Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me. Ezekiel 44:16 NKJV

This is a millenial passage. In it, two groups of priests are identified. The first group were “ministers of the house”. Because of previous compromise, they were limited to ministering to the people of God. The other group, the sons of Zadok, had maintained their integrity. God said of them, “They shall come near…to minister to Me”.  The first  group’s ministry was for the people of God. The sons of Zadok had a greater privilege, that of drawing near and worshipping the Person of God. Our work for God’s people is valuable; our worship of God is a higher calling. —Gary McBride

Come, let us sing the matchless worth,
And sweetly sound the glories forth;
Which in the Saviour shine. —S. Medley

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

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26

Apollos was already a mighty and eloquent man in the Scriptures, but as is always needed, other believers came alongside to further complete his biblical understanding. Only a person’s pride would be offended at such activity. Happily we read that Apollos continued his mighty work, with his message refocused on the person of Christ. May we be receptive to the guidance of mature believers as our Lord leads them to assist us in our own growth. –Rick Morse

Help me to walk aright; more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me Thy way!  —B. Mansell Ramsey

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

By faith Noah…prepared an ark for the saving of his household. Hebrews 11:7 NKJV

Noah had an exceptional connection with God. In a time filled with evil and sin, he alone was righteous. He had the courage to follow God’s instructions, even though he was mocked by society.  He stayed true to his convictions even when many years passed by. Can we be like Noah in these troubled times? Can we stand up for our beliefs among the jeering crowds? I pray that I can be a Noah this year. —Debbie Douglas

We need another Noah,
In this world that is filled with sin,
To point them to the ark of safety
Then compel them to come in.  —Rachel McCutcheon

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

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

So spoke Joshua to the nation of Israel as they faced the challenge of entering the land that God had prepared for them. The challenges to possess their inheritance were formidable, involving warfare. But Joshua reminds them that they could not lose, because the Lord was on their side. So it can be as we face the unknown future with its challenges. Let’s step boldly forward knowing that we are on the winning side. —Willie H. Burnett

Press forward and fear not!
Be strong in the Lord,
In the power of His promise,
The truth of His word. —Edward Wakefield

Genesis 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matthew 1:1-24

For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. Do not be afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:12, 15 NKJV

It may not be a battle, but looking ahead into this new year, we face uncertain times. We feel like Jehoshaphat prayed, “We have no power…nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You”. God answered his prayer, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed”. Look to Him, be faithful, and trust in His Word. He will take care of the rest.  —Rex Trogdon

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home!  —Isaac Watts

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

And Abraham…called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. Genesis 21:33

One rendering of, “the everlasting God”, is literally, “the God of the vanishing point”. Standing on the road of life, the vanishing point is that spot in the distance where the road disappears, and our eyes no longer see what lies ahead. A new year is beginning tomorrow. Who knows what it will hold? We may find that even tomorrow will not unfold as predicted. But one certainty we can rest upon, is that the everlasting God is already waiting in all of our tomorrows and He will complete the work He has begun in us. —S. McEachern

O how sweet the glorious message, simple faith may claim:
Yesterday, today, forever; Jesus is the same. —A. B. Simpson

Esther 7:1-8:27; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Revelation 21:9-22:5

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

While out for a walk, I saw a young woman hugging a tree. She told me she hugs a different tree every day. I smiled and began pondering how we all need something to hang on to. Some hug their wallets, others their reputation, and some a tree. I’m glad to know that God invites us to hang on to Him! The Bible tells us we can have hope for this
life and eternity through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Hugging or hanging on to things doesn’t give us lasting hope—but Jesus can. Will you trust Him today? —Deborah Manera

I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me.  —Dwight L. Moody

Esther 5:1-6:14; Malachi 1:1-2:9; Revelation 20:7-21:8

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father…in heaven. Matthew 5:16

This morning as I opened a gate I could not help but notice the beautiful foxglove in front of me. I began setting up a tape to contain the cattle and there were more foxgloves. Some were standing regal and beautiful. Others had been knocked over by cattle but still they continued to bloom and beautify where they were growing. Do you feel discouraged today? Are you disheartened with your lot? Bloom and flourish where you are, that others may be encouraged to keep pressing on, or may come to know the Saviour. —Janet Fleming

Be a light for Jesus, shine now for Him,
Others soon will see it too,
You can help the Saviour reach to the world,
Let your light shine bright and true. —Janet Fleming

Esther 3:1-4:17; Zechariah 13:7-14:21; Revelation 19:11-20:6

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer… Psalm 40:17
The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us. Psalm 115:12

What an amazing thought! The mighty God of heaven, the Lord of all creation, is actually interested in you and me! Friend, no matter how hard things may be for you today, there is One who thinks about you! He knows what you are going through and fully understands how you are feeling. More than that, He can help you, if you’ll let Him. —Pete Smith

Thy thoughts concerning me, O God,
Are precious and divine,
Outnumbering the sands of time,
They assure me I am Thine.  —J. T. Nickens

Esther 2:1-23; Zechariah 12:1-13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

Today is now, but stay focused on then. Some may see the completed Canon here but let it touch your heart in another way. Let us be humble about the spiritual light we hold firmly just now, knowing that our understanding is incomplete until then. No matter how many sleepless nights we wrestle with our trial, we will still only know in part just now. Better still, our deficit in appreciating Christ now, will soon give way to the eternal “then”, when face to face, we shall behold Him. —Peter Ramsay

What rejoicing in His presence, when are banished grief and pain;
When the crooked ways are straightened and the dark things shall be plain.
Face to face, O, blissful moment! Face to face, to see and know. —C. Ellis Breck