Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 1-2; Daniel 4; 3 John

Jesus wept. John 11:35
Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Two of the shortest verses in the Bible, yet with profound lessons. Jesus wept, not only at the loss of his friend Lazarus in death, but because He saw the effects of sin, “For the wages of sin is [eternal] death” (Rom. 6:23). But, if we accept God’s salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, we can be assured that He will remove our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). He will remember our sins no more. Is that not worth rejoicing about? —Bob Cretney

Rejoice in the Lord! Oh, let His mercy cheer;
He sunders the bands that enthrall;
Redeemed by His blood, why should we ever fear,
Since Jesus is our all in all? —G. M. J.

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 3; 2 John

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover [devise plans]…but not of my spirit…That walk…and have not asked at my mouth [advice]… Isa. 30:1-2

Veteran missionary E. H. Sims, long with the Lord, once told me that when he needed a new pair of shoes he first spent time with the Lord to ask on the matter! I was a new, young missionary but “Uncle Bert’s” quiet statement hit me hard. Was God really running my life or was I sitting on the throne? Would I consult God before I spent a few dollars? As believers do we plan our own lives, jobs, purchases, vacations, homes and friends? Or do we first spend time in the presence of God seeking His advice and guidance? —David Croudace

Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Saviour, did you sue for loving favour? —Kidder

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 35; Daniel 2:24-49; 1 John 5

…the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee…1 Chronicles 28:20

The Lord is with us on every side. In front of us, He is the Shepherd who leads. Behind us, He provides a rear guard. Beside us, He is our Comforter. Below us, He undergirds us and lifts us up. Above us, He watches over us and lights our path. Within us, He knows us and keeps us from sin. Around us, He is a barrier that guards against the evil one. —Ken Gunnell

You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all.
When I fall down You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup,
You are my all in all. —N. Grant

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 34; Daniel 2:1-23; 1 John 4

A bruised reed shall he not break… Isaiah 42:3

A reed was almost valueless. A bruised reed was worth even less and should just have been discarded. But such was our Lord’s gentleness that He would not break it. It is easy to see ourselves in that bruised reed—bruised by sin. But thank the Lord, a bruised reed He did not break. He came alongside the Samaritan woman by the well, blind Bartimaus and the woman caught in adultery—all bruised by sin but He did not discard them. He did the same with us dear saint. We were bruised by sin but He came alongside and tenderly revealed Himself to us and saved us. Let us remember our tender loving Saviour today! —Paul Robertson

In tenderness He sought me, weary and sick with sin.
And on His shoulders brought me back to His fold again.
—S. Walton

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 33; Daniel 1; 1 John 3

…Samuel said to Saul…but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. 1 Samuel 9:27

One sad feature of life in the 21st century is that everyone seems to be so busy. There seems to be no time for quiet, thoughtful meditation or reflection upon what really matters—what God has to say to us! Stop rushing about and be still before the God of heaven. Saul discovered God’s plan for his life when he stood still and listened; he was to be king! What does the Lord want to reveal to us today? Stand still awhile. —Pete Smith

Sweet the seasons when we wait,
To hear what God our Lord will say,
For they who watch at wisdom’s gate,
Are never empty sent away. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 32; Ezekiel 48; 1 John 2:12-29

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

The English word abide appears 11 times in John’s gospel but the Greek word from which it is translated appears 41 times. Abiding in Christ is a critical aspect of the life of the believer. We are told that the Holy Spirit abode upon the Lord Jesus (1:32). Theirs was a combined work. We need to abide in the Lord Jesus in our daily walk if we are to bear fruit for Him. We cannot bear fruit for the Lord unless we abide in Him (15:4). —D. M. M.

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side!
—Ellen Lakshmi Gorch

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 31; Ezekiel 47; 1 John 1 to 2:11

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:26, 33

What a wonderful passage for a joyous life! This is how God intends His people to live, without worry or heavy cares. The world worries and strives after position, popularity and wealth. The birds just enjoy life! But there is a caveat to this type of life. Above all else we must seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. —G. Frear

Ask and it shall be given unto you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you!
—K. Lafferty

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Ezekiel 46; John 21

And he [the elder son] was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. Luke 15:28

The older brother was physically near the father, but spiritually he might as well have been in the pig pen! What was the father’s response? He “intreated him”. This is the same Greek word the Lord used for Comforter when referring to the Holy Spirit. Dear friend, could this be your situation? Do you appear to be near the Father, but are actually in “a far country” (Luke 15:13)? Do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you? We are not told if the older son was ever reconciled to his father. Don’t delay any longer! —Lynn Shatford

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies?
—W. L. Thompson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him… Exodus 19:3

Exodus records that Moses, at 80 years of age, went up and down Mount Sinai at least six times. He went up to commune with God and back down to take God’s Word to His people. Today, no matter how old or young, may we see the essential role God has assigned to us. May we joyfully ascend, at whatever the cost of time or energy, into His Presence to hear His voice and then take His truth back down to those who have been given us to lead to Him. —M. M.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
‘Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me. —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:7

This age is one of innovation and technological advancement. The rise of the Internet gives humans illusory omniscience; they now feel that they can accomplish anything. Yet in spiritual matters, people grope in darkness if they are unacquainted with the Light (John 8:12). Knowledge abounds, but wisdom is in short supply among mankind. Only by reverencing God and heeding His Word may one find this precious commodity. Otherwise error envelopes people and they miss “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)—Christ, who reveals the triune God. —K. R. Keyser

We praise Thee that the Unction sent, Abides in us for aye,
To be our Teacher, Guide and Strength, Along life’s upward way.
—Author Unknown