Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:9

The death of Jesus on the cross was not the death of a martyr, but was God’s acceptable sacrifice for our sins. That God raised Him from the dead testifies to this truth. The death of Jesus on the cross was far more than a shameful act of a sinful people. It is a glorious act of redemption that is full of splendour and blessing. He has triumphed over all foes who were against Him. Sin has been paid for in full. Reconciliation with God is now possible. New life begins! And as we live it, may we bring forth “much fruit!”  —Gaius C. Goff

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant pow’r I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth, over sin, and death, and hell.  —Phillip P. Bliss

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

The Lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23:1
The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11 NKJV

Psalm 23 is one of the most treasured portions of Scripture. In the first section, David highlights the fact that God cares for us each day (vv. 1-3). In the psalm’s final section, David notes that God will care for us in the days ahead through His promises (vv. 4-6). An individual cannot experience these blessings unless they have made the Lord their personal Shepherd and Saviour. This is done by believing what the Lord Jesus did for you in His sacrificial death on the cross (Rom. 5:8). Make Jesus the Shepherd of your soul today. —Bob Cretney

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie,
In pastures green; He leadeth me, the quiet waters by. —Francis Rous

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

The Christian life should be one of continual development. When we trusted Christ as Saviour it was the start of a journey to be completed when we arrive in heaven. The journey is about a personal increase in knowledge and understanding of the Lord, His ways, and His Word. That understanding has to move from head to heart, from inside to outside. The Christian character needs to be increasingly like the Saviour and revealed outwardly in gracious dealings with others. Grace is bestowing favour to those who don’t deserve it. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ
and such qualities need to be seen in His followers. —Paul Young

Grace, our highest thought transcending,
“Grace and truth” in Him are blending. —Douglas Russell

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-37; Hebrews 11:17-40

The wise men are ashamed…they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them? Jeremiah 8:9
But we speak the wisdom of God…which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8

When “wise” men in Jeremiah’s day rejected God’s word, they misled the nation by saying “peace, peace” when in fact the nation was about to go into captivity. Later, men were misled by rulers who, ignorant of God’s word and wisdom, crucified the Lord of glory. We will not mislead others if we spend time in God’s Word, meditating on it and obeying it. —David Croudace

Search in His Word for treasure; look for it every day.
This is the path to wisdom; follow it all the way. —S. H. Peterson

2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 NKJV
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

The Lord Jesus Christ has many glories. Here is one that surprises me. Believers, or, as Paul describes us, “His saints,” will contribute to His glory. We are living and eternal testimonies to the grace of God in our redemption. But we do not have to wait until a future day to glorify God. We can do it now in our daily living. —Brian Gunning

A noble life is not a blaze of sudden glories won,
But just an adding up of days in which good work is done.  —Frank H. Sweet

2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41:1-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified.” Haggai 1:7-8 NKJV

After 70 years of captivity in Babylon, the Lord brought the children of Israel back to the Promised Land. An important component of their returning responsibility was to rebuild the Temple. With industry and enthusiam, the work was started, but then it stopped because of opposition from locals. So God sent two prophets, Haggai and
Zechariah, to challenge and motivate the people to return to the work. Sometimes we get lethargic in our service for God and He has to prompt us to start afresh. Do we need a renewing call from the Lord today? —Rosemary J. Richardson

Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love,
May each soul be rekindled, with fire from above. —William Mackay

2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:16; Hebrews 10:1-18

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” John 17:1 NKJV

In the four preceding chapters of John, we find the Lord in the intimacy of an upper room, surrounded by His beloved disciples, instructing and preparing them for life after He was physically gone. However, He knew these men: men with fears, men who lacked complete understanding of all that would soon take place. Thus we come to today’s chapter and find Jesus saying, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9). What assurance to His disciples, and to you and me. “He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). —Jim Comte

Oh yes, He cares – I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief. —Frank Graeff

2 Kings 5:1-27; Jeremiah 38:1-28; Hebrews 9:15-28

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Matthew 27:29

At His crucifixion it was determined that if our Lord was a king then He should have a crown. The crown that He wore on that day was made from cruel thorns, a product of the cursed earth.  They were pressed down on His holy brow into which never an evil thought had entered. Praise and thank God that today He is the Victor and not the victim. Today He is crowned with glory and honour and worthy of it all. —John M. Clegg

The head that once was crowned with thorns,
is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns, the mighty Victor’s brow. —Thomas Kelly

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