Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

Daniel…kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Dan. 6:10

A book entitled “Daily Rituals” describes the daily routines of dozens of thinkers, writers, and artists. Some historical personalities had some seemingly bizarre daily routines but many had personal targets that demonstrated their objective of ruthlessly organizing their time to be productive. We are exhorted to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16) by using it purposely for the benefit of others whilst making time by daily personal routines to give devotional time to the Lord whatever the circumstances or pressures on our time may be. —Brian Powlesland

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. —William D. Longstaff

1 Kings 2:1-46; Jeremiah 10:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16

Ye must be born again. John 3:7

The Gospel of John uses the word “must” ten times. It is a wonderful study. In the first four uses we see the sinner’s call: you must be born again (3:7). Then we have the Saviour’s cross: the Son of Man must be lifted up (3:14). Then we have the saints challenge: He must increase; I must decrease (3:30) and finally the Saviour’s divine course: He must go through Samaria and meet the lost woman at the well (4:4). Putting these “musts” on a trajectory we
could express it this way: as sinners saved by the crucified Saviour, we learn to lift up Christ, while lowering ourselves; following His direction, we serve for His glory. —Sam Thorpe

One there is above all others, Oh how He loves!
Safe to glory He will guide thee, O how He loves!  —Marianne Nunn

1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

But Jeremiah said…Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord. Jeremiah 38:20

Jeremiah was a faithful prophet and spoke the truth to the people of his day. His ministry lasted for forty years but the people failed to heed his message or act upon his word from God. In the end their disobedience led to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. The temple was left in ruins, and the people were killed or deported. Jeremiah
wept over the consequences of their disobedience as he looked at the desolation left by the Babylonians. The spiritual barrenness of our secular age should not stop us proclaiming the Gospel even if there is little result. God requires faithfulness from His people. He will provide the increase. —Paul Young

Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life. —P. P. Bliss

2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled [stands firm or established] in heaven. Psalm 119:89 NKJV

The Bible stands! This is the central verse of this psalm and it gives us much assurance in these difficult and changing times. Four times the psalmist assures us that God’s Word stands firm (vv. 144, 152, 160). Our society is deteriorating but rest assured His truth will not and cannot fail! His “faithfulness endures to all generations” (Ps. 119:90). “She (Sarah) judged (considered) Him faithful who had promised” (Heb. 11:11). Believe His Word. Let nothing rob you of this “blessed assurance!” —Jim Comte

May we read these Scriptures, and their truths believe,
Own our need as sinners, and God’s Son receive;
In assurance resting, His commands obey,
And in His grace growing, live for Him each day! —A. P. Gibbs

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
In everything give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Here are three attributes which should mark every believer. We should be joyful, ever rejoicing in our salvation (Phil. 4:4). We should be prayerful, praying for each other and for those who need Christ. We should be thankful for everything we have received from our great Provider. May these characteristics mark our lives as we continue to live for Him and His glory. —John M Clegg

Rejoice! Rejoice! Ye saints rejoice!
Rejoice with one accord;
Rejoice with all your heart and voice,
In Christ, the exalted Lord.  —C. Russell Hurditch

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy. Psalm 62:11-12

A 15-year-old boy in Phillipi was hooked on drugs but longing for a better life. He struggled in vain to give them up. Finally, he chained himself to his bed so that when the overpowering craving for drugs came upon him he would not be able to reach them. Sadly he knew no other way. He desperately needed someone to tell him that mercy to forgive his past sin and power to give him a new life were both available in Christ, who not only died to forgive him but rose again to indwell him thus enabling him to break the chains of sin. —David Croudace

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. —A. Ackley

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:4-5

This is a wonderful psalm to read and meditate on when feeling downcast. To know that God is always listening to us,
and hears our every prayer is a wonderful comfort! It reminds us that our God is great and that there is nothing else in this world that compares to Him. Even in our discouragements we must not let anything else take the place that He wants in our life. —G. Frear

Bow down Your ear and hear my cry,
Help me to know that You are nigh;
Show mercy to my inward soul,
For You have made my spirit whole. —G. F.

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” John 21:17 NKJV

Peter’s denials grew progressively stronger. First, he denied, then he denied with an oath, then he denied with cursing and swearing (Matt. 26). Here, after the resurrection, the Lord’s call on Peter’s love grew progressively weaker: Do you agapao (sacrificial love) Me more than these? Do you agapao Me (at all)? Do you (at least) phileo (brotherly affection) Me? God’s people may experience each of these three levels of love at some point in their life. Yet, even when it seems that all we can give Him is phileo, His command remains unchanged: “Feed My sheep…follow Me.” —Eunice Free

When our love is but a flickering flame,
He still says, “Come—Go in My name.” —E. Free

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.” 1 Samuel 15:16 NKJV
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” Luke 7:40 NKJV

Both Saul and Simon expected to hear words of praise about what they had done. However, that was not the case. Each had acted in their own way and in their own strength. Only what is done for the Lord and by His strength will last and bring Him the glory He so richly deserves. In all our endeavours, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). —Annette Baal

Only one life t’will soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. —C. T. Studd

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matthew 13:44

I am really looking forward to the Lord’s return and going “home.” How about you? As we await our departure, may we be like the man in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13. He was happy to give up everything he owned because he knew that what he had found in Jesus was so much better! Let’s search God’s Word to find the desires and heart attitudes that He wants us to have. Let’s ask that we will only be satisfied with what really brings joy. —Pam Hagey

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory! —E. E. Hewitt