Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Our heavenly Father has not promised us a trouble-free trip home to His house. On the journey, there will be grievous burdens to bear, and unexpected hardships to endure. He calls upon us, however, to let our burden be His, in the assurance that His sustaining grace is equal to the occasion. There is a serenity of spirit to be enjoyed when our burden is committed to Him! —G. Hall

A lighthouse at the opening of the harbour was bathed in light. Incredibly, none of it shone outward towards the ships that sailed nearby. Instead, floodlights circled the building, illuminating its own structure while the powerful beacon atop its perch was dark. Just like the lighthouse, there’s a danger of shining the light on ourselves. We are to shine forth the glorious Gospel of Christ to the world around us. We don’t promote ourselves, our good works, or personal performance, but rather we let our light shine so that others might see it and glorify our heavenly Father. —Jerry Proctor

We love the Lord Jesus indeed! But we would never, ever have loved Him, naturally speaking, except He had first loved us. If we grasp this central aspect of the Gospel, then so much else will fall into place in our understanding of God and His deep abiding care for us. All glory be to Him! —Mark Fenn