Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  1 Corinthians 15:20

What reassuring words from the pen of Paul, declaring the truth of the resurrection of Christ. It is an historical fact! And so many wonderful blessings flow from it. Not the least of which is the glorious prospect that the bodies of those who have died in Christ will be raised. Take comfort today, for we will meet our loved ones again! —Jim Paul

How joyful is the thought that lingers,
When loved ones cross death’s sea;
That when our labours here have ended,
With them we will ever be.
—E. Ewan

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 5 to 6:11; Ezekiel 29 to 30:19; John 11:1-27

He hath made us accepted in the beloved.  Ephesians 1:6

Christ’s vicarious work on the cross so completely satisfied the righteous demands of a holy God that He is willing to bring us into the very body and identity of His Son. And what is God’s opinion of the Beloved? In simple but eloquent terms—God is well pleased with His Beloved Son. In Him, God extends His well pleased love to us because of Christ’s work. —J. D. Fraser

No longer far from Him,
But now by precious blood made nigh.
Accepted in the well-beloved,
Near to God’s heart we lie.
—R. Boswell

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 3-4; Ezekiel 28; John 10:19-42

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  1 Thessalonians 2:4

Paul rightly described the Gospel in terms of a treasure—something that only important, responsible emissaries may carry. The word for “allowed” carries the thought of passing a test (it is the same word at the end of the verse for “trieth”). Before sending them, God evaluated them and after they were sent, He continued to test their hearts. Accordingly, Paul carefully preached the gospel free of ulterior motives. May we likewise witness, with an eye on the coming evaluation and reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. —K. R. Keyser

I am trusting Thee for power; Thine can never fail.
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me must prevail.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 1-2; Ezekiel 27; John 10:1-18

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  Luke 2:17

This was the reaction of the shepherds after they had seen the Saviour lying in the manger. They told abroad the saying of the angel, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). We might think that they would have told about what they saw or at least how they felt when they saw the manger scene. But instead they “made known abroad the saying”. As special as seeing the Son of God in the manger must have been, the exciting message was that of the angel “concerning this child”. May we not see the scene and miss the message. Tell abroad that the Saviour has come.  —Ken Gross

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?
‘Tis the Lord! Oh wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
—Benjamin R. Hanby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 26; John 9:18-41

And he (a Samaritan) went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  Luke 10:34

Many who come to Christ have experienced the trauma of abuse, abandonment, divorce, and sexual immorality. Their marriages have been broken, their homes have been broken, and their hearts have been broken. In coming to Christ they find forgiveness and healing and a Friend who will never leave them nor forsake them. We must ensure that our care goes beyond administering first-aid on the Jericho road. We need to embrace and care for them with love, whatever their past. Anything less is a dereliction of our responsibility. —W. H. Burnett

Christian pity moves our heart, through “the love of Christ;”
Others woes pierce like a dart, when there’s love to Christ. —W. Reid

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 24-25; John 9:1-17

Lord, and what shall this man do?…What is that to thee? follow thou me.  John 21:21-22

Again, as in the past, Peter took his eyes off Christ (Matt. 14:30). Peter’s interest in his close friend and fellow disciple John can readily be understood and appreciated. Nevertheless, the Lord rebuked Peter for his curiousity in order to stress that interest in others must not be allowed to stand in the way of keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. In other words, we must not meddle in the lives of other believers, but faithfully follow Him.  —W. Ross Rainey

Follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus!
Anywhere, ev’rywhere, I would follow on!
—William O. Cushing

 

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

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.  Matthew 28:9

Here is a lovely verse to stir our worship. The essence of worship is to fall at the feet of the Saviour and this is what these women did. Notice too that they held Him. We should be careful to keep our minds focused so they do  not wander from Him. He is worthy of our total occupation. It is interesting as well that these ladies never said a word. Worship is the heart’s overflow. We err if we think it needs to be audible. May God help us today to worship as these women worshipped.  —Harold G. Smith

O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing His power and His love;
—R. Grant

 

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

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

The lukewarm Laodicean church had put the Lord outside. How very much like the religious system in our world today. Yet, the Lord stands and knocks on the door of the individual’s heart. He calls with His voice, speaking gracious words to gain entrance. When the heart’s door is opened, He comes in as a guest saying, “I…will sup with him.” Soon, this guest becomes the host, “and he with me”. Are you feasting with Him? —Rex Trogdon

What food luxurious loads the board,
When, at His table, sits the Lord!
The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,
When Jesus deigns the guests to meet. —C. H. Spurgeon

 

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

O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

After learning of God’s plan to restore Israel, Habakkuk prayed for revival. The condition of God’s people was appalling and he longed for what could be. Martyn Lloyd Jones writes: “We are living in a godless age and the main reason we should be praying about revival is that we are anxious to see God’s name vindicated and His glory manifested. We should be anxious to see something happening that will arrest the nations, all the peoples, and cause them to stop and to think again.” May the Lord revive the church and may it begin with me.  —W. A. H.

Revive Thy work, O Lord, disturb this sleep of death.
Quicken the smoldering embers now, by Thine almighty breath.
—Albert Midland