Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-21; Romans 4:23-5:11

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Be not still, O God. Psalm 83:1

Over and over, Scripture adjures us to be at rest. Amidst all our circumstances, our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ is on the throne! When I was a teenager I was blessed by the popular Christian phrase, “Let go and let God.” Psalm 46:10 in the NASB reads, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” We can be still because our God is never still. He is always remembering us (Gen. 8:1; Ex. 2:24) and when He does, He acts. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). —Annette Baal

In Jesus I’ve found a sweet rest, from sorrow, from toil, and from care;
In Him I am happy and blest, for He all my burdens doth bear. —L. Riggs

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

Here am I, send me. Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah was sent to preach and warn wandering Israel. Noah, to build the ark and warn the world of divine displeasure and coming judgment. Moses, to lead Israel out of Egypt. Nehemiah, to rebuild the wall and city. Ezra and others, for the rebuilding of the temple. John the baptist, as Christ’s forerunner, to preach repentance and prepare the way before Him. But only One was sent to save us. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). We will love and praise Him forever for this, and hope you will, too. —Carl Knott

Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other name for me;
There’s love and life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee. —Emma F. Shuttleworth Bevan

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

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 

One day the Lord will descend to the air and shout, the archangel shall speak, and a trumpet will sound—resurrecting the dead in Christ, glorifying the living saints, He will receive us to Himself, all this occurring in an estimated 1/6 of a billionth of a second. We may be working, studying, or fellowshipping together and suddenly we will be looking in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a powerful motivation to be about His business. One day. Perhaps today. —George Ferrier

It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight, Will burst into light
in the blaze of His glory when Jesus receives His own. —H. L. Turner

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Romans 5:3-5

How can we glory in our sufferings? By remembering that they lead to perseverance and mold our character. This leads to a longing for our sure hope of being with the Lord. As a result we will not be ashamed but will keep witnessing in spite of opposition. Finally they remind us that God’s love, in whatever trials we may be passing through, is being “poured out” into our hearts. —David Croudace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase. —Annie J. Flint

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25

At the age of 22 she first heard the Gospel, and learned of her sin and God’s hatred of it. She also learned of God’s judgment, promised punishment, and of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The next Sunday she listened to the same message theme of sin, God’s judgment, and punishment. As she did, she impatiently said to herself, “Get to the good part, get to the good part.” When the preacher presented “the good part” that Jesus had died for her, she believed it and was gloriously saved. Today will you believe the message with the “good part” that Jesus died for you? —Arnot P. McIntee

Good news, good news, Christ died for you, good news good news,
If you believe, you’ll live eternally, that’s wonderful, extra good news. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

But the king shall rejoice in God. Psalm 63:11

It would appear that this psalm was written by David in the wilderness, fleeing from Saul. Nevertheless David refers to himself as king. He, deep down, had the belief that his anointing, described in 1 Samuel 16, would be fulfilled despite his present circumstances. Maybe the Lord has called you to a work but at the moment you are in the valley of despair as the door has not been opened. Remember what God has promised He will fulfill. His delays are not His denials. —Brian Russell

Green pastures are before me,
Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where dark the clouds have been. —Anna Waring

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Cor. 12:14-13:14

I exhort therefore, that…intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. 1 Timothy 2:1
The Spirit…maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

We don’t pray for each other as we ought. Our text indicates that this ministry is vital. So many of God’s people are struggling these days. What a blessing to be able to support them in their distress. Are we not sure what to say? Our God knows that and says His Spirit intercedes for us. —Ken Gross

O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day,
So in sorrow or in gladness,
Don’t forget to pray. —Mary Ann Kidder

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Cor. 12:1-13

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Titus 1:2

God is the standard of truth. At the cross He manifested the reality of human sin, but He also revealed His love, mercy, and grace towards sinners (Rom. 5:8). Believers’ eternal destinies depend on His eternal plan, which is guaranteed by His rock-solid faithfulness. “He cannot lie” and so salvation rests secure in His unshakeable promise (John 14:1-6). Our security lies in His trustworthiness, and He “is not a man, that he should lie” (Num. 23:19). As the hymn puts it: “On Christ salvation rests secure, the Rock of Ages must endure.” —K. R. Keyser

Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge, Jesus has died for me!
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Cor. 11:1-33

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7, NKJV

Halfway through the deciding race, Canadian swimmer Penny Olesiak was almost in last place. Amazingly, she pressed on through the final lap and won the Olympic gold medal. Commenting on the remarkable victory, her coach said: “Anybody can blast it out in the front, but what you do in the back half shows your training.” Dear friend: it may be hard, you may be discouraged, but don’t give up the race! Finish well! —Lynn Shatford

Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift the race
Yet to the true and the faithful,
Victory is promised through grace. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:14; Isaiah 49:1-26; 2 Cor. 10:1-18

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord. Luke 12:35-36a

In light of our Lord’s coming we should take these exhortations to heart. Let your loins be girded about. We should live disciplined lives in this loose society. It’s high time we stand up for the Lord even if it means that we stand out from the crowd. Let your lights be burning. Shine the light of your testimony brightly in this dark world. Be yourselves like men that wait for their Lord. As we wait and watch for Him, let us serve Him with all our heart. —Rex Trogdon

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory,
Will the toils of life repay. —Eliza E. Hewitt