Author: Gospel Folio Press

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

Here we see the wonderful cycle of faith in Timothy’s life. It was the faith which dwelt in his grandmother and mother. The expression, “which dwelt”, is to say they were right at home with their faith. While faith cannot be passed down, it can be passed on. May God inspire us all to follow the good example of these two mothers in the Bible. Timothy did! —Rex Trogdon

O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;
Where ev’ry child is taught His love and favour,
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified.   —Barbara Hart

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 

God’s ultimate purpose is to populate Heaven with those like His Son. We see this illustrated in what scientists call “metamorphosis”. The process begins with an ugly, earth-bound caterpillar, but soon, it emerges from the chrysalis; now a beautiful butterfly fitted for the skies. So also, when our Lord returns, we will receive bodies “like unto his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21), fitted for Heaven. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”. —Willie H. Burnett

And is it so—I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory (thought beyond all thought!)
In glory, to His own blest likeness brought! —John Nelson Darby

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

By faith Abraham, when he was called…obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8
Being fully persuaded that, what (God) had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

Abraham believed the Word of the unseen God and acted upon it. Leaving the comforts of his home, he walked through the desert to a land he did not know; to dwell among a people whose language he did not speak. Yet he never went back but trusted God in spite of many hardships. He became, not only the “father of faith” but is a challenge to each of us today to be so committed; that we too, never turn back. —David Croudace

I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back; no turning back.
The world behind me; the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.  —Sadhu Sundar Singh

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. Genesis 3:18
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head. Matthew 27:29
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree. Isaiah 55:13

One effect of the fall is that thorns have grown on this planet and many of us have inadvertently been pricked by them when out in the countryside. Sadly, wicked men used these tokens of the fall to make a mock crown for our Saviour which was cruelly and painfully beaten into His brow. How wonderful that in the future millennial day the thorn will have disappeared and men will view the King not crowned with thorns but regal majesty! —Philip A. Kaye

The head that once was crowned with thorns,
is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns the mighty victor’s brow. —Thomas Kelly

Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

Banish self pity from your life. It has no place in the life of the Christian. Yes, things may be difficult at times, but keep the big picture in focus. Every believer is in possession now of every spiritual blessing. Material blessings come and go. The Lord will see we have what we really need of those. Remember how rich you really are in Christ. —Brian Gunning

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.  —Dallan Foregaill

Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11:11

Consider the pronouncement—Lazarus is sleeping. This sleep refers to the body of the deceased saint. Consider the promise: “I go, that I may awake him out of sleep”. This reminds us of the imminent awakening when the Lord “shall descend from heaven with a shout…and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16). Consider the power: He who formed Adam out of the dust of the earth, (Gen. 2:7), will again assert His power and raise up everyone that has died in Christ. How we long for that day! —L. Cain

Jesus is coming! The dead shall arise,
Loved ones shall meet in a joyful surprise.
Caught up together to Him in the skies;
Jesus is coming again! —D. W. Whittle

Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? Malachi 3:14

What’s in it for me? This is the sad state of mind for too many of God’s people in these latter days. The prevailing selfishness of our present day has infiltrated the minds and hearts of many, so that lukewarm indifference has displaced fervency and devotion. Have we become so absorbed with temporal things that eternal things are being ignored? Are mere moments in time worth forfeiting His eternal rewards? Do we think so lightly of Him? —Rick Morse

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray.  —J. Edwin Orr

Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

The Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23 NKJV

Praying that souls will be saved is consistent with God’s heart (2 Peter 3:9). Do we also pray for additional worshippers? That’s why the weary Saviour sat by Sychar’s well. That’s why Nicodemus heard, “You must be born again.” Whether female or male, religious or rejected by the religious, immoral or moral, all are candidates.
God’s grace produces worship in spirit (made spiritually alive) and truth (not empty repetition). John concludes his Gospel with Thomas’ touching worship, “My Lord and my God”! The Father values our worship. Let us aim for passion and excellence in worship now, until we worship eternally. — David W. Oliver

Jesus, our Lord, with what joy we adore Thee.
Lifting our praise to Thyself on the throne!  —H. Champney

Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

One day my wife and I were on a walk. It was one of those days when I felt being in a wheelchair was so unfair. Why did the Lord allow this disease to enter my body so many years ago? Just then we came to another wheelchair user. He had no companion and was so paralyzed that his electric wheelchair was controlled by a device steered with his mouth. The Spirit reminded me of the above verse. Ashamed, I confessed my sin of ingratitude and was glad that the Lord makes no mistakes. —Sid Halsband

Clouds and darkness round about Thee,
For a season veil Thy face;
Still, I trust and cannot doubt Thee;
Jesus! Full of truth and grace. —Charlotte Elliot

Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

The kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote…In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: The king of Jericho, one…king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one. Joshua 12:7-9, 24

Facing challenging circumstances and hostile enemies Israel progressively appropriated God’s promises. Each city had one authority, who was proven powerless by the Lord of Hosts. Every spiritual enemy we face has one authority, Satan, whose head was crushed at Calvary and he remains powerless to prevent those who stand with the Lord from appropriating His promises. —David J. Reed

Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world. —John Yates