Author: Gospel Folio Press

2 Kings 4:1-44; Jeremiah 37:1-21; Hebrews 9:1-14

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20

An ambassador is a high-ranking diplomat, who is sent out by a government to speak for them and to be their representative in another nation. An ambassador for Christ is sent out by God as a representative of His kingdom, to represent His truth and light, in a world of deceit and darkness. What a great privilege and responsibility we  therefore have as believers. Let us faithfully live and witness for Him today. —Pete Smith

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same,
His holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.  —T. Dudley-Smith

2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

F. B. Meyer refers to these three hallmarks of believers as the root, the stem, and the fruit. Faith is the root, for who or what we trust in determines what kind of plant will grow. Hope is the stem, for our sure confidence that God will complete what He has begun, is what causes us to stand and grow strong amidst life’s storms. Love, however, is the beautiful fruit, with its fragrant aroma or satisfying taste. Love is our testimony to the world, our own reward, and a
means of glorifying our heavenly Gardener. —Eunice Free

When we love, we earn the right to speak the truth:
When we speak truth, we show the world we truly love.  —B. Herms & M. Hall

2 Kings 2:1-25; Jeremiah 35:1-19; Hebrews 7:1-28

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

May Christ’s birth ever direct us to His condescension. May His life ever captivate our attention and affections. May His sufferings teach us what it cost to procure forgiveness and His tender shepherd care draw us to dependence on Him in all things. May His glorious Person draw out ever greater and sweeter devotion unto Him, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. —Doug Lewis

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay. —Adelaide Pollard

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

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:12

Psalm 51 is a powerful chapter of repentance and a lesson on the devastation of sin. David recognizes what he has done against God and writes, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” It is a reminder of what sin does to us. It leaches the joy from our relationship with God. It separates us from experiencing God’s love as we should. Can we lose our salvation? Absolutely not! But sin can still affect our fellowship with Him. When we stumble, may we quickly run back to the Father. Let us never allow sin to rob us of what is ours in the Lord. —Caleb Riordan

No longer far from Him,
But now by “precious blood” made nigh;
Near to God’s heart we lie. —Robert Boswell

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

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. Jeremiah 18:8

There are few mental exercises as powerful as repentance. When we change our thoughts and intents from our own ways to the Lord’s ways, He reacts with immeasurable mercy and grace. There may be some self-made course of action which I have stubbornly set my heart upon today. May His wisdom enable me to forsake my thoughts and yield to Him about the way that I should take. —Rick Morse

Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still. —Adelaide A. Pollard

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

Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

David had sinned—and he entreated the Lord not to punish the people because of him. He purchased the threshing floor of a foreigner knowing that sacrifice must cost him something to be acceptable to the Lord. Sin needs atonement. Jesus paid the ultimate price to restore us to fellowship with God on the cross. Let that be the driving force of our worship and service to Him, even if it costs us much. After all, it cost our Lord everything! —Deborah Manera

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow. —Elvina M. Hall

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

What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Esther 6:6 NKJV

In this story, Haman comes to the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows Haman had prepared. In divine providence, the king has just read an account of a kindness Mordecai extended to the king. Mordecai who is in the gate, in sorrow, is brought up and given royal splendor and acclaim, and ultimately given the place of honour. Haman is hung on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. This account in history reminds us of our Lord and Saviour, that Man of sorrows now exalted to the highest place and His cross the place of defeat for Satan. —Gary McBride

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious; see the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious, every knee to Him shall bow.  —Thomas Kelly

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

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

The word “all” appears twice here. It is the first and last word of the verse. The first “all” is our condition as sinners. The second “all” is our position when we accept Christ as our Saviour. All our sins on Him were laid. So start with the first “all” in our verse and end with the second “all” and your life will be changed forever. —Robert Gentile

“All things are ready,” come,
The invitation’s given,
Through Him who now in glory sits,
At God’s right hand in heaven.  —Albert Midlane

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

Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 2 Samuel 23:16 NKJV
Where are the nine? Luke 17:17

Three mighty men heard David’s longing for water from Bethlehem’s well. The Philistines were there yet they hazarded their lives to bring the drink. David poured it on the ground and in this worthy way showed respect for their valour. But what happens when our kindness is not appreciated? The Lord asked, “Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). One leper returned and received a double blessing, but all ten received healing. Knowing nine wouldn’t be thankful, the Lord still healed them. He knows your heart. You’ve done it for Him, just “pour it out to the Lord.” —David W. Oliver

Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,
Some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee. —S. D. Phelps

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

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. Luke 8:49

Jairus had sought the Lord in faith, believing that although his daughter was desperately ill, the Lord could resolve the situation. Then came the messenger from his house suggesting that all hope was lost. The situation seemed too far gone, even for the Lord, but that was simply not the case. How wonderfully did He work to restore life to the girl and both joy and relief to her parents! Sometimes we face circumstances that seem to have no solution but the Lord delights to handle “lost causes” and demonstrate His power for His glory and our good. —Philip A. Kaye

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O, for grace to trust Him more! —L. Stead