Author: Gospel Folio Press

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

Thou wilt keep (protect, guard) him in perfect peace (or peace, peace), whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (or Rock of Ages). Isaiah 26:3-4

What confidence for us in the midst of life’s struggles! God’s perfect peace. Peace is a beautiful word, suggesting His blessing and well-being, but it is an unknown word in the hearts of millions. This peace is available to the one “whose mind is stayed on thee”. It is a peace that is not based upon the lack of troubles, strife, or conflict, but it is a peace that is given in the midst of the raging storm, only when our hearts and minds are fixed on Him. —Jim Comte

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. —Edward Bickersteth

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! Numbers 24:5

Balaam, the soothsayer, was asked by the enemy to curse Israel. Instead God made sure he blessed them, even though, at times, the nation deserved retribution. Like most believers I often feel a failure, but the Lord comes alongside and reminds me that I am precious in His sight. I thank God that despite my weaknesses I am loved and preserved as one of His family. —Brian Russell

He walks with me and talks with me,
And tells me I am His own. —C. Austin Miles

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20

Where was everybody when the Saviour could find no one to comfort or take pity on Him? Judas had betrayed Him. Peter had denied Him. At Gethsemane, all forsook Him and fled. Before Pilate, the world rejected Him and cried, “Crucify him” (Luke 23:21). Alone He went to the cross and in those hours of darkness even the few who did follow could not comfort Him as He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Only He could pay the price for our sin, and that is what He did as He died alone for you and me. What a magnificent Saviour! —David Croudace

He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me. —Ray Overholt

Genesis 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matthew 5:1-20

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Corinth was a city infamous for its sinfulness. But when some of its citizens trusted Christ, there was a huge change. Paul describes their transformation with three words. They were washed from their sins. They were sanctified meaning being made holy. They were justified meaning they were declared righteous. Do you desire to be cleansed, made holy, and declared righteous before God? Become a follower of Christ. —Sid Halsband

O joy of the justified, joy of the free!
I’m washed in that crimson tide opened for me;
In Christ, my Redeemer, rejoicing I stand,
And point to the print of the nail in His hand. —Frances Bottome

Genesis 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matthew 4:1-25

Let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth. Ecclesiastes 11:9
Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

I felt out of place sitting in a coffee shop, as most of the clientele were much younger than me. However, as I gazed around me, I was intrigued with the words on a poster. “The habits of youth make or mar the happiness of the after years”. Paul encouraged young Timothy to develop good habits of thought and deed, so as to both glorify God, and to bring blessing to others and happiness to himself. Are we similarly convicted? —Brian Powlesland

Just as I am, Thine own to be, Friend of the young, Who lovest me,
To consecrate myself to Thee, O Jesus Christ, I come.—M. Hearn

Genesis 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matthew 3:1-17

And they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Ezek. 33:31

The people came to Ezekiel to hear the Lord’s word, then went and pursued their own pleasures. Are we “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22)? Or do we find ourselves taken up with the things of this world with no time for the things of the Lord? Oh, may we “know the Lord” (Hos. 6:3), and the knowledge of His grace and glory. —Annette Baal

Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow,
In kindling tho’t and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. —Frances R. Havergal

Genesis 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matthew 2:1-23

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

This day marked the end of slavery for Israel in Egypt, and offered the prospect of a blessed future in a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 33:3). This came about through the blood of the spotless Passover lamb that was slain. Dear unsaved reader, you can be freed from the bondage of sin, and its consequences, through the blood of the Lamb of God, who shed His blood for you. Trust Him today, and you will have the happiest New Year you have ever had, and be assured of being in Heaven with your Saviour at the close of life’s short day. —W. H. Burnett

He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free,
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me. —Wesley

Genesis 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matthew 1:1-25

In the year king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord. Isaiah 6:1
I being in the way, the Lord led me. Genesis 24:27
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

I can’t think of better verses to start off a new year! Look to Jesus in all circumstances and He will become your focus and vision for the future. Walk in His way—let Him lead and guide you and you will testify to His awesome faithfulness and power. Make Jesus your focus and you will experience the fragrance of His sweet fellowship—which supplies all your need! What a marvelous way to approach this New Year! Make this your everyday resolution. —Deborah Manera

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable,
And receives the impossible. —Corrie Ten Boom

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. Exodus 15:18

Exodus 15 is a great song of deliverance. It is the first song in the Bible and concludes with a glorious hope to a newly delivered people. This is the first time we are assured that our God reigns forever and ever. The Bible consistently echoes this theme, “The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.” This great truth has brought consolation to His suffering church down through the ages and as this year draws to a close, it brings consolation to our waiting hearts. In a world that has rejected the Lord Jesus, may we live expectantly, knowing that God is still on the throne and one day soon, He will reign forever and ever! Hallelujah! —Jim Comte

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, doth His successive journeys run.
His name like sweet perfume shall rise, with every morning sacrifice. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Rev. 21:9-22:5

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Psalm 73:25

It’s impossible to fully estimate what Christ is to the believer. If we tried to measure the greatness of His blessings to us, it would be like trying to swallow the ocean. He is our life (Col. 3:4); our peace (Eph. 2:14); our hope (1 Tim. 1:1); our all in all (Col. 3:11). —Jim Pizzulli

There is never a cross so heavy, there is never a weight of woe,
But that Jesus will help to carry, because He loveth so.
Wonderful, wonderful Jesus, in the heart He implants a song:
A song of deliverance, courage, strength, in the heart He implants a song. —Anne B. Russell