Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Ps. 55:22 NKJV). One hard assignment given in life is to become a caregiver to an elderly parent, a very sick spouse, a dying or sick child. Often those around have no idea the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strains you are going through. Take heart, whatever burdens you are carrying, just when it seems you can’t go on any longer, take it to the Lord and leave it with Him. He cares. He sustains! —Jim Paul

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed e’re the day is half done,
When we reached the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.  —Annie Johnson Flint

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

And he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them. Gen. 50:21

Joseph had every reason to hold resentment toward his brothers. Yet he spoke kindly to them. Perhaps someone has broken their word to you; you’ve entered into a bad business deal or have an unfaithful spouse. Often when wronged we forgive, but we do not forget. Joseph had learned to forget his horrible treatment. The names of his sons show this. One means “causing to forget” (Manasseh) and the other, “I shall be doubly fruitful” (Ephraim). May we follow Joseph’s example not only to forgive but also to forget and treat our wrong-doers kindly. —K. J. W.

Forgive thy brother who has erred, and take him by the hand:
And, as you speak a generous word, assist his feet to stand.  —Daniel C. Colesworthy

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

I…will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. Habakkuk 2:1
Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 3:7-8

When God speaks, it is vital that we listen attentively and do what He says. Whether His message is one of comfort or correction, conviction or assurance, His purpose is always for our good and spiritual growth. At such a time, we have two choices, turn a deaf ear and harden our hearts, or humbly adhere to the Spirit’s voice. How will you respond when He speaks to you? Why not answer as Samuel did: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (1 Sam. 3:9 NKJV). — E.V.

Speak Thou to me each day Lord, always in tend’rest tone,
Let me now hear Thy whisper, “Thou art not left alone.” —L. Pickett

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

The fruit of the Spirit is…self control. Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

“Spirit-control” is better here. It is not a matter of trying harder to live like Christ. It is resigning my will and allowing His Spirit to live Christ through me. Doing so will glorify our Father (John 15:8) and guard me. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Prov. 25:28 NKJV). The Pulpit Commentary puts it this way: “To such a city [with broken down walls] is compared the man who puts no restraint on his passions, desires and affections; he is always in danger of being carried away by them and involved in sin and destruction; he has no defence when temptation assaults him, having lost self-control.” May we allow the  Husbandman to cultivate Spirit-control in us today. —Brian Cretney

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. —James Orr

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be? 2 Peter 3:11
Then whose shall those things be? Luke 12:20

We live in an age of “things”. We strive to obtain necessities and luxuries that will bring us personal comfort and assure compliments from our friends. Tragically, we can only be certain of two facts regarding “things”. We will leave them behind for others, and they will ultimately be dissolved. May the Lord help us to desire Himself, not “things”. —Arnot P. McIntee

Is there a thing beneath the sun,
That strives with Thee, my heart to share?
O, tear it thence and reign alone,
The Lord of every object there. —Charles Wesley

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Genesis 41:52

Joseph recognized God’s hand in both suffering and exaltation. In this he was a picture of the Lord Jesus. Suffering greatly at the hands of sinners, Christ ultimately went to Calvary and died for our sins. Today the risen, glorified Christ is bearing much fruit as He continues to save any who believe on Him in the land of His affliction (John 12:24). Today every believer has the opportunity to offer Him the fruit of their lips, remembering Him and proclaiming His death in the land of His affliction. —George Ferrier

Sing to the Lord of the harvest,
Sing songs of love and praise;
With joyful hearts and voices,
Your hallelujahs raise! —John Monsell

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. Matthew 4:16

Spiritual darkness resulted from humanity’s disobedience of God. This world became a dark place and worse still, people’s hearts were darkened. As the Old Testament closed, there followed 400 years of silence from God. Humanity lived on in the darkness. Then the Lord broke His silence and sent the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Simple but true! —Vickie Gaynier

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus! —P. P. Bliss

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10 NKJV

The phrase “one another” occurs about 18 times in the New Testament, most often in connection with the word, “love”. This underscores the importance of how we are to view, and relate with believers. The Lord Jesus said, we are to love others as He has loved us. This type of interaction is not always easy, especially when other believers have different backgrounds, opinions and viewpoints. The keys to a proper response are obedience to the Word, a desire to glorify God and to have the same attitude as the Lord Jesus toward others. —Gary McBride

Others, Lord yes others, let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others that I might live like Thee.  —C. Meigs

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes…she took of the fruit thereof.  Genesis 3:6

God had said of that tree, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (2:17). Eve’s first mistake was to even look at the tree. The fact that the tree was “pleasant to the eyes” did not make it less deadly, but certainly made it more tempting. Just by looking, she concluded it was “good for food”. She let her eyes overpower her mind and conscience. Sin can look so appealing. God help us that we should not be likewise foolish. — Ken Gross

Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away,
All that now makes it hard to say,
“Thy will be done!” —Charlotte Elliott

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV
Until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom. Matthew 26:29b NKJV

One Sunday morning my mother was not feeling well so was unable to meet with the believers that day to remember the Lord. Before the day was over she was home with her Saviour. One day soon we will each share at the Lord’s table for the last time. Jesus is coming soon! But if we should die first and have trusted Christ we will immediately be face to face with the Saviour. —Janet Fleming

As bread is broken week by week,
Each emblem has a word to speak.
There’s one less feast, till I am home,
For this is only, till He come. —Janet Fleming