Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

 

 

They did not drive them out. Judges 1:32

 

“Almost” is generally not a very good word. When the surgeon tells you that he got almost all the cancer, that is not good news. When we almost pass the test, or almost make it home safely, this is not good. So when Israel almost drove out the enemy, it was like leaving a moral cancer in their midst. The rest of the book of Judges tells of the spread of that spiritual disease, wreaking havoc and causing generations of pain, misery, and suffering. Hidden sins, a compromising lifestyle, and accommodating choices in our lives will lead to the same disasters that plagued Israel. —Norman Craig Funston

 

No withholding—full confession; pleasures, riches, all must flee;
Holy Spirit, take possession! I no more, but Thou in me. —R. S. Pollard

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

 

Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.  Haggai 1:5

 

The returning remnant needed self-examination. At the expense of the Lord’s house, they were focusing on personal desires, such as making their homes decorative with gorgeous material things. Therefore, the Almighty called on them to “set their heart on their ways” (the literal rendering of the Hebrew phrase). Their hearts were wayward and spiritually cold; thus they needed to repent of their neglect of God and His house. What of our hearts? We may also need to turn our gaze on the Lord and His assembly afresh. —Keith Keyser

May grace, free grace, inspire, Our souls with strength divine;
May every thought to God aspire, and grace in service shine.—Philip Doddridge

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13

 

 

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Isaiah 5:20

 

The prophet Isaiah cried out against sin. It is one thing to sin and to have a troubled conscience. But the depth of depravity is reached when the conscience is seared and sin is termed good. Our society is at that place. There are a number of practices that God terms evil but our society now views as good. To condemn these practices is viewed as unloving, even as unchristian. In this scene of moral confusion believers must stand for righteousness, as lights for God in a dark world.—Donald L. Norbie

Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Saviour?
Are you ready His service to do? —H. G. Smyth

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

 

 

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see. Matthew 11:4

 

John the Baptist was in prison, his faith wavering. Had he been wrong when he proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God? Job was an Old Testament character who also questioned his faith as his trials continued. What was God’s answer to both men? See what I have done. Know that all power is Mine. Nothing is too hard for Me. You can trust Me. We too can rest confident in God’s love and power when our trials seem overwhelming. “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:12). —D. Pickup

God is still on the throne, Almighty God is He;
And He cares for His own through all eternity.—Wendell P. Loveless

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8

 

 

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come. 1 Corinthians 11:26

 

There are three dimensions of time in these verses. First of all, there is the past, “Ye do show the Lord’s death.” Then, there is the present, “As often as ye eat” and lastly, there is the future, “Ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” As we sit and enjoy His presence today, may we look with thanksgiving and praise on the past, and with joyful anticipation to the future and in it all, worship Him now in Spirit and in truth. —Robert Gentile

For the bread and for the wine,
For the pledge that seals Him mine;
For the words of love divine,
We give Thee thanks, O Lord. —Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 7; Isaiah 28; 1 Corinthians 7

 

 

Alas, my master! How shall we do? 2 Kings 6:15

 

 

This was the cry of Elisha’s servant when it was obvious that he was surrounded by the forces of the King of Syria. Elisha’s reply was so significant, “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (6:16). Unseen heavenly forces surrounded the enemy and the young man was given insight to see them. Remember the words of the Saviour, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:23). We are safe and secure as well. —Brian Russell

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break,
In blessings on your head. —William Cowper

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6

 

 

I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty. Ruth 1:21

 

When we pursue gods, idols, anything other than the God of heaven, we will ultimately sacrifice our children. Naomi and Elimelech left Judah full—two sons, possessions, land inheritance—seeking perhaps security, prosperity, relief in Moab. But the pursuit of these needs, however understandable, resulted in the loss of the very treasures Naomi was trying to clutch. —M. MacMullen

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only thee. —William Cowper

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5

 

 

Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1

 

It is sad when some believers get overtaken by wrongdoing. Though they may repent, some get discouraged and backslide. Sadder still when others think they are immune from such experiences and take a critical attitude towards them. Better to show love and compassion, winning the wanderer back into the right way! —Jim Paul

When Thou shalt revive us, Thy name we shall praise,
And nevermore turning, depart from Thy ways;
O Lord God Almighty, in mercy restore,
And we shall rejoice when Thy face shines once more.—Adoniram J. Gordon

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

 

 

He showed them His hands and His feet. Luke 24:40

 

In the Scripture, to lay hands on a person was to bless them. Jesus did this when He put His hands upon little children and blessed them (Mk. 10:16). He also laid His hands on the possessed and the diseased and healed them (Lk. 4:40). But to His disbelieving disciples He showed His hands. It was an act designed to ignite their faith. They saw the nail prints and knew it was Him. When He returns, it will be by His nail-pierced hands that He will be recognized. “They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10b). As you journey through the highs and lows of life, think of those hands pierced for you. They will comfort and encourage you. —K. C. Ung

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hands. —R. F. Miller

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

 

Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21

 

So said the Greeks to Philip and he relayed the message to Jesus. His early disciples also asked Him, “Where dwellest thou?” and He responded, “Come and see.” They did and from 10 a.m. that morning they spent the rest of the day with Him. What an experience that must have been—opportunity to relax, reflect, discuss, learn and enjoy. These men would surely agree that a day in His presence is better than a thousand other days spent without Him. Now, we look forward to spending eternity with Him but why not anticipate that by spending occasional whole days with Him now? Not just Sundays, even today! —Roy Hill

 

And if our fellowship below with Jesus be so sweet,
What height of rapture shall we know, when round His throne we meet!—Charles Wesley