Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20; Lamentations 2; 1 Timothy 5

It is he who has made us and not we ourselves; We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.  Psalm 100:3

In this thanksgiving psalm, we see the Lord as our Creator—it is He who has made us; our Redeemer—we are His people; and our Shepherd—we are the sheep of His pasture. As our Creator, we submit to His creatorial right over us. As our Redeemer, we respond to His amazing grace offered through His precious blood—redemption’s price. As our Shepherd, we follow Him. There is no shepherd who cares for us like Jesus!  —Rex Trogdon

Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;
To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.
His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;
The only God, the sovereign Lord, whose mercy faileth never.
—Author Unknown, Paraphrase of Psalm 136

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 20 to 21:18; Lamentations 1; 1 Timothy 4

Let us lay aside every weight…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1

A contestant entering a race on a hot summer day with a woollen coat, work boots and a backpack would never win. These burdens need to be removed if there is to be any chance at success. This image of a weighed down runner is presented here as a lesson for the Christian life. We cannot have success if we are burdened down spiritually. Excess weight is anything that hinders our faith. The Christian life is a race that requires discipline and endurance and weights like laziness, bitterness, fearfulness or other habitual sins will ruin the race for us. By the Spirit, each of us know what weight needs to be removed in our life. Will you lay it aside?  —Robert Gentile

Poor is my best, and small: how could I dare divide?
Surely my Lord shall have it all, He shall not be denied. —F. R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 19; Jeremiah 52; 1 Timothy 3

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.  Matthew 17:16

The Lord’s disciples had experienced a public failure in their inability to heal a demon possessed child. Afterwards they asked the Lord “Why could we not cast him out?” (v. 19). The Lord explained that it was because of their unbelief and that with faith, great things can happen. He went on to say “Howbeit, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting” (v. 21). We may have known failure in our service and our confidence may have been undermined. Restoration and renewal come when unbelief is set aside and faith rekindled. It is also critical to recognize the importance of prayer in our service for God.  —W. H. Burnett

Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing I pray. —H. G. Smyth

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 18; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2

For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.  2 Samuel 22:29

When we are in literal darkness, we value the help of a powerful lamp. Likewise, when life’s problems envelop us, the Lord, as a shining lamp, is always available to “lighten our darkness”. To “walk in His light” means to trust Him step by step, in the assurance that His hidden purposes will have a glorious outcome.  —George Hall

All the way my Saviour leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised,
In my Father’s house above.
—Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 17; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1

And he must needs go through Samaria.  John 4:4

In the previous chapter, in a conversation with the religious Pharisee Nicodemus, Jesus had been very blunt about his need for new spiritual birth. In this chapter His conversation is with an outcast woman of Samaria and His interaction is entirely different. The story begins with the observation that the Saviour went out of His way to meet her. Their contact at the well was a divine necessity and as the Saviour spoke to her, He drew her to Himself with grace and truth! She believed and was saved along with many of the townsfolk and many others since, through her story. The Saviour is looking to meet with you today.  —Jim Pizzulli

Jesus gave her water, that was not from the well;
She went away singing, and came back bringing,
Others to the water, that was not from the well!—Let’s Sing About Jesus, 49

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 15:32 to 16:20; Jer. 50:21-46; Titus 2:9 to 3:15

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy.  2 Corinthians 11:2a

We speak sometimes of loyalty, and then we speak of blind loyalty. The former is good, the latter is dangerous. The same can be said of jealousy. Protective, guarding jealousy is one thing; selfish, fearful jealousy is another. Paul combines the two positive qualities of loyalty and jealousy in the first six verses of this chapter. It could be described as a “zealous protection” of some very important elements of the Christian life. In Paul’s case, he was jealously loyal to the church of God, (vv. 2-3); the truth of God, (v. 4); and the ministry of God, (vv. 5-6). Like Paul, we too should strive to keep the church pure, as well as ensuring  that nothing leads it away from the simplicity that is found in Christ. —Norman Craig Funston

Faith must obey its Father’s will, as well as trust His grace;
A pardoning God is jealous still for His own holiness. —Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 14:23 to 15:31; Jer. 50:1-20; Titus 1 to 2:8

How then can man be justified with God?   Job 25:4
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.   Romans 4:5

One of the hardest questions asked by people is how can I be made right with God? It is also a great question to ask if you want to find out what someone is trusting in for salvation. Sadly it is often answered: I go to church. I try to be a good person. I follow the golden rule. In contrast, God has the clear answer. Salvation is not rewarded to those who work for it but gifted to those who believe on Him. Their faith is counted for righteousness. What am I trusting in?  —Sid Halsband

Jesus, how glorious is Thy grace! When in Thy name we trust,
Our faith receives a righteousness that makes the sinner just.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 13 to 14:22; Jeremiah 49; Hebrews 13:7-25

This do in remembrance of me.  1 Corinthians 11:24

Our Saviour will be the focal point of our endless future in glory. In the light of what is to come, how can we not look forward to remembering the Lord Jesus now? We are still pilgrims and strangers, but while our Lord remains absent we are glad to meditate upon His blest person, with other like-minded believers, on the first day of the week. May we make every effort not to miss these precious occasions.  —Mark Fenn

O if this glimpse of love,
Is so divinely sweet,
What will it be, O Lord, above,
Thy gladdening smile to meet!
—E. Denny

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 11-12; Jeremiah 48; Hebrews 12:18 to 13:6

Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.  Revelation 22:20

Grandma was caring for her grandson as he played on the floor with his toys. As he did, he instinctively began counting the chimes from her clock as they sounded: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,—“Grandma, Grandma,” He excitedly exclaimed, “It’s later than it’s ever been.” We have never been so near the return of our Saviour as we are today. The thrilling statement by our Lord in the above verse brought a close to the inspired Book. Believers worldwide pick up the strain to say, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”  —Arnot P. McIntee

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives His own. —H. L. Turner