Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Safety is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31

Someone has said, “When nothing is left that is sacred, nothing is safe.” Seeing the moral decay around us we wonder, have we reached that point? The Bible is banned from many public places and prayer too is not allowed. Schools have lockdowns and even worship centres are targeted for crime. While our physical safety may be hazarded, if our souls are anchored in Christ we are sheltered—in the arms of God. Proverbs 18:10 tells us “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” He is our hiding place. Embrace this promise for eternal peace. —E. Dyck

Tho’ the night be dark around me I am safe for He is near;
Never shall my foes confound me, while the Saviour’s voice I hear. —Avis B. Christansen

DAILY READINGS: Num. 26:52-27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. John 11:23-24
When Jesus therefore saw [Mary] weeping…Jesus wept. Jn 11:33, 35

Close in physical proximity, the needs of head and heart are often far apart. When painful times leave us bruised and trembling we can feel like Martha and want an answer for our head. And so the Lord affirms that one day the sorrows of this life will be swallowed up by eternal glory. But more often when in pain, we are like Mary and simply crave a balm for our heart. Jesus wept. Need we further proof that His heart is with ours? A bright future is coming. But for now, His tears mingled with ours carry us through. —S. McEachern

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

DAILY READINGS: Num. 25:1-26:51; Prov. 22:17- 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

You shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses…to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes. Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (NKJV)

Here is God’s desire for worship. The people (the Jews), the place (Jerusalem), and the procedure (offerings and tithes) are carefully prescribed. For us, suitable worship has also been decreed by the Lord (1 Cor. 11:20-31): the people (believers with sins confessed), the place (the local church), and the procedure (the breaking of bread). Though corporate worship is not constrained to the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Lord in the way He said is foundational. —W. A. H.

How happy are Thy servants, Lord, who thus remember Thee!
What tongue can tell our sweet accord, our perfect harmony? —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Luke 5:4-5

It had been a fruitless night of fishing when the Lord said “Launch out into the deep.” Simon’s resisting response of “nevertheless” was that of a defeated disciple who had spent a long, hard night of fishing with
no catch. But why call Him “Master” if there was only a half-hearted obedience? This was only a partial obedience for just “the net” was dropped overboard, yet “the net” could not hold the overflow of fish! Have you surrendered all to the Lord Jesus? —Jim Comte

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.—J. Van deVenter

DAILY READINGS: Num. 22:39-23:26; Prov. 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3

The writer to the Hebrews views the Christian life as a marathon race in which we are engaged. In an interview, a marathon runner said that there comes a point in the race when the physical effort seems overwhelming, and the will to continue is threatened. He said that at that point, the ability to continue depends on the focus of the mind. So also in the Christian race. We constantly need to be “looking unto Jesus” (v. 2) who Himself has suffered, but is now glorified, as we also will be, who follow Him. —W. H. Burnett

Faint not, Christian! though the road, leading to Thy blest abode,
Darksome be, and dangerous too, Christ thy guide will see thee through. —James E. Evans

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

If the way be too long for thee. Deuteronomy 14:24
And the Levite…and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow. Deuteronomy 14:29

All through the Old Testament, we read of God’s instructions for His people’s well being. No situation or person is overlooked. Our God cares and plans for our lives as well. Yet it seems so difficult to wait on the Lord. We want to make a phone call, speak to someone in authority, get action. We forget His love, His care and His great power, and wisdom. Let us wholly trust Him today. —M. Robins

With mercy and with judgment, my web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love,
I’ll bless the Hand that guided, I’ll bless the Heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s land. —A. Cousin

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Ex. 33:13-14

Israel had so sinned with the worship of the golden calf that God indicated to Moses that He would not personally go with His people positively. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Use every opportunity—sleepless nights, daily walks, meal breaks—to intercede on behalf of God’s people. God does hear and will answer for the sake of His own dear Son. Many of us have proved it! —Brian Russell

Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try.
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high. —Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

In the beginning God. Genesis 1:1
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24

These two verses of scripture, when put together, make us realize how much information God has provided for us concerning His timetable. By the help of His Spirit, His Word tells us everything that we can absorb, or understand between these two great events and even gives a glorious glimpse into eternity on either side! God wants us to know His plan. How much have we tried to grasp this amazing revelation? —Dan Coulson

Father, the thought was Thine, and only Thine could be;
Fruit of the wisdom, love divine, peculiar unto Thee. —G. V. Wigram

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Deuteronomy 5:7

An idol is anything that we put in the place that God alone deserves. Consequently, legitimate things such as family, jobs, homes and reputations may become false gods if we are not careful. The best antidote is to fill one’s heart with the Lord through prayer, praise, and meditation on His Word. When one considers His incomparable attributes as well as His tremendous works in creation, providence, and redemption, it inevitably leads to worship and thanksgiving. Only the true and living God is worthy of our hearts’ complete devotion. His loveliness demands our hearts, our lives, our all. —Keith Keyser

O for a heart to love Thee more truly as I ought,
And nothing place above Thee in deed, or word, or thought. —J. Monsell