Author: Gospel Folio Press

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

The roar of a lion is terrifying. Yet while it may strike fear into our hearts, it cannot harm us! Our enemy often roars at us, causing us to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of our God. He intimidates us so that we become easy prey. We fear the unknown future, a dire illness, the future of our families, the collapse of our finances, and the problems of our local fellowships. Always remember it is only a roar! How can we overcome the devil and the roar? “Resist
him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). —Jim Comte

The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure. —Martin Luther

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

We have a choice to make every day; we can live in defeat or victory. Blessings are provided and given by the Lord, but we must take and use them. We go from purposeless living, to Christian victory when we take hold of the truth and live in holiness and reverence, serving Him. Obedience to the leading of the Spirit will guide us and preserve us from the destruction of sin. Do not doubt God’s infinite ability to use a surrendered soul empowered by His strength. —Gaius C. Goff

Courage is armour a blind man wears;
The calloused scar of outlived despairs:
Courage is fear that has said its prayers. —Karle Wilson Baker

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Jeremiah 6:15 NKJV

These words were written 2,500 years ago about the people of Jerusalem, but they might just as well have been written about society today. There was a time when the works of darkness were committed in secret places, but now they are paraded and celebrated, and we are expected to join the celebration. But as those who have been brought from darkness to light, we are now called to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). May the Lord renew our minds and cleanse our consciences that we may know how to blush at the evil that surrounds us. —David Wilson

See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

He … knew no sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21

It was not by chance that Paul, a man who possessed great intellect would take up his pen and write about the mind of our blessed Lord. Never an evil thought passed through the pure, holy mind of our Saviour. Can we begin to fully understand and appreciate this when we consider what occupies our own minds? Yet at Calvary, man placed a crown of thorns upon that holy brow. Such was man’s estimation of Him and such was His love for each and every one of us. May we use our minds to think upon Him and remember Him today. —John M. Clegg

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —K. B. Wilkinson

2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the unchangeable “Father of lights” (James 1:17). Out of His own good and transcendent will and through the Word of truth, we were born again. But here we see that His purpose in giving us this new life was that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures. Under the law, God received the firstfruits, the best of the harvest. We are the firstfruits of a new, sinless, God-glorifying creation. On your darkest day, never forget what amazing grace has done! You’re part of the firstfruits! Praise Him! —David W. Oliver

Firstfruits of Thy new creation: faithful, holy, may we be;
Joyful in Thy great salvation, daily more conformed to Thee. —C. Wesley

2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. Genesis 16:9
In all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice … Genesis 21:12

Dealt with harshly by Sarai, Hagar fled to the wilderness where the pre-incarnate Son met and tenderly directed her, “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself …”. Years later, the Lord told Abraham to heed Sarai’s words: “Cast out the bondwoman and her son”. Return! Leave! Why? Today Hagar knows why. Her life illustrated an eternal truth (Gal. 4:21-31). Some of God’s purposes in our lives may only be known in glory. Trust Him! —George T. Ferrier

With mercy and with judgment, my web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow, were lustred with His love.—A. R. Cousin

2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

That the older men be … temperate … older women … admonish the young women to be … discreet. Titus 2:2-5 NKJV

The Greek word “s?phr?n” is translated here both as “temperate” and “discreet”, and elsewhere as “sober” or “sober-minded”. The mature man or woman is to be self-controlled, a person of moderation in all things. Though this self-control shows itself in our words and actions, it begins in the mind and, as it grows, will act as a protective hedge, making us “safe and sound of mind”. Perhaps the clearest picture we can paint is of a horse being reined in. Zealous? Yes! Passionate? Yes! But zeal and passion reined in under the safe control of the Holy Spirit. —Eunice Free

Thoughts, words, emotions, food, acts, devotions:
Rein them in, and soon you’ll be temperate in totality. —E. Free

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

I commend to you Phoebe our sister … for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. Romans 16:1-2 NKJV
And God has appointed these in the church … gifts of healings, helps, administrations. 1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV

Although the gift of “helps” is not specifically defined, there are many ways in which it can be applied. Paul highly commended Phoebe, a sister in the Lord for being a “helper of many”, including himself. Phoebe had used her gift of helps to serve the Lord. What about you? If this is your gift, ask the Lord how He can use you to bless someone today, for His honour and glory. —E. V.

Give as ’twas given to you in your need, love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed, unto your mission be true.  —Ira B. Wilson

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

And this I pray … Philippians 1:9a NKJV

Paul was a man of prayer. From his introduction in Acts 9:11, “Behold, he is praying,” he kept praying all through his ministry. Phil. 1:9-11 tells us what he prayed for others. He prayed for their love, to abound more and more; wisdom, to know, discern, and approve what is excellent; witness, to be sincere; testimony, to be without offense; steadfastness, till the Lord comes; growth, to bear fruit to the full; purpose, to the glory and praise of God. This is
what James called the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (James 5:16) and it avails much. —Rex Trogdon

O Thou, by whom we come to God, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod: Lord, teach us how to pray!  —James

2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Ps. 100:4 NKJV

In the Old Testament, the Psalms are rich with expressions of thanksgiving, encouraging believers to enter God’s presence with joyful praise. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes giving thanks, reminding Christians to be grateful in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18). Jesus gave thanks before breaking bread with His disciples (Matt. 26:27). Biblical thanksgiving is not just for abundance, but recognizes God’s continual care and
sovereignty in all aspects of life. —Caroline Webb

Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!  —Joachim Neander