Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20; Lamentations 2; 1 Timothy 5

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of
promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Eph. 2:12

Depression troubles many today. There is a deep feeling of hopelessness
and anxiety. The Germans call it angst. You have lost a job, a
loved one, or health itself. The walls are closing in around you and
you want to die. Dear friend, if you have God, you have hope. Turn
to Him and the future is bright. —Donald L. Norbie

Only in Thee, O Saviour mine,
Dwelleth my soul in peace divine,
Peace that the world, tho’ all combine,
Never can take from me. —Thomas O. Chisholm

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 20 to 21:18; Lamentations 1; 1 Timothy 4

In the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1b

This world in the last few years has undergone more dramatic
changes than at any other time in history. Fear has gripped its inhabitants
in every part of the earth. Great floods, earthquakes, famines,
disease, as well as a reign of terror unparalleled in history. Leaders
have spent endless hours trying to negotiate peace and resolve the
great divisions that cause wars, bloodshed and pain. These events all
point to the fact that our Lord is coming soon. The only true place of
security is in knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord! —Jim Paul

Be still my soul: nor contemplate disaster,
The hand that led still leads thee on life’s way,
While world events move on—both grave, faster;
For thee they lead to life’s eternal day. —J. Danson Smith

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 19; Jeremiah 52; 1 Timothy 3

I came down from heaven. John 6:38

Whatever did it mean for the Son of God to come down, down
from His high throne to lay aside His garment of light and take a
body of mortal flesh? The King of Glory eating food cooked in the
back kitchen of a home in Bethany! He walked the dust of earth,
rubbed shoulders with sinners, touched the leper and was touched
by the sick and ailing, yet ever holy, harmless, and undefiled. Then to
be taken by His own creatures and nailed to a cross. How far down
He came to save sinners and take them up to glory!
—J. Boyd Nicholson

Did the Lord a man become, that He might the law fulfill,
Bleed and suffer in my room; and canst thou my tongue be still?—J. Newton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 18; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong:
didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go
thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Matt. 20:13-14

Those hired at the eleventh hour worked just one hour and were
willing to accept whatever pay the master saw fit to give them. Paid,
but not according to what they had worked, but rather out of the
grace of the master, as he assessed what they were willing to do. The
Lord rewarded their willingness and gave more than they deserved.
God’s righteousness, sovereignty and grace are all seen here. Let us
so work, according to our abilities, and leave the question of reward
to His gracious, divine will. —Dawn Heels

Great God of wonders all Thy ways display Thine attributes divine,
But the bright glories of Thy grace, above Thine other wonders shine.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 17; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea,
Lord; thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my
lambs. John 21:15

This thrice repeated question seared into Peter’s consciousness.
But the Lord had earlier given to His disciples and to us a simple test
of love for Him. “If a man love Me, he will keep My words” (John
14:23). It is remiss to profess love for Christ unless we are obedient to
the Word of God. If we love Him we will obey Him. —Doug Kazen

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my heart, my life, my all. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 15:32 to 16:20; Jer. 50:21-46; Titus 2:9 to 3:15

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isaiah 35:3

It was a tiny chick that had gotten away from its mother. It
appeared dead apart from one eye which was slightly open. I held it
in my hands and watched again. It opened its beak. As I went about
my tasks I held that chick in my pocket. One hour later it stood and
the next day I couldn’t pick it from the rest. How many brothers and
sisters might be still following the Lord if a fellow Christian had
shown them warmth and encouragement? —J. Fleming

Comfort, comfort ye My people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning ’neath their sorrow’s load.
—Johannes G. Olearius

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 14:23 to 15:31; Jer. 50:1-20; Titus 1 to 2:8

For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son
to have life in Himself; John 5:26
As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father. John 10:15a
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the
Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 14:31

“Like Father, like Son” is an axiom established before time. Jesus is
so intimate with His Father that He, too, has life in Himself. He
knows everything about His Father even as His Father knows Him
and whatever the Father commanded, so the Son did. As the Father
loved His only begotten Son, so the Son loves us! —Tom Steere

E’en now from saints, in concord sweet, celestial strains of worship swell;
For O, ‘tis meet glad songs should greet, Thy heart of love, Immanuel.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 13 to 14:22; Jeremiah 49; Hebrews 13:7-25

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy
faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

How thankful we should be for the freshness and beauty of each
new day! Even more impressive than the features of the planet on
which we live are the Father’s daily supply of “compassions”, freshly
provided for the needs of the unfolding day. Let us guard against
unnecessarily carrying yesterday’s anxieties into the new morning!
—G. Hall

Why should my heart then be distressed, by dread of future ill?
Or why should unbelieving fear my trembling spirit fill?
—H. A. Caesar Malan

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

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

This is the “great Commission” given by the Lord to the disciples
and to all believers. The word “preach” has two meanings: “to
announce” and “to make known”. In the first instance some may be
called upon to publicly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. In the
second case, some may be led to witness individually to a lost soul,
whom the Lord has directed our way. Let us be ready for every
opportunity to preach the Gospel and thus fulfill our Lord’s request.
—Bob Cretney

His Gospel to the lost proclaim, good news for all in Jesus' name;
Let light upon the darkness break, that sinners from their death may wake.—Anon.