Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135-136; Mark 9:14 -32

 

…Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23

The words “dying” and “death” trouble many people. They are stark and their subject is harsh. Paul saw his end as a departure. He meant leaving where he was (this world) and going to be where he wanted to be (with Christ). To leave a life filled with trials and tribulations and arrive on heaven’s shore to see our Saviour. What anticipation! What joy! Are you looking forward to your departure to a far better place? —Bob Cretney

In life’s eventide, at twilight,
At His door I’ll knock and wait;
By the precious love of Jesus, 
I shall enter heaven’s gate. 
—Elsie Ahlwen

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132-134; Mark 8:27 to 9:13

 

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind… Matthew 15:14

We once were blind, but our blessed Saviour gave us sight. The Spiritual pride of the Pharisees caused them to refuse to acknowledge their blindness. And pride is sin. Jesus said, “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth” (John 9:41). Men believe what they want to believe. God gave and respects that freedom of choice. Therefore, “let them alone” is the recognition of a choice that will determine their eternal destiny. Have you made your choice? —Vernon Markle

Choose now, just now! There’s a soul at stake! 
Oh what will your answer be?
Tis life or death; and the choice you make; 
Is made for eternity.
—H. Fithian

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 22; Psalm 128-131; Mark 8:11-26

 

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.  1 Kings 3:3
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness…not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4

Solomon loved the Lord and walked in the ways of David. Sadly there was one exception—he sacrificed in the high places. Yet God, in His goodness blessed him and gave him great wisdom. Such “goodness” should have led Solomon to repent. Instead he drifted further and further from the Lord. If God is blessing us in spite of some sin, He is not condoning that sin! Rather His goodness should bring us to repent of it so that His blessing can abound. —David Croudace

Nothing between like pride or station, self or friends shall not intervene,
Tho’ it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved there’ll be nothing between. 
—Charles A. Tindley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 21; Psalms 124-127; Mark 7:24 to 8:10

 

The Lord sent out a great wind…there was a mighty tempest…  Jonah 1:4
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish… Jonah 1:17
And the Lord God prepared a gourd… Jonah 4:6
But God prepared a worm… Jonah 4:7
…God prepared a vehement east wind… Jonah 4:8

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11). As in Jonah’s experience, so too in our lives, things that we may find unpleasant are the hand of God at work to bring about a transformation that will ultimately benefit us and glorify Himself. —W. H. Burnett

Faint not, Christian! Though thy God, smite thee with the chastening rod;
Smite He must with Father’s care, that He may His love declare.
—J. Evens

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 19-20; Psalms 120-123; Mark 7:1-23

 

…Thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve…  Ezra 9:13

How different from Cain, the profane man who complained, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13). Unlike Cain, every enlightened, repentant sinner knows that God has not punished them as they deserve, no matter what they have suffered (Ps. 103:10). Only a fool says, “Hell is in this life.” There at Calvary the Lord Jesus was punished exactly and fully for what our sins deserved. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree and divine punishment fell completely on Him, instead of on us. Who cannot find his tongue to say “Thank you, Lord” for all that! —Carl Knott

Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord, for making me whole,
Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.
—Seth and Bessie Sykes

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

 

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:7

We look forward to special events with anticipation but the day after can often turn out to be anticlimactic. The Christan experience is different though. Today’s enjoyment of Christ in His Word, prayer and service should not be the summit of our experience. Each day He offers new displays of His grace to us. Furthermore, He promises that eternity will hold increasing revelations of His grace. Each remarkable experience will be followed by another. Neither time nor eternity will exhaust His grace and His demonstration of it. —George Ferrier

What will it be to dwell above, and with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of His love, so brightens all this dreary plain?
No heart can think, no tongue can tell, what joy ’twill be, with Christ to dwell.
—Joseph Swain

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 16; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

 

…Where is God, my maker, who giveth songs in the night.  Job 35:10

There are times when life’s cares and concerns invade our peace and tranquility. We feel powerless and afraid of what may happen next. Job knew all about this. He suffered the loss and devastation of everything dear to him. Yet in the midst of his suffering Job turned to the only source that can give new hope, new light; he turned to God. Are your nights long and sleepless? Are you overcome by cares and concern? Look to God, your Creator, and ask Him to give you His peace and rest, a new song in the night! —Deborah Manera

Is there nothing to sing about to-day? Then borrow a song from tomorrow;
Sing of what is yet to be. Is this world dreary? Then think of the next.
—Charles H. Spurgeon

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 15; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

 

…And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.  1 Samuel 3:8

Due to his own sinful negligence, Eli was no longer on speaking terms with the Lord. The Almighty was raising up young Samuel to be His servant and thus He spoke to him directly. Tragically, Eli could perceive when God was calling someone else, but he was not receiving direct messages himself. More mature saints ought to maintain their relationship with the Lord so that they may provide a godly example to younger ones who are learning to heed God’s voice. In this noisy world young believers must learn to listen to and obey God’s will for them. —K. R. Keyser

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak, in living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek, thy erring children lost and lone.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?…  Matthew 10:29
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?…  Luke 12:6 
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house…even thine altars… Psalm 84:3

Two small birds for one farthing, five for two farthings. One may be virtually valueless by man’s standard, but not by God’s. He knows when it falls to the ground. We, being of much more worth than many sparrows, are brought into a much better place; we have been accepted in the Beloved. If the sparrows have found a place of safety in the altars of Jehovah, where they may nest undisturbed, how much more have we a place prepared by Him in the altar of the cross! —Tom Steere

Beneath the cross of Jesus, I fain would take my stand, 
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land.
—E. C. Clephane