Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

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

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 36; Psalms 9-10; Matt. 20:17-34

 

My son, God will provide himself a lamb… Genesis 22:8

 

Isaac went up the mountain in ignorance. He was totally unaware that he was the intended sacrifice. On that occasion he was spared from death. Centuries later the Lamb of God’s own providing went up Calvary’s mountain in full and complete knowledge of what lay before Him. He was not spared but was the Sacrifice for us all. Hallelujah what a Saviour! —John M. Clegg

 

When we see Thee, as the victim, bound to the accursed tree,
For our guilt and folly stricken, all our judgement borne by Thee;
Lord, we own, with hearts adoring, Thou hast loved us unto blood;
Glory, glory everlasting, be to Thee, Thou Lamb of God. —James G. Deck

Where is the lamb? Genesis 22:7

 

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 35; Psalms 7-8; Matt. 19:16 to 20:16

And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove, and Asa cut down her idol. 2 Chronicles 15:16

 

It is hard to take a stand against family. But for Asa the issue was plain—the Lord must come first and his mother was breaking God’s first commandment and also His warning against idols. It must have been a tearful scene with his mother weeping and screaming at him. But Asa chopped down the idol and destroyed it. God must come first. Does God come before family influence in your life? Never compromise your spiritual stand or activity because of family. Be a good witness to them by putting God first in your life. —Donald L. Norbie

 

All for Jesus, all for Jesus! All my beings ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings, all my days and all my hours. —Mary D. James

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15

Apollos… an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. Acts 18:24

 

What a tribute to the spiritual abilities of Apollos. How we need men like him today, God’s great counterpart for the evangelist—one planting and the other watering. Apollos’ Biblical knowledge might have come at a cost, as it always does, involving investments of time and energy. There is nothing instant or quick about getting a solid, mighty grasp of the Scriptures. There has never been a greater time in the history of the church for men to rise up and meet the need of overwhelming Biblical illiteracy, men who are mighty in the Scriptures.—Norman Craig Funston

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. —M. A. Lathbury

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 32 to 33:17; Psalms 1-3; Matt. 18:15-35

At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. Numbers 9:23

 

As the Israelites journeyed to Canaan they followed God’s leading via a cloud. Often it travelled but it also rested. When this happened the Israelites rested in their tents, “whether it were two days, or a month, or a year” (Num. 9:22). Do you fret and chafe because you feel that your life is accomplishing little, or because of ill health that prevents you from getting out and serving the Lord as you would like? God caused Israel to rest, by keeping the cloud in one place for as long as He considered necessary. Trust Him when He calls you to rest too.—M. Robins

He gives us time to learn of Him and gently take our rest,
Let us not then frustrated be, but know that how He leads is best.—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 31; Job 42; Matt. 17:14 to 18:14

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee ‘Fear not; I will help thee.’ Isaiah 41:13

 

The Gospel of Mark tells us so much of the activities of the perfect Servant, often focusing on His lovely hands. He lifts up Peter’s mother-in-law, cooling her fevered brow (Mark 1:31). He touches a leper, cleansing him of his dread disease (Mark 1:41). He gently takes a little girl’s hand and raises her back to life (Mark 5:41). Are you feeling overwhelmed today? Do you have financial concerns? Feeling burdened about an unsaved relative, an illness or perhaps simply feeling lonely or depressed? Don’t forget you are in His hand (John 10:28)!—Pete Smith

 

I know whate’er betide me, His hand will safely guide me,
His love will ever hide me, in the hollow of His hand. —Florence J. Hadley