Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

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

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 21; Jeremiah 5; Galatians 6

 

When I consider the heavens, the works of thy fingers.  Psalm 8:3

“Immensity is magnificent medicine.” So wrote a physician of yesteryear and true it is. His patient was stalled in a rut of small things, trivial, an endless pouring of shallow worries from one tea cup into another. He prescribed immensities. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” or, best of all, “looking unto Jesus”. The unplumbed vastness of the height, depth, length and breadth of His love will satisfy our hunger. The majestic is the tonic our souls crave. Then the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened to see through the immensities to our Creator, Redeemer, the Lover of our souls. —Marilyn MacMullen

Jehovah reigns in majesty, let all the nations quake;
He dwells between the cherubim, let earth’s foundations shake.
Exalt the Lord and worship Him, the Holy One is He.
—Author Unknown

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 20; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

 

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.  2 Kings 6:16-17

What a man of faith Elisha was! He could see what God saw and desired that others see it too. In the midst of seemingly insurmountable odds and when humanly speaking the battle appears to be lost, let us remember that the battle is the Lord’s. He has His armies. May God open our eyes! —Sid Halsband

I shall not fear the battle, if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway, if Thou wilt be my guide.
—John E. Bode

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Sam. 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6 to 4:2; Gal. 4:21 to 5:9

 

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.  Jeremiah 10:23

An unexpected and sizable bill caused me distress and frustration about how it would be paid. Then the Lord reminded me of the abundant wheat crop He had provided and the income derived. Reflecting on my attitude, the Lord impressed upon me a conviction about my improper attitude toward money. Although a portion had been set aside for the Lord’s work, I had also planned on buying personal items and maybe a vacation. God knows the secrets of our lives before they come into view. I learned that even the unexpected is ordained of God and to be accepted as part of His plan. —E. Dyck

All the way my Saviour leads me—what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide?
—Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Sam. 18 to 19:8; Jeremiah 2 to 3:5; Gal. 4:1-20

 

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.  1 Kings 10:6

The Queen of Sheba was first attracted to Solomon by the things that he did and the things that he said. This important order of being known first for works, then for speech is confirmed by Luke who summarised his Gospel as “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:10). Even if we never speak and only hear, we still have a responsibility for actions, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jas. 1:22). Let us be identified today as belonging to Christ by what we do, as well as what we might be able to say for His glory. —Dan Coulson

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power; 
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.
—Mary E. Maxwell

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 16-17; Jeremiah 1; Galatians 3:15-29

 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

The majestic eagle is known for the strength of its mighty wings.  When the young ones are three months old, they are tossed out of the nest, screaming with terror as they fall. On stretched out wings, their mother comes under to their rescue. Moses used this metaphor as encouragement to the children of Israel. Even in old age our spirit can be renewed. —E. MacLelland

Though thy way be long and dreary, 
Eagles strength He’ll still renew. 
Garments fresh and foot unweary, 
Tells how God hath brought thee through.
—J. N. D.

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 15; Zephaniah 3; Galatians 3:1-14

 

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.  Psalm 119:73

One evening as I walked up from the bay, I looked at the wonders around me and thought of my amazing Creator. Above me the sky was painted with a colourful artistry which changed from hour to hour. The magnificent tree ahead wore a garment of cream flowers. Brooding over it all was the rock topped hill that towers above the bay. Young calves played nearby adding a splash of life to the entire scene. Truly our Lord is an amazing God! —Janet Fleming

I want to praise my Lord, tell of His power,
Sing of the joy He gives each day and hour.
Honour His mighty name, Shout that He lives again,
Tell to the world His fame, Jesus my Lord.
—Janet Fleming