Author: Gospel Folio Press

Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132:1-134:3; Mark 8:27-9:13

There was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone…And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. Matthew 28:2, 4, NKJV
But the angel…said to the women, “Do not be afraid”…they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy.
Matthew 28:5, 8, NKJV

How different these responses! The guards shook with fear and became as dead men, while the women ran from the tomb with fear but great joy. What was the difference? The guards were far from God while the women had met the Saviour and known His companionship. Have you met the risen Christ? —Janet Fleming

“He is risen”, happy message, bringing joy to me;
Hearts once filled with sadness, now have liberty. —J. Fleming

Leviticus 22:1-33; Psalm 128:1-131:3; Mark 8:11-26

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5, NKJV

The word translated “regeneration” here is the Greek word palingenesia. Certain Greeks believed that history was moving cyclically towards a moment when the natural world would reset and start fresh. They called this  palingenesis. There is a great regeneration coming, and God will do it, when Christ the King sits upon His throne and makes all things new (Matt. 19:28). How wonderful, then, to note, that another regeneration has already happened
(Titus 3:5). God has regenerated all who trust in Christ, giving them a fresh start through being “born again”. —J. D. Fraser

Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. —Fanny J. Crosby

Leviticus 21:1-24; Psalms 124:1-127:5; Mark 7:24-8:10

He that is our God is the God of salvation. Psalm 68:20

Here the word salvation can be translated “deliverance”. Are you dreading certain events or happenings scheduled for today or this week? Remember God is still able to deliver you from the bleakest of circumstances. Our Father cares enough for us to bring about results beyond our wants and aspirations. Trust Him and go forward. —Brian Russell

‘Tis the grandest theme thro’ the ages rung;
‘Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
‘Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung;
Our God is able to deliver thee.   —William Ogden

Leviticus 19:1-20:27; Psalms 120:1-123:4; Mark 7:1-23

Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? Job 12:7-9

What a wondrous creation the Lord has given to us to care for and to learn from! Do we take time to learn from the handiwork that surrounds us on every side? Perhaps it’s time that we ask the beasts, the birds, the earth, and the fishes of the sea about their Creator! —E. C. B.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art! —Stuart K. Hine

Leviticus 17:1-18:30; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

We give thanks to God always for you all… 1 Thessalonians 1:2

John Greenleaf Whittier was an American quaker and poet renowned for his stance on the abolition of slavery. One phrase attributed to him is “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a gift and not sending it”. We see instances of Paul being thankful to those who were involved in the work of the Lord by giving him and others help. The fact that he was thankful was one thing, but what an encouragement to those who contributed to the work to know that it was noted and appreciated by him. Perhaps somebody is deserving of your gratitude today? In which case let it be known—it could spur somebody on! —Brian Powlesland

For Thy goodness, O my Saviour, I would praise Thee o’er and o’er;
May the Holy Spirit teach me, how to love Thee more and more.  — L. Edwards

Leviticus 16:1-34; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

The grain offering…it is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire. Leviticus 2:3, NKJV

The process of the meal offering began with a seed planted, the farmer conscious of God bringing the increase. The ripened wheat would then be harvested, ground and sifted and then finally given to God. Faith, joy and now gratitude are acknowledged in a way defined by God and acceptable to God. God has His way for us to worship Him. It is our privilege and responsibility to worship and remember our Lord Jesus in a way suitable to Him. —G. C. G.

According to Thy gracious word, in meek humility,
This would I do, O Christ my Lord, I would remember Thee.
Thy body broken for my sake, my bread from heaven shall be;
The cup of blessing I will take, and thus remember Thee.  —J. Montgomery

Leviticus 15:1-33; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43a, NKJV

Have you ever been in a room that is so dark you can’t see anything? When you turn on a light, all the darkness is cast out and the room becomes bright. Jesus brings that light into our life. If we accept Him as our Saviour and make Him the centre of our life, His love will shine through us to others. Then we too can be a bright light in this dark world. —Bronwyn Hagey

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright,
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.  —Eliza E. Hewitt

Leviticus 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

There are times when our hearts are pulled in more than one direction. Our heavenly Father knows when we are torn with indecision and in danger of heading down the wrong path. He then intervenes in love to redirect our hearts, aligning them with His thoughts. His ways and means of doing so may sometimes confuse us and be painful, but is always for our good, skillfully guiding us back to His loving arms. —E. V.

Saviour lead us by Thy power, safe into the promised rest;
Choose the path, the way whatever, seems to Thee, O Lord, the best;
Be our guide in every peril, watch and keep us night and day,
Else our foolish hearts will wander from the straight and narrow way.  —William Williams

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

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The Christian’s journey through this fallen world is not easy, but our crucified and glorified Lord is always with us. Our great Shepherd wields His rod and staff to fight our enemies and steer us in righteous paths. Wolves may dog our steps and trials surround us with gloom, but the Lord carries us close to His all-powerful bosom (Isa. 40:11). Whatever struggles and vicissitudes we face in His service, our eternal reward will more than compensate us for
our sufferings (2 Cor. 4:16-18). —K. R. Keyser

Comfort, through all this vale of tears, in blest profusion flows;
And glory of unnumbered years, eternity bestows.  —Philip Doddridge

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

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1, 11

What confidence the people of God have! No matter what happens in the world around us, we can say that God is our refuge and our strength. He has full control, even when things seem the opposite and we wonder what is going to happen next. Even in the midst of disasters, we can know His peace, and the beauty of it is that He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever! —G. Frear

God is our refuge and our strength,
Our ever present aid,
And, therefore, though the earth remove,
We will not be afraid. —Author Unknown