Author: Gospel Folio Press

Exodus 5-6:13; Psalms 35-36; Acts 2:1-21

For some do not have the knowledge of God. 1 Cor. 15:34 NKJV
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 NKJV

Do you know the Lord? He can be known and wants to be known. We begin to know God by trusting His offer of salvation through the death of His Son on the cross. We know more of Him by reading the Bible and finding fellowship with other believers. He offers us the opportunity of knowing Him through faith. It is a tragic thing to go through life and death and not know God. —Brian Gunning

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fulness see,
More of His love who died for me.—Eliza Hewitt

Exodus 4; Psalm 34; Acts 1

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Revelation 2:4

The church at Ephesus was recognized as being one of the most mature churches of that day. Indeed, the Lord commends them for their many excellencies. But having done so, He identified one fatal flaw that threatened their right to exist. They had left their first love. When writing to the Corinthian assembly the apostle reminded them of the supremacy of love compared to all other things, when he wrote, “And now abide faith, hope, love…but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13 NKJV). May we ever keep this in mind in all of our dealings, that love must be the controlling factor. —Willie H. Burnett

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make, on bended knee. —E. Prentiss

Exodus 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32-33; Matthew 28

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice. 1 Samuel 25:32-33

A wise person has the ability to confront others about their sin without causing offence. It is worthwhile to read this whole story to see an example of how to advise and help others who are making poor decisions. Notice how Abigail showed appropriate respect (v. 23). She understood the problem fully (vv. 14–17). She argued theologically. She made reference to Jehovah seven times (vv. 26–31). When she pointed out David’s sin (v. 26) she also pointed out his virtues (v. 28). The value in a wise word is often not only found in its content but also in its timing. —K. W.

Where is your brother? O my soul, what answer can you make?
What have you done for love of him, or suffered for his sake? —M. Stansbury

Exodus 1-2:22; Psalm 31; Matthew 27:45-66

The kings of the earth set themselves…against the Lord, and against his anointed…He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 2:2, 4

The Lord wept over Jerusalem because of their unbelief. Today He weeps over an unbelieving world again. However, His weeping will one day turn to laughter, as in derision He will judge those who are vainly trying to rule this world without Him. But as an individual, you don’t need to wait for that day. Turn from your sin and trust the One who loved you enough to die for you. Invite Him into your heart to be your Saviour and Lord. —David Croudace

Behold, He weeps o’er Jerusalem!
His soul with pity doth thrill;
He would have saved them, but “they would not,”
Thus He died on Calv’ry’s hill. —C. B. Widmeyer

Genesis 50; Psalm 30; Matthew 27:27-44

If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me…and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Exodus 19:5-6

God’s plans are given in terms that are understandable to us if we are willing to be taught. Lessons in the ancient book of Exodus teach us how to live on our pilgrim journey now. We are going to a better land, guided and kept by God. Our practices, conduct, attitudes, and anticipation, we are learning now. If we apply these lessons, they will
challenge us to live holy, righteously, and godly lives in this present world. —Gaius C. Goff

As sons of God, redeemed by blood,
We hasten from Egypt away;
We cross the sand to the pleasant land,
And the joys of an endless day.—A. B. MacKay

Genesis 49; Psalms 28-29; Matthew 27:1-26

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

Buying the truth is costly and requires determination, discipline, and dedication. Often people trade their most valued things in life for the glitter of temporary pleasures and empty promises. In stark contrast, Solomon reminds us of the immense value of truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. In an age filled with deception and confusion, we are urged to embrace these virtues as priceless treasures never to be sold or traded. Selling the truth can mean compromise, concession, and cooperation with the world. Let’s be diligent to buy the truth and sell it not! —Sid Halsband

Thine, Lord, is wisdom, Thine alone; justice and truth before Thee stand;
Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne, mercy withholds Thy lifted hand. —John Wesley

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26 – 27; Matthew 26:57-75

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4 NKJV

Many people finish their lives regretful of things left undone. But God’s eternal Son approached Golgotha knowing that His public ministry was finished, and that He would fully and perfectly fulfill His Father’s will at Calvary. He had revealed the Father and demonstrated the divine kingdom’s character through His miraculous ministry (Acts 10:38). “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Christ died, arose, and ascended, knowing that His first coming was complete. —Keith R. Keyser

His glory—not only God’s Son, in manhood He had His full part;
And the union of both joined in one, forms the fountain of love in His heart.  —Robert Hawker

Genesis 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matthew 26:31-56

Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat… 1 Corinthians 6:7b, 8 NKJV
Leaving us an example…when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1 Peter 2:21, 23

We live in a world where rights are demanded, courtrooms are busy and injustice is everywhere. But citizens of Christ’s heavenly kingdom must rise above and live with a higher ethos than this world. Never was One as unjustly treated as our Lord. Never did One suffer as wrongfully as He did. Legions of angels would have delivered Him, yet He suffered willingly. —Kevin Shantz

Unsullied meekness, truth, and love, through all Thy conduct shine;
O may my whole deportment prove, a copy, Lord, of Thine!—B. Beddome

Genesis 45; Psalms 23 to 24; Matthew 26:1-30

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:11 NKJV

Jesus Christ, He who did no sin, took upon Himself all the sin of the world, dealt with it and was done with it once and for all! He was, in effect, “dead to sin.” Paul, in his letter to the believers in Rome, tells us to ”Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin.” But Jesus Christ is God! How can we humans who daily battle sin, reckon ourselves to be ”dead” to it? Christ identified us with Him on Calvary, created all things new, and removed us from the “old Adam” into Himself, the new Adam. Now, “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” we too can have victory over sin!—Ray Jones

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed His tender last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter bequeathed, with us to dwell.  —Harriet Auber

Genesis 44; Psalm 22; Matthew 25:31-46

In all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27

Every day, every child of God should spend time alone with God, reading His Word and speaking to Him in prayer. All of the Scriptures reveal Christ to us. The Old Testament is full of pictures of Christ in the offerings and feasts, in the tabernacle and temple, and in the offices of prophet, priest, and king. The New Testament brings before us the Saviour’s life and His wonderful words and works. Always look for Christ, wherever you read. May you catch a glimpse or, even better, a fuller and more satisfying view of Him today. —Clark Logan

Make the Book live to me,
O Lord, show me Thyself within Thy Word,
Show me myself and show me my Saviour,
And make the Book live to me.—R. Hudson Pope