Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matt. 5:21-48

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

The early church was marked by continuance in spiritual things. Modern believers need this persevering, “stick-to-it-iveness.” Lack
of commitment to the assembly meetings, inconsistency in ministries that God entrusts to us—even unfaithfulness in heart towards the Lord, impair our testimony and diminish our enjoyment of the Lord. Fellowship means that we have a share in Christ. We are invested in eternal things. This leads to an intrepid attitude of putting one’s hand to the plow for the glory of our Master. Faithful obedience has always characterized believers, and so it must be with us. —K. R. Keyser

Faint not, Christian! Jesus is near, soon in glory He’ll appear;
And His love will then bestow, power over every foe. —J. H. Evans

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matt. 5:1-20

And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men. 2 Chronicles 10:13

How important it is for younger believers to listen to the advice of their spiritual elders. We may not always get it right, but a life’s
experience with the Lord counts for much. Conversely, let us older saints ensure we are approachable and not unfairly harsh, and try to understand the problems of a new generation. —Brian Russell

Jesus Lord I need Thy wisdom,
For perplexing problems press,
And without Thee I am foolish,
Nor can bear the strain or stress. —Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matt. 4:1-25

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

The motto of the London Stock Exchange is “Dictum Meum Pactum” meaning “my word is my bond.” Founded in 1698, its sentiment goes back to a time when many business deals were confirmed with a handshake. A promise became a contract and the minds of the parties involved were contented. If man’s mind can be at peace on the basis of a verbal promise, how much more peace of mind can be enjoyed by trusting in the word of the Lord. —Brian Powlesland

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord.
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. —R. K. Carter

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matt. 3:1-17

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10

It is a great day when someone puts their trust in the Saviour. There are often tears of joy that accompany that blessed moment of salvation. How wonderful to know that there is joy in heaven too! Are you saved? If not, there can be joy on earth and in heaven if you repent and put your trust in Him today. —John M. Clegg

O happy day, that fixed my choice,
On Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day! Happy day!
When Jesus washed my sins away. —Philip Doddridge

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matt. 2:1-23

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Matthew 17:8
But we see Jesus… Hebrews 2:9a

The world seems to get busier and more challenging every day. But thankfully, we have the Lord Jesus Christ as an anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19a). As we keep our eyes solely upon Him, we can rest assured in His perfect peace. He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2a). We can trust Him completely no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in today. —Annette Baal

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —Helen Howarth Lemmel

DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matt. 1:1-25

In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. Genesis 8:13, ESV

This moment marked a new beginning for Noah and his family. For us, today is the beginning of a new year. Today is auspicious, but in truth, each day is a new beginning for us. So as this year unfolds and as each day unfolds, let us keep our focus on the Lord, serve Him more fully, love Him more deeply and learn to rest in His love! —Vickie Gaynier

O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
To see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly, day by day. —Richard de Wych

DAILY READINGS: Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7-4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

What a “Happy New Year” this was to be. Freedom from slavery, poverty and hopelessness. To come under a new head—Moses. To have a new hope—the promised land of Canaan. All this because of the blood of the Passover lamb, which sheltered the people from judgment. Dear reader, would you like to have a Happy New Year? Would you like to receive redemption through the blood of Christ, to be made a new creature in Christ Jesus, to have the sure prospect of heaven’s bliss at the close of this life? Trust Him now. —W. H. Burnett

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His wondrous love to me,
On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Rev. 21:9-22:5

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1

These complainers, living as far as possible from God, were burnt by fire. To live apart from God is death. God wants us to come near, but the only option is to do so in practical holiness and through His holy Way—Christ. The writer of Hebrews warns us that God has not changed, that “We may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). —W. A. H.

Adore and tremble, for our God is a consuming fire!
His jealous eyes His wrath inflame and raise His vengeance higher. —Isaac Watts