Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 6:1-19; Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 11:1-19

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44
It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Some years ago we were on a bus trip. Prior to alighting at our destination, our driver gave a word of caution. “Tonight,” he said, “we will be leaving at five o’clock. That’s not five past,” he added. “If you arrive then, you will see the bus disappearing down the road.” Needless to say everyone was there on time. For each of us there is a far more important deadline; that being the day of Christ’s return or the day of our death. Are you ready to meet God? —Janet Fleming

Are you ready to meet the Saviour, should this be your final breath?
Do you know your sins are forgiven; if your eyelids should close in death? —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 5:1-19; Haggai 2:1-23; Revelation 10:1-11

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah saw God’s presence in a rumbling smoked-filled temple. Seraphim cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:3). The prophet had just pronounced “woes” on Israel, but after seeing God’s majestic glory he declared a woe on himself, “Because I am a man of unclean lips.” He was mindful of his unfitness before God. God responded by purging Isaiah’s sin and then inquiring: “Whom shall I send?”. After understanding his own depravity and experiencing God’s cleansing, Isaiah was willing to do whatever the Lord requested of him. Learning of God’s holiness prepares us for fruitful service. —W. A. H.

Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven; earth is with its fullness stored;
Unto Thee be glory given, holy, holy, holy Lord! —Richard Mant

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 4:1-23; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 9:1-21

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

A man traveling by train was trying for over an hour to get to sleep in his berth in a Pullman car. Having listened all that time to a screaming baby, he called out to the man who was walking up and down with the baby, “Take that kid to his mother.” The man replied with a tearful voice, “I would gladly do so, my friend, but this baby’s mother is in a casket in the baggage car.” How we need at all times to pray that God would keep the door of our lips. —W. Ross Rainey

A careless word may kindle strife, A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lesson stress, A loving word may heal and bless. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 3:1-32; Daniel 12:1-13; Revelation 8:1-13

They talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:14-15

This pair returned home after one of the saddest days in their lives. They had witnessed the cruel death of their Lord yet their conversation was about Him. How good, no matter the tragic circumstances affecting our lives, to bring the Lord into the conversation. Little did they realize the stranger who joined them was the risen Lord Himself! As they journeyed He revealed the Scriptures about Himself to them. Their response? “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?” (Luke 24:32). — Jim Paul

The present perplexing, the future so dim;
But this is my comfort, it matters to Him. —J. Danson Smith

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 1:1-2:20; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7:1-17

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8

There’s a difference between having joy and being happy. To be happy is dependent on what is happening around us. Joy is that genuine contentment that is deep down inside. To rejoice is to show that inward joy outwardly. We can experience both joy and rejoicing because of all God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. One day we will see Him whom we love and the anticipation should thrill our hearts. —Rex Trogdon

Rejoice in glorious hope; Jesus the Lord shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home: — Charles Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 10:1-44; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6:1-17

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galations 6:7

What would you think about a farmer who said he planted potatoes, but reap corn instead? If God were to allow people to sow one thing, but reap another it would cause us to question both His power and His integrity. What a comfort to those who have been mistreated by others. One day, all will be put right. Anything less would be a mockery to the God of the universe! —Lynn Shatford

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —William Cowper

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 9:1-15; Daniel 10:1-21; Revelation 5:1-14

See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22b

The term “fervent” is found nine times in the New Testament epistles. There are six different Greek words that express this English word. The context is seen in three areas; love, prayer and service. Fervent service is the fruit of love and prayer; fervent prayer is the power of service and love; fervent love is the motive of prayer and service. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

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: Ezra 8:1-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Revelation 4:1-11

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? John 6:9

Have you ever thought to yourself that you are useless and worthless and that the Lord cannot use you? The boy above might have had similar thoughts until he surrendered what he had to the Lord. and He used them to feed about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matt. 14:21). When you surrender your hands and feet, heart and mind to the Lord, they will make a difference! Do so, and be a blessing to those whose path you cross today. —K. C. Ung

Then bring your all to Jesus, however poor and small;
Come, hasten now to bring it, the “little lads” and all.  -Julia H. Johnston

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 7:1-28; Daniel 8:1-27; Revelation 3:7-22

That they may set their hope in God. Psalm 78:7, NKJV

Bible history is interesting, informative, and important. Why do we need to study this history? There are lessons to be learned (see 1 Cor. 10:1-12), and illustrations to be grasped. Jesus Himself constantly quoted Old Testament history. This chapter provides another reason. It is an overview of Israel’s history. It emphasizes how much we need to know how God worked in the past. By doing so, we learn to “set [our] hope [on] God,” the one behind all history. —N. C. Funston

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home. —Isaac Watt

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 6:1-22; Daniel 7:1-28; Revelation 2:18-3:6

Fret not thyself because of evildoers. Psalm 37:1
Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way. Psalm 37:7
Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8

One of Satan’s clever devices is to get people to fret (see Hannah in 1 Sam. 1:6). King David tells us rather to: trust (v. 3), delight (v. 4), commit (v. 5), rest and wait patiently (v. 7). If these terms are characteristics of the believer’s life, there will be neither the time nor the inclination to fret. The decision is up to us. He promises His peace to those who trust Him. —Wm. H. Gustafson

God’s almighty arms are round me; peace, peace is mine!
Judgment scenes need not confound me, peace, peace is mine! —J. Denham Smith