Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Let us … put on the breastplate of faith. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Sometimes in defining a word, its opposite gives a helpful insight. Rather than placing “doubt” as the antithesis of faith, someone has suggested “control.” I find this most helpful but also very convicting. What circumstances am I trying to control rather than leaning on the Lord to solve? What relationships am I clutching? Expectations I refuse to relinquish because I assume they are my right? These are evidences of my sinful tendency to control. But faith opens my hands in surrender and in trust. And my trust delights the Father’s heart. —Marilyn MacMullen

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all. —E. P. Stites

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

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV

Anxious. The centre of this word is the letter “I” and it ends with the letters “us”. It is when we try to work through a problem by ourselves that we get overwhelmed. The answer is to take our problems to God and leave them there. Christian fellowship helps us do that. The next time you are anxious, move from the letter “I” to the letters “us”. —Eleanor Isaacson

Before our Father’s throne, we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. —J. Fawcett

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

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Cor.  10:4

God has placed in our hands the most powerful weapon in the world — His Word. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, He uses it to break down barriers in the hearts of even the most hardened sinner. Don’t try to argue a person into the Kingdom of God, but quote the Word of God, then water that seed with your prayers. If he argues, just quote God’s Word again and allow the Holy Spirit to pull down the harshest strongholds. —David Croudace

God’s Word is like a hammer, that breaketh the rock in twain;
A lamp to guide our footsteps, and a light on the stormy main. —W. Mackie

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

When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. John 20:20 NKJV

There is a mixture of sadness and gladness when we meet to remember the Lord. So too for His followers then. On resurrection morning, Mary wept, till He called her name, and she clung to Him for joy. Later two disciples walked home and were sad, till they recognized Him, and their heart burned within! That evening the disciples were hiding, and Jesus came and stood in their midst! They saw His wounds and must have been sad, but when they heard His voice and saw His face, they were glad. —Rex Trogdon

O what gladness! No more sadness,
Sin nor care, sin nor care. —Miss C. A. Wellesley, Henry Bennett

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

It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46

Even in the patience of God, there is a limit as to how far someone’s refusal of the Gospel will be accommodated. He is not willing that any should perish, but He likewise will not force His way into anyone’s life who wants nothing to do with Him. Surely this must grieve Him and it should also grieve us. May our souls be moved to speak with some lost person today. —Rick Morse

There’s a call comes ringing, o’er the restless wave;
There are souls to rescue; there are souls to save,
Send the light! —Charles H. Gabriel

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

How many loaves do you have? Mark 6:38 NKJV

The disciples faced an impossible challenge. The Lord then asked them to examine what material resources were available. Those resources were entirely inappropriate to meet the needs of the hungry crowd. However, in the hands of Christ, they were blessed and multiplied so as to satisfy both the crowd and the disciples. The Lord did not ask them for the bread they did not have, only the bread they did have. As we serve, let us not be discouraged by listing all we don’t have, but remember the Lord simply asks us for what we do have. Those small resources surrendered to Christ will be enough for the task ahead. —Michael McKillen

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. —A. J. Flint

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

It may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6

Humanly speaking, Jonathan’s plan to take on the Philistine army was nothing short of suicidal. The enemy occupied the high ground, and they were greatly superior in number. Jonathan’s courage alone could never win the day, but when that courage was combined with unshakeable faith in the covenant–keeping God of Israel, the Philistines could not prevail. He said, “The Lord will work for us”, understanding, as David did later, that “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam. 17:47). Later, the people declared, “he hath wrought with God this day” (1 Sam. 14:45). —Phil Coulson

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

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

The Lord God prepared a gourd … God prepared a worm … God prepared a vehement east wind. Jonah 4:6-8

God gave comfort to the prophet Jonah through the growth of a plant and Jonah was very glad. However, when God sent a worm to destroy the plant and a hot wind blew and the sun beat down on his head, Jonah wanted to die. What is our reaction to the joys and sorrows that God allows in our lives? Are we glad when things go right but ungrateful when God allows difficulties to come along? God’s plan is always best, and we must learn to trust Him. —Virginia Strout

In sorrow He’s my comfort,
In trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll. —Charles Fry

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we also ought to love one another. 1 Jn. 4:10-11 NKJV

A proper assessment of my own self will heal many troublesome and irritating things in a local church. If I keep my own unlovableness fresh in my mind, and remember that God loved me in spite of it, then who am I not to love other un-lovables for whom Christ also died? If I struggle with loving another believer, I’ve lost sight of who I was before I experienced God’s unmerited love. I need to confess my sin of pride. —Peter Ramsay

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure. —Stuart Townend

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

A “thank You” to our heavenly Father for His grace brings great delight to Him. So too, does thanking Him for His faithful servants, as in a similar way, an earthly father rejoices when his children are praised. It is also encouraging to believers when we thank them for their love, interest, and faithfulness to God and us. Following those in distant places serving the Lord and sending our written expressions of thanksgiving and support allows us to share their
labour and be intercessors for them. —Gaius C. Goff

Have you had a kindness shown?Pass it on, pass it on!
‘Twas not giv’n for thee alone, pass it on, pass it on!
Let it travel down the years, let it wipe another’s tears;
Till in heav’n the deed appears, pass it on, pass it on! —Henry Burton