Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

…I will stand…with the rod of God in mine hand. Exodus 17:9

While Joshua was fighting Amalek, Moses was standing on the hill, holding the “rod of God” in his upraised arms. This staff represented the name of God, I Am—whatever you need, and the promises of God. Today and every day let us lift up God’s Name and His promises as we intercede on behalf of those He has entrusted to us. On the other hand, perhaps a Moses needs us to be his Aaron or Hur—holding their arms up for the battles they face. —M. M.

Behold the throne of grace;
The promise calls us near,
To seek our God and Father’s face,
Who loves to answer prayer. —J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 20-21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

…to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 13

John Welsh, a Scottish Covenanter, known for his prayer life and defence of the Scriptures, rejected State interference in church matters. His beliefs landed him in a notorious castle at Blackness, near Falkirk. Banishment in total darkness here led many to despair but Welsh declared, “It is better to know the darkness of Blackness than to experience the blackness of darkness”. No such fate awaits the believer—rather enjoying all eternity in the light of His glory and grace. —Brian Powlesland

O souls in darkness groping, and longing for the light,
Believe ye that the Saviour, can give the blind their sight?
Oh, look to Jesus only, with Him is love and might;
Believe that He is able, to lead thee into light. —Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…And the Lord said unto Moses…speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Exodus 14:13, 15

Physically it is not possible to “stand still” and to “go forward” at the same moment! In our spiritual walk with the Lord, however, both “standing still” and “going forward” are suggestive of essential steps for the development of mature Christian character. We “stand still” as we gratefully reflect upon the wonders of divine love showered upon us. Energized by such heavenly considerations, we “go forward” to whatever duties, battles or difficulties His all-wise providence appoints. —George Hall

Is the wilderness before thee? Desert lands where drought abounds?
Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God’s exhaustless tide.
—John Nelson Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The story is told that during the Napoleonic wars, a man having been drafted into the French army, hired a substitute. Later the substitute died on the battlefield. Subsequently another conscription was held and this man was again recruited. At the enlisting office he argued that he could never be drafted again because one had already taken his place and that substitute had died. They agreed and released him. Each week at the Lord’s Supper the believer proclaims “Christ died for me”. Praise God He took our place. We will never be punished. Christ our blessed, holy substitute. —George Ferrier

Dying for me, dying for me, There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see, All because Jesus was dying for me.
—Gladys Watkin Roberts

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 16; Song of Sol. 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life… John 5:24

The “everlasting life” spoken of in our text refers to life that is rich, real, radiant, and running over. Note, this life is a present and eternal possession as conveyed by the word “hath”. When Charles H. Spurgeon preached on John 5:24, he shut his fist up tight as he pronounced the word “hath” and said, “H-A-T-H” spells got it, and I’ve got it!” Have you by faith laid hold of everlasting life? —W. Ross Rainey

Though all unworthy, yet I will not doubt,
For him that cometh, He will not cast out;
“He that believeth,” O, the good news shout,
“Hath everlasting life!” —James McGranahan

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 14:22-15:23; Song of Sol. 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity… Psalm 119:37
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes… Psalm 101:3
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out… Mark 9:47

In a world system filled with vanity, the admonition of the psalmist is one we should all take to heart. The adversary of men’s souls is very clever in using the “eye gate” to gain access to the mind. The Lord Jesus’ instructions to His disciples illustrates how important proper spiritual eyesight really is. Remember that Samson found sin blinds, binds, and grinds. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim;
In the light of His glory and grace. —Helen Lemmel

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 13-14:21; Song of Sol. 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Matthew 14:28

From this experience in the life of Peter we learn that if we invite the Lord to test our faith, as Peter did, we must be prepared to face the consequences, and to trust Him in the test that comes along. It is easy to have strong faith when we are in the ship. But, even if, like Peter, we embark on a certain course with over-confident bravado, and discover that our faith is not as robust as we thought, in His love, He is always ready to answer that urgent prayer—”Lord, save me” (Matt. 14:30). —W. H. Burnett

I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus, never let me fall,
I am trusting Thee forever, and for all.
—Anna B. Warner

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 12; Song of Sol. 2:8 to 3:5; Luke 9:37-62

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7

The same gospel that saves those who believe, also condemns the unrepentant. Noah built the ark as a refuge for whoever would heed the warning; sadly only eight people did. His ark consigned the unbelieving world to judgment. Christ died to save you. Have you received Him? —K. R. Keyser

“Call them in”—the mere professors, Slumbering, sleeping on hell’s brink;
Naught of life are they possessors, Yet of safety vainly think.
Bring them in—the careless scoffers, Pleasure-seekers of the earth;
Tell of God’s most gracious offers, And of Jesus’ priceless worth.
—Anna Shipton

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 10:12-11:32; Song of Sol. 1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:14

In gospel work, the Saviour said the labourers are few (Matt. 9:37). But when it comes to ministry, there seems to be an ample supply of labourers, all with varying ideas of how to conduct the work of the Lord. Though it is true that there are diversities in the body (1 Cor. 12:4-6), we are exhorted to build with a proper motive and a proper method. Let’s ponder the work we are engaged in to make sure it is according to His word and worthy of His reward. — Mark Kolchin

If at the dawn of the early morning, He shall call us one by one,

When to the Lord we restore our talents, will He answer thee, well done? — Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 9 to 10:11; Eccl. 11-12; Luke 9:1-17

And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty… 1 Kings 10:13

The queen of Sheba came to test Solomon with hard questions. Solomon not only answered all her questions and gave her all that she desired; he also gave her of his royal bounty. What kingly generosity! If Solomon reminds us of the Lord Jesus, one “greater than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42), then the queen of Sheba must remind us of ourselves. We, too, are amazed at the royal generosity of our Saviour King, the One who “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). —Rex Trogdon

Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.
—John Newton