Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

 

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?    John 18:11

 

Retaliation for wrongs suffered is common in this world, and sadly much violence is perpetrated in God’s name. Christ refused to take vengeance even when He was unjustly condemned and crucified. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). In the future, the Lord will perfectly mete out justice; we do not need to avenge ourselves now (Acts 17:31).    —Keith Keyser

 

Thou didst measure then sin’s distance;
Darkness, wrath and curse were Thine;
Man-betrayed, by God forsaken;
Thus we learn Thy love divine. —M. W. Biggs

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

 

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you.
Isaiah 30:18

 

The Saviour is very patient regarding the salvation of precious souls. He is not willing that any should perish. Yet regarding His glorious return, He says that He will not tarry, and has promised that He will come quickly. Both His patience and His soon coming are remarkable demonstrations of the heart of God in reference to lost sinners and redeemed saints? The door is still open but soon those who have entered will be home.    —William Gustafson

 

Lord Jesus, I am waiting, waiting Thy dear face to see;
Resting on Thy promise, Thou shalt come again for me.
—D. Penman

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

 

The Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive … but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.    John 14:17

 

The physical and visible presence of their Master would be temporary. But the omnipresent Spirit would take His place in the disciples’ hearts and in the hearts of all those who would follow Him. All that the  Lord Jesus was to His disciples as helper, guide, teacher and companion would be carried on by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Such is the significance of His declaration, “I will not leave you comfortless (orphans) I will come to you” (John 14:18). As we walk day by day, whatever the circumstances, this surely is a precious assurance.   
—Drew Craig

 

Joys are flowing like a river, since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever, makes the trusting heart His home.
—M. P. Ferguson

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

 

Then they said to one another, We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.    2 Kings 7:9 (NKJV)

 

Four leprous men were caught in the middle at the siege of Samaria. Starving, they decided to turn themselves over to the enemy. To their surprise the enemy was gone. They filled themselves with the provisions left behind by the enemy until they were gripped with conviction. They came to the conclusion that they should go and tell the Good News. What will it take for us to do the same?    —Rex Trogdon

 

I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
—A. C. Hankey

 

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

 

Neither were [they] thankful.     Romans 1:21

 

An absence of thankfulness contributed to humanity’s history of degeneration. Why? Because a loss of thankfulness means a loss of focus. Our vision shifts from gratefulness to God to congratulating ourselves. After that it is only a brief journey before self is placed on the throne that God alone should occupy. Then we are free to do whatever is right in our own eyes. In many nations, today is a day of remembrance and thankfulness for those who gave their lives for freedom. Sadly many will rush on and pay little heed. May we truly be grateful, not only for our freedom and its cost, but for every good and perfect gift that comes from our Father of lights.    —S. McEachern

 

Give thanks to God the Lord; upon His Name now call.
Make known among the people on earth, what He has done for all.
—Susan H. Peterson

 

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

 

Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.    Ephesians 5:2

 

The burnt offering (Lev. 1:9), the meal offering (Lev. 2:2) and the peace offering (Lev. 3:5) were each identified as a special sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ is all three. As the burnt offering, He surrendered His all to God’s will (Heb. 10:7,8); as the meal offering, He submitted His perfect life as a sacrifice for all on the altar of the cross (John 4:34). As the peace offering He reconciled man to God and united all the redeemed together in Himself (Eph. 2:14-17). He is indeed the sweet-savour sacrifice with whom God is well-pleased.    —K. C. Ung

 

And as now I eat and drink, let me truly, sweetly think,
Thou didst hang upon the tree, broken, bleeding, there—for me.
—Author Unknown

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

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.    John 3:16

 

Yes, many believe that the Lord Jesus died for the sins of the world. They even wear a symbol of the cross on their necks. But they do not apply the truth to themselves. Can you from your heart say, “He died for me?” If not, the offer is still open to you. Believe on Him and receive everlasting life today.    —E. MacLelland

 

It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be;
That God’s own Son should come from heav’n,
And die to save a child like me.
—W. W. How

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

 

But wisdom is justified of all her children.    Luke 7:35

 

The Lord likened the Pharisees to children dancing in the street to their own piped songs. Anyone who did not join them was rejected. John lived a simple existence while preaching in the wilderness. They said he had a devil. The Lord ate and drank with those He came to save and they accused Him of extravagant living. But the attack on their lifestyles was merely an excuse to reject their divine messages. You cannot please Pharisees; they dance only to their own music! This same pharisaical pride lives on today. Don’t be distracted by its criticism – just ignore it and keeping working for the Lord.    —W. A. H.

 

Therefore Thou alone, my Saviour, shalt be all in all to me;
Search my heart and my behaviour, root out all hypocrisy.
—J. H. Schröder

 

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

 

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.    2 Timothy 4:5

 

We live in the times of apostasy that the apostle foresaw. Thus his four exhortations to Timothy will do us well. We should be watchful, that is, vigilant, not to drift from the truth in precept or practice. We should endure afflictions, suffering for being faithful to God and His Word. We should do the work of an evangelist, that is, preach the Gospel, witness for Christ, give out tracts, do evangelistic studies with others. We should fulfill our ministry, that is, serve to the end doing God’s will. May we by God’s grace do these things!    —Carl Knott

 

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage, to do my Master’s will!
—Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 21; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

 

God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. Genesis 22:8
Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:29
Redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without spot and without blemish.    1 Peter 1:18-19.
And lo, in the midst of the throne … a Lamb as it had been slain.
Revelation 5:6

 

In the words of Abraham, we see the coming Lamb prophesied. In the words of John the Baptist, we see the Lamb identified. In the words of Peter, we see the Lamb crucified. In the words of the apostle John, we see the Lamb glorified. Gaze on your Lamb today!    —W. H. Burnett

 

Lamb of God! Our souls adore Thee, while upon Thy face we gaze;
There the Father’s love and glory, shine in all their brightest rays.
—J. Deck