Author: Gospel Folio Press

I run a programme at a local college. Before each class I write the names of those who attend in a book. At the end of term I cook a meal for all my students. Some times though, someone will come to the door and state that they were in my class. I simply open the book and check if their name is on the page. If it is not, there is no entrance. A far greater entrance looms for all of us. God's book lists those who will enter heaven. Is your name written in the Book of Life?—J. Fleming

The Nazarite was manifestly different in the sight of men. Should not a Christian be different in the eyes of the ungodly? We are ambassadors of Christ, children of God, joint-heirs with Christ, possessors of unsearchable riches. Our kingdom is not of this world and our inheritance is in heaven. We should not just be different, we should be vastly different. Worldliness and immodesty are absent. Flamboyance is not seen. Such behaviour brings ridicule from the ungodly. Let it not be said of us. —R. Surgenor

To be led by the Spirit of God demands a willing obedience and surrender to Him. It is not a forced march! The Holy Spirit expresses Christ’s call within us and it is as real today as the day when it was uttered, "If any man will come after me ,let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me," (Luke 9:23). Being led and following are the voluntary acts of an obedient disciple. He leads us from ourselves to Himself and from our will to His will. Will you follow?—Drew Craig

Reflect upon the three word phrases in this text: “Lord Jesus Christ.” His names and titles testify to His supremacy. “He was rich.” All the wealth of Deity is His eternally. “He became poor.” Bethlehem, Nazareth and Calvary are land-marks in His journey of voluntary humiliation. “For your sakes.” What an amazing climax to a tremendous story!—George Hall

When people in the world are antagonistic or indifferent to our contemplation of Christ, we must not be surprised. They just do not understand. The hidden mysteries of God cannot be understood by those whom the Lord has not yet illuminated by His gracious Spirit. Let us  steadfastly and with prayer maintain our testimony and worship. And may we always treasure God’s precious thoughts to us in His Son!—Mark Fenn

God's people had done well in rebuilding the temple. In light of this, God made a promise to His people that the barrenness they had been experiencing would be reversed. He even marked the date it would occur—the twenty fourth day of the ninth month. This can be our experience too. Perhaps we have neglected the claims of God on our lives. If we again rededicate our lives, our all, to Him, from that very day, we can expect to see blessing come down upon us from above. —W. H. Burnett

In a world that is hopeless we have this purifying hope. It is to be with Him forever. It is called a blessed and living hope. This I can grasp quite well. But there is more in these verses, “ We shall be like Him.” We who are so carnal and selfish; we that sin in thought, word and deed, are going to be like Him? Only God and the power of the Gospel of His grace could ever accomplish this. All praise to Him!—Harold G. Smith

What an awesome scene. A mighty angel stands on land and sea and lifts his voice. With his declaration, time ends and then eternity! This day is coming and it may be quite near. How terrible shall be the end of those who do not accept the invitation of the Lord Jesus while there is yet time. Come to the Saviour today. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of Salvation," (2 Cor. 6:2). —E. MacLelland

Every instance of witnessing has its own issues. With those sent by the Pharisees, it was pride and trust in man-made tradition; with the woman it was a religious facade disguising her shameful sin; with the Athenians, it was meaningless, pretentious debate. Christ and His Gospel is the answer to all of these issues. We need to declare Him fully and faithfully. —Mark Kolchin

It was an awkward situation for the Jewish leaders; they didn’t believe in Jesus Christ, yet the centurion who had been kind to them requested them to ask Jesus to heal his ill servant. The centurion’s humility was evident; he did not ask Christ to come to his gentile home. His knowledge of authority and responsibility was also commendable. What is the lesson for us? We too must be under God ordained authority to honour God and serve others in His name. The only other system of authority is satanic and the believer cannot honour God while under Satan’s rule. —Warren Henderson