Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 12; Habakkuk 3; Romans 16

 

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.    Philippians 4:4

 

The saints at Philippi were experiencing troubles and evidently were spiritually discouraged. In this short letter Paul encourages them to “joy” or “rejoice“ sixteen times. The reason they were sad is that they were over occupied with their troubles, instead of being occupied with the Lord. In the verse above, notice where our joy is—not in ourselves, but in the Lord. What we are in Him never changes, nor does He. Notice when our joy is—always. Literally at all times, whether in sorrow or happiness, our joy in Him never changes. In Nehemiah’s day they laboured to build the walls of the city and “The joy of the Lord was their strength” (Neh. 8:10).    —Harold G. Smith

 

I love the Christ who died on Calvary, for He washed my sins away;
He put within my heart a melody, and I know it is there to stay. —E. Roth

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 10-11; Habakkuk 2; Romans 15:14-33

 

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.    Psalm 50:12
God … dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped (served, RV) with men’s hands as though he needeth anything.    Acts 17:24-25

 

For those of us who take joy in being God’s servants, there is ever the tendency to concentrate our efforts to do something for Him. Yet we might ask, how do we go about serving a God who doesn’t need anyone or anything? This is the God who in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ has given us all things richly  to enjoy. In His service, happiness and success come by seeking and finding Him, allowing Him to control our attitudes and our actions.    —Drew Craig

 

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. —J. E. Orr

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 8-9; Habakkuk 1; Romans 14:19 to 15:13

 

The brethren … sent him forth to Tarsus.    Acts 9:30

 

In Paul’s early life as a Christian, there were actually three periods of seclusion and retirement before he launched out on his great career of service: Damascus (three days – Acts 9:17-19); Arabia (three years – Acts 9:22-23 with Gal. 1:17-18); and Tarsus (Acts 9:30 – six to nine years). If it seems that God isn’t using you, simply wait on Him, put yourself at His disposal, and be alert for the Holy Spirit’s leading. Often He uses times of solitude to increase our capacity and make us ready for a mighty work for Him.     —W. Ross Rainey

 

Wait on the Lord, for whom hast thou,
On earth or in heaven but He?
Over thy soul a watch He keeps,
Wherever thy path may be. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 7; Nahum 2-3; Romans 14:1-18

 

Then [Jesus] saith unto them [Peter, James and John], My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me.    Matthew 26:38

 

The Lord and His disciples entered into the Garden of Gethsemane (Olive Press), the place of pressure and mental suffering. The Greek words for “exceeding sorrowful” are peri-lupos meaning “surrounded with sorrow.” Picture the beloved Son of God, blood drops of sweat falling to the ground, praying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42).            —E. MacLelland

“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: 2 Samuel 6; Nahum 1; Romans 13

 

For God so loved.    John 3:16a

 

Out of love, God provided salvation for sinful men before man ever fell. Out of love, the giving of God the Son, was fore-ordained from eternity. God’s love is eternal, unconditional, changeless. It reaches out to all persons regardless of their status or condition. In love, God offers freely eternal life and heaven to any sinner who will respond to Him. The saved soul loves Him because He first loved us.    —Doug Kazen

 

The cross reveals thy love below;
But better soon our hearts shall know,
The fullness of our Father’s love.
When we behold Thy face above.
—C. A. Bernstein

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 4-5; Micah 7; Romans 12

 

But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Corinthians 3:10

 

This word “how” is translated “by what means” in John 9:21 and Acts 4:9. God is not only interested in what we do, He is interested in how we do it. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, it doesn’t seem that the results of our service will be the Master’s focal point, but rather the means by which we achieved them. God gives the increase; our part is to do His work in His way.    —Rick Morse

The Church’s one foundation, is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation by water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her, to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her and for her life He died.
—S. J. Stone

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 3; Micah 6; Romans 11:13-36

 

I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:1
Be ye therefore perfect.    Matthew 5:48

 

These exhortations are given to men, not angels! Yet today all we seem to hear is, “Nobody’s perfect.” With that we can excuse almost anything. In fact, calling someone a “perfectionist” is most often taken as a derogatory comment. But God’s will is not for us to excuse ourselves for being immature, worldly, ignorant or disloyal, but for us to walk before Him and be perfect: mature, complete, without spot or blemish, no missing parts. His Word and His Spirit are our resources. We haven’t arrived, but are we pressing on?    —Carl Knott

 

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine, sin with its follies I gladly resign;
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride, give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.
—Leila N. Morris

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 2; Micah 4:9 to 5:15; Romans 11:1-12

 

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.    1 Samuel 7:12

 

This can be translated, “Up to this point has the Lord helped us.”  He has helped us through all of the deep valleys and raging rivers of life. He has helped us through all of life’s storms, dangers seen and unseen. Always His gracious hand has been with us. Actually these storms of life can become milestones in each of our lives. We can set up our “stones” and confidently say, “Ebenezer.” This gives us the assurance that for every tomorrow and for every mile yet to come, He is still faithful and He is our Ebenezer!    —Jim Comte

 

All my tomorrows, all my past—Jesus is Lord of all.
I’ve quit my struggles, contentment at last! Jesus is Lord of all. —Gaithers

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 1; Micah 3 to 4:8; Romans 9:30 to 10:21

 

We know.    1 John 5:18-20

 

The apostle John concludes his epistle with three certainties (1 John 5:18-20) whereby we may know that we are “born of God”. We know that we are the sons of God when we “sin not” (5:18a). We know that though “The whole world lies in the wicked one,” yet “He touches us not” (5:19, 18b). And we know “That the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him … even in his Son Jesus Christ” (5:20). Are you certain of this three-fold knowledge? Do you know your Lord?    —K. C. Ung

 

But I know whom I have believèd, and am persuaded that He is able,
To keep that which I’ve committed, unto Him against that day.
—D. W. Whittle

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 30-31; Micah 1-2; Romans 9:1-29

 

I will stand my watch … to see what He will say unto me.            Habakkuk 2:1

 

Habakkuk models for us the prayer of expectation. He asks God tough questions and then betakes himself up to the solitudes of his watchpost where he waits with confidence and anticipation for God’s revelation of Himself. He does not wonder if God will answer, but he is listening carefully for God’s answers. And the result? Habakkuk’s paean of praise is extraordinary. Though the worst happens, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord” (Hab. 3:18).    —M. MacMullen

 

Listen to His voice in the stillness telling us to walk in the light;
Listen to His voice in creation, telling of His glory and might.
Listen to the depths of His wisdom; listen to the truth of His Word,
Come and taste the joy of His presence: Listen to His voice.
—R. Hamilton