Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Samuel 19:8-20:42; Isaiah 60:1-22; Romans 5:12-21

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? John 6:9

To support the National Health Service in the UK, retired Army officer Tom Moore felt compelled to raise funds. Given that he was 99 years old, and confined to his home and yard, his options seemed limited. He decided to walk 100 laps of his garden by his 100th birthday in order to fundraise £1,000. Word of his target spread, and by the morning of his birthday, he had completed his laps and raised more than £30,000,000! Dear friend, do you feel
your opportunities for the Lord are limited by your circumstances? Don’t be discouraged! Do what you can for the Lord. You’ll be amazed at what He does with it! —Lynn Shatford

Take my hands and let them move, at the impulse of Thy love,
Take my feet and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee.—F. Havergal

1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-21; Romans 4:23-5:11

Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. 2 Peter 3:11, NKJV

The above verse asks an excellent question. We are quick to excuse poor conduct as a lapse in judgement or a slip of the tongue. After all we’re human. Although technically true, God’s Word never condones ungodly behavior. God’s standard for our conduct is His holiness. Peter reminds us that we are to be holy in all our conduct, because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15). May our lives reflect His holiness today. —E. V.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see.  —William D. Longstaff

1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

Christ is…entered…into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24

What is Christ doing for us in heaven today? Because He lives forevermore, He is the guaranteed assurance of our eternal salvation (Heb. 7:25). He is also our advocate (1 John 2:1) defending us when Satan makes an accusation (Rev. 12:10-11). Above all, He is there to assist us with full empathy in time of need (Heb. 6:18).  Indeed, with Christ in heaven we are assured of heavenly peace,  His holy presence with us always, as well as the Person and power
of His Holy Spirit in us (cf. John 16:7). —K. C. Ung

Bestir thyself, my soul! Where Jesus Christ has entered,
There let thy hope be centered; press onward toward the goal.  —G. W. Sacer

1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

A single mom, with limited finances, was pondering how she would afford a necessary item for her family. She asked a friend where they thought the best price could be found. That friend told her not to bother. Months before, others had recognized this need, and the item would soon be hers. This young mom was overjoyed!  God knew her need and stirred others to provide it for her. Truly, before we ask, He hears us! Call on Him today! —Deborah Manera

Nothing else is needed to quiet all your fears,
but just this, that GOD IS.
—Hannah Whitall Smith

1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6, NKJV

Our current relativistic age is marked by doubt. Whereas the baby boomer generation questioned authority, modern people negate the very existence of authority. Believers find certainty in God’s truth, the Bible. It speaks to us of “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Can we explain all of life’s difficulties? No, but we may trust the Lord with our lives for time and eternity. J. C. Ryle said, “Faith’s difficulties no doubt are great; but the difficulties of
scepticism are far greater.” —K. R. Keyser

O make this heart rejoice or ache; decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break, and heal it, if it be.  —William Cowper

1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

This is the way, walk ye in it. Isaiah 30:21

A signpost at a junction in the village of Blackheath in England had one arm pointing to “This Way”, another pointing to “That Way” and a third pointing to “Some Other Way”. While this may cause amusement, many do face serious choices as to which way to go at an important life juncture. You may be such a believer, seeking guidance about a way forward in your life and concerned about this way as opposed to that way. Through reading the Scriptures and seeking God’s help in prayer, you can reach a point where you hear the Lord saying “This is the way, walk ye in it.” —Brian Powlesland

Oh to trust Him then more fully! Just to simply move,
In the conscious calm enjoyment of the Father’s love;
Knowing that life’s chequered pathway, leadeth to His rest;
Satisfied the way He taketh must be always best. —L. W.

1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

He set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses. Exodus 40:23
He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

It is interesting to notice that Exodus 40 states a number of times that Moses did as the Lord had commanded. Before He went to the cross, Jesus asked us to remember Him. What importance do I place on obeying Him today? —Janet Fleming

I’m invited to share a feast today, which tells of the greatest of love,
How Jesus suffered and died on the cross, how He came from heaven above.
Will I take time to remember today, how Jesus has suffered for me?
Will I bring Him the praise that is rightly His, for now, and eternity?  —Janet Fleming

1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

Who is a rock save our God? Psalm 18:31b

On August 6, 1930 a man, dependent upon alcohol and utterly destitute went to RBS Hammond’s meeting for men in Sydney, Australia. The attraction was tea and a rock cake but the gospel was clearly preached. The man left, went to a nearby park, knelt down, prayed the sinner’s prayer and rose a changed man. Arthur Stace subsequently said that “I went into the meeting for a rock cake and came out with the Rock of Ages!”. He preached the gospel all his life and never touched alcohol again. He became famous as “Mr. Eternity” because he chalked the word “Eternity” over 500,000 times on the sidewalks of Sydney. What a testimony to God’s transforming power! —Paul Young

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. —A. Toplady

1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Corinthians 12:1-13

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget. Psalm 78:7

We need to let our children and grandchildren know about our life experiences with the Lord. But the truth is we are still learning that God’s faithfulness never changes, that He is consistent to His promises. We continue to experience the glory of seeing God’s face by faith now, but what a wonderful moment when we see the face of our Lord. —G. C. G.

Put thou thy trust in God, in duty’s path go on;
Walk in His strength with faith and hope, so shall thy work be done.
Though years on years roll on, His covenant shall endure;
Though clouds and darkness hide His path, the promised grace is sure.
Through waves, and clouds, and storms, He gently clears the way;
Wait thou, His time, so shall this night soon end in joyous day. —Paul Gerhardt

1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34

How do you know that you know God? The word “for” in today’s verse gives a clue. It is only through the cleansing work of the gospel. The gospel reveals who God is, from the advent of Christ to His finished work on the cross. Regardless of social standing, we are sinners, rebellious to God’s character. We cannot rid ourselves of our sin so God promises to do it for us. He reckons the penalty of our sin as paid through the death of His Son. Anyone who trusts this knows God. —J. D. Fraser

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His spirit, washed in His blood.  —Fanny J. Crosby