Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20

The astounding aspect of this parable which must have had a great impact on the listeners are the two words “and ran”. In those days respected fathers only ever walked deliberately and with dignity. It lacked decorum to be seen running and was never practiced. So, for the father to run was outside socially accepted behaviour but it revealed deep compassion for his son. Only here in Scripture do we see a picture of God being in a hurry. He is always eager to accept repentant sinners. Have we returned to the Father? —Paul Young

Father, never was love so near;
Tender, my deepest wounds to heal.
Precious to me, Your gift of love;
For me You gave Your only Son. —Graham Kendrick

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful…“Be strong, do not fear!” Isa. 35:3-4 NKJV

We have a tree on a hill near our home. Often on my way up the hill, I take hold of a little branch so as not to slip. Amazingly, this thin branch supports my weight. I noticed three young grandsons swinging from this spindly branch and it took their weight. Later, an older brother was swinging and the branch split at a higher point. The amazing thing is this broken branch will still give me support. Perhaps you have been hurt badly, but out of your brokeness, could you encourage someone today? —Janet Fleming

A line or two to a friend in need,
Could encourage that friend and bring hope indeed,
It may strengthen the weak and remove their fear,
It may comfort the dying and dry their tear. —Janet Fleming-

1 Chronicles 21:1-30; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

Thy gentleness hath made me great. Psalm 18:35
But the fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness. Galatians 5:22

It may seem that a hard edge is necessary to function in our cold society. But in the above Psalm, we see how God’s gentleness can be a blessing to us. David says that God’s gentleness made him great. Too often we have seen the results of harshness in families or toward others, but here we see that gentleness can result in greatness in others. God’s Word gives wise lessons in dealing with one another. Let us strive for more fruit of the Spirit in our lives, which will include the lovely gentleness of our Lord Jesus.—Mary Robins

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
Oh, Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.—Albert W.T. Orsborn

1 Chronicles 19:1-20:8; Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; John 6:41-7:11

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. John 11:5

The Lord loved all three members of this household in Bethany. In that He is different than us in that He loved them all despite the marked differences in their personalities and actions. His love did not differentiate. Martha, marked by a serving attitude, had a problem with her sister, the meditative Mary who was commended by the Lord for having “chosen that good part” (Luke 10:42). The Lord Jesus had no personality problems with His own. Can we, as
we consider Him, remove partiality from our lives? —L. Cain

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths
Its flow may richer, fuller be. —G. Matheson

1 Chronicles 17:1-18:17; Ezekiel 17:1-24; John 6:22-40

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34

The Lord used this “teaching moment” with the Samaritan woman to remind us that it is His prerogative to work in any way He wishes, sometimes not even within the realm of our understanding. It is our responsibility and privilege to tell what we know and the Spirit gives life to the words we speak. Those we least expect to believe the Gospel may be the ones who believe. Avoid prejudice and doubt; in faith present the Word of God and let the Spirit of God give light and life. We serve the Son of God; never lose sight of that fact. —Gaius C. Goff

Take my voice, and let me sing, always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee. —Frances R. Havergal

1 Chronicles 16:1-43; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12

Heaven’s varied beings unceasingly sing to the triune Godhead. In Rev. 5, the spotlight shines on the Son of God’s redemptive work and His corresponding glorification. The church on earth praises Him, joining heaven in adoring Him. Worship is no humdrum affair; rather, it stretches into an eternity of unending honour for the creating and
redeeming God. Primary in importance, every believer should imitate the hosts above in daily offering it to God. To worship and praise Him in the church’s meetings is surpassingly sweet. —Keith R. Keyser

The church triumphant in Thy love, their mighty joys we know;
They sing the Lamb in hymns above, and we in hymns below.  —Charles Wesley

1 Chronicles 15:1-29; Ezekiel 16:1-34; John 5:24-47

Jesus spoke…saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of
life.” John 8:12 NKJV

The world is a dark place. Such darkness destroys the souls of men and yet it holds a perverse attraction to their minds (John 3:19, 20). And yet there is light far greater. The Lord Jesus Christ is the light. There is no other light. His light rescues us from walking in the darkness. If you have not done so, come to the Light today. He is waiting to rescue you. —Brian Gunning

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!  —P. P. Bliss

1 Chronicles 13:1-14:17; Ezekiel 14:1-15:8; John 5:1-23

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. John 11:39

This moved stone revealed a resurrection miracle, but also the blessings that follow such obedience. Obedience yielded: the Son of God being glorified (v. 4); a friend’s awakening to the power of God (v. 11); evidence for belief (v. 15); a revelation as to who Christ is (v. 25); the trustworthiness of divine plans and timing (v. 32); divine compassion (v. 33); the power that eliminates the stench of death (v. 39); and the caring hand of the One who upholds all things by the word of His power (v. 43). Whether a pebble or a boulder-sized act of obedience, what gateways to the wonders of Christ lie before us today? —David J. Reed

Open Thou mine ears, Lord, let me hear Thy voice,
And with swift obedience, cause Thee to rejoice.  —Alfred P. Gibbs

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. Matthew 15:22

This woman sought relief for her daughter yet asked mercy for herself. Could it be that her daughter was oblivious to the pain her condition was causing her mother, that the mother felt the pain of her daughter’s demon possession more fully than her daughter? How like our situation! As we read our precious Scriptures, as we thrill to meet with saints, to worship at His table, to welcome His grace amidst the concerns of daily life, to walk in the intimacy of His presence, we grieve deeply for those we love who neglect this life in favour of the broken cisterns and polluted water that will never satisfy. So with this woman, we kneeling beg, “Lord, help me”, even as we present our request for the healing that brings eternal life. —Marilyn MacMullen

God, be merciful to me, on Your grace I rest my plea;
Your compassions overflow, blot out my transgressions now. —Unknown

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14

Why was the serpent compared to the Son of Man? The serpent was cursed for tempting Eve to sin, “God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed” (Gen. 3:14). To be lifted up to hang was also a curse. “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). To redeem us, Jesus was lifted up and made a curse for
us. We are now free when we look up to Him! —K. C. Ung

There is life for a look at the crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him, and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.  —Amelia M. Hull