Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 7; Jeremiah 14; Ephesians 6:10-24

 

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  Ephesians 5:30

Many years ago at the Keswick Convention in England, a Christian said to George Silwood, “Is it not blessed to be safe in the arms of Jesus?” “Yes,” said Mr. Silwood, “but I am safer than that.” When asked how this could be, Mr. Silwood happily replied, “Why, I am as safe as an arm of Jesus,” then quoted the words of our text. If you have genuinely believed on Christ, then you are not only eternally saved but eternally safe and secure. —W. Ross Rainey

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, 
I will not, I will not desert to his foes; 
That soul, tho’ all hell should endeavour to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
—Author Unknown

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 6; Jeremiah 13; Ephesians 5:22 to 6:9

 

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst…stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  Revelation 5:6

There stood a Lamb. Majestic sight! In all His glory! The Lion of the tribe of Judah fully possesses all the attributes of deity. The seven horns are symbolic of His omnipotence. The seven eyes are symbolic of His omniscience and omnipresence—the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And all of this glory proceeds from a slain Lamb! Does anything in all creation compare with the suffering and glory of the Lamb? —Shane Johnson

Behold the glories of the Lamb, amidst His Father’s throne.
Prepare new honours for His name, and songs before unknown.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 4-5; Jeremiah 12; Ephesians 5:1-21

 

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel.  Psalm 106:13
This do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

Ancient Israel shows humanity’s capacity for spiritual forgetfulness. One would think that the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea were not easily forgotten, but they quickly “forgot his works”. Amidst increasing demands on our time, believers today may similarly forget the Lord’s works for them. Therefore, it is essential for the church to maintain the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper which offers the opportunity to remember His person and work from eternity to eternity. It gives incentive for communion with Him daily. —K. R. Keyser

Thou, Lord, didst seek that we should be,
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
—G. W. Frazer

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 3; Jeremiah 11; Ephesians 4:17-32

 

And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?  Judges 13:12

After learning that God was giving him and his barren wife a son, Manoah asked the Lord how the child should be reared? The Lord affirmed the instructions He had previously given Manoah’s wife: “All that I commanded her let her observe” (Judg. 13:14). The Lord did not give Manoah a “How To” book on child rearing, but rather affirmed that parents were to have a God-honouring testimony in the home. Children will be more likely to follow the Lord when they see and hear God’s Word lived out before them. —W. A. H.

Happy the man who fears God, whose feet His holy ways have trod;
Thy wife shall, like a fruitful vine fill all thy house with clusters fine;
Thy children all be fresh and sound, like olive-plants thy table round.
—Martin Luther

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 2; Jeremiah 10; Ephesians 4:1-16

 

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly…  Joshua 2:1

The two spies did excellent service. They risked their lives to bring back a good report. However, despite the successful expedition and their honourable work, they are not named. How the flesh desires recognition—whether we admit it or not. The Lord loves the brother or sister who quietly gets on with their service for Him. Their heavenly reward will be great. Those of us who are named may well be regarded as having their reward on earth! —Brian Russell

So send I you to labour unrewarded,
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown;
So send I you to toil for me alone.
—N. Clarkson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 1; Jeremiah 9; Ephesians 3

 

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.  1 Peter 2:24

Trees feature prominently in the Scriptures. In Eden trees evidenced God’s goodness. They were pleasant to the sight and good for food. But in the midst of the garden was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This tree became the symbol of man’s iniquity as he disobeyed God’s injunction not to eat of it. As a result sin passed upon all men. Humanity had to perpetually bear this curse of sin and a tree became its symbol: “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). To redeem man, our Saviour came and was obedient unto death, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree to save us. Jesus Christ took your place on the tree. Do you believe it? —K. C. Ung

Would Jesus have the sinner die? Why hangs He then on yonder tree?
What means that strange expiring cry? Sinners, He prays for you and me.
—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 24; Jeremiah 8; Ephesians 2:11-22

 

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24

The word “consider”, means “to reflect on” or “contemplate”. Scripture encourages us to consider many things and to learn from them. When you have some time consider: the lilies (Matt. 6:28); the ravens (Luke 12:24); the ant (Prov. 6:6); the heavens (Ps. 8:3); your ways (Hag. 1:5); one another (Heb. 10:24); the Lord Jesus (Heb. 12:3); the wondrous works of God (Job 37:14)! When was the last time you really stopped and considered what great things God has done for you? Try it! It will lift you up from the depths of despair to the heights of delight! —E. V.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 
—J. Oatman

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 23; Jeremiah 7; Ephesians 1:15 to 2:10

 

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.  Philemon 1:18

Paul showed such grace to this runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus was one who is just like us. Enslaved; just like us, in bondage to sin (John 8:34). Indebted; like the sin debt we owed. Paid out by another. Jesus paid it all—for us! Received as a brother; just as we were born again into God’s family. Martin Luther said, “All of us are Onesimuses!” He was right. —Rex Trogdon

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, 
He washed it white as snow.
—Elvina M. Hall

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 22; Jeremiah 6; Ephesians 1:1-14

 

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity…he delighteth in mercy…thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.  Micah 7:18-19

What a glorious thought. Our God is a pardoning God. Had this not been the case, we would long since have been consigned to hell because of our iniquities. The wonder is, that it was God Himself who introduced the means whereby He could be “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26)—at the cost of giving His only begotten Son to the cross of Calvary. Not only so, but the transaction can never be reversed. God has said, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17). —W. H. Burnett

O come to the Saviour, believe in His name, ask Him your heart to renew;
He waits to be gracious, O turn not away, for now there is pardon for you.
—Author Unknown