Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  John 3:13 NKJV

Some people think there are many ways to heaven. However, the Bible, God’s Word, tells us that Jesus is the only way. He is the only One to have come down from heaven and having fulfilled His purpose, to ascend there again. He promised that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. His supreme sacrifice on the cross was accepted by God as payment for our sins. Jesus died so that we might live. Will you trust Him today? —D. Cetola

Come every soul by sin oppressed, there’s mercy with the Lord;
And He will surely give you rest, by trusting in His word.
Only trust Him…only trust Him now. —J. H. Stockton

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

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. 1 John 3:14

Practical Christianity must be motivated by love. Nothing else will suffice. Love is at the centre of our faith: the love of God in giving His Son for us; the love of our Lord in dying for us; the love of the Spirit implanted in us, and the love of believers for the Lord and each other. True holy love for one another endures through deep waters of rejection and discouragement. Faith motivated by love for Christ means we do not give up as we seek to bless and help our brothers and sisters. —Gaius C. Goff

Christian pity moves our heart,
Through the love of Christ;
Others’ woes pierce like a dart
When there’s love to Christ.—William Reid

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

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him… John 9:35

Have you been cast out? By the world, by those you cherished as dear friends, or even by family? In those lonely and heart-breaking hours, there is One who draws near. He senses your need and comes alongside you immediately, even before you call on Him. He comes ready to reveal Himself on a deeper level than you have ever known Him before. In your sorrow, don’t turn away. Allow Him to heal your soul and draw you into intimate worship. —Eunice Free

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee—
Thou wilt find a solace there. —Joseph Scriven

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

And also say, Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us…and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me. Gen. 32:20
By which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

Jacob wondered if Esau would accept him or if he would have to fight for his life. To pave the way, he sent his brother a gift before he met him face to face. God loves us so much that He gave us the gift of salvation through His beloved Son. We don’t have to wonder if we are accepted. If we are in Christ, it is a fact! We are accepted, blessed, forgiven, redeemed, and sealed and we have an inheritance in heaven. What a wonderful God! —Annette Baal

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken.
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
And I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again. —Billy James Foote

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

All ate the same spiritual food. 1 Corinthians 10:3 NKJV

Israel’s wilderness generation was privileged to partake of supernatural sustenance through the manna. Sadly, they grew dissatisfied with God’s provision, loathing “this worthless bread” (Num. 21:5). Ironically, their first-century descendants used the manna to exalt Moses, and demanded that Jesus miraculously give them physical food. In their desire for a free lunch, they set aside “the living bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:51). Christ is far greater than Moses: those who ate the manna lived physically for a short time (Ps. 90:10-12). Because He is “the Bread of life,” those who receive Christ shall live forever. —Keith Keyser

We taste Thee, O Thou living bread, and long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the fountain-head, and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
—Bernard of Clairvaux

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

They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28
The beloved of the Lord…shall dwell between his shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12
Underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who will lead us safely home. We cannot be lost because His almighty hand has secured us forever, and there is no power greater than His. He also shelters and supports us. Even though we may stumble or stray, He will never abandon us. He will lift us up and draw us back to Himself. He died to save us and now He ever lives to keep us. —Clark Logan

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake;
I will guide, and save, and keep thee,
For My name and mercy’s sake. —Author Unknown

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

Herod the king…killed James…he proceeded further to take Peter also. Acts 12:1-3
He…declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. Acts 12:17

Sometimes, there are no answers. Here are two men, two arrests, two intended executions, but radically different outcomes. One family mourned. The other rejoiced. Couldn’t God have sent another angel to rescue James? Of course. Such is the divine enigma of God’s dealings. Sometimes He intervenes in our circumstances to protect us and our loves ones. Sometimes He permits evil. In the midst of such trials, all we can do is trust in the wisdom and goodness of our God. —Kevin Shantz

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

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

And if I go and prepare a place for you , I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

By the grace of God, another year commences. This present day of grace still runs its course. As you look at this calendar for the first time today, surely this question could be asked, “Is this the year of the Lord’s return?” The Lord made a promise that He would return, a promise which cannot be broken. Are you ready and prepared for that return? —John M. Clegg

Jesus is coming! The promise is true,
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few,
Waiting and watching, prepared for review?
Jesus is coming again! —Daniel W. Whittle

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

Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. Genesis 1:9 NKJV

Six times in this chapter of mighty creatorial power, we read “God said and it was so”. There is never any reason to doubt that God will do what He says He will do. A new year will arrive tomorrow. Many of us can probably look back over the past year and wonder why things we longed for have not come to pass. Don’t give up. Continue to seek Him out in prayer and wait to receive His word for your answer. Trust Him. He will bring the right thing to pass at just the right time, for His glory. —K.J.W.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise, just to know “Thus saith the Lord!”  —Louisa Stead

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

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. Lam. 3:25 NKJV

This was the verse for today in Jabe Nicholson’s Petition Mission. I dutifully wrote it in my journal and nodded in appreciation of this very familiar truth, never thinking that I would have to apply it immediately. For as the day unfolded a medical situation that I thought was urgently needed was postponed. In communicating this change in timing to family I added the words of this verse, and slowly the truth of it nourished my soul. The word “linger”
has been challenging me this year, so perhaps this verse could include that the Lord is good to those who wait for, (and linger with) Him. —Marilyn MacMullen

My soul with patience waits, for Thee the living Lord;
The plenteous source and spring from whence eternal succour flows.  —Laura Tate