Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

…thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Psalm 61:5

As my grandfather lay dying he expressed his wish to leave me something of value. “Grandpa!” I exclaimed, “You brought the Bible to our family…no other gift could be more valuable to me!” Fifty years before, Grandpa had received a Bible in a prisoner-of-war camp. He read it, believed its message and carried it back to his family. That Bible changed our family’s destiny influencing the generations to come. How thankful I am he had something of lasting value to leave me—the Word of God! —Deborah Manera

How precious is the Book divine, by inspiration giv’n;
Bright as a lamp its pages shine, to guide our souls to Heav’n.
—J. Fawcett

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

Today, as we were chatting at the table about the tragic circumstances of some children, I made the comment to our visitors that many people don’t have a chance. One of our friends responded, “Some have a poor start, but everyone has a chance”. How true. The day of grace is still upon us and Jesus invites you to come, in repentance, to Him today. Trust Him for salvation and know His forgiveness and cleansing. You will have a new start. —Janet Fleming

He died to make the way for you, so you might be forgiven,
So you can know that you are on the road that leads to heaven.
Janet Fleming

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

When Jesus heard it [John the Baptist’s death], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him… Matthew 14:13 (NKJV)

The Saviour’s heart was deeply saddened when He learned of John’s death. Like you and I, when a loved one dies, He took time to be alone with His thoughts. Certainly, He reflected on his cousin, the faithful herald, but when Jesus saw “a great multitude…He was moved with compassion for them”(v. 14). He mourned for John, but now there was work to be done. To grieve and mourn is natural, but then there is work to be done. May the Lord give His needed grace to move on for Him and minister to the needs of others. —Jim Comte

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will. —Charles W. Fry

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

Beloved, Christ our Shepherd is watching over us. He feeds us from His Word, guards our souls and shows loving interest in our spiritual growth. Facing difficulties He imparts wisdom. In danger He protects us. He is our strength in service. Burdened with sorrow, He comforts us. Overwhelmed with fear He instills confidence. He is our encouragement. Safely in His hands, He will not let go. Guiding us through life He will bring us to our heavenly home. He is our overseer, a genuine friend, our shepherd. Come to Him, He cares. Come back to Him, He will not disappoint. —George Ferrier

Hallelujah what a Saviour! Hallelujah what a Friend,
Saving, helping, keeping, loving; He is with me to the end. —J. Chapman

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

When the Lord bowed His head it was not in defeat but control. All around was confusion. He alone knew what was being accomplished. We might ask why must it be so? The Scriptures give the answer. He was fulfilling His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). Dealing with the claims of a broken law (Rom. 3:19). Making possible the reconciliation of fallen humanity to God (Rom. 5:10). And destroying the works of Satan (Heb. 2:15). His triumphant resurrection was the assurance of victory and His mission accomplished! —Drew Craig

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him, crown Him Lord of all.
—Oliver Holden

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

In quoting Ephesians 2:8-9 we often stop quickly, emphasizing that salvation is not by works. While that is utterly true, today’s verse focuses on the practical result of our salvation. And it involves works—good ones. The word “workmanship” is poi?ma in the original. From it we get our English word “poem”. We are His poem. He is the poet. Salvation is by grace through faith, but then we begin a new life that should be characterized by good works. And so we trust the Lord day by day and let Him compose His poem in us. —Harold G. Smith

Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. —George Stebbins

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14

In 2014, the French city of Caen mounted displays to enable visitors to better appreciate the allied Normandy landings and the sacrifices made by so many in 1944. The outer wall of the memorial building in Caen was emblazoned with the words, in red ink, “A River of Freedom Sprang from my Wounds”. Our blessed Lord gave Himself as a sacrifice at Calvary and from His wounds flows the forgiveness of sins and freedom from their consequences. —Brian Powlesland

Th’ atoning blood is flowing—Let all the tidings hear;
The gospel word is showing, How sinners may draw near.
Th’ atoning blood’s relieving, The prisoners from their chains,
And sinners in believing, Lose all their guilty stains.
—Charles R. Hurditch

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 24-25; John 9:1-17

…he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

How privileged we are to have the Lord’s leading as we go along our path of life. He leads and guides us through the good and the difficult; beside still waters, or through troubled seas, over mountains high or valleys deep. He is ever near us when we need Him. Call on Him today, “...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matt. 6:8). —Ken Gunnell

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still, ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me!
—J. H. Gilmore

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 26-27; Ezekiel 23; John 8:31-59

What shall I do for thee?…what hast thou in the house? 2 Kings 4:2

Here we have a crisis in the home of a godly widow woman. It came at the hands of a ruthless creditor. From the questions that Elisha asked, we learn that in the midst of our trials, we must first clearly express our need to the Lord. James says “ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2). Secondly, we learn that we must yield to the Lord whatever meagre resources we have available. Remember, the Lord fed five thousand, with five loaves and two small fishes. Even today, the Lord wants to use what we have in His service. —W. H. Burnett

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near.
—James Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 24-25; Ezekiel 22; John 8:12-30

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? Isaiah 43:18-19

There are times in believers’ lives when past events or wrong sinful choices keep them from moving spiritually forward. Our verses suggest that the only way to move forward is to let go of the past. These circumstances keep us in bondage and hinder our growth. God wants to set us free from these strongholds, so He can do something fresh and new in our lives for His honour and glory. Remember, “There’s no future in the past”. —E. V.

My past with its sin, the searching and strife,
Forever gone, there’s a bright new dawn,
For in Christ I have found new life. —John W. Peterson