Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 4:24 to 5:26; Ezekiel 7; John 1:19-51

 

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and put his house hold in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.    2 Samuel 17:23

 

What a sad end! Ahithophel had counseled Absalom to both humiliate and murder his father David. Yet the Lord intervened on behalf of His anointed, and David’s life was spared. Instead of achieving his desire upon the king, Ahithophel ironically suffered a humiliating death at his own hands. This renowned wise man had conspired against God, which is as unwise today as it was then.
—Rick Morse

 

Though painful at present, ’twill cease before long;
And then, oh, how pleasant the conqueror’s song!
—J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 3 to 4:23; Ezekiel 5-6; John 1:1-18

 

How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed. Or how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied?    Numbers 23:8

 

From the high places of Baal, the pagan prophet Balaam could see the Israelite encampment. Though Balak had sacrificed on seven altars, Balaam could not curse Balak’s enemy. Instead, God, through Balaam’s mouth, pronounced a blessing upon His people—he could not curse what God had determined to bless. Paul reminds us that our flesh is biased in judging the value of ministry; consequently, he did not even judge the value of his own (1 Cor. 4:3). Let us be careful also not to curse, what God is doing through the service of others. Only He can judge the worth of what we do.    —W. A. H.

 

When we stand with Christ in glory, looking o’er life’s finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know. Not till then—how much I owe.
—Robert M. McCheyne

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 2; Ezekiel 3:16 to 4:17; 2 Timothy 4

 

That ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe.
Ephesians 1:18-19

 

God wants us to have a bigger picture of the Christian life. For most, we are consumed with the mundane things of everyday life: the job, the bills, the children, the schedule. These things can limit us from the larger view of what God wants to accomplish in us. We have a blessed hope, a sure salvation, a faithful Saviour, the enduring Word, an eternal home, a secure inheritance, and a powerful God. Remember these things as you start your day!    —Mark Kolchin

 

His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
—Edward Mote

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Chronicles 1; Ezekiel 2 to 3:15; 2 Timothy 3

 

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after (seen) Him that seeth me?    Genesis 16:13

 

Hagar was a lonely rejected slave girl, who fled from Sarah. But she was not forgotten by the Angel of the Lord. This was an appearance of the Lord Jesus to her. He spoke to her and came to help her. Hagar’s experience introduces us to a divine title of God, the “El-Roi” or “Thou God seest me.” What a revelation! In her deepest need and at the darkest time of her life, this poor, lonely girl is given a vision of the all-seeing and all-knowing God. He is the same God who sees, knows and cares for us in our dark hours.     —Jim Comte

 

Jesus calls us over the tumult of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow Me!”
—Cecil F. Alexander

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 25; Ezekiel 1; 2 Timothy 2

 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.    Romans 1:21

 

Alas! Read the last fourteen verses of this chapter and you will see that man has become today exactly what God said 2,000 years ago he would become. Millions in our so-called Christian society, know of God, but in their lives and hearts they do not glorify Him as God. What is your position? God-conscious? Or God-honouring through true worship and obedience to His Word?    —Doug Kazen

 

May the mind of Christ my Saviour,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling,
All I do and say. —K. B. Wilkinson

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 24; Lamentations 4-5; 2 Timothy 1

 

Lord, teach us to pray.    Luke 11:1

 

Seven times in Luke’s Gospel do we find the Lord Jesus in prayer, and in what a variety of circumstances. This is indeed the Gospel of the dependent Man. He prays at His baptism in the Jordan (3:21); in the wilderness, withdrawn from the multitude (5:16); all night before naming His apostles (6:12); at Caesarea Philippi as confirmed by Matthew (9:18); on the Holy Mount of His transfiguration (9:28); in a certain place with His disciples (11:1); in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives (22:41) Well might we too say, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
—Jim Flanigan

 

O Thou by whom we come to God! The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod: Lord! Teach us to pray.
—J. Montgomery

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 23; Lamentations 3; 1 Timothy 6

 

His mouth is most sweet, Yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.    Song of Solomon 5:16

 

The Lord Jesus’ incomparable beauty makes all of the glittering prizes of earth seem dim by comparison. His words are unequaled in the annals of history and still bring joy and comfort to countless saints around the world. He is our Beloved, because He first loved us and loves us still with unfailing ardour (1 John 4:19). One day believers will see Him as He is, and love Him “with unsinning hearts.”         —Keith Keyser

 

Thy beauties, Lord, Thy holy precious worth,
Surpassing far the deepest joys of earth,
Attract our hearts—our joy Thy constant love
Thyself our object in those scenes above.
—C. A. Coates

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

 

But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.    Hebrews 6:9

 

Paul is admonishing the Christians saying “Let us go on to maturity.” Let us keep elevating in our faith. Having already learned the basics of Christian doctrine, they should now live and do the things that accompany salvation. We too should be always maturing, growing daily in our faith. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2).    —E. MacLelland

 

O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory, there shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised, to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
—J. E. Bode

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

 

There followed Him a great company of people, and of women.
Luke 23:27

 

Luke highly honoured the women in Jesus’ life. He recorded that, “The women … followed him from Galilee” (Luke 23:49); from the commencement of His public ministry even to His crucifixion, when they stood afar off, beholding Jesus (Luke 23:49). When Jesus was buried, Luke wrote, “The women also … followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how His body was laid” (Luke 23:55). On resurrection morn, it was Mary Magdalene … and other women “which told these things unto the apostles” (Luke 24:10). Thank God for faithul, virtuous women with hearts for the Saviour.    —K. C. Ung

 

He’s risen! He’s risen! Hear the women’s glad cry;
He’s risen! He’s risen! No more will He die. —L. P. Gilmour

 

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

 

Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken, ye people, from far.  Isaiah 49:1
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.    Proverbs 21:23

 

Listening may be the most loving thing I do today. By listening I learn and never get into trouble. The tongue has almost infinite potential for trouble, so speak softly and wisely. God made us with two ears but only one tongue. Bite your tongue before it bites others. Gossip ends at a wise person’s ears.    —Milton Haack

 

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;
Master! let it now be heard.
—Frances R. Havergal