Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 4; Psalm 34; Acts 1

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

The custom of sending love sentiments on Valentine’s Day originated when a young pagan priest tried helping cruelly persecuted Christians. He was caught and imprisoned. In that Roman prison he converted to Christianity thus sealing his doom. On February 14, 269 A.D. he was executed. It is said that he picked heart-shaped violet leaves through prison bars, pierced love messages on them and sent them out. In our technical age the Gospel message can be spread in various ways; not just once a year but daily. The One who loved us infinitely constrains us to send His love around the world. —E. Dyck

Wherever we follow Thee, Lord, admiring, adoring, we see,
The love that is stronger than death, flowing without limit and free.
                                                                                                                  —T. Howels

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 2:23 to 3:22; Psalms 32-33; Matt. 28

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1

Some years ago there was an upsurge of suicides in our area, especially among young people. Meetings were held to try and discern underlying causes such as: lack of family life, drug or drink misuse, criminality, broken relationships, unemployment, occult involvement. Yet if the prevailing atheistic philosophy is true, then life has no meaning or purpose. If we are simply the result of the chance encounters of impersonal atoms, then we came from nothing and go to nothing. It all appears so hopeless that suicide almost seems logical. What makes all the difference is the reality of God who created us and to whom we are ultimately answerable.—Paul Young

God is here, God is present, God is moving by His Spirit;
Can you hear what He is saying, are you willing to respond?
                                                                                                  —Ian Smale

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 1 to 2:22; Psalm 31; Matt. 27:45-66

I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14

From His position in glory with the Father, high and lifted up on His throne, He humbled Himself and stooped ever so low. Down He came, to the virgin’s womb, to Bethelehem’s manger. Down—as a servant. Down—in the likeness of men, lower than the angels. Finally, down to the cross, cruelly lifted up in mockery, hatred and shame. The God of heaven, a public spectacle, slain by wicked men. But today He is exalted at the Father’s right hand. We worship! —Carl Knott

Blessèd Lord, our hallelujahs, now to Thee we raise;
Never could we fully utter, all Thy worth and praise!
                                                                    —H. D. Champney

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 50; Psalm 30; Matt. 27:27-44

The Lord being merciful unto him. Genesis 19:16

Are you a believer who has fallen into sin? Do you feel too much a failure to even ask for forgiveness? Or are you one who has never accepted the free gift of salvation that the Lord Jesus offers you? Lot had put himself into a dreadful place of sin and degradation, but didn’t even seem to realize it. But God knew! As God dragged him out of that cesspool of sin, the Holy Spirit interjects our text’s beautiful statement of God’s mercy. Whatever sinful situation you find yourself in today, you too can call upon the Lord Jesus for mercy. —M. Robins

Mercy there was great, and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.
                                            —Daniel B. Towner

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 49; Psalms 28-29; Matt. 27:1-26

As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

The Scripture says, “Be holy; for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44). I cannot, you say? Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). When a trial comes, pray for His power and an abundance of His grace; then move forward yielding to His righteousness. You will be amazed to see God’s work in and through you, making your way perfect. You will find that He will “grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16). —D. Pickup

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
                                                              —J. Edwin Orr

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 47:28 to 48:22; Psalms 26-27; Matt. 26:57-75

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

In Isaiah 36 we read how Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, told King Hezekiah’s advisors that they should not let Hezekiah deceive them; to make them trust in the Lord, or persuade them that the Lord could deliver them from Assyria (Isa. 36:13-16). Thankfully, Hezekiah knew whom he could trust. The Lord God did deliver Judah. Believers need to be on guard against Satan’s tricks. He tries to deceive us, make us trust in wrong things, and persuade us his way is better. Cling to the Lord Jesus Christ and you will never be caught by Satan’s snares. —A. Baal

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.
                                                                                                       —Louisa Stead

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matt. 26:31-56

And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exodus 18:25

The art of delegation is often difficult to administer. We older saints sometimes feel that to hand over certain responsibilities to others could be a disaster, even when these younger saints are obviously qualified. We then moan and groan about our heavy burdens. In every local company of God’s people the Lord distributes gifts. Let us make sure we do not hinder His work by holding on to the helm ourselves. —Brian Russell

We ask no other wages when Thou shalt call us home
But to have shared the travail which makes Thy kingdom come.
                                                                                                —J. S. B. Monsell

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 45; Psalms 23-24; Matt. 26:1-30

Throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:17

Good works mean nothing before our conversion, but everything after our conversion. After affirming that salvation can only be attained by grace through faith, Paul speaks of good works that have been “prepared beforehand” for us (Eph. 2:10). After their salvation, believers should be characterized by a life of good works—evidencing externally what is in their hearts. Paul follows up with the teaching in today’s text: We are to be “prepared” or “equipped” for every good work. A believer is not ready for the work of God if he or she is not fully trained in the Word of God. —N. C. Funston

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

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 44; Psalm 22; Matt. 25:31-46

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

The word for truth in Hebrew is emet. This word uses the letters aleph, mem and tav—the first, middle and final letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus, for something to be true, it needs to be true through and through. The Lord Jesus said in effect “I, and only I am the Truth.” We too can examine His life, His claims and His actions, and conclude with Pilate that there is no fault in Him. Never will a flaw be found in Him that will annul our confidence in His perfect sacrifice for our sins. We may be confident that archaeologists, historians, atheists, and all true seekers will find in Him alone, the truth that will set them free. —M. MacMullen

Thou art the Truth; Thy Word alone, true wisdom can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind, and purify the heart.
                                                                                        —George W. Doane