Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 8 to 9:14; Isaiah 49; 2 Cor. 10

 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…  Psalm 37:7

We live in a society where the wheels of time seem to turn ever faster. Keeping up on this living treadmill can be a source of stress, frustration and even illness. An article on the subject states, “There is no merit in being busy, just for the sake of being busy.” Yet many are. We do not readily hear the Holy Spirit’s voice when in a frenzy running here and there. Diligence is required in our daily tasks, but maybe we need to think before acting and then take meaningful steps to move only in the Spirit’s will. If we guard the main purpose of our lives—to serve and draw near to Him, we will be guided as to how much activity we should be involved in. —E. Dyck

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Leave to thy God to order and provide.
—Katharina von Schlegel

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 6-7; Isaiah 48; 2 Corinthians 9

 

…thou gavest me no water for my feet…thou gavest me no kiss…my head with oil thou didst not anoint…  Luke 7:44-46

Simon had the Lord in his home and yet he gave Him no personal attention—not even the common courtesies of the day. He missed a wonderful opportunity because his heart was not in the right condition. This is too often the case when we meet to remember and worship the Lord. He is there in our midst as He promised and yet sometimes we have nothing to say to Him, not even “Thank you Lord for saving my soul.” May we see Him with the eye of faith, remember how He has forgiven us, and at what cost, and lavish all our loving attention upon Him in songs and prayers of worship. —Carl Knott

If now, with eyes defiled and dim, we see the signs, but see not Him; 
O may His love the scales displace, and bid us see Him face to face!
—Charles H. Spurgeon

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 4-5; Isaiah 47; 2 Corinthians 8

 

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them…  Zephaniah 1:18 
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19

The Apostle Peter reminds us that the things this world values most—silver and gold—could not save us. The Lord Jesus—the spotless, holy, sinless, impeccable Lamb of God—must give His life at Calvary to deliver us from the judgment of God. Unsaved soul, come to Christ and accept the redemption He offers through His blood, before it is too late. “After this [death] the Judgment” (Heb. 9:27).  —W. H. Burnett

The rich man was there but his money, had melted and vanished away,
A pauper he stood in the judgment, his debts were too heavy to pay.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 3; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 7:16

 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  Revelation 21:4

As a boy in Scotland my geography teacher taught us all about Canada. Niagara Falls, the five great lakes, the beautiful prairies and the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Although I had never been in Canada I believed what he said was true. Later in life when I visited those places they were more spectacular than what he said about them. We only have glimpses of heaven in the Bible but when we get there it will be far more wonderful than we can ever imagine it to be! It is the Christian’s sure and glorious prospect! —Jim Paul

And God has fixed that happy day, when the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He shall wipe our tears away and fill our hearts with glad surprise.
—Joseph Swain

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 2; Isaiah 44:24 to 45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11 to 6:10

 

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.  Isaiah 53:11

Preacher Joe Jackson repeatedly affirmed triumphantly from this verse that our Saviour, who set out to accomplish a great work at the Cross, would be totally satisfied with what He forged there! His completed work would be an entire success! Grasp this truth in simple, child-like faith. It is finished and you and I are the prize and travail of that work at Calvary! —Mark Fenn

O Jesus Lord, who loved us like to Thee?
Fruit of Thy work, with Thee, too, there to see,
Thy glory, Lord, while endless ages roll,
Thy saints the prize and travail of Thy soul.
—J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

 

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  Luke 8:35

The Lord Jesus delivered this man from horrible bondage and a hopeless existence. After seeing the once possessed man in his right mind, the local people asked the Lord to depart from them—which He did. Apparently the Lord provided clothes for this man. For those who humble themselves, the Lord will clothe in divine righteousness and bestow spiritual understanding. For those who merely fear, but will not accept Him—He will depart. —W. A. H.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine.
—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6

 

…And Peter followed afar off…And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord…And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:54, 61-62
…Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19

Perhaps as you read these verses today, you are like Peter, following afar off, keeping company with the world and denying your relationship with the Lord. One look at the Lord melted Peter’s cold heart and caused true restoration! Take the first steps back to the Lord today. —Pete Smith

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
—Robert Robinson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 2; Isaiah 42; 2 Corinthians 2

 

Nevertheless God…comforted us by the coming of Titus.  2 Corinthians 7:6
…Titus…was refreshed by you all. 2 Corinthians 7:13

Titus was a lightning rod for encouragement. When he arrived at Paul’s residence, he was a great comfort to the apostle. But there was reciprocation. When he spent some time with the Corinthian church, they were an encouragement to him. He was both a giver and a receiver of encouragement. These verses speak to the need today for both individuals and churches to comfort, refresh, and encourage others. In turn they will receive comfort. It isn’t hard. We can be a comfort to others by simply being there! Let us take on this holy ministry! —N. C. Funston

Touched by the lodestone of Thy love, let all our hearts agree,
And ever toward each other move, and ever move toward Thee.
—Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 1; Isaiah 41; 2 Corinthians 1

 

…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…  Hebrews 12:2

What was the joy set before Him? Providing salvation for millions of lost men and women. Purchasing for Himself a Bride. These are reasons we cannot grasp. What was the shame He despised? In His infinite humility, He despised the shame of hanging on a cross and being made sin for us. How awesome, incredible and marvellous! His love should make us fall before Him and give Him the glory that is His due. —Vernon Markle

To us Thy cross is life and health; ’twas shame and death to Thee:
Our present glory, joy, and wealth, our everlasting stay. 
—Thomas Kelly