Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.  Proverbs 22:7

He who had unspeakable wealth said “Shew me a penny” (Luke 20:24). He who abode in the ivory palaces of heaven borrowed a pillow in Bethany (Matt. 21:17). He whose heavenly podium was the Great White Throne borrowed a boat from which to preach (Luke 5:3). He who spoke worlds unknown into existence, borrowed loaves and fish to feed a hungry throng (John 6:9). He who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills borrowed a donkey (Mark 11:3). He who inhabits eternity borrowed an upper room (Matt. 26:18). Finally He who is the source of life borrowed a tomb (Matt. 27:60).  —Sid Halsband

Rich in glory, Thou didst stoop, thence is all Thy people’s hope;
Thou wast poor, that we might be rich in glory, Lord, with Thee. —T. Kelly

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

I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:3
We shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:52-53

Before leaving his beloved disciples for the cross, and eventually the glory, the Saviour gave them this precious promise: “I go to prepare a place for you.” But that is only part of the good news. He who has prepared a place for us, is also preparing us for the place. Listen to Paul, “we shall all be changed.” What an exciting moment when believers will be changed into holy immortality. Rejoice, dear fellow believer, He has finished the work that prepared heaven, and soon He will finish His work in you and me. —Arnot P. McIntee

Oh, what a home! But such His love that He must bring us there,
To fill that home, to be with Him, and all His glory share. —J. A. Trench

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

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me?  Genesis 31:27

While Jacob clearly had God’s blessing to return to the land of his birth, he certainly didn’t have Laban’s. Whom was he to obey, God or man? Obviously, God’s command was the priority. However, that did not give Jacob the liberty to simply walk out on his father-in-law. Sometimes we may do things in the name of Christ, but our approach makes it become more of a shame to the cause of Christ. Family life and church fellowship are the two most common arenas for such tensions. Sadly it can lead to much heartache and disunity. God’s direction for an action must still be done in God’s way.  —Norman Craig Funston

Be still, my soul! Thy God doth undertake;
To guide the future as He has the past. —K. von Schlegel

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

For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  Matthew 6:32

One day while pioneering the Gospel in Canada, a faithful evangelist was very hungry. As he trekked along in a certain place he came to a little restaurant. He ventured in without a penny in his pocket. He bowed his head and in faith gave thanks to the Lord for the food. At the pay counter, the owner said to him, “When I opened this place I made a vow—the first person I see giving thanks, the meal would be free!” Our God ever delights to honour faith in His goodness.  —E. MacLelland

All you may need, He will provide,
Nothing you ask will be denied,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
God will take care of you!
—C. D. Martin

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

He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  Mark 16:19
The Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Acts 7:56

Sitting and standing—here are two different perspectives of the One who is at God’s right hand. Mark’s view speaks of a finished work—Calvary’s victory is won and our Saviour waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. Acts reminds us that our Saviour still has an unfinished work. As our great High Priest, He ministers to our need on a constant basis. What a blessing for earthly citizens to know Him who is at the right hand of God.  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Our great High Priest is sitting at God’s right hand above,
For us His hands uplifting, in sympathy and love.
—A. P. Cecil

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

Admonish the disorderly.  1 Thessalonians 5:14 (Darby)

The word “disorderly” comes from the Greek word ataktos which is a military word indicating those who are out of order, out of step, not following orders, not keeping rank, causing disturbance. These are self-governed individuals who call themselves Christians as long as they can do whatever they want. They march to their own cadence and don’t like taking orders or being directed. To them Christ is only a “get-out-of-jail-free” card. Friend, if you resent the idea of obeying the Lord and submitting every area of your life to Him, then you have a serious problem. God will have order in His household.  —Carl Knott

Now I’ve given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary! —W. R. Newell

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

Blessed is the man.    Psalm 1:1; 32:2; 34:8; 40:4; 65:4; 84:5; 112:1
Blessed are they.    Psalm 2:12; 84:4; 106:3; 119:2

The phrase, “Blessed is the man,” seems to be used in the Psalms to reveal the personal responsibility we have in relation to God—to maintain an attitude of love, joy, and peace towards Him in the midst of a hostile world. The phrase “Blessed are they” seems to focus more on our corporate responsibility to our fellow man, to show others the graces of long-suffering, gentleness, and goodness. May the Lord help us to fulfill both of these responsibilities. With such sacrifices our God is well pleased (Heb. 13:15-16) and we will be blessed. —Tom Steere

Praise we to the Father give, He in whom we move and live.
For He loves our praise to hear and our songs delight His ear.
—James Montgomery

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6

Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The price paid for our redemption was the outpouring of our Saviour’s precious blood. The value of that shed blood is founded on the divinity of the Giver! It was pure and powerful. Surely this must bring from our hearts, worship and praise as we ponder the marvel and mystery of it all! —Drew Craig

There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.
Oh dearly, dearly has He loved and we must love Him too,
And trust in His redeeming blood and seek His will to do. —C. Alexander

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.  Revelation 5:12

All the believer’s hopes depend on the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Praise God He is now seated in His rightful place in glory. But so often we find ourselves looking back to the cross and to that time when we first believed. It brings joy to our hearts to recall the moment when God’s Holy Spirit granted us an understanding of our Saviour’s work—the sacrifice of the Lamb of God for us. Are you depending on the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ?     —Mark Fenn

I have been at the altar and witnessed the Lamb,
Burnt wholly to ashes for me;
And watched its sweet savour ascending on high,
Accepted, O Father, by Thee.
—Amelia Matilda Hull