding those who
have come to Christ for pardon, In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
(KJV). (DG)
Faith is a very important part of the Christian’s equipment; by faith we
accept salvation; by faith we accept union with Christ; by faith we step out
on God’s promises day by day. We must have faith in God! We must believe He
is the almighty one, and all-powerful one. Hebrews 11:6
says, ... for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(KJV). Believe God for
victory and blessing in your life today. (DG)
More hours of our week are given to leisure than ever before. There are
so many temptations to use leisure merely for idleness, which gives opportunity
for mischief and gossip, which in turn leads to bitterness - then extra free
time becomes a curse. J. B. Philips translates
Ephesians 5:16 as, Make
the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days.
Have we learned to thank God for this extra leisure time and, in thankfulness,
are we seeking to use it in ways which will bring glory to Him? Let us buy
up every opportunity to do that which will glorify God. (DG)
The disciples were afraid - it was dark, the sea was getting rough - and
Jesus had not joined them. It was then they saw Jesus coming, walking on the
water. They were terrified, but He called to them, as it is recorded in
John 6:20,
It is I, be not afraid
(KJV). No one else could say that without bringing ridicule upon themselves.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ alone who can save from fear. It is I, don’t
be afraid of the darkness - I am the Light. Don’t be afraid of sin - I
am the Saviour, and will deliver you. Don’t even fear death - I am the
Life.
Whatever faces you today, you can face it with Christ the Fear
Remover
present. (DG)
Stamps and coins bear the official mark of the country they represent and,
as Christians, we should bear the mark of our Saviour, faithfully representing
Him in all things. There may be counterfeits - hypocrites - but do remember
that they are only proof that the genuine exists. Those who are Christ’s
through acceptance of His redemptive work are, according to
Romans 8:29, destined
from the beginning .... to be moulded into the image of His Son
(Amplified
Version). May others see the genuine image and superscription of Christ in
you today. (DG)
In South America there is a strange little plant. It rolls around until
it finds a moist place, then it sends its roots down and becomes green for
a little while. When that place becomes dry, it draws its roots up and rolls
on to another place. After a time, it becomes nothing but a bundle of dead
roots and leaves. Some people are like that plant, ever wandering, looking
for something to satisfy their longing hearts. Christ alone is the answer.
He says, in John 7:37,
If any man thirst, let him come
unto Me, and drink
(KJV). (DG)
How familiar we are with the words of Jesus,
I am the Light of the world.
There is a painting by Holman Hunt, which hangs in St. Paul’s cathedral in
London, called The Light of the World.
It shows Jesus standing in a garden,
and in His hand there is a lantern which shines on a closed door. Now if
you have a reproduction of the painting, you have probably noticed that the
door has no latch on it. Our faith clearly teaches that Christ wants to come
in, and it also teaches that the door must be opened from the inside. In
Revelation 3:20 Jesus said,
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me
(KJV). Let the Christ of light and blessing into
your heart today. (DG)
Words take on special meaning if the speaker is important to us. In
Luke 12:30, Christ says,
your Father knows that you need
these things
(NKJV). These words of assurance are wonderful in themselves,
Your Father knows.
But they are even more wonderful coming from the lips of the
eternal Son of God. He does know the deep, real love and faithfulness of the Father
heart towards those who are His redeemed children. Trust, and don’t be over-anxious
about these things
(whatever they may be). Your Father knows and cares about
you. (DG)
Knowledge of God not only brings grace and peace into our lives, but multiplies
peace. 2 Peter 1:2, puts it this way,
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of
God and of Jesus our Lord
(KJV). Peace comes through faith in the Lord Jesus. It
is the inevitable result of our justification by faith
(Romans 5:1). Multiplied peace is a definite
advance on peace, for the blessings experienced through salvation are increased
a thousand fold as we advance in knowledge of God, learning that in all the
vicissitudes of life, God is sufficient. (DG)
It is possible to get so involved in relationships with our families and
friends, or involved in the general business of living, we forget that God
loves us. But to all of us come times when we need desperately to remember
that God loves us. Not only that He loves the human race, but that He loves
us as individuals. The Cross of Jesus Christ proves God’s love. Whenever you
are tempted to wonder if anyone really cares what happens to you, or understands
your need, remember, in Galatians 2:20, of
Christ it is said, who loved me, and gave Himself for me
(KJV).
Say these words to yourself now, and repeat them during the day. Christ loved me,
and gave Himself for me.
(DG)
If you want a job of work done, you go to the busy man, because you know
he will get on with the work. It has been significantly pointed out that,
in every recorded instance, the Apostles were busy at their daily work when
the Master called them. Peter and Andrew were fishing. James and John were
mending their nets. Matthew was sitting at the receipt of custom. God never
visits an idle or unserviceable life. If we would be useable, then we need
to obey Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and
not unto men;
KJV). God can use such people! (DG)
A botanist, travelling through the mountains, saw a rare flower hanging
from an almost inaccessible precipice. A boy who lived nearby was available,
so the botanist offered him a large sum of money if he would let himself down
by a rope to get the flower. I will, under one condition,
said the boy.
That condition is that my father will hold the rope.
How thrilled that
father must have been with his son’s complete faith in him. Our heavenly
Father is delighted when we trust Him completely. This boy, in refusing to trust
anyone but his father, reminds me of Psalm 118:8
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in
man.
(KJV). Let us please God by putting our complete trust in Him - such
confidence in such a God can never be misplaced. (DG)
At some intersections in large cities, pedestrians are greeted with traffic
signs, Wait
and Walk
. If we were as careful to wait when God says
Wait
, and walk when God says Walk
, as we are to observe the street
signs, there would be fewer spiritual casualties. The sound advice of Mary, in
John 2:5 is, ... Whatsoever
he saith unto you, do it.
(KJV). We ignore God’s do’s
and don’ts
at our own peril. On the other hand, nothing
but good can come from doing what God says. (DG)
What heartening and triumphant words are found in
Philippians 4:13 I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(KJV). Faced with tasks which
seem too great for you, what a comfort it is to know that you are not left to your
own strength alone. Christ’s strength is made available to you by His presence
with you. Recognising Christ’s presence, and acting in His strength, it will
amaze you how every feeling of defeat will depart, and how light the heavy burden
will become. (DG)
When he was a boy, Robert Louis Stevenson sat by a window one evening.
He was watching the lamp-lighter lighting the lamps of the city. His mother
asked, What are you doing?
He replied, I am watching a man punch holes
in the darkness.
Darkness engulfs the human race - sin and despair are everywhere.
We can punch holes
in the darkness by pointing men and women to Christ.
Jesus said, John 8:12 ...
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(KJV). (DG)
C. T. Studd was won for Christ by being asked, Do you believe the
first part of , John 3:16
. When the great athlete said he did, it was
pointed out that it would be inconsistent not to believe the latter part
of the verse which shows there is judgement for those who do not accept God’s
gift. Beware of accepting only part of God’s message to you today. Take it
all, for your soul’s good. (DG)For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son
, (KJV)
The Bible is a very practical book. It teaches us the art of living. And
if we would take heed to its instructions we would be saved many troubles.
Someone has pointed out that most of the trouble we get into is caused by
our mouths - eating, drinking, talking. No wonder the Psalmist prayed the
words in Psalm 141:3 Set
a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
(KJV). Remember,
if the little fish had not opened its mouth, it would never have been caught.
(DG)
Peace is one of the things money cannot buy. Paul always saw peace as something
found only in Christ. To Paul, Christ does not simply bring peace, but He
is Peace. In Ephesians 2:14 Paul declares,
For he is our peace, ...
(KJV). The peace of Christ is far
reaching; it reaches the past, for my sins are buried; it assures the future, for by
His righteousness I will stand redeemed. And this peace makes the present worth living.
It keeps me above fears and worries, safe in Christ. Peace is a heavenly benefit to
be enjoyed on earth. (DG)
I understand that when the missionaries first went to Labrador with the
gospel, they found no word in the Eskimo language for forgiveness. So they
had to make a new word. To the Eskimos the word meant literally,
Not-to-be-able-to-think-about-it-any-more.
In
Ephesians 4:32, we are exhorted,
Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
To say I
will forgive, but I will not forget,
is not real forgiveness. We need to pray
for a short memory for all unkindnesses, because harbouring hurts will only injure
us. (DG)
The car was not giving the usual performance. It was thought to be the
spark plugs. New ones made little difference. Then the garage mechanic discovered
that the carbon-type lead had become hard, and was, therefore, a non-conductor.
The Lord said, in Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive,
if ye have ought against any: ...
Spiritual power cannot pass through
someone filled with resentment. Unforgiveness, ill-will, hatred, grudges and
jealousies are non-conductors. Honestly seek to remove these hindrances to
your life being a channel of blessing to others. (DG)
Based upon the fact that Christians have in Christ, a great High
Priest,
Hebrews 4:14, 15 exhorts,
... let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an
high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
The knowledge that
the Lord has walked our pathway should stimulate faith, and a determination to hold
what we possess. Let us hold tenaciously to faith in the compassionate, living Christ,
who can keep us and presence Himself with us throughout life’s pilgrimage.
(DG)
A young hunter, who repeatedly got lost in the forests, was advised to
buy a compass. On his next trip he got lost and lay out all night. When asked
why he did not use the compass, he said, I did, but I could not make the
needle point to North, it would only point South-west.
Many people fail to
get the right direction in life because they are afraid to take the Bible
and go the way it points. Psalm 23:3 says,
... He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ...
The Bible shows us the footsteps of the Shepherd, and those steps lead us in
the paths of righteousness. (DG)
The Bible teaches that christians should live affectionately. We read,
in Ephesians 5:1, 2 Be ye
therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath
loved us ...
As Christ loved, so must we love. This rare plant cannot thrive where
bitterness, fault-finding and carnal criticism sour the soil. Discord ruins fellowship,
enmity separates brethren, and the entire purpose of the Lord is frustrated. The apostle
John, in 1 John 4:20 asks an important question,
... he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love
God whom he hath not seen?
(DG)
A Russian ruler said, I have conquered an empire, but I was not able to
conquer myself.
He was known as Peter the Great - but few people remember
that he was unable to control his anger. As a matter of fact, in one of his
outbursts of fury he killed his son. Today we may be provoked, or ignored,
or even insulted. If any of these things happen, will we lose tempers, or
return spite for spite - or will we accept Christ’s help to follow His example.
In 1 Peter 2:23 we learn that when He was reviled
and mistreated He reviled not again.
Live today a life of
control through Christ. (DG)
It is possible that you have heard the story of a man who had a weathervane
erected, and on all the four indicators had the words inscribed, God is love.
When asked his reason, he replied, Because whichever way the wind blows,
my Master is caring for me.
In the Weymouth translation of
1 Peter 5:7 you are exhorted to
throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because
He cares for you.
Our God is not a fairweather friend, but a God whose
love is provable in times of stress and need. (DG)
It is a custom on a special boys’ day in Japan for boys to fly kites,
made in the form of fishes, over their houses. They believe that by doing this
they will become brave, full of courage and strength. It takes more than a
kite, made of paper, and sticks of wood and string to change anyone from a
weakling, and from being fearful and afraid into a courage-filled person.
This change can only come about through strong faith and confidence in the
Lord. In Psalm 138:3 we have the testimony,
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst
me with strength in my soul.
(KJV). Ask in faith and be strengthened.
(DG)
A passenger in a railway train had in various ways been obnoxious to the
fellow-travellers in the compartment; everyone was relieved when he prepared
to leave the train. As he stepped on to the platform, one of the passengers
called after him, Hi, you’ve left something behind!
He turned back
only to be met with the cynical information, A bad impression.
We leave
either a bad or good impression with others. We should seek to live so that others
can say of us, as Paul was able to say of the Philippian Christian in
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God
upon every remembrance of you,
(KJV). (DG)
It is significant that the first words spoken by the risen Lord were spoken
to a weeping woman. They are recorded in John 20:15
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why
weepest thou?
(KJV). Mary Magdalene is asked to state the reason for
her tears - understanding the real cause of grief often leads to the removal of the
grief. The relief of Mary’s sorrow was completed with a further question,
Whom seekest thou?
- the
Lord well knowing that she was seeking Him. Jesus was not only the enquirer, He was
the answer. It was in the place of seeming despair and hopelessness that Mary Magdalene
found comfort for her troubled soul in her living Lord. What a wonderful Comforter
and comfort is Christ! Why weepest thou?
(DG)
Paul speaks of an unspeakable gift, in 2 Corinthians
9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
(KJV) At this season we celebrate not just the birth of the Holy Child Jesus,
not the perfection of the Man of Nazareth and Galilee - we pause to celebrate
at the place called Calvary, where the substituting Saviour died. Our festive joy
contains even more - because our faith goes out to the risen, exalted Lord of glory,
seated at the right hand of God. He has become, to those who trust Him, God’s
unspeakable gift. (DG)
When Christ was within hours of treachery of the worst type, and men were
plotting to crucify Him, He spoke of His Peace. In John
14:27 He said, Peace I
leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(KJV).
His peace was independent of circumstances, and was unruffled by malice;
no hatred existed in His heart. If we walk with Him as He walked with God
His Father, we will know and experience the gift of His peace, an abiding
restfulness. (DG)
2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. ...
(KJV).
A story I heard the other day clearly illustrates the meaning of these words. A
boy was telephoning from a phone in a cafe. The cafe owner standing nearby could
overhear: Is that the firm which advertised for a boy a few days ago? ... Oh,
the job is filled. ... Does the boy do the work to suit you? ... Thank you, goodbye.
Tough luck, you missed out,
said the cafe owner. No,
replied the boy,
I got the job a few days ago. I’m just checking up on myself.
Have you
checked up on yourself lately, to see if you are Christlike in your daily living?
Is God pleased with you? (DG)
There may come hours in our lives when we will be misunderstood, slandered,
falsely accused. How easy it is at such times to act on the policy of people
around us. We make a mistake in trying always to clear ourselves. We would
be wiser to go straight on, humbly doing the next thing, and leaving God to
vindicate us. We have the promise in Psalm
37:6 ... he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the
light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
(KJV). Leave with God the matter
that is bothering you. He will bring out the truth. (DG)
Debt? Perhaps you say, I don’t owe anyone anything.
Oh, yes you do! I
do hope you don’t owe money or other things, but there is one thing you owe
your friends, your neighbours even those who don’t like you. You owe them
love! Most of us will admit we are quite fond of ourselves, and we are to
love our fellow men as ourselves. This kind of love is the fulfilment of God’s
law, because if we love someone, we won’t steal from him, or hurt him. Paul
said, in Romans 1:14, I am a
debtor ...
. He felt in debt to the love of Christ, to give everyone the gospel.
May the gospel of God’s love in Christ be seen in your fulfilment of that debt
of love to others. (DG)
Sometimes we are helped by being hurt. A skilled surgeon, about to perform
a delicate operation upon the ear, said reassuringly I may hurt you, but
I will not injure you.
How often the Great Physician speaks to us the same
message, if we would only listen. 1 Peter 5:10
reads, But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect ...
(KJV). God has our highest welfare at heart-let us be thankful
for His dealings with us. (DG)
The Psalmist said, in Psalm 19:1,
The heavens declare the glory of God.
(KJV). A little
girl was walking out with her father one evening. Looking up at the stars, the
little lady exclaimed, Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful,
what must the right side be like!
1 Corinthians 2:9
declares, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(KJV). We worship a God who deals with our past, cares for us in the present, and
provides for eternity. (DG)
These days, man seems afraid of silence! We are conditioned by radio and
television on which every minute must be filled with talking or some kind
of sound. A person’s life can be deepened tremendously by periods of
silence, used in the constructive ways of meditation and prayer. The hymn-writer
puts it, Speak Lord in the stillness, while I wait on Thee; Hush my heart to
listen in expectancy.
You can prove the truth of
Isaiah 40:31 today. They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
(KJV).
(DG)
God has given a wonderful and comprehensive promise to His children, in
Hebrews 13:5 He hath said,
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
(KJV). To belong to God in Christ
is all that is necessary to make this promise yours. This is a divine promise only
God could keep it. A benefactor may leave us yet not forsake us - God promises
never to withdraw Himself, or His help. Therefore we shall never want for comfort
or help. He is the present help in time of trouble. All God’s children of
every age can testify to the fact that God keeps His promises - whatever the future
holds for the redeemed; trials, losses, crosses, but never abandonment by God.
(DG)
Of Zacchaeus it is recorded in Luke 19:3
that he sought to see Jesus, who He was.
(KJV). We
are apt to think that, out of curiosity regarding Christ the healer and miracle
worker, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But it is clear that he was undoubtedly
moved by deeper feelings than mere curiosity, because he not only wished to
see Jesus, he evidently desired to KNOW Jesus. Had there been no desire on
the part of Zacchaeus for a personal acquaintance with Christ, He would have
passed by. The Lord looketh on the heart, so He made Himself known to Zacchaeus.
To the seeking heart, Christ will make Himself known. (DG)
A young Customs officer looked hard at the passport in his hand, and then
looked hard at the owner. He continued to stare for a few moments, then exclaimed,
It doesn’t do you justice, sir
. It is the duty of every Christian to
bear the likeness of Christ. We may well ask, do we do Him justice? The Christian
is changed into Christlikeness by beholding Him. Paul says, in 2
Corinthians 3:18, We all, with open face beholding as in a
glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory. ...
(KJV). Spend time beholding Christ today if you would bear His image before your
fellowman in a way which would do Christ justice. (DG)
During a storm, hurricane winds shattered a beautiful stained-glass window. A visitor enquired about the window and was shown the box of fragments. He was a famous artist, and out of the fragments made another window even more beautiful than the original. In 1 Peter 4:12 Christians are told not to think trials STRANGE. It is often the shattering experiences in life which allow the Lord to pick up the pieces and re-create within us an even more beautiful life, through which He can shine in all the brilliance of His divine love. Even the difficult times can be turned to blessing by the Lord - trust Him. (DG)
Paul, in Acts 28:15, thanked
God and took courage.
(KJV). On New Year’s day we can do the same.
Paul was on his way to Caesar. Bonds and imprisonment awaited him - behind him
were two years of captivity, and shipwreck. If he could thank God and take courage
in those circumstances, we can, when we look back and see how God has been to us
in the past year, in domestic, business and national life. And we can take courage
for this year knowing that God is with us.
(DG)
People who are given their choice prefer to spend Christmas with their
family and friends in the comfort of their home. Some - through circumstances
or duty - will spend Christmas in places they would not normally choose.
We think of those in hospitals - patients for whom we pray. And staff who
will, through their dedication and hard work, make this day memorable for
others. Some will spend Christmas at sea, or flying over continents, or at
lonely outposts. Remember, Mary was not where she would have liked to be
either. Along with Joseph and the Holy Child she was in a stable because,
according to Luke 2:7, there
was no room for them in the inn.
(KJV). You can spend Christmas with Christ
in the most unlikely places. (DG)
For the astronaut, there is a critical period during re-entry into the
earth’s atmosphere, that is known as ‘black-out’. Technicians
await breathlessly the re-establishing of contact by radio, that will show the
venture is a success. The danger spot in life is like the ‘black-out’
in the astronaut’s trip - it is not in the ASCENT (drawing close to God), but
in the DESCENT (slipping out of contact with God). The psalmist knew he needed
daily contact with God. In Psalm 85:8 he says,
I will hear what God the Lord will speak.
(KJV). Keep in
touch with God today. (DG)
No one ever reaches the place where one no longer needs to learn. A friend
of mine who has been a successful teacher for quite some years now, is spending
a much needed holiday time in yet another special Teachers’ Course. The would-be
great teacher must have a teachable spirit. David, the Psalmist king, acknowledged
his need of being taught. In Psalm 86:11 he says,
Teach me Thy way, O Lord, I will walk in Thy truth.
(KJV).
David had learned the bitter lesson of walking without God’s leading. It only
led to heartbreak and suffering. Follow David’s example and become teachable -
God will then make known His way to you, and you will live in the light and health of
His truth. (DG)