Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

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

 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Isaiah 26:3
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

So often our minds are anxious and in turmoil instead of at peace. It is all too easy to focus on the many trials and circumstances of life. As we refocus our thoughts on Him and the things which are honest, pure, lovely, and of good report, our minds will be renewed and experience that peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). —E. V.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom not but calm is found.
—Edward H. Bickersteth

 

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

 

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.  Matthew 26:7
…And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:3

When this woman poured out the ointment on the Lord there was a fragrance that accompanied her act of worship. Everyone in the house  enjoyed it. But as she left the room and walked the street there was a fragrance that lingered on her person and all who passed by would enjoy that sweet aroma. As worshippers, when we meet around His table and heartfelt worship is offered, there is a fragrance that fills the room and lingers on us as we go out into the world. —Jim Comte

Some gave Him shelter, clothing, food, and some the love that cheers; 
One gave to Him (‘twas all she could) her spikenard and her tears.
—Evans

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chron. 22-23; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

 

It is vain for you to…eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

We spend one-third of our lives asleep. Why did God create us to need sleep when He never slumbers? Perhaps our verse gives one reason. Sleep is a gift to His beloved, a gift we can dismiss, however, if we are consumed with anxiety and overwork. So each night we are reminded that God is awake because He is in control. I need to sleep for I am not indispensible. God is pleased with our peaceful trust that fears Him and hopes in His steadfast love. —Marilyn MacMullen

Sorrow and care may meet, the tempest cloud may low’r,
The surge of sin may beat, upon earth’s troubled shore;
God doth His own in safety keep, He giveth His belovèd sleep.
—J. C. Tildesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 21; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

 

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine.  1 Timothy 4:6

When watching the change of autumn colours, I am reminded of the changes which occur in life as age progresses. We all move through the spring of infancy and childhood. The summer of life comes soon enough and seems to go so quickly. Then the fall. It is a challenge to grow older. But autumn is our time for harvest and fruit bearing. Winter’s beauty shines in a well-lived life. These latter seasons are a time when seeds are produced and sown for the next generation. May we pass on an exemplary faith to those who follow. —E. Dyck

I’ll live for Him who died for me, how happy then my life shall be!
I’ll live for Him who died for me, my Saviour and my God.
—R. Hudson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 19-20; Ezekiel 18-19; John 6:41 to 7:11

 

Neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.  Exodus 13:7

No matter how thoroughly we sweep the house, sunlight will reveal more dirt. God commands holiness in His people and thus we hate evil (Prov. 8:13) and purpose to stay far from it (1 Thess. 5:22). To that end we must search our hearts so that we can confess and forsake visible sin. Yet on our own we often fail. We need the searching light of Christ and His Word (Ps. 139:23-24) to reveal all sin, including wrong attitudes, hidden thoughts and sins of omission. Today let the Word of God expose our heart to us. —George Ferrier

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin. 
—Phillip P. Bliss

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 17-18; Ezekiel 17; John 6:22-40

 

The sting of death is sin.  1 Corinthians 15:56

God first created man to enjoy the fullness of His creation and to commune with Him. As a test of his obedience (a necessary condition of faith and love) God said he could eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden where God had placed him except one. To disobey would bring certain death (Gen. 2:16-17). Yet man chose to disobey and sin against God. Consequently death came. The Lord Jesus lived a life of obedience to God and gave His life to take away this sting of death. Now He offers life back to us and a restoration of our relationship with Him. Will you obey and take it? —K. C. Ung

Jesus for sinners undertakes, and died that we may live;
His blood a full atonement makes, and cries aloud, “Forgive”. 
—J. Newton

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 16; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

 

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.  Galatians 5:6

This verse tells us that being religious or not being religious are both equally empty. What God is really looking for is a “faith which worketh by love”. Notice the motive by which faith works. It is by love. We love the Lord Jesus and want to please Him. It is the Spirit of God that sheds this love of God to us. It is our love for Him that rules in our lives, exercising us to obey Him in loving others and in loving the lost. —Harold G. Smith

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou are mine; 
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign; 
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou; 
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus ’tis now.
—A. J. Gordon

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 15; Ezekiel 16:1-34; John 5:24-47

 

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  Mark 9:24

We can identify with this distraught father! How often when trials  come, we swing from faith to fear. Be assured that even a little step of faith will “help our unbelief”, in that it draws us closer to Him who is fully aware of all our weaknesses. —George Hall

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
—J. Oatman Jr.

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 13-14; Ezekiel 14-15; John 5:1-23

 

…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

What do we have to be selfish or proud about? Nothing. This world’s priorities are upside down, but ours should not be. Our Lord was pleased to humble Himself to the point of death, even the death of the Cross. He endured infinitely more suffering and reproach than we will ever have to undergo. May our hearts be subdued and humbled in grateful worship today! —Mark Fenn

We gaze upon Thy meekness,
The manger and the cross;
We cling to Thee in weakness,
Through suffering, pain, and loss. 
—J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 12; Ezekiel 13; John 4:31-54

 

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.  Psalm 145:18

The Lord Jesus informed the Samaritan woman: “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). The Holy Spirit guides believers into a deeper understanding of truth concerning God’s goodness in Christ (John 16:13-14). Only through Spirit-led worship founded on divine truth, can the believer offer any acceptable sacrifice of praise to God. If it is not true—it cannot be worship. —W. A. H.

Sigh in us, O Holy Spirit when we know not what to say.
Then our prayer is not in vain and our faith new strength shall gain.
—Charles Gounod