Author: Gospel Folio Press

Hannah prayed with a heavy heart, but she prayed earnestly, and in faith for a son. She told the Lord everything; her disappointment, her frustrations, and her bitterness. God honoured the prayers of this woman and He will honour your faithful prayers too. What a privilege to bear the names of your children to the Lord. Mothers, never give up praying. Remember there is strength in a mother’s prayer. Thank God today for praying mothers. —Jim Comte

To partake is to have communion, fellowship and involvement with someone. This passage clearly implies that we, the Lord’s bloodbought children, are involved in His body and blood, His life and death! We are now allied to Him with all the responsibilities and privileges this brings. One of the responsibilities is to “walk worthy of the calling (vocation) wherewith we are called” (Eph.4.1) and a precious privilege is to “show forth the praises (excellencies), of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2.9). How are we measuring up to this participation?—D. Craig

Jesus had invited himself to dinner in the home of a man of the community known to be a sinner. The Lord had done so with the intention of telling him how his sins could be forgiven. Sadly, critical neighbours misread the Saviour’s intentions. When did you last invite yourself to a friend’s home for that purpose, or better still, invite them to your home? It is a great place to share the Gospel. Rather than criticizing the Saviour, how much better, if the neighbors had prayed for the Saviour’s outreach. If you can’t invite the lost into your home, you can pray for those who invite them to theirs. — Arnot McIntee

There is no sorrow like those who have lost an elderly, loving spouse. But the Lord assures us that such sorrow imparts spiritual qualities to our heart. Our hearts are made better toward God, toward saints and toward the lost souls about us. In God’s school of sorrow we learn how to better comfort those who are mourning the loss of their loving spouse. Submission to the divine work of sorrow promises to make our hearts better. —R. D. Merrells

Engraved in the stonework of the main Post Office in downtown New York is this: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Regardless of circumstances,the work must go on. Do we have the same attitude regarding the Lord’s work? His love for us continues unquenched. What a challenge for us! —Brian Powlesland

Isn’t that good news! He’s coming quickly! He promised it three times in the last chapter of the Bible, and the Lord always keeps His appointments and promises. He never forgets, and is never late. Therefore, dear believer, today, no matter what your circumstances, there is every reason to look up and be encouraged, because we have this blessed hope: He is coming soon! —Carl Knott

Brother Lawrence, who lived over 300 years ago, desired to live daily in fellowship with God. He said, “I am doing now what I will do for all eternity. I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with all my heart.” Today let us join the heavenly throngs in blessing our God and worshiping Him. May this lead us to love Him with all of our hearts. —Donald L. Norbie

Time and again in Scripture the women far exceed the men in their spirituality. The words of Mary, known as the Magnificat, are some of the choicest in scripture—while poor Zacharias, although a godly man, was struck dumb with unbelief. What a debt we owe to godly women. Some of our best loved hymns, for example, were written by ladies who really knew and trusted their God. —Brian Russell

Isaiah had just had a glimpse of the glory of the Lord seated upon His throne, high and lifted up, and this had provoked him to confess his complete sinfulness and unworthiness. But after the live coal from the altar had touched him, he was ready to take up the challenge of service for God. There is certainly a great need for servants today. Not those whose self confidence has been developed in the schools of men, but those whose spirits have been bathed in the glory of the Lord, and whose confidence does not lie in self, but in the Lord. Only then can we respond, “Here am I, send me”. —W. H. Burnett

Sheep are not stupid creatures, but they are so prone to fear that they react, making foolish choices. If I respond to life’s challenges with fear, I too will run when I should stand still; I will speak when I should hold my peace; I will ignore reality when I should be alert to danger; I will make hasty decisions when I should wait for the Shepherd’s timing. These fearful responses will only make me more anxious. Instead let me remember that the Lord is my Shepherd. I must choose to fear no evil. —M. MacMullen