Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

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

Thou shalt no longer be termed forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.    Isaiah 62:4

On a visit to Harrogate I observed the above verse engraved as a large circle in the paving stones of Beulah Street. What people made of it I don’t know, but what it conveys to the Christian is God’s joy in seeing a people once forsaken and desolate because of waywardness, now being a source of delight and dearly cherished by Him. How humbling—as the bride of Christ we are loved with an everlasting love. —Brian Powlesland

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine.
—George Wade Robinson

 

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

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Matthew 16:15-16

The Lord’s question elicited one of the most dramatic confessions regarding His identity. He is Messiah, “the Christ”; He is God, “the Son of the living God”; and He is greater than all false human notions of the divine, “the living God”. The modern world’s pseudo-deities cannot compete with Him, any more than could Philippi’s idols. Instead of declaring His credentials, Christ gave Peter the privilege of this great confession. Believers are afforded the same honour today, as they witness to the crucified, risen, and glorified Saviour.     —K. R. Keyser

O God, we see thee in the Lamb to be our hope, our joy, our rest;
The glories that compose thy name standing engaged to make us blest.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 39; Psalm 17; Matt. 22:15-46

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand.    Psalm 80:17

This verse pictures the honoured position Christ enjoys at the Father’s right hand—a place of power, privilege, and preeminence. Christ is seen at God’s right hand: after He purged our sins (Heb. 1:3); after He rose from the dead (Rom. 8:34); after He ascended and was exalted by God (Acts 2:33). It must have been comforting for the martyr Stephen to see, “the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). It behooves us to, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1).    —Milton Haack

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. —Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 38; Psalms 15-16; Matt. 21:33 to 22:14

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.    Philemon 1:3

Paul included this phrase in numerous letters. It was sent to different churches, to different people, at different times and in different circumstances. What a sweet encouragement it must have been then and should be to us now. May its familiarity not cause us to miss its wonder. We have received more grace than we can imagine. It is our divine enablement for the circumstances of each day. And our peace is not according to the world’s peace but flows from heaven itself—sure and constant. How truly blessed we are.     —V. Gaynier

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
—E. Bickersteth

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 37; Psalms 11-14; Matt. 21:1-32

We do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.    2 Cor. 12:19

When it came to serving the people of God, this verse records one of Paul’s foundational principles. He did everything with the goal of edifying or “building up” the saints. And so he was led to say some things but not others. He was sometimes firm but also gentle. As he preached, confronted, wrote, and cried, it was all based on the conviction that this word or that action was for their edification. The life lesson for us is the same. As we deal with God’s people, let us make certain we approach our task with the motive of building up the saints. —Norman Craig Funston

We are called to be God’s people, showing by our lives His grace,
One in heart and one in spirit, sign of hope for all the race.
Let us show how He has changed us and remade us as His own;
Let us share our life together as we shall around His throne. —T. Jackson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 36; Psalms 9-10; Matt. 20:17-34

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.     Luke 2:33

Our Saviour’s coming to earth brought different responses from a variety of people. The shepherds praised and glorified God because of Him. Simeon embraced Him and was ready to depart his life in peace. Anna, the prophetess, gave thanks for Him. Herod was troubled by Him. The wise men worshipped Him. What is your response? He came to be your Saviour. Receive Him.     —Rex Trogdon

O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the heavenly angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
—Phillips Brooks

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 35; Psalms 7-8; Matt. 19:16 to 20:16

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.    Psalm 142:1

Generally speaking, caves are unpleasant places. In a figurative sense multitudes live in caves every day—caves of worry, discouragement, depression, bitterness, fear, doubts, loneliness, to name just a few. When David wrote this psalm he was in a literal cave, perhaps Engedi or Adull-am, hiding from King Saul who wanted to kill him. What did David do? He prayed. And this is what we should do when we find ourselves in a dark and troublesome cave.    —W. Ross Rainey

Whatever fears or foes betide,
In Thy blest presence we may hide;
And while we rest our souls on Thee,
Thou wilt our Sanctuary be!
—Samuel Medley

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.    2 Kings 2:19

Here is an apt description of this world—it looks beautiful from man’s viewpoint, but to the spiritually discerning, the “water” is bad, and the ground barren. How true! The world is a wilderness wide and it lacks true refreshment for the soul. Apart from Christ, it offers no spiritual fruit for God. But Christians can say with confidence, “All our springs are in thee” (Ps. 87:7). God says in return, “From me is thy fruit found” (Hos. 14:8). The world may look pleasant, but Christ is the only source of true satisfaction. Drink from this well and you will never thirst again.    —Mark Kolchin

Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth, my Redeemer is to me. —Clara Williams

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.  1 Peter 2:24

It is overwhelming to consider the full implications of the sacrifice that was made for our sins. When there was no one in all the universe capable of taking on the task, the Son of God came to do it by Himself! By His death, not only has He dealt with sin, but He has reconciled and restored to God all who believe in Him. Let us worship Him today. —Jim Paul

I cannot tell why sin was found in Heaven,
Nor can I solve the mystery of the fall.
But oh, I know that mankind can be forgiven,
If on the Lord for pardon they will call.
For all man’s sin and guilt, Christ fully bore;
That man to his first place He might restore. —J. Danson Smith

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.    1 Peter 1:16

God’s ultimate plan for each believer is absolute holiness. In the meantime He asks that we daily pursue practical holiness. Knowing He is holy, we yearn to be like Him. Knowing He is God, we choose to obey Him. Knowing this delights Him, we strive to please Him. We have the resources: the Scriptures to enlighten us, the Holy Spirit to comfort, convict, and encourage us and Christ our faithful High Priest. May we daily be a pleasing reminder to Him of His beloved Son. —George Ferrier

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
—William D. Longstaff