Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. 2 Kings 22:1 NKJV
There was no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart. 2 Kings 23:25

It is truly amazing to see the spiritual growth of King Josiah. At the age of 26 he made spiritual decisions which men of double his age failed to activate. Sometimes we see this maturity in young spiritual men and women today. Let us “oldies” encourage and support them, and not despise their youth (1 Tim. 4:12). —Brian Russell

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.  —Frances Ridley Havergal

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

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Luke 23:33

Many amazing things happened at Calvary. We cannot even begin to appreciate it as we should. Such words as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness and sanctification all belong there. It was there that we received salvation and were delivered from condemnation for our sins. Let us meditate on the import of all these things and praise our great God and Saviour for what He has done. —K.J.W.

Calvary covers it all;
My sin and shame, don’t count anymore
All praise to the One, who has ransomed my soul,
Calvary covers it all. —Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan

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

Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

There are high costs to being submissive to the will of God. But some things are more important than life itself. To do the will of God, and “live Christ”, is of greater value in life than to be successful. This is why there is no reason to despair, or for thinking we are defeated when setbacks come. These conditions are sometimes necessary for our learning and discipline. Focus on what God wants, not on what we or others might want. Enduring suffering is
one of the ways in which character is built. —Gaius C. Goff

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials, though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial, I’ll triumph at last, with nothing between. —C.A. Tindley

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

God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Philippians 2:9-10 NKJV

His radiant beauties outshine the brightest and the best that a broken world could ever produce. His excellent glories outnumber the attributes and credentials of all others. The value and preciousness of His sacrifice outweighs the greatest undertakings down through the ages. The triumph of the cross and His resurrection outstrips all other victories. Worship and adore Him today. —Peter Ramsay

My heart is full of Christ, and longs, its glorious matter to declare!
Of Him I make my loftier songs, I cannot from His praise forbear;
My ready tongue makes haste to sing the glories of my heavenly King.  —C. Wesley

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

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

This verse is breathtakingly profound. It captures in a few words that staggering mystery of the Person of Christ. He is eternal: “In the beginning was the Word”. He exists separately from God: “and the Word was with God”. He is equal to God: “And the Word was God”. Volumes could be written on this single verse. And yet He can be known by anyone who will accept Him as Saviour. He will be the eternal provider and companion of every believer. Do you know Him? —Brian Gunning

Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father’s only Son;
God manifestly seen and heard,
And Heav’n’s belovèd one. —Josiah Conder

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

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV 

In one of the most superlative benedictions in our Bible, the apostle adds a last superlative for time—forever and ever. If forever is a long time, how long is forever and ever, twice as long? This expression is a way of emphasizing eternity. It’s like saying, Christ Jesus will have the glory throughout the entirety of all eternity. And just to make the point, he adds, Amen! —Rex Trogdon

Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
Revive us again. —William Mackay

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

Rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 33:1
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Joy is an evidence of a new life in Christ, a fruit of the Spirit. There certainly isn’t much cause for joy or rejoicing around us in this sin cursed world. In spite of such circumstances, joy can and should characterize the believer. A dear sister, recently widowed, exuded the joy of the Lord in spite of her loss. Her comment was: “I choose joy”. What a testimony! —Wm. H. Gustafson

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come.
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home. —M. P. Ferguson

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

He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV
He who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:36 NKJV

One day speaking to an old veteran, I thanked him for his bravery during World War 2. He said, “Had it not been for the hard working people on the home front supplying the weapons and sending food supplies, we would not have won the war”. There are many servants of the Lord on the front lines with the Gospel. Are you helping them with seed to be sown and food for their tables? —Jim Paul

The harvest is great, the workers so few;
There’s a lot more each one of us surely can do.
Helping the servants, supplying their needs;
Providing resources, to accomplish their deeds. —Jim Paul

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

Then they…ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. Acts 7:57-58

The Lord may not immediately reveal the fruit of our service for Him. It was only when Paul entered heaven that Stephen first glimpsed the fruit of his martyr’s death, in the life of the young man Saul (Acts 9:5; 22:20). Beloved, we must remain faithful. Let us never get discouraged. Keep pressing on for Christ. The fruit may not be immediately visible, but all will be fully revealed in eternity. —George Ferrier

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay. —E. E. Hewitt

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

There was a certain nobleman…he went unto [Jesus], and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son. John 4:46-47

Besides his great love for his son, this man is admirable for his humility. We read at first that this father “besought” Jesus to help. In the Greek, this particular word is used when someone requests a favour from someone considered their equal. This man was a royal official who, perhaps, considered his status reason enough to receive this special favour from the “miracle-worker”. But as the story unfolds, he calls Jesus “Sir”, an elevated term of respect. He
placed himself under the authority of Jesus. If we are going see the Lord work His power in our lives today, we must come in humility and submit to His authority. —Brian Cretney

O Master, let me walk with Thee, in lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret, help me bear, the strain of toil, the fret of care.—W. Gladden