Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 7:12 to 8:20; Eccl. 9:11 to 10:20; Luke 8:40-56

 

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.    John 20:16

It was our parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. We had a surprise party for them and my older brother came from a distance to attend. My father was sitting and talking when my brother walked in and greeted him. He turned, and momentarily seemed as if he would continue his conversation. Suddenly he realized who the visitor was and leapt to his feet. What a joyous surprise it was for Mary, that day, as the risen Christ spoke her name and she recognized Him.    —J. Fleming

 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing. —C. A. Miles

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 6 to 7:11; Eccl. 8 to 9:10; Luke 8:22-39

 

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood is no remission.    Hebrews 9:22

 

Our text speaks about our positional cleansing “He that is washed” (John 13:10); and our practical cleansing “needeth not save to wash his feet” (John 13:10). The water of separation in Numbers 19 was a purification for sin which involved no bloodshed … at that moment. But it did hearken back to the accomplished death of the red heifer, a completed work. So too the believer has been provided the ongoing value of Christ’s shed blood, to stay clean upon application. May we live righteous lives in the light of His sacrifice.    —Rick Morse

There is a blood-washed multitude, a mighty army strong;
The Lord of hosts their righteousness, redeeming love their song.
—Fanny J.Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 5; Ecclesiastes 7; Luke 8:1-21

 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.     Matthew 6:13

 

In this model prayer the Lord teaches us as His disciples to be heaven-oriented when we pray. We address Him as “Our Father,” a term of authority. We continue with “thy name,” “thy kingdom,” “thy will,” and we close remembering that we address the powerful, glorious King eternal. We are encouraged to pray, and we should pray with hope and confidence. But all our prayers should be molded and guided by this language that reminds us of our glorious Father’s authority and power.    —Carl Knott

 

Ev’ry care upon Thee casting, we would rest in love divine,
‘Till, in glory everlasting, in Thy heav’nly light we shine.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 4; Ecclesiastes 5-6; Luke 7:30-50

 

And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed.    Exodus 40:31-32

 

Though Moses was the leader of Israel, he obeyed the Lord’s command to wash at the laver before coming into the tabernacle. In a family, parents spend a good bit of time cleaning up their toddlers; yet, they must not forget good hygiene for themselves. As leaders it is easy to get caught up with the needs of those in our care and forget to attend to our own personal purity. As we collectively come before the Lord today, may it be with pure hearts and clean hands.    —W. A. H.

Water clear, standing near, wash our hands and faces clean.
May the Lord, by His Word, wash our hearts from every sin.
So let everything we see turn our thoughts O Lord to Thee. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 3; Eccl. 3:16 to 4:16; Luke 7:1-29

 

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.    Judges 17:6

 

God Himself should have been king over Israel, but rejecting His rule brought the nation into chaos. If your life is in a mess, the most likely reason is that you too have rejected God who gave His one and only Son to die for your sins. Not only did Christ die for you on the cross; but He rose again so that He could indwell you and give you a new life, delivering you from the turmoil, in which you find yourself today. Put your trust in Him and find cleansing, forgiveness, peace and a life controlled by the Lord Jesus Christ.    —David Croudace

 

Heartaches, broken pieces, ruined lives, are why You died on Calvary;
Your touch is what I longed for; You have given life to me.
—G. & B. Gaither

DAILY?READINGS: Deuteronomy 2; Eccl. 2:12 to 3:15; Luke 6:20-49

 

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.    Deuteronomy 33:27

 

What words of comfort to the child of God passing through this hostile world. Here we have a promise that the “eternal God” is our refuge, meaning that His protection is not subject to change through time, like that of the human kind, but is guaranteed for as long as He shall endure, and that means forever. But not only do we need refuge, we need to know that we are loved, and that there are arms that will always be there to hold us, and to support us. Such is the provision that God has made for us His people, and we need not fear.    —W. H. Burnett

 

Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love,
Leading onward, leading homeward, to my blessed rest above.
—S. T. Francis

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 1; Eccl. 1 to 2:11; Luke 6:1-19

 

The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach.    Nehemiah 1:3

When Paul saw the overwhelming idolatry of Athens, he was provoked with the zeal of an evangelist (Acts 17:16). Centuries earlier, Nehemiah’s reaction to the state of Jerusalem, a city he had never seen, was much the same. We are told that he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed (v. 4). Consumed with grief for his people, he was moved to respond. His actions are exemplary. First he prayed. Then he planned. After that, he left his comfort zone, leaving the palace to take a construction job. May God cause the state of our cities to move us to such evangelistic action!    —Norman Craig Funston

 

Others. Lord, yes, others, let this my motto be:
Help me live for others, that I may live like Thee. —C. D. Meigs

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 35:9 to 36:13; Proverbs 31; Luke 5:17-39

 

And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. Genesis 42:8
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph.    Genesis 45:3

 

The first time Joseph came to his brothers they did not recognize him. The second time, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and they were troubled at his presence. Jesus, like Joseph, “came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). But He is coming back again and will reveal Himself to His people and restore them to Himself. We will know Him then! What a wonderful God we serve whose ways are past finding out.    —Rex Trogdon

 

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all. —E. Perronet

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 34 to 35:8; Proverbs 30; Luke 5:1-16

 

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.    John 4:14    God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.     John 4:24
And he said, Lord I believe. And he worshipped him.    John 9:38

The Lord’s example with the woman in John 4 and the blind man in John 8 teaches us that worship should follow evangelism. A true understanding and practice of reverential worship will help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.    —Bob Cretney

Worthy of homage and of praise; worthy by all to be adored:
Exhaustless theme of heavenly lays! Thou, Thou art worthy, Jesus, Lord.
—F. T. Wigram

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 33; Proverbs 29; Luke 4:16-44

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
He has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.     Hebrews 13:5
I am the Lord; I change not.    Malachi 3:6

Change and decay is everywhere. Men’s hearts fail them for fear. The economic chaos and instability that characterizes the world’s financial markets have their roots in human uncertainty. The only place one can look to learn where this world is going is to the Word of God. But, on those pages the Christian also finds his peace, his rest, his assurance; in an unchanging God.    —Doug Kazen

 

Dear Name! The rock on which we build;
Our shield and hiding-place;
Our never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace. —J. Newton