Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.    Romans 5:1

 

At the moment of salvation, the believer enters a new relationship where they enjoy peace with God. As the believer grows in grace, the peace of God becomes sweeter and deeper flowing through the soul like a river. The Lord Jesus himself, ere He left this world gave His disciples a legacy—my peace. With this perfect peace dwelling in our hearts we should never be afraid.    —E. MacLelland

 

A mind at perfect peace with God,
Oh! What a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood;
This, this indeed is peace! —C. Paget

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

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.    Psalm 19:1, 7a, 14

 

Psalm 19 is a wonderful psalm of communication. God speaks in three ways. First, God speaks from the heavens through the stars and sun. Then He speaks through the Scriptures in His precepts and law. Lastly, He speaks through His saints. No wonder David prayed as we should, too, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).    —Rex Trogdon

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be, filled with messages for Thee.
—Frances R. Havergal

 

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

 

Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.    Isaiah 53:4
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.    Psalm 23:6
Surely I come quickly.    Revelation 22:20

 

What confirmation and assurances are these that the believer’s past, present and future have all been taken care of. The sufferings of Christ have atoned for our guilty past. His goodness and mercy shall always be with us in our present life, and He will certainly come back for us as He promised.    —Jim Flanigan

 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
—T. O. Chisolm

 

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

 

Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.    John 2:5

 

Mary knew that the joy and blessing of this marriage feast was dependent on Jesus. For this to become a reality the servants had to do what He told them to do. Obedience to His commands is a prerequisite to every joy and blessing. The words of Jesus, “Fill the waterpots with water,” (John 2:7). was not just good advice; it was essential for the blessing of the marriage. It was also an opportunity for the disciples to prove their obedience. “They filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). Here is an abiding principle, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.”     —Milton Haack

 

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God. —C. D. McAfee

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

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.    Jeremiah 15:16

 

Jeremiah spoke for God in the midst of a rebellious people, and suffered much as a result, but the source of his strength and support was in the Word of God. The Word of God was to Jeremiah as important as his daily food, and the reason why he could rejoice in the midst of affliction. How do we regard the Word of God? Do we hunger for the Word as much as we would for our daily food, and do we take the time to digest what we read? Here is the secret of a joyful Christian life—being fully occupied with the Word of God.    —W. H. Burnett

 

We taste Thee, O Thou living bread! And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee the fountain-head, and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
—Bernard of Clairvaux

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

 

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.    Psalm 22:6

 

What shocking prophetic words concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. “I am a worm.” A nothing. Stepped on. “He is despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:6). Our Saviour voluntarily became the lowest of the low. He identified with His own creation, their guilt and shame, at Calvary. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). Your iniquity and mine. And thus comes grace. “The gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:15). Let it move our hearts with gratitude and praise today.    —Vern Markle

 

Who is this, despised and rejected, who the winepress trod alone?
Who is this by all forsaken, left to comfort there are none? —L. N. Morris

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

 

Through this man is preached unto you the foregiveness of sins:.
Acts 13:38

 

In a quiet and beautiful cemetery outside New York is a grave marked with a simple tombstone with just one word engraved on it—Forgiven. Who is interred there is not revealed. The occupant chose not to reveal an identity but to assure the passerby of what was really important in life and before death, to be forgiven. —Brian Powlesland

 

Not far from New York, in a cemetery lone,
Close guarding its grave, stands a simple headstone,
And all the inscription is one word alone – Forgiven
The death is unmentioned, the name is untold,
Beneath lies the body, corrupted and cold,
Above rests his spirit, at home in the fold – Forgiven.
—Author Unknown

 

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

 

And (Jesse) said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.    1 Samuel 16:11
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.
Luke 16:10

 

Jesse considered David to be too young even to be present when Samuel came to anoint a new king. But God thought otherwise. He saw David faithfully keeping the sheep while others enjoyed the ceremony. He saw a young man who was “faithful in little things.” Thus he could be depended upon to be faithful in bigger things—ruling the nation! Young believer, be faithful in each small task assigned to you and God will entrust you with much greater responsibilities.    —David Croudace

 

Just as I am, young, strong and free, to be the best that I can be,
For truth and righteousness and Thee, Lord of my life, I come, I come.
—Marianne F. Hearn

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

 

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.    Psalms 3:3

The Psalms are full of blessings. What a trio of them we have here. A shield all around us to protect us from the fiery darts of the devil. My glory, that we might rejoice in Him—we are not only accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6) but we are complete in Him (Col 2:10). The lifter up of my head. This is a lovely one. So often we are downhearted. It is another fiery dart of the evil one. But He is the lifter up of our head. Praise His holy name!    —Harold G. Smith

 

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

 

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:28
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.    2 Peter 3:18

 

Recalling our conversion can evoke joyful memories. Yet unless we keep growing we can quickly lose the wonder of who He is. Instead let’s cry out with awe each morning “My Lord and my God”—thanking Him for saving us; meditating on His Word; asking for today’s strength and wisdom. In the evening let us look back on the day, confessing our sins, seeking Him in the Scriptures, joyfully thanking our Lord and God for our great salvation.    —George Ferrier

 

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word. —W. D. Longstaff