Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17

Sometimes people ask me what I think about a controversial ‘social issue’. I tell them that it doesn’t matter what I think; it is important to know what God thinks because His Word is truth. For example, “God created male and female” (Gen. 1:27, 2:22). And, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:25). I tell them if they have an opposite view, their argument is with God. His Word is truth. —Bob Cretney

The Word of God, a river of pleasure;
The Word of God, ’tis food for the mind;
The Word of God, its light faileth never,
The Word of God, what treasure we find. —Arthur E. Smith

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

I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh … Genesis 9:15

The sun was still shining when the rain started, so my grandchildren ran to the window to see if there was a rainbow.
Sure enough, there it was in all its beautiful colours. God was again reminding us of His faithfulness to us ever since the time of Noah. Even in our days of struggle or pain, God can bring a rainbow into our lives to assure us that He is there with us, giving us hope when we need it. —Virginia Strout

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changeth not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. —Thomas O. Chisholm

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

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

The gifts of the Spirit, which every Christian has received, come with both enablement and responsibility. As He has empowered each of us to serve others with supernatural ability, He has also required of us that we attend to these duties as the highest of all vocations. Our spiritual family needs us as edifiers, and our lost world needs us as evangelists. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do today? —Rick Morse

Give as was given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless, a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true. —Ira Wilson

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

What is your beloved more than another beloved? Song of Solomon 5:9 NKJV

At a recent Bible conference the speaker’s final topic was taken from the above verse. During the message, he would occasionally pause and ask us, “What is your beloved?” When the Shulamite was asked this question, she did not hesitate but was ready with a delightful description of her beloved. She described him from head to toe, and then as if she had run out of words, she simply said, “Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (5:16). Oh, to be as ready to tell others about our Beloved, and to one day see Him face to face! —Marsha Blair

Thou art coming, O my Saviour, Thou art coming, O my King,
In Thy beauty all resplendent, in Thy glory all transcendent. —F. Havergal

1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18

Only God can foreshadow like this! When Abram met Melchizedek, he brought bread and wine. A victory had been won on Abram’s behalf by the Most High God and in the peace that ensued, these emblems were shared by His priest to commemorate it. Abraham pre-dated the Lord by almost 2,000 years and again bread and wine were shared at a simple gathering, now in remembrance of a Person. Today, almost 2,000 years after that divine institution, we take bread and wine and remember the Most High God and His victory, won for us at Calvary. —S. McEachern

For the bread and for the wine, for the pledge that seals Him mine,
For the words of love divine, we give Thee thanks, O Lord. —H. Bonar

1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

These things therefore the soldiers did. John 19:24

The human mind is incapable of understanding the relationship between the purpose of a sovereign God, and the responsibility that men bear for their own deeds. That both things are true, however, is inescapable. Roman soldiers, totally ignorant of the prophetic Scriptures, had cast lots for His garments, but could not divide His coat. Renowned for their discipline, they nevertheless disobeyed an order to break the legs of the Lord Jesus and, unusually, one of them pierced the Saviour’s side with a spear. “That the scripture might be fulfilled” is written large over Calvary, where divine limits could never be breached. —Phil Coulson

O Calvary! O Calvary! The thorn-crown and the spear,
Tis here Thy love, Lord Jesus, Thy flowing wounds appear.  —Unknown

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God has given us His inspired Word and we must spend time reading and obeying it. Some Chokwe believers knew this and each had a place in the forest where he would read and pray. This made a well beaten path to the place where he would spend time with God. If one got slack, the weeds would grow up on his pathway. A gentle rebuke saying, “I see some weeds on your pathway, brother,” would quickly bring him back. —David Croudace

The Word of God, is hope for the hopeless, strong and true;
The Word of God is a shield, for those who trust in You. —B. Brown

1 Kings 2:1-46; Jeremiah 10:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16

Each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas” (Peter), or “I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV
Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours. 1 Cor. 3:21 NKJV

The Corinthian Church was struggling with division. They chose one servant of God over another, generating competition. Paul says Apollos (the Bible teacher), Peter (the Shepherd) and himself (the evangelist) were all necessary for their spiritual development, but mere men were not to be placed on the same level as Christ. Rather, we should all be working together in the unity of Christ, to help bring people to the Lord, to teach them and to help them
conform to His likeness! —Jim Paul

Work together, ’til you cross the Lord’s finish line;
Then to glory, to enjoy Heav’n’s reward sublime. —Jim Paul

1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

I will ascend into heaven … I will exalt my throne … I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14
I will heal … I will love … I will [refresh]. Hosea 14:4-5

There is a stark contrast between the “I will” statements of the Lord in Hosea and the “I will” statements of Lucifer in Isaiah. Rather than being focused on self, the Lord’s concern is for the good of others. Instead of self-promotion, He sought to serve others. When we are tempted to exert our own will or promote our own causes, let us remember the humble example that the Lord set for us, and seek the good of others. —Lynn Shatford

May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing: this is victory. —Kate B. Wilkinson

2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

How are the mighty fallen. 2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27

When King Saul and his sons died in battle, on many levels, it was a benefit for David. Yet he took no joy in the death of Saul but deeply lamented his demise. In fact, he praised Saul and his sons in glowing terms by saying they were mighty, beloved, gracious, swift, and strong. David had a heart for the Lord and there was no gloating or sense of elation in the death of his enemy, just a deep grief that God’s anointed had been struck down by Israel’s enemies. David was truly surrendered to God’s will and found no satisfaction in the fall of those who had hurt and opposed him. May we be like-minded. —Paul Young

Greater grace, deeper mercy, wider love, higher ways.
Perfect peace, complete forgiveness, it’s all found in You. —C. Bowater