Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

 

 

 

Lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

 

When our Lord Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples, He did not leave them alone. He promised them His presence and all these centuries later, we who serve the Lord may be assured of His abiding presence with us too. If the world sees us at all, it is probably as pilgrims, treading a lonely path. Yet we can know for a certainty that the Lord is with us! —Mark Fenn

He leaves us not alone to trace,
Our path across the waste;
But leads us still, with living grace,
Homeward, whereto we haste. —J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

 

 

Neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him. Isaiah 64:4

 

One writer has said, “Waiting doesn’t diminish us any more than waiting diminishes an expecting mother; we are enlarged in the waiting.” How many of the Lord’s people have been to the “school of waiting”—perhaps impatiently, or reluctantly, or resignedly? But as we wait trustingly and confidently, we may well find ourselves enlarged as our request matures and we are prepared to receive it as a gift from God. —M. MacMullen

Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake,
All now mysterious shall be bright at last. —K. von Schlegel

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

 

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

 

With tenderness, the God who holds the waters in His hand and exerts power over the universe, will gently shepherd His people during His earthly reign. Some render it: “He carries them close to His heart.” Such is the way of the Good Shepherd who always is tender towards His people. Although this promise is future, we may presently enjoy security in our merciful Lord. —Keith Keyser

There is rest for the weary soul,
There is rest in the Saviour’s love;
There is rest in the grace that has made us whole,
And that seeketh out those who rove. —J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

 

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1

 

“In those days”

 

Born among cattle in poverty sore, living in meekness by Galilee’s shore,
Dying the death as the wicked ones swore, Jesus, wonderful Lord. —Paul White

world power was vested in one man. In an outpost of his vast empire, a carpenter and a peasant girl were on their way to Bethlehem because of his decree. In Mary’s womb, she carried the Son of God, the Lord Jesus. Was Caesar Augustus really in control? He did not know the promise of Micah 5:2 that said Christ would be born in Bethlehem, and yet his command fulfilled that prophecy. Yes, “in those days”a sovereign God was at work and Mary in His grace brought forth the One who will one day rule and reign. Remember, God is still in control, “in these days!” —Jim Comte

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

 

 

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Psalms 89:15

 

There is not too much good news in this world. Spiritual darkness is spreading faster than ever. Still the message of the angel is ever new. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10,11). This is old news, yet it is ever new. Notice the psalmist says, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound.” It is not something to hear only, but to know and walk in the joy of it, particularly at this season that recalls His birth. —Harold G. Smith

 

Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” —C. Wesley

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

 

Praise the LORD… all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 148:7,10, 14

 

At the birth of Jesus, the cattle shared their stable and their manger was His bed. There was no room for Him in the inn (Lk. 2:7, 16). The angels announced His birth to shepherds. It was a glorious sight (Lk. 2:8-14)! Two young pigeons were His parents’ offering (as required by law of a poor man) to celebrate their first born (Lk. 2:21-24). He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, all the fowls of the mountains and the wild beasts of the field (Psa. 50:10, 11). In some small way they entered into His incarnation and creation itself must have rejoiced at His birth. What can you share with Him today? —K. C. Ung

All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing,
O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! — Francis of Assisi

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

 

Four hundred years before the angel spoke these words to the shepherds, the last book of Israel’s history was written. It had been a sad, depressing story of sin. But now a Saviour was born. What a hope for mankind! Yet as we read through the Gospels we see that God in the person of Christ was rejected again. They crucified Him. But in that place of seeming hopelessness we know that Christ Jesus died to “save sinners.” Now we have a sure and glorious hope. Heaven awaits for those who accept the salvation He offers. Will you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour? —M. Robins

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus, He is my friend, true to the end,
He gave Himself to redeem me, Jesus, wonderful Lord. —Paul White

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

 

How greatly I long after you all. Philippians 1:8

 

Paul had boundless enthusiasm for the church at Philippi. He no doubt recalled both the meetings and the beatings of his short time there. His affection for the church manifested itself in prayer for them (vv. 3-4); in confidence for their future success (vv. 5-6), and came from the depths of his heart (vv. 7-8). Later, when he rebuked them about error, they knew it came from a man who truly cared for their spiritual well-being. Those under our shepherding will find it easier to hear us if they sense we love them. —Norman Craig Funston

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! —A. J. Flint

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

 

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:6, 22

 

Talk about a change of heart! The disciples had sad hearts (vs.6) because the Saviour was going away. He was going by way of the cross to taste death for everyone. He assured them that, in a little while, He would see them again and their hearts would rejoice (vs. 22). His death for our sins and resurrection to life changed their hearts from sad to glad. Have you had a change of heart? —Rex Trogdon

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart! —Rufus H. McDaniel

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

 

When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Matthew 17:8

 

Peter, James and John had shared this moment when the Lord was transfigured before them in company with Moses and Elias. Peter wanted to make this scene permanent where the Lord, Moses and Elias would have booths to dwell. It was then that Heaven intervened, and a cloud enveloped the scene, and a voice was heard to say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5).When the disciples opened their eyes, Moses and Elias had disappeared and they saw Jesus only. God would not allow even the greatest of men to share the same place as His beloved Son. —W. H. Burnett

 

No mortal can with Him compare, among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair, that fill the heavenly train. —S. Stennett