Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 4; Haggai 1; Revelation 9

Where art thou? Genesis 3:9

At first this sounds like God didn’t know where Adam was. Not at all. God was fully aware of his location. He simply wanted Adam to admit where he was—perhaps one of the purest examples of “confession” in Scripture. This is God’s first question as recorded in Scripture. In keeping with the value of studying “first mentions” in the Bible, it reveals the true heart of the Father, namely, seeking for sinners, looking for confession and coming in grace. —N. C. Funston

Jesus is tenderly calling thee home,
Calling today, calling today;
Why from the sunshine of love wilt thou roam,
Farther and farther away? —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 3; Daniel 12; Revelation 8

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

Our Lord is at our right hand (the hand of strength) as our Comforter and Confidante. He is also our true Friend and Advocate. The Lord wants our company, in order to enjoy fellowship with us. As we walk life’s path with Him, He blesses our soul and reveals God’s will to us. As I walk with Him my life needs to reflect His holy character and thus I must watch over my speech and behaviour. —Jim Pizzulli

Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from ev’ry snare,
If temptation round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.
—Lydia Baxter

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 1-2; Daniel 11:21-45; Revelation 7

They that…boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can be any means redeem his brother… Psalm 49:6-7

Many buy a lottery ticket hoping for that lucky number. A teenage daughter whose mother won, was lured into bad companionships, drugs, and finally a tragic death. The mother admitted had she known the consequences, “I would have torn up the ticket”. In his epistle James says, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1:15). Guarded desires will keep us from yielding to unholy actions. —E. Dyck

Many now are watching, the footsteps that we take;
Many soon will follow, in the choices that we make,
So let us then be faithful, to be what we should be,
And leave a good example, that they can clearly see. —J. Zichterman

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 10; Daniel 11:1-20; Revelation 6

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

Habakkuk anticipated that all that represented earthly security and well-being would fail, yet he says, “I will rejoice…in the God of my salvation.” This is surely the practical outworking of the great truth that Habakkuk uncovers: “…the just shall live by faith…” (Heb. 10:38). It is easy to live by faith in the balmy days of life, but it is in the storms of life that true faith excels. The apostle wrote from a prison cell, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). May we also rejoice in the Lord, whatever may befall. —W. H. Burnett

We thank Thee for the desert road, and for the riverside,
For all Thy goodness has bestowed, and all Thy grace denied.
—Crewdson

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 9; Daniel 10; Revelation 5

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

So many today are trying hard to better self in every way. Yet no matter what they try they are often left disillusioned, disappointed and empty inside. What a contrast to have God’s treasures inside of us. He has given us His Holy Spirit, who is in us and with us forever. We have Christ in us, the “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). When our physical energy abates He keeps pouring His strength into us. —Jim Paul

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.
—W. Thompson

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 8; Daniel 9; Revelation 4

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10

Where has God’s hand led you today? Perhaps by still waters to receive refreshment for your soul or through severe trials to test you. Possibly even the valley of the shadow of death. At such times it’s easy to question God’s faithfulness and care for us. What a comfort to know that wherever His providence has led you today—His right hand can be trusted to sustain and hold you. —E. V.

Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom;
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
—Joseph H. Gilmore

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 7; Daniel 8; Revelation 3:7-22

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 17:15

The chief priests and elders persuaded the people to have Barabbas freed though he was an insurrectionist and a murderer. Pilate appeased them and justified himself by washing his hands in water (Matt. 27:24). Almost in the same breath, he pronounced the one in whom he had found no fault guilty and sentenced Him to be crucified. Pilate committed two abominations—he justified the wicked and condemned the just! But Jesus the just, died for the unjust that sinners may be justified (1 Pet. 3:18) —K. C. Ung

Rejoice and be glad! Now the pardon is free!
The Just for the unjust, Has died on the tree.
—Horatius Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 6; Daniel 7; Revelation 2:18 to 3:6

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. Exodus 15:18
…and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:5

The first mention of the Lord’s reign is forever and ever (Ex. 15:18). Forever is a long time, but what is forever and ever? Twice as long? Don’t let finding the answer keep you awake at night. You will have eternity to think about it. Meanwhile, ponder this, “…the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity…[dwells]…with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isa. 57:15). Because of His marvelous grace, in the last mention of His reign He includes us! We “shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). —Rex Trogdon

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.
—John Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible is God-breathed revelation—a blessing for humanity. To read its message is to read poetry, prophecy, proverbs, parables, narrative, history, law and so much more. However, at its heart, the Bible is a letter from God to introduce us to His Son, Jesus Christ who came to be our Saviour. The Old Testament said He was coming, the Gospels say He was here on earth, the Acts and Epistles tell us He is in heaven and Revelation says He is coming again. He is the great story of Scripture and in Him we rejoice. —Paul Young

Make the Book live to me, O Lord, show me Yourself within Your Word,
Show me myself and show me my Saviour, and make the Book live to me.
—Hudson Pope

DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 3-4; Daniel 5; Revelation 1

And a certain woman named Lydia…heard us: whose heart the Lord opened. Acts 16:14
And suddenly there was a great earthquake…And [he] rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Acts 16:26, 34

The Lord reaches people in different ways. Sometimes a gentle soul, after hearing the Word, opens their heart to the Lord. Other times, you find hardened individuals that need an earthquake to shake them up. Whatever the means, God is still seeking you today. It could be a gentle prompting at your heart or perhaps an earth shattering event in your life. Are you listening? —Sid Halsband

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—Calling for you and for me;
Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—Watching for you and for me!
—Will Lamartine Thompson