Author: Gospel Folio Press

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

The sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

When I was a child, my father had a very special way of calling us to himself when were in a shop. He whistled and we all soon learned that we were to find him immediately. I used that whistle sound with our own children, and they also knew what it meant. Jesus tells us that He is our Shepherd. His own unique voice calls us out of the noise and clutter of this world and bring us into His rest. Are we listening for His voice? Do we follow Him when we hear His call? —Virginia Strout

Jesus calls us – by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all. —Mrs. Cecil Alexander

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NKJV

Where are you? God is directing this question to each one of us. We would do well to take a moment today and ask ourselves; where do I stand before God? Every one of us has been born outside the Garden of Eden. We are all children of Adam and have an inherent natural tendency toward sin and rebellion against God. The Lord Jesus came into this world to seek and to save the lost. Put your faith in Him today. —Sid Halsband

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed thro’
Ere He found His sheep that was lost. —Elizabeth C. Clephane

Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee … But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:5, 10-12

This story reveals God’s prerogatives. He alone has jurisdiction over the forgiveness of sins. It also reminds us of the power of God to heal disease. We see also the priorities of God. The spiritual need of forgiveness took precedence over the physical issue. Does this test us as to the priorities in our prayer lives? —Lloyd Cain

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.  —Robert Robin

Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother … With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother … Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus. Colossians 4:7, 9-10

Do you like getting letters and cards in the mail? Imagine getting an encouraging note from a brother in Christ like Paul, who was currently in prison for his faith in God! We should follow his example and send notes to encourage others in their faith. It is good to let others know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. —Pam Hagey

O happy day! When we shall see, and fix our longing eyes on Thee.
On Thee, our Light, our Life, our Love, our all below, our Heaven above. —James G. Deck

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV

Joni Eareckson Tada wrote, “Our God is an intentional God brimming over with motive and mission. He never does things capriciously or decides with the flip of a coin”. When my wife’s father was in severe pain, his wife said, “I don’t know why the Lord is allowing you to suffer like this”. He quietly responded, “He’s not finished with me yet. He’s still removing a few rough edges and preparing me for glory.” It was only a few minutes later and his “light affliction” (v 17) was over. —Jim Comte

When by His grace, I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me. —Charles H. Gabriel

Numbers 29L1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “…do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19 NKJV
I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:23 NKJV

The Lord, on the night He was betrayed, asked His disciples to remember Him. Later He made the same simple request to the church. Still today, we have the privilege to take bread and wine and remember Him. How can we forget His great love, His intense suffering, His crown of thorns, His body bruised and put to shame, His pierced hands and feet and wounded side. Will you remember Him today? Thank Him for His great salvation! —Jim Paul

He no sound while bearing my sin, cries not to be free,
With thankful heart I’d remember Thee. —Margaret L. MacDonald

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

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope … Romans 15:13

Our hope is a sure and certain future. It fills us to overflowing with joy as we think about it. Hope is not connected with doubt. It is known as hope, because it has yet to be realized and we do not know the timing of that fulfilment. The God of hope is the basis of the glory to come and that gives us joy and delight as well as peace and contentment. We rest on the Lord’s promises, His character and what He achieved for us on Calvary. —Paul Young

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day. —Jan Struther

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me … for we are brethren.” Genesis 13:8 NKJV

In relation to the impending land division, Abram could have correctly said, “I’m entitled to be first; it’s my right”. We are all quite good at that aren’t we? But Abram didn’t. Instead, he took second place. He exemplified a fundamental principle of maintaining relationships: people are more important than things. We are brothers, he said. Is this our attitude towards God’s family or is it our rights that come to the fore? Just as Abram was blessed, if
we give first place to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, God will see that we are blessed as well. —S. M.

Lord, let me live from day to day, in such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray, my pray’r shall be for others. —C. Meigs

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. James 2:1 NKJV

Favouring some means discriminating against others, which contradicts what our glorious Lord taught and practised. A Christian discredits their faith if they discriminate based on colour, culture, country, cuisine, career, clothes, or capabilities. Discrimination that occurs subtly with soft gloves doesn’t make it less offensive to the heart of our glorious Lord. It only more clearly reveals the treachery of our own heart. I am to judge the sin as soon as it rises in my heart. —Peter Ramsay

Give me a love that knows no ill, give me the grace to do Thy will;
Pardon and cleanse this soul of mine, give me a heart like Thine. —J. W. Van De Venter

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Joshua 10:13 NKJV

What an amazing answer to a prayer that pleased God with its daring and courage! Joshua did not request that God intervene as quickly as possible to finish the battle, nor to “please get them out of this mess”, a consequence of their own earlier prayerlessness. Instead, he prayed that they be allowed daylight till they finished the battle and eradicated the enemy army, as God had commanded. In this example I see a challenge to my own soul: embrace the
challenges, don’t seek escape or relief until the Lord has completed the work He needs to do in me. —Marilyn MacMullen

Fight the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right. —J. Monsell