Author: Gospel Folio Press

2 Kings 1:1-18; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Hebrews 5:11-6:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20

Peter urges that, as newborn babies crave milk from their mother, we should crave the pure milk of the Word of God that we might grow into a full experience of salvation (1 Pet. 2:2). He further says that we must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). These are both essential, but perhaps most vital is what Paul says here, that we grow to understand that the true Christian life must be the very life of Christ lived in and through us. —Ray Jones

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, O, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I, but Christ that lives in me. —Ada Whiddington

1 Kings 22:1-53; Jeremiah 33:1-26; Hebrews 4:14-5:10

They were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much … that place was called The Valley of Berachah (blessing) … his God gave him rest all around. 2 Chronicles 20:25-26, 30 NKJV

All of Judah was terrified in the face of the seemingly invincible enemy who had invaded their territory. Crucially, they sought the Lord (vv 3-4) and He brought them victory. But it was more than a victory. They were enriched (materially) by the experience. What had seemed destined to be a valley of death was transformed into a valley of blessing. Often we face insurmountable challenges only for the Lord to work through those circumstances so as to enrich our lives, bringing us blessing and peace. —Michael McKillen

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. —F. Crosby

1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. John 6:26 NKJV

The Christian life was never meant to be an easy fix to our health problems, financial problems, or family problems. A prosperity gospel produces shallow weak followers who only endure for a season. “These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time” (Mark 4:16-17). The right reason for following Christ is: I am a sinner and He is the Saviour. —Sid Halsband

Following Jesus, ever day by day,
Nothing can harm me when He leads the way. —Harry Vom Brauch

1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul had an infirmity and he pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from him (2 Cor. 12:8). God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (v 9). We too can be overcome with illness and wonder why the Lord has allowed it to happen. Let Paul’s example and God’s answer to
him be a comfort to us today. —Rosemary J. Richardson

Saviour in sickness and in pain, be near to succour me,
My sinking spirit still sustain; to Thee I turn, to Thee!  —Unknown

1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. Psalm 129:3
I gave my back to the smiters … Isaiah 50:6

The scourgers tore our Lord’s back as plowmen furrow a field. It is as if they delighted in their cruel labour! Samuel Pierce wrote, “What must the feelings of our Lord have been when they made such furrows on His back, that it was all furrowed and welted with such long wounds, that it was more like a plowed field than anything else.” Let us adore Him once more today and say with deepest gratitude, “with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). —Pete Smith

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suffering on the tree: Saviour we adore Thee. —S. Francis

1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

You shall call his name Ishmael … Genesis 16:11 NKJV

Life’s memories can stir joy or disappointment. Their nature will depend on whether God controlled the situation or if we were acting on our own. God named Ishmael. It means “God hears”. Whenever Hagar heard it, she would remember God’s kindness in the wilderness, telling her, “The Lord has heard your affliction”. For Abram and Sarai,
“Ishmael” would remind them that, God hears, but that they hadn’t inquired of Him before they concocted their scheme to “help” Him provide an heir through Hagar. Taking our worries and wonderings to the God who hears, will make all the difference as to what kind of memories we make. —S. McEachern

Lord, we worship and adore Thee, for Thy rich, Thy matchless grace;
Perfect soon in joy before Thee, we shall see Thee face to face. —J. Hopkins

1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

If anyone … thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue … this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled
religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:26-27 NKJV

Evidence that I belong to Christ is not my faithful attendance at the local church. The Gospel’s transforming power must be seen and felt by my community. My words should be beautifully better than theirs. Deeds of lovingkindness to those unable to reciprocate will be normal, not a Christmas exception. The world’s thinking won’t taint my practices. God expects this of me. —Peter Ramsay

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!—Adelaide Pollard

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

Anxiety and worry change nothing. Trusting the Lord, obeying Him, delighting in Him, and resting in Him are what changes me. Don’t worry about things you can do nothing about. Worry constantly debilitates. Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving will bring us into divine intimacy as we verbally and deliberately pass our worries over to Him. Then God’s peace will shed a wondrous light on things we don’t understand. —Gaius C. Goff

So I tell you, do not worry; worry won’t command His power.
Which of you by constant fretting, adds to life a single hour?  —Susan H. Peterson

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8 NKJV

Only the transforming work of the Spirit can change a life from darkness to light. Paul confessed that before he met Christ, he was a blasphemer and a persecutor (1 Tim. 1:13). The Thessalonians also had, “turned to God from idols” (1 Thess. 1:9). Are you praying for someone who wants nothing to do with Christ? Don’t give up. If God could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the Apostle, there is no one whose heart He can’t change. —E. V.

He changed my weeping to rejoicing, my guilt into grace,
Changed a list of wrongs behind, into a past erased;
He changed my wounded into healing, and my broken into praise,
It’s a miracle of mercy, that I’m standing here today…changed.—H. Kerr

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:38; Colossians 2:8-3:4

Tell it not in Gath, Weep not at all; in Beth Aphrah roll yourself in the dust. Micah 1:10 NKJV

When believers fall it shames the Lord’s name and ought to grieve His church. Israel associated the command “Tell it not in Gath” with two tragedies. David said this when lamenting Saul and Jonathan’s deaths in battle. Though Saul persecuted David, he took no pleasure in his demise, because it gave opportunity for the Philistines to exult against Israel’s God. Similarly, Micah uses these words to grieve over the divine discipline of Judah through Assyria. May we overcome temptation by faith in our Lord and thus glorify Him before the world. —Keith R. Keyser

Oh may Thy Spirit guide my feet, in ways of righteousness!
Make every path of duty straight, and plain before my face. —I. Watts