Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 40; Psalm 18:1-29; Matt. 23

Whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 2 Samuel 3:36b

If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10b

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

 

Each of us lives to please someone! Either we want to please ourselves, or others, or God. Sadly, we spend far too much time and energy today trying to please ourselves and others. Sometimes we’re successful, and sometimes not. We know it pleases God when we live for Him—studying and obeying His Word. May we all have an ever increasing desire to please the one who purchased us with His own blood. —William Gustafson

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way;
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 39; Psalm 17; Matt. 22:15-46

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:12

 

Isn’t it strange that society, in its quest for enlightenment, would so despise God’s law? What society (or individual) wouldn’t be better off if they abided by the ten commandments? Would society be worse if people didn’t steal, didn’t lie, didn’t murder, loved God more than pleasure, or were faithful in their relationships? Of course not! Humanity’s condemnation is unbelief and society’s greatest deficiency is rejecting what’s best for it. —Rick Morse

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He your Saviour wants to be. Be saved today. —James Rowe

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 38; Psalms 15-16; Matt. 21:33 to 22:14

 

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

 

David likens the unity of brethren to the holy anointing oil that ran down from Aaron’s beard to the skirt of his garment. This anointing oil was made from various components which could never be cohesive until they were blended together with the olive oil (Ex. 30). So it is in our day. Each saint has a distinctive character and temperament which makes unity almost impossible, but when the Holy Spirit—pictured by the olive oil—is introduced, our differences are merged into a cohesive unity pleasing to God. May we each give the Holy Spirit His way so that unity will be maintained and God glorified. —W. H. Burnett

 

We would remember we are one, with every saint that loves Thy name;
United to Thee on the throne, our Lord, our life, our hope the same.­ —Author Unknown

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 107; Acts 28:17-31

 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

 

“I am relieved to be home,” said my wife. Three hours earlier she had received an anesthetic prior to her dental surgery. Now, she could not remember her conversation with the dentist after surgery, paying the bill, or the ride home. Our home-call to glory will be much the same. In the “twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52) we will be absent from the trials and tribulations of this world and enjoying our new home with the Great Physician. What a home coming! —Bob Cretney

Sooner or later cares will have flown, sunshine and gladness we’ll see.
Sooner or later God calleth His own, with Him forever to be. —W. E. Nelson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 37; Psalms 11-14; Matt. 21:1-32

 

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… But with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

 

Australian James Harrison has donated blood almost 1,000 times. His blood, which he has given every two weeks for more than fifty years, contains a rare compound that prevents babies from dying of Rhesus disease. It is estimated that Mr. Harrison has saved the lives of 2.2 million babies, including that of his own grandson. This remarkable story pales in comparison when we think of the Man who gave His blood only once, and in doing so, provided for the redemption of every man, woman and child on earth. Dear friend, can you ignore the love of the Lord Jesus Christ? —L. Shatford

 

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and raised up from the dead. —F. Havergal