Author: Gospel Folio Press

Numbers 12:1-13:1-33; Proverbs 10:1-32; 1 Peter 2:1-25

Return to thine own house…And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. Luke 8:39

Many are anxious to tell those they don’t know about Christ before living a transformed life among those they do know. It’s easier to tell strangers than to live a changed life among family and friends. With them, we may need to ask forgiveness for past offenses—and exhibit Christ’s love when misunderstood. Do those nearest and dearest to us see evidence of what Jesus has done? Have you told them and showed them? My friend, this is where it all starts! —Deborah Manera

Every day you are witnessing. Your witness is the total package of your attitudes, character, and actions. It does not lie. —Winkie Pratney

Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9:1-18; 1 Peter 1:-25

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31

Prayer does more to bind together the hearts and minds of God’s people than anything else. Often the saying is heard and read: “The family that prays together stays together”. This is no less true in regard to God’s family as it meets together in its local expressions all over the world. What a blessed means of fellowship! Even when many miles separate us from loved ones in Christ, we can still meet at the throne of grace. —W. Ross Rainey

The saints in prayer, appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son,
Sweet fellowship they find. —James Montgomery

Numbers 10:11-11:3; Proverbs 8:1-36; Jude

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:12

It often comes as a personal shock when we discover that something we’ve believed and repeated is either off balance or even completely incorrect. Sometimes we can trace the detour back to something we’ve heard or read, but we acknowledge how difficult it is to change our own views on something we’ve held for a long time. May we ever have a teachable spirit, so that we value being correct more than being right. —Rick Morse

Break Thou the Bread of Life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves, beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page, I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O Living Word. —M. A. Lathbury

Numbers 9:1-10:10; Proverbs 6:20-7:27; Mark 16:1-20

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Jeremiah 15:16, NKJV

Does the reading of God’s Word cause your heart to rejoice? Depending on the condition of your soul, God’s Word can be sweet to the taste (Ps. 119:103), or like a bitter pill of conviction (Heb. 4:12). If you’re enjoying sweet fellowship with the Lord, His Word will delight your heart. But if there is unconfessed sin in your life, God’s Word may trigger feelings of guilt and regret. How does God’s Word affect you? —E. V.

Open Thy word of truth, that I may see,
Thy message written, clear and plain for me;
Then in sweet fellowship, walking with Thee,
Thine image on my life, engraved will be. —Mary A. Lathbury

Numbers 8:1-26; Proverbs 5:1-6:19; Mark 15:24-47

She hath wrought a good work upon me. Matthew 26:10

Just before His death, a woman came to Jesus carrying a box of “very precious ointment” (Matt. 26:7), and poured it on His head. Two reproaches were offered by His disciples. They criticized her for doing it, calling it a waste and the Lord for allowing it, inferring that the poor were a more worthy recipient. Is He worthy of our acts of devotion? Do our hearts offer Him our gratitude, praise and worship? Our blessed Saviour alone is worthy! Is He not the author of our eternal salvation? He alone is worthy of receiving universal recognition and honour. Have you thanked and blessed Him today? —Vernon Markle

All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die, that He might man redeem. —William H. Clark

Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23

Some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Luke 21:5-6

Jerusalem’s attraction was the temple. But note our Lord’s attitude toward it. The entire site would be swept away, and soon. Our Lord preached at the temple, in synagogues and the street. Paul preached in the open air and rented a house for Bible studies. What was their passion? It was the people who listened and the spiritual house they would become through the gospel. —J. A. Bjorlie

View the vast building, see it rise,
The work how great, the plan how wise,
Oh wondrous fabric, power unknown,
That rests it on the Living Stone. —Samuel Medley

Numbers 6:1-27; Proverbs 3:1-35; Mark 14:53-72

Do not think it strange. 1 Peter 4:12a, NKJV

Something that is strange is different, foreign, or odd. That could include languages, food, or experiences. It is “experiences” that Peter is alluding to here. He speaks of trials as if they were familiar, not different; as if they were known, not foreign; and as if they were common-place, not odd. It’s actually when we don’t “suffer as a Christian” that we should think it strange. We may expect trials if we’re living for Christ, but do we rejoice as we recognize God working in our life? If not, that would be strange. —N. C. Funston

It may be thro’ the shadows dim,
Or o’er the stormy sea,
I take the cross and follow Him,
Wherever He leadeth me. —Baylus Benjamin McKinney

Numbers 5:1-31; Proverbs 2:1-22; Mark 14:27-52

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? 2 Kings 5:7
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9

People expect governments to cure diseases and avert natural disasters, yet they are powerless to solve the tragedies that sin causes. Israel’s king could not cure Naaman, but the Lord healed him. Human power is limited, but God is omnipotent. Look to Him, rather than to men. —Keith Keyser

Our times are in Thy hand; we’ll always trust to Thee,
Till we have left this weary land, and all Thy glory see. —William F. Lloyd

Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26

I came down from heaven. John 6:42

Abraham Lincoln once had a conversation with a child which required him to stoop down to her. At the end of it he said to her, “When you grow up, you can say that Abraham Lincoln bent half– way to meet you”. There is a greater than Abraham Lincoln who stooped down all the way to bring blessing to mankind, not just as a result of His miracles but by the outcome of His death at Calvary. Sinners must stoop down in humility, confess their sin and receive Him as Saviour and Lord. —Brian Powlesland

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race. —Charles Wesley

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

The heart of Asa was perfect (loyal) all his days. 2 Chron. 15:17
Asa…sought not to the Lord…and died. 2 Chronicles 16:12-13

King Asa started well and continued well. But he finished poorly. His life identifies pitfalls to avoid if we would have a triumphant ending to our lives. First, he compromised with holiness: He used the Lord’s resources for selfish purposes (2 Chron. 16:1-2). Second, he placed his confidence in humans rather than God (vv. 3-6). Finally, his conscience was hardened: He no longer listened to God’s Word (vv. 7-10). Scripture records his end, saying: “his disease was exceeding great”—he diseased physically and spiritually too: He became a bitter, old man (vv. 11-13). Lord, help us avoid these same mistakes so that we can finish our courses with joy. —Brian Cretney

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. —Wm. Longstaff