Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 3; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 7:16

 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  Revelation 21:4

As a boy in Scotland my geography teacher taught us all about Canada. Niagara Falls, the five great lakes, the beautiful prairies and the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Although I had never been in Canada I believed what he said was true. Later in life when I visited those places they were more spectacular than what he said about them. We only have glimpses of heaven in the Bible but when we get there it will be far more wonderful than we can ever imagine it to be! It is the Christian’s sure and glorious prospect! —Jim Paul

And God has fixed that happy day, when the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He shall wipe our tears away and fill our hearts with glad surprise.
—Joseph Swain

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 2; Isaiah 44:24 to 45:25; 2 Cor. 5:11 to 6:10

 

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.  Isaiah 53:11

Preacher Joe Jackson repeatedly affirmed triumphantly from this verse that our Saviour, who set out to accomplish a great work at the Cross, would be totally satisfied with what He forged there! His completed work would be an entire success! Grasp this truth in simple, child-like faith. It is finished and you and I are the prize and travail of that work at Calvary! —Mark Fenn

O Jesus Lord, who loved us like to Thee?
Fruit of Thy work, with Thee, too, there to see,
Thy glory, Lord, while endless ages roll,
Thy saints the prize and travail of Thy soul.
—J. N. Darby

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 5:10

 

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  Luke 8:35

The Lord Jesus delivered this man from horrible bondage and a hopeless existence. After seeing the once possessed man in his right mind, the local people asked the Lord to depart from them—which He did. Apparently the Lord provided clothes for this man. For those who humble themselves, the Lord will clothe in divine righteousness and bestow spiritual understanding. For those who merely fear, but will not accept Him—He will depart. —W. A. H.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine.
—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 3-4; Isaiah 43 to 44:5; 2 Corinthians 3 to 4:6

 

…And Peter followed afar off…And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord…And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:54, 61-62
…Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19

Perhaps as you read these verses today, you are like Peter, following afar off, keeping company with the world and denying your relationship with the Lord. One look at the Lord melted Peter’s cold heart and caused true restoration! Take the first steps back to the Lord today. —Pete Smith

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
—Robert Robinson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 2; Isaiah 42; 2 Corinthians 2

 

Nevertheless God…comforted us by the coming of Titus.  2 Corinthians 7:6
…Titus…was refreshed by you all. 2 Corinthians 7:13

Titus was a lightning rod for encouragement. When he arrived at Paul’s residence, he was a great comfort to the apostle. But there was reciprocation. When he spent some time with the Corinthian church, they were an encouragement to him. He was both a giver and a receiver of encouragement. These verses speak to the need today for both individuals and churches to comfort, refresh, and encourage others. In turn they will receive comfort. It isn’t hard. We can be a comfort to others by simply being there! Let us take on this holy ministry! —N. C. Funston

Touched by the lodestone of Thy love, let all our hearts agree,
And ever toward each other move, and ever move toward Thee.
—Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Ruth 1; Isaiah 41; 2 Corinthians 1

 

…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…  Hebrews 12:2

What was the joy set before Him? Providing salvation for millions of lost men and women. Purchasing for Himself a Bride. These are reasons we cannot grasp. What was the shame He despised? In His infinite humility, He despised the shame of hanging on a cross and being made sin for us. How awesome, incredible and marvellous! His love should make us fall before Him and give Him the glory that is His due. —Vernon Markle

To us Thy cross is life and health; ’twas shame and death to Thee:
Our present glory, joy, and wealth, our everlasting stay. 
—Thomas Kelly

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 21; Isaiah 40; 1 Corinthians 16

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  Luke 4:18-19

The One speaking was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. He came to deal with the enormous problems that have affected mankind throughout history: sorrow, suffering and sin. His coming was the dawning of a day of grace for the world’s sighing and sobbing multitudes. He presented Himself as the answer to the ills of earth. This He fully accomplished at Calvary. —Drew Craig

Calvary covers it all, my past with its sin and stains;
My guilt and despair, Jesus took on Him there.
And Calvary covers it all.
—Mrs. W.G. Taylor

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 20; Isaiah 38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

 

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.  Proverbs 1:8

Three mothers stand out in Scripture. Because of a mother’s courage, Moses was saved from Pharaoh’s edict to slay all newly-born sons. Because of Hannah’s selflessness she lent her first-born son to the Lord and Samuel became a leading prophet in the history of Israel. Because of Mary’s obedience and faith, she, though a virgin, gave birth to the Messiah. Godly mothers are an inestimable blessing. They have a special, spiritual relationship with their children that will influence them every day of their lives. May God continue to raise up godly mothers. —K. C. Ung

At the cross, her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, 
For her soul of joy bereavèd, bowed with anguish, deeply grievèd.
—Alfred H. Ackley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 19; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

 

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  Hebrews 13:16

Praise and service are twin activities for believers. Hebrews 13:15 and 16 describe both of these in sacrificial terms. Each costs something. Praise flows out of regular meditation on God’s Person and work. It requires the serious investment of time and mental energy poring over the Scriptures to enjoy communion with the Lord and gain knowledge of His deeds. Service and giving material things also require time, as the servant discovers other’s needs and prayerfully seeks to share with them. Time, talent and treasure must be used in faithful stewardship to minister to others. —K. R. Keyser

Worship, honour, power, and blessing, Thou art worthy to receive;
Loudest praises, without ceasing, meet it is for us to give.
—J. Bakewell