Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 4 to 5:12; Isaiah 1; Luke 21:5-38

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

The world views financial setback, physical suffering, or a loved one’s death as tragic. Conversely the mature Christian does not characterize their suffering as calamitous but instead they see God’s loving hand in all their trials. While they can be severe, trials are only temporary. They are meant to teach us, change us, and thus are invaluable. We come through them with the assurance of an approved faith. —George Ferrier 

With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,
And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;
I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
—Anne R. Cousin

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 3; Hosea 11:12 to 14:9; Luke 20:20 to 21:4

He hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10

God keeps accurate books, and settles all accounts with sinners. The blessing for believers is that the Lord’s ledger was reconciled fully at the cross! Our sins and iniquities were taken completely into account. It is not necessary that we know each one—and we certainly don’t, but He does! God dealt with His Son for our sins, and rewarded Him according to our iniquities, on the cross. All our sins have been forgiven by that one sublime sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let us thank Him, love Him, and serve Him with rejoicing, for He took them all away, forever! —Carl Knott

All my sins are gone, all because of Calvary,
Life is filled with song, all because of Calvary.
—W. P. Loveless

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 2; Hosea 10 to 11:11; Luke 20:1-19

If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
This I know; for God is for me. Psalm 56:9b

What an encouragement to the believer to know that “God is for us” in all the circumstances and situations of life. Old Jacob cried, “All these things are against me,” (Gen. 42:36), but he soon learned that even in his darkest hour, God was for him. David reminds us that God knew about all his “wanderings” and  “tears,” (Ps. 56:8), and then sums it all up, “This I know; for God is for me.” No matter how difficult the path is today, God is still for you and me!  —Jim Comte

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
—Civilla D. Martin

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 1; Hosea 8-9; Luke 19:29-48

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

Psalm one portrays two men—the righteous and the ungodly. Two ways—the narrow that leads to life and the broad to death. Two destinies—heaven and hell. As we look for ways to make a practical application of this verse we see examples given in Scripture. Enoch walked with God, Elijah stood before the Lord, and David sat before the Lord. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15)! —E. MacLelland

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
—Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 34; Hosea 6:4 to 7:16; Luke 19:1-28

And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this was also a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much grief and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sadness. Ecclessiastes 1:17-18

These words of the preacher reflect very accurately what our world calls a post modern society, a society with no real answers. There are only questions and even the questions are questioned! There are no absolutes. No one, it seems, has the right to be definite about anything. How different it is when we accept the veracity of Scripture. To be able to say, “I know whom I have believed.” Let us hold fast to the things which we have embraced and earnestly seek the salvation of those beguiled by Satan’s lies. —Drew Craig

I have the secret, I know where ‘tis found:
Only true pleasures in Jesus abound. —Harry D. Loes

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 33; Hosea 4 to 6:3; Luke 18:15-43

Prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12

Nineteen year old Stephen Peer was enamoured by the daring tight rope walker, Charles Blondin. Peer had been raised near Niagara Falls, Ontario, and aspired to be the first “local resident” to walk his way across the mighty Niagara River. He made a failed attempt on June 22, 1887. Unfortunately, three nights later he tried again, but in the darkness, and wearing ordinary street shoes, he was totally unprepared. He fell off the rope and died on the rocks below. Sadly, many people never prepare during their life for a never ending eternity. The only sure preparation is to place one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). —Arnot P. McIntee

You have wandered far away; do not risk another day;
Do not turn from God your face, but today accept His grace. —D. Whittle

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 32:15-52; Hosea 2 to 3 ; Luke 17:20 to 18:14

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

One expects a fit, strong young person to be able to withstand the rigours of the race. But even such youths will eventually fall. However one who is willing to spend time “waiting on the Lord” each day, will have his strength renewed and like an eagle will surmount all the demonic obstacles which would otherwise stumble him. Such a one will not become weary or faint but will quietly walk with the Lord as an overcomer. The question is, “Am I taking time to wait upon Him day by day?” —David Croudace

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side! —E. L. Gorch

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 31:14 to 32:14; Hosea 1; Luke 17:1-19

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions. Acts 7:9-10

Hated by his brethren; sold into slavery; slandered by Potiphar’s wife; and imprisoned—yet three times over we read “The Lord was with Joseph.” All these tragic events in his life were but the out-working of the sovereign purposes of God, and paradoxically, each downward step was leading to unprecedented heights of glory. In our trials, so often we wonder why God doesn’t intervene and stop the downward spiral. We must never forget that just as the Lord was with Joseph, so also He is with us in our trials. He has great things in mind for us. —W. H. Burnett

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —W. Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 30 to 31:13; Amos 9; Luke 16

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice. Proverbs 23:24

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A man’s deeds are reckoned as dollars, his words as pennies.” This was evidenced by a survey regarding local church attendance. If both parents were in attendance regularly, research showed their children had a 77% chance of remaining faithful spiritually. If only Dads attend there’s a 55% chance the children will follow the Lord. But if only Mom is in attendance the odds drop to 15%. The importance of a father’s influence should be motivation for spiritual leadership at home and in the assembly of believers. God commended Abraham of the Old Testament as being a man He could trust to command His children. If his example is followed, blessing will result. —E. Dyck

Standing by a purpose true, heeding God’s command,
Honour them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s band. —Philip P. Bliss

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 29; Amos 7-8; Luke 15:11-32

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Psalm 25:6

A. W. Tozer reminds us, “We do not need any enlarging adjectives when we speak of God, or of His love, or mercy. God Almighty fills the universe and overfills it because it is His character—infinite and unlimited.” Thus, speaking of God’s “great” love or mercy implies that there are degrees of His love and mercy, but there are not. Our adjectives are helpful to acknowledge our earthly benefits, but when speaking of God there are no such measurements: “God is love” and God is not less merciful or more merciful; He is full of mercy. Whatever God is, He is that in its fullness. Praise His name! —W. A. H.

The Lord is greatly to be praised; His greatness is beyond our thoughts.
From age to age the sons of men, shall tell the wonders God has wrought.
—The Psalter, 397