Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 11-12; Jeremiah 48; Hebrews 12:18 to 13:6

 

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. Lamentations 3:1, 19-20

 

The pain of Divine chastisement cannot easily be forgotten. The vital issue, however, is this, has it produced in my character Christ-like qualities, such as humility, patience and compassion towards others who are suffering? —George Hall

Have Thine own way, Lord: have Thine own way:
Hold o’er my being, absolute sway:
Fill with Thy Spirit, till all shall see
Christ, only, always, living in me —A. A. Pollard

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 10; Jeremiah 45-47; Hebrews 12:1-17

 

 

He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names… His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:4-5

 

Man has discovered over 360 billion galaxies and each one of those has at least 200 billion stars! As far as man is concerned, “The host of heaven cannot be numbered” (Jer. 33:22). However, God’s understanding is infinite. Not only does He number the stars, but in grace He looks upon us. We are more than a number to Him. We are indelibly written in the Lamb’s book of life and with affection, we are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isa. 49:16). —Robert E. Surgenor

Our souls are in God’s mighty hand, we’re precious in His sight;
And you and I shall surely stand, with Him in glory bright.—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 9; Jeremiah 44; Hebrews 11:17-40

 

 

Master, I have brought unto Thee my son… help Thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:17, 24

 

Many Christian parents suffer the daily and nightly pain of a wayward son or daughter—the sleeplessness, the futile floor-pacing, the anguish of self-blame. While we struggle, the Master waits for us to cast ourselves entirely upon Him. Does this mean that everything will be immediately right with your child? No, but it does show that things are finally going right with His child—you! Bring them to Him and leave them with Him. —Rick Morse

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blest. —William O. Cushing

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 8; Jeremiah 42:7 to 43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

 

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

 

Why do we find an admonition to be thankful here? Surely gratitude is easy if the peace of God rules in our hearts. Perhaps it is because this call to thankfulness is within a context of unity among God’s people—forgiving and forbearing with even the quarrelsome (3:13). Unity is vital to Christian community. Disunity ruins the work of God. It is tragic the destruction it has wrought. Some of God’s people are not easy to love (I’m one of them). Giving way to frustration gets us nowhere and robs us of our own peace. Making an effort to find a thank-worthy trait in such ones may surprise us with its outcome. —S. M.

Let our mutual love be glowing, thus will all men plainly see,
That we, as on one stem growing, living branches are in Thee.—Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 6:24 to 7:20; Jer. 41 to 42:6; Heb. 10:19-39

 

 

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

 

What a precious promise the Lord has given to His own that when they gather in His name. He will be there in their midst! This was the clarion call of our early brethren as they met in simplicity to remember Him in His appointed way. What a transformation it would bring to our gatherings if only we kept reminding ourselves that the Lord is there. Sometimes we lose sight of this glorious fact and we neglect to display that wonder, that respect, that holy awe that is appropriate. There would also be no problem with attendance if the reality of His presence was impressed upon our hearts. —W. H. Burnett

Gathered to Thy name Lord Jesus, losing sight of all but Thee,
O what joy Thy presence gives us, calling up our hearts to Thee.—Douglas Russell

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39-40; Hebrews 10:1-18

 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12

 

Paul’s life was an enigma to many, like the dark image seen in the murky mirrors or through the semi-opaque glass available at that time. He was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, his zeal against “the way” was unsurpassed; yet he threw away all his advantages of birth, breeding, and personal accomplishment to follow the faith he once tried to destroy. We each have instances of God’s work in our lives that confirm our confidence in the Lord Jesus. Someday that confidence will be completely confirmed and we shall see Him face to face. —Tom Steere

When faith and hope shall cease, and love abide alone,
Then shall we see Him face to face, and know as we are known. —John Beaumont

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt. 15:29 to 16:12

 

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.    1 John 4:9

 

At Calvary, God’s love was manifested and proved! He had only one Son who was infinitely dear to His heart. What must it have cost the Father to send Him? Yet Christ became man; walked on this earth as a stranger, without a place to lay His head, and at last died on a cross. All this because of His love for you and me! Can you say as Paul did, “He died for me?” (Gal. 2:20)    —Jim Pizzulli

 

Well, I said I wouldn’t tell it to a living soul,
How he brought to me salvation, when He made me whole,
But I found I couldn’t hide such love as Jesus did impart.
—Cleavant Derricks

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

 

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:    1 Samuel 12:23

 

Samuel said this to Israel. But what a challenge to every Christian parent. Dad and Mom, you have a God-given responsibility and privilege, not only to teach your children God’s ways, but also to faithfully uphold each one individually in prayer before the Lord. You cannot keep them “tied to your apron strings” but praise God, you can hold onto them through prayer—when they leave the nest for college or a job, and have to face a world which is opposed to all you have taught them during their childhood. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much” (Jam. 5:16).     —David Croudace

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.—Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 5; Jeremiah 38; Hebrews 9:15-28

 

 

And ye murmured in your tents, and said, because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Deuteronomy 1:27

 

How can you identify someone who is out of fellowship with God? They would rather stay at home and complain about things than meet with the Lord’s people. God kept His promise and brought the Israelites to their inheritance, a land full of milk and honey, yet many Israelites grumbled against God in their tents. This sin continues today. Believers who decline to be in fellowship with God’s people will seldom be grateful. Joy is in the Lord’s presence and the Lord promises to be in the midst of His people (Matt. 18:20). —Warren A. Henderson

Here in Thy Name we are gathered, come and revive us, O Lord;
There shall be showers of blessing, Thou hast declared in Thy Word.—Fanny Crosby

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 4; Jeremiah 37; Hebrews 9:1-14

 

 

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2

 

During my working days I would often drive into a street in Dumfries, Scotland which had a plaque on a wall naming it “Best Kept Street”. It explained why many gardens there were all prim and proper. What a name to live up to! It made me think of the name Christians have to live up to. We should be seeking to emulate Christ’s personality: gracious, caring, zealous, compassionate, blameless and holy.—Brian Powlesland

I am my neighbour’s Bible, He reads me when we meet;
Today he reads me in my home, tomorrow in the street.
He may be relative or friend, or slight acquaintance be;
He may not even know my name, but he is reading me.—Author Unknown