Author: Gospel Folio Press

Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

They feared the Lord, and served their own gods. 2 Kings 17:33

How can this be true of God’s people, the Israelites, whom He had done so much for? But let’s not be too critical of them. We can easily live the same way. We can fear the Lord on Sundays but serve our own gods the rest of the week. Are we a full, seven days a week Christian? When eternity opens before us, all the things we worry about today won’t matter anymore—only what has been done for Him. Are we on track with the Lord’s purpose for us? Let’s examine our hearts today and stay focused on our Lord Jesus Christ while we live for Him every day. —Eleanor Isaacson

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 Lemmel

Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45, NKJV

Mark 8:35 says that those who lose their life will save it. The Lord Jesus Christ died so that the lives of those who trust in Him would not be lost. God brought absolute good from Christ’s death and in response we learn to give of ourselves to His cause. Today by the eye of faith, we see God in Christ paying the highest price so the lives of many would not be forfeit. May our worship bring much pleasure to Him. —J. D. Fraser

O what a Saviour is Jesus the Lord!
Well may His name by His saints be adored!
He has redeemed them from hell by His blood,
Saved them forever and brought them to God. —A. Midlane

Joshua 16:1-17:18; Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13

The wicked shall be turned into hell. Psalm 9:17

Years ago we often heard sermons about the necessity of being born again to avoid spending eternity in hell, but that is rare now. The Psalms often have messages of comfort and encouragement, so these words stood out. They are so direct and emphatic. Hell is real. Dear one if you haven’t had your sin washed away by the blood of Christ, then you are classed as wicked, and will be “turned into hell”. Accept Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as the full price paid for
your sin and know today that you have eternal life. —M. Robins

“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last!
Almost cannot avail, almost is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail, “Almost—but lost”! —Philip P. Bliss

Joshua 14:1-15:63; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:5

Job made this astonishing declaration at the end of his trial. His knowledge of God had deepened! Job’s relationship with the Lord, which previously had been limited to what he had heard, became instead firsthand knowledge. Things that had been theoretical became very real and personal to Job. It would seem that there are some things we simply cannot know about the Lord unless He takes us through deep waters. What a comfort to realize that even in our most challenging times, the Lord reveals Himself to us.  —Lynn Shatford

What if a thousand sleepless nights,
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise? —Laura Story

Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

And the Lord shewed him a tree… Exodus 15:25

According unto the pattern which the Lord had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick. Numbers 8:4

And the Lord shewed him all the land… Deuteronomy 34:1

Moses was shown these things during the wilderness journey. A tree—a provision to sweeten. Thank God for the cross, for the One who suffered the bitterness of God’s wrath, that we may taste the sweet waters of salvation! The pattern—a plan to follow. A supernatural revelation that Moses never deviated from. May we follow closely all God’s instructions! The land—a prospect to enjoy. What future glory lies ahead in the Promised Land! Past, present and
future—so much to appreciate! —Pete Smith

May faith grow firm and love grow warm,
And pure devotion rise. —William Cullen Bryant

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

He (Peter) said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. John 21:17

Many of us appreciate Peter because we see in him so much of ourselves. Oftentimes he was outspoken, overly self-confident and hasty and these things led him into difficult circumstances. His zeal may sometimes have been misplaced yet what is not in doubt is his underlying love for the Lord. Despite all his mistakes there was a real love for Christ. That love, coupled with the energising power of the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost, would turn him into a powerful man for God. May love for the Lord drive us forward today!  —Philip A. Kaye

I love Thee because, Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.  —Wm. R. Featherstone

Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

Yet there shall be a space between you and it (the ark), about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. Joshua 3:4

Israel was about to tread an unknown path. But, the Ark was the symbol of the Divine presence and they must never take their eyes from it. As we face the uncertainties of life and the unknown paths ahead, remember that our Lord in heaven has trod the path before us, and if we keep our eyes on Him, rather than our uncertainties and fears we shall move forward with confidence.—W. H. Burnett

The path where my Saviour is gone,
Has led up to His Father and God,
To the place where He’s now on the Throne,
And His strength shall be mine on the road. —J. N. Darby

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

It is sadly popular for many to falsely tell inquirers that becoming a Christian will ease their troubles in life. The oft repeated word “overcomer” in Revelation reminds us that being a Christian means we can live above our trials, but we certainly won’t live without them. It is essential that we avoid the “what’s-in-it-for me” approach to evangelizing, and preach the message of eternal life in Christ through the forgiveness of sins. —Rick Morse

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

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.  Luke 21:2, NKJV

Hidden in this beautiful story is a picture of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the sins of all mankind. This poor widow came without fanfare or applause; and so did He! She came in deep humility; so did He! She gave with no thought for herself; so did He! She gave so that others might benefit; so did He! She gave to the utmost: so did He! —Ray Jones

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.  —Frances R. Havergal

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It has been rightly said that the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. The exercise of prayer requires time, discipline and concentration. Too often in the rush and pressure of life we can find our prayer life being so squeezed that it just becomes the ritual of formality instead of the reality of closeness. This is compounded by the fact that the prayer meeting is often the least attended gathering of the local church. We need
to be reminded again that prayer is essential for blessing.  —Paul Young

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