Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8

And it was revealed unto him [Simeon] by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:26

What a promise! Every morning Simeon could think, “I will not die today unless I see Christ first.” Beloved believer, our promise is also special and just as sure. When we die, we will see the Lord’s Christ. Paul said, to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord (2. Cor 5:8). Do you claim the promise? Does it thrill your heart? It most surely should. —Ken Gross

Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face what will it be;
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.
—Carrie E. Breck

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 7; Isaiah 28; 1 Corinthians 7

…you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. Ezekiel 36:36 (NKJV)

The city of Portland, Maine, has the motto “Resurgam”. It means “I will rise again” and is testament to the fact that the city, though destroyed by fire on four occasions has each time been rebuilt. Though Jewish and Roman authorities thought they had destroyed the Lord Jesus, He rose again and has been building His church ever since. What a privilege to be workers together with God in this work. What a challenge to serve the living Saviour. —Brian Powlesland

It is not for me to be seeking my bliss,
And building my hopes in a region like this;
I look for a city which hands have not piled;
I pant for a country by sin undefiled. —Henry F. Lyte

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6

Seek the Lord, and ye shall live… Amos 5:6

History records that the sect of the Pharisees began during the “silent years”, between Malachi and Matthew. Amos tells us (2:11-12) that God had raised up prophets but Israel commanded the prophets not to prophesy. So, in the absence of a fresh word from God, the Pharisees created rules. And still today, where God’s Word is silenced or ignored or distorted, rules will be substituted for relationship. The result in family life, assembly life and personal walk is rebellion. —M. M.

Open my ears and let me hear,
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear.
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
—Clara Scott

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:18

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah served God and the Babylonian civil service simultaneously. Their obedience to Him coupled with diligent work led to high levels of governmental responsibility. Because their first loyalty was to the Lord they refused to bow to the golden image though this meant a death sentence. The Almighty could rescue, but they conceded that it may not be His will to do so. Regardless of their situation, they trusted Him. When pressured to compromise, we must obey God rather than men. —K. R. Keyser

If once His wrath arise, ye perish on the place;
Then blessed is the soul that flies, for refuge to His grace. —Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Psalm 119:45

I called upon the Lord in distress [a closed place]: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place [place of liberty]. Psalm 118:5

…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

The average person feels that true liberty is freedom from any rule or regulation. Carried to its logical conclusion that leads to anarchy. True liberty is the freedom to choose whom we will serve. The person who has been freed from the bondage of sin is free to choose to serve the best of masters. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Give of your best to the Master,
Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part. —Howard Grose

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

But with many of them God was not well pleased. 1 Corinthians 10:5

Those who live to please themselves cannot please God. This began when Eve thought of herself (Gen. 3:6) instead of God, and the problem continues to this day. This is the ruined world in which we live—full of selfish people trying to please themselves. What a delightful contrast these words provide: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). On that solitary path that led from the stable to the carpenter’s shop, the cross, the tomb and back to glory, He did always those things which pleased the Father. May we each take time today to tell the Father how we, too, are well pleased with His beloved Son. —Carl Knott

We sing aloud Thy praises, our hearts and voices blending,
’Tis Thou alone we worthy own, Thy beauty’s all-transcending. —Yerbury

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 2:6 to 3:4; Isaiah 22:15 to 23:18; 1 Cor. 2

…and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 1 Kings 3:5

We sometimes overlook the early part of Solomon’s prayer to the Lord. Before he asked something for himself he thanked God for His goodness to his father David, and acknowledged that he (Solomon) was but a servant and a little child in his position before the Almighty. If, as believers, we show gratitude and acknowledge our weaknesses, it will become the secret of our Christian life. Sadly for Solomon, this is where he ultimately failed. —Brian Russell

I praise the God of grace,
I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine;
My God, my joy, my light.
—Horatius Bonar

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 1 to 2:5; Isaiah 21 to 22:14; 1 Corinthians 1

Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? – Matthew 11:3

So spoke the great John the Baptist from his prison cell. Similarly, some of God’s greatest servants have had seasons of doubt and depression as their ministry comes to its close and as adverse circumstances overtake in the form of age, ill-health, isolation and loneliness. However, this does not depreciate the value of their ministry to His people over the years. Just as the Lord gave honour to John, heaven has taken note and the day of accolades is coming, when their service will be seen in its true light and heaven’s awards will be given. —W. H. Burnett

When stern affliction clouds his cheek, and death stands at the door,
Hope cheers him with her happiest note “’Tis better on before”.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 24; Isaiah 19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3

…but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. – 2 Peter 1:21

Moved by culture? Society’s norms? Public affirmation? The latest style? No! These were men and women who waited on God for direction regarding what to do, where to go and what to say. They didn’t rely on surveys, votes, opinion polls or current conventions. They waited on the Lord and their efforts produced lasting results. Don’t let the tide of popular opinion dictate how to do the Lord’s will. Man’s best efforts produce empty sound and nothing more. Let God be the one to direct and guide you. —Deborah Manera

If you will let God guide you, And hope in Him through all your ways,
Whatever comes, He’ll stand beside you, To bear you through the evil days.
—Georg Neu­mark

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 23; Isaiah 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2

For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:20

Each year in Canada some have the privilege of being sworn in as citizens on our national holiday. Coming from many lands they express in their faces the joy that is in their hearts. Canadian citizenship laws contain many rules and restrictions and the annual number of new citizens is limited. How wonderful that heaven only requires that one come through faith in the Lord Jesus. There is no waiting period, no aptitude or background check, no numerical limits. Heaven’s citizenship is comprised of people from many lands. Are you enrolled? Whoever will may come. —George Ferrier

Whosoever cometh need not delay,
Now the door is open, enter while you may. —Philip P. Bliss