Author: Gospel Folio Press

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

We look for results but the Lord looks for faithfulness. We seem to be living in an age of shallow sentimentality and faithfulness is often lacking. Faithfulness to spouses, to caring for family, to a course of study, to work, to the local church, to Christian calling and to the Lord seem to be diminishing, as discouragement sets in and a backsliding mentality forms. The lack of results can discourage us but if we draw close to the Lord then His presence will encourage us and gives us incentive to maintain a faithful spirit. —Paul Young

O Breath of Love, come breathe within us,
Renewing thought and will and heart; come,
Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
Revive Your Church in every part! —Elizabeth Ann Porter Head

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

In this exceedingly self-centred age we have a holy responsibility to serve one another (Gal. 5:16), prefer one another (Rom. 12:10), pray for one another (Jas. 5:16) and bear one another’s burdens. These are a few of the “one another” commands in the New Testament that bring blessing to others and to us as we give our lives for the Lord’s glory. By helping share the load of a fellow brother and sister in the Lord, we are walking in the steps of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. —Mark Kolchin

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me. —Thomas Chisholm

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish…And the Lord God prepared a gourd…God prepared a worm…God prepared a vehement east wind. Jonah 1:17, 4:6-8

Each of these four “prepared” things had a purpose in the life of Jonah. They taught him more about God’s character and His ways. The Lord has also prepared things for each of us, either to bring us to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps. 107:23-30), or to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).  “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isa. 46:10-11). —E. C. B.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —Cowper

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

O Lord our God, masters besides You have had dominion over us…They are dead, they will not live. Isaiah 26:13-14, NKJV
He is not here: for he is risen. Matthew 28:6

What a contrast between the masters Israel had in the Old Testament, and Jesus, their true Master. The distinction from their own words makes it abundantly clear. Prior masters were dead and would not live again. The angel at the tomb of Jesus announced that He was risen from the dead! And in Revelation 1:18 the Lord himself declares “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore”. Praise God we serve a risen Saviour! —E. V.

The Saviour lives, no more to die; He lives our Head enthroned on high;
He lives triumphant o’er the grave; He lives eternally to save.  —Samuel Medley

Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

A new grain storage facility tilted 27 degrees west on the second day after construction finished. Researchers were intrigued and found that the foundation had been constructed on stratified clay, which contained layers of silt salt throughout. Conversely, Christ’s building, the church is built upon Him—His Person, work, and doctrine. On Christ our Rock, the church will last throughout eternity. Eternally secure, let us confidently and boldly proclaim His gospel! —George Ferrier

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the Word:
From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died. —S. Stone

Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76:1-77:20; Acts 17:1-15

I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. Joshua 2:9

Many heard the reports of Israel coming and did nothing but tremble in fear. Rahab heard and believed. Her confidence in Israel’s God brought salvation not only to herself but to her whole family. Today we too can choose to tremble in fear as we listen to the news and hear the anxious thoughts of friends and neighbours. Or, we can choose to remind ourselves of what we know, of the one we know. He still sits in the heavens and rules all things according to His perfect will. And He is not only our God but also our Father. —M. MacMullen

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus… Just to know “Thus says the Lord”.  —L. Stead

Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74:1-75:10; Acts 16:16-40

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11, NKJV

Few words convey the idea of ultimate condition more than the word “full”. Our Lord wants us to experience full joy. The words He had just spoken to them were, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10, NKJV). Don’t be a disobedient child and expect to know full joy. Later the Lord would tell them “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24, NKJV). Lift up your heart and speak often with Him. If we are full of His joy there will be no room for malice, hate or envy. —Ken Gross

We have found the Christ who’s all in all;
He is everything to us;
O how blest upon His name to call,
How divine, how glorious! —Author Unknown

Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

For the love of Christ constraineth us…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Christ’s sacrifice makes no request unreasonable nor any duty excessive for believers. His dying love and risen glory impelled the church’s first generation to evangelize the Roman world against massive opposition and challenging circumstances. Subsequently, saints laboured in difficult places to win the lost to the Lord. Need encouragement to witness? Consider the cross afresh, and tell others of God’s love. —K. R. Keyser

Oh! that strong in faith abiding,
We may to the Saviour cleave,
Naught with Him our hearts dividing,
All for Him content to leave. —James Allen

Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

This verse calls us to consider our Lord´s person, “I am” and His provision “I will”. These two great truths should assure us when faced with any looming crisis. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18). Also, “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Trust Him. He will see you through it all! —K. C. Ung

No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised never to leave me alone. —Eliza E. Hewitt

Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. John 19:39, NKJV

To a Jew, execution on a cross was an accursed death and removing a body from a cross (particularly at Passover) utterly contaminated the one who did it. There are few examples of the transformative power of new birth as notable as this scene, as we witness Nicodemus—a wealthy, ruling religious man—physically remove the Lord’s body from the cross. This took both great humility as well as courage, something only the Gospel can provide in equal measure. First, the law lowers us to the ground then God’s grace raises us to the heavens. —J. D. Fraser

The cross, the cross! The blood-stained cross! The cross of Christ I see,
It tells me of that precious blood, that once was shed for me. —J. Stockton