Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 17-18; Isaiah 36 to 37:7; 1 Corinthians 14

 

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28

How can we serve God acceptably? We are told here to have grace, literally “holding” onto grace and then we will serve God in a pleasing fashion. What is grace for the believer? Grace is the message that you and I have freely received God’s love, favour and acceptance. Recognizing that, we cling to these freely given gifts for strength each day and seek to pass them on to others in the same free fashion they were bestowed to us. —Jared Fraser

He has sowed the precious seed, nothing left for us unsown;
Ours it is to reap the field, make the harvest joy our own.
—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.  Colossians 3:16

An unsolicited email contained a simple yet thought provoking message. It just said “Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” When I thought on this, I realized that the only template for such sentiments could be the Lord Jesus. These characteristics were exhibited consistently by the Lord in His earthly sojourn. It is incumbent on believers to seek to emulate these traits, so that others may be helped, blessed and encouraged. —Brian Powlesland

O lend a hand to help, haste to speak a word of cheer,
And gloomy clouds will brighten, when the day is drear.
—Frona Scott

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12

 

Remove not the ancient landmark (boundary), which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28

Today there is a relentless war on the traditional values of home and parenthood. The boundaries have been pushed back so far, that there are hardly any landmarks left! The Scriptures present the father as the “patriarch” and the mother as “keeper at home” (Titus 2:5). The term “patriarch,” has the idea of the “leader, protector, teacher, provider of godly family values”. Mothers as “keepers at home” are to be the “watcher, keeper, guard of their own home”. A lady turned to her friend and said, “Oh. I’d give my life to have such children.” The lady replied, “That’s exactly what it cost!” —Jim Comte

May our home be an altar with worship to Thee, 
A beacon of light for the wayward to see.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

 

Who [the Son] being the brightness of his [God’s] glory…  Hebrews 1:3

The Lord Jesus Christ is the outshining of God’s glory. In other words, all the perfections which are found in God the Father are also found in Him. He possesses every divine attribute of God’s moral glory and being. Christ does not merely reflect God’s glory but is Himself the radiance of His glory. —W. Ross Rainey

Lord of glory, we adore Thee,
Christ of God, ascended high!
Heart and soul we bow before Thee,
Glorious now beyond the sky:
Thee we worship, Thee we praise,
Excellent in all Thy ways.
—R. Holden

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

 

Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27:54
Truly this man was the Son of God. Mark 15:39
Certainly this was a righteous man. Luke 23:47

All three quotations of the centurion’s words are slightly different. Matthew’s is an affirmation that He is the Lord from Heaven. Luke highlights His perfect humanity. And Mark ties both together, showing the unique union of both. Only in God’s Word can we find such treasures; statements which appear to differ on the surface, yet each one absolutely true. —Rick Morse

How didst Thou humble Thyself to be taken.
Led by Thy creatures and nailed to the cross.
Hated of men, and of God too forsaken,
Shunning not darkness, the curse, and the loss.
—H d’A Champney

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13

 

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go…  2 Chronicles 14:11

Outnumbered almost three to one, King Asa cried out to God then, resting on the truth that God could win the battle with many or few, he advanced against the multitude in complete dependence on the Lord. When faced with increasing opposition as we are today, we can either timidly draw back, or resting solely on the Lord, boldly go forth and witness for Him and see Him at work. —David Croudace

“We go” in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph peeling,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go.”
—Edith G. Cherry

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

 

…I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…I am the Lord your God.  Exodus 6:6-7

These words spoken to Israel through Moses are as good to us as they were to Israel in Moses’s day. It begins and ends with a statement of certainty: “I am the Lord” (vv. 6, 7, 8). In between these two pillars of promise are seven “I wills” involving redemption, release, relationship, and a heritage that could not be forfeited. These words are a sure cure against doubt, worry or fear. Don’t forget, He has promised to keep you, to bring you out (v. 7) so that He can bring you in (v. 8). It is God’s Word to you today. Count on it! —Mark Kolchin

How could we live each moment, if ever we forgot;
The loving God above us, who changeth not.
—K. R. Wheeler

 

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

 

…Tell them that which are bidden…all things are ready: come unto the marriage. Matthew 22:4

Here is God’s invitation to anyone who hears—Come. To those who are still in their sins, He says come unto me for salvation. For those who are waiting for the day when we are called home, this is the verse for us. His purposes for the day of grace will soon be accomplished and we will be called home to the marrige supper of the Lamb to meet our Bridegroom in person. Have you responded to His invitation to come for salvation? Come today. —Jim Pizzulli

While Jesus whispers to you, come, sinner, come!
While we are praying for you, come, sinner, come!
Now is the time to own Him: come, sinner, come!
Now is the time to know Him: come, sinner, come!
—W. E. Witter

 

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

 

Trust in the Lord, and do good…  Psalm 37:3

What a motto for living! Keep it ever before you. As you awake each morning say, “Today I will trust You, Lord, for I know your love for me. I will do good to those I see today.” What a remedy for depression and pessimism! The Lord is in complete control of creation, of governments and of the details of your life. Trust Him and while you wait on Him, do good every chance you get. What a cure for sinful living! Yield yourself unto God. Let your words and actions reflect trust in God. The result will be good and righteousness. —D. Pickup

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. 
—Louisa M. R. Stead