Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kgs. 11-12; Jer. 48; Heb. 12:18 to 13:6

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the
LORD our maker. Psalms 95:6

A mother found her young son on the fl oor face down and asked
him what he was doing. The fi ve-year-old replied, “I’m bowing
before God.” According to his understanding, he was obedient to
Bible passages that exhort us to do just that. Whether we kneel, sit or
bow we should come humbly, to off er our adoration in song, prayer
or meditation. May we do so today, acknowledging that He alone is
worthy! —E. Dyck

We bow in worship now before Thy throne,
By faith the object of Thy love would see;
Chiefest of thousands, fairer then the fair,
To Him, our Saviour, shall the glory be! —W. B. Dick

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kgs. 10; Jer. 45-47; Heb. 12:1-17

When they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there
they crucifi ed him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand,
and the other on the left . Luke 23:33

Picture the three crosses, each with its victim! The Lord Jesus, the
Son of God, occupies the middle one. He is dying for our sins. To
one side of Him is an unrepentant thief, still reviling and rejecting
the Saviour, even though he has only a few hours of life left . On
the other side is a repenting, believing thief who has just received
from the Saviour assurance that he will be with Him in heaven that
very day! One lost. One saved. With which thief are you identifi ed?
—George Hall

Three crosses standing side by side, of broken law a sign:
Two for their own transgressions died: the middle One for mine!—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kgs. 9; Jer. 44; Heb. 11:17-40

Therefore being justifi ed by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Besides their usual morning fare, many people supplement their
breakfast with the news. Sadly it is usually depressing and can add
a daily dose of worry to our diet. If we are tempted to worry about
what is happening around us, it is good to remember that nothing
can alter our peace with God. Christ has fi nished the work and we
are justifi ed and free. The wondrous transaction is done. God entirely
accepts the person and work of His Son, so how can there be
anything left to unsett le us? —Mark Fenn

I hear the accuser speak of ills that I have done;
I know them well, and thousands more; Jehovah fi ndeth none. —S. Gandy

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kgs 8; Jer. 42:7 to 43:13; Heb. 11:1-16

Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with
paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face,
that our joy may be full. 2 John 12

A very practical point is raised here. Would your visit to a brother
or sister bring joy to the one being visited? Sadly, there are believers
whose telephone calls or presence we would not appreciate. Woven
among their overtures of friendliness are moans, groans and complaints,
that just worsen our condition! Let us make sure that we are
people that others are glad to hear from. —Brian Russell

Fill me with gladness from above,
Hold me by strength divine;
Lord, let the glow of thy great love,
Through my whole being shine.—J. C. Lavater

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

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest
bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand
might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil,
that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he
requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Forty-four names into Judah’s genealogy, a beautiful prayer shines
forth. Jabez lift ed up his heart to God and we are told that “God
granted him what he requested.” Why? Because God honours faith.
God would not leave us a record of empty words, so undoubtedly
Jabez had full faith that God was able to do all that he asked. Do our
prayers refl ect the same trusting expectation? —J. Graham

Pray, pray till faith grows strong, and in your heart rings heaven’s song;
Till self shall die in pure desire, and every thought to Him aspire.—L. D.

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

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the
LORD. Psalm 150:6

Each morning, just prior to daybreak, we hear the dawn chorus as
birds awake in the pine trees close to our home. It never fails to
amaze me that these birds sing in fi ne weather, but they also sing
with the same fervour if it’s raining, cold or stormy. Can these birds
perhaps teach us a lesson? Lord, help us to praise You through the
sunshine and rain of our lives, knowing that all of it comes from
Your good hand. —J. Fleming

Come, let us sing unto the Lord,
New songs of praise with sweet accord;
For wonders great by Him are done;
His hand and arm have victory won.—Unknown

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

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifi ce, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Sadly, there is a growing trend among Christians today, to be satisfi
ed by spending an hour or so at “church” on Sunday morning.
Many believe this fulfi lls their religious obligations. This practice
has been termed “spectator worship”. But the Bible uses such terms
as, “living sacrifi ce” and “bondservant” to describe our total commitment
and dedication to our Lord and his service. May we be
active participants in His work seven days a week, for this is our
reasonable service. —Bob Cretney

Jesus, our Lord and King, to Thee our praises rise;
To Thee our bodies we present, a living sacrifi ce. —R. Jackson

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

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be
any sorrow like unto My sorrow, which is done unto Me, wherewith
the LORD hath affl icted Me in the day of his fi erce anger.
Lamentations 1:12

Many had suff ered the excruciating physical pain and shame of
death by crucifi xion. But the Saviour endured something which
no other ever had, nor ever could. Alone in the darkness, He cried
out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” We are told
why—God Himself had laid our sins upon His beloved Son. He
then had to endure the fi ery judgment of God for that sin. Alone He
bore it all! Let us remember Him and worship. —David Croudace

Jehovah bade His sword awake; O Christ it woke ‘gainst Thee!
Thy blood the fl aming blade must slake, Thy heart its sheath must be.—A. R. C.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 3; Jeremiah 36; Hebrews 8

Moreover the law entered, that the off ence might abound. But
where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Romans 5:20

The apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners. He said he was
a blasphemer and a persecutor, but he was more. As a young man
he stood with the clothes of murderers at his feet and watched as
Stephen was stoned to death. How could he ever be forgiven? How
could this guilty man go free? The story of God’s grace has this reality,
however unbelievable, at its heart. In Christ we see the innocent
take the place of the guilty and bear the punishment. He, the just for
the unjust, brings this chief of sinners to God. He can bring you too
if you will come ot Him. —Drew Craig

Grace fi rst inscribed my name, in God’s eternal book;
Twas grace that gave me to the Lamb, who all my sorrows took.—A. Toplady

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 2; Jeremiah 35; Hebrews 7

He said unto them, What manner of communications are these
that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? Luke 24:17

This chapter begins with disciples who are depressed and disappointed,
but moves swift ly to scenes where they are worshipping
Him, fi lled with joy. It moves from broken hearts to burning hearts,
from closed minds to opened understandings, from closed heavens,
to heavens that open to receive the Lord into glory. It begins with
these disciples leaving Jerusalem, and all that it spoke of, and ends
with them being “continually in the temple, praising and blessing
God”. This can also be your experience, if you will keep company
with Him, and listen to His word. —W. H. Burnett

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way,
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way. —B. Mansell Ramsey