Author: Gospel Folio Press

Genesis 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matthew 5:21-48

And David was greatly distressed…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

What do we turn to when discouragement, failure, disappointment, adversity, and anxiety face us? For David, there was only one choice—God. He knew that no thing and no person could give him the encouragement, strength and serenity of heart and mind that God could. My friend, are you looking for help from all the wrong sources, in all the wrong places? Pour out your heart and soul to God. He knows better than anyone what troubles you, and what solution you need. Be encouraged in Him today! —Deborah Manera

When the earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ, the solid rock I stand—
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend—
I go to the Rock. —Dottie Rambo

Genesis 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matthew 5:1-20

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:37, 39

An exclusive hotel on Loch Fyne in Scotland often attracts people wanting “to get away from it all”. Sometimes people want a quiet spot to escape the stresses of life or perhaps to have quiet space to consider an important decision. Were any hotel guest wrestling in their hearts about priorities in life, they will find the exhortations
of today’s texts engraved on the pillars of the main gates as they enter the driveway to this hotel—one commandment on each pillar. What are your priorities in life? Is one of them obedience to the Lord’s commands about love? —Brian Powlesland

Jesus for your choice is waiting; tarry not: at once decide!
While the Spirit now is striving, yield and seek the Saviour’s side.  —D. W. Whittle

Genesis 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matthew 4:1-25

David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained… Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 1 Samuel 23:14

David sought refuge in wilderness strongholds when unjustly pursued by Saul. No matter our circumstances, what a comfort knowing we abide in Christ—the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father. There is no safer stronghold than this refuge!

Neither our Shepherd’s hand, nor His Father’s hand will ever deliver us to the enemy (John 10:28). —David J. Reed

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm. —V. Charlesworth

Genesis 3:1-24; Job 4:1-5:27; Matthew 3:1-17

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. Luke 24:19

These disciples did not know it was the Lord when He asked “What things?” He wanted to hear from these two on the Emmaus road what they thought of the One whom they had hoped in. In response, they honoured Him three ways. They called Him a prophet; someone who stands in the presence of men on behalf of God.

Secondly, He was honoured for His mighty deeds and mighty words. He served before speaking.

Finally He was honoured for His priorities. God first then the people. How would we respond to the question “What things”? —Sid Halsband

Jesus is worthy to receive, honour and power divine:
And blessings more than we can give, be, Lord, forever Thine. —I. Watts

Genesis 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matthew 2:1-23

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. 5:21

The holy, spotless Son of God knew no sin! Yet He knew the shame of my sin as He hung on that cross. He knew no sin. But He knew the disgrace caused by my sin. He knew no sin. Yet He knew the humiliation my sin brought upon Him as drunkards sang songs to mock Him and others spat in His face. He knew what it was to suffer God’s full judgment for my sin, as alone, He bore my sins in His own body on the tree that I might be clothed in His righteousness. —David Croudace

Give me a sight, O Saviour, of Thy wondrous love to me,
Of the love that brought Thee down to earth, to die on Calvary.
O, make me understand it, help me to take it in;
What it meant to Thee, the Holy One, to bear away my sin. —K. Kelly

Genesis 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matthew 1:1-25

They compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. Mark 15:21, NKJV

Simon was passing by. He had other plans that day, another destination. But God had a plan too. In a moment Simon´s course was turned. Harsh hands compelled him to bear another´s cross and to walk with Him to Golgotha amidst a riotous storm of humanity.

It changed Simon´s life. As this year unfolds and we daily “pass by”, making our own plans; setting our own destinations; don’t be surprised if God interrupts, because He has cross-bearing plans for us too. It may be hard in the moment, but it will lead us to Calvary and closer to Christ. It will change our life. —S. McEachern

May I be willing, Lord, to bear, daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share—Thou hast borne all for me. —J. Hussey

Esther 9:1-10:3; Malachi 3:7-4:6; Revelation 22:6-21

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV

Which do we see in a verse like this—great opportunities or many adversaries? To see one is to be an optimist. To see the other is to be a pessimist. To see both, like Paul did, is to be a realist. Realistically, if God should open a great and effective door for the gospel, we should be ready as effective witnesses (Phmn. 1:6), trusting in His effective power that is working in us (Eph. 3:7). Then, as James says, pray—for “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16). —Rex Trogdon

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory,
Will the toils of life repay. —Eliza E. Hewitt

Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Revelation 21:9-22:5

I saw…coveted…took…hid. Joshua 7:21

Aachan’s sin of stealing of the spoils of Jericho presents the insidious path to ruin. Is this not the predictable pattern we see in other examples in the Bible? Eve saw the fruit. She desired it, took it (and gave it to her husband). Then they hid themselves. What about David? He saw Bathsheba, desired her, took her for himself and then tried to hide his sin. How we must carefully guard the eye gate! It is the first point of contact with the world and we are constantly bombarded with the lure of Jericho’s spoils. —Brian Cretney

O be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
So, be careful little eyes what you see.  —Author Unknown

Esther 5:1-6:14; Malachi 1:1-2:9; Revelation 20:7-21:8

But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

At the top of the tallest tree in the UK there is a visitor’s book. Climbers who manage to scale over 200 feet to the top can record their names as a record of their achievement. This reminds me of the tree (as Peter calls it) at the top of Calvary’s hill. As a sinner I came to that tree and it was there that I found forgiveness of sin and peace with God. It was at the cross of Christ that my soul was saved, and my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Is your name written there? —G. B.

His voice I hear, His love I know,
I worship at His feet.
And kneeling there at Calvary’s cross,
Redemption is complete. —Charles Austin Miles

Esther 3:1-4:17; Zechariah 13:7-14:21; Revelation 19:11-20:6

What lack I yet? Matthew 19:20

Nobody needs more information to become a Christian. None of us need more reasoning, more philosophy, more knowledge, more history or more evidence. The one thing lacking for all who refuse the Saviour is a true vision of themselves as God sees them. Once that pivotal day comes, we then know we need saving and cannot save ourselves. Then heaven’s windows open, and the bright light of God’s love shines in our hearts, revealing the perfect Saviour for all. —Rick Morse

My soul is night, my heart is steel—
I cannot see, I cannot feel;
For light, for life, I must appeal,
In simple faith to Jesus. —James Procter