Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 7; Nahum 2-3; Romans 14:1-18

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  1 Timothy 2:4

Here we have a glimpse of the expansiveness of the heart of God—that all men should be saved. There is no one on the face of the earth, however distant from God, who is beyond the pale of the great salvation that God offers. Sir Robert Anderson wrote “There is no deception in it. If forgiveness is preached to all, it is because all may share it…it is impossible that election can ever limit the value of the death of Christ, or the power of that name to save and bless.” May we continue, in accord with the mind of God, to preach the “whosoever” Gospel, and to have the expectation that any hearing it can be saved. —W. H. Burnett

Sinners Jesus will receive, sound this word of grace to all,
Who the heavenly pathway leaves, all who linger, all who fall.
—Erdmann Neumeister

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 6; Nahum 1; Romans 13

He that cometh from above is above all.  John 3:31a

In the heavenly realm from which our Lord Jesus came, He ever was, and ever will be “above all”. As “the only begotten Son…of the Father” (John 1:18), His supremacy is unsurpassable. In His incarnation, He voluntarily humbled Himself and experienced suffering and death. Today, having perfectly accomplished all He came to do, He is enthroned “far above all” (Eph. 1:21). —George Hall

To Him whom men despise and slight,
To Him be glory given;
The crown is His, and His by right,
The highest place in Heaven.
—Thomas Kelly

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 4-5; Micah 7; Romans 12

And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.  Exodus 3:14

God, the “I AM”, is both self-existent and self-sufficient. He needs nothing to be everything that He intrinsically is. He is complete in Himself. Knowing this, it is a wonder that He who does not need us, instead wants us! He desires us to be with Him for eternity to such an extent that He spared not His Son from the unparalleled suffering of the cross. The One who had everything, gave His best for earth’s worst. Through His grace, we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10) and possess every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). —K. R. Keyser

Of all the gifts thy love bestows, thou Giver of all good,
Not heaven itself a richer knows, than the Redeemer’s blood. —W. Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 3; Micah 6; Romans 11:13-36

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  Hebrews 13:13

Our Saviour was crucified outside the city wall of Jerusalem—outside the camp. We, born again believers, redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus, should seek our place there too. Set apart from the world’s religion, politics, entertainments and allurements. —E. MacLelland

Can I take part with those who nailed Him to the tree?
And where His name is never praised,
Is there the place for me?
Nay, world, I turn away, though thou seem fair and good,
That friendly outstretched hand of thine,
Is stained with Jesus’ blood. —M. Mauro

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 2; Micah 4:9 to 5:15; Romans 11:1-12

For such are false apostles.  2 Corinthians 11:13a

Paul had been a faithful teacher to the flock at Corinth, yet somehow they had begun to follow false teachers. Times have not changed. False apostles abound today, just as they did in Paul’s day. We can be protected against them by making every effort to know the truth of God’s Word. Lies become obvious then. A greater commitment to studying, understanding, and applying the Scriptures is a necessity. We also need to realize that deception is not only found in the world but in the church. Not everything that names the name of Christ is of Christ. Vigilance is necessary with every trend and “truth”. Even within the church.   —Norman Craig Funston

Our foes are strong, but greater far is He,
Whose arm is our strength and shield;
We’ll conquer by His grace, and we will never yield. —Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 1; Micah 3 to 4:8; Romans 9:30 to 10:21

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6

It was 10:15 pm, June 15, 2012, when Nik Wallenda stepped onto a steel wire, 5 cm in diameter, stretching 540 meters from the American to the Canadian shore of the Niagara River. His walk would be viewed by millions on TV. At its lowest point the wire was 67 m above the river. He spent 40 minutes crossing that wet wire—assaulted by heavy mist and wind. As we journey to the eternal shore, the Lord Jesus, if asked, will make possible our safe arrival.  Today He says to you, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Assure yourself of a safe arrival, by accepting Him as your Saviour. —Arnot P. McIntee

Only a step to Jesus, believe, and thou shalt live:
Lovingly now He is waiting and ready to forgive. —Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 30-31; Micah 1-2; Romans 9:1-29

 

James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.  Luke 5:1

The word “partners” is from the word koininea which means “fellowship” (Acts 2:42). In this setting in Luke we get more of an idea of what fellowship is. It is far more than just sitting in a meeting together. Many who do that every week have little fellowship with one another. James and John were in fellowship with Peter. They helped with the rowing, handling the catch and mending the nets. They shared the good weather and the bad, the profits and the losses. Their lives coincided much more than once a week for a couple of hours. What can you do to actively fellowship in the work of the local church? Be a partner in the Lord’s work! —Carl Knott

To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path, that our Master has trod. —Fanny J. Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 28-29; Isaiah 66; Romans 8:18-39

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.  Isaiah 63:9

What a strange statement. How mysteriously wonderful. “In all their affliction he was afflicted.” To think, that the eternal God sympathises with the hurts and afflictions done to His people! The cries of Israel moved Him. Thank God, He knows and feels our every pain. He was tried in all points as we are, uniquely without sin, and therefore we have one who can sympathise with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). No matter how dark the valley or difficult the way, we have “the angel of his presence” caring and guiding! —Jim Comte

Help me then, in every tribulation So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation Offered me within Thy holy Word.
—Karolina W. Sandell-Berg

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 26-27; Isaiah 65; Romans 8:1-17

He said, It is finished: and He bowed his head, and gave up the spirit.  John 19:30

What the Lord Jesus endured at the cross as He bore the penalty for sin, we cannot fathom. But we know that He perfectly accomplished what He set out to do there, in accordance with the will of the Father. His is a finished work, and we now, for the glory of God, have a profound motivation for worship and a wondrous Gospel to preach!  —Mark Fenn

Then, finished all, in meekness,
Thou to Thy Father’s hand,
Perfect Thy strength in weakness,
Thy spirit didst commend.
—J. N. Darby