Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1

Just before the glorious descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples of Jesus we read that “they were all with one accord in one place.” This suggests more than being in the same geographical location. They had a togetherness of purpose, of expectation, of prayerfulness and as a result received great blessing. Jealousies, petty disputes, personality clashes need to be done away with and then God will pour out the blessing by His Spirit’s power. —Paul Young

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity. —St. Bernard of Clairvaux

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 13:24-59; Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 4:1-20

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. John 6:4

It is a tragedy when a group of professing believers have assumed that God is amongst them when He is not. Three times John refers to the feast of Jehovah as a “feast of the Jews.” The passover was a celebration of thanksgiving for God delivering His people from Egyptian bondage. The heartfelt praise and thanksgiving had been replaced by legalistic tradition void of life and reality. The danger still exists today! Each Lord’s day as we come to recall a greater deliverance, let us endeavour to examine our hearts and keep our praise and worship fresh. —Sid Halsband

If now, with eyes defiled and dim, we see the signs, but see not Him,
O may His love the scales displace, and bid us see Him face to face. —C. H. Spurgeon

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 12:1-13:23; Psalms 116:1-117:2; Mark 3:13-35

And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar. 1 Chronicles 25:8

To those who are regularly given opportunity to teach God’s Word in your assembly: are you also a scholar? A lot of precious “pulpit time” is being used for personal opinions, anecdotes, and irrelevant stories, because the person teaching has not also been a scholar. The Spirit’s injunction to “feed the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2) requires that teaching brothers be steadfast students of the Bible. Are you? —Rick Morse

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach;
The precious things Thou dost impart. —Frances R. Havergal

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 11:1-47; Psalms 113:1-115; Mark 2:23-3:12

Come now, and let us reason together, Says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow…Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted. Isaiah 1:18a; 43:26, NKJV 

The Lord is the most reasonable Person in the universe. He reasons on your behalf as your Advocate before the Judge. Our sins can be forgiven. If you do not listen to His reason, you will be called into court and He will become your Adversary. Who will be able to stand in that day? Which will it be, Advocate or Adversary? Be reasonable. —Rex Trogdon

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. —Elvina M. Hall

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 10:1-20; Psalms 111:1-112:10; Mark 2:1-22

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us…whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. Acts 28:14-15

Paul was no loner in God’s service. That he consistently worked with others is seen by his missionary journeys in Acts, as well as salutation passages like Romans 16. On his way to trial in Rome, the Lord cheered his heart through the appearance of his fellow-saints. In life’s trials, the body of Christ ministers to itself in love. Whom can you cheer today? —K. R. Keyser

Thou the living head, dost share, ev’ry pang Thy members bear.
Full of tenderness Thou art; Thou wilt heal the broken heart. —J. G. Deck

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 9:1-24; Psalms 109:1-110:7; Mark 1:21-45

And all that believed were together. Acts 2:44

The Driver Ant of Western Africa is a weak and insignificant insect. But when they gather in large numbers and move together, they become an irresistible force. Every living creature flees before them.  In their unity lies their irrepressible strength. What an irresistible power Christianity would be if all believers kept “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). —W. Ross Rainey

We are one in Christ!
Abiding in the true vine,
Receiving all the riches of the life divine,
We are one. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 8:1-36; Psalm 108:1-13; Mark 1:1-20

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they [the women] came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Luke 24:1

On resurrection morn, with love in their hearts, some women came “very early,” to the tomb. But they did not come empty handed; they came “bringing the spices which they had prepared.” As we worship the
Lord this morning, have we come prepared with something to offer to Him? Although these women didn’t speak a word, they worshipped! Someone has said, “The fragrance of worship is not always audible,
but it is obvious.” As we come with prepared hearts to worship, it will result in fresh revelations of our Lord Jesus. —Jim Comte

We come, our gracious Father, with many hearts as one,
And here we only gather, in memory of Thy Son. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 107:1-43; Acts 28:17-31

Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Job 23:3

Many believers move from one assembly to another in search of a place that pleases them; not knowing, that because of their own judgement they are unable to see that; “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (Gen. 28:16). Ask the Lord to guide you to where He wants you to be, and He will lead you there. Then commit yourself to that gathering. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). —Ken Gunnell

God will take care of you, be not afraid,
He is your safeguard through sunshine and shade;
Tenderly watching and keeping His own,
He will not leave you to wander alone. —F. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 6:8-7:10; Psalm 106:1-48; Acts 28:1-16

Ye were…redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

For Passover, each family took a lamb—a perfect, soft, gentle, lovable lamb. This lamb would quite possibly have become a family pet, cared for, hugged, fed and loved. When, with the family looking on, the
father butchered this little thing, the dreadful cost of sin would become horribly real to each one. By contrast, in Jesus’ day, animals were sold to worshippers at the temple. The only emotional pain would be that
of the exorbitant prices of the animals. Religion became a matter of money, not of grief over sin. —M. MacMullen

Sin atoning Sacrifice, Thou art precious in my eyes
Thou alone my rest shall be, now and through eternity. —H. Guinness