Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

Much people…came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might
see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief
priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and
believed on Jesus. John 12:9-11

From the grave to the supper table, Jesus had raised Lazarus from
the dead. Many came to see him and believed on Jesus as a result.
Lazarus was a living witness. Has this same Jesus given eternal life to
you? Are you a witness to his life-giving power? Do others believe
after seeing your new life? Oh that we would consistently show others
what Christ can do for those who once were dead. —Ken Gross

Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do.
Seeking the lost He died to redeem, bringing the weary to find rest in Him.—Anon.

 

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding
profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so
called. 1 Timothy 6:20

If a friend entrusts to my care a valuable item of his property, my
duty is to guard it most carefully until the day comes when he
requests its return. In Biblical terms, I have become a “steward”, and
I am obligated to act always in the best interests of the owner (see 1
Cor. 4:2). In the spiritual realm, God “makes a deposit” of varying
kinds, with each of his children. There is a pointed, personal challenge
in today’s text. Am I “guarding the deposit” diligently, and putting
it to good use, for his glory? —G. Hall

All that I am and have, Thy gifts so free,
In joy, in grief through life, O Lord, for Thee! —S. D. Phelps

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace
be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:18

In many parts of the world today, those who are faithfully following
in the footsteps of their Lord are persecuted and delivered to
prison. Some are made martyrs and their family members taken
away. Others flee from their oppressors in fear, their properties razed
to the ground and their possessions seized. Your footprints may not
be theirs, but let us remember their bonds and pray for them today.
—K. C. Ung

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas? —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 8; Daniel 9; Revelation 4

He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD
is gracious and full of compassion. Psalms 111:4

The Lord is gracious. Grace is a divine attribute and if you want a
definition, don’t look in a dictionary, look at the Man of Calvary. His
person is where grace shines in its fullness. “Heaven’s best died for
earth’s worst.” Grace is unmerited, free, and abounding love. By it
we are justified, sanctified and glorified. Grace saved us from the
penalty of sin and reconciles us to God. All the divine attributes are
equal, but grace draws our fervent attention, because it introduces us
to the Man of Calvary. —Milton Haack

Grace! ’tis a charming sound, harmonious to the ear;
Heaven with the echo shall re-sound, and all the earth shall hear.
—P. Dodderidge

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 7; Daniel 8; Revelation 3:7-22

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest;
and how can we know the way? John 14:5

Thomas, asked a vital question concerning our eternal destiny.
There are two ways into eternity, the narrow way that leads unto life,
and the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7). It is heaven or
hell for eternity. A most solemn thought. Be not deceived for “There
is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death” (Prov. 16:25). Reformation, religion, good works, and
sincerity are some of the ways that seem right, but are false. There is
only one way. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (Jn. 14:6). —R. E. Surgenor

Yes Jesus is the Truth, the Way, that leads you into rest.
Believe in Him without delay, and you are fully blest. —John H. Stockton

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 6; Daniel 7; Revelation 2:18 to 3:6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah…out of thee shall come
a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel. Matthew 2:6
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My son. Matt. 2:15b
And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets. Matthew 2:23a

Jesus Christ fulfilled over 300 Messianic prophecies. This was no
mere coincidence. He was the Messiah! To be at once from Bethlehem,
Egypt and Nazareth could not have been humanly arranged. Only
God could have done such a thing. We worship Him today—the fulfillment
of all of God’s promises and plans. —Jason Bechtel

Sweetly rest Thou promised Saviour, by the prophets long foretold;
Brightly beams the Father’s favour, now all men His love behold.—A. Hoppe

 

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Recently I heard someone say “I’ve only ten more years to retirement.”
They clearly hoped that the years would quickly pass.
Assessing too highly an unknown future, can make us fail to cherish
the moments we have. Time is a valuable gift from God and it is so
brief. We’ll never know the status of our account until all our minutes
are gone. Beloved, seize the opportunity today to buy back time from
your normal activities and use it to share the Gospel, pursue good
works, and encourage the saints. It will pay dividends now and for
all eternity. —George Ferrier

Only this hour is mine, Lord. May it be used for Thee;
May every passing moment count for eternity. —Avis B. Christiansen

 

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 3-4; Daniel 5; Revelation 1

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a
friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

“Friends,” is a lovely term that is quickly losing its true meaning.
What is true friendship and even further, how can we be friends with
God? The apostle James wrote; “Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of
God”. Jesus said: “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command
you”(John 15:14). Faith and obedience are the keys to a relationship
with God and a good basis for earthly friendships too.
—Jerry Proctor

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! —J. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: Ezra 1-2; Daniel 4; 3 John

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The man with the strongest body never appreciated this truth.
Samson was unaware of the sacredness of his body. To whom much
is given, much is required. We have a responsibility to be holy. The
higher our spiritual desire, the lower we should walk before our God.
The higher our opinion of ourselves the greater will be the enemy’s
advantage. Paul was ever conscious of the price paid to redeem us
and lived in the light of it. May we as well. —Jim Pizzulli

Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you,
He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through. —Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 3; 2 John

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests
have delivered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done? John 18:35
And he went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus,
Whence art Thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. John 19:9

During the trial of Jesus, Pilate asked these two questions: “What
have you done?” and “Where are you from?” John’s Gospel gives the
answers. He came from eternity with God (John 1:1). While here He
turned water to wine, fed a multitude from very little, gave sight to a
blind man, raised a man from the dead, pointed people to living
water and challenged them to be born again. The Man from above
has done all things well. —Jack Innes

All worlds His glorious power confess, His wisdom all His works express;
But oh! His love what tongue can tell? My Jesus has done all things well.—Anon.