Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 25; Psalm 139; Mark 10:1-31

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb. 12:2

How can joy and sorrow mingle? It is made possible only at the
place called Calvary. There righteousness and peace kissed each
other. The joy of our great Redeemer is bringing many sons to glory.
Our joy is to be with Him for all eternity. —E. MacLelland

We think of all the darkness which round Thy spirit pressed,
Of all those waves and billows which rolled across Thy breast;
‘Tis there Thy grace unbounded and perfect love we see;
With joy and yet with sorrow, we do remember Thee. —G. W. F.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 24; Psalms 137-138; Mark 9:33-50

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Its estimated that during the average lifetime we will spend about
six months waiting at stoplights and two years standing in line.
These statistics may be exaggerated, but time is extremely important.
In view of the evil days in which we live, we are exhorted to redeem
it, that is, to buy up our opportunities to worship, walk and witness.
Time is short for all of us, but especially for the individual who has
not yet believed on Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, while there
is yet time, believe now on the Lord Jesus Christ. —W. Ross Rainey

Time is gliding swiftly by, death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, be in time.
Oh, I pray you count the cost, ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your soul in hell be lost, be in time.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135-136; Mark 9:14 -32

Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25b
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6

Imagine Jesus walking on the sea under a great wind as the water
moved up and down, back and forth, yet without missing a step,
without faltering or losing His balance. He was unwavering in His
character as well, which is shown to us in an allegory by His successful
traverse of the storm-driven sea. With our eyes on Him, we
can leave the seeming security of the ship and “hold fast the profession
of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.”
—Tom Steere

Through all this desert place, my guide and strength is He,
Till I shall see Him face to face, when He shall come for me! —G. W. Frazer

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132-134; Mark 8:27 to 9:13

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under
the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Planting a seed is a good thing. However, planting it at the wrong
time of the year would be a lot of hard work and result in very little,
if any, fruit. Doing God’s work is a very good thing, but it must also
be done in God’s time. To do otherwise can result in frustration and
very little fruit. By recognizing what season of life we are in and
doing the work the Lord has for us in that particular time, we can be
effective planters and harvesters for Him. —L. Shatford

In His time, in His time’
He makes all thing beautiful, in His time. —Dianne Ball

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 22; Psalm 128-131; Mark 8:11-26

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb
is His reward. Psalms 127:3
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not
be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:5

I was saddened when a woman recently said to me “My children
have destroyed my marriage”. How much better, when we see them
for what they are–one of God’s greatest blessings. Today let us thank
God for our children and seek with His help to bring them up to
serve and follow Him. —J. Fleming

The birth of a child; blessed gift from above,
Raise them up in His fear; fill their hearts with His love.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 21; Psalms 124-127; Mark 7:24 to 8:10

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but
to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

Who wants to be a good-for-nothing Christian? Paul was concerned
that he could be one (I Cor. 9:27), or that others might be
one—“saved so as by fire” (I Cor. 3:15). This is not a verse regarding
one’s eternal security. It has to do with one’s temporal usefulness.
God has many purposes for His children, and these include vibrant
lives that testify daily to the Lord’s grace. We need to aspire to be
good-for-everything Christians. —N. Craig Funston

Pure and holy I would be, worthy of Your love for me.
Teach me while Your light is clear; change me while my heart is near.
—Mike Hudson and Bob Farnsworth

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 19-20; Psalms 120-123; Mark 7:1-23

Wilt Thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and
praise Thee? Selah. Psalms 88:10

Human eyes, sightless for centuries, shall be awakened to behold
sights never imagined in physical life. What wonders they shall
behold when raised in fresh life to embark upon eternal bliss. Raised
in a moment to the radiant skies; roused from sleep to focus on the
glories of the risen Christ at that meeting in the clouds; revelations of
indescribable wonder will fill their vision. Then, throughout the ages
to come, they will be shown the exceeding riches of divine grace.
What wonders shall be seen! —Doug Kazen

How shall I meet those eyes? Mine on Himself I cast,
And own myself the Saviour’s prize; mercy from first to last.—Anon.

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished”:
and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Jn. 19:30

The words, “it is finished” were spoken with a loud voice, the
shout of a Conqueror, who fought through a long and terrible battle,
but declared victory as the evening closes. Finished! The long line of
sacrificial ritual. Finished! The prophecies all pointing to Calvary
were fulfilled. Finished! His mortal life, being weary, hungry, tested,
and buffeted. Nevermore would He suffer or die. Finished! His perfect
obedience. He finished the work His Father had given Him to do.
May our hearts overflow with worship today. —Milton Haack

’Tis finished! all the debt is paid; justice divine is satisfied;
The grand and full atonement made; God for a guilty world hath died.
—Charles Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 16; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time
is always ready. John 7:6

Spoken to His unbelieving family members, the Lord declared that
His time had not yet come to accomplish the work of salvation.
Eventually it would, but only according to God’s perfect timing–not
before and not after. In contrast, their time was always ready as it is
with anyone outside the household of faith. What it takes to make for
peace in a person’s life is unknown to us (Luke 19:42). But one thing
is sure, dear friend, your time is always ready to come to the Saviour
since you do not know what a day may bring forth (Prov. 27:1). Why
not settle the issue and come to Him today? —Mark Kolchin

“All things are ready,” come to the feast! Come, for the door is open wide;
A place of honour is reserved, for you at the Master’s side. —C. Gabriel

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 15; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

And He (Jeroboam the son of Joash) did that which was evil in the
sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 14:24
The Lord said not that He would blot out the name of Israel under
heaven but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam. 2 Kings 14:27

Jeroboam II reigned 41 years in Israel and was an evil king. One
would naturally despair for the people as to what would be the
response of the Lord. However, God was, and still is, sovereign, and
can bring blessing out of the most impossible of circumstances, and
people. In fact, he used this wicked man to save the people from their
enemy. That is why, at the end of the day, the believer must always be
an optimist. Do not fret. He is able and in charge. —Brian Russell

Why should I ever careful be, since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me night and day, and tells me mine is thine. —G. Paget