Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 8; Psalms 38-39; Acts 3

 

But now in Christ Jesus ye who [once] were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.    Ephesians 2:13

 

Exclusion is an awful experience; how much more terrible when it entails estrangement from one’s Creator! Every person was separated from God by their sins. Gentiles were especially far off because they had no covenants or promises from the Almighty. But in Christ Jesus, believers are brought near through His propitiatory work. His shed blood removes the source of our separation so that we are brought near to a Holy God.    —Keith Keyser

We praise then our God; how rich is His grace!
We were far from Him once, estranged from His face.
By blood we are purchased, are cleansed and made nigh,
And blessed in His presence, in Jesus on high. —W. Yerbury

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 6:14 to 7:25; Psalm 37; Acts 2:22-47

 

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.    Romans 4:20

 

God’s promise to Abraham was beyond natural possibility. But Abraham believed God—that nothing is impossible with Him. We likewise are given exceeding great and precious promises. Promises such as “Seek ye first the kingdom of God … and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33) or “Whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it” (Matt. 16:25). Are you staggering at the promises? Be strong in faith. You will be blessed. And God will be glorified.     —D. Pickup

 

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I will prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. —R. Kelso Carter

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 5 to 6:13; Psalms 35-36; Acts 2:1-21

 

What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?    Mark 10:51

 

There are moments in life when it seems the Lord draws even nearer and gives us a special opportunity. The blind man knew exactly what he most needed and did not hestitate. How about us? Could we respond with the same decisiveness and make as specific a request?  The question is not, “What do you think I can do?” but “What do you want me to do?” Tell the Lord today. Nothing is too hard for Him.
—Carl Knott

 

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.
—J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 4; Psalm 34; Acts 1

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.    1 John 4:9
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.    1 John 4:10
We love Him, because He first loved us.    1 John 4:19

 

The love of God eclipses any love that man may display, desire or describe. His love was manifested to a lost, guilty world at Calvary. He loved us when we had no love for Him. He gave His only Son to the death of the cross, so that we may have the gift of eternal life and be filled with His eternal love. Do we love Him?     —Pete Smith

 

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so! —G.W.R.

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 2:23 to 3:22; Psalms 32-33; Matt. 28

 

Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.   Hebrews 7:7 (NKJV)

 

The Book of Hebrews is a book of comparisons. Compared to angels, prophets, priests, and men, the Lord Jesus Christ is greater. Through Christ, everything that we have been promised has become better. Hope, covenants, sacrifices, and promises have all become better in Him. So, the Lord Jesus is greater and better, and that makes us lesser. To be lesser is not bad. It is better. And that is beyond all contradiction because the lesser, that’s us, is blessed by the better, that’s Him.    —Rex Trogdon

 

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

DAILY?READINGS: Ex. 1 to 2:22; Psalm 31; Matt. 27:45-66

 

Ye are the light of the world.     Matthew 5:14

 

How should my life be like light? First of all it should reflect Christ. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so too when people see my life, do they see Christ? Secondly it should illuminate the darkness of the world we live in. When people see my life do they see clearly the way life should be lived? Thirdly my life should also be a warning to people who leave God out of their life. Just as a light house can warn ships of impending danger, so my life should reflect 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” May the Lord help us to shine bright for Him today.     —Sid Halsband

 

Jesus, Master, I am Thine; keep me faithful, keep me near;
Let Thy presence in me shine, all my homeward way to cheer.
—Frances R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 50; Psalm 30; Matt. 27:27-44

 

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.    Luke 21:26

 

We live in a world of great uncertainty—earthquakes, tidal waves and other natural disasters. There is also global economic instability, famine and disease. For many it seems hopeless but for those who reverence and believe in God and his Word the solution is in the soon return of His blessed Son—not only to take His own from the world, but to rule, judging the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). How glad we should be that our ultimate salvation “is nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11).    —Drew Craig

 

Heartaches all ended, school days all done;
Heaven will open, Jesus will come. —C. A. Blackmore

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 49; Psalms 28-29; Matt. 27:1-26

 

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.     John 3:14

 

Today the Chinese celebrate their New Year—the year of the Serpent. Serpents do not have a good reputation in the Bible. One was used to introduce sin to the world. Later, when Israel rebelled against the Lord, fiery serpents came among them and many died (Num. 21:6). In response Moses made a serpent, and set it on a pole. Those who looked to it lived. In like fashion, Jesus was lifted up on a cross to die for our sins. Those who look to Him will live.    —K. C. Ung

As the serpent raised by Moses, healed the burning serpent’s bite;
Jesus thus Himself discloses, to the wounded sinner’s sight:
Hear His gracious invitation, “I have life and peace to give,
I have wrought out full salvation, sinner, look to Me and live.”—J. Newton

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 47:28 to 48:22; Psalms 26-27; Matt. 26:57-75

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:9

 

A friend once said to me, “I’ve committed too many sins, God would never forgive me.” Do you feel this way? The Bible records that God forgave Saul, an accomplice to a murder; Zacchaeus, an unscrupulous tax collector and a woman who committed adultery. If you agree with God that you are a sinner and repent of your sins and place your faith in your sin bearer, the Lord Jesus Christ, He will forgive you of all your sins. Come to Him today.    —Bob Cretney

 

Christ receiveth sinful men,
Even me with all my sin;
Purged from every spot and stain,
Heaven with Him I enter in.
—E. Neumeister

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matt. 26:31-56

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.    2 Peter 3:18

 

Andrew Bonar (1810-1892) was a Scottish preacher and author. He once said that he could tell when a Christian was growing. In proportion to his growth in grace he would elevate his Master, talk less of what he himself was doing, and become smaller in his own esteem, until, like the morning star, he faded away before the rising sun. As a daily practice, we would do well to emulate Bonar’s principles for our spiritual growth.    —W. Ross Rainey

 

More like the Master I would live and grow,
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be
—Charles H. Gabriel