Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16 NKJV

Paul references the inner man multiple times. Many invest time and money in building a stronger physique. They have the mental focus and resolve to exercise strict discipline in this prioritized pursuit. Of course, being a good steward of our physical body is scriptural. But do I have the same intensity of desire and discipline to be spiritually strengthened with might and power? How much can I “bench press” for the Lord as the Spirit of God works in my life? —P. Ramsay

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.  —M. Maxwell

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Every believer is permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Yet, to obey the Lord’s command to be filled with the Spirit means to be fully under the Spirit’s control. It requires us to daily submit to Christ, confess our sins, spend time in God’s Word and prayer, and regularly fellowship with other believers. When one is filled with the Spirit they exhibit a zealous love for the Lord, a singing heart, a reverence for God, peaceful relationships, and a thankful, worshipful, and humble heart. Today’s filling does not provide for tomorrow so let us daily spend time with Christ. —George Ferrier

Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit, hearts that full surrender know;
That the streams of living water from our inner self may flow. —Mary E. Maxwell

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:38; Colossians 2:8-3:4

She lay at his feet until the morning. Ruth 3:14

Ruth spent a long day labouring in the field of Boaz, unaware of his compassion in instructing his workers to intentionally drop handfuls of grain for her to glean. By evening, she had an ephah of barley to show for it. However, when she had to lie quietly at the feet of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, she received twice as much. If for some reason the Lord retires you from His field of service for a time, and asks you to lie at His feet, be assured of a rich blessing
even there. Laid aside never means cast aside. —Clark Logan

All the way my Saviour leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?  —Fanny J. Crosby

1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV

Reading about the sinlessness and subsequent suffering of Jesus, we realize He did not get justice, but thankfully neither do we. He took our place; He bore the punishment for our sins and because of this we are healed. May we thank the Lord today for what He suffered for us on the cross. —Janet Fleming

Grace is what God did for me when Jesus set me free,
Mercy is what He spared me from when Christ bore hell for me,
Peace, God’s wondrous gift He gave, it bought me liberty;
Mercy, grace, and peace; all three obtained through Calvary. —J. Fleming

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. Revelation 5:4 NKJV

If the world were to go on interminably mired in sin, humanity would have perpetual tears. Thankfully, Christ, who wept over impenitent Jerusalem, triumphed by His sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension. His redemptive work ensures that earth’s future will unfold according to the divine plan—seal by seal, taking the planet back by judging evil. Eventually, our Lord will bring in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness thrives and sin is a historical artifact (2 Peter 3:13). Today’s headlines need not alarm us, a better age is coming. —Keith R. Keyser

Eternal Father, who shall look into Thy secret will?
Who but the Son shall take that book, and open every seal?  —Isaac Watts

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life…that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you. 1 John 1:1, 3

God has created mankind with five physical senses, all designed in a wondrous way to draw us closer to Himself. Let us use these gifts of God to seek Him daily in His wonderful Word. 1. “Come and see the works of God” (Ps. 66:5). 2. “Come and hear, all ye that fear God” (Ps. 66:16). 3. “And the whole multitude sought to touch him” (Luke 6:19). 4. “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia” (Ps. 45:8). 5. “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Draw me nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died,
Draw me nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side. —F. Crosby

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 NKJV

Before I was saved, I thought I was free. Free to do what I did, think what I thought, go where I went, say what I said, and be what I was. I thought I was free from the law, but it was only lawlessness! I was born in sin and bound by sin, living in bondage to self and pride, held all my lifetime captive by Satan through the fear of death. Then I met the Saviour and He set me free and I was free indeed—free to start living for Him and stop living for me! Free from self-serving to serve Him who is worthy. Free to share with everyone about my Redeemer! — Rex Trogdon

Sunk in ruin, sin, and mis’ry, bound by Satan’s captive chain,
Guided by his artful treach’ry, hurrying on to endless pain.
My Redeemer, my Redeemer, plucked me as a brand from hell. —P. Bliss

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see…Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. John 9:25, 30

Christ’s miracle was amazing, the evidence for His messiah-ship striking, yet there was unbelief among the religious leaders. However, for the formerly blind man, there was no doubt! Isn’t this so often the case for those born of the Spirit of God? Though they may find it hard to explain, they simply know something wonderful has happened!
May each of us, with the same zeal and determination, share what the Lord has done for us, despite the opposition. —Pete Smith

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.  —John Newton

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Romans 16:1-2

It is a good thing to speak well of the Lord’s people, and Paul’s dignified commendation of Phebe informed the saints that she was a woman of spiritual character. As “our sister,” Phebe’s dignity was acknowledged; as “a servant of the church,” her diligence was noted; as “a succourer of many,” her devotion was praised. Phebe was highly valued by Paul as his helper in the cause of Christ. Could such a fulsome commendation be honestly given of us today? —Phil Coulson

Teach me to live, Thy purpose to fulfil;
Each day renew, re-mould the stubborn will. —Ellen Burman

1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee. Proverbs 23:1
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.  Proverbs 23:2

In a world abundant with tempting foods, it is easy to overindulge. But gluttony leads to negative consequences, both physically and spiritually. Choosing moderation over gluttony allows us to honour our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Often we criticize the world for its unrestrained pursuit of immoral pleasures while we are equally guilty when it comes to our eating. May the Lord help us to embrace moderation, taking care of our bodies as vessels for His glory. —Sid Halsband

What blessings bounteous heaven bestows, he takes with thankful heart;
With temperance he both eats and drinks, and gives the poor a part.  –Needham