Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 27:20 to 28:14; Psalm 73; Acts 15:36 to 16:15

 

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.     Hebrews 10:12
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.     Acts 7:55

 

Jesus sat down as the victorious Monarch, His work completed, His foes vanquished. Yet this glorious one graciously rises from his throne and stands to welcome and honour his beloved servants as they arrive in His presence. What a Saviour!    —Sid Halsband

 

He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, whose mercy faileth never.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:31 to 27:19; Psalm 72; Acts 15:22-35

 

I will make him an help meet for him.    Genesis 2:18

 

In the creation narrative God creates the man first and then the woman. The man needs a mate to pass on his life. But his wife is to be much more than that. She is to be his companion and a helper for life. The man is to be the leader and she is to be his beloved supporter. The Lord thus spells out their distinctive roles in marriage. Women should marry a man they can follow and respect. The man is to be the provider, the protector and leader. There will be happiness in a marriage as each fulfills their role.    —Donald L. Norbie

 

Lord, I would be as Thou art; give me Thine obedient heart;
Thou art pitiful and kind, let me have Thy loving mind.
Let me, above all, fulfill, God my heav’nly Father’s will;
Never His good Spirit grieve; only to His glory live. —C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70-71; Acts 15:1-21

 

When [Barnabas] had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and [encouraged] them all, that with purpose of heart they would cling to the Lord.    Acts 11:23

 

One of the most needful ministries among the people of God today is that of the encourager. There is so much to be discouraged about. When we look at business and industry, government, the medical field, the educational world, international finance, there seems to be confusion on every hand. How blessed to have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us when we need encouragement (John 14:16). David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Sam. 30:6). Who can you encourage today?    —William Gustafson

 

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
—C. D. Martin

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 25; Psalm 69; Acts 14

 

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?    John 11:40

 

John 11 is a story of sovereignty, sympathy, and supremacy. In sovereignty the Saviour delayed coming to Bethany for two days. When He did come He came in real sympathy, mingling His silent tears with those of the weeping sisters. He then displayed His supremacy in calling Lazarus out from his tomb. Sovereignty had more in mind for them than the healing of their brother, and so the delay. If at times He seems not to answer our prayers we must remember His word to Martha, that if only we would trust we would see the glory.    —Jim Flanigan

 

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, on Thy name I call,
I am trusting Thee for ever, and for all.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 24; Psalm 68; Acts 13:26-52

 

So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him.     1 Samuel 19:18

 

How much David must have appreciated having an older spiritual man to resort to, and unload all his troubles. Thank God for those men and women, older and experienced in the faith, who are not only prepared to listen, but dispense comfort and advice. Senior saints, make sure that your home and telephone lines are open to other believers, especially the younger ones. Your presence and help is vital in these last difficult days.     —Brian Russell

 

But thou art near and with us, still to keep us on the way,
That leads along the vale of tears, to the bright world of day.
—E. Denny

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66-67; Acts 13:1-25

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.    Isaiah 6:5

 

What made Isaiah so small? His eyes had seen the King! What a lesson for us. The more we see of the beauty and majesty of the King, the smaller we will become. Isaiah was a good prophet, and humanly speaking could have thought very highly of himself, but this was not so. Here is true meekness. He saw himself in the true light of the King, the Lord of Hosts. Do we measure ourselves by others or by the King? “In me (that is, my flesh) dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18).        —Harold G. Smith

 

Once our blessed Christ of beauty, was veiled off from human view;
But thro’ suffering death and sorrow, He has rent the veil in two. —Herrell

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 22 to 23:9; Psalms 64-65; Acts 12

 

Now unto the king eternal … be honour and glory forever and ever.  Amen.    1 Timothy 1:17

 

Men rose as Britain’s king entered the room. “Please take your seats, gentlemen,” he said. Then jokingly added, “I’m not the Lord you know.” “No, your highness,” replied one of the group, “if you were, we would have gone to our knees.” Such was the response of adoring wise men to our beloved Lord as they gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are joined today by blood-bought believers who praise and adore their living, loving Lord Jesus Christ.        —Arnot P. McIntee

 

Glory, glory, everlasting, be to Him who bore the cross,
Who redeemed our souls by tasting death, the death deserved by us.
—T. Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 21; Psalms 62-63; Acts 11:19-30

 

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.    John 3:14-15

 

The solution was simple. Any bitten, dying Israelite need only fix his eyes upon the brazen serpent raised high upon a pole. God, true to His word, performed the miracle. At once the death-process was halted and was replaced by new life. For us, there is an infinitely greater “lifting up,” even the Lord Jesus on the cross, dying for our sins. Look to Him, in sincere, personal trust, and receive the life He offers you!    —George Hall

 

The serpent lifted up could life and healing give,
So Jesus on the cross bids me to look and live:
For “Whosoever will believe shall everlasting life receive.”
—A. T. Pierson

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60-61; Acts 11:1-18

 

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.    Psalm 136:1

 

It’s hard to miss the main thought in this Psalm. It has 26 verses and in each of them we read: “For his mercy endureth forever.” God’s mercy is set forth in creation, in His providential care of Israel, and in His benevolent provision of food for all flesh. But the main point is that His mercy endures forever! It has no expiration date. It isn’t an “offer good while supplies last.” Yesterday, today, forever, our God has been, is and forever will be merciful with us. Our response? We should never lose hope, but be eternally grateful for eternal mercy!    —Carl Knott

 

Come Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace,
Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
—R. Robinson

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 19; Psalms 58-59; Acts 10:24-48

 

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.    Isaiah 43:1

 

What words of assurance and comfort for the child of God passing through this vale of tears with all its trials and afflictions. Many a time we are inclined to fear as the waves and billows surge around us, feeling that we might be overwhelmed. Let us never forget that our redemption goes much further that the forgiveness of our sins. We belong to Him and we are in His care. The bride in the Song of Songs grasped the truth of this when she said “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Song 2:14). He has guaranteed our safe passage until we reach the heavenly shore.     —W. H. Burnett

 

Oh, this full and perfect peace, oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine. —G. Robinson