Ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone.

(John 16:32)

Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted to behold the mysteries of the agony. Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses, they represent the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see this great sight. Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which men greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favoured ones could approach the veil of our Lord’s mysterious sorrow: within that veil even these must not intrude; a stone’s-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with him. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who may be written down as Fathers; these having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer’s passion. To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen them for future, special, and tremendous conflict, to enter the inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they have fellowship with him in his sufferings, and are made conformable unto his death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the secret places of the Saviour’s woe. Thine unknown sufferings is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an inner chamber in our Master’s grief, shut out from human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is left alone. Here Jesus was more than ever an Unspeakable gift! Is not Watts right when he sings-

And all the unknown joys he gives,

Were bought with agonies unknown.

READ | 1 Peter 1:22-23

Scripture is meant to have a positive influence on our conversation, conduct, and character. Therefore, we must trust in the Bible’s accuracy and supremacy. Today I’m going to give you three reasons to believe God’s Word.

Jesus believed Scripture. Our Savior affirmed the validity of the Old Testament by using it. He quoted Isaiah’s prophecies to poke holes in the Pharisees’ false piety (Mark 7:6-13). Later, after His resurrection, He explained to two believers the things that Moses and the prophets had written about Him (Luke 24:27). Finally, Christ promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would enlighten their minds and jog their memories, which ensured that the New Testament books were written accurately (John 14:26).

Scripture is inexhaustible. Like a well that never runs dry, the Bible offers readers a fresh taste of living water each time they open it. Men and women who have dedicated their lives to studying this amazing book admit that they have only skimmed its surface. Personally, I cannot count the times that a passage I knew by heart suddenly yielded new insights.

Scripture is indestructible. For centuries, various governments and leaders have tried in vain to destroy God’s Word, or at least restrict access to it. The most hated book in history keeps circulating and winning hearts for the Lord.

The Bible is the Lord’s way of revealing Himself to humanity. Through its pages, we learn how to please Him with our life and service. Believing only those passages that suit one’s worldview is foolish because every word is God-breathed.

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.

READ | 1 Peter 5:5-7

Trouble is an ever-present reality in our world, and there is no way for any of us to totally escape its grip. How do you respond when difficulty pays you a visit? Do you attempt to escape or stoically endure? Are you one who suffers in silence, or do you let everyone know about your hardship?

As believers in Jesus Christ, we usually turn immediately to the Lord, praying that He will change the situation and release us from its clutches. That is exactly what Paul did regarding his “thorn in the flesh.” On three different occassions, he asked for it to be removed; however, Gods final answer was that the thorn would remain.

When the Lord says no to our requests for relief, He says yes to something even greater–His all-sufficient grace. There is no thorn too big for Him to handle in this way. Our loving heavenly Father will never give you a trial without also supplying His abundant strength to endure it. The sufferings that God allows in our life are given to us for His good purpose. The apostle’s thorn was designed to provide him with precisely what he needed: humility. The Lord has the same care and concern for you that He had for Paul, and His intention is for your benefit.

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.

 READ | Proverbs 12:13-22

Ask a few people to define gossip, and most will mention something about spreading rumors. That is correct, but it’s not the whole truth. Gossip includes any idle or malicious talk that harms someone else. In other words, damaging speech is a universal sin—we have all been guilty.

For example, have you ever commented negatively on how a person dressed? Suggested to a friend that someone you both know should consider changing jobs or hobbies? Told an acquaintance about another man or woman’s personal life? Let me ask you a final question: Did you feel a check in your spirit while you were speaking? All of these can be examples of gossip—words that do damage despite sounding innocent.

Idle comments are often delivered in a way that makes them seem unlike the traditional definition of talebearing. Three common ways that people mask gossip are 1) by speaking in jest, 2) by offering others’ personal details “as an example,” and 3) by disguising the spread of information as a prayer request. Of course, not every tease or illustration is gossip. And the body of Christ is certainly called upon to pray for those facing hard times. Therefore, we must know the difference between worthless chatter and wise speech.

What makes the difference is the heart’s motivation. (Ps. 19:14). Lips move loosely when the intention is to mar a person’s good name or create instant camaraderie—which often happens while discussing someone’s misfortune. However, a desire to please God and show His grace toward our fellow man prompts us to speak only that which is good for building up others (Eph. 4:29).

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.

READ | 2 Timothy 2:23-3:5

Gossip is often regarded as a relatively harmless pastime, particularly when compared to wrongs like murder or adultery. Satan has painted talebearing as innocuous, but if we peel away that deception, we see the ugly truth. In the Bible, God lists gossip among the most depraved sins (Rom. 1:28-31).

Nothing about gossip is harmless. Whether the talk is intentionally hurtful or simply some idle musing, the subject can be hurt or embarrassed. A friend of mine decided to trace a damaging story about himself back to its source. He asked one man after another, “Where did you hear this?” Seventeen pastors later, he finally found the person who had originated the tale. This fellow admitted he had speculated aloud regarding a situation about which he knew little. A destructive chain reaction began with just one man jumping to a false conclusion while chatting with a friend.

Even if the victim never learns of the chitchat going on behind his or her back, gossip still has consequences. The people who spread a tale reveal their inner thinking: “For the mouth speaks out that which fills the heart,” (Matt. 12:34). A poisonous tongue flows with the jealousy, resentment, or pride residing inside.

Gossip has the power to hurt feelings, destroy reputations, and divide churches. We do not have the right to bring such damage into anyone’s life. In fact, God is the only One we should turn to when we hear a story. Those facing trials need prayer rather than tongues wagging over their misfortunes (Gal. 6:2).

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

(1 Corinthians 10:12)

It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall. I have fervent love, says another, I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray. He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burn brightly to-day, it will smoke to-morrow, and noxious will be its scent. Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and his strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men’s souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of him; and when that happy day shall come, when he whom you love shall say, Come up higher, may it be your happiness to hear him say, Thou hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away. On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, Uphold me according to thy word. He is able, and he alone, To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Why sit we here until we die?

(2 Kings 7:3)

Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you: and we would fain say a word which may be blessed to you. Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are you must perish; if you go to Jesus you can but die. Nothing venture, nothing win, is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, Who can tell? Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord’s mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand. We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek him he will be found of you. Jesus casts out none who come unto him. You shall not perish if you trust him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria’s deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Hold not your peace; tell the King’s household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes down this day.

READ | Genesis 37:5-11

“Man is born for trouble” (Job 5:7). There is no way to avoid or escape this common condition of mankind. As we continue to look at Joseph’s life, we get a glimpse of the anchor that held him steady while, one after another, the waves of affliction rolled over him.

When Joseph was a teenager, he was given two dreams about the Lord’s future plans for his life. They revealed that he would one day be in a place of authority and honor, and his family would bow down to him. Scripture had not yet been written in those days, and the Lord would sometimes speak to men in their dreams.

Previously, God had spoken to Jacob in a dream and given him a promise (Gen. 28:10-16). And now his son was hearing from the Lord in the same way. Joseph followed his father’s example of faith and believed the message.

The Lord knew that Joseph was going to need a promise to get him through the difficulty that would soon follow. God’s Word to him was his anchor. During all the trials, Joseph kept on believing that the Lord would fulfill His promise. He focused on the faithfulness of the God, not on his circumstances.

When the Lord speaks to our hearts through Scripture, we can hold onto what He says as an anchor for our souls. He will keep His promises to us, just as He did for Joseph. When we focus on God and His Word, our fears will dwindle, our sense of need will diminish, and our doubts will be cleared away.

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.

READ | Genesis 39:19-23

When the problems of life seem overwhelming, we need someone to come alongside and help us to see our difficulties through the eyes of our sovereign God. Joseph is just such a person. Although he lived thousands of years ago, his story still speaks to us with great insights into the Lord’s purposes.

Joseph experienced a wide variety of trials—hatred, rejection, and betrayal by his brothers; loss of home, family, and freedom; false accusation and imprisonment; and the loneliness and disappointment of being forgotten. His life was a series of difficult and unfair situations, yet Scripture never records any bitterness or revenge in Joseph’s responses to all these circumstances.

Though outwardly it may have seemed as if God had abandoned the young man, inwardly He was doing some awesome work in Joseph’s heart. The Lord had some big plans for him, and He knew that these trials would be the most effective tools for preparing His servant for the work that lay ahead.

As Joseph responded to each situation with faith in God and diligence in every task assigned to him, one fact became obvious to all who knew him: the Lord was with Joseph (Gen. 41:38-39).

We need to remember this when we are going through hard times. The Lord is with us even when our circumstances shout that He has deserted us. We may have little control over the difficulties we face, but we each have a choice of how to respond. Joseph calls to us from a time long past, urging us to trust God.

Also, if this, or any other post / message has been a blessing to you, please consider telling someone else who may need a good word for the day. Point them to www.watchmaninforms.com Thank you.