Author: Gospel Folio Press

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  Psalm 119:97

A mother trying to impress the visiting preacher said to her little girl, “Honey, get the book Mommy loves so much”. She quickly returned with the Sears catalogue! We smile, but really, how important is God’s Word to you? We have the Bible in our hands, but not in our hearts and therefore it is not lived out in our lives. Take time to read it, meditate on it, and obey it. Allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to your life. It diagnoses the problems, heals, and cleanses our sin, and it is daily manna to strengthen and nourish us day by day. May I encourage you to get a good devotional book that will help to build you up in your walk too? —Jim Comte

Precious Holy Bible, treasure rich and rare,
Word of God eternal, balm for every care. —A. P. Gibbs

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:46-47
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Magnifying and meditating. Praising and pondering. What great occupations the worshipper can engage in! God’s beloved Son was the focus of Mary’s occupation. The words “God my Saviour”, are unique to her. She humbly owns Him to be her Lord and Saviour. The angel’s message, the heavenly host and the visit of the shepherds, all left deep impressions upon her heart. May each aspect of our Lord’s life bring precious thoughts of Him to our hearts today,
and cause our worship to overflow! —Pete Smith

Thy name we love, Lord Jesus; and lowly bow before Thee;
And while we live, to Thee we give, all blessing, worship, glory.—W. Yerbury

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s. 1 Samuel 17:47

Sometimes we can be enjoying life: good health, home life, our relationships, and out of nowhere, something we didn’t anticipate comes in like a flood. What was once a blessed life, suddenly becomes something different. There is loss, pain, and sorrow. You didn’t ask for it. You have done nothing to provoke it, but now, you are forced to fight a battle. Are you in such a situation? The question to ask at times like this is, whose battle is it? “The battle is the Lord’s”! —Sid Halsband

The battle is the Lord’s! Not ours in strength or skill,
But His alone in sov’reign grace, to work His will.
Ours, counting not the cost, unflinching, to obey;
And in His time, His holy arm shall win the day. —Edith M. Clarkson

2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7, NKJV

The late Winston Churchill speaks in his memoirs of, “The story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. Certainly, this is true of my life in September, 1940. The Germans were beaten in the Air Battle of Britain. The overseas invasion of Britain was not attempted…thus September passed.” Facing an unknown future, we can often become anxious during troubling times, envisaging
things that might happen. Instead we must give our anxieties to Christ. He will look after our future for His glory. —George Ferrier

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.  —Frances R. Havergal

2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee. Deuteronomy 8:2

Many years ago, I was encouraged by a godly older woman to note the date in the margin of my Bible when that verse became “highlighted” to me by the Holy Spirit. The children of Israel were told to erect standing stones to remind them of the deliverances of the Lord in their past and as prompts to retell the stories to their curious children and grandchildren. Having a trail of illuminated truths before us as we read our Bibles reminds us of God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers for guidance and comfort in the past and assures us of His presence going forward. —M. MacMullen

For Christ is the first and the last; His Spirit will guide us safe home;
We’ll praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that’s to come.  —J. Hart

2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
I…have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16

We need to be careful in our relationships with other believers, neither giving offense nor being easily offended. Even small offenses can disrupt the unity of God’s people. Paul exhorted Euodia and Syntyche to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2). Someone has said that their names could be “Odious” and “Sin-touchy” because of their disharmony. Let us walk in newness of life, and “as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
—E. C. B.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds, is like to that above. —John Fawcett

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

Two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Genesis 19:1, NKJV

Sitting is typically associated with taking a place where we are comfortable. Lot’s comfortable place was not an opportunity for hospitality, but one of pending danger and judgment. In choosing a place of comfort, contrary to the character of Christ, we often put ourselves in a position of needing God’s intervention to rescue us. Christ met with sinners to reach out and save them, not to take up residence with them. Take heed beloved. —David J. Reed

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us—
Every day and every hour.  —Mary E. Maxwell

2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27

But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel. Numbers 1:53

The Levites surrounded the tabernacle to ensure no intruders could break through and harm and steal. In like manner, we have a great High Priest in heaven to plead for us before the Father’s holy throne to protect and mitigate for us in our weakness, and to prevent enemy assaults. —Brian Russell

When Satan tempts me to despair,
Telling of evil yet within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.  —Charitie Bancroft

2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42

All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixtytwo of Obed-Edom. 1 Chronicles 26:8, NKJV

Adoring the Lord is an inestimably high privilege. These verses describe some of the gatekeepers in Solomon’s temple, emphasizing their ability and strength. Protecting worship from extraneous influences or defilement is a vital ministry. Moreover, the freedom of God’s people to offer up spiritual sacrifices must be safeguarded against unbiblical human innovation. This ministry is chiefly based on Christ’s redemptive and high priestly work, enabling us to worship and serve in the way that pleases the Father (1 Peter 2:5-9; Heb. 13:10-16). —K. R. Keyser

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace. —John Newton

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

The young man opened the gift with a bit of confusion: sunglasses at Christmas? As he put them on, understanding dawned, and tears of gratitude and joy flowed. For the first time in his life, he could fully see colour! It was a brand new world to him. What will it be like for us, that first moment in Heaven, to see things as they really are? No longer viewing the dull monochromes of earth, but rather the glorious vibrancy of Home? And even more so, to gaze at the One who prepared that home for us! —Lynn Shatford

Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face, what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?  —Carrie E. Breck