Safe in the arms of Jesus

"Noah went into the ark" (Genesis 7:7). For Noah and his family, the ark was the place of safety. For us, Jesus is the 'ark' of our salvation. We are "safe in the arms of Jesus." He has invited us to come to him. He welcomes us when we come to him. We belong to …

In our own homes – Let us return to the Lord and hear His Word of salvation.

https://youtu.be/BUT-G4xHYpo ‘The Lord roars.’ ‘The Lord thunders’ (Amos 1:2). We thank You, Lord, that Your Word comes to us from above – ‘The Lord will roar from on high.’ You speak to us from heaven – ‘He will thunder from His holy dwelling.’ We dare not ignore Your Word. Your Word comes to us as …

Some words of encouragement

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). What a great testimony of faith this is! These great words of faith direct our attention away from ourselves to our Saviour. What we are unable to do for …

In our own homes – let us be faithful in worshipping the Lord, reading His Word and praying to Him.

https://youtu.be/s3hNZT6ddJg ‘Fulfil your vows’ (Nahum 1:15). Lord, You’re calling us to be faithful to You. We are to be faithful in worship. We are to be faithful in reading Your Word. We are to be faithful in prayer. We are to be faithful in giving. We are to be faithful in witness. Our faith is …

What A Great Gospel! What A Great Saviour! What A Great Salvation! What A Great Future!

The Humbled and Exalted Christ  5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself …

We are weak. The Lord is strong.

"The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). We are weak. The Lord is strong. Here's a link to a song which reminds us that our real strength comes from the Lord, not from ourselves. It comes to us when we are reminded that …

Genesis 9

Here, we read about the faithfulness of God and the frailty of man. We begin with the faithfulness of God. "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, …

Genesis 8

The flood is over. The time of judgment has come to an end. As I was thinking about the flood and what lay beyond the flood, I found myself thinking of some words from the hymn, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Here's a lyric video of the hymn. …

O Lord, I Love Your Word.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will …

We love, the place, O God.

"Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells" (Psalm 26:8). "We love the place, O God" - listen, sing, and be blessed by the Lord. There is no singing in this video - just music and words on the screen. https://youtu.be/rOUhnA9mJ-Q

How great Thou art

"You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains ... " (Psalm 76:4). "I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2). It's possible to look up to the mountains - and see nothing but mountains. The …

When everything seems so dark

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley,  I will fear no evil" (Psalm 23:4). Darkness threatens to overcome the light - but it cannot be done. Our Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead - and we will rise with him to everlasting life. If you feel like you're travelling through a dark valley, here's …

Will we walk in the ways of the world? or Will we walk with the Lord?

"God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually ... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord ... and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:5,8-9). In every generation, the Lord's people must make their choice. Will we …

Way Maker

https://youtu.be/n4XWfwLHeLM

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.

"Building a tower and making a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4) There is no salvation in ourselves. Salvation is in Christ alone (Acts 4:12). The Lord is our "strong tower" (Proverbs 18:10). Salvation doesn't begin with ourselves. It comes to us from Christ: "Who came down from heaven to earth? - Jesus Christ, our Saviour." …

Jesus, Master whose I am

"No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5). From Abram to Abraham - it doesn't seem like a very big change. It is a big change. It seems to suggest a movement from the blessings given to Abram - to …

Wonderful grace of Jesus

"The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature, as I have done" (Genesis 8:21). We read, here, about human sin and divine grace. Our story is the story of sin - but there's another story which breaks into our story - it's the story …

For those tears I died

https://youtu.be/aX7ucgWlusY

In our own homes – May the Lord fill our hearts with His love, joy and peace.

https://youtu.be/-Msh0PAJfPU Lord, we read about Your judgment upon sinful nations – Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7), Moab (Ezekiel 25:8-11), Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) and Philistia (Ezekiel 25:15-17). You speak to us. You say to us, ‘You will know that I am the Lord’ (Ezekiel 25:5,7,11,17). You speak to us as our Judge. You speak to us about ‘sin, …

Faith laughs at impossibilities.

"Sarah laughed" (Genesis 18:12). It wasn't only Sarah who laughed. Abraham, also, laughed (Genesis 17:17). The laughter of Sarah and Abraham was the laughter of unbelief. There is, however, another laughter, a better laughter. It's the laughter of faith; "Faith laughs at impossibilities, and cries, 'It shall be done.'" (Charles Wesley). https://youtu.be/Tkzu_sz3EGQ

Richly blessed by the Lord

"There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches" (Proverbs 13:7).   The rich man has nothing. The poor man has great riches. When I came across this verse, I thought about two great songs - one I've known for many years, the other I've only known …

There is a green hill

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). From the cross, Jesus cried out to God, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). We look at the cross of Christ, and we ask, "Why?" When we sing the hymn, "There is a green hill", we confess that …

Trust and obey.

"Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved" (Psalm 80:3). The light of the Lord has shone upon us. We see ourselves in a new light - his light. It's the light of his love. He came to us in our darkness, and he led us into his light. We …

To God be the glory!

"I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. 2  ... our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. 3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us ... " (Psalm 123:1-3). We lift up our eyes to the hills - and we look beyond the hills to …

Cast your burden on the Lord.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). As I was reading this great verse from God's Word, I remembered a song that I hadn't heard for some time, and I thought I'd share it with you.  Cast your burden on the Lord - Listen, and be blessed! http://youtu.be/o3QUoIEc-A4

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.

The more I think about our eternal salvation, the more my heart rises to the Lord in joyful songs of praise. Let the words  of Psalm 89:1 fill your heart with joyful praise to the Lord. https://youtu.be/7-q6z5fpgNk

Whiter than snow

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). As I was thinking about the wonder of God's forgiveness, my thoughts turned to the gospel song, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." We ask our question - "What can wash away my sin?" God …

Heaven came down, and glory filled my soul.

"They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 ‘What …

Out of Egypt

"Out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15). We read about the calling out from Egypt of the people of Israel and the calling out from Egypt of Jesus. If we are to move beyond these 'long time ago' contexts, we must ask, "Is there something else that this verse is saying …

Because He Lives

Do you need some encouragement - from the Lord? Here's a song that will encourage you - in the Lord. https://youtu.be/4M-zwE33zHA

I’ll not forget you.

“The Lord has forsaken me,  the Lord has forgotten me.’ (Isaiah 49:14).Sometimes, this is what we say to ourselves. “I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).Always, this is what the Lord says to us. Here's a song of faith, hope and encouragement. Before you watch the video, you should read the lyrics. You will read about Sarah and …

Our God reigns.

"Your God reigns" (Isaiah 52:7). This is the encouraging message that comes to us from the prophet, Isaiah. Let's bring our song of praise to the Lord - Our God reigns. https://youtu.be/_lQRmFXNA2Q

Read the written Word of God – and feed on Christ, God’s living Word.

"These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24). Before there can be a change in our way of living, there needs to be a change in our way of thinking. This is a change which comes to us through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus, God's …

He walked where I walk… God with us

https://youtu.be/jz2TuUOl8kk

In our own homes: Let us look to Jesus – and be changed by Him.

https://youtu.be/mgzRB4gEPf4 We compare ourselves to other people. We like to think that we’re doing pretty well. What, Lord, do You think about all of this? Are You impressed? You’re saying to us, “What about Jesus? How do you compare to Him? Help us, Lord, to look at Jesus – and see where we need to …

Let go and let God have His wonderful way.

“Take the staff, and you (Moses) and your brother Aaron, gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink” (Numbers 20:8). Speak to the rock – this is what the Lord told Moses to do. What did Moses do? – he “struck the rock twice with …

When the roll is called up yonder

"And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”" (Genesis 50:24). What great words of encouragement! Joseph was very near to the end of his life on …

Enthusiastic and energetic… Evangelical and Evangelistic… Let’s follow Jesus.

Enthusiastic and energetic - sometimes, these are the words curches use to describe the minister they're looking for. Enthusiastic and energetic - these are words that could be used to describe the crowd at a sports event or music concert. Is there anything inherently spiritual about looking for a minister who is enthusiastic and energetic? …

Great is Thy faithfulness

"Great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). I knew the hymn, "Great is Thy faithfulness" before I found the verse in God's Word. It's hidden away in the short Old Testament book of Lamentations. Once you've found the verse, you'll remember it, and you'll say, "This is where the hymn came from." It's a great hymn, …

I was lost, but Jesus found me.

"Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). Jonah found himself in what seemed like a hopeless situation. He had been swallowed by a great fish. It seemed like the end for Jonah. Then, into the darkness came a bright shining light - the light of salvation. Thetestimony of Jonah is a testimony concerning salvation Jonah …

Oh, what a wonderful, wonderful day

"Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God" (Exodus 3:1). For Moses, it started off like a very ordinary day - looking after sheep! It turned out to be an …

Rejoice in the Lord always.

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and, again, I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). What can I say about these words from Paul? – Sing them! https://youtu.be/hzyckxqXoZ4

In our own homes – let us praise our Saviour.

“In the beginning, God … ” (Genesis 1:1). “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start… ” (from the film, The Sound of Music). When we go back to “a long time ago”, do we go back far enough? The first four words of the Bible takes us back beyond “a long …

“… the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28)

 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). As you read this verse from God's Word, note its last few words: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." This …

Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name.

"You are an honoured prince of God among us" (Genesis 23:5). How great this is! When people thought of Abraham, they thought of God. We think of Abraham, and our thoughts move forward to Jesus; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... The Word …

Be still

"Their strength is to sit still" (Isaiah 30:7). When I read these words, my thoughts turned to two other verses of Scripture: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10); "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:13). How wonderful it is to know that God is God - and …

Majesty, worship His majesty

"Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1). Here's a great hymn of praise - "Majesty, worship his majesty." Listen, sing - and may your heart may be moved to worship the Lord. https://youtu.be/jWSy18_Jv7Y

Jesus – my Forever Friend

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). I was about to set out on a life of ministry. It was a "path of life" that had been chosen for me by God. At the beginning of this life of ministry, I received a …

Praise God! My sins are gone!

With "boldness", let us "enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). What a wonderful blessing this is! What a wonderful Saviour we have! Our sin is great. Our Saviour is greater than our sin. Here's a song which will encourage you to rejoice in your Saviour. May the joy of the Lord increase …

Something to sing about

Here are links to two  great hymns of praise. Listen to them, sing them and be blessed by them. https://youtu.be/3SpI1jCczao https://youtu.be/MDFH4SLWfnc

Rejoice in the Lord… If God be for us, who can be against us?

"Rejoice in the Lord ... " - Read the words, and listen to the hymn, and sing along with it. https://youtu.be/RDGl859Ml-Q Rejoice in the Lord! Oh, let His mercy cheer 1 Rejoice in the Lord! Oh, let His mercy cheer; He sunders the bands that enthrall; Redeemed by His blood, why should we ever fear, …

Hallelujah! I have found Him

https://youtu.be/ik7ebzJ4guc

From the rising of the sun

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy" (Psalm 65:8). The sun rises. The sun sets. We catch a glimpse of the glory of God. "From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised" …

It’s spreading.

"He led me through water that was ankle-deep ... 4 He led me through water that was knee-deep ... He led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 Now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in – a river that no one could …

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven.

“Joseph is a fruitful bough,    a fruitful bough by a spring;    his branches run over the wall.23 The archers bitterly attacked him,    shot at him, and harassed him severely,24 yet his bow remained unmoved;    his arms were made agileby the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob    (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),25 by the God of your father who will help you,    by the Almighty who will bless you    with …

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene.

"Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!" (Psalm 66:5). Where will we see what the Lord has done for us? Let us come to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. There, we will see what a great love our Saviour has for us! Here's a link to the great hymn …

Days of Elijah

https://youtu.be/ca9LnzJnpjQ

Let us praise the Lord.

We thank You, Lord, that Jesus has risen from the dead (Luke 24:6). Death could not hold Him (Acts 2:24). He has triumphed over death – “Where, O death, is your victory? … Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). _____ When we read the …

King of my life, I crown Thee now… Lead me to Calvary.

https://youtu.be/Hhds_OsPCnI

Making a new beginning with God

"Abram worshipped the Lord" (Genesis 13:4). Here, we see Abram, returning to a place where he had, at an earlier time, worshipped the Lord. As I was reading this verse, I thought of a song that I haven't heard for years. https://youtu.be/nKq0_d9bfr0 How long? - Too long! Now is the time for making a new …