Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 6 to 7:10; Job 8; Matt. 5:1-20

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Hebrews 4:15a

People with broken hearts are everywhere. Here are five comforts from the One who is the heart Healer. First, He feels and knows by experience what you are going through, for He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us that He cares for us. Luke 4:18-19 assures us that He shares with us in our distress. Isaiah 53:4 says that He bears our griefs and carries our sorrows. Best of all, He repairs our broken hearts (John 14:1, 27). One day He will wipe away every tear and there will be no more heartaches or heartbreaks! —Rex Trogdon

O yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.­—Frank E. Graeff

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 4-5; Job 6-7; Matt. 4

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers… Psalm 8:3

One can almost see David, going out and looking up into the crystal clear Palestinian sky, contemplating the shining glory of the stars and feeling overwhelmed. What a great, majestic God he has! We too, need to stop, consider and contemplate God’s creation around us. Look at the beauty of a rose, fragrant and lovely. Consider your own body, so marvelously designed and constructed. Look up at the stars, marvel and worship. —Donald L. Norbie

I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies. —Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 3; Job 4-5; Matt. 3

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25

Each morning, God promises new strength for the day. This is not physical strength, but divine grace to face the challenges that are ahead. For the youth, physical strength increases as he grows older. For the elderly, strength decreases. But God’s strength does not fluctuate with age. To both the youthful and the elderly (Isa. 40:29-31), the Lord promises, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isa. 40:31). Yes, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength” (Isa. 40:29). Such is the sufficient grace of God to meet every person’s need, including yours, this day. —K. C. Ung

God of our strength from day to day, direct our thoughts; guide our way;
O may our hearts united be, in sweet communion, Lord, with Thee. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11 to 3:26; Matt. 2

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Proverbs 25:18

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” This common saying is sadly untrue. What is said can be deeply painful. How we should watch our words—whether in speech or in writing, because slander and libel, especially among believers, can sever family and church relationships, and crush an individual’s spirit. When the Lord cried, “Reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness,” this applied to what was said to Him, as well as His physical suffering. —Brian Russell

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there. —C. Scriven

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 1:1 to 2:3; Job 1:1 to 2:10; Matt. 1

So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did [a wonderful thing]… when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. Judges 13:19-20

It was a simple gift. Yet in light of God’s transcendence and incomprehensibility, how could a young goat and a bit of flour mean anything? But it was from the heart and the astonishing happened—as the fire blazed, the angel entered the flame and ascended with the offering. As we offer heart-felt worship, the Spirit of God enters the flame, takes our feeble offerings and enriches them with the person of Christ. The feeble becomes infinite and a sweet savour to God.—S. McEachern

To all of our prayers and praises, Christ adds His sweet perfume,
And love the censer raises, its odours to consume. —M. Bowley

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9-10; Malachi 3:7 to 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7,8

The end! Sober moderation, prayerfulness and fervent love should typify our behaviour in these times. Yet more and more we are pursuing the passions of the world—pleasure and possessions. Less and less do we have time for prayer—personal or corporate. Still less do we have time for one another. Fervent love and Christian community have been replaced by casual acquaintance and self interest. Is it any wonder that our lives are characterized by pride and powerlessness; loneliness and emptiness? May God help us to repent and make the year ahead different. —S. McEachern

Because I held upon my selfish road, and left my brother wounded by the way,
And called ambition duty, and pressed on, O Lord, I do repent.—S. Williams

 

DAILY READINGS: Esther 7-8; Malachi 2:10 to 3:6; Rev. 21:9 to 22:5

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus. Luke 24:13

Our bus stopped, and after we disembarked, our guide asked if I knew where we were. I replied, “I don’t have a clue.” He smiled and said, “You are on the Emmaus Road.” On either side of that path there were small foundations on which houses had once rested. I wondered at which of them Cleopas had said to the Saviour, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” What wonderful company the Lord must have been during those evening hours. As the day of God’s grace rapidly closes, may each of us ask Him to abide with us. We can have no greater company in these dark, turbulent times. —Arnot P. McIntee

Walking with Jesus; walking every day, walking every way.
Walking with Jesus; walking with Jesus alone. —R. C. Savage

DAILY READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

A writer of old read this verse as follows, “All Scripture is God breathing.” Do you need a word of hope for today? God is breathing His truth to your soul through His word. Are you lonely? God’s presence, His very breath, is within your reach, in His word. The breath of God brought life to Adam. It is still bringing resurrection life to those areas of death in us when we allow God to breathe into our hearts. Yes, God breathed His word centuries ago, but He is still breathing those same words in fresh life, giving vigour and strength into waiting hearts today. —M. MacMullen

Breathe on me Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou dost do.—Edwin Hatch

 

DAILY READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. Genesis 32:20

Jacob feared death at the hand of his brother and so he tried to appease his brother’s anger with gifts. We face the wrath of God and eternal death (Romans 6:23). God is not appeased by our gifts or good works. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us,” (Titus 3:5). Which method are you counting on—your gifts and works or His gift to you? — P. W.

Thy work alone, my Saviour, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within. —H. Bonar

 

DAILY READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was [eager] to do. Galatians 2:10

The question is sometimes asked, "Why does God allow poverty?" He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He could feed the poor with manna and quails like He did for Israel in the wilderness. Is it not because He wants to give us the opportunity to share in love, with those whom He loves. A cup of cold water given in His name is the same as giving to Him. Also, it moves the recipient to give thanks for Christian generosity which brings glory to the Lord. May we be like Paul, generous and eager to share with those who are in need.—Milton Haack

I gave my life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be, and quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me? —F. H.