Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1-2; Luke 12:41-59

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Luke 10:33

J. I. Packer states, “Your attitude to your fellow-men, good and bad, nice and nasty, both Christians and unbelievers, is to be that of the Good Samaritan towards the Jew in the gutter.” Our compassion to those in need should concern both the spiritual and the material. Let us use our personal resources, our time, our words and our prayers to reach the lost and encourage the believers. —Bob Cretney

Because I have been given much, I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from Thee, with every brother that I see,
Who has the need of help from me.
—Grace Noll Crowell

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? John 18:23

No one is able to attribute evil words to the Lord Jesus. Even when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, excusing themselves with the assertion “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). The few words that Christ uttered at His trials before both Jews and Gentiles were peerless indicators of His innocence. What is more, His statements from the cross manifested divine love, mercy, and holiness (in contrast to the reviling spectators and the cursing malefactors). The Father registered His verdict on His Son’s words and works by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to His own right hand (Acts 2:33, 36). —K. R. Keyser

Never more shall God, Jehovah, smite the Shepherd with the sword;
Ne’er again shall cruel sinners set at nought our glorious Lord.—S. C. Chapman

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 20-21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

So Boaz took Ruth and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. Ruth 4:13

It must have been a disappointment to Ruth not to have had a child with Naomi’s son. However, what a blessing it was ultimately, as she had a son with Boaz who became part of the royal line. God always has a purpose for blessing in His dealings with believers. Sometimes believing couples suffer great grief because they are childless. However, these couples, amidst their disappointment have been wonderful “uncles and aunts” to so many children. I, personally, thank God for such who have loved my children. —Brian Russell

Not mine, not mine the choice, in things both great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength, my wisdom and my all.
—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

And Jehu…went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? 2 Chronicles 19:2

Having narrowly escaped from the battlefield with his life, Jehoshaphat returned to his house, delivered by the Lord from a foolish alliance with wicked King Ahab. Jehoshaphat had learned quickly the bitter consequences of joining together with those who hate the Lord. Jehu’s words reinforced the lesson. What will it take for us to learn this truth? For this good king, it was worry, doubt and fear and many tears as he cried out to the Lord in his distress. Our own experience and wise words from others should be enough to keep us from making the same mistake. Are we listening? —Mark Kolchin

Only this hour is mine, Lord—may it be used for Thee;
May ev’ry passing moment, count for eternity. —Merrill Dunlop

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34

When a believer falls and yields to temptation he can be plagued by guilt. Even after confession he can be assailed by doubts. Ashamed and condemned by failure some might even doubt their salvation. Dear saint there is only One who has the right to condemn and He has chosen not to. He was condemned in our place, rose again and is exalted as our intercessor. There is no victory in self-gazing. Robert Murray McCheyne said, “For every look we take at ourselves, we should take ten looks at Christ.” —Sid Halsband

In Him we have a righteousness, by God Himself approved;
Our rock, our sure foundation this, which never can be moved.
—Augustus Toplady

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 16; Song of Sol. 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:12

Jacob had no earthly right to his father’s blessing but it was God’s intention for him to have it (Gen. 27). How much more are we undeserving of God’s amazing grace? We are sinful and despicable compared to God’s perfection; yet He loves us, and desires for us to be His children. Today, give thanks to God that He has made a way for us to be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light”. —Danielle E.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our earliest days has blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
—Martin Rinkart

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 14:22-15:23; Song of Sol. 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4
There shall be no more night there. Revelation 22:5

One evening in Scotland I watched the sun setting over the Atlantic water. The brilliant red sky gave a display of beauty that was so delightful. But very soon the darkness descended and that momentary glimpse of glory was gone. I remember thinking at the time that when the sun sets on our lives it will usher in a glorious morning which will never end. —Jim Paul

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Saviour, heaven has begun,
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done. —Virgil P. Brock

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 13-14:21; Song of Sol. 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season. 2 Timothy 4:2

My husband was driving to work one morning when a man waved him down and told him that the road around the corner had slipped away. Sure enough the road had subsided into the harbour. Recently someone told of a man who had trusted Christ. When he returned to his workplace he mentioned to his friend how he had become a Christian. “That’s great news,” the friend replied, “I am a Christian too,” to which the first man replied “Then why have you never told me the way of salvation?” Today people are heading to a lost eternity and we must warn them of what lies ahead before it is too late. —Janet Fleming

Perhaps today a friend may pass into eternity,
Who never heard the gospel call or knew he could be free,
I had the chance to speak to him, tomorrow not today,
But sadly with the setting sun my chance had slipped away. —J. F.

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 12; Song of Sol. 2:8 to 3:5; Luke 9:37-62

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread. 1 Corinthians 11:23

It is interesting to see here that the date of the Lord’s Supper’s institution is described as the night of His betrayal. Is it because we can in a fashion betray the Lord even at His own remembrance feast? We can do it by not discerning the Lord’s body. We can do it by routinely and carelessly coming together with empty baskets and no fruit to offer Him. Let us draw near to Him today with a true heart and offer the sacrifice of praise to Him who is worthy. —Harold G. Smith

How happy are Thy servants, Lord, who thus remember Thee!
What tongue can tell our sweet accord, our perfect harmony?
—Charles Wesley