Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 2 Timothy 4:16

Nothing hurts more than when someone we hold close turns their back on us. It stings and few would deny our right to hold a grudge. Yet the Spirit of God would lead us to higher ground; to love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable. Paul and Stephen both displayed this operational grace in their lives. It would seem that only in a life fully yielded to the will of God is there fertile ground for such an illogical attitude to grow. Lord, help me to yield! —Rick Morse

O let this love constrain us,
To give our hearts to Thee,
Let nothing henceforth pain us,
But that which paineth Thee.
                     —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war…but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. Deuteronomy 24:5

When an Israelite woman married God tenderly devoted her husband’s attention to her during this “prolonged honeymoon”. At conversion, we each became a part of the Bride of the Lamb. Soon there will be a wedding day and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7). Honeymoons don’t last forever, but our heavenly one will. We will know “pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). Can you say, honestly, “I can hardly wait?” What a blessed people we are. So then, may our lives reflect our high and holy calling. —Vernon Markle

‘Tis sweet, the thought of rising the risen Lord to meet;
Or changed, ourselves surprising, like Him for whom we wait.
                                                                              —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt. 16:13 to 17:13

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house. Mk 2:15

Jesus spent a lot of time in homes. There He received hospitality and was able to teach the people in a reasonably private setting. In Mark 2 we read of Levi (Matthew), the tax collector, who invited Jesus into his home for dinner and to meet his invited guests. It could be described as a Thanksgiving Dinner, for Matthew had just responded to the Lord’s call to follow Him. It was also a Farewell Dinner as Levi left an old way of life focused on money, for a new life focused on ministry. It can also be seen as an Invitation Dinner, as Levi introduced people to the Saviour. Today our homes can be used similarly, for the Gospel and to bring blessing to others. —Paul Young

Will Jesus deign with me to dine?
Lord, I, with all I have am Thine!
                                 —John Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt. 15:29 to 16:12

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32

This man hath done nothing amiss. Luke 23:41

This testimony concerning the crucified Christ came from none other than one of the malefactors who was hanging beside Him. He further demonstrated his faith and said “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:43). In response, our Lord promised, “Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus Christ arrived there first and then when the new believer arrived must have said to the Father, this is the one who confessed me before men as we were executed in shame. What will He say of us? —Ken Gross

The people of the Lord are on their way to heaven;
They there obtain their great reward, the prize will there be given.
                                                                                                           —Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt. 15:1-28

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me. Song of Solomon 1:13

Myrrh (meaning “bitter”), is a resin that has a bitter taste but a fragrant smell. Presented to Christ after His birth and later used to prepare His body for burial, it spoke of Christ’s aromatic, earthly life from beginning to end. Even more it symbolized the fragrance of His death. It was a bitter experience, but sweet to those who understood its value. At Calvary, sinners wounded Him and He drank the bitter cup of judgment. Yet His life was pleasing to His Father and to us who drink the sweet cup of salvation. Today, though the sacrifice is over, its aroma remains and will last into eternity. —George Ferrier

Death and the curse were in our cup, O Christ, twas full for Thee!
But Thou has drained the last dark drop, tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up; now blessings draught for me.
                                                                                                      —Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Hebrews 2:3

In 2014, an airplane on route to Singapore crashed, killing everyone on board. The cause was found to be both a mechanical issue and how the pilots dealt with the problem. Four times the warning system had notified the pilots of a failure. Rather than dealing with the malfunction, though, the pilots attempted to fix the warning system. Perhaps someone has been lovingly cautioning you of impending danger. The solution is not to ignore the warnings! Respond, while there is still time. —Lynn Shatford

Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all heaven will rejoice,
Be in time.
                       —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right (convenient) in the eyes of all the people. 1 Chron. 13:4

This incident in Israel’s experience is a classic example of doing the right thing in the wrong way. In a democratic form of government the majority rules, but that is not to be the pattern for the believer in the local church. Most of the time the majority is wrong because their decisions are not based on Scripture. As individuals we need not “follow the crowd” and as a local church we should have godly leadership in place who base all their decisions on the Word of God, “whose faith follow” (Heb. 13:7). —W. H. G.

Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrims thro’ this barren land;
We are weak, but Thou art mighty; hold us by Thy pow’rful hand.
                                                                                  —William Williams

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Today’s readings bring before us the blessings, and the responsibilities, that result from our redemption. First, the Lord assures us that we are guaranteed divine protection as we pass through the fires and floods of our earthly experience. Secondly, having been redeemed, we have changed ownership, and whereas we previously were slaves to sin and Satan, it is now our responsibility to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are God’s. —W. H. Burnett

Yes, ear and hand, and thought and will, use all in Thy dear slavery still,
Self’s weary liberties I cast, beneath Thy feet, there hold them fast.
                                                                                                                    —Moule

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:3-4

The first question in our Bible was asked by the devil, “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen. 3:1). He wasn’t looking for information. He was trying to cast doubt on the Word of God. In the last days scoffers will do the same saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Be ready with an answer and hold His promise dear to your heart, nothing doubting. Jesus said, “I will come again!” (John 14:3). —Rex Trogdon

O child of God, there is for thee,
A hope that shines amid the gloom,
A gladsome hope that thou shalt see,
Thy Lord, for He will surely come.
                                      —T. D. W. Muir

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29, (NKJV)

Peter wondered what the disciples would receive for forsaking all to follow Christ. Our Lord’s reply affirmed an eternal reward and also a present blessing. For every person they left behind, a hundredfold would affirm God’s love to them. We have often benefited from the hospitality of unfamiliar saints and in a few days a friendship for life exists. Amazing—we get to enjoy a bit of heaven during our earthly sojourn. —W. A. H.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
                                                                      —John Fawcett