True fruitfulness O taste and see that the Lord is good; Happy are those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 Read Colossians 1:3—6 There is no doubt that I can fill my life with activity. It can be good and worthy. It can even be churchly activity. And it can be, I have…
The treasure, the heart and the spoken word They are like trees planted by streams of water, Which yield their fruit in its season. Psalm 1:3 Read Matthew 12:33—37 Here I am asked to question my heart, the treasure of my heart, and the words that come from me. My heart is where my…
The truth that makes free In you all the families of the earth Shall be blessed. Genesis 12:3 Read John 8:31—36 When I am listening to the word of Jesus, and the Word who is Jesus,[1] I am listening to the one who has been with the Father from all eternity. I am being…
The fruit-bearing life The young lions suffer want and hunger, But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10 Read Matthew 7:15—23 I do not quite live my life in a vacuum. If I am a Christian today it is very likely that I have seen someone, been influenced by someone…
Degrees of glory Sing the glory of his name; Give to him glorious praise. Psalm 66:2 Read 1 Corinthians 15:42—45 In this matter of the physical and the spiritual, the earthly life I know and the resurrected life I anticipate, I really need to do some rejigging of my assumed concepts. Because I am…
Let him be known Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, And publish abroad his wonderful name. Charles Wesley Matthew 10:26—33 It looks to me as though the intention of Jesus Christ as my Saviour is also to be my judge in that his plan is to out me. He will expose who I…
These intense disagreements How very good and pleasant it is When kindred live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 Read Galatians 4:12—20 I am sure there are fellow Christians for whom I feel a more than ordinary frustration or protectiveness or disappointment or — could I say it? — zeal. When I reflect how much…
The lamp of your body God saw everything that he had made, And, indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 Read Luke 11:34—36 I have been woken up. Like a tired and weary sleeper, called to be awake, alert, not to return to sleep.[1] To come from hiding in the darkness into the full…
Family family Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 Read Colossians 3:18—23 Before I relate to any intimate fellow being, any close family member, or anyone I work for and am responsible to in my daily dealings, before any relationship and any responsibility, I live my life in…
Bread Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted within them. Psalm 107:5 Read Mark 8:1—10 I think I know this story well enough. Bread in the desert, it’s like the manna the people of Israel ate in the wilderness.[1] It’s a reminder for me to pray for my daily bread, to trust God a day…