March 3

"But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands" Isaiah 32:8; "If a man cleanses himself...he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work" 2 Timothy 2:21.

"Every noble life leaves its fiber interwoven forever in the work of the world." Ruskin. We all know that certain person who has enriched our lives beyond any human measurement; that extraordinary person who has elevated our existence into his or her serene sphere and inspired us to be and to do our best. Years later, when confronted with a crisis, we think of the person and the trustworthy advice given in love, and it enables us to go on. If we are so fortunate to have been granted such a gift, let us thank God every day for that person.

Nobility is all about making the abrasions of life into sterling metal. "Noble metal" is a metal made of chemical elements that have outstanding resistance to oxidation, even at high temperatures.

Noble souls, though dust and heat,
Rise from disaster and defeat
The stronger;
And conscious still of the divine
Within them, lie on earth supine
No longer. Longfellow.

The fires of life temper the true steel of the noble soul.
True nobility presupposes riches of everlasting quality such as virtue, tolerance, high standards and motivations, integrity, generosity, and graciousness. "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" Luke 8:15.

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme..." Psalm 45:1. What more noble theme can we have than Christ? We become what we behold and, by beholding Christ, we become gracious and lovely and noble, fit for earth and then heaven.

Pat Nordman ©

March 4

"He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets" Isaiah 42:2, Matthew 12:19.

What a low profile Person was our Jesus. He did not come to this earth to make a name for Himself and to be acclaimed by the fickle and feckless crowd. He entered towns and hearts ever so quietly and effectively. What He brought spoke for itself; it didn't need rolling drums and town criers. Jesus didn't need to advertise Himself or His goods. Goodness is like that. It also bears the cross meekly for the sake of all others, not just those we choose to love.

Jesus speaks to us with a still voice: "...The Lord was not in the wind...the earthquake... the fire...[but] after the fire came a gentle whisper" 1 Kings 19:11,12. The gracious and unassuming spiritual life is finally the most effective. The Law was given from the mountain amidst thunder; the Gospel seeps quietly through throbbing hurting hearts. The Law threatens while the Gospel quietly beckons. The Law preaches death while the Gospel quietly promises life. The Law lays grievous duties on us while the Gospel quietly tells us to lay our burdens on Jesus while we go on with our duties. The Law wounds while the Gospel ever so quietly heals body, mind and spirit. The Law frightens while the the tender Voice becomes our delight.

Those who affect power intimidate and coerce. Jesus cannot accomplish anything from the disadvantages of others, for that is what power does: take advantage of weakness. Our good God takes these very weaknesses and gently transposes them into His strength: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9. The truly strong life is discreet, dignified, and decisive in Jesus. This person knows wherein his power lies, and therein is the strength for serene daily living

Pat Nordman ©

Today's Bible Question ?

What frustrated Egyptian wife claimed her Hebrew servant tried to seduce her?

Previous question and Answer:

The Ammonites' bloodthirsty god was widely known in Israel because of the horrible practice of children being sacrificed to him. What was the name of this god?

Answer - Moloch.

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions
Spurgeon's Morning for March 3	Spurgeon's Evening for March 3
	He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove." - Matthew 3:16
"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." - Isaiah 48:10	Quietness seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice, and like the dew, his grace is distilled in silence.
Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that he has "chosen" me. If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace.

Spurgeon's Morning for March 4	Spurgeon's Evening for March 4
"My grace is sufficient for thee." - 2 Corinthians 12:9	"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house." - Psalm 36:8
There is a lighthouse out at sea: it is a calm night--I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm; the tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand.	Think how much grace one saint requires, so much that nothing but the Infinite could supply him for one day; and yet the Lord spreads his table, not for one, but many saints, not for one day, but for many years; not for many years only, but for generation after generation.

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March 3 Numbers 28:1 - 29:40
March 4 Numbers 30:1 - 31:54

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

As yet I do not have enough pages finished for each day of this wonderful season of lent. Pages will appear here sporadically through the Lenten season.

Easter 1 | Easter 2

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Troubles Everywhere

IS THERE TROUBLE ALL AROUND,
AND WHERE THERE IS, GRACE DOES ABOUND.
ARE YOU WEARY AND THIRSTY FROM CLIMBING THAT MOUNTAIN?
THEN COME AND BE REFRESHED AND DRINK AT THE FOUNTAIN.

ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A DESERT HOT AND DRY,
DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO CRY?
COME TO JESUS, HIM YOU MUST TRY.
DOES IT SEEM YOU ARE AT THE END OF YOUR ROAD
AND THE THINGS HAPPENING TO YOU ARE SUCH A HEAVY LOAD?

ARE YOUR PROBLEMS GETTING BIGGER BY THE DAY
JESUS IS NEAR, FOR YOU A GREAT PRICE HE HAD TO PAY.
ARE THINGS BEING SAID ABOUT YOU THAT ARE NOT TRUE?
JESUS HEARS EVERYTHING, HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

DO YOU WONDER ABOUT ALLTHE THINGS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH
YOU AREN'T THE ONLY ONE MANY OTHER ALSO DO.
DOES IT SEEM LIKE YOU ARE CONTINUALLY BEING KNOCKED DOWN?
JESUS IS CLOSE, HE CAN EASILY BE FOUND.

WHEN THINGS GET TO WHERE NO MORE YOU CAN BEAR,
JESUS WILL HELP YOU, YOUR BURDEN HE WILL SHARE.
YOU MIGHT BE WEARY TO THE BONE
BUT REVER AGAIN WILL YOU HAVE TO WALK ALONE.

DOES IT SEEM NO ONE ELSE HAS TROUBLES LIKE YOURS?
AND THEN EVEN MORE OCCURS
IS THE CROSS HEAVY THAT IS ON YOUR BACK
JESUS WILL HELP YOU IN HIM THERE IS NO LACK.

ARE YOU WALKING DOWN LIFE'S ROAD BLINDLY
AND YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT LIES AHEAD?
COME TO JESUS, HIS IS ALIVE HE IS NOT DEAD.
DO YOU WISH THAT A NEW SONG WOULD ARISE IN YOU HEART?
AND THAT JUST MAYBE TODAY THERE COULD BE A NEW START.

PHILIP C. VINSON

Today's Devotion

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New Leaves

"Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth ... "

Genesis 8:11 NKJV

I'm I like to think of the serendipities of life as new leaves. Imagine the surprise and relief, the joy and wonder, Noah felt when the dove came back with a new leaf. It meant new life for Noah and his family. Many wonderful things happen to us in the course of a day, too, if we recognize them. Each day itself is a new leaf. An exciting idea is a new leaf that grows into many leaves of an article or book. A delicious meal, a visit from a friend, an unexpected letter with good news, a compliment, an unusually beautiful sunrise or sunset, an affecting cantata: these are leaves of hope and love. It's an appealing thought.

Sometimes all we want is a leaf of a thank you that will stimulate us to further actions. Perhaps our child needs a leaf of appreciation. A student gives a professor a leaf when she tells him that others have recommended his course because he is such a good teacher. Our friend receives a leaf when we write and say, "I love you and I miss you."

There is yet another compelling thought here: if we but wait, as Noah had to, we will have joy again. At times circumstances seem impossible and it is easier to give up. The black raven of despair, the carrion bird, settles in our hair and in our heart and we are so tempted to let it make a nest and eat away at our vital life. But our gracious Father will not allow that! The dove, symbol of gentleness, brought Noah the sign of deliverance, and He will do the same for us. Our dry and fruitful land may yet be far off, but God will finally send us His dove with an olive leaf of deliverance! In the meantime, God asks that we trust Him; that we remain within the ark of the circumstance until His good time. How difficult this is! For now He is asking us to prepare ourselves for a great mercy from Him that we can share with others. It is the broken heart that understands other broken hearts. God is getting us ready to share leaves!

Each day itself is a new leaf. An exciting idea is a new leaf that grows into many leaves of an article or book.

More Walking Through the Darkness