Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 20; Proverbs 17; James 1

 

If we believe not (are unfaithful), yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself.    2 Timothy 2:13

 

Thankfully our salvation does not depend upon our faithfulness or consistency, but on His never changing faithfulness. “Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13.8). “His compassions …  are new every morning” (Lam. 3:22-23). Rest your weary soul on those truths!    —William Gustafson

 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
—T. O. Chisholm

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 19; Proverbs 16; 2 Peter 3

 

Jesus wept.    John 11:35

 

It may indeed be the shortest verse in our Bible, but is it also the sweetest? How tender and how blessed! What a spectacle! The Son of God, the Lord of Glory, shedding silent tears in heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved sisters of Bethany. The tears of Jesus reveal His true and perfect Manhood; they express, without words, His feelings for His sorrowing people, and His oneness with those who weep. His heart is still the same—He knows, He loves, and He cares.    —Jim Flanigan

 

Be still my soul—when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy tears.
—K. von Schlegel

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 18; Proverbs 15; 2 Peter 2

 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4

 

We have a thriving baby in our home. It is such a thrill to watch him as he begins to walk, to talk and to grow. As he explores new things, he needs our loving help to keep him safe, to guide him, and to encourage him. Do we treat spiritual babies with such care? Are we patient with them if they fall? Are we clear, but tender, in the guidance we offer? Do we delight to see them growing? What joy we will experience if we do!    —L. Shatford

 

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
Let us gather jewels for a crown above.
—C. H. Gabrie

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:41 to 17:13; Proverbs 14; 2 Peter 1

 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12

 

Is it right or wrong for the Christian to do this or that—to go here or there? If in doubt see what God says. Answer the following questions.  Is it of the world? (1 John 2:15). Is it to the glory of God? (1 Cor. 10:31). Can you ask God’s blessing on it? (Phil. 2:13). Is it a stumbling block to others? (Rom. 14:13). Does it have an appearance of evil? (1 Thess. 5:22). Is it a weight? (Heb. 12:1). Is it honouring to Christ’s name? (Col. 3:17).    —E. MacLelland

 

God gives the answers in His Word!
So rest thereon today,
Its light will shine upon your path,
And guide you all the way. —E. M.

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13; 1 Peter 5

 

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.     John 1:29

 

“The Lamb of God” is the most unique title given to God’s Son. John saw the Lord Jesus coming towards him and cried out in a spontaneous tribute, “Behold the Lamb of God.” In so doing he drew the attention away from himself and focused solely on the “Lamb of God.” William Barclay writes, “One word (Lamb) sums up the love, the sacrifice, the suffering and the triumph of Christ.” John recognizes that this Lamb alone can effectually deal with the sin problem. The Lamb not only took our guilt, but He took our sin out of the way, once for all, (Heb. 10:12). Thank God for the sacrifice of the Lamb.    —Jim Comte

 

Precious Lamb of glory, love’s most wondrous story,
Heart of God’s redemption of man—worship the Lamb of glory.
—Steve Green

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 15; Proverbs 12; 1 Peter 4

 

And [Samuel’s] sons walked not in his ways.    1 Samuel 8:3

 

How many times in the Old Testament have great men of God suffered heartache because of their children’s failure to follow on.  This should bring a response from us who have been blessed with believing children. Firstly, thank the Lord for his goodness to us—salvation is not inherited! Secondly, pray for those families who have done their utmost to instruct their children in the right paths, that they will be blessed by seeing children and grandchildren saved, or restored, later in life.    —Brian Russell

 

We ask not for them wealth or fame,
Amid the worldly strife;
But in Thy all prevailing name,
We ask eternal life. —Thomas Hastings

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 14; Proverbs 11; 1 Peter 3

 

For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord; and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him.    Numbers 16:11

 

Progress towards Canaan had stalled because of Israelite disbelief. The strongest attack on God’s leadership and order for Israel occurred at this time. Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, but God viewed that assault as being against Himself and took drastic measures to quell the revolt. If the vitality of your local fellowship is waning, do not rebel against the Lord’s leadership or His order for His Church. Rather, remove what is hindering good body-life: complacency, pride, and selfish attitudes.    —W. A. H.

 

Sprinkle Thy blood upon my heart, and melt it by Thy dying love;
This rebel heart by love subdue, and make it soft, and make it new.
—Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 12-13; Proverbs 10; 1 Peter 2

 

The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.    Genesis 3:13

 

Ah, yes, the serpent is so charming and persuasive.  Sin can become so alluring, so seemingly legitimate. Does not God want our happiness? And at the moment of temptation Satan promises us happiness. But he is the father of lies and one must turn away from his seductive voice and cling to the word of God. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. Sin will bring sorrow and destruction into your life. God loves you and wants your best. Obey Him.    —Donald Norbie

 

Happy the man whose cautious feet,
Shun the broad way that sinners go,
Who hates the place where atheists meet,
And fears to talk as scoffers do. —I. Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9; 1 Peter 1

 

Every beast that parteth the hoof … and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.     Deuteronomy 14:6
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly … But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.    Psalm 1:1-2

 

There is an interesting similarity between the clean animal and the blessed man. Two things characterized the animal that was acceptable to God. It chewed the cud and it had a parted hoof. So it is with the blessed man. He ruminates the Word that was read earlier, going over it again as he feeds his soul. This meditating process gives him power to walk a separated life, unspotted from the world.    —Sid Halsband

 

I love t’employ the morning light, amongst the statutes of the Lord;
And spend the wakeful hours of night,
with pleasure pond’ring o’er the Word. —Issac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 10:11 to 11:3; Proverbs 8; Jude

 

My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?    Matthew 27:46

 

It is recorded of the Reformation leader, Martin Luther (1483-1546), that he once set himself apart to study and meditate on these profound words of Christ from the cross. When at length he rose from his thoughts, he was heard to exclaim with amazement, “God forsaken of God! Who can understand that?” Have you realized that Christ was forsaken that we might be forgiven? Have you truly believed on Him and availed yourself of His forgiveness?    —W. Ross Rainey

 

Forgiven, forgotten, all cleansed in the blood,
My sins are remembered no more;
Atoned for by Jesus in Calv’ry’s flood,
My sins are remembered no more.
—Author Unknown