Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

 

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (overcame) it not.    John 1:5

 

The darkness of evil has never been able to overpower or extinguish the Light which came down from heaven. We have all experienced the light going out at inappropriate times and we grope in the darkness. It makes us realize how helpless and hopeless we would be, if not for light. The Light of the world is Jesus, and when we walk in His Light, the darkness is dispelled and we find our life is ever in the radiance and warmth of its heavenly glow.    —Milton Haack

 

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion.    Genesis 1:26
(Christ Jesus) took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.    Philippians 2:7

 

We were made to be like Him. But we sinned, marring the image. Thus Jesus our God had to be made like us (yet without sin). He paid the penalty of our sin and triumphed over all powers. Now He invites us to be His brethren and reign with Him. Hallelujah! What a Saviour. We gladly bow the knee and confess Him as Lord.    —D. Pickup

 

How hast Thou triumphed and triumphed with glory,
Battled death’s forces, rolled back ev’ry wave!
Can we refrain then from telling the story?
Lord, Thou art Victor o’er death and the grave.
—H. D’A Champney

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

 

And God saw everything he had made, and, behold, it was very good.    Genesis 1:31
God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,… And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth.     Genesis 6:5-6

 

The works of God are perfect. When God beheld, with satisfaction, the creation which He had completed, man was a part of His gratification. However, it was man who grieved the Creator to the point of revulsion. How gracious of God that He did not simply wipe out the human race and turn elsewhere to fulfill His purposes. Rather, at the cost of the death of His Son, He offers to man a perfect new creation, via new birth in Christ.     —Doug Kazen

 

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain. —W. Cowper

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18-19; Ezekiel 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

 

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
John 1:35-37

 

This chapter records the story of the first five converts to Christ and the variety of means which God uses to draw men to the Saviour. It was the influence of a preacher which affected Andrew and John. It was the influence of Andrew which drew Simon his brother. The personal appeal of the Lord Himself drew Philip and Philip’s testimony drew Nathanael. What a privilege to be a link in the chain to bring men to Christ.    —Jim Flanigan

 

O use me, Lord, use even me, just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see; Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

 

The people were called together after Saul … the people were distressed … the people hid themselves … the people followed him trembling … the people were scattered.    1 Samuel 13:4-8

 

Saul’s reign was a poor one. Much intitial potential was quickly squandered. He based many decisions on his emotions and thus destabilized his subjects with uncertainty and uneasiness. What choices do I face that my feelings could lead me astray on? Our deceptively wicked hearts will always draw us away from His will. Only by hearing and heeding His Word can we keep our emotions from turning us to a deadly detour. Just trust Him.    —Rick Morse

 

Open my ears, that I may hear, voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.         —C. Scott

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

 

Thou wilt keep (protect, guard) him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength.    Isaiah 26:3-4

 

What amazing confidence is given to us in the midst of life’s struggles! God promises His perfect peace. This verse literally says, “Him you will keep in peace, peace.” Peace is a beautiful word, suggesting God’s favour, blessing and well-being. This peace is available, but it is conditional to the one “whose mind is stayed on Thee.” It is a peace that is not based on the absence of troubles, strife or conflict, but it is a peace that is given in the midst of the raging storm when our hearts and minds are focused and fixed on Him.     —Jim Comte

 

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. —E. Bickersteth

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 12-13; Ezekiel 35-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

 

These are to find grace in thy sight.    Genesis 33:8

 

Jacob was returning home at the Lord’s command. Part of that process was meeting the brother he had so badly wronged. If we are facing an Esau-type situation in our life, there are a number of lessons we can learn from Jacob. Be gracious and humble. Jacob acknowledged his fault and took the low place. Remember that when there is a genuine desire for reconciliation, grace will smooth the way. Don’t come to take; come to give. God loves to see his people reconciled. It is worth every effort.    —Norman Craig Funston

 

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
—A. J. Flint

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10-11; Ezekiel 34; John 13:1-30

 

David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
1 Samuel 24:5
And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said … I have sinned greatly … for I have done very foolishly.    2 Samuel 24:10

 

David, like us, made many mistakes, but as “a man after God’s heart” he was usually quick to acknowledge his sin. Oh for a tender heart to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice as He points out my sin—whether it be a thought running out of control; a word ill-spoken; or possibly some sinful action—so that in brokenness and confession, I continue to walk in fellowship, with nothing between my Lord and me.
—David Croudace

Ah! Give me, Lord, the tender heart that trembles at the approach of sin;
A godly fear of sin impart, implant, and root it deep within. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8-9; Ezekiel 33; John 12:20-50

 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.    1 John 4:10

 

What a mystery of love is associated with the coming of the Saviour! Remember, we did not love Him. He loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, the Father sent the Son into the world to redeem a people to Himself. He loved us first. He loved us when we were unlovely and unlovable. May our hearts overflow with praise and gratitude for His wondrous love!    —Mark Fenn

 

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above.
—J. Byrom

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7; Ezekiel 32; John 11:55 to 12:19

 

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.    Psalm 68:19
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Psalm 116:12

 

Some employers offer a variety of benefit packages. But isn’t the Lord our true employer? If we work as unto Him and not as unto men, He daily will load His benefits upon us. Do we remember that? And what is our response to the Lord for all His benefits towards us?
—Tom Steere

 

How vast the benefits divine which we in Christ possess!
We are redeemed from guilt and shame and called to holiness.
—A. Toplady