Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 28-29; Isaiah 66; Romans 8:18-39

 

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.    Song of Solomon 1:12

 

What a lovely picture of an assembly in worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper. The Lord is in the place of honour while His saints around Him worship and adore. Spikenard was a lowly aromatic herb from which was prepared the much-valued highly-perfumed ointment. So from the lowly hearts of His adoring people the rich fragrance of worship may arise for His pleasure.    —Jim Flanigan

 

What food luxurious loads the board,
When at His table sits the Lord;
The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,
When Jesus deigns the guests to meet.
—Charles H. Spurgeon

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 26-27; Isaiah 65; Romans 8:1-17

 

But godliness with contentment is great gain.    1 Timothy 6:6

 

Consider the ten wealthiest people in the world. Do they give evidence of being godly or contented? It does not seem so. In contrast to the world’s ambition for material wealth, a godly life with contentment offers great gain for now and eternity. Paul observed, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). When we are content with the basic necessities of life and enjoying daily fellowship with the Lord we are well on our way to godliness and great gain.    —Milton Haack

 

Worldlings prize their gems of beauty, cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure; only Jesus will I trust.
—M. James

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 63:15 to 64:12; Romans 7:7-25

 

But ye lacked opportunity.    Philippians 4:10

 

These were trying times for the Philippians. They wanted to do something for Paul, but could not find the time or the situation. They had given before (Phil. 4:15-16), but hadn’t in recent months or years (Phil. 2:30). In other words, there was no context in which they could implement their desire; something had held them back. Now they could and so they did. We need to be ready to serve and give, even if we feel stymied at a given moment. Thus when the opportunity shows up, we can rise to the occasion. It may involve more than giving; there may be an opportunity to witness, to preach, to pray, or to visit. A context means an opportunity.    —Norman Craig Funston

Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today. —I. B. Wilson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Sam. 23-24; Isaiah 62 to 63:14; Romans 6:15 to 7:6

 

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.    Proverbs 3:26-27

 

Because believers have God’s wisdom and are not fearful of the future, they can afford to be generous to their neighbours. And we should be, as our generosity and kindness can turn others to Christ. We are not to envy those who leave God out of their lives and seemingly prosper. The end result for unbelievers is tragic—lost for all eternity. Those who humbly walk with God, have His grace and glory forever.   
—G. Frear

 

Satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus, I am blest;
Peace which passeth understanding, on Thy breast;
No more doubting, no more trembling,
Oh, what rest! Oh, what rest! —H. Bennett

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 21-22; Isaiah 61; Romans 6:1-14

 

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?    Luke 24:32

 

Christ’s word uniquely stirs His people’s hearts. Two confused Christians were downcast on the Emmaus road; yet Christ’s speech to them lifted the gloom and brought them understanding. Modern saints may also commune with Him by reading the Scriptures. Led by the Spirit, private consideration of the Bible leads to individual worship and growth in the Lord. Then when we assemble with fellow-saints in the church to remember Him, our hearts will burn.    —Keith Keyser

 

Sweet it is to sit before Thee, sweet to hear Thy blessed voice,
Sweet to worship and adore Thee, while our hearts in Thee rejoice.
—T. H. Reynolds

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 19:8 to 20:42; Isaiah 60; Romans 5:12-21

 

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.    John 6:38
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.     John 6:66

 

Handling rejection is not easy. We all like to be liked. How do we feel when our service for the Lord does not seem to be valued or recognized? Underneath all the acts of our Lord was the desire to bring joy to the heart of God and to finish His work. He knew what He was doing and He knew who He was doing it for. If we adopted His approach we would revolutionize our service. “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:7).    —Sid Halsband

 

Behold the servant of the Lord! I wait Thy guiding eye to feel,
Joyful from my own works to cease, glad to fulfill all righteousness.
—John Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6 to 19:7; Isaiah 59; Romans 4:23 to 5:11

 

We have done that which was our duty to do.    Luke 17:10

 

On the tombstone of a First World War veteran in a cemetery in France is engraved a lengthy poem—part of it is shown below. Sometimes Christians can be so busy in the service of the Lord that they never stop to think about what is being achieved and whether an alternative way of serving might be needed and more beneficial. Some of the Lord’s people have had long years of service in pursuit of the glory of God and the day will come when they will be relieved of their duties and others will take their place if God so wills. For such, the call to “higher service” will mean no more earthly strains but rather the joy of peace and the rapture of winning the race.    —Brian Powlesland

 

Out of the strains of the doing, into the peace of the done;
Out of the thirst of pursuing, into the rapture of won. —W. M. L. Jay

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32 to 18:5; Isaiah 58; Romans 4:1-22

 

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.
Colossians 1:19
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.            Colossians 2:9

What powerful statements these are of the absolute superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ! He does not belong to any category, for in His essential being, He is altogether unique. In Him there are neither deficiencies nor defects. Let us fix our minds on His fulness, not on this world’s emptiness.    —George Hall

 

Fairest of all the earth beside,
Chiefest of all unto Thy Bride:
Fulness divine in Thee I see,
Wonderful Man of Calvary! —M. P. Ferguson

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9 to 57:21; Romans 3

 

And (Pilate) said … I have found no cause of death in him … And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.     Luke 23:22-23

 

Many voices may be calling to you. Satan speaking through your friends, perhaps even your family, while the Holy Spirit tells you that Christ died for you and wants to save you. Will you let the wrong voices prevail and so go to a Christless eternity? Today you move with the crowd but tomorrow you will stand alone, before the One who could have been your Saviour. If you reject Him He must become your Judge. Whose voice will prevail?    —David Croudace

“Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail, “Almost” – but lost! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 16; Isaiah 55 to 56:8; Romans 2

 

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.    Psalm 141:5

 

Scripture uses metaphors to confirm the necessity of godly exhortation in our lives: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). “Iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17). Hebrews instructs us to continue exhorting one another daily (Heb. 3:13). For this reason believers are to be in subjection to each other in the fear of God (Eph. 5:21). None of us are perfect, so the feedback we receive from others may be amiss, but there is usually something to be learned from it. Take advantage of what is profitable, and just forget the rest.    —W. A. H.

 

The call is Thine: be Thou the Way, and give us men, to guide;
Let wisdom broaden with the day, let human faith abide. —L. Benson