Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29; Ezekiel 45; John 20:19-31

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is
called Christ? They all say unto him, Let Him be crucifi ed.
Matthew 27:22

The world said, “Let Him be crucifi ed.” But as convicted sinners
we say, “I will trust Him!” As priests we say, “I will present Him
to the Father in my worship.” As witnesses, we preach Him to the
ungodly. As redeemed souls in heaven, we shall fall at His feet, and
the Lover of our souls adore. Why do we respond thus? As our Redeemer,
He has saved us from hell. As our Shepherd, He will guide
us safely through life, and as our Bridegroom, He will come and
sweep us away to be forever with Himself. —Robert E. Surgenor

Lord Jesus Christ, the thought of Thee, with sweetness fi lls my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy presence rest.—Bernard of Clairvaux

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27-28; Ezekiel 44; John 20:1-18

In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

There was a physician who was noted for his skill. Aft er his death,
when his books were examined, several accounts had writt en across
them in red ink, “Forgiven—too poor to pay.” His wife was of a different
disposition and sued for the money. The judge asked if the
handwriting in red was her husband’s, and when she replied that
it was, he said, “Then there is not a tribunal in the land that can
obtain the money where he has writt en forgiven.” What wonderful
assurance we have too. Nothing can annul our forgiveness through
Christ’s blood! Is this your assurance? —W. Ross Rainey

We all are forgiven for Jesus’ sake:
As our title to heaven, His merits we take. —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26; Ezekiel 43; John 19:17-42

I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity
which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and
he restrained them not. 1 Samuel 3:13

The word “restrained” is translated in prior verses as “dim”, referring
to the eye. It appears that Eli turned a blind eye to the vile
activities of his sons, although he knew what they were doing. This
is a solemn warning to fathers in particular, but also to other family
members, not to excuse inappropriate behaviour because of family
relationship. If behaviour is inappropriate for those outside of our
extended families, it also is wrong for those within them.
—David M. McCulloch

And when these lips no more can pray, these eyes can weep for them no more
Turn Thou their feet from folly’s way, the wanderers to Thy fold restore.
—A. B. H.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 42; John 18:28 to 19:16

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness,
and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things.
Deut. 28:47

It is easy for us, as believers living in the West, to take our material
blessings for granted, and fail to give thanks to the Lord for His
abundance. Let us take our example from the suff ering and despised
saints in other parts of the world, who are not only more thankful
for the temporal blessings of life, but eminently more grateful for
the spiritual blessings, and thus experience more joy and gladness
in their hearts. —Brian Russell

For peaceful homes and healthy days,
For all the blessings earth displays,
Our God we owe Thee thanks and praise;
Who givest all. —C. Wordsworth

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Ezekiel 41; John 18:1-27

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

The Lord our God asks us to be still, to be quiet before Him, that we
might begin to understand who He is. We will have eternity to learn
more about Him and we will need all of that time for He is infi nite.
But we can get a head start now. If you have trusted the Lord Jesus
as your Saviour, God has given you His Holy Spirit and His Word
to help you in this wonderful adventure. Seek with all your heart to
know Him bett er. Your love for Him and others will grow, as you
begin to see more clearly His love for you. —V. Gaynier

In the arms of Your mercy I fi nd rest ‘cause You know just how far the east
is from the west. From one scarred hand to the other —Casting Crowns

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Ezekiel 40; John 17

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the
turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming;
but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. Jer. 8:7

Enjoying the creatures of the animal kingdom, reminds us of our marvelous
Creator. View the migratory activity of the birds: their sense of
direction, their ability to fl y great distances on a seasonal basis, and to
return to the same home year aft er year. We see this and revel in the
One who controls the most minute details of our universe. Then remember
He says, “I know the thoughts I think toward you, thoughts
of peace…to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11). In the midst of
today’s challenges, rejoice in this. —W. H. Gustafson

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! —J. Neander

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20; Ezekiel 39; John 16:16-33

All they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did
cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:44
She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint
my body to the burying. Mark 14:8

One day the Lord sat opposite the treasury and watched a widow
give all her money. Another time, He sat at a table and a woman
came and anointed His body with precious ointment of spikenard.
Two women gave two off erings of great sacrifi ce and the Lord commended
both for going to extremes to express their love for Him.
One gave all she had; the other did what she could. What we give
and what we do, He commends. Could it be more? —Rex Trogdon

By and by, when I look on His face, beautiful face, thorn-shadowed face.
By and by, when I look on His face, I’ll wish I had given Him more.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 18-19; Ezek. 38; John 15:17 to 16:15

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is
the Lord. John 21:7a

All four Gospels are wonderful pictures of our Saviour. They show
us in vivid and moving terms the beauties of Christ’s perfect life and
His fi nished work at the cross. But John’s Gospel has woven through
it an inner nearness to Him, a tenderness that does not fail to move
us. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved; the one who rested on
His breast; the one who looked into the empty grave and was the
fi rst to believe that He had risen. Brothers and sisters, how wonderful
that by enjoying the words of John’s writing, we too can enter
into that intimacy. May it be so today. —Tom Steere

I love Thee because Thou hast fi rst loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree. —Wm R. Featherstone

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16-17; Ezekiel 37; John 15:1-16

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen,
and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the
LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12

Ever since Abraham, Israel as a nation has been raising pillars, altars,
and markers to commemorate events. Between Mizpeh and
Shen was the geographical spot where Samuel followed this historical
practice and put up the stone Ebenezer as a memorial to God’s
timely help. Aft er the gloom of twenty years of national back sliding,
came revival. Naturally the enemy tried to interfere but God
honoured His people and delivered them—Ebenezer. He will always
help those who desire to live for Him. —Les Rainey

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its confl icts and sorrows would fly. —William O. Cushing

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 14-15; Ezek. 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

[They] told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over
all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed
them not…and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to
carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Gen. 45:26, 27

Jacob was still grieving when his sons arrived to tell him, “Joseph is
yet alive and is governor over all of Egypt.” It was too much for old
Jacob, who fainted on the spot. However, when he saw the wagons
loaded with the provisions Joseph had sent, his spirit revived. If you
have a heavy heart today, look at the deeply laden wagons of spiritual
and material blessings the Lord has given to you. As you do, may the
sight of Him, and them, revive your heart. —Arnot McInte

Ev’ry need His hand supplying, ev’ry good in Him I see;
On His strength divine relyng, He is all in all to me. —Thoro Harris