Title: In Secret / Topic: Motivation

Today’s Reading: Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7

Scripture: Matthew 6
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Observation: Jesus' teaching in these three chapters in today's reading is amazing. So many wonderful and also challenging principles. Here Jesus is telling them to practice their religion in a private way -- a way so that it does not draw attention from other people.

Application: It seems God wants to be sure that as we do "acts of righteousness," whether it be giving to the poor or praying or whatever, we are doing it for Him, and not for PR. PR is a corrupting factor in people's lives. If I do something for PR, that is so I increase my positive Public Relations, then my motivation is essential selfish, based on pride. Lots of people go to church and act a certain way so that others will think better of them. God doesn't want that kind of religiousity. He wants us to do righteous acts because we love Him and want to please Him -- we are playing to an audience of One: God Almighty. I need to always inspect my motivation and eliminate those things that could possibly taint my spiritual life with pride. (Oh, and notice that Jesus says we are to do this preemptively -- to remove even the possibility of a less-than-pure motivation. Interesting.)

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You want to know me and relate to me. I am amazed that You are interested in me at all. But I am thankful. Help me to live for You and You alone. To do good because of Your nature which You have birthed in me and to cultivate the life of Your Spirit in my life, that I might know You and please You more.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Change Required / Topic: Heaven

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4

Scripture: Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Observation: It's a simple message: "Heaven is close, make your changes now!"

Application: If you want to make it into heaven, change is required. I can self-justify all I want, but that won't alter the reality of my deep imperfection. Only the perfect is allowed into heaven. Any imperfection, no matter how minute, would pollute heaven and it wouldn't be heaven any more. So change is in order. Get ready to let God do some radical heart surgery. Here am I, Lord. Strap me in.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that heaven is a place of perfection with no impurity allowed. And I thank You that You created a means by which imperfect people like me could be changed so we qualify to get in. Do Your wonderful work of change in my life. May I walk in repentance as a way of life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Test / Topic: Self-Examination

Today’s Reading: Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Observation: Paul instructs the Corinthian Christians to "examine" themselves. They are to look at their lives and examine and test themselves to see whether they are in the faith.

Application: These days there is not much encouragement to do this. In fact, there is a general assumption that those who attend church are truly Christians. But are they? Are you? I think it is a good thing for every person to ask, "What is my standing before God?" "Am I living my life with Jesus as Lord or am I self-directing?" If every Christian would be conscientious to ask these questions and repent if the answers cause concern, there would be a purifying effect on the church. Let's examine ourselves, be earnest, and repent.

Prayer: Lord, help us to keep a watchful eye on our lives and not live on autopilot. May we perform regular checkups to insure that we are indeed following You and not simply walking our own way with a "Christian" label on it. Show me areas and ways in which I am out of sync with You and help me line up with Your will and ways.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Rich In Every Way / Topic: True Riches

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Observation: Fantastic! God want to bless us -- in every way. Look at what Paul says: "You will be made rich in every way!" Rich is the word he uses. This is a powerful word. Our culture is schizophrenic about "rich" -- on one hand, everybody wants to be rich; on the other hand, we resent the rich. But Paul says "rich in every way." That means spiritually, physically, relationally, and financially, etc. -- in every way. But notice the purpose: "so that you can be generous." God wants to bless us so that we can bless others.

Application: So I think that God will not entrust His riches to those who are selfish. (Indeed, selfish people do get rich, but it is not God who enriches them, they do it on their own, through hard work, persistence, and even sometimes nefarious means.) But for the believer, we should seek to grow in a heart of giving and in the practice of giving -- at whatever our level of want or surplus. When God sees that heart and the practice of giving, He will "increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your character of giving and your heart of sharing. I want to reflect Your character with a life of selflessness empowered by You. I pray that You will find me worthy of the entrustment of Your riches so that I may be a conduit of blessing to Your world.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Divine Purpose Of Destiny / Topic: The Struggle

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation: I love this passage. Paul highlights the distinction between what is visible, the outward struggles and difficulties, and what is invisible, the inward growth and blessings. And he makes the point that while we may struggle with "light and momentary afflictions" (as the King James Version puts it), they cannot compare to the true and lasting value of the "eternal glory" that God is instilling in us through the process. And best of all, the outer stuff, the stuff we see and struggle with, is temporary -- while the inner stuff, the unseen stuff, is eternal. It is who we are forever.

Application: Be encouraged! We will not always struggle. And even the struggles we face each day are accomplishing an eternal goal that makes it all worthwhile. Don't give up! Don't give in! Keep working for the payoff in eternity. It is absolutely worth it!

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, that You are doing a work in my life, even through the trials and testings and difficult things I face. Help me to always remember that there is a divine purpose of destiny that is being accomplished in my life. And help me to stay faithful and focused through it all. May I please You with the way I live in diligence and perseverance for my strengthening and for Your glory.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Keep Your Wits / Topic: Spiritual Warfare

Today’s Reading: Job 41; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Observation: Interesting! Satan has schemes. Paul says "we are not unaware of his schemes." That may have been true for Paul but is that true for us? I'm not so sure.

Application: Too often I see Christians not only unaware of Satan's schemes but even cooperating with them! Naive Christians are easy prey for Satan. We have to keep our wits -- to be savvy and alert. We must pray. We have an enemy who is clever and powerful. But we have an Advocate who is even more powerful. So we have to be more tuned in to Him and in sync with His will and ways.

Prayer: Lord, enlighten my mind to understand and walk in Your ways. Alert me to the schemes of the enemy and assist me in neutralizing his efforts. May I advance Your Kingdom and keep the enemy on defense as we push forward against the very gates of hell.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Musical, Singing, Dancing Army / Topic: Spiritual Warfare

Today’s Reading: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture: Psalm 149
1 Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song...
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and harp...
5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them.
This is the glory of all his saints.
Praise the LORD.

Observation: What an amazing psalm! It starts out so sweet and nice: singing, praising, dancing, musical instruments, and so forth. It sounds like a nice worship service. Then it shifts a little: "sing for joy on their beds" -- what's that all about? But wait, there's more! It gets really weird in verse 6: "May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands!" This is not so sweet and nice. And it continues to the end of the psalm. What does it mean?

Application: It sounds like a musical, singing, dancing army. And that is exactly what it is. But the music and singing and dancing isn't a distraction from the fighting, it is the fighting! This psalm describes a warfare but it is not the military kind -- it is spiritual warfare. I want to share four main points from this psalm:

1. Spiritual warfare is fought in both the spiritual and physical realm. "May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands" The spiritual warrior does one thing in the physical realm and there is a corresponding yet different thing that occurs in the spiritual realm.
2. There is a level of bondage and oppression that is ongoing and that we cannot detect with the five senses but that is real nonetheless. If we ignore it, we and others suffer. But if we will act in obedience, we can actually bind the enemy, preventing them from carrying out their evil designs. "...bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron."
3. Our enemies have already been judged and condemned and there has been a "sentence written against them." It is in spiritual warfare that this sentence is carried out.
4. This spiritual warfare is not something limited to an exclusive group. The last phrase makes that clear: "This is the glory of all his saints." For all of us who are believers and belong to God, this is for all of us!

Prayer: Lord, help me to understand and participate in the fullest in this worship/warfare. May I be effective in doing my part to defeat the enemy in the spiritual realm. Help me not to hold back and worry about what other people think. May I be joyous in worshiping You and faithful in warring against our enemies in every way I can.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: My Call / Topic: Ministry

Today’s Reading: Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, 26
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 ...he who prophesies edifies the church.

Observation: Paul is addressing the Corinthian Christians on spiritual gifts as they have been having some problems in the church with a confusing misuse of the gifts. In these verses, he is contrasting the person who prophesies, speaking in the language of the hearers, and the one who speaks in tongues, speaking in an unknown language.

Application: As I read these words, they speak to me. My call is that of the one who prophesies. I want to speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort, edifying (that is beautifully building up) the church. But it's not just the pastor that has this call. Every person who speaks as a Christian in ministry, whether as a teacher, counselor, or mentor, has this call. We must take responsibility to watch our words and make the most of the opportunities that God gives us to gift our words to our hearers.

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom and courage to fully answer the call that You have placed on my life. Make my message effective for building up people. Lord, I want to be the blessing that You want me to be.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Gaping Hole / Topic: The Church

Today’s Reading: Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Observation: This is how it is supposed to be in the church. But I do not think this is how it is. If we really understood and accepted this as true, we would be much more involved with and dedicated to others in our church family.

Application: As it is, I think most Christians are just fine to let the other people suffer. I don't mean to say that we get any sort of perverse pleasure out of it -- we feel sorry when people in the church family have some sort of suffering. But we don't really want to discomfort ourselves when addressing the suffering of others. "I'll pray for you," we may say. But if what is necessary to help them might really cost me, I'll just stop with the prayer thing.

Bottom line: I think the church in general has a weakness in the area of understanding the depths of unity. The implications of Paul's statement are truly staggering. But I think we are a long way from getting it.

Prayer: Lord, help us to get it -- to truly be willing to lay our lives down for our friends. Give Your church the kind of love that Jesus prayed for in the Garden.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Word For Us / Topic: Biblical Interpretation

Note: Between Tuesday, November 7 and Sunday, November 12, I will be heavily involved in the Fort Natomas Playground rebuild project. Posts during this time may be signifcantly delayed. I appreciate your understanding. I will try to get an early post up so my readers can post some of their own devotional thoughts. I invite you to share any of your own insights or ahas in the comments even before I have made my final devotional post for the day. Thanks for participating in reading and sharing.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:9-10
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

Observation: Paul is pointing out something very important to the Corinthians. He is teaching them about supporting the work of the Lord by supporting those who do it. But he makes a broader point in the middle of his argument. He teaches us all about the word of God and the fact that God's primary point in all of the word is for us -- that is, for our benefit.

Application: There are tons of great stories, parables, illustrations, and recorded history in the Bible. But as we read each one, we should look for the personal application or blessing. Paul tells us when God writes about oxen, that they not be muzzled when treading grain, that God is really writing about us! He likes oxen and all, but He's totally crazy about us! He wants us to be blessed. So look for the blessing every time you read the word. It's in there!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, thank You that you care so much for me. You wrote a whole library filled with great words for me to read and be blessed by. Help me to always get the message that You want me to receive.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Resisters / Topic: Hard Hearts

Today’s Reading: Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8

Scripture: Job 36:13 "The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help."

Observation: This statement about the "godless in heart" is true. People who automatically reject the validity of God are not typically happy people. They are often filled with anger and resentment, as the verse says. They resent all kinds of things and people. They mock and they spit out curses. When God "fetters them," that is, brings some restriction on them to chastise them or restrict them (usually for the purpose of waking them up to the reality of God and their need for Him), they refuse to acknowledge Him and would rather die with their prideful arrogance than receive deliverance by calling to God for help.

Application: For me the application is to be aware that there are people out there that have made themselves quite unreachable. Even God can't break through the wall of pride and resistance that they have built. So if God's efforts can't get the job done, I shouldn't be surprised that my efforts sometimes fall short. Some people simply hold steadfast to their godlessness and I guess they are happy with their misery.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the joy of Your salvation. I pray that my life will be an advertisement of Your goodness and blessing. Help me to be used by You to draw even the resisters to the place of surrendering to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Two Witnesses / Topic: Humility

Today’s Reading: Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 6

Scripture: Job 34:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
Job 34:5 "Job says, 'I am innocent,
but God denies me justice.
6 Although I am right,
I am considered a liar;
although I am guiltless,
his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
1 Corinthians 4:3 ...I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Observation: Elihu and Paul make the same point in different ways. Elihu rebukes Job for considering his own evaluation of himself as the final word. Paul states that though he maintains a clear conscience, that is not the final word. Both Elihu and Paul understand that even the most noble of humans is still human, and that because of our fallen nature, we cannot fully evaluate our own condition.

Application: God is the One whose evaluation matters. He is the Judge and He is a truly righteous Judge. It is a mistake to ever think that I am without fault or sin. Even though I may be convinced of the absence of these things in my life, they can still be there. I must stay humble before God and maintain a repentant and receptive heart.

Bottom line: Don't think of yourself more highly than you ought. You are not perfect. The more a person thinks they are, the more they prove they are not. Stay humble and repent.

Prayer: Lord, keep my feet on the ground and my eyes on You. Help me to remember my failings when I am tempted to pride.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Lost In Translation / Topic: The Gospel

Today’s Reading: Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1; 1 Corinthians 2; 1 Corinthians 3

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Observation: We who love the Lord have a perspective totally foreign to those who do not. To us the message of the cross is a beautiful thing because we have experienced its power: we have become saved -- transformed from the inside out -- by it. For the unsaved person, the cross doesn't make sense. How could a lonely man, executed by foreign occupiers on a crude stand, abandoned by his supporters be important? It seems ridiculous.

Application: As a Christian, I need to be aware that the unsaved person doesn't -- in fact, cannot -- think about Jesus in any way as I do. This should affect every word and action that I share with an unsaved person. My approach to my non-Christian neighbor must be shaped to recognize that he must be carefully assisted to see things concerning God in a new light. I must also pray that the Holy Spirit illuminates and quickens the person's understanding or all my efforts will be futile.

Prayer: Lord, help me to declare You with skill and wisdom and persuasiveness to my unsaved friends. Lord, I want to lead people to know You in a deep and real way. Give me an effective voice to reach many for the Kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Freedom's Price / Topic: Vigilance

Today’s Reading: Job 31; Job 32; Galatians 5; Galatians 6

Scripture: Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Observation: Paul warns the Christians of the tendency toward bondage and even slavery.

Application: Christ won a hard fought battle to free us. But we can create new yokes of slavery with our own hands. It is the tendency of our sin nature to corrupt or spoil the simplicity and purity that God creates. Jesus boiled it down to two basic rules: 1) Love God totally; and 2) Love people as you love yourself. Every Christian, church, and ministry adds complexity and detail with doctrinal lists. We can't help ourselves. Paul says that we must stand firm against anything that creates burdens that bring us into bondage.

Prayer: Lord, help us to operate in the freedom that You gave to us in Christ. We want to avoid self-imposed bondage and stand in the purity and delight of your perfect freedom. Keep us vigilant against anyone or anything that would divert us from the freedom You have for us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Tale Of Two Sons / Topic: Internal Struggle

Today’s Reading: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4

Scripture: Galatians 4:29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

Observation: Paul is explaining something important to the Galatians. There is an internal struggle that most Christians deal with. Paul uses a tale of two sons to make it clear. There are two sons: one from a slave woman and one from a free woman. As a seeker of God, before Christ, a person was automatically a son of the slave woman. But since Christ, the true way to follow God is as the son of the free woman. But Paul explains that we have a choice: it is possible to go back and embrace the slave heritage. The only problem is, in doing this, I cannot have true salvation since the slave heritage is based on my own ability which rejects God's provision that brings salvation. Only in remaining free do I confirm my standing in God's grace through Jesus that truly brings salvation.

Application: There is a tendency, a constant pull of my sin nature, to want to get at least a little credit for spiritual progress in my life. It is one of the most insidious lies of my sin nature. It is dangerous because it can appear good -- after all, it is about seeking God. But it is not at all good because it promotes the idea that my personal efforts (apart from God) have the potential of making me a better God person. It is saying this: "My flesh (my sin nature) can help make me a less fleshly person." Of course, this is a lie. But our sin nature is very crafty and would like to sneak in and become a part of the process of sanctification because it hates being left out. No glory in that! But if I allow my flesh to get a toe in the door, I corrupt the process and now lies and self deception have polluted the environment of spiritual growth.

Bottom line: I must resist the tendencies of my sin nature to participate in spiritual growth. It is by grace I am saved (and being saved) and that is not of any personal works, lest any part of me should become proud and boastful. My flesh is not redeemable. I must do what Jesus said: "Take up your cross daily and follow me." (Any kind of pride in spiritual progress is a tip-off of trouble.)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You, Lord that You provided the way for me to come to You (through grace by faith in Jesus), and the way for me to grow in You (through grace by faith in Jesus). Help me to continue in Your grace and give me insight to see any deviation from it. Assist me to keep my flesh out of the arena of spiritual growth so that my walk with You can be pure and without pollution. I want to grow in Your grace.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Please Him Only / Topic: Serving God

Today’s Reading: Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2

Scripture: Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Observation: Paul is speaking some harsh words to the Galatian church. But he makes it clear that his motivation is that he is trying to please God, and not be a man pleaser.

Application: I want to be a person who speaks the truth in love, not because it will make somebody happy or mad, but because truth is truth and because speaking the truth in love is what God wants me to do. If I am to be a servant of Christ, I must not concern myself with trying to impress people.

Prayer: Lord, free me from worrying about what people think of me. I want to please You and get a good strong "Well Done!" when I stand before You in That Day. Help me to be strong in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Power Validation / Topic: Miracles

• NOTE: This post is a recreation of one that was lost due to a blogger.com technical problem. I have done my best to convey the gist of what I posted originally.

Today’s Reading: Job 26; Job 27; Mark 15; Mark 16

Scripture: Mark 16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Observation: I love this verse and the idea that God gave a supernatural stamp of approval to validate the message of the disciples: He sent miracles.

Application: Boy, we need these today. Some say we don't need the accompanying miracles because we have the completed Bible. But I think that is stupid. If somebody doesn't believe the Bible (and there are more all the time who don't), then giving them Bible verses to prove God is pointless. But if they or someone they know is healed, really healed, then it would be hard for them to deny the God of the Bible. I want to see the real dramatic miracles: we have plenty of blind, deaf, mute, and lame people around who could use God's touch. And the world could use the testimony of God's power -- and so could the church.

Prayer: Lord, send the miracles to testify of the validity of the Gospel message. Send Your power Lord -- give us miracles so many can repent and find You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Lord Worth Living For / Topic: Jesus

Today’s Reading: Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14

Scripture: Mark 14:64-65
64 ...They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

Observation: As I read this I think of my Lord, the loving Jesus, being brutalized by people He came to save. Even the sins they were committing by beating Him would be among those that His impending sacrificial death would provide forgiveness for.

Application: He bore my sin, my shame and as they were hurting Him, He endured this maltreatment out of His heart of love for me. Sometimes I think of the cross in almost abstract terms, but the suffering of Jesus was not abstract. It was personal, painful, and real. He took the beatings that I deserve. He is worthy of all worship and adoration and yet He allowed Himself to be spit upon. This is a Lord worth living for.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for sending Your only Son to live and die as my Savior. Lord, it pains me to think that my sin brought pain to Your Son. But I am thankful that through Your love, Jesus came to make it possible for me to know You as my Lord and God. Help me to live as Jesus did -- following Your word, sharing love, and giving my life for others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Hidden Truth / Topic: God's Vision

Today’s Reading: Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Observation: Once again, we see Jesus showing us deep truth of the Kingdom. According to God, the widow put the most into the offering.

Application: We are so controlled by the physical realm that it is difficult to think outside the material box. But Jesus helps us. He points out that God looks on the heart. Of course, we cannot look on the heart of others. So how does this help us? Two ways. First, we can look at our own hearts and do everything possible to make sure our motivation is pure. And second, this helps us to remember that what we can see can be very misleading. This helps us not to be judgmental. It does not mean we shouldn't make judgments based on people's behavior, but it means that we should be hold those judgments lightly and be open to alternative interpretations of their actions. And we should be especially open to the voice of the Spirit as it gives us discernment regarding another's heart or motivation.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are not swayed by PR. You see what is really going on in the heart. I want to be like this widow and give You my all. Help me to lay it all down at Your feet.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Bookend Brothers / Topic: Destiny

Today’s Reading: Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10

Scripture: Mark 10:35-40
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

Observation: James and John make private request of Jesus. They want to be His special assistants. Sitting on the right and left of any ruler are the second and third most powerful of the kingdom. James and John want to reserve their spots in advance so no one else can get these places of privilege and power. They picture Jesus, sitting as King and Messiah, on a great throne, and the two of them, sitting on His immediate right and left, like two important bookends. Of course, Jesus tells them that those positions are not to be dispensed in this way. But interesting to me, James and John did end up being bookends, and, as a result, very privileged and unique in Jesus' Kingdom. They were bookends in that James and John were the first and the last martyrs of the disciples! James was the very first disciple to be killed for his faith. And John was the very last disciple to die for the Lord.

Application: We may think that God should give us this or that special place or recognition, but we really do not know the ultimate destiny that God has for us. James and John wanted honor, but they got a far greater honor than that which they sought. We do not know just how this journey will end, but we know the ultimate destiny is to be with the Lord, and we have His continued strength and encouragement to finish the course.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for choosing me. Help me to accept Your path for my life and to not chafe against it. May I embrace both the blessings and the limitations that are my lot. I ask You to help me to make the most of every opportunity that You bring to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Internal And Invisible / Topic: Spirituality

Today’s Reading: Job 22; Mark 7; Mark 8

Scripture: Mark 7:18-23
18 "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19 For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

Observation: Jesus addresses the common misunderstanding which associates spirituality with certain outward behaviors related to eating or drinking. If you do or don't eat or drink certain things, or if you do it in certain ways, you are thought to be more or less spiritual. But Jesus makes it clear that while many often focus on these outward behaviors, the real issue lies elsewhere. It is internal and invisible. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. It's not what goes in that makes a man "clean" or "unclean," that is, spiritually pure or impure. It's what comes out that shows the true condition.

Application: We just need to remember that most of what really matters to God is invisible to us. It is a real temptation to look on the outside and make a determination about the spiritual condition of a person. But as easy as it is to fall into that, it is important to avoid it. True, you can know a tree by its fruit, but that is referring to character attributes and not mere behaviors.

Prayer: Lord, give us discernment to better understand and help more people. And help us to reach out in love rather than judgment as a matter of regular practice. We want to represent You well and reach many people for You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: "We'd Rather Have Pigs" / Topic: Priorities

Today’s Reading: Job 21; Mark 5; Mark 6

Scripture: Mark 5:14-17
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Observation: The people want Jesus to leave. Why? Because of Him, they lost their pigs. "Yeah, I know that he fixed that dangerous whacko. But, we gotta have our pigs! We can't take a chance on jeopardizing our pigs!"

Application: Not everybody wants what Jesus has to offer. Lots of people prefer to be left alone with their stuff (even if it is just a bunch of pigs), rather than to be confronted with power they can't control or explain. But, notice, Jesus does not try to talk they out of their preference. He respects their wishes and leaves.

Bottom line: Share the Gospel and let people decide. If they don't want it, move on.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I want You more than anything. Thank You for Your mercy that draws me to You. Help me to share Your goodness with everyone in such a way that they want You too.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Sow Seed! / Topic: Evangelism

Today’s Reading: Job 20; Mark 3; Mark 4

Scripture: Mark 4:3-8
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."

Observation: I notice that the sower just keeps sowing the seed. He does not look at the soil and say, "This isn't good soil. I won't waste my seed here." He scatters the seed.

Application: I try to sow where I think I am guaranteed results (or at least I think I have a good chance of results). But it seems from this parable that I need to be much more liberal with scattering seed. I need to get the seed out everywhere and give the soils a chance to react and respond. Perhaps there will be growth where I don't expect it. (Especially since I've seen little or no growth where I did expect it.)

Prayer: Lord, help me to be bold and unhindered with sharing the Gospel. I've got good news -- help me to share it more freely and frequently. Give me opportunities and I will take them. I want to win many souls.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: "We Have Never Seen..." Topic: Miracles

Today’s Reading: Job 19; Mark 1; Mark 2

Scripture: Mark 2:10-12
10 ...He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Observation: "We have never seen anything like this!" And neither have I. Isn't it a shame that those people of God in that day knew nothing of the healing power of God until Jesus healed this paralyzed man? Isn't it a shame that we, the people of God today, really know practically the same nothing of the healing power of God right now? I mean, really -- isn't it a shame?

Application: I believe in the power of God to heal. And I have prayed for many people to be healed in Jesus' name. But I have never seen even one truly amazing miraculous healing. I have heard of amazing healings. I have read about amazing healings. I have seen testimonies of amazing healings. But I haven't seen one.

Prayer: Lord, I don't understand why Your power to heal is so unknown in the place where I live. I believe that You are the all-powerful creator God who caused all things to exist. You said, "Let there be..." and there was, just as You said. Lord, I know You have the power so I ask You, Father, to release healings -- dramatic, amazing healings to us here and now. I am grateful for the headaches relieved and the colds shortened, but, Lord, I want to see with my own eyes, paralyzed people get up out of wheelchairs and walk. I want to see blind people seeing, and deaf people hearing. Lord, release miracles of healings to us hear and now. I humbly ask it, Father.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Get Paul To Rome! / Topic: God's Will

Today’s Reading: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27; Acts 28

Scripture: Acts 28:30-31
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation: These two verses, the last of today's reading give a simple account of what happened when Paul got to Rome. How he got there was another story, with a brutal storm, a ship wreck, treacherous sailors, over-zealous soldiers, a merciful centurion, a snake bite, multiple healings, and finally arrival at Rome. The Lord had spoken to Paul and told him that Rome was his destination and that he would testify there. I find it amazing how God got Paul to Rome.

Application: Nothing can stand in the way of God's will. When the order went out to get Paul to Rome, the angelic travel agency sprang into action to plan his itinerary. Just imagine the planning for this trip!

Bottom line: God has plans for me. He can use everything from a storm to a snake as He chooses. I get the privilege of being along for a most interesting ride.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You, Lord, that my life and times and places are in Your hands. I make my plans, but You direct my steps. My feet have fallen in pleasant places. Thank You that You use everything to bring about Your perfect will for my life. Help me to make the most of it.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Relentless Witness / Topic: Evangelism

Today’s Reading: Job 17; Acts 24; Acts 25; Acts 26

Scripture: Acts 26:22-23
22 But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."

Observation: Paul is standing before a king, a queen, a governor, and other influential people. He is on trial for his life. Yet, his defense is not designed to get him off -- it is designed to share the Gospel. Notice that Paul states, "so I stand here and testify to small and great alike... that the Christ would suffer and... would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." Paul is the witness, not for the defense, but for the offense. He is not testifying for Paul. He is testifying for Christ. Paul is the consummate evangelist. King Agrippa recognized it, asking Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" (vs. 28) And Paul's response in verse 29 clearly shows his evangelistic intent: Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Application: No matter what we are doing, there should be an awareness that we are sharing the Gospel. Our words, actions, and attitudes must convey the truth of the message of Jesus. And we can't just leave it to vague impressions. Like Paul, we need to explicitly share the Gospel, giving a real opportunity for people to respond and come into the light.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage and conviction of Paul. May we view every encounter as an opportunity to preach the Gospel. Give us success in drawing many into relationship with You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: True Lies / Topic: Life In Two Realms

Today’s Reading: Job 16; Acts 21; Acts 22; Acts 23

Scripture: Job 16:17-18
17 yet my hands have been free of violence
and my prayer is pure.
18 "O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!

Observation: Job is in misery, not only due to his circumstances, but also because of his friends who have shifted their words of comfort to words of challenge and even condemnation. He is lamenting his pain and asserting his innocence against his accusers who have told him that he must have done some great evils for this calamity to come upon him. In verse 17 (above), he states his innocence -- "my hands have been free of violence" and "my prayer is pure" -- thus showing his maintaining righteousness in his relationship with man and with God. (This corresponds to the greatest commandments as indicated by Jesus.) However, even though Job was a very righteous man, no one is truly pure and without fault. Every person, by virtue of the sin nature, has blind spots where he acts in self interest to the hurt of others. "There is none righteous, no not one," the Bible tells us. So while Job is one of the best among a race of sinners, and is even commended by God, he is still a sinner.

But note that while my contention is true, Job's prayer in verse 18 is nonetheless answered. He asks, "may my cry never be laid to rest!" And the book of Job in the Bible today is an answer to that prayer. Job's cry is still read and studied, thousands of years after his death. I don't think God would have answered this prayer had Job been a thoroughly wicked man. So Job's statement had a mixture of truth and lies.

Application: True lies. We believe things about ourselves that are not totally true, yet there is an element of truth in them. That's one of the factors that makes life hard to understand and explain. For example, Like Job, we who know the Lord are righteous, for the word tells us that we have been robed in His righteousness. But we are also sinners. Another example is spiritual blessings. We are told we have been seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms and have been given all spiritual blessings in Him. But we experience a reality where we often struggle to just understand what's going on. As Paul said, "We see but a poor reflection as in a mirror." How can both of these things be true? It is because we are living in two realms simultaneously. We live in the earthly, immediate realm and in the heavenly, eternal realm. And there are truths from each realm, and sometimes they clash. The good news is that the eternal realm will prevail. The bad news is that will mostly happen when we die (or get raptured). We are "in the world but not of the world."

Prayer: Lord, help us. Help us to understand more and more of how we are to live here as people of eternity. May we lay hold more and more of the blessings, rights, and privileges that are ours through the provision of grace in the Holy Spirit. Show us more. Help us to live on a higher plain.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: They Missed It / Topic: Listening

Today’s Reading: Job 15; Acts 19; Acts 20

Scripture: Acts 20:23-31
23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me...
25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again... 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears...
38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Observation: Today, I listened to the scripture instead of reading it. When I heard verse 38, I thought, "how strange!" Look what Paul had just talked to them about. Paul had shared with them about his own coming imprisonment and hardship, and given them serious warnings concerning outside attacks from savage wolves, and inside attacks from disloyal teachers. He had charged them to be on their guard and reminded them of his tearful warnings over three years. Afterward, they are upset -- even grieved, we are told. But notice that what grieves them most is "that they would never see his face again!" Wow! Of all the things that they should be grieving about, this is the least of their worries. They were going to miss Paul, to be sure, but unfortunately, the had already missed the point of the message he brought to them.

Application: Good listening skills are so important -- especially for leaders. I think we often miss the main point of what God tells us. Look at the history of God's people. God says, keep a day in seven set aside for me. They get so focused on Sabbath rules that when Jesus came, they missed Him and accused Him of breaking the Sabbath that He set up! And you can find a dozen examples of instances where people focused on a small part of what God said and missed the main point altogether. Here's another one.
Bottom line: Listen carefully to what the Lord speaks to You, both from the word and from human sources. Take the whole word and let the Lord give you the big picture.

Prayer: Lord, help us to understand as You do. Our view is so limited, our understanding is so limited -- we need Your perspective and Your enlightenment. Open our hearts and minds to get it. Make Your people good listeners.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Faith In The Fire / Topic: Trusting God

Today’s Reading: Job 13; Job 14; Acts 17; Acts 18

Scripture: Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Observation: I love Job. He is being put through the wringer, both physically and emotionally. His friends have begun to turn on him, and his wife did so long ago. He must feel abandoned by everyone and smitten by God. Yet, in the middle of his struggle, he makes this statement of faith, "though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." What great faith! And his followup comment shows his confidence in his relationship with God, even though his current situation is confusing to him, "I will surely defend my ways to his face." He knows that God is reasonable and when (not if) he appears before God, he will certainly be given an opportunity to present his case to God.

Application: Let Job be an inspiration to all of us. Job suffered so much more than most of us would ever be subjected to, yet even in the depths of his suffering, he kept his bearings regarding God. God is in charge, I am subject to Him. Job never forgot this -- I must never lose this perspective either.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that Your ways are far beyond my ability to fathom. Help me not to worry about it when I can't figure You out. Help me to accept blessing and calamity from Your hand, with the understanding that You have in mind the bigger picture of what's best in the ultimate sense. May I always trust in You, my Savior and my God.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Transformation / Topic: Salvation & Joy

Today’s Reading: Job 11; Job 12; Acts 15; Acts 16

Scripture: Acts 16:29-34
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Observation: I just love this story. Paul and Silas singing hymns in the dungeon. God sends an earthquake. The cells spring open. The jailer panics and is going to kill himself. Then we have the story above. What I love about this is the joy of this jailer because he and his whole family "had come to believe in God." This simple change, coming to believe in God, is the most profound transformation that can happen in a person's life. And when it comes, it brings such a joy and light to every life that embraces it.

Application: People need the Lord. There are people all around us who live in dull gray existence -- the daily grind, the rat race, the routine -- who need to see the Light of life, Jesus Christ, and to believe in Him and receive the forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life. Like the little boy in The Sixth Sense, you and I see dead people who don't know that they are dead. And we have the antidote for the moral and spiritual disease that killed them. We have Jesus, Who triumphed over sin and death, and Who led captivity captive into heaven. And He still sets the captives free today. Let's do everything we can to let our light shine so people in darkness and see the light and come out of the darkness.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the amazing transformational joy You bring into the life and home of every person who receives You as Savior and Lord. Help us to be bearers of Your light and to win many souls. We want to see hell empty and heaven full.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.