Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

The all-wise God allowed men to take His only Son and He became the sufficient sacrifice for us. He was “delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). He became identified with us at the Cross. And so we are one with Him, our risen Lord. In every detail of our lives, only what is allowed of God can touch us. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever” (Rom. 11:36). Let us worship Him with full hearts today.
—Vernon Markle

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane;
But the Church of Jesus, constant will remain.
—S. Baring-Gould

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

The letter to the Philippians is sometimes known as the “epistle of joy”. The great theme of the book is that, as Christians, we can rejoice in any and every circumstance of life. This joy is available through Christ as we make Him Lord of our lives. Paul points out factors that rob us of joy: living a life in a manner that is unworthy of the gospel (1:27), when we fail to be humble (2:3) and when there are divisions among us (4:2). Joy comes as we do the Father’s will and keep in close fellowship with the Lord. As we look to the Giver in obedience, we will be filled with the gift of joy. —Paul Young

A bleeding Saviour seen by faith, a sense of pardoning love;
A hope that triumphs over death, give joys like those above.
—J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Psalm 34:10

Driving through the Kafue Game Park we could have stretched out our hands and touched the lion walking pathetically down the road! He was too old to either provide for or protect himself. However had it been a young lion in the prime of his strength we would have had the windows up and sped away. The psalmist gives the unusual picture of young lions—those most able to defend and feed themselves—as suffering hunger! Yet in contrast, one who seeks the Lord will always enjoy good things from His hand. —David Croudace

Take time to be holy; the world rushes on,
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
—Wm. D. Longstaff

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:47
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:28
My beloved is mine, and I am his. Song of Solomon 2:16

As I think about my Saviour and His sufferings, I am thankful for my deliverance from sin. Considering Him as my Lord, I am challenged as to my discipleship. As I ponder Him as my God, I ask myself whether I am truly devoted to Him. Finally, as my soul delights in my Beloved, I desire that nothing would come between us. Friend—what does the Lord Jesus mean to you? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? —Pete Smith

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
—Jean Pigott

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

The “Old Colonel”, although a college graduate and brilliant student of the law, was a hopeless drunk who frequented the Water Street Mission of New York. On the night of his conversion, he prayed, “O Lord, if it’s not too late, forgive and save this poor old sinner”. The Saviour’s invitation to the “Old Colonel”, and to you, is to come to Him. —Arnot P. McIntee

“Come unto Me”, It is the Saviour’s voice,
The Lord of life, who bids the heart rejoice;
O weary heart, with heavy cares opprest;
“Come unto Me”, and I will give you rest.
—Nathanael Norton

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. Genesis 20:2

It was bad enough that Abraham told lies to the king of Egypt regarding Sarah, in order to save his own life. To do it a second time with the king of Gerar was unthinkable. The Lord, however, is more merciful than we can appreciate. Sometimes when we sin we fail Him and we think there is no way back. There is! Confess your shortcomings and return more determined to serve Him better. —Brian Russell

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offering to bring.
—Augustus Toplady

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

But king Solomon loved many strange women… 1 Kings 11:1

People say, “As long as we love each other, what else matters?” Don’t be deceived. Love is not always legitimate and doesn’t make everything fine. King Solomon loved all those women, but he was wrong, sinful and disobedient to God. There is sinful love, carnal love, disobedient love, rebellious love, selfish love, lawless love. With Solomon, love didn’t fix everything. In fact, it was his downfall and is the downfall of many others who are careless like him in their love! Above all else we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to keep our “heart with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23).
—Carl Knott

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
—Elizabeth P. Prentiss

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. Psalm 12:1 (NKJV)

David laments that there are few godly people dwelling in the land. Sound familiar? He then contrasts the vanity of a culture ignoring God with the untainted purity of the Scriptures. His confidence is in the latter and therefore he prays that God will judge the wickedness all around him. In the eternal picture, the spiritual darkness that envelopes the world today is temporary. Let us follow David’s example and trust in God’s unchanging promises. —W. A. H.

Thy faithfulness, Lord, each moment we find,
So true to Thy Word, so loving and kind!
Thy mercy so tender to all the lost race,
The vilest offender may turn and find grace. —Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

We have all heard the excuse. “What about those who have never heard?” The truth is that all men everywhere have some light! God reveals Himself through creation and conscience. So they are without excuse. If someone in darkness responds positively to this light, God will send them more light. Remember the Ethiopian eunuch seeking the truth? God sent him a messenger with the answer. A seeking sinner and a seeking Saviour will always meet! —Sid Halsband

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
—C. Boberg

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul. 1 Samuel 21:10
…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it… Philippians 1:6

David was needlessly fearful. God had instructed Samuel to anoint David to become King. This meant it was God’s plan and it would surely happen. Paul assures us that the same is true of God’s plan for us. His plan is to do a good work in us. Note that first, it is in us and then perhaps, later, through us. Let us move forward knowing He is in control. —Ken Gross

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride,
I now surrender, Lord in me abide. —Edwin Orr