Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. Mark 6:50

This is the second stormy sea story in Mark’s Gospel. This time, Jesus was not with the disciples but came to them walking on the sea. In Mark 4, the Lord spoke to the sea. Here, He spoke to His disciples, calming them with these words. In Mark 4, Christ calmed the storm in the midst of the disciples. Here, Christ calmed the disciples in the midst of the storm. So often, we want the Lord to do the former, but in His wisdom, the latter may be an even more impressive and needful act of His power. —David Petterson

When my heart is filled with fear like a stormy sky,
Jesus says, “Be not afraid,” He is at my side.
When my thoughts are tossed and turned like a raging sea,
I will listen to His voice, He will comfort me. —K. & K. Getty, S. McCracken

Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus … Hebrews 6:19-20

We live in a world where hope is fast disappearing. By contrast, the believer’s hope for time and eternity is sure and certain. Our Saviour conquered death, hell, sin, and the grave, and ascended to heaven, where He has secured a place for us. Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). —Willie H. Burnett

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
Steadfast and sure whilst the billows roll;
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love! —Priscilla J. Owens

Exodus 24:1-18; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 13:26-52

There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. John 12:2 NKJV

At this supper for the Lord Jesus we learn spiritual lessons parallel to our position in Christ. He was dead and so were we — in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). He was raised from the dead and so were we — in Christ (Eph. 2:5). Lazarus was seated with the Lord, and we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). Lazarus was called out of the darkened tomb into the light of day, and we have been called out of darkness into His
marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). —Rex Trogdon

O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found, and found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy I sought so long, the bliss till now unknown.  —Frances Bevan

Exodus 23:10-33; Psalms 66:1-67:7; Acts 13:1-25

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great
calm. Mark 4:39 NKJV

We were fishing, out on the ocean which was gradually becoming rougher. Finally, my husband pulled up the anchor and we headed into the shelter of a nearby island. It was so lovely to be back on calm water. It made me think of what it will be like to reach heaven after enduring life’s storms. – Janet Fleming

Be still, the storm around is raging, we scarcely seem afloat;
Be still – we have divine assistance, for Christ is in the boat.
Be still, and simply go on trusting until this life is o’er;
With Christ as Captain on life’s ocean, we’ll safely reach that shore. —J. Fleming

Exodus 22:1-23:9; Psalms 64:1-65:13; Acts 12:1-25

They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine. Hosea 14:7
I sat down under his shadow with great delight. Song of Solomon 2:3

Abiding in Christ is the secret to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) and in “bringing forth much fruit” (John 15:5). These hearts of ours, so prone to wander, can return to Him, be revived, grow like a vine, and bring forth much fruit, all to the glory of God! Lord, make me fruitful today as I abide and delight in You. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head, with the shadow of Thy wing. —Charles Wesley

Exodus 21:1-36; Psalms 62:1-63:11; Acts 11:19-30

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

From early infancy to adulthood one of the most important people in our lives is our father. Only those born into his immediate family have the right to use the word, “father”. When the disciples asked the Lord to teach them to pray, He told them to begin by saying “our Father!” The Lord Jesus Christ used the term “our” referring to His own Father and saying that God the Father is also our Father. Twenty times Paul uses the term, often beginning his letters wishing his readers grace and peace from God, our Father. Our Father loves to hear from us, His children. —Ray Jones

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight. —W. C. Smith

Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60:1-61:8; Acts 11:1-18

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3

Isaiah received a remarkable and life-changing vision of the Lord. He heard the angelic throng emphasizing the holiness of God. Three times the word “holy” was used. Nothing in Scripture is there by chance and so we ask, why three times as opposed to twice or four times? Is this not a great reminder of the Trinity? Our God is one God but three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and we should ever affirm this central truth of holy Scripture. —Paul Young

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning, our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! —Reginald Heber

Exodus 19:1-25; Psalms 58:1-59:17; Acts 10:24-48

The righteous hath hope in his death. Proverbs 14:32

To many people in the world, death is a taboo subject because it involves uncertainty as to what has to be faced beyond the grave. The Scriptures make it clear that those who don’t know Christ as Saviour face “a certain fearful looking for of judgement” (Heb. 10:27). For the believer there is nothing to fear because we have the certainty of being “with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). What a wonderful hope, secured through the great work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary! Are you able to face eternity with confidence because Christ is your Lord and Saviour? —Philip A. Kaye

Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold, chill your latest breath? —Priscilla J. Owens

Exodus 18:1-27; Psalms 56:1-57:11; Acts 10:1-23

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Acts 11:18

In the Old Testament, we read of God’s chosen people “Israel”. In spite of their sin, God showed, through them, His great love and His plan of salvation. In the OT, the Gentiles were generally not the direct focus of this plan, but here we read that this has changed and the Gentiles rejoiced in their acceptance. Many readers of today’s meditation are probably Gentiles. How wonderful to be accepted and brought into His family. —Mary Robins

Oh happy day that fixed my choice, on Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell its raptures all abroad. —Phillip Dodderidge

Exodus 17:1-16; Psalm 55:1-23; Acts 9:32-43

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul … but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

This verse paints a picture of a remarkable unity among the early believers in Christ. It emphasizes their shared sense of purpose, their deep bond of fellowship, and their commitment to supporting one another. The phrase “of one heart and soul” signifies the spiritual and emotional unity of the believers. They were not merely a collection of individuals with their own self-interests, but a community that operated with a shared purpose. This unity was the result of their common faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to living out His teachings. —Pam Hagey

Finally all of you, be of one mind,
Humble and loving and tender and kind. —Terrell Wilson