Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 3; Job 4-5; Matt. 3

 

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:8

Paul’s love for the believers was anything but casual. His life was bound up with their spiritual well-being. This is a day of shallowness, rather than deep fellowship between saints. Christ’s love impels us to deeper relationships with one another, where we challenge, exhort, encourage, and comfort each other. Do we invest in each other’s lives? When was the last time you phoned or e-mailed someone from your home assembly? A timely word can make all the difference in enabling a saint to continue on for the Lord amidst life’s trials. Older ones must mentor younger ones in God’s things, if the church is to grow in spiritual strength. “Together in one accord” is the goal. —K. R. Keyser

Love the saints! Spend yourself that others may grow,
Daily fellowship with His flock; the seeds of unity will sow.
—K. R. K.

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11 to 3:26; Matt. 2

 

God…maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Have you ever felt your heart bursting with joy, love, praise and thanksgiving? This was one of those times in Paul’s life. He was certain that God was leading him, even though his circumstances were not comfortable. He couldn’t explain the detours of life; but he was certain God was in control. His constant desire was that the fragrance of Christ might be experienced by all with whom he came into contact. May this be true of you and me. —Jim Comte

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see, since ‘tis Thy hand that leadeth me. 
—Gilmore

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 1:1 to 2:3; Job 1:1 to 2:10; Matt. 1

 

When ye see the ark…then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it…that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way before. Joshua 3:3-4

Unknown territory always brings a mixture of emotions. Excitement but fearfulness too. So it must have been for the Israelites. But as they faced this daunting venture, they were told to keep their eyes on the ark and when it moved, to follow. We too, are entering unfamiliar territory as we start a New Year. It is exciting but intimidating. By keeping our eyes on the Lord and following His Word, we can navigate the unknown circumstances that lie ahead. God promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go” (Ps. 32:8). —E. V.

Then let us follow Christ, our Lord, and take the cross appointed
And, firmly clinging to His Word, in suffering be undaunted. 
—J. Scheffler

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 10:11 to 11:3; Proverbs 8; Jude

 

That he would grant you…to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16

Paul warns Timothy that in the last days perilous times will come.  The Greek word for perilous is chalepo, meaning stress, pressure, fierce, dangerous, difficult. These last days are filled with “strength-sapping pressure.” Let us pray for one another that our strength will be renewed this day so that ours will not be a fragile joy, but a durable trust, a persevering confidence in the face of the worst of adversities. —Marilyn MacMullen

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
—H. Spafford

 

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

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness.  Deuteronomy 8:2

Moses was about to depart to glory and in Deuteronomy we have his final words to Israel. Much of the book is occupied with reflecting on Israel’s years in the wilderness and the unfailing faithfulness of God to them there. But now he looked ahead. He knew they were about to begin a new type of experience. In wisdom he knew it was important for Israel to draw confidence and strength to face the future from their past experience with God. This is so necessary in our day. As we face the future, an unknown path, we can look back and see God’s hand at work in our lives, and step forward with boldness to face the challenges ahead.   —W. H. Burnett

God holds the future in His hands, and every heart He understands.
On Him depend, He is your friend, He holds the future in His hands. —James Rowe

 

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

And (Elijah) said…and I, even I only, am left…And the Lord said unto him…“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.”  1 Kings 19:10, 15, 18

Elijah had spent his life serving God and was devastated by the seeming lack of fruit. Depression struck! The Lord reminded him that, unknown to him, there were 7,000 in Israel who had refused to bow the knee to Baal. Were they the result of seeing Elijah’s courageous stand for God? If you are discouraged, press on. Remember that there is much we do not know of how God has been working through us. May we be, “always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).  —David Croudace

The task Thy wisdom hath assigned, O let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my works Thy presence find, and prove Thy good and perfect will.
—Charles Wesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.  Psalm 19:1

George Cryer was, until his decease, an English Member of Parliament. One personal interest for him was the preservation of old railways in West Yorkshire. On his death, a plaque was erected on a railway building which simply said, “If you seek his memorial, look around”. What he had accomplished was evident for all to see. Someday our opportunity to labour for the Lord will cease. What will we have to show, as to what we have done for the Lord?  —Brian Powlesland

O let my life be given, my years for Thee be spent:
World—fetters all be riven, and joy with suffering blent;
Thou gavest Thyself for me; I give myself to Thee.
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.  Matthew 2:11

How thrilling for the wise men to ultimately find the King they were searching for! Having followed the star they finally came to the house where the young child was. The experience of meeting Him caused their hearts to bow in worship. Having worshipped they presented their treasures to Him. Does our appreciation of the Lord Jesus cause our hearts to worship? Do we freely give to Him the treasures of our heart?  —Jim Paul

Take my love, my God, I pour,
At Thy feet its treasure store,
Take myself and I will be,
Ever only all for Thee. —Frances R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad…Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein.  Psalm 96:11-12

Our world has been defiled by sin and its creatures subjected to corruption and pain. Yet we and all of creation are told to rejoice. Indeed, in spite of creation being in sin’s bondage, joy, beauty, light and life abound and give evidence of an amazing Creator who Himself is a joyful God. His delights are with the sons of men. His creation is good. Let us today, even perhaps amidst trials, enjoy and rejoice in the beautiful creation our Father has made.  —D. Pickup

This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget,
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done,
Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one.
—Maltbie D. Babcock

 

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? 2 Chronicles 6:18

In wonder, the wisest man who ever lived, asked a question that he did not know the answer to. Solomon questioned how a great God who could not be contained in the heaven of heavens, would dwell in the temple he was about to build. How could such a thing be? Our Lord’s incarnation answers Solomon’s question. Yes the God of heaven, came to mankind at Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, so He could go to Calvary and become our Redeemer.  —Milton Haack

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. —P. Brooks