Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 22; Isaiah 15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1

…Ye must be born again. John 3:7

The question was asked by a Sunday School teacher, “Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus by night?” One little girl gave a good answer, “Maybe he just couldn’t wait till the morning.” However he came, the Scripture proves he was born again. He bore testimony in the Sanhedrin. And with Joseph of Arimathaea, he lovingly took the dead body of Jesus and prepared the Lord for His burial.
—Edith MacLelland

A dear one in heaven thy heart yearns to see,
At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee;
Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
“Ye must be born again”. —W. T. Sleeper

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 20-21; Isaiah 14; 1 Thessalonians 5

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… Hebrews 12:2

The devil would have us look within for assurance. Do you feel saved? Have you lived a good enough life to think you will go to heaven? What about that outburst of temper yesterday? Those evil thoughts about another? You have no right to go to heaven. Saving faith is not trusting in self but trusting in Christ and His promises. To look within for assurance is to be filled with doubt. “Looking away from all else unto Jesus” is the force of this passage. This will give one assurance and joy. —Donald L. Norbie

Christ has for sin atonement made, what a wonderful Saviour!
We are redeemed! The price is paid! What a wonderful Saviour!
—Elisha A. Hoffman

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 18-19; Isaiah 13; 1 Thessalonians 4

…hide me under the shadow of thy wings…From my deadly enemies, who compass me about. Psalm 17:8-9

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan. Psalm 22:12

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16

Our Lord’s enemies encircled Him first in the garden. Then they mercilessly tried Him and handed Him over to the Romans. They, in turn, cruelly tortured Him before crucifying Him at Golgotha. In all of this, He willingly submitted to the Father’s will. Will your loving heart be among those that surround Him in worship today? —Pete Smith

Sinners in derision scorned Him, Mocking thus the Savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him, Own His title, praise His name.
—Thomas Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 16-17; Isaiah 11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13 to 3:13

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose…five smooth stones out of the brook… 1 Samuel 17:40

David chose five stones with which to arm his sling, yet used only one of them (v. 49). In God’s economy, one stone was enough. David faced the Philistine “in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (v. 45) and the Lord delivered Goliath into David’s hands. The might of the Lord “prevailed over the Philistine” (v. 50) by using David and his skills. What skills has He blessed you with, to use for His glory today? —A. Baal

Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move,
At the impulse of Thy love.
—Francis Ridley Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 14-15; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1 to 2:12

And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king…said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man…but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. 1 Kings 22:7-8

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth. 2 Timothy 4:4

Many people are like King Ahab. They do not want to hear God’s truth. They want preachers who tell them what appeals to their own desires. Sadly some preachers, in an effort to be popular, will give in to the wishes of such people and instead of drawing them to the Saviour are turning them away from the truth (2 Tim. 4:4). We must “preach the Word” no matter what the reaction. —David Croudace

Arm me with jealous care, as in Thy sight I live,
And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare, a strict account to give. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. Revelations 3:15

The western world’s glorification of laziness has affected me. My work ethic in the Master’s service continues to marginalize my efforts and I excuse it by unwisely comparing myself with others. I often find myself wondering why I should labour fervently when so many don’t, somehow thinking it’s okay to take my ease. But then I remember my Lord Jesus, who faithfully said “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). May His mind be in me. —Rick Morse

O let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant my own;
My hope to follow duly,
Is in Thy strength alone. —John Ernest Bode

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 11-12; Isaiah 8:5 to 9:7; Luke 24:13-35

The Lord is my shepherd…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1, 4

This psalm has been a solace for many during arduous times. The Lord gently leads His sheep in their heavenly pilgrimage. He guides them in righteousness through the ominous valley of shadows. Though a difficult journey, we should remember that fruit-bearing occurs in the valley, not on the mountaintop. Today’s threatenings are mere shadows which will fade with the setting sun. Shadows may frighten us, but they have no power to hurt anyone. —W. A. H.

Thou art my Shepherd, Caring in every need,
Thy loving lamb to feed, Trusting Thee still.
—Elsie Thalheimer

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 10; Isaiah 7 to 8:4; Luke 23:47 to 24:12

…do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Micah 2:7

A healthy diet and plenty of exercise will do our bodies much good! But what is helpful for our spiritual growth and our soul’s welfare? Quite simply the Word of God. Personal, daily reading of the Scriptures is essential! His Word purifies and preserves us when tempted. It strengthens and sustains us when we are filled with doubts. It comforts and cheers us when we are troubled. Have you enjoyed the Word of God today? —Pete Smith

Open Thy Word of truth that I may see,
Thy message written clear and plain for me;
Then, in sweet fellowship, walking with Thee,
Thine image on my life engraved will be. —Mary Lathbury

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 9; Isaiah 6; Luke 23:13-46

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21
…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us… Hebrews 12:1

Idols can take many different forms in our lives. Essentially, an idol is anything or anyone that takes priority over God. It can creep in so subtly, that before we realize, it has become a weight that can lead to sin. It can also interrupt fellowship with our heavenly Father, hindering our bearing fruit for His honour and glory. Let us beware of this tactic of the enemy and seek our Father’s help to “keep ourselves from idols”. —E. V.

‘Tis the look that melted Peter, ‘tis the face that Stephen saw;
‘Tis the heart that wept with Mary; can alone from idols draw.
—Ora Rowan