Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God. Hebrews 11:10
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he
endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

These were men of faith, who knew that “without faith it is impossible
to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Abraham saw an invisible city.
Moses saw the invisible God. Life was not easy for these men, and life
is not always easy for us. Lift up your eyes to the eternal city and
daily covet the communion of Him who is invisible. —Jim Comte

While through this changing world below
I would not choose my path to go;
‘Tis the Father’s hand that leadeth me,
Then O how safe His child must be. —Ida L. Cornett

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

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah:
but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked
her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up
her womb. 1 Samuel 1:5-6

Hannah’s infertility elicited two responses from her intimates.
Attempting to assuage her agony, Elkanah gave her “a worthy portion”.
On the contrary, Peninah tormented her at every turn. During
Paul’s imprisonment, some tried to add to his pain while others
helped (Phil. 1:16, 17). In life’s trials, some rejoice at our calamities,
but if we are truly saints, we should “bear one another’s burdens and
so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). —Keith Keyser

Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God. —J. Olearius

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

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch
in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that
beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:1-2

Ed Lawrence, a prominent Canadian horticulturist, gave five principles
for pruning plants: anything that is dead, damaged, diseased,
dangerous, or not desirable must be removed. The result is a healthier,
stronger, more beautiful and more fruitful plant. What a comfort
to know that, as the Master Gardener tends to us, He only removes
what He knows is for our good. He is growing us into what He
desires us to be, conformed to the image of His Son. —L. Shatford

I am the Vine; My Father is the Gardener. Each branch that yields good
fruit, He trims and cleans, so that it will still more produce each day.—S.P.

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

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet;
and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
Luke 4:27

Our Lord referenced this story during his earthly ministry. It all
started with the faith and testimony of a little captive girl who bore
witness to Naaman’s wife whom she served. Read the whole account
in chapter five of 2 Kings. We are never too young nor too old to tell
of the saving power of our mighty God. —E. MacLelland

Oh! The wonder of the Gospel,
Today it’s just the same,
To all who come in simple faith,
Oh, praise His Holy Name! —Unknown

 DAILY READINGS: Gen. 30; Job 40-41; Matt. 16:13 to 17:13

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be
had in reverence of all them that are about Him. Psalms 89:7

Sadly today there seems to be a lack of reverence for the Lord in
many local churches. Appealing to the listener’s emotions appears to
be the primary objective when God’s people gather. The psalmist
reminds us that we are to demonstrate reverence, respect mingled
with awe, adoration and affection to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Let this be our focus when we gather unto His name. —Bob Cretney

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity. —R. Heber

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 29; Job 38-39; Matt. 15:29 to 16:12

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. John 7:37
For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to
stand? Revelation 6:17

We’ve all had “great days", during our lifetime. It was so when
Jesus was present at the Feast of the Tabernacles as recorded here. For
many, it was a great day as they accepted the Water of Life, a picture
of His eternal salvation. For those refusing Him then, and today, a
day of wrath is coming. If you haven’t accepted Him, do so, today.
Do not face, “the great day of His wrath”. — Arnot McIntee

I am resolved to go to the Saviour, leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One, He has the words of life.
—P. Hartsough

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 28; Job 36-37; Matt. 15:1-28

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour? Luke 10:29

Although asked for the wrong reason, this was a good question.
What is the answer? Anyone in need, who by the providence of God,
crosses your path and you are in a position to help. The need may be
spiritual, physical or material. Distance is not a factor and the person
may be a stranger or an enemy. Show him compassion because he is
your neighbour. Perhaps through it you will gain a brother or turn a
sinner from darkness to the light. —Milton Haack

They will not heed; they need to be sought,
They will not come; they need to be brought,
They will not know; they need to be taught.—Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert
place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and
they had no leisure so much as to eat. Mark 6:31

The context shows how demanding the previous days had been,
both physically and spiritually. The Lord was concerned that His
men should have much needed refreshments. The “holiday” which
He arranged for them was truly a “holy day”, for in it they gained
fresh insights into His greatness and power! What a good pattern for
us to follow in our “leisure pursuits”! —G. Hall

Then, fresh from converse with thy Lord, return
And work till daylight softens into even:
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn,
More of your Master and of His rest in Heaven. —E. Bickersteth

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for
envy they had delivered Him. Matthew 27:17-18

These leaders faced a threat; many of their followers were defecting
to Jesus. The Pharisees were not motivated by godly jealousy for
maintaining truth (2 Cor.11:2) as they would have others believe; it
was carnal envy. This was not the first time or the last, that the works
of the flesh came into play when the things of the Spirit were being
considered. Even true shepherds or parents may not always discern
what really motivates them when they think their position threatened.
Let us be careful to lead with pure motives. —Colin Anderson

If there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into
prison, and to death. Luke 22:33

During our Saviour’s sojourn here, the world was cruel towards
Him and unheeding of His message. Eventually they crucified the
Creator and Saviour. This was because the nature of the world and of
the Creator are incompatible—apart from the reconciling grace of
God. Let us not be surprised when the world continues to behave in
the same way. But let us, for our part, continue to hold forth the reconciling
grace of God, until the Lord, in His good time, decides it is
time to call us home. —Mark Fenn

Come see His hands and His feet, the scars that speak of sacrifice,
Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered. —G. Kendrick