Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 33:1-25; Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 3:1-24

For his great love wherewith he loved us. Ephesians 2:4
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:32

Here are two “greats” in the Ephesian epistle. The first is the greatness of God’s love for us, and the second is the greatness of God’s eternal union with us. How great is the Father’s love for us? Look at Calvary. How great is the Son’s love for us? Look at Calvary. Loved of the Father and wedded to His Son—what a great love and what a great mystery. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Oh, love Him! For He loveth well;
Let Him with love thy spirit fill;
How much He loveth, none can tell,
And to the end He loveth still. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33; Ezekiel 48:1-35; 1 John 2:12-29

Hope to the end. 1 Peter 1:13

When Peter speaks here of “hope to the end”, it is not hoping for the end, but rather, hoping to the end. It is more than dying in hope. It is living with hope. It is dwelling in an attitude and atmosphere of hope,
on a regular, daily basis. —N. C. Funston

My hope is in the Lord,
Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sins at Calvary.
No merit of my own,
His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness. —Norman Clayton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 31:1-21; Ezekiel 47:1-23; 1 John 1:1-2:11

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you. 2 Cor. 12:15

A physician acquaintance of mine serves the Lord in Cambodia with his wife (also a physician) and family. He writes that “Our food is grown in raw sewage, soaked in illegal chemicals, and processed in medieval conditions. Cambodians die at a horrific rate from malnutrition and disease. Good food is a luxury. We and our children will probably live shorter lives, and chances of dying from accidents are legion. We gladly accept these things because we hold a different perspective and from that perspective everything is worth it!” In view of such sacrificial service, dare we complain amidst our generally favourable circumstances? —W. Ross Rainey

Go, labour on; spend, and be spent—Thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still? —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5

Sometimes there are things known to us which, in the interests of protecting the good name of the Lord and His people, are best kept to ourselves. —Brian Powlesland

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill” declares the Greek.
“The tongue destroys a greater horde”,
The Turk asserts, “than does the sword.”
The sacred writer crowns the whole,
“Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul.” —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord. Judges 2:21-22 (NKJV)

Why does the Lord permit His people to be tested? To know if “They will keep the ways of the Lord…or not.” God wants to labour with His people to do the impossible for His glory, but if His people will not work with Him, He has ways of bringing them back to the path that is best for them. The Lord longs to work with us. May we be faithful to work with Him (Mark 16:20). —W. A. H.

If dangers gather round, still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross when life is dark and cheerless. —Johann Heerman

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

And Jesus stood still. Mark 10:49

The Lord Jesus, the Creator of this vast universe was on His way to Calvary and the cross. However, on His journey He stopped and took time to heal this poor blind beggar man. No one else had any time for this man, but the Saviour did. The Lord has time for each one of us. He is never too busy and meets our every need. May we learn this simple lesson today. —John M.Clegg

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained,
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief. —Frank E. Graeff

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

How long halt ye between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21
No man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24

Indecision is a weakness that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time. Elijah challenged Israel to make a firm decision whether to follow God, or Baal. Jesus warned His disciples of their inability to serve two Masters, for inevitably they could only be loyal to one. How about you? Are you sitting on the fence when it comes to the things of God? “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). —E. V.

When I need someone to guide my soul,
Over the stormy sea,
Always to Jesus I give control,
He is the best for me. —Author Unknown

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

And sitting down they watched him there. Matthew 27:36

In the lovely hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, the author thinks about the Saviour on that cross and the work that was accomplished there. As we survey the cross we try, in failing fashion, to estimate its extent and value. We see that the work of Calvary extends from eternity to eternity—our sin removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). In value, there is no measuring the worth of Christ’s finished work there. —M. Robins

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Lord of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 7:51

David and Solomon picture two aspects of Christ’s work. The former was a soldier who vanquished God’s enemies, sometimes becoming a weak instrument confounding the mighty; the latter, reigned in glory and brought the temple to completion. David’s conflicts made him “a man of blood”; likewise, Christ shed His blood to make new creatures who would one day adorn the temple as living stones. The Lord’s true temple is comprised of believers fashioned by the glorified Saviour who once suffered. —Keith Keyser

The Church’s pilgrim-lot; her lot until her absent Lord shall come,
And the long homeless here, shall find a home. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:1-12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:13-14

The master was gone establishing a kingdom and he left his servants to manage his affairs while he was away. He gave them the necessary provisions, but the environment was hostile. Would they be diligent about the master’s business in spite of opposition, in spite of not knowing the date of his return? Would they faithfully uphold the master’s honour, or would they seek their own? Will we occupy until He returns? Yes, even so, come Lord Jesus. —D. Pickup

Have we been true to the trust He left us? Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, we shall have a glorious rest. —Fanny J. Crosby