Author: Gospel Folio Press

The struggle for personal holiness is indeed a difficult one. Distraction from the world, disappointment with others and discouragement with our own spiritual progress may resign us to life on a lower plane. David knew the struggle well, as did Paul. But undergirded by the right Hand and pressing toward the mark, both these men of God committed themselves to “keeping on”. And so should we, when we are tempted to do anything less. —Mark Kolchin

The wise son gathered at an appropriate time, “summer”. He acted wisely and brought honour to his parents and family, but those who sleep in harvest cause shame. The word shame here means, “regret or consciousness of guilt”. We are living in the day of grace. Our Lord said the fields are white unto harvest. Therefore, now is the time to be wise sons and daughters, being productive for the Lord, gathering glory, honour and praise unto Him who alone is worthy of such. —Jerry Proctor

What an enormous hardship! Why allow this extra burden on the children of Israel? In being scattered, the Israelites got to know the layout of the land of Egypt and the people who occupied that land. When the time eventually arrived for the Exodus, they knew where to find the Egyptians who could supply them with the necessary gold and silver. The Lord always wins in the end. —Brian Russell

As the Israelites returned from exile, the Lord reminded them that their ancestors had not pleased Him, because of their disobedience to His Word. So often in life people dwell on what appeals to themselves. Paul described his life’s aim this way: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9 NKJV). Similarly, Enoch had the testimony of pleasing God (Heb. 11:5). Is my life pleasing Him today? —Keith Keyser

Thinking outside the box means reaching beyond our familiarity with a subject to a new understanding. When Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus had died, Martha believed He was too late. Her understanding of the Lord was limited by her familiarity with Him from past experiences. The Lord desired to show Martha that He is much more than a healer, He is "the resurrection and the life". To prove His claim, He raised Lazarus from the dead. What deeper understanding of Himself is the Lord longing to reveal to you? —C. Oriold

When coming to the king’s table, the bride brought spikenard whose fragrance would permeate the chamber whilst she sat there with him. We are also privileged to sit at the table, and like the bride, we should not only come to receive, but prepared to offer the fragrance of our worship. The woman in John 12 had prepared a pound of spikenard, very costly, and she silently broke it and anointed the Lord. We are told that the house “was filled with the odour of the ointment”. May this be our experience as we gather round the table each Lord’s day. —W. H. Burnett

Time ends and then Eternity! How terrible shall the end be of those who accept not the invitation of the Lord Jesus. Come to the Saviour today. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of Salvation (2 Cor. 6:2) —E. MacLelland

On the rooftop of Simon’s house in Joppa, the apostle Peter was torn between honouring Jewish convention and his desire to honour the Lord. This problem pushed him into a corner and he exclaimed, “Not so, Lord”. He was trying, impossibly, to serve two masters. If one calls Jesus Lord, then he cannot at the same time say, “Not so” to the Lord’s commands. It has been said that if He is Lord at all, then He must be Lord of all. —Roy Hill

Under the law, the minimum amount a thief was required to restore was double what he had stolen. Solomon, the king decided seven-fold would be appropriate. Our Lord Jesus, on the other hand, would not only forgive an offence seven times, but seventy times seven. Beyond even that, He restored that which He had not stolen away, the thing of greatest value, that is, eternal life. —Tom Steere