Author: Gospel Folio Press

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

[Wisdom] is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 3:15
To them that have obtained like precious faith. 2 Peter 1:1
By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. 2 Peter 1:4, NKJV

Wisdom is precious, and the most precious wisdom is knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 17:3), and finding eternal life in Him. Faith in Him is precious and once we trust Him He blesses us with precious promises. Where does all of this preciousness come from? It comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, because “He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7, NKJV)! —Annette Baal

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land,
Yes, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hands. —Jim Reeves

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17

This psalm tells us how to know the God of heaven more intimately. Sin comes between man and God, but when we openly confess what we have done, God will freely forgive and give us a fresh new start. We need not feel  embarrassed at our weakness— that is pride. God already knows our sin, but we have to admit it and follow Him once more. —G. Frear

Have mercy on me O God my King,
As to You now, my sin I bring;
Wash me thoroughly, make me clean,
Against You alone, my sin has been.  —G. F.

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

The righteous, having tasted of the tree of life, should witness to and win souls for Christ. In the great commission, the soul winner’s responsibility is to be found faithful to the task (1 Cor. 4:2). Noah preached and witnessed for 120 years (Gen. 6:12 cf. 2 Peter 2:5) without fruit except his family. But he was faithful!

Winning souls is God’s responsibility; witnessing is ours. Paul might have planted the seed and Apollos watered it but it was God who gave the increase—the fruit. (1 Cor. 3:5-9). Be faithful in your witness—do not be discouraged! —K. C. Ung

Are you winning souls for Jesus, precious souls for whom He died?
Are you loyal to the Master, Who for you was crucified?  —C. E. Breck

Genesis 18:1-33; Job 21:1-34; Matthew 10:1-23

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8, NKJV
Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord… except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:5, NKJV

Someone said, “There is always an ‘except’ in the best biography”! David wrote today’s psalm while experiencing the joy of sin forgiven following the big “except” in his life. Now God speaks to this renewed man, (v. 8) and gives him a three-fold assurance; I will instruct you; I will teach you and I will counsel you with My eye upon you. There may be an “except” in your life, but God is a forgiving, restoring God and still wants to use you! —Jim Comte

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways display Thine attributes divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace; above Thine other wonders shine.  —Samuel Davies

Genesis 17:1-27; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 9:18-38

And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” Judges 7:2, NKJV

Gideon had amassed a sizable army and felt prepared for battle. God told Gideon there were too many men. Why? God knows the temptation we have to trust ourselves and boast in our accomplishments when good things come. But, salvation is of the Lord! Let us go about our day renouncing faith in ourselves and boasting in God’s provision! —J. D. Fraser

When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way! —Don Moen

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Actively reading God’s Word means obeying His commands and claiming His promises. Today’s verses gives us three lovely commands to “actively read”. God exhorts us to rejoice in all circumstances, to continually live in communion with Him, and to be thankful for what He has given us. Therefore, let us live with joyful contentment, in active dependence upon Christ, praising Him with unstinting gratitude. This will please Him, bear witness to a watching world, and bring joy to our hearts. —George Ferrier

Rejoice, O pure in heart, rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King. —E. H. Plumptre

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

The earth was without form, and void. Genesis 1:2

The earth was without form and void and in six days, God shaped this beautiful world and His most intricate masterpiece— a man and a woman. Dear reader, does your life seem like it is without form and void today? Hand it over to Him and watch what He will do with it. He did it with His physical creation. Our Lord Jesus gave His life to make you His cherished new creation. How much more will He do it for you! —Eleanor Isaacson

Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated Lord to Thee.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.  —Frances R. Havergal

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me… Isaiah 29:13

In our times of worship, there can be a danger of worshipping God in a way that Diotrephes (3 John 9, NKJV) did, “who loved to have the preeminence”. A. P. Gibbs notes, “It is possible for one to draw nigh to God with his lips and yet be far removed from Him in heart”. May our worship be as the hymn writer wrote, “To God be the glory”. —Bob Cretney

To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
So loved He the world, that He gave us His Son. —Fanny J. Crosby

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God’s will is that His people gather to Him in His name. Saved people who want to follow Him and His Word are attracted to Christ, the gathering centre. They are drawn to the Word of God, the source of our instruction and the Holy Spirit, who presides over the group. He is the Divine Teacher. Spiritual gifts are used by individuals under His control, for the benefit of all. Saints enjoy deep and genuine fellowship together with the Lord in that place. —G. C. G.

In the midst His place He taketh,
Holy thus the gath’ring maketh;
Every thought of Him;
Awaketh praise in His name! —William Kirkpatrick

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 2 Chronicles 9:6

The queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to see for herself the things she had heard about Solomon. After she had observed all the glories of Solomon, she stood in awe and realized that what she had heard wasn’t even the half of it! We need to see for ourselves the glories of our dear Saviour till He come! May our prayer be that the Spirit would reveal Him to us in all His glory, as we pursue Him and peruse Him daily in His Word! —E. C. B.

While here, alas! I know but half His love,
But half discern Him, and but half adore;
But when I meet Him in the realms above,
I hope to love Him more, praise Him more. —J. Quarles