Author: Gospel Folio Press

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ Acts 22:12-13 NKJV

As Paul shared his conversion story, he mentioned the part Ananias played. This dear brother was known to have a good testimony in Damascus. His life was marked by a reverence for God and a genuine love for others. His warm greeting would have meant much to Paul. Later Paul writes concerning elders, “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside…” (1 Tim. 3:7). Let’s seek to emulate Ananias! —Pete Smith

O use me, Lord, use even me;
Until Your blessed face I see. —F. R. Havergal

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV

The cross reveals our wickedness and God’s holiness. We disobeyed His law, and deserve His judgment. His Son became the mercy seat on Calvary (Rom. 3:25 Darby), the place where “heaven’s love and heaven’s justice meet” (E. Clephane). He paid our debt and fully satisfied divine righteousness. Faith in Christ transfers God’s righteousness to sinners, who are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). Praise Him today for His incomparable grace! —Keith R. Keyser

When on Calvary I rest, God, in flesh made manifest,
Shines in my Redeemer’s face, full of beauty, truth, and grace.  —J. Montgomery

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

Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 NKJV

It is encouraging and liberating to remember that the Lord Jesus Himself said, “I will build My church” (Matt. 16:18). However, through the Spirit, the Lord Jesus gives each believer gifts and ministries for the building up of the body. Most of us serve in local assemblies, while others serve the Church in broader ministries. Our privilege and responsibility is to use whatever resources He has entrusted to us to strengthen and beautify the Church He loves.
As I gather with the Lord’s people, are my words, actions, and attitudes contributing to building up the saints? —David Wilson

We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows, the sympathizing tear.  —John Fawcett

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

He made His disciples get into the boat … the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land … He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them … He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. Mark 6:45-51 NKJV

Sometimes it is the will of God that we “get into the boat,” even when the winds of circumstance are contrary. We may be rowing against the tide, but be assured that the Lord not only sees our struggle, but He is ready to come to our aid, get into the boat with us, and calm the storm in His perfect time. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. —Edward Mote

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

The city of the great King. Psalm 48:2
We have no king but Caesar. John 19:15

How sad that within the walls of Jerusalem, the city of the great King, chief priests would acknowledge only the sovereignty of Caesar! Our Lord was despised and rejected, as He still is in the world at large today, but one day the King of glory will enter into that same city and be welcomed (Ps. 24:7, 9), leading to a righteous millennial reign. What a wonderful day that will be! —Philip A. Kaye

Jesus shall reign wheree’er the sun
Does its successive journeys run,
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. —Isaac Watts

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