Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 47:28 to 48:22; Psalms 26-27; Matt. 26:57-75

 

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  Matthew 14:31

Only minutes earlier, Peter had shown his faith by his positive response to the Lord’s call to come. Now, however, “little faith” and doubts have taken over. What went wrong? Peter had become occupied with “the boisterous wind”, rather than the Lord’s empowering word! Faith is diminished when we lose sight of Him! —George Hall

Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
—Philip P. Bliss

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matt. 26:31-56

 

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem…and brought it to David.  2 Samuel 23:15-16

It is good to respond when asked to perform some task or another, but the thing the Lord appreciates most, is when we anticipate His longings, and when, without command or request, we voluntarily offer our praise and thanksgiving to Him. May we follow the example of these three mighty men, and through our worship, minister to the longings of the Lord. —W. H. Burnett

In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill its vow,
Some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.
—D. Phelps

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 45; Psalms 23-24; Matt. 26:1-30

 

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?  Job 12:7-9

In a day of evolutionary thinking, the evidence for divine creation is readily seen if we’re willing to look. Peter tells us that in the last days there will be scoffers who “willingly are ignorant” (2 Pet. 3:5) They will not accept a Creator for then they would be accountable to that same Creator. But He is the Creator of this world (Rev. 4) and also its Redeemer (Rev. 5) and we honour Him. —William Gustafson

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, 
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
How great Thou art!
—Carl Boberg (translated by Stuart K. Hine)

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 44; Psalm 22; Matt. 25:31-46

 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

Paul was no stranger to pain; he experienced physical and psychological trauma as part of his service for Christ. Given the increasing persecution of believers in the world today one might wonder, “Is it really worth standing for God?” The apostle counters that there is no comparison between this age and the glory to follow. Eternal riches far outweigh temporal agony. Meanwhile, grace is able to sustain His suffering servants until Christ delivers them to glory. —K. R. Keyser

Of grace then let us sing, a joyful, wondrous theme,
Who grace has brought, shall glory bring, and we shall reign with Him. 
—T. Kelly

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 43; Psalms 20-21; Matt. 25:1-30

 

O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.  Jeremiah 20:7

Jeremiah was a hated man; a laughing stock and a reproach. His state brought deep depression and his moods swung from the depths of despair to the heights of praise, and then back to the depths! He gave up and didn’t want to speak for the Lord (v. 9). But then there was a surging, burning fire in his heart and bones. He hadn’t totally lost his passion for God, as he cried, “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire” (Jer. 20:9). No matter how dark your days or how alone you feel, still read and rest in His Word. —Jim Comte

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
—W. Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:50 to 42:38; Psalm 19; Matt. 24:29-51

 

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.  Song of Solomon 2:14

There are two broad categories of prayer: prayers of earnest supplication and prayers of deep communion. The latter is spoken of here.  Many times God wants us to come into His presence, not to make requests, but just to be refreshed. He simply enjoys hearing us and being with us and therefore bids us come. Our Saviour has opened the door. Let us enjoy the pleasure of His presence today. —Shane Johnson

O the joy He gives, and the love we feel,
When our tuneful songs we raise,
When our prayers arise to His throne on high,
And our hearts are filled with praise.
—Fanny Crosby

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matt. 24:1-28

 

…the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.  Titus 1:1

Are the truths we know practical or theoretical? The phrase “after godliness” means “according to godliness”. It refers to truth that produces or results in godliness. This is often overlooked. Bible knowledge alone does not equal godliness. It’s easier to listen to truth or to talk about it than to apply it. But God intends it to be known, believed and applied. It has transforming power and God intends it to affect every area of our lives. When this happens a godly life naturally results. —Carl Knott

Master, speak! And make me ready, when Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady, still to follow every word.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 40; Psalm 18:1-29; Matt. 23

 

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.  John 6:12

Gathering up the leftovers or fragments is often our last worry after eating a large meal! Yet Jesus gave specific instructions to do just that. Week by week we enjoy spiritual food, fed to us through the ministering of God’s Word in our local church. It is a blessing, but can also make us lazy when it comes to gathering rich “fragments” for ourselves. Let us be challenged to “gather up the fragments” and discover the inestimable treasure to be found there! —E. V.

Break thou the Bread of life, dear Lord to me,
As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea.
Within the sacred page, I seek thee Lord,
My spirit pants for thee, O living Word.
—M. A. Lathbury