Author: Gospel Folio Press

Exodus 13:1-14:4; Psalms 47:1-48:14; Acts 7:1-29

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. Mark 1:9

Was John surprised as this event unfolded? All others who came to be baptized by him came confessing their sins. But here was one who made no confession. He, the impeccable Christ, had no sins to confess. What a contrast with everyone else! He came from Nazareth concerning which another had said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) How fitting that John would later describe Him as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. May our worship please His Father. —Lloyd Cain

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling; all Thy faithful mercies crown! —Charles Wesley

Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45:1-46:11; Acts 6:1-15

How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred. Hosea 11:8 NKJV

Despite pervasive idolatry and immorality, God still wanted to reclaim Israel. The northern tribes were at an ethical low point which eventually led to the Assyrian invasion; yet, the Lord wanted to show His mercy by reconciling them to Himself. He would not destroy them like Admah and Zeboiim. Instead, He purposes to restore Ephraim and Judah to Himself at Christ’s second coming (Zech. 12-14). Every promise will be fulfilled. —Keith R. Keyser

Then all Israel shall be saved, war and tumult then shall cease,
While the greater Son of David, rules a conquer’d world in peace. —T. Kelly

Exodus 11:1-12:20; Psalm 44:1-26; Acts 5:12-42

Where art thou? Genesis 3:9
Where is he? Matthew 2:2

The first question in the Old Testament was meant to cause the erring sinner to acknowledge his guilt and admit his lostness. Adam evaded the truth and tried to blame his wife for his transgression. The first question in the New Testament was asked sincerely by those seeking the Saviour. They found Him! For us today, the answer for our sin is found in Christ alone. He came from heaven to bring us wandering sinners back to God. We need to be honest in
acknowledging our sin. We need to be wise in trusting Christ who forgives our sin. We need to be earnest and not delay. —Clark Logan

Come to the Saviour, make no delay;
Here in His Word, He has shown us the way. —George F. Root

Exodus 10:1-29; Psalms 42:1-43:5; Acts 4:32-5:11

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 NKJV

In 1780, a shipwreck brought rats to an Alaskan island, silencing its bird population for over two centuries. In 2007, they were eradicated and the birds returned. Likewise, our hearts can become overrun with earthly influences and sins that drown out our testimony. Our verse urges us to “put to death” these invaders. Just as the island needed cleansing, so do our hearts, making them a dwelling place for His Word. When we purge the flesh, we become renewed, singing habitats for the Lord. —Hanniel Ghezzi

So give us clean hands, and give us pure hearts,
Let us not lift our souls to another. —Chris Tomlin

Exodus 9:1-35; Psalm 40:1-41:13; Acts 4:1-31

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! Job 23:3 NKJV

Job sobbed his despair at not knowing how or where to approach God with this lament, “But it is not so with me” (9:35). What anguish to be aware of the God of heaven while having no way of drawing near to Him! The mercy seat in the tabernacle was the place where God’s justice under the law met with His mercy under the blood. Today, His very throne is one of mercy to which we can always resort in time of need. Unlike Job, it is so with us! —Rick Morse

And when we’ve run the race,
And fought the faithful fight,
We then shall see Him face to face,
With saints in light. —Mary Bowley Peters

Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

Chinese New Year is celebrated by millions of Chinese ancestry. According to their zodiac calculation, this is the Year of the Horse and it postulates a good year. Those born this year are regarded to be honest, outspoken, and easygoing — trustworthy. They are horses! But God states otherwise. “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” (Isa. 31:1). Who are you trusting this year? —K. C. Ung

My cherished plans and hopes may fail, my idols turn to dust;
But this I know, my Father’s love, is always safe to trust. —L. Alexander

Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

Bless the lads. Genesis 48:16

What memories Jacob must have had as he blessed Joseph’s two sons! He was 147 years old, and virtually blind, just as his father, Isaac, had been some 70 years earlier when Jacob duped him into believing that he was Esau. Then, he acted as Jacob to obtain the birthright: now, much wiser and more in touch with God, he behaved as Israel to bestow the birthright. With spiritual intelligence, he blessed Ephraim over Manasseh, and committed them both to the care of the Redeemer he now knew by faith. As we pray for our children and grandchildren, may spiritual maturity, and the remembrance of our own mistakes, guide us to seek their salvation and spiritual blessing above all else. —Phil Coulson

My Redeemer! O how sweet to call Thee mine! —Author Unknown

Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Holy One in your midst; and I will not come with terror. Hosea 11:9 NKJV

Week after week, we share remembrances and offer worship to a God who did not come to this earth as a king. It is equally captivating that He did not come as a judge. Rather than executing sovereignty, anger, destruction, or terror, God came as a man. He showed us His heart. Rather than executing justice on us, He took it on Himself. O, what a Saviour! —Jared D. Fraser

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

On this day that celebrates love, what a glorious reminder that God loves us with a love that is constant and everlasting. This is not because we were lovable but because He is love. His love in Old Testament times centred on one nation, Israel, while in the New Testament, it focuses on a spiritual nation drawn from all people. To belong to Christ is to experience His love, which enables us to enter His family. It was His love that devised the wonderful plan
that gave each of us forgiveness and eternal life. —Paul Young

Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this presence so divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine. —G. Robinson

Exodus 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matthew 28:1-20

But when he came to himself, he said … Luke 15:17 NKJV

Many of us have “prodigal” children or grandchildren, and we pray for them fervently, sometimes for years. In relation to that great burden, I heard an encouraging message from a radio teacher who remarked, “Even though we want to fix their situation and save them from all of the difficulty they are going through, we need to let the pigsty do its work”. What a blessing to know that the Lord will use whatever is needed in the prodigal’s life to bring them to their senses. It may take years, but He does all things well. We need to pray for them and trust Him. —Marsha Blair

Rejoice! Rejoice! Let praise abound, before Jehovah’s throne;
For dead ones raised, and lost ones found, and prodigals brought home.  —Charles Russell Hurditch