Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 34 to 35:8; Proverbs 30; Luke 5:1-16

 

In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also. Psalm 95:4

 

In October 2010, people rejoiced at the triumph of the human spirit as 33 Chilean miners were all safely rescued from the deep places of the earth. The human spirit there was greatly influenced by the miners’ faith in God and earnest prayers by family and friends. A Christian friend of one of the miners sponsored the t-shirts the men wore as they surfaced. On the front it said “Thank you, Lord.” On the back were the words of the above verse. Our media avoids any recognition of faith in God. Yet God’s goodness will receive testimony. How good to see Him acknowledged and honoured. —Brian Powlesland

High in the heav’ns, eternal God, Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break through every cloud, that darkens Thy designs.—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 33; Proverbs 29; Luke 4:16-44

 

I will praise the name of God with a song; and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy. Revelation 5:9

 

From ages past until events yet to come, one of the best ways to praise and magnify God is in song. In David’s case, it was one man praising God by singing. In this Revelation scene, it is the hosts of the redeemed praising the Lamb for redeeming them “to God, by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Today, many believers will gather in smaller numbers to sing his praises. When the assembly of God’s people gather to sing and praise the Lamb, will you be in their number? Don’t pass up the opportunity. —Ken Gross

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. —P. Bliss

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 32; Proverbs 28; Luke 4:1-15

 

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God… Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:19, 21

 

Paul here explains that nature has shared in the curse brought by man’s fall. Nature, though blameless, waits and groans. All is not as it should be. Praise God, all is not as it will be! In a soon coming day, all will change. There will be a rapid renewal brought about by the arrival of the Lord Jesus in person. He will deal in judgement with His foes, restore creation to its pristine state and usher in a reign of “righteousness and peace” (Psalm 72:2-3). —Drew Craig

Soon, descending from his throne, He shall claim Thee for His own;
Sin shall then be overthrown; Thy God reigns. —James Granahan

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 30-31; Proverbs 26:13 to 27:27; Luke 3

 

Apollos… [was] an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. Acts 18:24

 

Apollos possessed many outstanding qualities. He was eloquent with his words and painstaking in his study of the Word (vs. 24). Yet he was also teachable and gladly took instruction from others (vs. 26). He was fervent in spirit, having the ability to speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus. Later on we’re told how he dealt with Jews who were new believers (vs. 27) and also ones that were not yet believers (vs. 28). He is an unsung hero of the epistles and a worthy model of one who “rightly divides the word of truth.” —Norman Craig Funston

Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus where-e’r they go. —Mary B. Slade

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 29; Proverbs 25 to 26:12; Luke 2:22-52

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind. Luke 10:27

 

In our walk with the Lord we are often consumed with serving Him. This is good, because we are to be “doers of the word, not hearers only.” However, we must remember that “Life eternal is to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). A friend once told me, “It is more important to be in love with the Lord of the work than with the work of the Lord.” He comes first! —Bob Cretney

Take my love, my God I pour,
At thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be,
Ever only, all for Thee. —Frances Ridley Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 28; Proverbs 24; Luke 2:1-21

 

God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

 

We tend to forget or dismiss how tender God is toward His own. Perhaps it is because the judgement of the world is coming. We think of God as if remnants of His wrath could come our way, instead of enjoying just how good and kind and tenderhearted our Father is to those of His household. Even to prodigals, He is ever watchful of their return, ready to celebrate their repentance. May we approach Him with similar tenderheartedness, and extend it also to others. —Tom Steere

Through the love of God our Saviour, all will be well;
Free and changeless is His favour—all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us, perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us, all must be well.—Mary Bowley Peters

 

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 26:52 to 27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

 

 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Chirst. Ephesians 5:20

 

It is easy to be thankful in times of blessing. It is much more difficult to be thankful in times of sorrow, trial, or difficulty. Our prayer should be, thank you Lord what for You have given. Thank you for what you have taken away and thank you for what remains. Let us remember that our personal attitude will determine our spiritual altitude.—Robert Gentile

O Thou, whose bounty fills our cup with ev’ry blessing meet!
We give Thee thanks for every drop, the bitter and the sweet.—J. Crewson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 25 to 26:51; Prov. 22:17 to 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

 

The Society of International Law in London recently reported a startling statistic: the world has been at peace for less than eight percent of its history. The study stated that in the past 3,530 years, there have been only 286 years of peace. Over the same period more than 8,000 peace treaties have been made—and broken. In contrast to the world’s shattered peace, true peace with God is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. His will for Believers is to go on to know the peace of God from Him who is the God of peace. Do you possess His peace? —W. Ross Rainey

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin.
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. —E. H. Bickersteth

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

 

For this child I prayed. 1 Samuel 1:27

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Psalm 127: 3

 

Today there is a war on mothers and fathers. The media, government legislation and others are constantly redefining the role of the family. Yet God is the one who established the family and defined it as a man and a woman (Gen. 3:24). Only a woman can carry new life, the life of an eternal soul. This is the fruit of the womb. This is a holy gift entrusted to a mother. There is a cost of motherhood, and the price is no small sum to raise that child for God. Mothers, may God give you that needed grace! —Jim Comte

Bound by the grace Your love imparts.
Make me a mother who follows Your heart.—Claire Cloninger

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20 to 21:11; James 4:13-5:20

 

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

 

Do you like to meet with the Lord’s people? What else would I prefer to be doing? Meeting with His people honours the Lord, who bought us. It encourages the other believers, and it encourages you and me. We can look back and see many precious times of fellowship when we have met together with those who love the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember those former times of blessing and continue to look for them today. —Mark Fenn

 

“Abba, Father,” we approach Thee in our Saviour’s precious name;
We, Thy children, here assembling, now the promised blessing claim.—J. G. Deck