Author: Gospel Folio Press

Judges 7:1-25; Isaiah 28:1-29; 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Whatsover things are are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report…think on these things. Philippians 4:8

The castle in Carlisle, England is accessed via an underpass beneath a busy road. The walls of the underpass bear memorabilia of the age of the steam train but also a six foot high bronze plate engraved with a list of words under the heading “Whatsoever Things”. The “things” listed are taken from today’s verse. The Bible may be a closed book to many, but when you know the Author, reading it is a pleasure. It is food for the mind as we read its challenging exhortations and precious promises. —Brian Powlesland

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —K. Wilkinson

Judges 6:1-40; Isaiah 27:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

How beautiful are thy feet with [sandals], O prince’s daughter!  Song of Solomon 7:1

The spouse considered his beloved’s beauty enhanced with sandals on her feet. But that was the beauty of the flesh, which many pay much attention to these days. When Moses appeared before the Holy God, he was told, “Draw not nigh…put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5). Christians coming into the presence of God today should draw a line between fleshly beauty that attracts attention to  themselves and the reverential piety that a holy God demands. Flesh and holiness cannot come together (Gal. 5:16). —K. C. Ung

How beautiful His feet appear, high on the mountain tops, who brings,
Glad tidings of salvation near, salvation from the King of kings!  —Charles Wesley

Judges 5:1-31; Isaiah 26:1-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38, NKJV

In the past few years beavers have moved into our town. They are causing problems as they block streams and  creeks, creating ponds where there weren’t any before. We can have similar issues spiritually. What is blocking the flowing river of living water from my heart? Is it unconfessed sin? Is it disobedience to the Word of God? Is it preoccupation with the world? Lord, help me to confess these to You and to be the witness for our Lord Jesus Christ You would have me be. —Annette Baal

Lord, make me a blessing today,
A blessing to someone, I pray;
In all that I do, in all that I say,
O make me a blessing today. —Fanny J. Crosby

Judges 4:1-24; Isaiah 25:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Psalm 106:8

When Asa and his mighty men of valour went out to fight against Zerah, the Ethiopian (2 Chron. 14), Asa proclaimed how powerful the name of the Lord truly is: “Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude” (2 Chron. 14:11). As we fight our daily battles, let us too acknowledge how great the name of the Lord is! Because of His great name and His power, He is able to be victorious against any enemy that crosses
our paths today. —E. C. B.

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go. —Edith G. Cherry

Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of  Melchisedek.  Hebrews 5:8-10

In the Old Testament, high priests were trained to perform their duties. Similarly, Christ, by suffering, was fitted to exercise His special work of consolation, intercession, and edification. He experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual pain, as well as family problems, attacks on His reputation, and rejection by His local and national community. Consequently, He knows how to succor suffering souls by applying comfort and strength. —K. R. Keyser

Exalted on His glorious throne, I see Him make my cause His own;
Then all my anxious cares subside, for Jesus lives and will provide.  —John Newton

Judges 2:6-3:4; Isaiah 22:15-23:18; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

One of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray.  Luke 11:1

Throughout Scripture we are constantly reminded of the importance of prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day. The Lord spent whole nights in prayer. The disciples spent days in prayer before they preached on the day of Pentecost. When Saul of Tarsus was converted he spent his early days in constant prayer. The energising power for effective gospel proclamation comes from believing prayer. That is why the great preacher C. H. Spurgeon once wrote, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” Our desire should be, “Lord, teach us to pray.” —Paul Young

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.  —James Montgomery

Judges 1:1-2:5; Isaiah 21:1-22:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. John 11:42

Waiting on God is never easy but often God’s delays are God’s opportunities. God’s timing is in perfect harmony with His will for us. His power is not limited from acting immediately, but waiting may bring more glory to Him. When there is more than one alternative before us, read God’s Word, pray and then decide which is most suitable to bring benefit to others and glory to God. Remember that a quick answer may be only a quick fix. —G. C. G.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me,
Glows with Thy fire divine.  —Edwin Hatch

Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Psalm 56:4

The Psalms are such a comfort to read! No matter whether David was feeling up or down, his thoughts were always turned towards the Lord. As we read and meditate on them, we find the solace that we need. In this Psalm David says that regardless of the circumstances that surround him, he will praise the Lord, and trust in Him. He knows that God will deliver him from his fears and give him something positive to follow. What a confidence to have such an outlook! —G. Frear

Thy will be done! I will not fear
The fate provided by Thy love;
Though clouds and darkness shroud me here,
I know that all is bright above. —J. E. Hornblower

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3

Difficult circumstances often find their way into our lives, stifling our joy and enveloping us in a spirit of heaviness. In times like these we need to ask ourselves where our joy comes from? Our outward circumstances need not affect our inner joy. Ultimately our joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. When this is fully realized, it will change our perspective, enabling us to break free of discouragement, replacing it with the quiet inner joy of the Lord. —E. V.

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
Let the joy of gladness flow down from Your throne;
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
Your joy is my strength alone, my strength alone. —Robin Marks

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Matthew 28:19

A missionary was telling an unbeliever that God loved him so much He sent His only Son to die for him so he could be saved. The man was thrilled and asked, “When did this happen?”. “Almost 2,000 years ago”, came the reply. With his hope shattered, the man retorted, “If that was true someone would have come long before now to tell us!”. Sadly he went back to his idols, without hope and without a Saviour. How tragic! For almost 2,000 years we Christians have been sent, yet millions still remain in darkness! “Go ye therefore!” —David Croudace

All the world for Jesus! Be this our earnest aim:
To spread the blessed tidings Of Him who once was slain.
All the world for Jesus, Let ev’ry creature sing;
All the world for Jesus, Our great eternal King. —Grace Weiser Davis