Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 21:1-22:23; Isaiah 61:1-11; Romans 6:1-14

Behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine. Acts 5:28
These that have turned the world upside down. Acts 17:6

The enemies of Christ gave this testimony concerning the early believers. They not only filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ but proclaimed a message which was contrary to all that the world accepted. Today, antagonism towards Christians and the gospel daily increases and whether the world listens or not, we must boldly proclaim God’s truth. To “[fill] Jerusalem with your doctrine” meant the apostles were thrown into prison (Acts 5:18). To “[turn] the world upside down” meant that Jason was dragged to the courts (Acts 17:6). We must also be prepared to suffer. —David Croudace

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee;
What hast thou borne for Me? —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 19:8-20:42; Isaiah 60:1-22; Romans 5:12-21

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6
Though your sins…be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Downtrodden, despised and the lowest of the low! Is it possible that our Lord could be so described? Only by Himself! Interestingly, the word for “worm” is the same as “crimson”—the word that is used to describe sins of deepest dye. By crushing the worm, a scarlet dye was obtained. Upon the cross, the Man of Sorrows, who knew no sin, was made sin for us and crushed beneath its judgment (Isa. 53:5, 10). May our love pour out to Him today! —Pete Smith

Crowned with thorns upon the tree, silent in Thine agony;
Dying, crushed beneath the load, of the wrath and curse of God. —Guiness

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-21; Romans 4:23-5:11

They are like grass which groweth up…in the evening it is cut down. Psalm 90:5-6
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8

God was long-suffering when men lived long, but in the end they were like grass, grown up during the day, then cut down in the evening. God reduced man’s expected lifespan twice; first to 120 years in Genesis 6:3, then to 70 to 80 years in Psalm 90:10. In comparison, these shortened days are likened unto the dew upon the grass, which by midmorning is gone. It is the Word of the Lord, that endures forever and imparts wisdom. May we apply our hearts to it daily. —Tom Steere

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word, ’til soul and body sever:
For tho’ all things shall pass away, His Word shall stand forever. —Luther

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

The word “endeavouring” contains the thought of being eager and striving earnestly with due diligence. We have constantly to be on our guard to prevent disunity amongst the saints. The first port of call is oneself. We must always be careful to ensure that we do not create problems. This sometimes means being prepared to take second place, especially if it is for the benefit of the local church and the furtherance of the Lord’s people and His work. —Brian Russell

Here everyone who loves Thy name,
Our willing hearts embrace;
Our life our hope our joy the same.
The same Thy love and grace. —Mary Peters

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. Jeremiah 25:3 

Jeremiah had the task of telling the people of Judah about forthcoming judgment if they continued in sin. He was not responsible for their response to his warning. We have the same burden today, and again, the response is up to the individual listener. We simply sow, water, cultivate, but God gives the increase. Thankfully we are not called upon to generate a response. We’re simply to be found faithful in proclaiming the Word. Are we? —W. H. G.

Sowing the precious seed, while the day is fast declining,
Sowing the precious seed, in the twilight dim;
Sowing the precious seed, neither doubting nor repining,
Leaving it all to God, trusting all to Him. —W. Ogden

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37

The final day of the annual Feast of Tabernacles had come. For the crowds, the long trek home lay ahead. But the Lord Jesus was concerned about their ongoing spiritual needs. So, with upraised voice and earnest tones, He urged them to accept Him as the answer to their pressing need. “Come unto me,” He cried, “and drink.” What about you, dear reader? Remember, one day the last opportunity for each of us will come! —George Hall

I came to Jesus and I drank, of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul was saved, and now I live in Him. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31:16
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

What assurance for servants of the Lord. There may be times when we become discouraged because we are not seeing results, despite our earnest endeavours. It is not for us to be concerned about success. Ours is simply to obey the Master’s call and leave the results with Him. There may be times of weeping, but the Lord promises that we will “doubtless” come rejoicing in the day of reward. —W. H. Burnett

Labour on, labour on, keep the bright reward in view,
For the Master has said, He will strength renew. —Dr. C. R. Blackall

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

Nothing more is known of Archippus than what is recorded here. It has been thought by some Bible scholars that he may have been the son of Philemon (see Phmn. 2). Most writers feel that this admonition implies some laxity of duty on his part. In any case, it was an exhortation to watchfulness and fulfillment of the ministry committed to him. It is good for each of us to ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the particular ministry committed to us. —W. Ross Rainey

Oh, that Christ may see,
The gift He’s given, fulfilled in me.
That I, dear Lord, might faithful be;
My heart, my life conformed to Thee. —W. R. R.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Cor. 12:14-13:14

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Revelation 8:1

It has been suggested that during this silence God is listening to the prayers of all the saints which are ascending before Him with the smoke of the incense. Our God not only speaks, He listens. How amazing! Someone who truly listens to us; to how we feel; to what we are saying, though often so imperfectly; to our groans—such a One is a rare find. Jeremiah agrees, and says, “Call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you” (29:12). Today let’s come before Him with thanksgiving, while ensuring that every idle word is also acceptable to Him who is listening. —M. MacMullen

Though high, yet He accepts the praise, His people offer here,
The faintest, feeblest lay they raise, will reach the Saviour’s ear. —T. Kelly

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Cor. 12:1-13

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16

My duties at our dairy require me to be up very early in the morning. I look for the moon every day. What a fascinating creation! It changes in appearance, colour, position, and brightness as the month goes by. Each day is a little different than the day before. Man has tried to explain the moon’s origin, composition, and orbit for centuries. It’s all very simple, God made it and set it in the sky. —Debbie Douglas

Creation shows the power of God, there’s glory all around.
And those who see must stand in awe for miracles abound. —John W. Peterson