Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:2

The testimony of Caleb recorded in Joshua is simply this: “…I wholly followed the Lord my God” (Josh. 14:8). That’s a worthy goal for every believer, whether young or old. Our society is rather half-hearted in most every endeavour. The believer is to live in stark contrast to culturally accepted norms. The psalmist mentions the whole-hearted lifestyle six times in Psalm 119. He reminds us that it is the way to a life of blessing. —Wm. H. Gustafson

True hearted, whole hearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace, we will be.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.Colossians 2:9

The Redeemer who came into the world at Bethlehem is fully God and fully man. Into the darkness of fallen humanity came one who amidst hatred brought love and amidst the corruption of sin brought healing for time and eternity. Man on his own could never have done so. But the incarnate Son of God, through His work at the cross, perfectly fulfilled the Father’s redemptive plan. You and I, frail vessels of clay, are now privileged to be marked and transformed by the Son of God. —Mark Fenn

We see the Godhead-glory shine through that human veil;
And, willing, hear the story of love come here to heal.
—John Nelson Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light… Isa. 9:2
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

The nights are long in December. But even on a dark and gloomy night, the twinkling lights of the Christmas season transform the bleakness into cheeriness! Spiritual darkness had spread over the land of Palestine. People longed for light. Isaiah spoke of One who would come—the “light of men”. He prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isa. 9:6). If during this Christmas time, you are groping in the darkness of your life, come to the One who said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). —Jim Comte

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine,
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign. —Doug Petty

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary… Luke 1:30
…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him…saying, Joseph…fear not… Matthew 1:20
And the angel said unto them [the shepherds], Fear not… Luke 2:10

Mary, Joseph and the shepherds were chosen to have a special role in our Lord’s birth. We believe that they all were marked by faith and integrity. Yet their pathway was not easy! Mary was “troubled” (Luke 1:29), Joseph was “minded to put her away” (Matt. 1:19) and the shepherds were “sore afraid” (Luke 2:9). How comforting it is to observe the Lord’s “Fear not”, in each case. If you are finding His assignment difficult, listen for His “Fear not”! —George Hall

Fear no evil, fear no evil, Only all My counsel take.
For I’ll never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

…Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:10

Perhaps the first discipline a child must learn is to listen. The Latin word for to listen is audire. The phrase ob audire, means to listen intently. From this phrase we get our word obedience. So to obey is rooted in listening intently. Conversely the Latin word for deafness is surdus. To be totally deaf is ab surdus. So life is absurd, even irrational, if we are not listening intently—to the point of obeying the One who is the truth. —M. M.

Speak Lord in the stillness while I wait on Thee,
Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy.
For the words Thou speakest, they are life indeed;
Living bread from heaven, now my spirit feed!
—E. M. Grimes

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 9; Zechariah 5-6; Revelation 14

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Ecclesiastes 7:10

There are many reasons for not living in the past. It can sap your spiritual energy and desire and result in you giving up and concluding it is not worth going on. “It will never be as good as it was before!” A young believer, especially, wants to hear that, despite the moral and spiritual decline round about us, the Lord is still able to use us. Look up and forward—not back and down. —Brian Russell

Ye that are men now serve Him,
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose. —George Duffield

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 8; Zechariah 4; Revelation 13

…Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:17

William Hogarth was a famous painter. One of his paintings was of Moses being given away by his birth mother to his adoptive mother—an Egyptian princess. For years the painting was displayed at the entrance of The Foundling Hospital in London—Britain’s first home for abandoned children—to portray the themes of childhood, charity and adoption. The Lord put great value on children and taught that salvation is based on childlike faith in Him. —Brian Powlesland

In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare,
For all who are washed and forgiv’n;
And many dear children are gathering there,
For of such is the kingdom of heav’n. —J. Luke

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 7; Zechariah 2-3; Revelation 12

…I have seen a woman in Timnah…now therefore, get her for me as a wife. Judges 14:2 (NKJV)

Samson saw with eyes of flesh and yearned with human desire. He engaged in frivolous pursuits and took this woman—without regard for God’s Word or his parents’ godly counsel. How different from Abraham’s servant who prayed and waited on the Lord (Gen. 24:21)! Never mistake circumstances for confirmation of God’s will. Pray about your decisions and ensure the potential answer aligns with God’s Word. We’d experience more joy and less sorrow if time was spent waiting on God and weighing the outcome. What we see and what we feel must conform to the Scriptures. —Deborah Manera

My stubborn will at last hath yielded; I would be Thine, and Thine alone,
And this the prayer my lips are bringing, Lord, let in me Thy will be done.
—Lelia Morris

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 6; Zechariah 1; Revelation 11

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. Psalm 77:14 (NKJV)

If you have had a sleepless night because of a troubled spirit, this psalm provides a solution: remember and rejoice! Asaph was much disturbed. He cried out to the Lord all night, but found no comfort. Initially, Asaph was self-focused; but eventually he gained renewed hope by remembering God’s miraculous deliverance of His people in the past. And he rejoiced. His circumstances had not changed, but his outlook had. Likewise, in times of distress may we remember God’s past handiwork and joyfully declare “You are the God of wonders!” —W. A. H.

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways are matchless and divine;
But the fair glories of Thy grace, above them, unrivaled shine. —S. Davies

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 5; Haggai 2; Revelation 10

And they continued stedfastly… Acts 2:42

A stalwart example of perseverance is William Carey (1761-1843). A shoemaker by trade, Carey went to India in 1793. He became a scholar, a linguist and is generally acclaimed the father of modern missions. His motto was, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God”. He stated that if anyone would think it worthwhile to write of my life after my death, he would describe it just as a plodder. “To this”, he said, “I owe everything”. Following Carey’s example, may our faithful God keep us plodding faithfully on for His glory.
—W. Ross Rainey

Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving, to Thyself and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving, promised joys with Thee. —Thomas Kelly