Lord’s Day, December 31, 2017

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7-4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

What a “Happy New Year” this was to be. Freedom from slavery, poverty and hopelessness. To come under a new head—Moses. To have a new hope—the promised land of Canaan. All this because of the blood of the Passover lamb, which sheltered the people from judgment. Dear reader, would you like to have a Happy New Year? Would you like to receive redemption through the blood of Christ, to be made a new creature in Christ Jesus, to have the sure prospect of heaven’s bliss at the close of this life? Trust Him now. —W. H. Burnett

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His wondrous love to me,
On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. —Philip P. Bliss

Saturday, December 30, 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Rev. 21:9-22:5

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1

These complainers, living as far as possible from God, were burnt by fire. To live apart from God is death. God wants us to come near, but the only option is to do so in practical holiness and through His holy Way—Christ. The writer of Hebrews warns us that God has not changed, that “We may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). —W. A. H.

Adore and tremble, for our God is a consuming fire!
His jealous eyes His wrath inflame and raise His vengeance higher. —Isaac Watts

Year In Review

2017 Year In Review

Here at Gospel Folio Press, we are thankful for another busy year of printing and distributing great Christian material around the world!

Our book highlights this year were:

  • Reprinting One Day at a Time by William MacDonald
  • Reprinting Living Churches by John Williams 
  • Printing a new version of our beloved Choice Gleanings calendar, the Good News Edition!

Our highlights in the office were:

  • Chris working with us through the busy Christmas season
  • Stephanie returning to work after maternity leave
  • Sam stepping back into his managerial role

Please continue to pray for:

  • The board as they guide GFP
  • Day-to-day workings of GFP reflecting Christ

 

Video: The Bible: Myth or Divine Truth?

Can we really trust the Bible? In this 50 minute presentation, author and speaker Warren Henderson discusses the internal and external evidences that prove the Bible can be trusted.  We would encourage you to listen to this presentation.

For more information and his books that expand on these subjects, check out these titles by Warren Henderson:

The Bible: Myth or Divine Truth
Hiding God
In Search of God

Check out our full list of Warren Henderson titles here.

Friday, December 29, 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 5:1-6:14; Malachi 1:1-2:9; Rev. 20:7-21:8

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5

The God of heaven and earth has His careful watch over the fatherless and the widows; the orphans and the elderly; the needy and often neglected of this world. James reminds us that this is the nature of true religion: “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (Jas. 1:27). Our God has a heart full of compassion for those in need. Do we? —Sam Thorpe Jr.

Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop and never a moan;
Never a danger, but there on the throne,
Moment by moment, He thinks of His own. —D. W. Whittle

BOOK PREVIEW: 31 DAYS AT BETHLEHEM’S TREASURE VOL 2: DECEMBER 28

Book Preview: This is an excerpt from the book 31 Days at Bethlehem’s Treasure (Vol.2) written by Shane Johnson.

A great devotional to pick up in December!



December 28 – Night

“Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said,
Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I
had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark
of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of
our God, and had made ready for the building.”
1 Chronicles 28:2

What should be the attitude of our heart heading into the New Year? May I suggest we adopt the same attitude
as our spiritual father David, who had it in his heart to do something for the God he so loved? Many may have plans
for their finances, their homes or vocations in the coming year, but who among us has planned it in his heart to do
something big for God?

David had big plans for God. After having spent twenty or more years running around the Judean countryside trying to escape the fierce jealousy of Saul, after spending another half a dozen years consolidating the kingdom after Saul’s demise and defending it from imposters to the throne, David did not take up the easy life. He certainly could have. But instead he took up a new project for God and began making preparations for the Temple.

When David’s persecutions were over, when all the running and fighting was done and God had given him rest from
all his enemies, what did David do? Did he relax and enjoy the newly established peace of his kingdom? Did he take a
long sunny vacation or pursue some hobby like hunting or fishing? No, as soon as David’s trials were over, he immediately began the work of building the Temple of God. In one sense, David had already done enough. God had called him to be a king, and that promise, twenty years later, had come to pass. To sit on the throne of Israel was a major accomplishment of faith in and of itself. If anyone had a “right” to sit around and take it easy, it was David.

Even though David was not allowed to build the Temple (for that honour was to be given to his son, Solomon), he
still did not stop making preparations for the building of the Temple. Some of us may be called to be missionaries in
foreign lands. Some of us may be called to be shepherds of churches. Some may be called to be teachers. But that should not stop each and every one of us from making preparations to do the same. Study the Word of God as if you were going to be a teacher or preacher. Sanctify yourself, above  reproach, as if you were called to be a shepherd of the flock. And dedicate yourself with all your heart, soul and mind, as if you were going to leave your homeland to be a missionary in a foreign field in the coming year.

Be ready and prepared for what God may call you to do. Seek to live on a higher plane with God. Live simply, and be
ready to relinquish all you own in order to live as a missionary in a foreign land. Be eager, like David, to do something
great for God, not to make a name for ourselves, but to see His name exalted and honoured among the nations.

Build a temple, for God, build a tower,
Each day yield, a brick, a mortared hour
That all who see, the Temple, see
We serve with all our mind, love, power.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 3:1-4:17; Zech. 13:7-14:21; Rev. 19:11-20:6

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

Rahab protected the spies and that was a great act of faith. Had she been caught she may have been executed for high treason. Why did she do this? Firstly, she and her people had heard of the miracle of Israel’s Red Sea crossing. It had happened 40 years before (maybe before Rahab was born) and was still talked about. They had also heard of the recent victories of Israel on the East Bank. All the people of Jericho lived in fear and Rahab knew that Israel was powerful because of their God. She had come to recognise the glory of the God of Israel and had trusted Him. Her faith pleased God. —Paul Young

I believe there is a God in heaven who paid the price for all my sin;
Shed His blood to open up the way, for me to walk with Him. —Bilbrough

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 2:1-23; Zechariah 12:1-13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27
The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

What a sobering thought to have our lives weighed in God’s balance and then to be found that we do not measure up to His standard. What might be causing this imbalance? Perhaps unconfessed sin or neglect of God’s Word and prayer are to blame. Only by giving God first priority in our lives can this imbalance be corrected. —E. V.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. —William D. Longstaff

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1:1-22; Zechariah 11:1-17; Revelation 18:1-24

We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:2

These may have been the wisest men that ever lived because they were seeking Jesus just to worship Him! They weren’t looking for blessings or miracles or the granting of three wishes—but to worship and adore Him. When they found Him, they fell to their knees in reverence and adoration. They brought gifts worthy of His kingly status. Their desire was to see Him, bless Him, and tell others they had found the Christ! Let’s be wise like them and do the same! —Deborah Manera

Now wise men still seek His face, as they did in days of old,
To give the Lord their hearts, more precious than silver and gold. —Julie Carro

Monday, December 25, 2017

DAILY READINGS: Nehemiah 13:1-31; Zechariah 9:1-10:12; Revelation 17:1-18

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6

Today we remember the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. He came into this world as a babe and being “made in the likeness of men…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death” (Phil. 2:7-8) that He might save us from our sins. Jesus was the Son given by God to demonstrate how much He loved the world. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). Our best response is to accept Him as our Saviour and to rejoice in God’s unspeakable gift to us! —K. C. Ung

To us a child of hope is born, to us a Son is giv’n,
Him shall the tribes of earth obey, Him all the hosts of heav’n.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace, forevermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counselor, the great and mighty Lord. —J. Morrison