Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 9 to 10:10; Proverbs 6:20 to 7:27; Mark 16

 

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.    Psalms 34:1

The Lord takes great pleasure in our praise; hence it should be our constant practice. Rare today, the world takes notice when we publicly praise our Saviour. It also sets an example for the saints and can become contagious. Knowledgeable praise displays a deepening relationship with Christ. Constant praise expresses a thankful heart. Today let us look for opportunities to praise Him. With practice it can become as natural as breathing. He is worthy.    —George Ferrier

 

Praise ye the Lord, again, again.
The Spirit strikes the chord;
Not toucheth He our hearts in vain;
We praise, we praise the Lord. —M. B. Peters

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 8; Proverbs 5 to 6:19; Mark 15:24-47

 

So great salvation.    Hebrews 2:3

 

Why is it great? Because it is of God, not man. It’s Gods great idea. It’s great because of the price paid, the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s great because of the work it accomplishes, complete forgiveness of sin. It’s great because of the transformation it brings, the new birth. It’s great because it doesn’t depend on us. It’s great because it lasts forever. It’s great because it brings us exceeding great and precious promises. It’s great because it’s free! Great should be our praise to our  great God and our Saviour!    —Carl Knott

 

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!
—W. R. Newell

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 7; Proverbs 4; Mark 15:1-23

 

And there arose a great storm of wind.    Mark 4:37
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.    Mark 4:39

 

Many people are going through tumultuous storms. From physical infirmities to financial burdens to family problems, all are overwhelming. The Lord’s fishermen friends learned long ago in the stormy waves, it is only when Christ is allowed to be Captain of our lives that we experience true peace. For, after He took full control of the vessel, “There was a great calm.” Will you put your faith in the Prince of Peace?    —Bob Cretney

 

The raging storms may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
—Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

 

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the Lord loveth, He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.    Proverbs 3:11-12

 

Does it seem strange to be told here that unpleasant experiences may come upon us? It shouldn’t. Never did the Lord Jesus say that we would be exempt from trials and tribulations. Paul is a good example for us. He experienced great trials but God’s grace and strength were sufficient for his suffering. So we too can rejoice in our troubles knowing that we will profit from them later.    —G. Frear

 

Troubles and trials are sent to us all,
But our Lord is beside us and won’t let us fall;
He’ll carry us through, and give us more grace,
As we look in His Word, and gaze on His face. —G. F.

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 4; Proverbs 1; Mark 14:1-26

 

The print of the nails.    John 20:25
They pierced my hands and my feet.    Psalm 22:16

 

Iron-smelting furnaces have been found in many legionary fortresses throughout the old Roman Empire. Indeed the success of the Roman Empire in its pursuit of world domination was in no small part due to its expertise in the production of iron and shaping implements and weapons from it. Among the many crafted items that they developed were iron nails—large and jagged items. These horrible implements were used to nail him there. In love He stayed.    —Brian Powlesland

 

Was it the nails that bound Thee, Lord Jesus to the tree,
Nay t’was thine everlasting love, Thy love to me, to me.
Oh help me understand it, help me to take it in,
What it meant to Thee the Holy One, to bear away my sin.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 3; Psalms 148-150; Mark 13

 

She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.    Luke 2:7

 

Consider the humble circumstances of the Lord Jesus’ birth. Consider also His humble, obedient walk on earth—lived in poverty, as He went to Calvary: “He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Phil. 2:8). So, too, to those who humble themselves does He reveal Himself. How is your heart today? Is your heart now humbly receptive to the redeeming love of the Saviour?    —Mark Fenn

 

No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
—P. Brooks

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 2; Psalms 146-147; Mark 12:18-44

 

And Ruth said, …  for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.    Ruth 1:16

 

Commitment! It’s in short supply today. Many Christians will follow as long as the way is easy and does not clash with their own desires. The Greek word to “believe” means both to “depend upon”, and to “commit to”. When I trust Christ I am depending upon Him to take my sins away, but I am also making a complete commitment of myself, with all my hopes, ambitions, plans and possessions to Christ—a commitment never to be rescinded. I am saying “I’ll go where You want me to go; I’ll be what You want me to be.”    —David Croudace

 

All for Jesus! All for Jesus! All my being’s ransomed powers,
All my thoughts and words and doings, all my days and all my hours.
—Mary D. James

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 1; Psalms 144-145; Mark 11:27 to 12:17

 

The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:6 

 

They covered His face with shame (Ps. 69:7), with spit, punches, and slaps (Matt. 26:67) They pulled the hair from His face (Isa. 50:6). His visage was unrecognizable as human (Isa. 52:14), and yet through it all the face of the Lord Jesus Christ calmly displayed the glory of God. When man did his worst, God did His best, all seen in the face of His beloved Son. God’s fullness is found in obedience. Knowing what our Lord did and endured, and the resulting glory of it, should we not remember Him as He requested?    —Tom Steere

 

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead-to bear all ill for me.
A victim led, Thy blood was shed; now there’s no load for me.—A. Cousins

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 27; Psalms 142-143; Mark 11:1-26

 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.    Philippians 1:21

 

John Wesley was once asked how he would spend his day if he knew that he were to die at midnight the next day. He replied: “Why madam, just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five a.m.; after that I would ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I would then go to the Martin home to talk and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at ten p.m., commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in Glory.” This may be our last day on earth, may we live it for Christ!    —W. A. H.

 

With Him, with Him, to dwell; it may not be today;
And yet, my soul, it may; I cannot tell, I cannot tell.
—G. Warburton

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 26; Psalm 140-141; Mark 10:32-52

 

Beloved, believe not every spirit … Hereby know ye the spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.    1 John 4:1-2

 

How may I be sure that I have the Holy Spirit? And how do I recognise the Holy Spirit’s leading? Look at our Lord’s life. He was led by the Spirit His entire life. He walked in the constant companionship of the Spirit. Everything was in accordance with the Spirit’s leading. That same Spirit now indwells the believer enabling us to discern the false from the true and leading us if we will let Him. And, the “Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:17).    —Drew Craig

 

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed His tender last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter bequeathed, with us to dwell. —J. B. Dyers