Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3

 

O what cruelties men inflicted upon God‘s Son. They bound Him with cords; they crowned Him with thorns; they lashed Him with a scourge; they beat Him with a rod; they mocked Him with a scarlet robe; they burdened Him with a cross; they pierced Him with nails; and finally, when He had expired, they wounded Him with a spear. It was all for you and me. —Jim Flanigan

Bearing shame and scoffing rude;
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

 

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

Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

 

We often cannot help our own thoughts when we pray, but we should try to abandon them if we can. We are praying to a God that does not think like we do. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8, 9). I often pray for something yet in my mind I think it is impossible. I should think about the God I am praying to, who can do “above all that I can ask or think.” All things are possible with Him. —Harold G. Smith

I long to know Thy will and Thy way;
Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray. —Albert Reitz

 

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

That ye may remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God. Numbers 15:40

 

This brief verse declares what God desires from His people. First, we are to remember that He is good and does good (Ps. 119:68). Second, we are to be dissatisfied with doing anything less than all that He commands. Obedience demonstrates love (John 14:15). We are not to call Jesus “Lord” if we don’t do what He says (Luke 6:46). Third, we are to be holy, for He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). Children of God should be Christ-like in character. Note the order of these instructions: remembrance stirs affection, love enables obedience, and the exchange of our will for His results in deepening holiness. —Warren A. Henderson

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. —William Longstaff

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

Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation (care) hath preserved my spirit. Job 10:12

 

There are many circumstances in our lives, both in the spiritual as well as the natural, that are unknown to us—where God is working in guidance, protection and care. The apostle James tells us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (Jas. 1:17). Someone has remarked that although God’s dealings are perfect they are not necessarily pleasant! However, in all the variegated experiences of life, the One who created and redeemed us for His glory “is working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). May we rest in this certainty today. —Drew Craig

I know my heavenly Father knows, how frail I am to meet my foes;
But He my cause will e’er defend, uphold and keep me to the end.—S. M. I . Henry

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

 

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

 

Every dawn is a new morning and a fresh start. It can be a day to please ourself or to please our Father in heaven. If a child chooses to please his earthly father, he finds a reward of happiness. When our hearts are willing to obey our heavenly Father, we too will enjoy a close and sweet communion with our blessed Lord. May we make today a day to please Him. —E. MacLelland

To please the Lord is my desire,
No matter what those ’round may say,
To love Him more and do His will;
Everyday in everything, I pray. —E. M.

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 45; Psalms 23-24; Matt. 26:1-30

On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Exodus 40:2

 

The Tabernacle was set up for the first time on the first day of a new year. This was a fresh beginning and everything pertaining to the tabernacle had to be set in order, for God is a God of order. (1 Cor. 14; 40) To enjoy God’s presence, our lives must be in order too. In the world there is confusion and chaos, because people are not ordering their lives according to the Word of God. An unconsecrated vessel in the Tabernacle would hinder God’s blessing. If we are unconsecrated then we too will hinder the blessing of God in our lives and also the local church. Is your life in order? Are you set apart? —Jim Comte

 

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne. —F. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 44; Psalm 22; Matt. 25:31-46

And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. Genesis 50:25

 

Joseph’s bones would have constantly reminded the children of Israel of a better day to come. Today we have no mummy case to remind us that the best is yet to be. We have something far better—the empty tomb! What assurance, comfort, joy, and triumph it speaks to the redeemed heart. Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life? Are you living in the certainty of His return and the fullness of joy that it brings? —W. Ross Rainey

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth, that grace and pow’r are in His hand.—Jessie B. Pounds

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 43; Psalms 20-21; Matt. 25:1-30

Then took Mary a pound of… spikenard, very costly. John 12:3

 

What price was paid for this ointment of spikenard? It is described as expensive (NIV), precious (Mk. 14:3) and very costly. For Mary no price was too high. This was her life sacrifice she was laying at Jesus’ feet. It might have cost three hundred day’s working wages, as Judas adjudged—a waste to cast at Jesus’ feet. But it did not matter. Mary loved her Lord and He was going away soon. He was more important than anything or anyone else. But poor Judas—he was prepared to sell his Lord for just thirty pieces of silver. How distorted his perspective of life’s values! How much is Jesus Christ worth to you? —K. C. Ung

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His, than have riches untold. —R. F. Miller

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:50 to 42:38; Psalm 19; Matt. 24:29-51

 

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement. John 7:24

 

These words of the Lord Jesus make us question our attitude toward others. It is so easy to come to conclusions about other believers’ spiritual integrity by relying on superficial appearances or hearsay gossip. Spend time listening and getting to know people, and you may well find that they have an inner depth and sincerity which far outweighs your own! —Brian Russell

Search me O God, and know my heart today,
Try me O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —James E. Orr

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matt. 24:1-28

 

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them… that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. Exodus 14:4

 

God allowed the Egyptians to pursue the Hebrews, not to overcome them, but so He could deliver them at the last moment. In this way the Egyptians would “know that God is the Lord.” God may allow trials in our lives in order to speak to the unsaved who are watching us. He may or may not deliver us but our Christ-like attitude in the midst of adversity will be a great testimony for Him. —David Croudace

Men will look at the life I lead,
See the side I take, and the things I love;
They judge my Lord by my every deed–
Lord set my affection on things above.—Author Unknown