Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

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

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 63:15 to 64:12; Romans 7:7-25

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness (righteous acts) of saints.  Revelation 19:8

An old preacher once said, “I am not concerned about my entrance into heaven I’m concerned about my exit from earth,” meaning his entrance depended on the finished work of Christ, but how he exited depended on his service for the Lord. The Bride’s garment in glory is woven with “righteous acts” produced by the saints through the ages as they laboured in the grace of God. So let us labour to hear the, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant:…I will make thee ruler over many things” (Matt. 25:21). —Sid Halsband

O what a joyful meeting there! In robes of white arrayed;
We all shall join in praising Him, whose glories never fade. —C. Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Sam. 23-24; Isaiah 62 to 63:14; Romans 6:15 to 7:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6

The word “all” is the first word in this verse and also the last. All is a small word but large in its meaning. The first “all” presents our condition without Christ and reminds us that every one of us is a sinner and guilty before God. The second “all” reminds us that Christ has died for everyone. His work is sufficient to save all who accept Him as Saviour and substitute. All our sins on Him were laid. Come to Him and receive salvation today.  —Robert Gentile

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I would ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all. —J. Van De Venter

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 21-22; Isaiah 61; Romans 6:1-14

For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews…seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.  Esther 10:3

In these days of selfishness and greed, it is refreshing to read of a man who used his elevated position to bless others. God’s hand protected Mordecai and saw him saved from what seemed to be certain death and lifted to a place of political power and influence. Instead of using it for his own benefit, Mordecai sought the wealth of his people. May God help us to be generous and selfless with God’s blessings to us.  —G. S.

As we receive, so let us give, with ready, generous hand,
Rich fruitage from the lives we live, to bless our home and land.
—P. A. Chub

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 19:8 to 20:42; Isaiah 60; Romans 5:12-21

For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  Genesis 3:19

Every time we stand in a cemetery beside a coffin and hear the words “dust…unto dust,” we are reminded of the entrance of sin into this world. These words were spoken to Adam after he and Eve had disobeyed God. Before that there was no death, no cemeteries, no graves and no separation from loved ones. But there is an answer. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life” (Rom. 3:23). Praise God there is hope in a gift of eternal life that God generously offers. Accept that gift today and be saved.  —M. Robins

Dust to dust, the mortal dies,
Both the foolish and the wise;
God my waiting soul shall save,
He will raise me from the grave.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6 to 19:7; Isaiah 59; Romans 4:23 to 5:11

Noah walked with God.   Genesis 6:9

The only other man of whom this was said, was Enoch—Noah’s great-grandfather. Now Noah, as a lad, would have known and conversed with his grandfather, Methuselah, who would, in turn have known much of his own father, the saintly Enoch. As parents and grandparents we have a duty to leave a legacy to those following—to be an example that younger generations want to follow.  —Brian Russell

As surely as He overcame,
And triumphed once for you,
So surely you that love His name,
Shall in Him triumph too.
—J. Newton