Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 32; Proverbs 28; Luke 4:1-15

…for they were counted faithful… Nehemiah 13:13

Nehemiah had done a great work in enabling the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and refocusing the people’s hearts upon God. He then went back to Babylon and after a long delay returned to find regression in Jerusalem. The Temple storerooms had been profaned with an enemy given them as a residence. Nehemiah condemned such an arrangement and the rooms were reverted back to their sacred use. To ensure that this was maintained, he appointed four men as overseers. They were chosen because they were faithful. One of the great characteristics that God looks for in His people is faithfulness. Do we display that attribute? —Paul Young

Come, ye faithful raise the anthem,
Cleave the skies with shouts of praise.
—J. Hupton & J. M. Neale

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 30-31; Proverbs 26:13 to 27:27; Luke 3

…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…Acts 16:31

On December 18, 2013, the headline read, “Dramatic Rescue Over Kingston Blaze”. A raging fire was quickly making ashes of an apartment building. High above the inferno, a crane operator was trapped. So he cautiously worked his way to the end of the crane’s giant boom. In minutes, a helicopter appeared and a rescue technician was lowered to give the terrified operator a secure “bear hug”, as both were pulled to safety. Likewise by accepting the truth of today’s text, you will not experience the flames of hell. —Arnot P. McIntee

God’s almighty arms are round me; peace, peace is mine!
Judgment scenes need not alarm me; peace, peace is mine.
—J. Denham Smith

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 29; Proverbs 25 to 26:12; Luke 2:22-52

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows… Psalm 61:5

The first of four salvation benefits listed here (vv. 5-8) is the fact that God hears us. Notice the focus is not simply on speaking to God; rather, it is God listening to us. Other religious adherents may speak to stone, wood or other inanimate objects, yet there’s no response. One of the key differences between faith in Christ and other faiths is the fact that God “hears our vows”. What a good God we serve!
—N. C. Funston

God answers prayer in the morning,
God answers prayer at noon;
God answers prayer in the ev’ning,
So keep your heart in tune.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 28; Proverbs 24; Luke 2:1-21

And God remembered. Genesis 8:1; 19:29; 30:22

God remembered Noah, Abraham and Rachel after He had permitted each to go through crises in their lives. He remembered Noah to bring him out of the ark after the flood waters had subsided (Gen. 8:1). He remembered Abraham and started him on a new life experience after He had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:29). He remembered Rachel after a time of barrenness and she gave birth to Joseph (Gen. 30:22-24). Are you going through a crisis at this moment? He remembers those who are His and He remembers you!
—K. C. Ung

I want no other hand, O Lord, but Thine my guide to be,
For well I know through all my life, Thou wilt remember me.
—Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 26:52 to 27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

…He leads me… Psalm 23:2 (NKJV)
…the valley of the shadow of death… Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)
You are with me. Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

Green pastures and still waters mark this psalm’s beginning. At its finish are a prepared table, an overflowing cup and the house of the Lord. But in the midst broods a shadowed valley. Yet it is here, in the darkness of this valley, that a treasure is hidden. The path through its cold shadows brings the pilgrim to a place of divine intimacy, for it is in the dark valleys of life that the Shepherd becomes no longer “He” but “You”. By still waters—”He leads me”. In the shadowed valley—”You are with me”. —S. McEachern

Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill:
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod and staff me comfort still.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 25 to 26:51; Prov. 22:17 to 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

This precious psalm that outlines God’s goodness to the children of Israel, could also be a tracing of your life and mine. Think of fortuitous events which may not even have involved us directly, but spoke to us by example. The voice of God was heard, seen or felt in a most personal way. God not only had mercy on us in salvation, forgiving us our sins, but He has made us His children and heirs. Each step of our life is a treasured revelation of the loving kindness and mercy of God.
—Vernon Markle

Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand.
—William Williams

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

And Moses said unto the Lord…I am not eloquent… Exodus 4:10

God had commissioned Moses for a task. The God who could turn a rod into a serpent, a healthy hand into a leprous one and reverse the procedure, could certainly enable Moses to address Pharaoh. Aaron was to help him, but he let Moses down more than once, including speaking against him in the wilderness, along with his sister, Miriam. If God has given you a gift He will help you to exercise it. Don’t be fearful, lazy or self deprecating. —Brian Russell

Stand then in His great might,
With all His strength endued,
And take to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
—Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20 to 21:11; James 4:13-5:20

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5:19

A friend shared with me one day that she was having trouble sleeping. After trying several natural products with little success, she told me at bedtime she started singing that lovely children’s chorus, “Jesus Loves Me”, over and over. She said, “It put me right to sleep”. Listening to and singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, can be a great comfort to the troubled soul. Why not make this a part of your bedtime routine! —Bob Cretney

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19; James 3 to 4:12

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering… James 1:6

An old missionary in China who had taught his locals to pray and expect an answer was challenged: “Teacher, we are hungry. This is the time to prove what you told us”. The missionary knelt down and prayed. When he arose, he looked on the horizon and saw a storm approaching. A hurricane swept over the mission and rained great supplies of beans from many miles away. —Edith MacLelland

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchward at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
—James Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 21; Proverbs 18; James 2

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Jeremiah’s quest had a happy outcome! Having found “the Word”, he thoroughly “digested” it. Being thus refreshed and cheered, he marvelled again at the strong, living link between “the Lord of hosts” and himself. The time and energy spent in assimilating the Word had not been a waste. A keen appetite for the Word of God will result in genuine, spiritual growth. —George Hall

May the Word of God dwell richly,
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph,
Only through His power. —Kate B. Wilkinson