Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 18; Jeremiah 30; Hebrews 1

 

And Abram went up out of Egypt … And Lot with him.    Genesis 13:1
And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well-watered … like the land of Egypt.    Genesis 13:10

 

Abram sinned when he went down to Egypt, jeopardizing his own walk with God. But Abram also brought his nephew Lot to this place that was out of the Lord’s will. There Lot succumbed to a love of the world that only grew stronger as time passed. The result was that Lot became a prominent resident in wicked and worldly Sodom. Sin’s effects are deadly and far-reaching, often contaminating others as well as ourselves. Be diligent to abide in the centre of God’s good and perfect will.    —D. Pickup

 

Hope of all who trust in Thee, Thou whose blood was shed for me,
Thro’ its healing power divine, keep from sin this heart of mine.
—Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 17; Jeremiah 29; Philemon

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Luke 4:18

 

The Lord Jesus related to those He reached. He preached the gospel to the poor, yet He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). He healed the brokenhearted, and reproach broke His heart (Ps. 69:20). He preached deliverance to the captives, and was bound Himself (John 18:12, 24). He opened the eyes of the blind, and was blindfolded by His accusers (Mark 14:65). He set at liberty them that are bruised, but was bruised for our iniquities (Isa. 53:5). Oh, what grace!    —Rex Trogdon

 

Man of Sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came,
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27-28; Col. 4:2-18

 

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives.    Exodus 1:20

 

Times had turned harsh for Israel. Yet in the midst of a national crisis, what story does God choose to tell? One about the ministry of two humble women! In fact He calls them by name—Shiprah and Puah. Does this surprise us? Here’s a clue as to why it shouldn’t. The names of these women are associated with light—bright and glittering. Could it be that a work that brings a little heavenly light into the darkness of others is mighty in God’s eyes? Could it be that God cares about my little candle? Yes! This is the God we serve. He sees you. He knows your name. He knows what you are doing. Your story is being recorded—that you are shining the light. —S. McEachern

 

Holy Spirit, come and shine, sweetly in this heart of mine,
With Thy heavenly love and light; come, and make my spirit bright!
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26; Colossians 3:5 to 4:1

 

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem … And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem,… and brought it to David.    2 Samuel 23:15-16

 

Out of deep love for David, three men broke through the enemy lines to bring David a drink from his home town. Nothing is too much trouble to a believer, who has completely abandoned himself to his beloved Saviour. So, if ever I find myself complaining when asked to do some service for the Lord or for His people, let me go quickly to the foot of the cross to be reminded of the One who loved me to the uttermost and gave His all for me.    —David Croudace

 

I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger, upon the cruel cross. —I. Stanphill

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 13:33 to 14:31; Jer. 24-25; Col. 2:8 to 3:4

 

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors.    Romans 8:12

 

As creatures we are debtors to our Creator. As sinners we are debtors to God’s mercy. As believers we are no longer debtors to God’s justice because Christ paid the debt on our behalf. I owed a debt I could not pay. He paid that debt with His precious blood on the cross. God will not demand payment twice, first from my Saviour and then from me. Conscious of the great debt He paid on our behalf, we should offer ourselves a living sacrifice, not to repay the debt but in an attitude of deep gratitude and worship.    —Milton Haack

 

The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from His love.
—Augustus M. Toplady

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23; Colossians 1:21 to 2:7

 

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1 Timothy 1:16

 

In the salvation experience of Paul, God has given us a pattern of how He works. Some teach that a person must be regenerated before he can believe. But this is not God’s pattern. His mercy and longsuffering are to those who believe on Him to life everlasting. That is, regeneration, life, comes after belief. Those who believe are born again. Friend, don’t wait on God. He’s waiting on you. It’s your move. Believe!    —Carl Knott

 

There’s a story ever new, it is wonderful and true,
And the best thing you can do is believe it.
—John Ferguson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 12; Jeremiah 21-22; Colossians 1:1-20

 

Two tables of testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God    Exodus 31:18
But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.
John 8:6

 

The finger of God! Be it law or grace, God has much to say. We have the Ten Commandments in stone, so we know what He wrote for His people in the OT. However, there is no record of what Christ wrote in the sand. Perhaps it was “forgiven.” Regardless, there is a place in our writing, speaking, and preaching to be like the finger of God—sometimes firm and definite, other times gracious and loving. God will give us wisdom for the situation.    —Norman Craig Funston

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 11; Jeremiah 19-20; Philippians 4:2-23

 

Consider now from this day and upward … I will bless you.
Haggai 2:18-19

 

This marks a new era of fellowship with God in Israel’s experience. Previously, they had known barrenness and poverty because of their neglect of the things of God. But under the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah they “considered their ways,” and turned from their selfishness to give priority to the things of God. In turn, God marked the date saying, “From this day … I will bless you.” Are we experiencing times of barrenness and spiritual indifference? Let’s put it behind us and make a new start, giving God and His service the priority it deserves. Be assured that seasons of revival and blessing will follow.    —W. H. Burnett

 

Revive Thy work O Lord, and give refreshing showers;
The glory shall be all Thine own, the blessing Lord be ours! —A. Midlane

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 10; Jeremiah 18; Philippians 3 to 4:1

 

For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled (established) in heaven.
Psalm 119:89

 

The precious Word of God is a great treasure that the believer should store safely in his heart. It is a light to his path; water to cleanse; food for sustenance; a sword to kill evil thoughts; and a fire to warm the sorrowing heart. Is not this wealth a great comfort and better far than all the riches of the world?    —E. MacLelland

May the Word of God dwell richly,
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph,
Only through His pow’r.
—K. B. Wilkinson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 9; Jeremiah 17; Philippians 2:12-30

 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.    Acts 2:42

 

I think the most important word in this verse is “and.” The Christian life does not consist in the occasional practice of one of the activities mentioned here. It is not when we might feel it convenient, rather, the early disciples continued steadfastly in all of these basic characteristics of those who serve the Lord Jesus. What are you and I doing?
—Mark Fenn

 

When to the cross I turn mine eyes,
And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
I must remember Thee.
—J. Montgomery