Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Samuel 1:1-28; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called … 1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

How does the one already in Christ “lay hold on eternal life”? As we know, eternal life speaks first of quality, not quantity. It is the very life of God in us, received through “Christ who is our life” (Col. 3:4). The Lord’s desire is to give us the abundant life (John 10:10), but the believer must “lay hold” on that abundance; we must “seize” it. We do this as we intentionally “work out” our salvation, living out its full potential day by day. “Lay hold of that for which
Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). —Eunice Free

Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize. —John Monsell

Ruth 3:1-4:22; Isaiah 43:1-44:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. Luke 4:38 NKJV

What a beautiful prayer. Lord help her! This wasn’t a petition for what Jesus should do, or how He should do it, or even when He should. It was simply, “Lord help!” We may often struggle to know God’s will in various situations and how we should pray. But this kind of simple, submitted supplication can cover all we need to ask of Him. Lord, You know what’s best. Lord, You understand the situation, Lord, You see what I can’t see. Lord, please help! Amen. —Deborah Manera

If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress; if cares distract or fears dismay;
If guilt deject, if sin distress; in every case, still watch and pray. —J. Hart

Ruth 2:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-25; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Thy name is as ointment poured forth… Song of Solomon 1:3

The fragrant ointments of the Middle East were used for a number of purposes. Firstly, they refreshed and reinvigorated those who were weary. Secondly, they helped in the healing process of sores and bruising. Thirdly, they were used to anoint kings, prophets and priests and acknowledge their God-given responsibility. Fourthly, they gave pleasure with their aroma. His name is as these fragrant ointments poured out. Our Saviour brings similar
blessings of refreshing, healing, bestowal of responsibility and delight to those who truly trust Him. —Paul Young

Jesus, the name I love so well, The name I love to hear!
No saint on earth its worth can tell, no heart conceive how dear. —Frederick Whitfield

Ruth 1:1-26; Isaiah 41:1-29; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15:33

The Lord’s Supper should be a solemn time for us. We come to gaze on Christ and appreciate His finished work for us. We read here that at Calvary there was darkness over the whole land for three hours. In the midst of those weighty hours the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all. What a price! And what a privilege, to have this opportunity to remember each week what He paid. —Virginia Strout

Gazing on the Lord in glory,
While our hearts in worship bow,
There we read the wondrous story
Of the cross, its shame and woe. —C. Thompson

Judges 21:1-25; Isaiah 40:1-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

There is none righteous, no, not one … for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:10, 23-24 NKJV

Romans 3:10-23 is like reading a spiritual wellness report. First, the bad news. Our throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, and eyes are so bad that we might seek a second opinion. Isaiah agrees that from the sole of our foot even to the head there is no soundness in it (Isa. 1:6). Now, the good news! We can be made well. God offers His righteousness freely by His grace in Christ Jesus. —Rex Trogdon

Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be! —James M. Gray

Judges 20:1-48; Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

… count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 NKJV

Everyone knows the phrase “Be careful what you wish for”.  James has a similar idea here. Be careful what you pray for. We have all prayed for patience, but don’t want the accompanying trials that will form it in us. We need trials in our life because through them, God is working on us. He places hardships in our lives to help us grow and be more like Him. Count it all joy! He loves us so much that He longs to make us better men and women for Him. How amazing is our God! —Caleb Riordan

Happy they who trust in Jesus, sweet our portion is and sure;
When despair or doubt would seize us, by His grace we shall endure. —T. K

Judges 19:1-30; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. Luke 19:2

Often when we think of Zacchaeus we consider his riches. But we need also to consider his resolve. “He sought to see Jesus who he was” (Luke 19:3). He was not deterred by his stature nor by the impact his belief in Christ would have on his substance (Mark 10:23). Upon meeting Christ, he who had received the Lord joyfully resembled His master (2 Cor. 8:9) in his offer to give half his wealth to the poor. He obeyed the Scriptures in his willingness to make  restitution for any wrongs committed (Ex. 22:1). Regeneration produces dramatic results in the life of the believer. —Lloyd Cain

Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me;
The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see. —A. L. Waring

Judges 17:1-18:31; Isaiah 36:1-37:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow … Isa. 1:18

Though every snowflake is comprised of the same hydrogen and oxygen atoms, no two look the same. Similarly, while every believer has had their sins removed and are positionally clean in God’s sight, we are all unique. We each have had different experiences as to how the Spirit revealed our sin to us and our need of a Saviour. That is what makes testimonies so compelling. Everyone has a unique one. Always be ready to tell of how Christ saved you. —George T. Ferrier

The Saviour of all people has brought His peace to you;
Now go and tell the story, for others need it too. —Kate Hankey

Judges 16:1-31; Isaiah 35:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place. Leviticus 16:2

What a privilege! Once a year, Aaron entered the most holy place with sacrifices, holy garments, and a washed body. Incense covered the mercy seat. He sprinkled blood on and before the mercy seat so he wouldn’t die. Over his lifetime he had that privilege perhaps 39 times. We now have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). Now, if we wish, we can enter the holiest in spirit 39 times a day. Do we? What a privilege! —David W. Oliver

Boldly our heart and voice we raise,
His name, His blood, our plea;
Assured our prayers and songs of praise,
Ascend by Him to Thee. —James Deck

Judges 14:1-15:20; Isaiah 34:1-17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son. Luke 1:13

Elderly Zacharias and Elisabeth may have forgotten those old prayers, but God had not. God remembered, which, interestingly, is the meaning of Zacharias. The Lord was on His own timetable and a son was coming, proving again that nothing is impossible with Him. The Lord answers our prayers when it looks impossible, when it seems like the window of opportunity has forever closed. Keep praying for your child. Keep praying for your friend. Keep
praying for your local church. Never give up. —David Petterson

That power is prayer, which soars on high, through Jesus, to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world, to bring salvation down. —J. Wallace