Views from down Under

By Philip Weeks

Written by pastor, teacher and author Philip S Weeks in Tasmania, Australia, this collection of over 25 years' worth of "Pastors' Comments" and "Communion Notes" is now available for pastors, church workers and Bible study leaders to use freely in their publications and worship services. Each section, organised in year groups, includes a list of Bible verses used in each part, to make it easier to find a comment on passages that could relate to the topic of sermons or Bible studies, or in daily devotion time by anyone who wants to read another view on the selected Bible verse. Written for the glory of God, thankfully published to assist His children and other readers to grow closer to our God and Saviour.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Weeks
• Release date: Oct 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005612566

Philip Weeks

American-born Philip S Weeks migrated to Tasmania, Australia in 1974 to teach high school English, Speech and Drama, after graduating from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Philip began lay preaching and leading Bible Studies in 1970, and in addition to teaching high school, became pastor of Camberwell Community Church in Melbourne, Australia in 1986 and associate pastor back in Tasmania in 1987. Philip began writing the contents of this book after contracting M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in 1990, and has written five Christian novels since 1993, including three Fantasy and two Cyberpunk novels.Following retirement from teaching and pastoring in 2017, Philip compiled over 25 years' worth of devotional material into this new edition of Views From Down Under 18and released it in 2022. Philip still lives in Tasmania with his wife of 46-plus years, and they share 5 grown children and 18 grandchildren. In addition to writing and reading Biblical studies, Philip continues to enjoy reading, films and estuary boating along Bass Strait.

Book preview

© 2022 Philip S Weeks

All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

Originally Published by Geneva Press

Moriarty Road, Latrobe TAS 7307 Australia

Views From Down Under ©1996

Original ISBN: 1 876156 21 X

Scripture quotations are from The Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 and 1971 by Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United Stated of America. Used by permission.

In particular, the Large Print Edition; published by World Bible Publishers, Inc.; Iowa Falls, Iowa, USA 502126. Old Testament Section(C)1952; New Testament Section, First Edition, (C)1946; New Testament Section, Second Edition, (C) 1972.

The author gives permission for purchasers of this book to photocopy sections for their own church and personal bulletins, newsletters, classrooms, etc. The author hopes busy church workers will be able to simply cut,/paste or photocopy these devotions.

Cataloguing in Publication Data:

Title: Views From Down Under

ISBN: 978-0-6455397-1-4 (pbk)

Other Authors/Contributors: Weeks, Philip. S.

Design by initiateagency.com

Contents

Views From Down Under ©1996-2022

1999-2000

Pastor’s Comments from 2001-2002

2003-4

2005-2007

2008 and beyond

2009-2010

2011-2017

Communion Notes© 1996

AUTHOR’S NOTES

1.My thanks to: Allan Williams, Dennis Brown, David Cumming and so many others; my wife and family putting up with me.

2.Written for the Glory of God.

The Author apologises for any text errors, spelling, etc. Overseas readers, please bear with the British Dictionary Spellchecker spellings.

The author is a Conservative teacher/preacher serving on the Northwest Coast of Tasmania; sidelined from school/church work from 1991 with M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) until 1999. He prayerfully hopes these writings might be a blessing.

Views From Down Under ©1996-2022

1. Pastor’s Comment:

In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. John 16: 33b. Christians are not immune to troubles. If we were, Jesus would not have taught us this precious truth. We will have difficult times, and not because of ancestral curses or other superstitions. In I Peter 1 and other places throughout the Bible, we are taught that trials refine us and teach us God’s faithfulness in every situation.

Jesus told us to be of good cheer, despite the testings. He has overcome the world. And since we are in Him, so can we. Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, though they can be a blessing from God. Our true home and delight is in Jesus, whom the world can’t give and can’t take away. In either case, in good times or bad, may our hearts be set on Him, and we shall have every reason to be of good cheer.

*

2. Pastor’s Comment:

Feeling unworthy of God’s love is a normal part of our Christian walk. In fact, Scripture tells us to remember the pit from which we’ve been dug. Such remembering keeps us humble before our God and each other.

At the same time, we are not to allow such feelings to overwhelm us, but instead take such feelings to the Lord, in order to be reassured of our unchangeable Sonship by the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to confess our sins and unworthiness, looking to our Faithful Heavenly Father to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

In other words, if our feelings tend to make us despair, then we need to counter that with faith in our God who sent His only begotten Son to die for us. Like the old picture of a train, faith is our engine, facts are our fuel, and feelings are to be the wagons that follow, to His Glory and Praise.

*

3. Pastor’s Comment:

Admitting we’re wrong, asking others for their forgiveness and asking for their prayers so it won’t happen again is never easy. It is especially hard for parents and those in authority. We wrongly fear those in our care will lose respect for us. In fact, such admissions can actually promote both love and respect.

At least in part, James exhorts us to confess to one another, not to expose our every failure to the world, but privately to put things right with those we have wronged. Then our damaged relationships, too, can be healed. (James 5: 16)

If we don’t admit our mistakes, far from appearing strong, we show our own weakness, our inability to trust the Lord in trying to make amends. Worse still, we risk causing others to stumble, giving place for roots of bitterness to spring up and thereby defile many. May the Lord help us in this hard but important task of faith, and in forgiving those who ask of us, too.

*

4. Pastor’s Comment:

Romans 13:8-10 stresses our debt of love we owe to every Christian. Love does no wrong to one’s neighbour, not in thought, word or deed. Love is patient and kind. This attitude and atmosphere of love is to pervade every gathering together of the Lord’s people, whether in ones and twos, in our families or in church.

Not loving God and each other as we should causes many divisions to occur and remain. O, for the sweetness of love’s oneness amongst us to abound and increase! How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity! All men shall know you are my disciples if you have love for one another.

May our loving heavenly Father grant us grace to drop our pride, our grudges, our gossip and whatever else hinders His love from spreading through us toward one another.

*

5. Pastor’s Comment:

Col. 3:23-24 exhorts us to work with all our might at whatever we do, and as unto the Lord, who will reward us accordingly.

When our jobs, home duties, schooling or church commitments weigh in upon us, these words are a great comfort, and a real encouragement not to lose hope, complain or put in less than our best efforts, but to serve the Lord where we are, in the everyday tasks of life.

How good to know that this is part of the Lord’s will for our lives, and that He is present and able to help us. That the Lord rewards such efforts is an added blessing and wonder for us to consider. Truly, how good and great is our God!

*

6. Pastor’s Comment:

Someone once wrote about the tyranny of the Urgent and warned against getting overloaded with non-essentials.

Like Martha, we can get side-tracked from what is the best for us--namely walking day by day with our beloved Lord. We are to choose the good portion and spend time listening to the Lord. Luther complained that he was so busy, he couldn’t get everything done unless he spent several hours a day in prayer. Sometimes for us, several minutes seems too long.

May our gracious Saviour help us ensure that we don’t get so busy doing that we forget to BE--loving children at our Heavenly Father’s knee.

*

7. Pastor’s comment:

Matt. 6:33 tells us to Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In hard times, we have a special need to keep our priorities in the right order, or we wander from seeking what is best.

Stress and worry are not to be the Christian way of life, rather trust and dependence on our faithful Heavenly Father, who richly supplies all our needs. The temptation is to confuse those needs with our wants, regardless of God’s will.

As we seek first the company of God, and to do His will, then we shall learn how to be content in all circumstances, for if He is there with us, what else can our hearts desire?

*

8. Pastor’s Comment:

Ecc. 3:15 says, ...God seeks what is driven away. As Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden due to sin, so we humans all are numbered among the driven. And as God clothed them with skins to cover them, so He has clothed the Redeemed in Christ’s righteousness.

How beautiful to consider our Heavenly Father’s great love for lost sinners, and His finding us out to save us. And at what a cost!

The best part of all is that He has done it, not because any of us deserve it, but because He loves us and chose to save us. No wonder Christians are a happy people, who love to praise the Lord and to live for Him!

*

9. Pastor’s Comment:

Judging sin in ourselves is an essential part of our walk with our loving Saviour and Lord (I Cor. 11:31). Rather than covering up, admitting our guilt to God is the only way to have it forgiven, and brings a renewed sense of God’s love and grace into our experience.

Judging sin in others is equally important--that we refrain from doing so. Not that we ignore evil, but that we keep ourselves from playing God. Only He has never sinned. We have no right to cast the first stone, nor any at all. As a Royal Priesthood, our privilege is to pray for each other, never to gossip about each other.

If a speck appears in our brother’s eye, we must first remove the log from our own. When we can see each other as one like ourselves, a frail, failing person Jesus died for, then we will be loving each other as we love ourselves.

*

10. Pastor’s Comment:

Psalm 119:105 says God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. When our feelings are a mess, God’s Word shines fair and clear. When circumstances look bleak, God’s Word speaks comfort. When others ignore or hurt us, His Word promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. And as His Spirit quickens the Scriptures to our hearts and minds, how close our loving Saviour and Lord draws near to us.

Like manna, we need to gather of it every day for our spiritual nourishment. For man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

He created the universe, therefore He should and does know how life works. We must not lean to our own understanding, but learn of His. How good is our gracious Heavenly Father to provide us with all the advice and wisdom we need for our lives!

*

11. Pastor’s Comment:

I Thess. 1:9-10 sums up the marks of those who have been saved by grace. As that early church, we also have turned from idols to serve the true and living God, and to await His Son Jesus’ return from Heaven.

What a blessed reminder of what we have been saved from--slavery to sin and a whole host of illusions which can never satisfy the longings of our hearts! How precious is our Saviour, who has freely given us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness in Himself. How wondrous that He has given Himself to us to enjoy, now and forever.

It is a great encouragement as we face our daily trials that in everything we serve Him as we wait for Him to return in His full glory. What a lift to our sad hearts to be reminded that He is coming back for us, and that meanwhile He is with us through the Holy Spirit for our aid and comfort!

*

12. Pastor’s Comment:

I Thess. 1: 2-3 reminds us of our privilege to pray for one another. As Paul called to mind the grace of God in that congregation, so we too can think of each other as objects of God’s mercy and pray for one another.

We may be unable to preach, but we can pray for those who do. We may be unable to work in the mission fields, but we can pray for those who can. We may be separated from our loved ones, and those we desire to be saved but we can pray for them to the God who is everywhere.

The needs of the universal church are many, but our God is well able to meet each one. What a joy it is to see our prayers answered! How many such blessings do we miss when we forget to pray? Like Paul, let us pray for each other ALWAYS, constantly remembering each other. If you’re like me, we can use all the prayers we can get. May our Gracious Father help us remember and pray.

*

13. Pastor’s Comment:

Col. 3:1 reveals the wonder of the Christian, raised with Christ and seated with Him at the right hand of God. What a blessed position, to be at rest with Him who laboured unto death for us, setting us free from the power of sin and death.

Though we may not feel it, the fact of God’s Word and what He has done for us in Christ remains rock solid. We are no longer as we once were, for we have become one with Him, the Holy Spirit living within us. We have become a New Creation.

Since that is so, the apostle encourages us to set our minds on things above, and leave sin alone. It profited us nothing before. It gives even less now, only spoiling our joy in our Lord Jesus and making us feel separated from Him. If we love Him who first loved us, let us obey His commandments, for His glory and our own joy.

*

14. Pastor’s Comment:

Eph. 2:7 speaks of the immeasurable riches of His Grace God still has stored up for us in Christ Jesus. Despite our often low opinion of His provision, God has so much to give us no one can ever contain the vast amounts, nor even conceive how great they are.

How good to consider the Word of God afresh, and come to our loving Heavenly Father with these thoughts rather than our own assessments. Rather than holding to our limited views and disappointments, our hearts are lifted up in praise when we consider the vastness of immeasurable riches. Riches alone would be marvellous, but earthly ones perish. Infinite riches of Grace are eternal, and will never be lost, spent, or run out.

How great the favour God pours out upon us in Christ Jesus! Praise God His plans for us are not constrained by our present appreciation of them. As limited our vision now is, so vast shall be our portion then. He is truly worthy to be praised!

*

15. Pastor’s Comment:

James 3:6 reminds us that the tongue is a fire. As physical flames can warm us and cook our food, it can also destroy property and lives.

How we use our tongues is equally serious. James says both cursing men and praising God should not come from the same mouth, and complaining makes us liable to judgement. How often have the words of others cut us to the heart, and grumblings ground us down in anguish and despair?

Rather our words are to be gracious, seasoned with the salt of the Holy Spirit and all His fruits. Our thoughts and words are to be acceptable in His sight. Our conversations are to build up, not tear down. Our problems are to draw us closer to the Lord, to learn to rest in Him and see Him part the seas of our trials, to His Glory. Let us not rob Him of His due praise by grumbling or cursing, but use our tongues for His honour.

*

16. Pastor’s Comment:

I John 4:19 reveals the precious truth that God loved us first. Whatever our feelings or how our experiences seem to us, we never would have loved Him had He not loved us first and sent our Lord Jesus Christ to search us out and save us.

What a precious comfort to His people! So often our fears and failures cause us to doubt and our love to seem cold. How good is this reminder that He never fails, His love never lessens. And since He chose us to be His own people, our security rests on His faithfulness, not our own.

That doesn’t mean we can sin with impunity and carelessness. If we try that, we’ll soon be brought under discipline, and lose the joy of our salvation. It does mean that when we try and fail, when the devil accuses us in our own hearts, we don’t have to depend on our own feeble successes as evidence of God’s acceptance. His love for us on the cross is our security, His mercy, grace and forgiveness our eternal hope.

*

17. Pastor’s Comment:

Eph. 5:1 says: therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Children often try to be like their parents. Sometimes we wish they wouldn’t find our bad points so easy to copy. But they imitate us because they love us.

So we are to copy our Heavenly Father, and let love be our aim. He loves the unlovely; so we are to do likewise. He is patient and kind, He is merciful and forgives, He is holy, pure and just. We are to be the same, as New Creations in Him.

The word therefore, as always, points us back to previous verses, to another reason to imitate Him--because God in Christ forgave us. He doesn’t just give us orders, He practices what He preaches. His beloved Children are to do so, too. As we grow in Grace, may we grow more like Him.

*

18. Pastor’s Comment:

For God is at work in you... Phil. 2: 13. What an encouragement for the child of God! So often all we can see and feel is our failure. And in our own strength, that is all we can do: fail.

Yet God has not left us alone to struggle against sin. He has made us a New Creation, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, united with our spirits. God is at work in us, empowering us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. And whether or not we sense Him, He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. He remains constant.

Thus, we apply ourselves to His Word, the gathering of His people, the means of Grace. We pray, we go forth into each day, living for Him in all we do, in the way we act, speak, think. We go on, confessing our faults, obtaining forgiveness. For He works in us changing us, loving us, always.

*

19. Pastor’s Comment:

Matt. 5: 9 tells us Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God. As God has made peace with us, as Jesus Christ is our peace with God, so we are to reflect our Sonship by seeking peace with all men, insofar as it depends on us. And we have His strength to help us

At our work, rather than taking sides in arguments, we are to look for a resolution to problems that are fair to all, not as a busybody, but as we are able. At the least, we ought not fuel fires.

At Church and in the home, we are not to let our natural inclinations to criticise or play favourites spoil the peace. Rather, we are to give up selfish desires and seek peace, and pursue it as the Apostle taught. For happiness springs from making peace, not fighting to get our own way.

*

20. Pastor’s Comment:

Matt. 5: 7 says Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. As objects of mercy, as ones for whom Jesus died on the cross, we, of all people, should know how much we ourselves need mercy. Ought we not be foremost in showing mercy to others, who are no worse than we are in God’s sight? For all have sinned and fall short....

As our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, we ask forgiveness as we forgive others. Can we hope for continued mercy if we show none to others? It is a sign of our own position as the forgiven that we show the same grace to others, whether they deserve it or not. By definition, mercy means pardon undeserved. We have no excuse to withhold mercy.

In our flesh, we fail. But thanks be to God, we are not in the flesh, if Christ lives in us. As New Creations, we are able to be merciful. May our loving heavenly Father help us again today, we who still need mercy ourselves.

*

21. Pastor’s Comment:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 seems to fit many today. Poverty, trials, even illness is our lot. Yet how good it is to keep trusting our faithful Heavenly Father and praising Him with gladness!

If our joy depended on prosperity, what a sad faith. Jesus taught the opposite, to expect tribulation. And to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world! Our joy is in Him alone.

When times are tough, it makes us trust more in Him and less in ourselves. It can reveal areas in our lives where we have forgotten to depend on Him, and lead us back to trusting Him. It reminds us of our true delight which the world can’t take away, nor our trials--Jesus’ love and forgiveness, and an eternal kingdom to come. In this barren time, let’s set our affections above and rejoice in him.

*

22. Pastor’s Comment:

I John 5:13 brings us the wonderful reminder that we can KNOW that we have eternal life! Not feel, or sense or wish, but truly know. If we believe in the name of the Son of God, we have this eternal, new quality of God-given life.

What a relief for the troubled heart to have blessed reassurance in the Word of God! How precious to turn our eyes away from our own feelings and unworthiness to look upon Jesus, the Author and Completer of our faith. He has freely forgiven us, who believe He is Lord, and that God raised Him from the dead. He has taken our sins upon Him self on the cross and paid for them in full. He has given us His own perfect righteousness.

Let us confess our sins to Him, knowing God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and go on in the sure Knowledge that we are His repentant children, now and forever.

*

23. Pastor’s Comment:

As far as the East is from the West, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. Ps.103 v.12. What a comfort to know God has completely forgiven us in Christ Jesus! How precious this truth, that our sins no longer cling to us, bringing the dread penalty of death. Jesus suffered that in our stead. He has purchased and freed us.

That cleansing is also permanent. The East can never touch the West. The Eternal God has fixed the bounds and none can move them. So too our forgiveness. It is total, complete, once for all.

God does not bring up our past over and over to accuse us. He has cast our wrong-doings into the sea of forgetfulness, where they have sunk without trace. And this old, old story, always fresh, is the one balm for the weary soul. May our Heavenly Father quicken it to us anew this day and always.

*

24. Pastor’s Comment:

Every perfect gift comes down from above.... James 1: 17. It is our great privilege to give thanks and praise to our God, who has given us so much. He spared not His own Son, but freely gave Him for us, that we should know His love and forgiveness. He is more than worthy to be praised.

We often forget, like the nine healed lepers, to give Him thanks. As David did, so we are to think on His deeds. As Paul said, we are to think on these things, the attributes of God. And considering Him our praise will rise from grateful lips.

Have we had no answered prayers? No worries calmed, no illness cured? No fears assuaged, no perils avoided? Each day yields a bounty of His good gifts to us in Providence alone, not to mention the manifold graces of our Saviour and King. His deliverance has been complete. How right was the Psalmist: Let us exalt His Name together!

*

25. Pastor’s Comment:

Mark 9: 24 says, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. And the Lord Jesus did just that, and delivered the man’s son.

Doubting God is an affront to God’s faithfulness, and is unworthy of His children, especially if we wallow in it. Yet though we are weak, we can be encouraged by this verse to go to the Lord and ask for help, even help my unbelief.

Doubting our natural selves is another matter. So is having a genuine question. It is wise to doubt our worthiness of God’s favour apart from Christ, and to rely instead on Jesus. And when questions arise, we are to take them to our God and Saviour rather than question the goodness and wisdom of God in our circumstances. Let us repent of doubt and go on in faith in He who never fails.

26. Pastor’s Comment:

Psalm 27: 14 says, Wait for the Lord. In this day of fast everything, we find it hard to wait for anything. We are told to assert ourselves and our rights, to soldier on, to hustle.

While there are times when we must work as hard as we are able, and speed along on our way rather than be lazy, there are also times when the best thing we can do is to wait for the Lord.

How often we force the issue, rather than enquiring of the Lord. How often we enquire of Him but don’t wait for His answer. What turmoil we suffer trying to figure out the best way to go, when the best course of action is to wait for the Lord, and to seek out His wisdom.

May the Lord grant us the wisdom to know when to act, and when wait for Him.

27. Pastor’s Comment:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1:7. No matter how great our learning, if we have no fear or respect for God, we haven’t begun to learn anything worth knowing. To ignore God and His Word is to pursue the worst foolishness of all.

Without God’s intervention in our own lives, we would have remained in that same darkness, our intelligence still ignorant of the True and Living God. Like so many lost sinners, we would have run from the very one who came to give us Life, and to save us from self-destruction. We would have thought the cross a foolishness had He not given us Light.

Only revealed knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal. What a wondrous God to go after that which was lost, and save us to the uttermost! How good to fear the Lord, and to serve Him with gladness. Lord, unite our hearts to fear thy name, and grant us knowing Thee more and more!

28. Pastor’s Comment:

With the Lord on my side, I do not fear... Psalm 118: 6. With all the real dangers facing the original Psalmist, and Ezra when this Psalm was sung for the new Temple, the help of the Living God was precious indeed. Enemies threatened to invade the land, yet God kept them safe.

We, too, serve the same all-powerful God. His arm has not weakened over the centuries, and our fears, no less real than Ezra’s, can pale when we consider again our loving Heavenly Father. His care still guards us, and we need not be afraid.

Like Peter walking on the sea, we will not sink if we look to Jesus, and not let the stormy waves distract us. And even if we do begin to sink, we can still cry out to the Lord. He kept Peter from drowning. Will He do less for us, who call to Him in our difficulties? He is our Great Shepherd. We can trust in Him, who delivers us from all our fears.

29. Pastor’s Comment:

Outdo one another in showing honour. Rom. 12: 10b. It is the mark of a Christian to love the Brethren, all of them. Esteeming others as better than ourselves is part of that love, for it seeks the other’s good before our own, and is selfless.

The world would have Pride or Self-Esteem take first place, but the people of God are not fooled. They know the warnings about the Pride of Life as being sinful, and recognise selfishness when they see it in themselves. They also know their true value in Christ Jesus--blood-bought children precious in the Father’s sight for His Son’s sake.

Knowing our acceptance in the Beloved, we need not manufacture a place for ourselves in our own eyes nor the eyes of others. We have a good portion in our Lord Jesus Christ, an eternal seat in the Heavenlies with Him. Rather than jostle for position, let us humbly praise Him for our undeserved place in Him.

30. Pastor’s Comment:

Rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. Luke 22: 26. The world looks for greatness in order to be served by others, for power to wield over lesser mortals. But Jesus taught us by example a far better way, washing the disciples feet.

Instead of acting like the world, His people are to act like Jesus. He gives us power to serve, to give to others with no thought of any return. When we were children, we loved getting gifts. Now that we are mature, we find giving more satisfying than receiving, as Jesus said it would be.

As we have been equipped by God, then let us serve Him and each other, in the power of the Holy Spirit and for His glory. Be our service great or small, may He be honoured and the brethren benefit. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared be- forehand, that we should walk in them.

31. Pastor’s Comment:

... to Him be glory in the Church... Eph. 3: 21. It is folly to expect the world that crucified our Lord to give Him any honour. It is among His own people that His glory has been revealed, and it is among us that He should be exalted.

How right it is, then, that we should enter His courts with thanksgiving, and enter His gates with praise. The almighty triune God is worthy to be the one we lift up and worship and all that transpires among the gatherings of His people is to honour Him, and not man’s achievements.

Even in our daily lives, the way we think, act and speak should bring glory to our precious Saviour. His rights are to precede our own, His cause rather than our own advantage. May we ever so live to the praise of His glory!

32. Pastor’s Comment:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6: 23. How strange for God’s people to return to sin, which never satisfied in the first place, but only brought death into the soul. How odd for Christians to envy some of the ways of the lost, which only lead to a host of evils and disappointments.

What light the Word of God brings to our hearts as it reminds us of the riches we have in Him who died that we might live. What a contrast between death and the eternal life He has purchased for us by His own blood.

Let us leave off returning to the Egypt of sin, and continue in the grace of God, walking in His light. Only Jesus can sooth the sin-sick soul, and fill our hearts with eternal satisfaction. Let us feast on the Bread of Life daily, and live in Him.

33. Pastor’s Comment:

If it so be, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace....But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image.... Dan. 3: 17-18.

How bold the Spirit of God made Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the face of certain death! They knew their God. And live or die, they had no intention of serving any other. Better to die with their Lord than live on without Him.

So it remains for God’s people today. Despite the many dangers and difficulties we face in our very real lives, our God is just as real, and no less able to help us through to the end. We, too, are not tempted to find another god when life gets hard. Our God is more than adequate, His Grace is abundantly sufficient, His Love is boundless, both now and forever!

34. Pastor’s Comment:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matt. 5: 4. When God’s people mourn for their sins, it is a sign of Grace, and comfort is soon to follow.

Before God had mercy on us, we, like the rest of the godless, felt no sorrow for sinning against our Maker. But Praise Him, He has given us a heart of flesh that now recoils from sin and weeps with true repentance from past wrongs.

How wonderful when we have been dealt with thus by our living Lord! How kind to turn us away from evil, to serve the True and Living God! What comfort we experience as we seek forgiveness, the relief of forgiveness through the precious blood of our Saviour, Christ Jesus!

Let us not fear the time of mourning, for Godly sorrow worketh repentance, and the Son brings joyous healing in His wings. It is better to enter the house of mourning, when Jesus is there to wipe our every tear, and mend our wounded hearts.

35. Pastor’s Comment:

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thess. 3:3 How great a reassurance for the new believer! When doubts arise about persevering to the end, how good to be reminded that God is Faithful, despite our fickle hearts.

So, too, for the older believer. In the midst of battle, in times of trial and confusion, how sweet the Word of God: God is faithful! He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will strengthen us continuously. No matter how good or bad we feel or what state of health we enjoy or suffer, His protection remains.

God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may bear it. I Cor. 10: 13.

36. Pastor’s Comment:

The tongue is a consuming fire. James 3: 6. How easy it is to say the wrong thing, even for believers! One careless word can break a heart, a heedless comment split friends, families, churches asunder, and often does. And once words are spoken they are so hard to retract.

Paul had to warn one church to be careful they did not devour each other. A timely caution to us all. We can take such care with perfect strangers, yet be so cruel to our own family.

The Psalmist asked God to set a watch on his mouth--that is, to help him be watchful with his words. Oh, Father, whom we would praise with our own lips, let us no more befoul them with curses and hard language! Help us mend the broken fences. Set a watch on our mouths, that their words, along with our hearts’ meditations, may be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer!

37. Pastor’s Comment:

O, dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord! Ezekiel 37: 4. What an apt picture of our natural condition--completely dead in sins and trespasses. Apart from Christ, we were infinitely more loathsome to God than the field of skeletons is to us.

Yet God spoke through his prophet, and Life came into them, and they lived anew. Even so has he wrought New Life in us, His redeemed ones. His servants have preached His Word, and by His Living Word given us the Gift of Faith.

How precious is that Word of God to us who have been saved by Him, even our Lord Jesus. Equally precious is His written Word, our only rule for Faith and Life, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Let us never wander to dreams, visions and so-called prophecies. Scripture commands we test these things according to His Word (I Thes.5: 19-22; Col.2: 18-19). How safe the Good Shepherd keeps his flock in his Word--the fold, our boundary.

38. Pastor’s Comment:

...I go to prepare a place for you.... John 14: 2b. Such grace that Jesus wants us to be with Him. What a marvel that He should seek out our company--how often we dread our own!

Adding up wonder after wonder, how matchless His love to us: He has taken our sins upon Himself and paid for them in full; He searched us out when we were lost and brought us home; He gave us Faith to repent and call on Him for mercy; He delivers us daily from the power of evil, that we might walk in newness of Life. And on Judgement Day, we shall be acquitted; even better, no