STRIVING TOGETHER PUBLICATIONS

366
Scriptural Devotions
for Growing Christians

PAUL CHAPPELL
 Copyright © 2009, 2012, 2015 by Striving Together Publications. All
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

First published in 2009 by Striving Together Publications, a ministry

of Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, CA 93535· Striving Together
Publications is committed to providing tried, trusted, and proven
books that will further equip local churches to carry out the Great
Commission. Your comments and suggestions are valued.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-
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Striving Together Publications

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Lancaster, CA 93535
800.201.7748

Cover design by Andrew Jones

Layout by Craig Parker and Sarah Michael
Edited by Monica Bass, Lauren Goddard, and Joan Parish
Special thanks to our proofreaders

The contents of this book are the result of twenty-five years of

spiritual growth in life and ministry. The author and publication
team have given every effort to give proper credit to quotes and
thoughts that are not original with the author. It is not our intent
to claim originality with any quote or thought that could not
readily be tied to an original source.

ISBN 978-1-59894-076-3

Printed in the United States of America

 Table of Contents
A Word from the Author . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Effective Christian Memorizes Scripture 7

How to Lead a Person to Christ. . . . . . . . . 15

Verses Remembered by Effective Christians . 16

The Effective Christian's Daily Bible Reading 19

One-Year Bible Reading Schedule .20

90-Day Bible Reading Schedule. . 22

Daily Devotions. 23

Title Index . . . . 406

Scripture Index . 412

Bibliography . . . 420

About the Author . . 424

 A Daily V\'urd

A Word from the Author

Dear Friend,

Don't you love a good meal? There's nothing like coming home to a
delicious, piping hot dinner my wife has made! I look forward to it all
day long, and I never want to miss it.
I wonder if we have the same hunger for spiritual food as we do
for physical food. You see, God's Word is to our souls what food is to our
bodies-it nourishes and strengthens us. The patriarch Job had a wise
perspective when he said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more
than my necessary food" (Job 23:12B).
Jesus, too, likened God's Word to food: ''And Jesus answered him,
saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word ofGod" (Luke 4:4). Just as we daily nourish our bodies, we must daily
nourish our souls by spending time with the Lord reading His Word.
A Daily Word has been designed especially to compliment (like
an appetizer or desert) your personal time with God. Each of the 366
devotions are based on Scriptures that will encourage, challenge, and
strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
It is my prayer that each devotion in A Daily Word will help you
in your spiritual growth and encourage you to draw closer to the Lord
everyday.

Sincerely in Christ,
Paul Chappell

4
PRACTICES OF EFFECTIVE
CHRISTIANS
c_~--~
~=~--/
 A Daily Word

The Effective Christian

Memorizes Scripture
The following ingredients for effective Scripture memory are taken from
Homiletics from the Heart, written by Dr. John Goetsch.
1. Choose a specific time and a quiet place.
What gets scheduled gets accomplished. When memorizing the Word of
God, you want to free yourselffrom all distractions.

2. Organize by topic.
Many people attempt to learn the "Golden Chapters" or whole books
of the Bible. While this is a noble attempt, it is not the way the Word
of God will be used while teaching or preaching. Choose a topic you
would like to study and then memorize every verse that deals with it.
The next time you are speaking on that particular subject, your mind
will be able to tie these verses together to truly allow you to ''preach the
Word ... "

3. Work out loud.

Even though it may sound odd, your mind memorizes better and faster
that which it audibly hears. This is why you should choose a specific
time and a quiet place!

4. Walk while you memorize.

Your body has a natural sense of rhythm. This is why we memorize the
Words of songs so quickly. We will memorize much more quickly (and
retain it longer) if we are walking around.

5. Review, review, review.

Repetition is the key to learning. The one who is serious about
memorizing Scripture cannot simply keep learning new passages weekly.
Rather, he must also make the time to review the previous passages
already committed to memory. It becomes readily apparent that
memorization will take work, but the rewards are worth it!

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 ;\ Dailv \!Vord

6. Set goals of time.

If you are not careful, you may ask for disappointment by setting goals
of verses per week. The reason why is that some verses are more difficult
to learn than others. If you set goals of time spent in memorization,
God will honor that.

On the following pages you will find many major Bible doctrines and key
verses to memorize. It is time to put into practice these six principles.

The Bible
Psalm 119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Isaiah 40:8- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our
God shall stand for ever.

2 Timothy 3=16-17-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, throughly furnished unto
all good works.

Hebrews 4:12-For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.

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

Matthew 24:35-Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,

because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received
it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.

God
Psalm m:9-He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his
covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
 A Daily \'Vord

Isaiah 57:15-For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Lamentations 3:22-23-It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy
faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 32:4-He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Psalm 138:2-I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for
thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.

John 4:24-God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.

Psalm 90:2-Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
art God.

Jesus Christ
John 1:1, 14-In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full ofgrace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-8-Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery

to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.

Colossians 1:16-17-For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and
for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

9
 1\ D~1ily 'Nord

1 Timothy 2:5-6-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time.

Hebrews 1:8-But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Luke 19:10--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Holy Spirit
John 14:16-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26-But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14-Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

1Corinthians 3:16-Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Ephesians 4:3o-And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:18-And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;

Mankind
Genesis 1:26-27-And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every

10
 A Dailv Word

creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he
them.
Job 14:1, 14-Man that is born of a woman is offew days, and full of trouble.
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I
wait, till my change come.
Psalm 8:4-s-What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Isaiah 64:6-But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10-11-As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:23-For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Sin
Numbers 32:23-But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the
LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Ezekiel18:2o-The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the
wicked shall be upon him.
Romans 6:23-For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 1:15-Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 John 1:Pr-1o-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

11
 A Daily \Vord

1 John 3:4-Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.
Jeremiah 17:9-The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?

Salvation
Isaiah 45:22-Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I
am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 43:11-12-I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I
have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange
god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
John 14:6-!esus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 10:9-10-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;

Church
Matthew 16:18-And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Colossians 1:18-And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.

12
 A Dailv Word

Ephesians 5:25-27-Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved

the church, and gave himselffor it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.
Acts 2:46-47-And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1Corinthians 12:13-For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been
all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Timothy 3=15-But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Angels
Genesis 3:24-So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the
garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to
keep the way of the tree of life.
Psalm 148:2, 5-Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Let them praise the name of the LoRD: for he commanded, and they were
created.
Isaiah 6:1-3-In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it
stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face,
and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LoRD of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory.
Mark 13:32-But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

13
Hebrews 1:5-6-For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten
into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first:

End Times
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.
John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
maybe also.
Acts 1:10-11-And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.
Revelation 22:2o-He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come
quickly. Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.

14
 i\ Daily Wllrd

How to Lead a Person

to Christ
Someone once said: "The fruit of a Christian is another Christian." There
is a lot of truth in that statement. The Christian leader will influence
people to be more soul-conscious. Yet, sometimes a person will be
very active in sharing the Gospel, but will not see much fruit. It is the
responsibility of the Christian leader to "Train Every Available Member"
to not only be available, but effective. Here are some truths that every
soulwinner must remember as he prepares to help another soul spend an
eternity with Christ.

1. A soulwinner should start with the truth of God's love for every
individual.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse in all the New
Testament. "For God so loved the world ...." There are sinners living
today who actually believe that God hates them and wants them to
go to Hell because of their sin. A sinner will never accept a Saviour
who he believes will never love him.

2. A soulwinner must emphasize the fact that we are all sinners-

there are no exceptions.
There have been some who understand the "love" of God and
feel that He would never send anyone to Hell. These sinners must
also understand that the God of"love" is also first, and foremost,
holy. All men fall short of the holy standard He has set. As a result
of this "falling short," we are condemned to an eternity in Hell.
Romans 3:23 includes all men everywhere.

3. A soulwinner must teach the sinner that his sin carries with it an
expensive price tag.
According to Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death ...." In Ezekiel
18:20, the Israelites learned that the soul that sinned would die. As
a soulwinner, the person you are dealing with has the wrath of
God already abiding on him (John 3:36).

15
 !\ D~1ih Word

4. A soulwinner should demonstrate the good news that Jesus has

already paid this price.
Not only does Romans 6:23 deal with the penalty of sin, it also
deals with the promise of salvation. Romans s:8 continues with this
theme by showing the sinner that Christ died for us while we were
yet sinners.

5. A soulwinner must remember that a sinner must personally

accept Christ as Saviour.
This promise is given in Romans 10:13-"For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." A sinner may believe that
God loves him, may understand the fact that he is a sinner, and
may further understand that Jesus died to pay his sin debt and still
be lost. The soulwinner is not after a simple mental assent to a list
of subscribed facts. He is looking for a sinner to repent, to confess,
and to know the joy of being a Christian.

6. Ask the sinner, "Is there anything that would hinder you from
trusting Christ right now, today, as your Saviour?"
This question will show the soulwinner if there are still any
"obstacles" that must be removed before a sinner trusts Christ. It
will also serve as a good transition into drawing the Gospel net.
After a sinner is saved, the Great Commission is still unfulfilled.
We are commanded to go, to win, to baptize, and to teach
(disciple). An effective soulwinner will determine to see each
aspect of the Great Commission come to fruition with those he
leads to Christ.

16
 A Daily Word

Verses Remembered by
Effective Christians
When you lose sight of His greatness:
Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, and
1 Chronicles 29:11-14

When you have needs:

Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 37:3, Psalm 37:25, and
Deuteronomy 2:7

When you are overwhelmed:

Psalm 55:5, Psalm 55:18, Psalm 107:6-8, and 2 Corinthians 4:16

When problems are insurmountable:

2 Corinthians 4:15-18, Romans 8:18, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 60:12,
Psalm 61:2, and Psalm 62:6-8

When you need purpose:

1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 3:16-21, John 10:10, and Psalm 139:14

When you have stress:

Philippians 4:4-7, Deuteronomy 20:1-4, and Jeremiah 32:27

When you are under pressure:

Psalm 27:1-2, Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 46:1-2, and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When you worry:

Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, and Psalm 46:10

When you are afraid:

Psalm 56:3, Genesis 15:1, Psalm 27:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, and John 14:27

When you have a big decision to make:

Psalm 32:8, Psalm 143:10, Psalm 40:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, and
Psalm 37:3-6

17
 i\ Daiiv \Vord

When you are discouraged:

1 Samuel3o:6, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:26-28, and
2 Corinthians 4:15-16

When you are disheartened:

Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 73:2, Psalm 73:17, and Psalm 73:24-26

When you are facing opposition:

2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 2:3,1 Peter 4:12-13,1 John 4:4, and
Romans 8:31-32

When friends seem to let you down:

2 Timothy 4:16-17, Hebrews 12:2-3, Matthew 28:20, and
Deuteronomy 32:27

When you are lonely:

Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Acts 18:9-10, and Isaiah 43:2

When you ask if it is worth it:

Matthew 25:21, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, and
2 Corinthians 4:17

lR
 A Daily Wurd

The Effective Christian's Daily

Bible Reading
Christians used by God have one thing in common: a daily walk with
God. A Christian's daily walk is based upon the foundation of Bible
reading and prayer. It has often been said, "The Book will keep you from
sin, or sin will keep you from the Book."
Printed at the bottom of the page for each day is a segmented reading
calendar that will allow you to read through the Old and New Testaments
during the course of a year.
When considering whether or not to spend time in the Word of God,
it is advisable to listen to the words of David, a man after God's own
heart, who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote:

Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalmu9:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto
according to thy word."
May God's Word draw you closer to Him, and help you be the
Christian He saved you to be.

19
 r\ Daily Wc1rd

One-Year Bible
Reading Schedule
January February March
CJ Gen.l-3 Matt. I U Ex.27-28 Matt.21:1-22 U Num.20-22 Mark7:I-I3
0 Gen.4--6 Matt.2 U Ex. 29-30 Matt.21:23-46 0 Num.23-25 Mark 7:14-37
:..J Gen. 7-9 Matt.3 U Ex.31-33 Matt. 22:I-22 U Num.26-28 MarkS
0 Gen.I0-12 Matt.4 ::J Ex.34-35 Matt. 22:23-46 0 Num.29-3I Mark9:1-29
W Gen.l3-15 .Matt. 5:1-26 0 Ex.36-38 Matt.23:1-22 U Num.32-34 Mark 9:30-50
::J 6 Gen. 16-17 Matt.5:27--48 8 6 Ex. 39-40 Matt.23:23--39 [..] Num.35-36 Mark 10:1-31
U Gen.IS--19 Matt.6:1-l8 0 Lev.l-3 Matt.24:1-28 0 Deut.l-3 Mark 10:32-52
0 Gen.20-22 Matt.6:l9-34 :::J Lev. 4-5 Matt.24:29-51 U Deut.4--6 Mark11:1-18
0 9 Gen. 23-24 Matt.? ..:J 9 Lev.6-7 Matt.25:J-30 U 9 Deut. 7-9 Mark 11:19-33
0 10 Gen. 25--26 Matt.S:l-17 ::J 10 Lev. 8-10 Matt.25:31-46 U 10 Deut. 10-12 Mark12:1-27
lJ 11 Gen. 27-28 Matt. 8:18-34 ~ 11 Lev.ll-12 Matt.26:1-25 :::J 11 Deut.l3-15 Mark 12:28-44
0 12 Gen. 29--30 Matt.9:1-17 CJ 12 Lev.I3 Matt.26:26-50 :.J 12 Deut. 16-18 Markl3:1-20
U 13 Gen. 31-32 Matt.9:I8-38 .J 13 Lev. 14 Matt.26:51-75 U 13 Deut. 19-21 Mark13:21-37
0 14 Gen. 33-35 Matt.IO:l-20 ::J 14 Lev.I5-16 Matt.27:1-26 U 14 Deut. 22-24 Mark 14:1-26
1
,:] 15 Gen. 36-38 Matt.l0:21--42 U 15 Lev. 17-18 Matt.27:27-50 (.J 15 Deut. 25-27 Mark 14:27-53
U 16 Gen. 39-40 Matt. II .J 16 Lev. 19-20 Matt.27:51-66 U 16 Deut. 28-29 Mark 14:54-72
U 17 Gen.41-42 Matt.12:1-23 0 17 Lev. 21-22 Matt.28 '..J 17 Deut. 30-31 MarkiS:I-25
:..J 18 Gen. 43-45 Matt. 12:24-50 [..] 18 Lev. 23-24 Mark 1:1-22 U 18 Deut. 32-34 Mark 15:26-47
:J 19 Gen.46-48 Matt. 13:1-30 U 19 Lev. 25 Mark 1:23-45 0 19 Josh. 1-3 Markl6
'.J 20 Gen.49--SO Matt.13:31-58 0 20 Lev. 26-27 Mark2 ..J 20 Josh. 4-6 Luke 1:1-20
:.J 21 Ex.l-3 Matt.l4:1-21 U 21 Num.l-2 Mark3:1-19 :J 21 Josh. 7-9 Luke 1:21-38
'..J 22
Ex.4--6 Matt.l4:22-36 0 22 Num.3-4 Mark3:20-35 ..J 22 Josh. l{)-l2 Luke 1:39-56
·:J Ex. 7-8
23 Matt.IS:l-20 U 23 Num.5-6 Mark4:1-20 ·..J 23 Josh. 13-15 Luke 1:57-80
:.J 24 Ex. 9--il Matt.15:21-39 U 24 Num. 7-8 Mark 4:21-41 .J 24 Josh. 16-18 Luke 2:1-24
0 25 Ex.l2-13 Matt.l6 [J 25 Num. 9-11 MarkS:l-20 ..:J 25 Josh. 19-21 Luke 2:25-52
.:J 26 Ex. 14-15 Matt.17 U 26 Num.12-14 Mark 5:21-43 '.:.J 26 Josh. 22-24 Luke3
u 27 Ex. 16-18 Matt.IS:I-20 U 27 Num. 15-16 Mark6:1-29 :.J 27 Judges 1-3 Luke4:1-30
::J 28 Ex.l9--20 Matt.l8:21-35 W 28 Num.l7-19 Mark 6:30-56 :.J 28 Judges 4-6 Luke 4:31-44
[J 29 Ex.21-22 Matt.19 ..J 29 Judges 7-8 Luke 5:1-16
:J 30 Ex. 23-24 Matt.20:1-16 ,:1 30 Judges 9-10 Luke5:17-39
w 31 Ex.25-26 Matt.20:17-34 U 31 Judges 11-12 Luke 6:1-26

April May June

0 1 Judges 13-15 Luke 6:27-49 U 1 Kings 1(}.-11 Luke 21:20-38 iJ 1 2Chr. t5-16 John 12:27-50
[J Judges 16-18 Luke 7:1-30 U 1 Kings 12-13 Luke 22:1-30 ".J 2Chr.17-18 John 13:1-20
U Judges 19-21 Luke 7:31-50 U I Kings 14-15 Luke 22:31-46 .J 2Chr.19-20 John 13:21-38
U Ruth 1-4 Luke 8:1-25 U 1 Kings 16-18 Luke 22:47-71 :..:1 2Chr.21-22 John 14
~ I Sam. 1-3 Luke 8:26-56 U I Kings 19-20 Luke 23:1-25 "..] 2 Chr. 23-24 John IS
U I Sam.4--6 Luke9:1-17 (] I Kings 21-22 Luke 23:26-56 ·.J 2Chr.25-27 John 16
U I Sam. 7-9 Luke 9:18-36 :.J 2 Kings 1-3 Luke 24:1-35 U 7 2 Chr. 28-29 John 17
W 1 Sam. 10-12 Luke 9:37-62 U 8 2 Kings 4-6 Luke 24:36-53 ..J 8 2 Chr. 30-31 John 18:1-18
~ 9 I Sam. 13-14 Luke 10:1-24 U 9 2 Kings 7-9 John 1:1-28 ~ 9 2 Chr. 32-33 John 18:19-40
U 10 1 Sam. 15-I6 Luke 10:25-42 [J 10 2 Kings JO-l2 John 1:29-51 .J 10 2 Chr. 34-36 John 19:1-22
U 11 1 Sam.I7-I8 Luke ll:I-28 U 11 2 Kings 13-14 John2 :_J 11 Ezra 1-2 John 19:23-42
:J 12 1 Sam. 19-21 Luke ll:29-54 I..J 12 2 Kings 15-16 John3:1-18 .::J 12 Ezra3-5 John 20
U 13 1 Sam. 22-24 Luke 12:1-31 0 13 2 Kings I?-18 John3:19-36 :1 13 Ezra 6-8 John 21
CJ 14 1 Sam. 25-26 Luke l2:32-59 U 14 2 Kings 19-21 John 4:1-30 U 14 Ezra 9-10 Acts!
U 15 1 Sam. 27-29 Luke 13:1-22 U 15 2 Kings 22-23 John 4:31-54 ~ 15 Neh.1-3 Acts2:1-21
U 16 I Sam. 30-31 Luke 13:23-35 U 16 2 Kings 24-25 John 5:1-24 ~ 16 Neh.4--6 Acts 2:22-47
~ 17 2 Sam. 1-2 Luke 14:1-24 U 17 I Chr. 1-3 John 5:25-47 ;:.J 17 Neh. 7-9 Acts3
::J 18 2 Sam. 3-5 Luke 14:25-35 ::J 18 1Chr.4-6 John 6:1-21 Cl 18 Neh. 10-11 Acts4:1-22
0 19 2Sam.6-8 Luke15:1-10 U 19 1 Chr. 7-9 John 6:22-44 :.J 19 Neh.I2-13 Acts4:23-37
Q 20 2 Sam. 9-11 Luke 15:11-32 ::1 20 1 Chr.I0-12 John 6:45-71 r.J 20 Esther 1-2 Acts5:1-21
0 21 2 Sam. 12-13 Luke 16 U 21 I Chr. 13-15 John 7:1-27 LJ 21 Esther 3-5 Acts 5:22-42
..J 22 2Sam.l4-15 Lukel7:1-19 CJ 22 1 Chr. 16-18 John 7:28-53 :J 22 Esther 6-8 Acts6
U 23 2 Sam. 16-18 Luke 17:20-37 0 23 1Chr.l9-21 John 8:1-27 U 23 Esther 9-10 Acts7:1-21
U 24 2 Sam.I9-20 Luke 18:1-23 ~ 24 l Chr. 22-24 John 8:28-59 W 24 Job 1-2 Acts 7:22-43
U 25 2 Sam. 21-22 Luke 18:24-43 :J 25 I Chr. 25-27 John 9:1-23 U 25 Job 3-4 Acts 7:44-60
U 26 2 Sam. 23-24 Luke 19:1-27 ::J 26 I Chr. 28-29 John 9:24-41 :l 26 Job 5-7 Acts8:1-25
lJ 27 1 Kings 1-2 Luke 19:28-48 ;.] 27 2 Chr. 1-3 John 10:1-23 :J 27 Job 8-10 Acts 8:26-40
0 28 I Kings3-5 Luke20:1-26 U 28 2 Chr.4--6 John 10:24-42 :..J 28 Job 11-13 Acts9:1-21
::1 29 I Kings 6-7 Luke 20:27-47 0 29 2 Chr. 7-9 John 11:1-29 0 29 Job 14-16 Acts9:22-43
i.J 30 I Kings 8-9 Luke 21:1-19 U 30 2 Chr.I0-12 John 11:30-57 U 30 Jobl7-19 Acts 10:1-23
U 31 2 Chr. 13-14 John 12:1-26

20
 A Daily Word

July August September

U 1 Job 20--21 Acts 10:24--48 0 Ps.57-59 Rom.4 i.J Ps.135-136 l Cor.l2
CJ 2 Job 22-24 Acts11 0 Ps. 60--62 Rflm.S D Ps.137-139 1Cor.13
0 3 Job25-27 Actsl2 LJ Ps. 63-65 Rom. 6 U Ps. 140-142 1 Cor. 14:1-20
CJ }ob28--29 Acts 13:1-25 0 Ps. 66-67 Rom. 7 D Ps. 143--145 1 Cor.l4:21--40
0 Job 30--31 Acts 13:26--52 '::.:..1 Ps.68--69 Rom.8:1-21 0 Ps. 146-147 1Cor.15:1-28
';,] Job32-33 Acts 14 0 6 Ps. 70--71 Rom. 8:22-39 CJ Ps. 148-150 I Cor.l5:29-58
U 7 Job 34-35 Acts 15:1-21 0 7 Ps. 72-73 Rom. 9:1-15 0 Prov.1-2 1 Cor.l6
lJ 8 Job36--37 Acts15:22--41 0 8 Ps. 74-76 Rom. 9:16--33 Q Prov. 3-5 2Cor.1
[J 9 Job38--40 Acts 16:1-21 0 9 Ps. 77-78 Rom. 10 U 9 Prov.6--7 2Cor.2
0 10 Job41--42 Acts 16:22--40 LJ 10 Ps. 79-80 Rom. 11:1-18 i.J 1 0 Prov. 8-9 2Cor.3
0 11 Ps.l-3 Acts 17:1-15 ·..J 11 Ps.81-83 Rom.l1:19-36 U 11 Prov. I0--12 2Cor.4
U 12 Ps.4--6 Acts 17:16--34 0 12 Ps. 84-86 Rom. 12 U 12 Prov. 13-15 2Cor.S
U 13 Ps.7-9 Acts 18 lJ 13 Ps. 87-88 Rom. 13 U 13 Prov. 16--18 2Cor.6
U 14 Ps. 10--12 Acts 19:1-20 U 14 Ps. 89-90 Rom. 14 LJ 14 Prov.19-21 2Cor. 7
U 15 Ps.13-15 Acts 19:21--41 .J 15 Ps. 91-93 Rom. 15:1-13 LJ 15 Prov. 22-24 2Cor.8
[.J 16 Ps.l6--17 Acts 20:1-16 0 16 Ps.94-96 Rom. 15:14-33 U 16 Prov. 25-26 2Cor.9
::J 17 Ps.IB--19 Acts20:17-38 0 17 Ps. 97-99 Rom.16 0 17 Prov. 27-29 2Cor.10
'.] 18 Ps.20-22 Acts21:1-17 [J 18 Ps. 100--102 I Cor. 1 0 18 Prov. 30--31 2Cor.ll:1-15
lJ 19 Ps.23--25 Acts21:18--40 U 19 Ps. 103-104 1 Cor. 2 0 19 Eccl.1-3 2Cor.ll:I6--33
U 20 Ps.26--28 Acts22 lJ 20 Ps. 105-106 1 Cor. 3 U 20 Eccl.4--6 2Cor.12
CJ 21 Ps. 29-30 Acts23:1-15 ::1 21 Ps. 107-109 1 Cor. 4 0 21 Ecd. 7-9 2 Cor.l3
:.J 22 Ps.31-32 Acts23:16--35 Q 22 Ps. 110--112 1 Cor. 5 i.J 22 Ecd. 10--12 Gal.1
U 23 Ps. 33--34 Acts24 0 23 Ps.113--115 1Cor.6 lJ 23 Song 1-3 Gal.2
i.J 24 Ps. 35-36 Acts25 0 24 Ps. ll6--118 I Cor. 7:1-19 ';J 24 Song4-5 Gal.3
U 25 Ps. 37-39 Acts26 0 25 Ps. ll9:1-88 1 Cor. 7:20--40 0 25 Song6--8 Gal.4
i.J 26 Ps. 40-42 Acts27:1-26 i.J 26 Ps. 119:89-176 1 Cor. 8 .:J 26 lsa.1-2 Gal.S
:.J 27 Ps.43--45 Acts 27:27--44 U 27 Ps.120-122 1 Cor. 9 LJ 27 1sa.3--4 Gal.6
.J 28 Ps.46--48 Acts28 0 28 Ps.123-125 1 Cor. 10:1-18 I.J 28 1sa.5-6 Eph. 1
~ 29 Ps. 49-50 Rom. I U 29 Ps. !26--128 1 Cor. 10:19-33 0 29 Isa. 7-8 Eph. 2
0 30 Ps.Sl-53 Rom.2 U 30 Ps. 129-131 1 Cor. ll:1-16 :J 30 Isa. 9-10 Eph.3
[J 31 Ps. 54-56 Rom.3 0 31 Ps. 132-134 1 Cor. 11:17-34

October November December

W lsa.ll-13 Eph. 4 CJ Jer. 24-26 Titus 2 :..:..1 Ezek. 40-4 1 2 Peter3
\J 1sa. 14-16 Eph. 5:1-16 W Jer. 27-29 Titus 3 lJ Ezek. 42-44 1 John 1
1...] lsa. 17-19 Eph.5:17-33 ...J Jer. 30--31 Philemon LJ Ezek. 45--46 1 John2
:.J lsa.20-22 Eph.6 0 Jer.32-33 Heb.1 '.] Ezek. 47--48 1 John3
l.l lsa.23--25 Phil. I 0 }er. 34-36 Heb. 2 :.J 5 Dan.1-2 1 John4
::l lsa.26--27 Phil. 2 LJ Jer. 37-39 Heb. 3 0 Dan.3--4 1 John 5
.J lsa.28-29 Phil. 3 LJ Jer. 40-42 Heb. 4 U Dan.5-7 2}ohn
D 8 Isa. 30--31 Phil. 4 W Jer.43--45 Heb.s .J
1
Dan. 8-10 3}ohn
0 9 lsa.32-33 Col, I U 9 Jer. 46-47 Heb. 6 :J 9 Dan.ll-12 Jude
U 10 lsa.34-36 Co1.2 0 10 Jer. 48--49 Heb. 7 0 10 Hos.1--4 Rev. I
':..J 11 Isa.37-38 Col.3 0 11 }er.50 Heb.8 U 11 Hos.S-8 Rev.2
.J 12 1sa.39--40 Col.4 U 12 Jer. 51-52 Heb. 9 0 12 Hos. 9-11 Rev.3
U 13 lsa.41--42 1 Thess.l 0 13 Lam. 1-2 Heb. 10:1-18 lJ 13 Hos. 12-14 Rev.4
u 14 lsa.43--44 1 Thess.2 0 14 Lam. 3--5 Heh 10:19-39 ..J 14 Joel Rev. 5
U 15 Isa.45--46 1 Thess.3 0 15 Ezek. 1-2 Heb. ll:1-19 :.J 15 Amos 1-3 Rev.6
lJ 16 lsa.47--49 I Thess.4 0 16 Ezek. 3--4 Heb. 11:20-40 lJ 16 Amos4--6 Rev. 7
D 17 lsa. 50-52 1 Thess.S U 17 Ezek. 5-7 Heb. 12 0 17 Amos7-9 Rev.8
~ 18 1sa.53-55 2Thess.l U 18 Ezek. 8-10 Heb. 13 '..J 18 Obad. Rev.9
..J 19 1sa.56--58 2 Thess,2 0 19 Ezek. ll-13 James 1 :..J 19 Jonah Rev.10
U 20 1sa. 59-61 2Thess.3 0 20 Ezek. 14-15 James 2 0 20 Micah 1-3 Rev.11
U 21 Isa. 62-64 I Tim. I CJ 21 Ezek. 16--17 James3 U 21 Micah 4-5 Rev. 12
U 22 1sa. 65-66 1 Tim.2 D 22 Ezek. 18--19 James 4 '..J 22 Micah 6--7 Rev.13
U 23 Jer.1-2 1Tim.3 0 23 Ezek. 20--21 James 5 ~ 23 Nahum Rev.14
U 24 Jer. 3-5 1Tim.4 0 24 Ezek. 22-23 1 Peter 1 ·:.J 24 Hab. Rev. IS
W 25 Jer. 6--8 ITim.S lJ 25 Ezek. 24-26 I Peter 2 u 25 Zeph. Rev.l6
U 26 Jer. 9-11 I Tim.6 U 26 Ezek. 27-29 1 Peter 3 0 26 Hag. Rev.l7
U 27 Jer. 12-14 2Tim. 1 :J 27 Ezek. 30--32 1 Peter 4 i.J 27 Zech. 1--4 Rev.18
0 28 Jer. 15-17 2Tim.2 .J 28 Ezek. 33--34 1 Peter 5 ...J 28 Zech. 5-8 Rev. 19
I.J 29 Jer. 18--19 2Tim.3 :..:..1 29 Ezek. 35-36 2 Peter I '..J 29 Zech. 9-12 Rev.20
:.J 30 Jer. 20--21 2Tim.4 0 30 Ezek. 37-39 2 Peter 2 lJ 30 Zech. 13-14 Rev.21
i.J 31 Jer. 22-23 Titus1 0 31 Mal. Rev.22

21
 ;\ Dad y \'V ord

90-Day Bible
Reading Schedule
D.t) St.trl l nd v D.tv St.u t 1 nd V
Genesis 1:1 Genesis 16:16 0 46 Proverbs 7:1 Proverbs 20:21 0
2 Genesis 17:1 Genesis 28: 19 0 47 Proverbs 20:22 Ecclesiastes 2:26 0
3 Genesis 28:20 Genesis 40:11 0 48 Ecclesiastes 3:1 Song8:14 0
Genesis 40: 12 Genesis 50:26 0 49 Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 13:22 0
Exodus 1:1 Exodus 15:18 0 SO Isaiah 14:1 Isaiah 28:29 0
6 Exodus 15:19 Exodus 28:43 0 51 Isaiah 29:1 Isaiah41:18 0
Exodus 29:1 Exodus 40:38 0 52 Isaiah 41:19 Isaiah 52:12 0
Leviticus 1: I Leviticus 14:32 0 53 Isaiah 52: 13 Isaiah 66:18 0
9 Leviticus 14:33 Leviticus 26:26 0 54 Isaiah 66: 19 Jeremiah 10: 13 0
10 Leviticus 26:27 Numbers 8:14 0 55 Jeremiah I 0:14 Jeremiah 23:8 0
11 Numbers 8:15 Numbers21:7 0 56 Jeremiah 23:9 Jeremiah 33:22 0
12 Numbers 21:8 Numbers 32:19 0 57 Jeremiah 33:23 Jeremiah 47:7 0
13 Numbers 32:20 Deuteronomy 7:26 0 58 Jeremiah 48:1 Lamentations 1:22 0
14 Deuteronomy 8:1 Deuteronomy 23:11 0 59 Lamentations 2:1 Ezekiell2:20 0
15 Deuteronomy23:12 Deuteronomy 34:12 0 60 Ezekiell2:21 Ezekiel23:39 0
16 Joshua 1:1 Joshua 14:15 0 61 Ezekiel2HO Ezekiel 35: IS 0
17 JoshualS:l Judges 3:27 0 62 Ezekiel 36: I Ezekiel47:12 0
18 Judges 3,28 Judges 15:12 0 63 Ezekiel47:13 Daniel8:27 0
19 Judges 15,13 I Samuel2:29 0 64 Daniel9:1 Hosea 13:6 0
20 I Samuel 2:30 1 Samuel15:35 0 65 Hosea 13:7 Amos9:10 0
21 1 Samuell6:1 1 Samuel28:19 0 66 Amos9:11 Nahum3:19 0
22 I Samuel28,20 2 Samuel12:10 0 67 Habakkuk 1:1 Zechariah 10:12 0
23 2 Samuell2:1l 2 Samuel22:18 0 68 Zechariah 11:1 Matthew 4:25 0
24 2 Samuel22:19 1 Kings 7:37 0 69 Matthew 5:1 Matthew 15:39 0
25 1 Kings 7:38 1 Kings 16:20 0 70 Matthew 16: I Matthew 26:56 0
26 I Kings 16,21 2 Kings4:37 0 71 Matthew 26:57 Mark 9:13 0
27 2 Kings 4,35 2 Kings 15:26 0 72 Mark9:14 Luke 1:80 0
28 2 Kings 15:27 2 Kings 25:30 0 73 Luke 2:1 Luke 9:62 0
29 I Chronicles 1:1 1 Chronicles 9:44 0 74 Luke 10:1 Luke 20:19 0
30 I Chronicles 10: I l Chronicles 23:32 0 75 Luke 20:20 John 5:47 0
31 1 Chronicles 24:1 2 Chronicles 7:10 0 76 John 6:1 John 15:17 0
32 2 Chronicles 7:11 2 Chronicles 23:15 0 77 John 15,18 Acts6:7 0
33 2 Chronicles 23:16 2 Chronicles 35:15 0 78 Acts 6:8 Acts 16:37 0
34 2 Chronicles 35:16 Ezra 10:44 0 79 Acts 16:38 Acts 28:16 0
35 Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 13:14 0 80 Acts 28:17 Romans 14:23 0
36 Nehemiah 13:15 Job 7:21 0 81 Romans 15:1 1 Corinthians 14:40 0
37 Job 8'1 Job 24:25 0 82 1 Corinthians 15:1 Galatians 3:25 0
38 Job 25:1 Job 41:34 0 83 Galatians 3:26 Colossians 4:18 0
39 Job 42'1 Psalm 24:10 0 84 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Philemon 25 0
40 Psalm 25:1 Psalm 45:14 0 85 Hebrews 1:1 James 3:12 0
41 Psalm45:15 Psalm69:21 0 86 James 3:13 3 John 14 0
42 Psalm 69:22 Psalm 89:13 0 87 Jude I Revelation 17:18 0
43 Psalm 89:14 Psalm 108:13 0 88 Revelation 18:1 Revelation 22:21 0
44 Psalm 109:1 Psalm 134:3 0 89 Grace Day Grace Day 0
45 Psalm 135:1 Proverbs 6:35 0 90 Grace Day Grace Day 0

22
JANUARY
c~
January l

A Passion for His Word

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.-]OB 23:12

anuary 1, 1989, was a Sunday, and it was the day the Migliore family
J decided to start the new year right by coming to Lancaster Baptist
Church. Three weeks later, Dan, Pennie, and two of their children walked
the aisle to receive Christ as their Saviour. Their other daughter was saved
a few weeks later. For the Migliore family, this new year was the beginning
of a brand new life!
The new year gives us all opportunities for new beginnings-
especially in relation to faithful Bible reading. If we are to maintain a
faithful walk with Christ, we must develop a passion for His Word. How
is this done?
First, refuse to miss a day. You may get busy or have other things
suddenly come into your day, but refuse to go a day without spending
time in God's Word. When you do miss your time with God, don't become
discouraged and give up. Put that day behind you and spend a little extra
time with God the next day. If you desire to have a passion for the Word of
God, make sure you consistently spend time with God.
Second, pray for understanding. David prayed, "Open thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the
earth: hide not thy commandments from me" (Psalm 119:18-19). Even the
most knowledgeable Bible scholars cannot understand the Bible unless
God opens their eyes.
Third, look for practical applications of what you read. Ask the Lord
to help you understand how to apply His Word to your life.
Do you want a passion for God's Word? Do you want to grow closer
to Christ as a result of your time with Him? Seek to maintain a faithful
walk with God and ask Christ for understanding each time you approach
His Word. As you develop a passion for His Word, His Word will be able
to impact your life.

24 CENESIS I 3 .,C.. MATTHEW I

 January 2

Continuing in Fellowship
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness ofheart,-ACTS 2:46

A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of

a friend. Among the thousands of answers received, the winning
definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world
has gone out."
We naturally desire the friendship of others, and it is God's desire
that we would have close fellowship with those oflike faith. The members
of the early church remained steadfast in their service for God because
they were grounded in true doctrine and because they continued in godly
fellowship with other Christians.
The Christians' fellowship was Christ-centered. They realized the
importance of basing their friendships on Christ. In a day of so much
persecution, a wrong friend could get them killed! Even so, a wrong
friend in our lives could bring us down spiritually.
Our fellowship should also be church-centered. Good friends will
encourage you to attend church and should attend church themselves!
One of the purposes of a church is the gathering of the believers to
fellowship. When we place a priority on being in church, we will be able
to continue steadfastly in God's service.
Our fellowship should also be centered around others. Society tells
us to make friendships based on what we can get, but God desires that we
would focus on what we can give in a friendship. Good friends delight in
giving more than they delight in getting.
How is your fellowship with others? Is it centered around God,
church, and others? Are your friends encouraging you to walk closer to
God? To remain steadfast in our service for God, we must have godly
fellowship. Ask God to give you good friends and to make you a better
friend to others.

GENESIS 4 6 * MATTHEW 2 25
January 3

Continuing in Prayer
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:16

he British preacher Andrew Murray wrote, "The effective prayer of

T faith comes from a life given up to the will and the love of God. Not
as a result of what I try to be when praying, but because of what I am
when I'm not praying, is my prayer answered by God:'
God has given us the opportunity to boldly approach Him through
prayer. You do not have to be someone of great importance to approach
God; you must simply be His child. We can take our prayers before
God and see them answered if we make sure our hearts are correct
when praying.
We must have a confessed heart as we approach God. Psalm 66:t8
says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." We must
make sure our hearts are free of any sin that would hinder our prayers.
Also, we must take our requests before God in faith. "And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, yes hall receive" (Matthew 21:22).
God desires that we would lay our requests before Him and trust that He
will provide for us!
We should also pray according to God's will. First John 5=14 says,
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us." When we pray for God's will to be
done, He can open the doors of Heaven and pour out His blessings
on us!
How is your prayer life today? Do you have sin in your life that
is hindering God from blessing you? Do you pray in faith, believing
that God is willing and able to answer your requests? And do you pray
according to God's will? As we pray in agreement with God's Word, we
will be able to continue serving God even when difficulties come. Make
sure nothing hinders your prayers as you seek His help today.

26 GENESIS 7 9 'Cf- MATTHEW 3

 January4

His Creation
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.-GENESIS 1:31

twelve-year-old boy named David was born without an immune

A system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct
the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic
bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and
viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact.
When asked what he'd like to do if released from his protective bubble, he
replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass and touch my mother's hand."
How often have we taken for granted the simple pleasures of
creation? The warmth of the sun, the coolness of the grass, the whistling
of the wind, the pitter-patter of rain, the magnificence of the mountains,
and the vastness of the oceans all declare God's greatness.
The God who made all of this, made us. Psalm 139:14 says, "I will
praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy
works; and that my soul knoweth right well." God has created you for a
unique purpose! Whether you view yourself as beautiful or plain, talented
or not, God has uniquely designed you for His purpose and pleasure.
Our culture is consumed with the idea of looking and being perfect. But
God loves you just the way He made you, and He has a purpose for you
no matter how you view yourself.
Next time you feel that you don't measure up, thank God that
you are His creation! Thank God that you are saved and on your way
to Heaven! Thank Him that He doesn't operate on this world's scale but
loves you and made you exactly the way He wants you.

GENESIS I0--12 '£to MATTHEW 4 27

January 5

Purpose for Living

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given
us in Christ jesus before the world began,-2 TIMOTHY 1:9

ne of the most common questions people ask me is, "How do I

0 know God's will for my life?" Oftentimes, when we ask this question,
we want to attach the answer to an event or location. God has purposed
something far greater for our lives than simply an address or an event.
His purpose is that we might be conformed to the image of His Son.
Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to
his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren."
The words "he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his Son" indicate that God has a predetermined plan for your life. His
purpose is for you to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ, as you walk
in His Spirit according to His Word.
Mature Christians, who recognize the sovereign hand of God in
their lives, are able to have a better context for the trials and setbacks they
face. They are able to see God's hand at work in every situation and realize
that He is working in them so that He then might work through them.
God has called us according to His purpose. The Bible says that our
lives no longer belong to us because we have been purchased by the Lord
and are to live according to His purpose. The most miserable Christians
are those who are living according to their own will and trying to get God
to agree with their plans. I thank God that He has a purpose for each life,
and that because of His purpose, each of us may give glory and honor to
Him today!

2H CENESIS 13 I) ocf- MATTHEW 5:1 26

 January 6

He Cares
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-1 PETER 5:7

A little boy was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of

a friend who lived only a few blocks away. When the day finally
arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The
lad's father, sensing the danger, hesitated to let his son go. The youngster
reacted tearfully. "But Dad;' he pleaded, "all the other kids will be there.
Their parents are letting them go." The father thought for a moment,
then replied softly, ''All right, you may go." Surprised but overjoyed, the
boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm.
The driving snow made visibility almost impossible, and it took
him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As
he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His
eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his father. He had
followed his son's every step to make sure he arrived safely.
More protective and caring than this boy's father is our Heavenly
Father. Our God cares about us so much He was willing to leave Heaven
and suffer a cruel death to save us from eternal separation from Him.
But His care for us doesn't stop there. He cares about every detail of
our lives.
When you are in a trial it can be easy to think God has forsaken you
or forgotten about you, but He hasn't. God loves you and is near to you
even during trials in your life. During difficult times the devil can make
you feel alone or helpless, but God is always near.
Are you enduring a tough time in your life? Does it seem as if God
doesn't care about the pain you feel? Don't allow the devil to convince you
that God doesn't care. He cared enough to die for you! Seek God right
now. Tell Him of the pain you feel and the trial you are going through. He
wants to hear from you and help you today.

GENESIS 16- 17 'll- MATTHEW 5:27 48 29

January 7

Do It Immediately
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of And Abraham
rose up early in the morning.. .. -GENESIS 22:2-3

e often view obedience as doing what we are asked, but obedience

W is doing what we are asked when we are asked. Author Thomas a
Kempis wrote, "Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is;
delayed obedience is disobedience:'
When God commanded Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice,
Abraham's response was immediate obedience. He didn't complain or
make excuses; he simply obeyed God. Romans 1:17 says, "For therein is
the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The
just shall live by faith." Abraham trusted God and immediately did what
God had told him to do. No doubt this command was a challenge of
faith beyond comprehension, but he had full confidence that God would
follow through on His promise of a son.
Abraham had learned that God never fails. When God commanded
him to leave Ur and travel into the desert, Abraham went. When God
promised a child, Abraham believed. God proved His promise by
providing Isaac as the son of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham had seen that
even when he didn't see a way, God had always provided; so he simply
trusted God and obeyed immediately.
Are you responding immediately to the Holy Spirit's promptings in
your heart? Is there an area of the Christian life where you are delaying
in your obedience to Christ? God's way is always the best way! And
immediate obedience always reaps great rewards. Obedience takes trust,
but God is trustworthy.
Whatever God has commanded you to do, do it right away. Don't
put off obedience another day.

30 GENESIS 18 19 '(to MATTHEW 6:1- 18

 January 8

You Are Invited1

And the third day there was a marriage in Can a of Galilee; and the
mother ofJesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples,
to the marriage.-JOHN 2:1-2

t was the day of the wedding, and besides the normal marriage
I excitement, an extra buzz was around the room about a certain group
of guests. Jesus was attending this wedding. But notice that He wasn't
simply passing by, He was invited to the wedding.
The Lord should be invited to every wedding. He should be the
welcomed guest of every activity in your life. Every trip to the store, day
at work, family vacation, and time with friends should be accompanied
by God's presence.
Many times Christians don't invite Christ into their day because it
would mean neglecting certain activities or changing certain habits. What
in your life today would have to be different if you were to invite God to
accompany you? What is holding you back from inviting God to take part
in every activity of your day?
God doesn't want merely to be a bystander; He wants to be the
invited guest of your day. He is with you already, but He desires for you to
include Him in every decision you make, every activity you take part in,
and every thought you think.
I once read that some people regard God just as an airman regards
his parachute; it's there for emergencies, but he hopes he'll never have to
use it. Only when God is invited in your everyday life will the miraculous
take place. Had our Lord not been invited to this wedding, He would not
have been there to help them when they needed Him.
Invite God with you every step of the way. Don't wait for the car
crash or the pink slip; ask God to walk with you today. Start each day
by saying, "Lord, I want You to go before me today. I want to walk in
fellowship with You in this very hour. You are invited to be part of all I
think and do."

GENESIS 20--22 '(fo MATTHEW 6:19- i4 31

January 9

Carry the Pots

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the
governor of the feast. And they bare it.-]OHN 2:7-8

remember when I first came to pastor Lancaster Baptist Church. We had

I some Gospel tracts printed and knocked on doors in the community,
inviting people to church. Although we had no salary or medical benefits,
we were willing to go out and carry some "pots of living water" to a
needy desert.
While we knocked on hundreds of doors each week, there were a
few weeks that, to the best of my knowledge, no one whom I had directly
invited was in attendance the next Sunday. At first I became discouraged
and asked God why we were not seeing results after being so faithful
to Him.
Then I began to notice that there would be five or six families and
two or three teenagers in attendance who simply showed up. They would
tell me things like: "We saw the church sign and decided to stop in;' or "A
pastor from out of state recommended your church to us:' Nothing I had
done had brought them to church, yet they were there. I was learning that
if I would faithfully carry the pots, God would do the miracle.
God is not looking for you to do the miracle. He is simply looking
for you to carry the pot with the water of the Gospel. You cannot
save someone on your own, but as you faithfully tell others of Christ
and continuously obey Him, He will work. Before God shows you the
miraculous, He requires your faithfulness.
Don't get discouraged when it seems no one is responding to
your invitation to church. Don't give up if you don't see many people
saved when sharing the Gospel. You are simply required to be faithful;
God is responsible for the results. Even when you cannot see how God
is using you, be faithful to Him and trust that He is working through
your efforts.

32 l;ENESIS 23 24 '1(- MATTHEW 7

 January 10

Our Home in Heaven

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, 1 would have
told you. 1 go to prepare a place for you. And if 1 go and prepare a place
for you, 1 will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where 1 am,
there ye may be also.-]OHN 14:2-3

heard the story of a man who visited Portugal some years ago on an
I evangelistic tour. He was delighted to find many believers who were
"spiritual giants." Among them was a missionary named Eric Barker, who
had spent over fifty years in Portugal preaching the Gospel.
During World War II, Barker was advised to send his wife and
eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children
were also evacuated on the same ship. He remained behind to carry on
God's work. On the Sunday following their departure, he stood before
his congregation and said, "''ve just received word that all my family have
arrived safely home!" Later in the service, the full meaning of his words
became known to his people.
Just before the meeting, he learned that a submarine had torpedoed
the ship that was carrying his family. Everyone on board had drowned, but
he knew that because all were believers, they had reached a more "desired
haven" (Psalm 107:30). They were truly home. Although overwhelmed
with grief, the knowledge that his family was enjoying the bliss of Heaven
comforted his heart.
Don't let the word Heaven become so commonplace to you that
you do not realize the magnificence of it! Not only is it a beautiful place
with streets of gold, but God Himself is there! We, as Christians, will be
with Him for all eternity!
Take time today to thank God for preparing a home for you. Thank
Him for creating such a beautiful place for us to spend eternity with Him!
Also, remember that not everyone has the hope of a home in Heaven.
Let someone know today that God loves them and is preparing a home
for them!

GENESIS 25--26 * MATTHEW 8:1 -17 :l_l

January 11

When Jesus Gave Thanks ...

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
- I CORINTHIANS II:24

crowd of people gathered to hear from the One who healed the sick
A and had compassion on the sinner. Jesus began to minister to the
crowd by comforting them and healing their illnesses. They were in a
desert place, and the evening time quickly came upon them. No villages
were close enough to prepare food for the large crowd. Seeing this need,
Jesus gave thanks and used a boy's lunch to feed thousands (John 6:n).
Because Lazarus was such a close friend to Jesus and a dear brother
to Mary and Martha, when he died, they all deeply mourned his death.
Four days after he passed away, Jesus stood before the cave which held
his body and gave thanks to His Father for hearing His prayer. He then
commanded Lazarus to come forth. Miraculously, Lazarus rose from his
grave (John 11:41).
Sitting around a table, Jesus was surrounded by His disciples. In
just a short time, He would be nailed to the Cross and separated from His
Father. Knowing such suffering was about to take place, He stood before
those whom He loved and ministered, and He praised God by giving
thanks (1 Corinthians 11:24).
When Jesus gave thanks, great things followed-the feeding of
five thousand, the renewed life of a friend, and eternal salvation. Are
you willing to give thanks before a time of testing or when you need a
miracle? Someone once said, "Giving thanks is not a small prayer you
chant before receiving a meal; it is the way you live:' Today, may we "Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name. For the LoRD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).

.H GENESIS 27 28 * MATTHEW 8:18 34

 January 12

He Is Coming Again1
john bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake,
He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
-JOHN I:IS

.
C orne into the life ofJohn the Baptist with me through the Scriptures,
and see this man who says of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God."
What was John the Baptist's specific ministry? He was to identify the
Saviour. John the Baptist identified for those who gathered around him
who Jesus really was, that He was the eternal, preexistent Son of God,
come to deliver them from their sins.
You have been given the same mission today. Jesus Christ is coming
again very quickly, and, as a Christian, you are to be that voice crying
out in the wilderness, preparing men and women for His return. As in
John's day, the world today is lost and searching for answers but does not
know where to turn. You are to be the light, pointing them to a returning
Saviour and a risen Lord.
John the Baptist didn't focus on himself; he pointed people to
Christ, the eternal God. While many teachers of the day were looking to
push their own agenda or display their own ideas, John the Baptist's only
mission was to foretell the coming of Christ.
Many today fall prey to wrong teachings or other beliefs because
they do not know the significance of who Jesus truly is. He is the eternal
Son of God who died on Calvary for the sins of the world and rose from
the grave three days later.
Have you been faithfully proclaiming to those around you that Jesus
is coming again? The world will look to religion, science, and other things
for answers, but like John the Baptist, you are to be God's forerunner,
telling them of His soon return. Ask God for boldness and clarity of
thought in telling others of His coming. Rely on His strength to faithfully
be the forerunner of His coming as you go about your day today.

GENESIS 29--30 'ito MATTHEW 9:1 17 35

January 13

Defining Love
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.-! JOHN 3:16

ne author wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you
O love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find
one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone,
you will presently come to love him:'
Our culture has redefined the word love. While the world around us
tells us love is an emotion, God shows us that love is a choice. It is choosing
to love someone and showing them our love through our actions.
The Bible uses several different Greek root words for our English
word love. One word the Bible uses is philos, which refers to a brotherly
love. It is the word used to show the love between friends. Also, the Bible
uses the word agape. This word carries a stronger meaning and is used in
reference to a high level of divine love.
Agape love does not love simply when it is convenient or when we
feel like it, but because it is what God has commanded. There will be
times in our lives when we do not fed like loving someone, but that is
when agape love must take over. We must look to Christ for strength and
display our love to others.
Christ showed us His agape love by dying on the Cross. He did not
die for us simply because He had an emotion of love, but because He
made a choice to honor and obey His Father. God loved us so much that
He gave!
How are you showing your love to those around you? Love is not
merely an emotion; it is an action. We show others the love of Christ by
what we do, not by what we feel. Ask God to help you love others today
even if you do not feel like it.

36 GENESIS 31--32 'lfo MATTHEW 9:18 38

 January 14

Blessed to Be a Blessing
And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears,
and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and
fashioned it with a graving tool .. .. -EXODUS 32:3-4

D uring World War n, Eddie Rickenbacker, America's most famous

Army aviator in World War I, along with seven companions made a
forced landing in the Pacific Ocean. There they experienced twenty-four
days drifting in a lifeboat until they were rescued by a Navy plane. After
his recovery from the ordeal, Rickenbacker said, "Let the moment come
when nothing is left but life, and you will find that you do not hesitate
over the fate of material possessions." Rickenbacker understood that at
such a time, one is concerned about the fate of something more precious
than material goods-life itself.
The children of Israel needed to learn the same lesson-the lesson
that possessions are to be used for God and not wasted on self. God had
allowed the children of Israel to spoil Egypt. They were to take the gold
for the purpose of building the temple in the Promised Land. These
items of gold were sanctified to build the worship house of God, but they
used them for evil.
Anything can become an idol. Whether it is money, a certain
possession, your children, or your time, anything that takes priority over
God is an idol.
God does not bless you so that you can consume the blessing upon
yourself. He has blessed you so that you may bless Him with what you
have! God's blessing is an opportunity for you to glorify Him!
How are you using the things God has given you? Are you wasting
His blessings on your life? Have they come between you and God? Keep
God first in your life, and He will bless you. Remember as you go about
your day that honoring God with what you have and having an intimate
relationship with Him is more precious than all the possessions in
the world!

GENESIS 33- 35 'It- MATTHEW IO:I -20 37

January 15

Used by God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.-ROMANS 12:1-2

orne people feel they are inadequate or unqualified to be used by God,

S but God can use anyone! Moses had a speech impediment, yet God
used Him to lead the nation of Israel out of captivity. Rahab had lived a
sinful life, yet God used her to hide the spies and save her family from the
destruction of Jericho. Jonah ran from God, yet he was used to see the
entire city of Nineveh converted to God. No matter what limitations we
have or how inadequate we feel, God desires to use us!
One reason we might feel inadequate to be used by God is because
the devil accuses us. He constantly brings past sins to our minds to
distract us from serving God. Don't believe him-he is a liar! John 8:44
tells us, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Another reason we may feel inadequate is because things aren't
going the way we planned or expected. Don't turn from God in the hard
times; turn to Him, and He will give you victory.
Do you often find yourself feeling inadequate to be used by God?
None of us are worthy of God's plan for our lives! Even the best preachers
and the most godly people have setbacks and sin. Don't let the devil keep
you from serving God. Ask God for strength in overcoming your setbacks,
and thank Him for His redeeming grace as you serve Him today.

CENES!S i6 3R ctl- MATTHEW 10:21--42

 January] 6

Our Hidden Habit

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.-- HEBREWS I3:5

W e all battle with the same hidden habit. It is hidden because it exists
in our thoughts. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to
face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities.
Eliminating this habit would give us more energy to serve God,
more focus to accomplish His work, and more faith to entrust God.
The habit is worry, and it takes root when the cares of this world take
precedence over the promises of Christ.
When Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World
War II, his father, Alex Stewart, chose to trust his son to God. He sent a
farewell letter with Jimmy to encourage his son to trust God as well.
My dear Jim boy. Soon after you read this letter, you will be
on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I'm banking on the
enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place
of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my
faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through
this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray.
Goodbye, my dear. God bless you and keep you. I love you more
than I can tell you. Dad.
Jimmy Stewart later stated that he learned to trust the words of
Psalm 91 during the height of battle. He returned home unharmed and a
decorated hero. Stewart carried the letter with him for the rest of his life,
and the words from the Psalm that his father gave him are written on his
grave marker: "For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways."
What are you worrying about today? Find the victory over worry
through trust in God's promises.

GENESIS 39--40 'ito MATTIIEW II

January 17

Anyone Can Come

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
-ROMANS IO:I3

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.-]OHN 6:37

erhaps the most unlikely person in Jericho to turn to God was a

P woman by the name of Rahab. You don't have to read far into Joshua
2 to hear of her reputation. Joshua 2:1 says, ''And Joshua the son of Nun
sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even
Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and
lodged there." She was a woman who had lived a wicked life.
We are no different from Rahab, because the Bible says we all fall
short of the glory of God. God knows all our sins yet He willingly reached
out and offered His salvation to us all. He knew what Rahab had done,
yet He loved her just the same.
Never forget that anyone can come to Christ. There are no people
so entangled in sin that God cannot save them. Be sure to willingly share
God's message of love with everyone. Too often we can find ourselves
judging people based on their outward appearances without realizing
that we were unlovely on the inside before God saved us. Just as you and
I were given the opportunity to be saved, so everyone deserves a chance
to come to Christ!
Are you sharing God's message with everyone you meet? God does
not restrict His love to the wealthy, prominent, or friendly people; He
loves us all. Ask God to give you the courage to tell everyone you meet
of His gift of salvation. Determine to share God's love with at least one
person today.

40 GENESIS 41 -42 'If- MATTHEW 12:1 23

 January 18

A Bitter Spirit
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
-HEBREWS 12:15

was once walking down a sidewalk that was badly cracked from the
I roots of a nearby mulberry tree. While I was careful of my step, I noticed
those passing by me who were not as careful. They would stumble or trip
over the roots. Even so, if we are not careful to "watch our step" in life, we
can be tripped by the roots of bitterness.
Many Christians struggle with bitterness and an unforgiving spirit.
Satan constantly uses past experiences to defeat God's people in the area
of bitterness. Yet when we harbor bitterness, we are hurting ourselves
the most.
The devil would like us to be focused on other things and not see
the roots of bitterness in our lives. The writer of Hebrews warns that if
we are not careful to examine our lives and see if there is any bitterness,
those feelings will hinder us from being used by God.
Friend, while the world around us tells us to seek revenge and
demand justice, God calls us to forgive and to let go of bitterness. We
must not underestimate the power that anger and bitterness can have on
our lives. They can take us away from God and out of His will.
Is there any bitterness in your life today? Is there someone in your
life who brings thoughts of anger or hurt feelings to your mind when
you hear their name? God desires that we would have hearts void of any
ill feelings toward others. Spend time in prayer now and ask Christ to
forgive you for those bitter feelings. Also, ask Him to help you forgive
those who wronged you and help you avoid bitterness in your life today.

GENESIS 43-45 ~ MATTHEW 12:24-50 41

January 19

Replacing Bitterness
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things
put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.-COLOSSIANS 3:12-15

W hen we allow thoughts of anger and revenge to rule our hearts, we

can miss key opportunities to minister to those around us. We
must replace bitterness with three things.
First, we must replace the feelings of anger with choices of
forgiveness. We must put away the thought that we have the right to
punish someone for their actions, and instead show them forgiveness.
When we remember that our forgiveness is based on God's forgiveness to
us, we will be able to forgive others more easily.
Second, we must replace bitterness with kindness. Forgiveness is
evidenced when we can speak kindly of those who have wronged us. We
are to not only forget the bitterness and forgive others, but we are to fill
our hearts with kindness. Often the most hurtful people are the most
hurting people. When someone treats us spitefully, they may be feeling
hurt or neglected themselves.
Finally, we must allow God to replace our hard hearts with tender
hearts. Bitterness in a heart causes it to grow cold and hard-hearted
toward others. Many people lose all trust and confidence in other people
based on their own hurts and past experiences. But we must choose to
remain tender-hearted toward God and those around us!
Is there bitterness in your heart today? Don't let the devil use
bitterness to rob your joy! Replace that bitterness with forgiveness,
kindness, and a tender heart.

42
 January 20

David or Saul?
And the LoRD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with
oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided
me a king among his sons.- I SAMUEL 16:1

o king in Israel's history was more loved and more mentioned than
N David. David, a man after God's own heart, was used by God to
bring the nation of Israel out of obscurity and into great power during
that time in history. David was called to be a king of Israel at a young age
while he was tending to his father's sheep.
Saul, the current king when David was anointed, had once been
sensitive toward the things of God. Yet as time went on, he fell out of
fellowship with God. God was saddened because of the wicked life Saul
and His people had chosen to live. It was because of Saul's rebellion that
God sought for another king.
God chose David to be the next king because he had a passion to
know and serve God. He didn't sit by and watch others serve the Lord. He
volunteered to help in any area needed. He gave God his heart, and he
served Him out of love.
Today, God is still looking for men and women who will give Him
their whole hearts. Too many Christians have the mentality of Saul.
They've become complacent in their Christianity. They take things for
granted like souls saved, people baptized, and lives transformed. They go
through the routine of Christianity without truly serving God with their
whole hearts.
Who are you more like-David or Saul? Do you willingly pitch in
and help around church? Or do you let others serve? Are you passionately
seeking to serve God with your whole heart? Or would you rather follow
after the pleasures of this world? Determine to serve God through a
surrendered heart. When God has your heart, there is no limit to what
He can do through you.

GENESIS 49 · )0 '11- MATTHEW 13:31-58 43

January 21

God's Selection Process

... the LoRD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LoRD looketh on the heart.-I SAMUEL 16:7

od's selection of David to be the next king was not based on David's
G outward attributes or talents but on his heart. What a wonderful
moment in David's life! He was being chosen to rule the nation of Israel.
It is also a wonderful moment when God uses us as His children. We are
blessed to be a part of the plan of God!
Robert Murray McCheyne wrote this to a friend just after that
friend had been ordained: "In great measure, according to the purity and
perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents
God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful
[profound] weapon in the hand of God."
It did not matter how David played the harp, handled the flocks,
or shot an arrow. All David's physical talents were secondary to his heart
for God. He thought about God, sang to God, and read the Word of God.
Because he desired to please God with his life, God chose him to be the
next king of Israel.
God is not looking for someone who can sing the best solo, preach
the best sermon, or outperform others. All the talent in this world means
nothing if you are not following God and seeking to know Him more.
God desires a heart that is wholly committed to Him.
Do you ever feel inadequate, as if God cannot use you? Don't look
at your outward abilities to evaluate whether or not God can use you.
God uses those who have a heart for Him. Get involved at church and
start serving God in whatever way you can! God will use you if you have
a heart for Him.

44 [XODUS I 3 .,S. MATTHEW 14:1 21

 January 22

In the Midst of Giants

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me
with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
- I SAMUEL 17:43

oliath was a nine-foot giant who shouted threats and cursed God's
G people on a daily basis. As Goliath cried out against God and
threatened the armies oflsrael, King Saul and his armies cowered and hid
from the Philistines. No one wanted to enter a seemingly one-sided fight
with the giant. But when everyone else hid from the challenge, David
realized that this battle was not only a battle between the Philistines and
the children of Israel, but it was a battle of the God of Israel and the gods
of the Philistines.
David was concerned that the enemies of God would speak out
against his God. It angered him with a holy anger that others would mock
the one he loved. Rather than looking at the size of Goliath, David looked
at the size of his God and realized that with God all things are possible.
We need Christians like David today. When others mock Christianity
or the Lord, we need people who will boldly take a stand and determine
to move forward in faith with the cause to further the Gospel.
Attacks on God and His people are nothing new. The devil has
targeted Christians ever since the days of Christ, but the threats of others
should not stop us from telling people about Christ. People may ridicule,
demean, or even threaten you, but Christ has commanded us to stand,
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Have you ever been discouraged by all the attacks against God
and His people? Friend, the only reason Christianity is being attacked
is because the devil knows how powerful Spirit-filled Christians are!
Determine today that no matter what may come your way, you will stand
up for Christ and follow Him.

EXODUS 4 6 *' MATTHEW 14:22 36 45

January 23

One Requirement
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as
for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.-GENESIS 50:19-20

T hrough all the trials Joseph experienced, it could be said that he was
always faithful to God. Joseph's journey was a journey of faithfulness.
First Corinthians 4:2 says, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful." God says, "I have one requirement of you. I want you to
be faithful:' God has given His children many different talents but there
is only one thing He requires that all Christians can do-be faithful.
Joseph could have quit many times throughout his life. He could
have given up when his brothers laughed at him after he relayed his
dreams to them. He could have quit when his brothers sold him into
slavery. He could have quit after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife,
or when he was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten by the butler after the
butler promised to help him. So many times Joseph could have given up
on God, yet he remained faithful.
Friend, there may be times in your life when discouragement comes.
You may see that others are being blessed or that others are being used
differently than you, but know one thing-God wants you to be faithful.
God has one requirement for your life. It's not for you to sing in the
church choir, help in the nursery, or help out your neighbors (although
He is pleased when you do these things). God only requires you to
be faithful.
Are you being faithful to God today? Are you faithfully reading His
Word, serving Him, and telling others of His salvation? Do not let Satan
discourage you by showing you the lives of other Christians. God doesn't
want you to be like others; He simply wants you to be faithful to Him.

46 EXODUS 7 8 'II- MATTHEW !):I 20

 January 24

Come unto Me
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.-MATTHEW II:28-30

once heard a story of a pet store delivery truck that was experiencing
I difficulty. At every stoplight the driver would get out and hit the sides
of the truck with a wooden board. When someone fmally asked him what
he was doing, the driver responded, "This is only a two-ton truck, and I
am carrying four tons of canaries, so I have got to keep two tons of them
in the air all the time."
This is a good picture of many of our lives! It may seem as if while
we are going down life's road, we have to keep stopping to make sure
everything is in order. But Christ wants us to commit our lives to Him.
When we commit our lives to Him, He will give us rest and relief from
our burdens. We do not have to worry about what will happen to us, but
we can entrust our lives to God's care.
Amy Carmichael was a missionary to South India for fifty-six years,
never returning home to Ireland for a furlough. An accident damaged
her leg and left her bedridden for the last twenty years of her life. It was
during those years in bed that she wrote most of her forty books. God
used her experience of suffering to bring encouragement to millions of
people. As Amy remained committed to Christ, He gave her rest and used
her to touch many lives.
A life of commitment to Christ includes living for God no matter
the burdens or trials we go through. Are you living a life of commitment
to our Lord? When trials or difficulties come into your life, bring
them to the Lord, and He will give you rest and bring blessing out of
your burdens.

EXODUS 9--II 'lt- MATTHEW 15:21-39 47

January 25

The Unstrung Bow

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at jesus' feet, and heard
his word.-LUKE 10:39

n Athenian one day found Aesop at play with a company oflittle boys
A at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh at him for it.
Aesop quietly took a bow, unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then
calling the censorious Athenian said, "Now, expound the riddle, and tell,
if you can, what the unstrung bow implies." The man, after racking his
brains for awhile, at last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to
make of it. "Why," said Aesop, laughing, "if you keep a bow always bent,
it will soon break, but if you sometimes let it go slack, it will be the fitter
for use when you want it:'
Just as a bow is more fit for use when it is rested from its usual
tension, so we as humans are better equipped to serve for Christ when we
take time to rest and build up our strength in Him.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She took a moment to rest with her Lord and
listen to Him speak. While Martha worried about the outward appearance
of her house when Christ came, Mary took time to sit at His feet.
Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." If we don't find our rest
in the Lord and set aside time to spend with Him, we will turn to other
outlets to find peace. People turn to the pleasures of this world to relieve
stress. But the only true place to find rest is in the Lord.
Where do you find your rest? We were not made to keep going
without any rest. God wants us to step away from the pressures of our
day and spend time alone with Him. Plan time to spend time with God
daily-let God strengthen and refresh you in His Word!

48 EXODUS 12 I3 '/(o- MATTHEW 16

 January 26

Do You Trust Him?

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LoRD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it.- MALACHI 3:10

B asketball player and Christian A.C. Green once commented on

tithing: "When you get paid, you first give God His tithe. When I was
making six dollars an hour, I learned to tithe, which was difficult because
there was so little money. Now I had to learn to tithe off a thousand times
that amount, which could have been difficult because it was so much
money. I gave God His ten percent and even more off the top; I learned to
give it willingly. The government takes almost half of my pay right off the
top. Basketball agents can get up to four percent. An endorsement agent
will get between ten and twenty percent. So why should I take my check,
subtract taxes and expenses and give God a tithe off what's left? Everyone
else gets his cut out of me based on the gross, so why shouldn't God?"
One reason Christians fail to give to God is because they do not
trust Him to supply their needs. We want to know how we will pay the
bills and buy groceries if we give to God. We want to see how God will
provide for us if we obey His command to give. We do not trust Him.
Today, God is telling us to prove Him. He commands us to give to
Him, and He has promised to provide for our needs. He wants us to say,
"God, I cannot see how I will be able to provide for my family, but I trust
You. I am proving You are God."
Do you trust that God will provide for you as you obey His
command to give? Prove God today. Trust God fully, and let Him show
His power by providing for you miraculously.

EXODUS 14-l'i *' MATTHEW 17 49

January 27

Developing God's Goodness

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation-- I PETER 2:12

f we are to show goodness to others, we must first understand the

I difference between doing good and being good. Doing good relates to
how we act on the outside. When we serve in the nursery, sing in the
choir, or help someone who is hurting, we are doing good. But being
good has to do with who we are on the inside. It is when we make the
right decisions and honor God even when no one is around. We can only
develop this goodness as we do two things.
First, we develop goodness in our lives through God's Word.
Contrary to what some people believe, we don't know what is good by
our own feelings. If you've made many decisions based on your "gut
feeling;' you probably know that feeling isn't always right.
We cannot have goodness in our lives without spending time in
God's Word each day. As we spend time with God, He will convict us and
draw us closer to Himself. He will help us develop goodness.
Second, we develop goodness as we walk with God each day. While
this includes spending time in His Word, it also includes active witnessing
and service for Him. As we see in today's verse, the early believers had
many accusations made against them, but their goodness shone through
their works, giving God the glory.
Are you developing God's goodness in your life today? Are you
spending time in His Word, serving Him, and witnessing to others? We
cannot always trust our feelings to tell us what is good, but as we develop
God's goodness we can display His goodness to others. Spend time with
God right now and ask Him to help you develop His goodness in your
life. Also take time to read His Word, serve Him, and witness to someone
else today!

50 Exonus r6- rii * MATTl-IEW t8:r 20

 January 28

Search Me, 0 God

Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting-PSALM 139:23-24

W hat would it take for you to be like a John Wesley, Amy Carmichael,
John Bunyan, or George Whitefield? What is it that separates the
heroic saint from the average Christian? These godly saints had one thing in
common-they committed themselves to grow in the Lord. They ignored
the pull of mediocrity and dedicated themselves to maturing spiritually.
You and I have the same potential to be used of God. The questions
to ask that differentiate the average from the stagnant are: "Are you
growing spiritually?" and "Are you doing something today to better
mature yourself in the Lord?" Carefully consider each question below;
examine your spiritual growth; and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you in
areas that need to be changed:
Am I faithful to spend time in God's Word and in prayer?
Do I smile and have a kind word for people, regardless of how I
feel physically?
Do I tell the truth?
Do I ask the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, patience, and longsuffering
to handle the problems and circumstances of each day?
Do I have anything (book, tool, money, etc.) in my possession that
does not rightly belong to me?
Do I get easily offended?
Is the reputation or character of another person safe in my hands?
Is jealousy in my own heart causing problems with other people?
Do I have secret sins that I make excuses for?
Don't let today be just another day. Before facing your daily routines,
determine to make today different! Examine your Christian life, mature
in your spiritual walk, and ask the Holy Spirit for strength to help you
change to be more like our Lord.

EXODUS 19--20 * MATTHEW 18:21--35 51

January 29

Carried Any Donkeys Lately?

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if! yet
pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.-GALATIANS I:IO

n old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about
A an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they
walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy
was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for
not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back. When
they came to the next village, the people said the old man was cruel to
let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off
and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way. In the
third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old
man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man
climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople
were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry
two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down
the road.
We may laugh, but this story makes a good point: We can't please
everybody, and if we try, we end up carrying a heavy burden. Striving to
please your boss, spouse, children, relatives, pastor, teacher, and friends
all at the same time does more than put you out of sorts; it derails you
from your main purpose-to please God first.
Pleasing God first is much easier said than done. Pleasing God may
consist ofless overtime and more soulwinning. It may consist ofless "self"
time but more family time. Sometimes pleasing God means stepping out
of your comfort zone. It may mean rearranging your priorities.
Examine your schedule and your priorities. Is pleasing God at the
top of your list? Or, have you been carrying too many donkeys lately?

52 EXODUS 21 22 * MATTI-lEW 19
 January 30

The Loose Connection

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
-PHILIPPIANS 4:13

n a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new

I missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school
near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and
had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park
on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure
for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary
came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his
arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking
under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary
interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose
cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch,
and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years
needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time.
Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
God has the power to help us accomplish great things for Him. But
the "loose connection" could be our unwillingness to turn to Him and
seek His strength during difficulties.
When you do something in the name of God and strive to please
Him with your life, God will give you strength. God has already won the
war! He has the victory and offers it to each of us as His children as long
as we are living for Him.
What are you trying to accomplish in your life? What are you doing
for the Lord? Never forget that God has enough resources, strength,
protection, and grace to help you accomplish whatever you are doing for
Him. You must simply turn to Him in faith and seek His help.

EXODUS 23- 24 'lfo MATTHEW 20:1 16 53

January 31

The Brightest Light

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by US.-2 CORINTHIANS I:20

T he great pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson was the first to take the
Gospel to the country of Burma. He buried his wife and several of his
children on the mission field, remarried, and then lost his second wife
to disease as well. He spent months in prison during Burma's war with
England when he was suspected of being a spy even though he was an
American. Judson labored for seven years before seeing his first convert.
Still, through all that difficulty, Judson remained committed to his
calling. He translated the Bible into Burmese and established a number of
churches. Even today, despite intense persecution over decades, there are
descendants of Judson's converts serving God in Burma. One of Judson's
favorite sayings was: "The future is as bright as the promises of God." To
Judson, the promises of God were living and powerful words that could
transform heartache to joy and years of labor into a joyous harvest.
We all have difficult times in our lives. What happens when you're
fired from work? Do you trust God's promise to provide? What about
when your health fails? Do you trust God's promise of protection? The
only way you will be able to make it through difficult times is if you rely
upon the promises of God.
When you have faith in God's promises, there is hope in even
the darkest of nights. Never doubt God's promises. From provision, to
protection, to a home in Heaven for those who trust in Him, our God has
promised us so much!
Are you going through a difficult circumstance today? Does there
seem to be no "light at the end of the tunnel"? Friend, if you are a child
of God, you can trust His promises! Search God's Word for His promises
today. Then apply them to your life and rely on God and His promises
when difficulties arise.

54 EXODUS 2) 26 *' MATTHEW 20:J7 -34

FEBRUARY
(~
~~--~.~-/
February 1

He Already Paid for It

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,
as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from
your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot:- I PETER u8-19

was once given a beautiful gift by a fellow pastor. It was a sword that
I is used by the Marines, and on the case surrounding the sword are the
words, "Earned. Never Given." I appreciated the gift and the significance
those words hold for the Marines serving our country. As I look at that
sword from time to time, I am reminded that salvation is just the opposite:
salvation is given-never earned.
There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven. Even our
best efforts are stained with our self-righteousness. "But we are all as
an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away"
(Isaiah 64:6).
Christ already paid for your sin, and He offers salvation as a free gift.
He died out of love for you. His motivation for enduring the pain and the
shame of Calvary wasn't because Pilate sentenced Him to death. It wasn't
because Roman guards threatened Him. He went to the Cross willingly
because He loves you.
If you have received Christ as your Saviour, He has forgiven your
sin-He has paid for it all. Many Christians, however, live under the
weight of past failures and sin. Don't let the devil discourage you this
way. God has already paid for your sin. Put it behind you, and remember
God's promise in Psalm 103=12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us."

56 EXODUS 27 28 1C- MATTI!LW 2!:! 22

 February 2

Stretch Your Faith

And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the
covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it,
then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.-]OSHUA 3:3

H ave you ever come to a place in your Christian life where going
forward for God required a major step of faith? At such times, we
must choose to trust God and reap the rewards or remain where we are
and miss out on His blessings.
In 1893, engineer George Ferris built a machine that bears his
name-the Ferris wheel. Upon its completion, he invited a newspaper
reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. Despite
the wind on that July day, Ferris still chose to ride. The wheel turned
flawlessly. No one would have known the joys of riding this invention
had Ferris not had the faith to get on it. Even so, we cannot know the
blessings of God until we stretch our faith and trust Him.
The Israelites approached a turning point in their lives when God
commanded them to cross the Jordan River-at its flood stage. God chose
this method to bring them to the Promised Land because He wanted to
stretch their faith. He rewarded their faith with a miraculous parting of
the water.
We all have times when we must choose to obey by faith. It may be
in the area of finances, a life calling, or raising a family. We cannot stretch
our faith in God if we do not obey Him. When He asks us to take a step
of faith, we must obey His command. Many times we will not be able to
see how everything will work, but when we choose to obey, our faith will
be strengthened, and we will learn to trust Him more.
Is there a step of faith God wants you to take? Let God have control,
and step out in faith. Ask Him to give you strength and stretch your faith
in God by obeying Him today.

EXODUS 29-30 'lfoo MATTHEW 21:23-46 57

February 3

Faith Displayed
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.- ]AMES 2:17

bedience is faith displayed. This is clearly seen in yesterday's

0 account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River in its flood stage
in obedience to God. It would have done no good for the Israelites to say
they trusted God and yet not obey Him. When He commanded them
to pass over the deep and turbulent Jordan River, they not only had
to choose to trust God, they also had to act on that choice. Their faith
was displayed by their obedience, and their obedience was rewarded by
God's miraculous intervention of parting the water for them to cross on
dry ground.
We may say we have faith in God, but if we are not obeying Him,
our faith is in vain. We must not only trust God, but we must step out in
faith and obey Him as well.
Many times we do not obey God because we do not truly trust Him,
but when we obey God, we demonstrate our trust in Him. Do you trust
that God knows what's best for you and desires to provide more for you
than what you could do for yourself? Then choose to obey Him! He has
everything under control, and He will not lead you astray. When you are
walking in obedience to Him, you are in the safest place possible-the
center of His will.
Have you avoided obeying God because you were afraid to trust
Him? It takes faith to obey, yet we can never see His blessings in our lives
if we are not willing to obey Him. There may be some apprehension and
fear, but don't let that stop you from obeying Him. Ask God to give you
strength to have faith to obey Him.

EXODUS 31-33 '1«- MATTHEW 22:1 22

 February 4

God's Powerful Word

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.-HEBREWS 4:12

T he famous preacher, Gipsy Smith, told of a man who said he had

received no inspiration from the Bible although he had "gone through
it several times." "Let it go through you once;' replied Smith, "then you
will tell a different story!" God's Word has the power to change our lives
if we will let it.
God's Word has the power to convict us of sin in our lives. When
we read the Word of God, it will show us our sin and cause us to want
to repent.
We should not get upset when we are convicted; we should welcome
conviction. God convicts those He loves! It is a privilege for us that God
would care enough about us to show us when we have strayed and to
compel us to come back to Him!
God's Word also has the power to protect us. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." When we
read God's Word and hide it in our hearts, we will have an answer for the
devil when he attacks us. As D.L. Moody once said, "A Bible that is falling
apart usually belongs to someone who is not." The Word of God has the
power to protect us against Satan's attacks.
Even though God's Word has this power, it is of no use to us if
we are not spending time reading it each day with an open heart and a
listening ear. Is God's Word powerful in your life? Don't let your Bible
reading become so routine to you that you fail to hear from God. Let
Him convict you of sin, and hide His Word in your heart. Discover the
power of God's Word fur you.

EXODUS 34 35 '(to MATTHEW 22:23 46 59

February 5

Listen and Receive

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is
able to save your souls.-]AMES r:r9-21

hrist speaks to each of us through His Word, but we must listen in

C order to hear Him. Sometimes we are guilty of reading God's Word
simply because that's what we are "supposed to do." We will never hear
from God if we are not first willing to hear from Him. As we approach
His Word, we must ask Him to speak to us, and we must willingly listen
to Him.
Not only should we be willing to listen to Christ, but we must also
be willing to receive the instruction and direction Christ gives us from
His Word.
Christ desires to change us and grow our faith, but He cannot if we
refuse to receive and obey the commands from His Word. God may ask
you to do something you don't think you can do. He may be stretching
your faith in Him. Be willing to listen to His commands and obey them
no matter what! God will never ask you to do something that you cannot
do through His strength!
I'm sure D.L. Moody never thought he could see thousands saved,
build a great church, and impact America for Christ, but as he remained
faithful and willingly obeyed God, he was used of God in a great way.
Friend, there is no telling what God wants to do with our lives! Yet, we
may never know if we are not willing to listen to and receive what He has
for our lives.
Are you willing to listen and receive what God has for you today?
Take time today to listen to God through His Word. Open your heart to
His will for your life and willingly receive His guidance.

60 EXODUS 36 -38 '((- MATTHEW 23:1 22

 February 6

Spending Time with Christ

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she
had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is
needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part .. .. -LUKE !0:38-42

W hen I was in Israel, I had the opportunity to visit the village of

Bethany (modern day al-Eizaraya), the home of Mary, Martha, and
Lazarus, friends of Christ. What an exciting day it must have been for them
to host Christ in their home! As they heard of Christ's soon arrival, Martha
immediately began preparing her house.
She worked so hard that she was "cumbered" about with serving. She
was flustered and "stressed out." She was so busy serving Christ that she
failed to spend time with Him.
Sometimes the stress of schedules and to-do lists affect us spiritually.
Spending time with Christ gets drowned out by work, caring for the
children, or even ministry. We can be so busy serving Christ that we fail to
spend time with Him, but just as with Martha, Christ wants to fellowship
with us.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God." Christ does not want us to be so busy about things in life that
we neglect to spend time with Him! We must come to Him and let Him
give us strength for each day.
Are you taking time to fellowship with Christ each day? Don't let
your service for Him replace your relationship with Him. Ask Christ to
help you seek Him first each day.

EXODUS 39 -40 '1(- MATTHEW 23:23-39 61

February 7

He Sees
Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him ....
-}OHN6:5

here is one word in this verse that made all the difference in the world.
T It changed the situation Jesus was in, and it can change your situation
today. Notice the verb saw.
Jesus saw the multitudes. He had a lot of things going on at that
time, yet He saw the needs of those around Him. When Jesus Christ saw
the people, He saw their need. He felt their need.
Before you were born, God loved you and He knew your needs.
God cares about your needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
and all throughout the year. He never takes a vacation. He never breaks
for holidays. He is always there, and He always cares.
No one cares about you more than God. Even your parents, who
have cared for you and invested much time and money into you since the
day you were born, don't have as much love and compassion for you as
God has. Your parents may want what's best for you and may seek to help
you out when you need them, but God loves you so much more.
Whatever God allows into your life is for your benefit. What may
look like a mistake or an accident to you, never is with God. He is in
control of everything you go through. Yes, God allows suffering, but it's
not to hurt you; it is for your good and your benefit.
God loved you so much that He gave you the most precious thing
He had-His own Son. Rather than believing the devil's lies, look to
God's Word and claim the promise of Romans 8:28, "And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Accept God's will, and trust that He is
working for your good. Know that He cares about you!

62 LEVITICUS I ·~ ~fo. MATTflLW 24:I 2R

 February 8

Passing the Test

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come
unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that
these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew
what he would do.- JOHN 6:5-6

ests-it seems as if you never outgrow them. In John 6, Jesus presented

T a test to one of His disciples, Philip. It wasn't a written test. It wasn't
multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer. It was a test of faith.
When presented with the problem of feeding over five thousand
men, women, and children, Jesus asked Philip for his advice, "Whence
shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" And of course, this was a test, for
Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do.
Sometimes the Lord will test your faith. He will allow a circumstance
or difficult situation into your life, and you will have the opportunity to
choose either to trust Him or to trust in your flesh.
Philip responded to Christ's test by saying, "Lord, we don't have
very much money. We can't feed all these people with what we have."
Philip failed the test of faith by looking to what he had instead of who
Christ was.
Have you ever wondered why Philip didn't step back and realize to
whom he was speaking? He was with Almighty God, whom he had seen
do many miracles, yet Philip looked to the things of this world for help.
We, too, tend to look to the things of this world to help us rather
than looking to God. Some look to possessions, wealth, human knowledge
and other things when life becomes difficult. But only Jesus can make a
way when there seems to be no way.
God will periodically bring times of testing into your life. There will
be low finances, physical sickness, and difficult times in your life. Rather
than looking to your own strength, look to God for help. He is presenting
a test of faith to you. Will you pass it by relying upon Him?

LEVITICUS 4 ) ""' MATTHEW 24:29 51 63

 February 9

When Little Is Much

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:
but what are they among so many? ... And Jesus took the loaves; and when
he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples
to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they
would.-]OHN 6:9, II

housands of hungry people surrounded Christ. There wasn't enough

T money to buy food for everyone, but a little boy with a small lunch
was willing to give his lunch to Jesus. This lunch wasn't very much, but
he gave it all.
Sometimes Christians can think they don't have much to offer
Christ. But they fail to see the bigger picture. It isn't about what talent
you have or what you can do alone; it's about what God wants to do
through you. God doesn't require a certain talent; He only requires your
willingness to be used by Him.
This young boy gave all that he had, and a wonderful thing took
place! Jesus distributed the bread and fish until the entire crowd had
been fed "as much as they would." Aren't you glad that God delights in
blessing the simple things of this life? First Corinthians 1:27 says, "But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty."
When you give your life to God, no matter where you've been or
what you've been through, He will use it for His glory. All you need is
faith and a willingness to serve God.
Does God have your life today? Maybe you dedicated your life to
Him years ago, but are you still living by faith in Him? Let God have full
control of every aspect of your life. All God wants from you is your all.
Offer what you have to Him, just like the little lad did with the lunch, and
remember that little is much when God is in it.

64 LEVITICUS 6- 7 'If- MATTHEW 2):I- 30

 February 10

Fear vs. Faith

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.-ISAIAH 41:10

ear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates.
F Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith
encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. Fear is very active in the life of
someone who is not focused on the promises of God's Word.
Fear causes Christians to run when they should stand. It causes
Christians to leave their marriage when they should not. It causes
Christians to disobey God's prompting and not witness to others. Fear
causes Christians to hide when they should be doing the will of God.
Fear is like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a
hike badly scratched and bruised. "What happened?" asked his wife. "I
met a snake on the trail;' the man answered. "Don't you remember?" the
woman responded. "The ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes
up here are poisonous:' "They don't have to be poisonous if they can
make you jump off a twenty-foot diffl"
Sometimes, even when you know that God says not to fear, fear will
grip your heart when something bad comes into your life. There are a lot
of different challenges that each person faces each day, but God made
a universal statement when He said, "Fear not:' He knows the hurt you
have, yet He says, "Fear not:' He knows the uncertainties and confusion
you face, yet He says, "Fear not:' He knows the trials you face and the
problems you have, yet He says, "Fear not:'
Do you have fear about something in your life? Do you find yourself
worrying about the future or some unknown situation? God says not to
fear, no matter what comes your way, because He holds you in the palm
of His hand. Take that promise with you today and remember to trust
Him when you begin to fear.

LEVITICUS 8 !0 *' MATTHEW 25:31 "46 65

February lJ

God's Love in Us
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.- I ]OHN 4:7-8

od showed us the ultimate sacrifice of love when He died on Calvary.

G He gave us the greatest example of how to love others-to sacrifice
ourselves for another. John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
While we may never be asked to give our lives for someone else, we
can give of ourselves to help them. When we show others that we love
them, they will see God's love in us.
God proved His love to us by dying on the Cross. While God does
not require each of us to die for someone else, He does require that
we love everyone. Mark 12:31 says, " ... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself ..." What a sobering thought! Do you love those around you as
you love yourself? Are you caring for them as you care for yourself?
The very nature of God is one of love. God's holiness demands
justice for the sins of men, but His love reaches out to each person to
redeem them. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for
us! God loves us more than any person could ever love us.
Because God's nature is one oflove and because He has commanded
us to love others, we as God's people should be characterized by love.
When babies are born, they take on the physical nature of their parents.
Even so, when we are born again spiritually, we should take on the
spiritual attributes of God. This includes the characteristic of love.
Do you love others as Jesus loves them? Are you loving them as
you love yourself? Ask God to help you love others today as He would
love them.

6(, LfVITICUS 11 12 ~ MATTHEW 26:1 25

 February 12

God's Love to Us
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- I JoHN 4:9-10

t would have been enough for God to tell us He loved us, yet His death
I on Calvary showed that love to us. As someone once said, "You can give
without loving, but you cannot love without giving." John 3:16 reveals the
very heart of God when it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son ...." That is what Christianity is all about. God loved
us so much that He gave.
A 36-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages
of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days
on vacation while a second physician offered her the hope of living two
to four more years with the grueling side effects of radiation.
She penned the following words to her three small children. "I've
chosen to try to survive for you. This has some horrible costs, including
pain, loss of good humor, and moods I won't be able to control, but I must
try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer.
And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else
will do. For this I intend to struggle tooth and nail, so help me God."
This woman endured painful treatments out oflove for her children.
Jesus gave so much more to offer us salvation. He proved His love when
He endured a grueling death on Calvary for us.
When we love others, we will give to them. Whether it's our time,
our money, or ourselves, we will put their needs above our own. What
have you done lately to manifest your love to others? Ask God to help you
show others your love for them today.

LEVIT!Cl.:S 13 'lt- MATTHEW 26:26 -50 h7

 February 13

God's Love through Us

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man
hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and
he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.- I ]OHN 4:II- 13

od's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us
G unconditionally. Our love for others should reflect the unconditional
love of God. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must
meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only
those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
Romans 5:5 says, ''And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Of our own power, we would not be able to consistently show God's love.
Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to
those who mistreat us.
God wants us to let His love flow through our lives. While some
may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they
may see it through us as believers.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at
lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend
asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said,
"Our mother:' Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon
her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch how we live and what
we let affect our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on
your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone
never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you
the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through
you today.

LEVITICUS l4 * MATTHEW 26:)1 7)

 February 14

'Til Death Do Us Part

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue
of the wise is health.-PROVERBS 12:18

n order to uncover the processes that destroy unions, marital researchers

I study couples over the course of years, and even decades, and retrace
the star-crossed steps of those who have split up back to their wedding day.
What they are discovering is unsettling. None of the factors one would
guess might predict a couple's durability actually does: not how in love
a newlywed couple say they are; how much affection they exchange; how
much they fight or what they fight about. In fact, couples who will endure
and those who won't look remarkably similar in the early days.
Yet when psychologists studied newlyweds over the first decade of
marriage, they found a subtle but telling difference at the beginning of
the relationships. Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5
out of every 100 comments made about each other were insults. Among
couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That
gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill
were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each
other as happy couples. "Hostile putdowns act as cancerous cells that, if
unchecked, erode the relationship over time;' says one researcher. "In the
end, relentless, unremitting negativity takes control and the couple can't
get through a week without major blowups:'
Words hurt and many times have a longer lasting impact than
physical pain. As a couple, you see every side of your spouse-their
strengths and their weaknesses.
How do you respond to your spouse's mistakes? Do you lash out
with harsh words? The next time you become upset, take time to first pray
and ask for God's help in the matter. Then sit down and talk it out. The
more you seek God's help in your problems, the more God will help you
through hard times and draw you closer to Him and to each other.

LEVITICUS 1')- 16 '!to MATTHEW 27:1 26 69

 February 15

His Soon Return

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord.-1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17

o you remember the words of Jesus in John 14, when He said "I will
D come again"? I love to think about that wonderful promise. Jesus
Christ is coming again! Sometimes we call this the "blessed hope" of the
believer. No matter what your circumstance today, you have reason to
hope because of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever tried to imagine the day when Christ will return?
The Bible indicates that instantly all believers will be with the Lord in the
air. We will be with Him forever!
The next time the "outward look" of your life disappoints you, try
the "upward look"-it always helps me to have the right perspective
on life. During times of trial, or when considering how I might serve
the Lord or give to Him more effectively, the soon return of Christ is a
constant motivator in doing the will of God.
Having served in the ministry now for over two decades, our family
has become accustomed to entertaining pastors, missionaries, church
members, and friends in our home on a regular basis. While our home
is fairly organized, there are always those final touches that need to be
taken care of prior to entertaining company. It is not uncommon to tell
one of our children, "Straighten your room," "Take out the trash," or
"Vacuum the living room." We work to have our home ready for those
who are coming.
Is there something in your life today that needs to be cleaned or
better prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ? Let me encourage you
to praise Him for the promise of His coming and then prepare for the
reality of His coming.

70 LEVITICUS 17 18 '((o MATTHEW 27:27 50

 February 16

Full of Grace and Truth

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.-JOHN 1:14

well-known agnostic approached a Christian and said, "Suppose

A you tell my why you are a Christian." The man, knowing he couldn't
match wits with the agnostic hesitated. But the agnostic explained, "I
don't want to argue with you. I just want you to tell me what this Christ
means to you." The man did, and when he fmished, there were tears in
the agnostic's eyes as he said, "I would give my right hand if only I could
believe that!"
Some people would have declined the opportunity to witness to the
agnostic, judging his unbelief and rejecting him for it. Many Christians
claim to know the truth of God's Word, yet they fail to show the grace
of God to those around them. But God's truth and His grace go hand
in hand.
Think of the Samaritan woman. She was an outcast of the city, hated
by the other women for her sin. She was forced to draw water from the
well at mid-day to avoid the ridicule, hypocrisy, and slander by others. Yet
when Jesus saw her sitting at the well, He offered her water from which she
would never thirst again-eternal life. He showed her grace and truth.
Others in her city displayed truth. They saw her sin and rejected it as
being against God's Word. Yet they did not display grace. They condemned
her sin but didn't offer her hope to change.
Christ, the perfect example of grace and truth, did not condone
her sin. But He offered her forgiveness and a new way of life. He
offered hope.
Have you ever seen people living in sin and condemned them for it,
neglecting to witness to them? Rather than judging people for their sin or
avoiding them, reach out to them and show them the truth and grace of
God's Word today!

LFYITICUS 19 20 'it- MATTHEW 27:51 66 7l

 February 17

Sanctification
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your
God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which
sanctify you.-LEVITICUS 20=7-8

anctification is not a word we use a lot today. It means being set apart
S to God and His purpose. It involves God's ownership of our lives and
His holiness in our lives. It entails conforming to His image and fulfilling
His will for our lives. Not many people desire for God to change their
lives and conform them to His image, but sanctification is a part of God's
purpose for our lives.
God's Word is vital in the sanctification process. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Do you apply God's
Word to your life? Do you take the truths and principles found in it and
live them out in your life each day? Sometimes we fall into the routine of
reading God's Word without searching it for truths to apply to our daily
lives. If we desire to be sanctified and set apart unto God, we must not
only read God's Word, but apply God's truths to our lives.
We are also sanctified through the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 6:n
says, ''And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God." As we go about our daily duties, we must ask the Holy Spirit for
help in conforming to Christ and becoming more like Him. We must ask
the Spirit every day to sanctify us.
Do you want to be more like Christ? Do you want Him to have
control of your life? He wants to change us and set us apart so that He can
use us. Give God full control of your life. Spend time in His Word, and
yield to the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification.

72 lEVITICUS 21--22 '11- MATTHEW 28

 February 18

Just a Voice
He must increase, but I must decrease.-JOHN 3:30

ranklin Roosevelt's closest adviser during much of his presidency

F was a man named Harry Hopkins. During World War II, when his
influence with Roosevelt was at its peak, Hopkins held no official Cabinet
position. Moreover, Hopkins' closeness to Roosevelt caused many to
regard him as a shadowy, sinister figure. As a result, he was a major
political liability to the president.
A political foe once asked Roosevelt, "Why do you keep Hopkins
so close to you? You surely realize that people distrust him and resent his
influence." Roosevelt replied, "Someday you may well be sitting here where
I am now as President of the United States. And when you are, you'll ...
learn what a lonely job this is, and you'll discover the need for somebody
like Harry Hopkins, who asks for nothing except to serve you."
When religious leaders inquired of John the Baptist concerning his
purpose and his nature, he told them, in essence, "I am just a voice crying
in the wilderness of the coming of one greater than I" (John 1:23). He
wasn't concerned that they knew his name, his lineage, or even his social
status; he only wanted to point them to Christ.
God has placed you in your wilderness, in your place of residence that
you might be a voice for Him. In your workplace, in your neighborhood,
in your state, there is a great need for men and women who will abandon
any pre-conceived ideas of recognition and glory, and will stand up and
be heard as simply a voice, speaking God's glory.
Have you been serving God out of a humble heart? As you go about
your day, evaluate your service for God. Is there any thought of praise or
recognition for yourself? If so, ask God to remove that prideful spirit and
to replace it with humility. Do not seek to be valued; seek to be a voice,
proclaiming God's glory.

LEVITICUS 23 -24 'It- MARK 1:1 -22 73

 February 19

Joy and Peace

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye
may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
-ROMANS 15:13

ur emotions are easily affected by our circumstances. But as children

0 of God, Christ wants to guide our emotions. He desires to be the
source of hope, joy, and peace in our lives.
The heart is the innermost part of our spiritual being. It is the seat
of our emotions, and it is what controls our emotions. When we fix our
hearts on Christ, He will give us joy. Many look for joy and happiness
through possessions, yet nothing can bring lasting joy into our lives like
Christ. He is the source of all joy! First Peter 1:8 says, "Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full ofglory."
In addition to joy, Christ gives peace. Many have never experienced
the true peace that comes from God alone. Yet, Christ can provide a
peace that calms our hearts during difficult times. When we give God
our hearts, we can trust that He will take care of us. Philippians 4:6-7 says,
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."
Someone once said, "Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of
trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always."
When we go through difficult situations, we can have joy and peace
because we know Christ is with us.
Do you have joy and peace in your life? If not, make sure Christ has
control of your heart. When He controls our hearts, He will be able to
give us joy and peace no matter what we are going through. Spend time
with Christ right now, and let Him have control of your heart today.

7·1 lEVITICUS 25 * MARK !:23 45

 February 20

Focusing on Others
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.-]AMES 1:27

little boy asked his father, "Daddy, what is a Christian?" The father
A thought for a moment and then replied, "A Christian is a person who
loves and obeys God. He loves his friends, his neighbors, and even his
enemies. He is kind and gentle and prays a lot. He looks forward to going
to Heaven and thinks that knowing God is better than anything on this
earth. That, son, is a Christian!" The little boy took a couple of moments
to contemplate what his father had said, and then asked, "Daddy, have
you ever seen a Christian?"
Authentic Christians not only care about the things of God, but
they care about other people as well. We may not always know what
someone is going through, but as we seek to encourage others, God will
lead hurting people across our paths.
I once read of an elderly widow who was restricted in her activities
but was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that
she could be a blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day she
placed this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: "Pianist will play hymns by
phone daily for those who are sick and despondent-the service is free:'
Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred
people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was
able to help encourage them.
We do not have to do something great to encourage other people. It
is often the little things that mean the most to people-the encouraging
note, the plate of cookies, or the email that tells them you're praying for
them. Are you focusing on others and seeking to care for and encourage
them? Ask God to help you focus on others, and purpose to encourage at
least one person today.

LEVITICUS 26 27 '((o- MARK 2 75

February 2]

Made to Serve
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into
the mount of God.- ExoDus 24:13

J oshua was the kind of man who delighted in serving. Moses went up
to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, communing with God. And
Joshua, Moses' minister, waited at the base of the mountain for Moses.
In today's fast-paced, get-ahead society, not many people want to
be a minister or a helper. But Joshua found joy in serving others! Joshua
was exhibiting the attributes of Christ as shown in Mark 10:45, "For even
the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many."
The measure of a man's greatness is not in how many people serve
him, but in how many people he serves. Joshua was a great man and
greatly used in Israel's history because he faithfully ministered to Moses,
God's servant.
God is looking today for men and women who will be servants-
people who will help a neighbor, pass out a Gospel tract, teach a Sunday
school class, sing in the choir, drive a Sunday school bus, or serve in some
capacity for the Lord. Joshua wasn't simply the average Israelite who
complained one day and praised God the next. He jumped into helping
and stayed by Moses' side, seeking to minister to him.
How are you serving the Lord? One of the greatest things you can
do for the Lord is give yourself in service of Him. You may not be able
to sing a solo, but you can help out in the nursery. You may not have the
ability to preach a great sermon, but you can teach a children's Sunday
school class. God does not look at the magnitude in which you serve, but
at the willingness of your heart.
Get involved in your church, and ask how you can serve more. Be
willing to volunteer when help is needed. Seek to serve the Lord any way
you can!

76 NUMBERS I 2 cct- MARK 3:1 19

 February 22

Seeing the Purpose

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
-GENESIS 50:20

ne of golf's immortal moments came when a Scotsman

0 demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully
placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf
and scattered dirt all over the President's beard and surrounding vicinity,
while the ball placidly waited on the tee. Again the Scotsman swung, and
again he missed. The President waited patiently through six tries and
then quietly stated, "There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the
game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball."
The excitement and benefits of golf are lost if you fail to see the
purpose of the game. Even so, the benefits and blessings of a trial are lost
if you fail to see God's purpose in the situation. Early in his life, Joseph
learned that God had a purpose in all that happened to him. He wasn't
treated wrongly because God was angry with him. He went through his
trials as a part of God's divine plan to save his family and nation from
starvation. Joseph was able to forgive his brothers because he recognized
God's purpose through all that had happened.
Many Christians question God during trials because they don't see
God's purpose. While others may wish to do you harm, God has a plan
through it all. God has a way of taking all the wrongs and making them
right. You must simply trust Him.
Are you going through a difficult time right now? Is there some
situation in your life for which you cannot see God's purpose? God often
moves in ways we cannot see or even understand. Choose to trust that
God has a purpose in what you are going through. As you shift your focus
from the problem to the Saviour, you will be able to stay faithful, and He
will be able to work through you!

NUMBERS 3 4 'it- MARK 3:20 35 77

February 23

One-on-One Time
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with
him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written
with the finger ofGod.-EXODUS 3I:I8

hree times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get

T together for what they call a "gratitude lunch." With good reason!
Washington donated a kidney to Stevens, whom he described as "just a
friend." They met at work where they used to have lunch together. One
day Michelle wept as she spoke about waiting on a kidney donor list for
eleven months. She was being sustained by kidney dialysis, but suffered
chronic fatigue and blackouts and was plagued by joint pain. Because
]ermaine couldn't stand the thought of watching his friend die, he gave
her one of his kidneys.
An even greater sacrifice was made when God sacrificed His only
Son to help a sin-sick people. What an act of love! Not only did God
sacrifice His Son out of love, but He also comes to us each day and longs
to meet with us out of love for us.
What a glorious time it must have been for Moses to meet with
God for forty days! Have you ever wanted to just meet with God face to
face or to sit down with Him over a cup of coffee and share your deepest
thoughts to Him? Perhaps you've wanted to seek His personal guidance
for a decision. You can! God is not, as some people think, sitting in
Heaven too busy with the affairs of the world to have time for you. Just
the opposite is true. God is sitting by your side right now, simply waiting
to have time with you.
Spend time with God right now. Forget the cares of this world, and
focus on knowing God more. Let Him speak to you through His Word
and through prayer. God is waiting to answer any question you have for
Him. Spend some one-on-one time with Him today.

7H NUMBERS 5 6 1t- MARK 4:1 20

February 23

One-on-One Time
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with
him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written
with the finger of God.-EXODUS 3I:I8

T hree times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get

together for what they call a "gratitude lunch." With good reason!
Washington donated a kidney to Stevens, whom he described as "just a
friend." They met at work where they used to have lunch together. One
day Michelle wept as she spoke about waiting on a kidney donor list for
eleven months. She was being sustained by kidney dialysis, but suffered
chronic fatigue and blackouts and was plagued by joint pain. Because
Jermaine couldn't stand the thought of watching his friend die, he gave
her one of his kidneys.
An even greater sacrifice was made when God sacrificed His only
Son to help a sin-sick people. What an act of love! Not only did God
sacrifice His Son out oflove, but He also comes to us each day and longs
to meet with us out oflove for us.
What a glorious time it must have been for Moses to meet with
God for forty days! Have you ever wanted to just meet with God face to
face or to sit down with Him over a cup of coffee and share your deepest
thoughts to Him? Perhaps you've wanted to seek His personal guidance
for a decision. You can! God is not, as some people think, sitting in
Heaven too busy with the affairs of the world to have time for you. Just
the opposite is true. God is sitting by your side right now, simply waiting
to have time with you.
Spend time with God right now. Forget the cares of this world, and
focus on knowing God more. Let Him speak to you through His Word
and through prayer. God is waiting to answer any question you have for
Him. Spend some one-on-one time with Him today.

NUMBERS 5~6 'If- MARK4:I ~20

 February 22

Seeing the Purpose

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
-GENESIS 50:20

ne of golf's immortal moments came when a Scotsman

O demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully
placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf
and scattered dirt all over the President's beard and surrounding vicinity,
while the ball placidly waited on the tee. Again the Scotsman swung, and
again he missed. The President waited patiently through six tries and
then quietly stated, "There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the
game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball."
The excitement and benefits of golf are lost if you fail to see the
purpose of the game. Even so, the benefits and blessings of a trial are lost
if you fail to see God's purpose in the situation. Early in his life, Joseph
learned that God had a purpose in all that happened to him. He wasn't
treated wrongly because God was angry with him. He went through his
trials as a part of God's divine plan to save his family and nation from
starvation. Joseph was able to forgive his brothers because he recognized
God's purpose through all that had happened.
Many Christians question God during trials because they don't see
God's purpose. While others may wish to do you harm, God has a plan
through it all. God has a way of taking all the wrongs and making them
right. You must simply trust Him.
Are you going through a difficult time right now? Is there some
situation in your life for which you cannot see God's purpose? God often
moves in ways we cannot see or even understand. Choose to trust that
God has a purpose in what you are going through. As you shift your focus
from the problem to the Saviour, you will be able to stay faithful, and He
will be able to work through you!

NUMBERS 3 4 *' MARK 3:20 35 77

February 21

Made to Serve
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into
the mount ofGod.-Exoous 24:13

oshua was the kind of man who delighted in serving. Moses went up
J to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, communing with God. And
Joshua, Moses' minister, waited at the base of the mountain for Moses.
In today's fast-paced, get-ahead society, not many people want to
be a minister or a helper. But Joshua found joy in serving others! Joshua
was exhibiting the attributes of Christ as shown in Mark 10:45, "For even
the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many."
The measure of a man's greatness is not in how many people serve
him, but in how many people he serves. Joshua was a great man and
greatly used in Israel's history because he faithfully ministered to Moses,
God's servant.
God is looking today for men and women who will be servants-
people who will help a neighbor, pass out a Gospel tract, teach a Sunday
school class, sing in the choir, drive a Sunday school bus, or serve in some
capacity for the Lord. Joshua wasn't simply the average Israelite who
complained one day and praised God the next. He jumped into helping
and stayed by Moses' side, seeking to minister to him.
How are you serving the Lord? One of the greatest things you can
do for the Lord is give yourself in service of Him. You may not be able
to sing a solo, but you can help out in the nursery. You may not have the
ability to preach a great sermon, but you can teach a children's Sunday
school class. God does not look at the magnitude in which you serve, but
at the willingness of your heart.
Get involved in your church, and ask how you can serve more. Be
willing to volunteer when help is needed. Seek to serve the Lord any way
you can!

76 NUMBERS I---2 'CI- MARK 3:1- 19

 February 20

Focusing on Others
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.-JAMES 1:27

little boy asked his father, "Daddy, what is a Christian?" The father
A thought for a moment and then replied, "A Christian is a person who
loves and obeys God. He loves his friends, his neighbors, and even his
enemies. He is kind and gentle and prays a lot. He looks forward to going
to Heaven and thinks that knowing God is better than anything on this
earth. That, son, is a Christian!" The little boy took a couple of moments
to contemplate what his father had said, and then asked, "Daddy, have
you ever seen a Christian?"
Authentic Christians not only care about the things of God, but
they care about other people as well. We may not always know what
someone is going through, but as we seek to encourage others, God will
lead hurting people across our paths.
I once read of an elderly widow who was restricted in her activities
but was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that
she could be a blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day she
placed this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: "Pianist will play hymns by
phone daily for those who are sick and despondent-the service is free."
Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred
people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was
able to help encourage them.
We do not have to do something great to encourage other people. It
is often the little things that mean the most to people-the encouraging
note, the plate of cookies, or the email that tells them you're praying for
them. Are you focusing on others and seeking to care for and encourage
them? Ask God to help you focus on others, and purpose to encourage at
least one person today.

LEVITICUS 20 27 otto MARK 2 75

 February 19

Joy and Peace

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye
may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
-ROMANS 15:13

0 ur emotions are easily affected by our circumstances. But as children

of God, Christ wants to guide our emotions. He desires to be the
source of hope, joy, and peace in our lives.
The heart is the innermost part of our spiritual being. It is the seat
of our emotions, and it is what controls our emotions. When we fix our
hearts on Christ, He will give us joy. Many look for joy and happiness
through possessions, yet nothing can bring lasting joy into our lives like
Christ. He is the source of all joy! First Peter 1:8 says, "Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full ofglory."
In addition to joy, Christ gives peace. Many have never experienced
the true peace that comes from God alone. Yet, Christ can provide a
peace that calms our hearts during difficult times. When we give God
our hearts, we can trust that He will take care of us. Philippians 4:6-7 says,
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."
Someone once said, "Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of
trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always."
When we go through difficult situations, we can have joy and peace
because we know Christ is with us.
Do you have joy and peace in your life? If not, make sure Christ has
control of your heart. When He controls our hearts, He will be able to
give us joy and peace no matter what we are going through. Spend time
with Christ right now, and let Him have control of your heart today.

74 LEVITICUS 25 'l(o MARK !:23 45

 February 18

Justa Voice
He must increase, but I must decrease.-]OHN 3:30

ranklin Roosevelt's closest adviser during much of his presidency

F was a man named Harry Hopkins. During World War II, when his
influence with Roosevelt was at its peak, Hopkins held no official Cabinet
position. Moreover, Hopkins' closeness to Roosevelt caused many to
regard him as a shadowy, sinister figure. As a result, he was a major
political liability to the president.
A political foe once asked Roosevelt, "Why do you keep Hopkins
so close to you? You surely realize that people distrust him and resent his
influence." Roosevelt replied, "Someday you may well be sitting here where
I am now as President of the United States. And when you are, you'll. ..
learn what a lonely job this is, and you'll discover the need for somebody
like Harry Hopkins, who asks for nothing except to serve you."
When religious leaders inquired of John the Baptist concerning his
purpose and his nature, he told them, in essence, "I am just a voice crying
in the wilderness of the coming of one greater than I" (John 1:23). He
wasn't concerned that they knew his name, his lineage, or even his social
status; he only wanted to point them to Christ.
God has placed you in your wilderness, in your place of residence that
you might be a voice for Him. In your workplace, in your neighborhood,
in your state, there is a great need for men and women who will abandon
any pre-conceived ideas of recognition and glory, and will stand up and
be heard as simply a voice, speaking God's glory.
Have you been serving God out of a humble heart? As you go about
your day, evaluate your service for God. Is there any thought of praise or
recognition for yourself? If so, ask God to remove that prideful spirit and
to replace it with humility. Do not seek to be valued; seek to be a voice,
proclaiming God's glory.

LEVITICUS 23 24 <c:fo MARK 1:1 22

 February 17

Sanctification
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LoRD your
God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LoRD which
sanctify you.- LEVITICUS 20:7-8

anctification is not a word we use a lot today. It means being set apart
S to God and His purpose. It involves God's owner:;hip of our lives and
His holiness in our lives. It entails conforming to His image and fulfilling
His will for our lives. Not many people desire for God to change their
lives and conform them to His image, but sanctification is a part of God's
purpose for our lives.
God's Word is vital in the sanctification process. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Do you apply God's
Word to your life? Do you take the truths and principles found in it and
live them out in your life each day? Sometimes we fall into the routine of
reading God's Word without searching it for truths to apply to our daily
lives. If we desire to be sanctified and set apart unto God, we must not
only read God's Word, but apply God's truths to our lives.
We are also sanctified through the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 6:u
says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God." As we go about our daily duties, we must ask the Holy Spirit for
help in conforming to Christ and becoming more like Him. We must ask
the Spirit every day to sanctify us.
Do you want to be more like Christ? Do you want Him to have
control of your life? He wants to change us and set us apart so that He can
use us. Give God full control of your life. Spend time in His Word, and
yield to the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification.

72 LEVITICUS 21--22 'If- MATTHEW 28

 February 16

Full of Grace and Truth

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.-JOHN I:I4

well-known agnostic approached a Christian and said, "Suppose

A you tell my why you are a Christian." The man, knowing he couldn't
match wits with the agnostic hesitated. But the agnostic explained, "I
don't want to argue with you. I just want you to tell me what this Christ
means to you." The man did, and when he finished, there were tears in
the agnostic's eyes as he said, "I would give my right hand if only I could
believe that!"
Some people would have declined the opportunity to witness to the
agnostic, judging his unbelief and rejecting him for it. Many Christians
claim to know the truth of God's Word, yet they fail to show the grace
of God to those around them. But God's truth and His grace go hand
in hand.
Think of the Samaritan woman. She was an outcast of the city, hated
by the other women for her sin. She was forced to draw water from the
well at mid-day to avoid the ridicule, hypocrisy, and slander by others. Yet
when Jesus saw her sitting at the well, He offered her water from which she
would never thirst again-eternal life. He showed her grace and truth.
Others in her city displayed truth. They saw her sin and rejected it as
being against God's Word. Yet they did not display grace. They condemned
her sin but didn't offer her hope to change.
Christ, the perfect example of grace and truth, did not condone
her sin. But He offered her forgiveness and a new way of life. He
offered hope.
Have you ever seen people living in sin and condemned them for it,
neglecting to witness to them? Rather than judging people for their sin or
avoiding them, reach out to them and show them the truth and grace of
God's Word today!

LFVITICUS I':) 20 ~-- MATTHEW 27)1 (,() 71

 February 15

His Soon Return

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord.~- I THESSALONIANS 4:16 ~ 17

o you remember the words of Jesus in John 14, when He said "I will
D come again"? I love to think about that wonderful promise. Jesus
Christ is coming again! Sometimes we call this the "blessed hope" of the
believer. No matter what your circumstance today, you have reason to
hope because of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever tried to imagine the day when Christ will return?
The Bible indicates that instantly all believers will be with the Lord in the
air. We will be with Him forever!
The next time the "outward look" of your life disappoints you, try
the "upward look"-it always helps me to have the right perspective
on life. During times of trial, or when considering how I might serve
the Lord or give to Him more effectively, the soon return of Christ is a
constant motivator in doing the will of God.
Having served in the ministry now for over two decades, our family
has become accustomed to entertaining pastors, missionaries, church
members, and friends in our home on a regular basis. While our home
is fairly organized, there are always those final touches that need to be
taken care of prior to entertaining company. It is not uncommon to tell
one of our children, "Straighten your room," "Take out the trash;' or
"Vacuum the living room." We work to have our home ready for those
who are coming.
Is there something in your life today that needs to be cleaned or
better prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ? Let me encourage you
to praise Him for the promise of His coming and then prepare for the
reality of His coming.

70 LEVITICUS 17 18 'If> MATTHEW 27=27--<;0

 February 14

'Til Death Do Us Part

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue
of the wise is health.-PROVERBS 12:18

n order to uncover the processes that destroy unions, marital researchers

I study couples over the course of years, and even decades, and retrace
the star-crossed steps of those who have split up back to their wedding day.
What they are discovering is unsettling. None of the factors one would
guess might predict a couple's durability actually does: not how in love
a newlywed couple say they are; how much affection they exchange; how
much they fight or what they fight about. In fact, couples who will endure
and those who won't look remarkably similar in the early days.
Yet when psychologists studied newlyweds over the first decade of
marriage, they found a subtle but telling difference at the beginning of
the relationships. Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5
out of every 100 comments made about each other were insults. Among
couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That
gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill
were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each
other as happy couples. "Hostile putdowns act as cancerous cells that, if
unchecked, erode the relationship over time;' says one researcher. "In the
end, relentless, unremitting negativity takes control and the couple can't
get through a week without major blowups."
Words hurt and many times have a longer lasting impact than
physical pain. As a couple, you see every side of your spouse-their
strengths and their weaknesses.
How do you respond to your spouse's mistakes? Do you lash out
with harsh words? The next time you become upset, take time to first pray
and ask for God's help in the matter. Then sit down and talk it out. The
more you seek God's help in your problems, the more God will help you
through hard times and draw you closer to Him and to each other.

LlVJTJCU~ I') 16 ocfo MATT!IE\V 27:1 2(>

 February 13

God's Love through Us

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man
hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and
he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.-1 ]OHN 4:II-I3

od's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us
G unconditionally. Our love for others should reflect the unconditional
love of God. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must
meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only
those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Of our own power, we would not be able to consistently show God's love.
Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to
those who mistreat us.
God wants us to let His love flow through our lives. While some
may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they
may see it through us as believers.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at
lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend
asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said,
"Our mother." Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon
her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch how we live and what
we let affect our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on
your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone
never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you
the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through
you today.

6S LEVITICUS 14 .,S. MATTH[W 26:')1 75

 February 12

God's Love to Us
In this was mamfested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- I JOHN 4:9-IO

t would have been enough for God to tell us He loved us, yet His death
I on Calvary showed that love to us. As someone once said, "You can give
without loving, but you cannot love without giving." John 3:16 reveals the
very heart of God when it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son ...." That is what Christianity is all about. God loved
us so much that He gave.
A 36-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages
of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days
on vacation while a second physician offered her the hope of living two
to four more years with the grueling side effects of radiation.
She penned the following words to her three small children. "I've
chosen to try to survive for you. This has some horrible costs, including
pain, loss of good humor, and moods I won't be able to control, but I must
try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer.
And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else
will do. For this I intend to struggle tooth and nail, so help me God:'
This woman endured painful treatments out oflove for her children.
Jesus gave so much more to offer us salvation. He proved His love when
He endured a grueling death on Calvary for us.
When we love others, we will give to them. Whether it's our time,
our money, or ourselves, we will put their needs above our own. What
have you done lately to manifest your love to others? Ask God to help you
show others your love for them today.

L !V!TllTS I) '"'" fvL\TTllEW 26:26 so 67

 February 11

God's Love in Us
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.- I }OHN 4=7-8

od showed us the ultimate sacrifice oflove when He died on Calvary.

G He gave us the greatest example of how to love others-to sacrifice
ourselves for another. John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
While we may never be asked to give our lives for someone else, we
can give of ourselves to help them. When we show others that we love
them, they will see God's love in us.
God proved His love to us by dying on the Cross. While God does
not require each of us to die for someone else, He does require that
we love everyone. Mark 12:31 says, "... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. ..." What a sobering thought! Do you love those around you as
you love yourself? Are you caring for them as you care for yourself?
The very nature of God is one of love. God's holiness demands
justice for the sins of men, but His love reaches out to each person to
redeem them. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for
us! God loves us more than any person could ever love us.
Because God's nature is one oflove and because He has commanded
us to love others, we as God's people should be characterized by love.
When babies are born, they take on the physical nature of their parents.
Even so, when we are born again spiritually, we should take on the
spiritual attributes of God. This includes the characteristic of love.
Do you love others as Jesus loves them? Are you loving them as
you love yourself? Ask God to help you love others today as He would
love them.

6(i LEVITICUS II 12 * MATTHEW 26:1- 25

 February ] 0

Fear vs. Faith

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.- ISAIAH 41:10

ear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates.
F Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith
encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. Fear is very active in the life of
someone who is not focused on the promises of God's Word.
Fear causes Christians to run when they should stand. It causes
Christians to leave their marriage when they should not. It causes
Christians to disobey God's prompting and not witness to others. Fear
causes Christians to hide when they should be doing the will of God.
Fear is like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a
hike badly scratched and bruised. "What happened?" asked his wife. "I
met a snake on the trail;' the man answered. "Don't you remember?" the
woman responded. "The ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes
up here are poisonous." "They don't have to be poisonous if they can
make you jump off a twenty-foot cliff!"
Sometimes, even when you know that God says not to fear, fear will
grip your heart when something bad comes into your life. There are a lot
of different challenges that each person faces each day, but God made
a universal statement when He said, "Fear not." He knows the hurt you
have, yet He says, "Fear not." He knows the uncertainties and confusion
you face, yet He says, "Fear not." He knows the trials you face and the
problems you have, yet He says, "Fear not."
Do you have fear about something in your life? Do you find yourself
worrying about the future or some unknown situation? God says not to
fear, no matter what comes your way, because He holds you in the palm
of His hand. Take that promise with you today and remember to trust
Him when you begin to fear.
February 9

When Little Is Much

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:
but what are they among so many? ... And Jesus took the loaves; and when
he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples
to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they
would.-}OHN 6:9, II

T housands of hungry people surrounded Christ. There wasn't enough

money to buy food for everyone, but a little boy with a small lunch
was willing to give his lunch to Jesus. This lunch wasn't very much, but
he gave it all.
Sometimes Christians can think they don't have much to offer
Christ. But they fail to see the bigger picture. It isn't about what talent
you have or what you can do alone; it's about what God wants to do
through you. God doesn't require a certain talent; He only requires your
willingness to be used by Him.
This young boy gave all that he had, and a wonderful thing took
place! Jesus distributed the bread and fish until the entire crowd had
been fed "as much as they would." Aren't you glad that God delights in
blessing the simple things of this life? First Corinthians 1:27 says, "But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty."
When you give your life to God, no matter where you've been or
what you've been tluough, He will use it for His glory. All you need is
faith and a willingness to serve God.
Does God have your life today? Maybe you dedicated your life to
Him years ago, but are you still living by faith in Him? Let God have full
control of every aspect of your life. All God wants from you is your all.
Offer what you have to Him, just like the little lad did with the lunch, and
remember that little is much when God is in it.

lEVITICUS 6 -7 'iC- MATTHEW 25:1 30

 February 8

Passing the Test

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come
unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that
these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew
what he would do.-]OHN 6:5-6

ests-it seems as if you never outgrow them. In John 6, Jesus presented

T a test to one of His disciples, Philip. It wasn't a written test. It wasn't
multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer. It was a test of faith.
When presented with the problem of feeding over five thousand
men, women, and children, Jesus asked Philip for his advice, "Whence
shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" And of course, this was a test, for
Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do.
Sometimes the Lord will test your faith. He will allow a circumstance
or difficult situation into your life, and you will have the opportunity to
choose either to trust Him or to trust in your flesh.
Philip responded to Christ's test by saying, "Lord, we don't have
very much money. We can't feed all these people with what we have."
Philip failed the test of faith by looking to what he had instead of who
Christ was.
Have you ever wondered why Philip didn't step back and realize to
whom he was speaking? He was with Almighty God, whom he had seen
do many miracles, yet Philip looked to the things of this world for help.
We, too, tend to look to the things of this world to help us rather
than looking to God. Some look to possessions, wealth, human knowledge
and other things when life becomes difficult. But only Jesus can make a
way when there seems to be no way.
God will periodically bring times of testing into your life. There will
be low finances, physical sickness, and difficult times in your life. Rather
than looking to your own strength, look to God for help. He is presenting
a test of faith to you. Will you pass it by relying upon Him?

LF\ IT!Cl :s -1- 'ti- tv!ATTIILW 24:2<) )I

 February 7

He Sees
jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him ....
-JOHN6:5

T here is one word in this verse that made all the difference in the world.
It changed the situation Jesus was in, and it can change your situation
today. Notice the verb saw.
Jesus saw the multitudes. He had a lot of things going on at that
time, yet He saw the needs of those around Him. When Jesus Christ saw
the people, He saw their need. He felt their need.
Before you were born, God loved you and He knew your needs.
God cares about your needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
and all throughout the year. He never takes a vacation. He never breaks
for holidays. He is always there, and He always cares.
No one cares about you more than God. Even your parents, who
have cared for you and invested much time and money into you since the
day you were born, don't have as much love and compassion for you as
God has. Your parents may want what's best for you and may seek to help
you out when you need them, but God loves you so much more.
Whatever God allows into your life is for your benefit. What may
look like a mistake or an accident to you, never is with God. He is in
control of everything you go through. Yes, God allows suffering, but it's
not to hurt you; it is for your good and your benefit.
God loved you so much that He gave you the most precious thing
He had-His own Son. Rather than believing the devil's lies, look to
God's Word and claim the promise of Romans 8:28, ''And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Accept God's will, and trust that He is
working for your good. Know that He cares about you!

62 LEVITICUS 1- i ~~- MATTI-IEW 24:1 28

 February 6

Spending Time with Christ

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woma11 named Martha received him into her house. And she
had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled al10ut many things: But one thing is
needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part .. .. -LUKE 10:38-42

hen I was in Israel, I had the opportunity to visit the village of

W Bethany (modern day al-Eizaraya), the home of Mary, Martha, and
Lazarus, friends of Christ. What an exciting day it must have been for them
to host Christ in their home! As they heard of Christ's soon arrival, Martha
immediately began preparing her house.
She worked so hard that she was "cumbered" about with serving. She
was flustered and "stressed out." She was so busy serving Christ that she
failed to spend time with Him.
Sometimes the stress of schedules and to-do lists affect us spiritually.
Spending time with Christ gets drowned out by work, caring for the
children, or even ministry. We can be so busy serving Christ that we fail to
spend time with Him, but just as with Martha, Christ wants to fellowship
with us.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God." Christ does not want us to be so busy about things in life that
we neglect to spend time with Him! We must come to Him and let Him
give us strength for each day.
Are you taking time to fellowship with Christ each day? Don't let
your service for Him replace your relationship with Him. Ask Christ to
help you seek Him first each day.

Fxunu~ )9 -to 'lt- MATTH LW :q:23 19 61

February 5

Listen and Receive

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is
able to save your souls.-]AMES 1:19-21

hrist speaks to each of us through His Word, but we must listen in

C order to hear Him. Sometimes we are guilty of reading God's Word
simply because that's what we are "supposed to do." We will never hear
from God if we are not first willing to hear from Him. As we approach
His Word, we must ask Him to speak to us, and we must willingly listen
to Him.
Not only should we be willing to listen to Christ, but we must also
be willing to receive the instruction and direction Christ gives us from
His Word.
Christ desires to change us and grow our faith, but He cannot if we
refuse to receive and obey the commands from His Word. God may ask
you to do something you don't think you can do. He may be stretching
your faith in Him. Be willing to listen to His commands and obey them
no matter what! God will never ask you to do something that you cannot
do through His strength!
I'm sure D.L. Moody never thought he could see thousands saved,
build a great church, and impact America for Christ, but as he remained
faithful and willingly obeyed God, he was used of God in a great way.
Friend, there is no telling what God wants to do with our lives! Yet, we
may never know if we are not willing to listen to and receive what He has
for our lives.
Are you willing to listen and receive what God has for you today?
Take time today to listen to God through His Word. Open your heart to
His will for your life and willingly receive His guidance.

60 EXODUS 36 38 'iC-- MATTHEW 23:1 22

 February4

God's Powerful Word

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.-HEBREWS 4:12

T he famous preacher, Gipsy Smith, told of a man who said he had

received no inspiration from the Bible although he had "gone through
it several times." "Let it go through you once," replied Smith, "then you
will tell a different story!" God's Word has the power to change our lives
if we will let it.
God's Word has the power to convict us of sin in our lives. When
we read the Word of God, it will show us our sin and cause us to want
to repent.
We should not get upset when we are convicted; we should welcome
conviction. God convicts those He loves! It is a privilege for us that God
would care enough about us to show us when we have strayed and to
compel us to come back to Him!
God's Word also has the power to protect us. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." When we
read God's Word and hide it in our hearts, we will have an answer for the
devil when he attacks us. As D.L. Moody once said, ''A Bible that is falling
apart usually belongs to someone who is not." The Word of God has the
power to protect us against Satan's attacks.
Even though God's Word has this power, it is of no use to us if
we are not spending time reading it each day with an open heart and a
listening ear. Is God's Word powerful in your life? Don't let your Bible
reading become so routine to you that you fail to hear from God. Let
Him convict you of sin, and hide His Word in your heart. Discover the
power of God's Word for you.

~')
February 3

Faith Displayed
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.-]AMES 2:17

bedience is faith displayed. This is clearly seen in yesterday's

0 account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River in its flood stage
in obedience to God. It would have done no good for the Israelites to say
they trusted God and yet not obey Him. When He commanded them
to pass over the deep and turbulent Jordan River, they not only had
to choose to trust God, they also had to act on that choice. Their faith
was displayed by their obedience, and their obedience was rewarded by
God's miraculous intervention of parting the water for them to cross on
dry ground.
We may say we have faith in God, but if we are not obeying Him,
our faith is in vain. We must not only trust God, but we must step out in
faith and obey Him as well.
Many times we do not obey God because we do not truly trust Him,
but when we obey God, we demonstrate our trust in Him. Do you trust
that God knows what's best for you and desires to provide more for you
than what you could do for yourself? Then choose to obey Him! He has
everything under control, and He will not lead you astray. When you are
walking in obedience to Him, you are in the safest place possible-the
center of His will.
Have you avoided obeying God because you were afraid to trust
Him? It takes faith to obey, yet we can never see His blessings in our lives
if we are not willing to obey Him. There may be some apprehension and
fear, but don't let that stop you from obeying Him. Ask God to give you
strength to have faith to obey Him.

5R EXODUS 31 33 <Jto MATTHEW 22:1 22

 February 2

Stretch Your Faith

And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the
covenant of the LoRD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it,
then ye shall removefrom your place, and go after it.-JOSHUA 3:3

ave you ever come to a place in your Christian life where going
H forward for God required a major step of faith? At such times, we
must choose to trust God and reap the rewards or remain where we are
and miss out on His blessings.
In 1893, engineer George Ferris built a machine that bears his
name-the Ferris wheel. Upon its completion, he invited a newspaper
reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. Despite
the wind on that July day, Ferris still chose to ride. The wheel turned
flawlessly. No one would have known the joys of riding this invention
had Ferris not had the faith to get on it. Even so, we cannot know the
blessings of God until we stretch our faith and trust Him.
The Israelites approached a turning point in their lives when God
commanded them to cross the Jordan River-at its flood stage. God chose
this method to bring them to the Promised Land because He wanted to
stretch their faith. He rewarded their faith with a miraculous parting of
the water.
We all have times when we must choose to obey by faith. It may be
in the area of finances, a life calling, or raising a family. We cannot stretch
our faith in God if we do not obey Him. When He asks us to take a step
of faith, we must obey His command. Many times we will not be able to
see how everything will work, but when we choose to obey, our faith will
be strengthened, and we will learn to trust Him more.
Is there a step of faith God wants you to take? Let God have control,
and step out in faith. Ask Him to give you strength and stretch your faith
in God by obeying Him today.
February l

He Already Paid for It

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,
as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from
your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot:- I PETER u8-19

was once given a beautiful gift by a fellow pastor. It was a sword that
I is used by the Marines, and on the case surrounding the sword are the
words, "Earned. Never Given." I appreciated the gift and the significance
those words hold for the Marines serving our country. As I look at that
sword from time to time, I am reminded that salvation is just the opposite:
salvation is given-never earned.
There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven. Even our
best efforts are stained with our self-righteousness. "But we are all as
an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away"
(Isaiah 64:6).
Christ already paid for your sin, and He offers salvation as a free gift.
He died out oflove for you. His motivation for enduring the pain and the
shame of Calvary wasn't because Pilate sentenced Him to death.It wasn't
because Roman guards threatened Him. He went to the Cross willingly
because He loves you.
If you have received Christ as your Saviour, He has forgiven your
sin-He has paid for it all. Many Christians, however, live under the
weight of past failures and sin. Don't let the devil discourage you this
way. God has already paid for your sin. Put it behind you, and remember
God's promise in Psalm 103:12, '/is far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us."

56 EXODUS 27 28 'tfo MATTHEW 21:1 22

January 31

The Brightest Light

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by US.-2 CORINTHIANS 1:20

T he great pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson was the first to take the
Gospel to the country of Burma. He buried his wife and several of his
children on the mission field, remarried, and then lost his second wife
to disease as well. He spent months in prison during Burma's war with
England when he was suspected of being a spy even though he was an
American. Judson labored for seven years before seeing his first convert.
Still, through all that difficulty, Judson remained committed to his
calling. He translated the Bible into Burmese and established a number of
churches. Even today, despite intense persecution over decades, there are
descendants of Judson's converts serving God in Burma. One of Judson's
favorite sayings was: "The future is as bright as the promises of God." To
Judson, the promises of God were living and powerful words that could
transform heartache to joy and years of labor into a joyous harvest.
We all have difficult times in our lives. What happens when you're
fired from work? Do you trust God's promise to provide? What about
when your health fails? Do you trust God's promise of protection? The
only way you will be able to make it through difficult times is if you rely
upon the promises of God.
When you have faith in God's promises, there is hope in even
the darkest of nights. Never doubt God's promises. From provision, to
protection, to a home in Heaven for those who trust in Him, our God has
promised us so much!
Are you going through a difficult circumstance today? Does there
seem to be no "light at the end of the tunnel"? Friend, if you are a child
of God, you can trust His promises! Search God's Word for His promises
today. Then apply them to your life and rely on God and His promises
when difficulties arise.

54 EXODUS 2) 26 * MATTHEW 20:!7 34

 January 30

The Loose Connection

I am do all things through Christ which strengthcncth me.
-PHILIPPIANS 4:I3

n a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new

I missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school
near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and
had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park
on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure
for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary
came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his
arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking
under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary
interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose
cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch,
and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years
needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time.
Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
God has the power to help us accomplish great things for Him. But
the "loose connection" could be our unwillingness to turn to Him and
seek His strength during difficulties.
When you do something in the name of God and strive to please
Him with your life, God will give you strength. God has already won the
war! He has the victory and offers it to each of us as His children as long
as we are living for Him.
What are you trying to accomplish in your life? What are you doing
for the Lord? Never forget that God has enough resources, strength,
protection, and grace to help you accomplish whatever you are doing for
Him. You must simply turn to Him in faith and seek His help.
January 29

Carried Any Donkeys Lately?

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet
pleased men, I should not be the servant ofChrist.-GALATIANS I:IO

A n old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about
an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they
walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy
was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for
not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back. When
they came to the next village, the people said the old man was crud to
let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off
and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way. In the
third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old
man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man
climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople
were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry
two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down
the road.
We may laugh, but this story makes a good point: We can't please
everybody, and if we try, we end up carrying a heavy burden. Striving to
please your boss, spouse, children, relatives, pastor, teacher, and friends
all at the same time does more than put you out of sorts; it derails you
from your main purpose-to please God first.
Pleasing God first is much easier said than done. Pleasing God may
consist ofless overtime and more soulwinning. It may consist ofless "sdf"
time but more family time. Sometimes pleasing God means stepping out
of your comfort zone. It may mean rearranging your priorities.
Examine your schedule and your priorities. Is pleasing God at the
top of your list? Or, have you been carrying too many donkeys latdy?

52 EXODUS 21 22 'Cf- MATTHEW l')

 Januarv 28

Search Me, 0 God

Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And sec if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting-PSALM 139:23-24

hat would it take for you to be like a John Wesley, Amy Carmichael,
W John Bunyan, or George Whitefield? What is it that separates the
heroic saint from the average Christian? These godly saints had one thing in
common-they committed themselves to grow in the Lord. They ignored
the pull of mediocrity and dedicated themselves to maturing spiritually.
You and I have the same potential to be used of God. The questions
to ask that differentiate the average from the stagnant are: "Are you
growing spiritually?" and "Are you doing something today to better
mature yourself in the Lord?" Carefully consider each question below;
examine your spiritual growth; and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you in
areas that need to be changed:
Am I faithful to spend time in God's Word and in prayer?
Do I smile and have a kind word for people, regardless of how I
feel physically?
Do I tell the truth?
Do I ask the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, patience, and longsuffering
to handle the problems and circumstances of each day?
Do I have anything (book, tool, money, etc.) in my possession that
does not rightly belong to me?
Do I get easily offended?
Is the reputation or character of another person safe in my hands?
Is jealousy in my own heart causing problems with other people?
Do I have secret sins that I make excuses for?
Don't let today be just another day. Before facing your daily routines,
determine to make today different! Examine your Christian life, mature
in your spiritual walk, and ask the Holy Spirit for strength to help you
change to be more like our Lord.

IXUD\1~ J<J 2U '"" i\IXrTHI.W Jl'\:21 )'i

January 27

Developing God's Goodness

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation--! PETER 2:12

f we are to show goodness to others, we must first understand the

I difference between doing good and being good. Doing good relates to
how we act on the outside. When we serve in the nursery, sing in the
choir, or help someone who is hurting, we are doing good. But being
good has to do with who we are on the inside. It is when we make the
right decisions and honor God even when no one is around. We can only
develop this goodness as we do two things.
First, we develop goodness in our lives through God's Word.
Contrary to what some people believe, we don't know what is good by
our own feelings. If you've made many decisions based on your "gut
feeling;' you probably know that feeling isn't always right.
We cannot have goodness in our lives without spending time in
God's Word each day. As we spend time with God, He will convict us and
draw us closer to Himself. He will help us develop goodness.
Second, we develop goodness as we walk with God each day. While
this ind udes spending time in His Word, it also includes active witnessing
and service for Him. As we see in today's verse, the early believers had
many accusations made against them, but their goodness shone through
their works, giving God the glory.
Are you developing God's goodness in your life today? Are you
spending time in His Word, serving Him, and witnessing to others? We
cannot always trust our feelings to tell us what is good, but as we develop
God's goodness we can display His goodness to others. Spend time with
God right now and ask Him to help you develop His goodness in your
life. Also take time to read His Word, serve Him, and witness to someone
else today!

50 EXODUS 16- 18 "'" MATTHEW 18:1 -20

 J<mtwry 2()

Do You Trust Him?

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LoRD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not /;e room enough to receive it.-MALACHI 3:10

asketball player and Christian A.C. Green once commented on

B tithing: "When you get paid, you first give God His tithe. When I was
making six dollars an hour, I learned to tithe, which was difficult because
there was so little money. Now I had to learn to tithe off a thousand times
that amount, which could have been difficult because it was so much
money. I gave God His ten percent and even more off the top; I learned to
give it willingly. The government takes almost half of my pay right off the
top. Basketball agents can get up to four percent. An endorsement agent
will get between ten and twenty percent. So why should I take my check,
subtract taxes and expenses and give God a tithe off what's left? Everyone
else gets his cut out of me based on the gross, so why shouldn't God?"
One reason Christians fail to give to God is because they do not
trust Him to supply their needs. We want to know how we will pay the
bills and buy groceries if we give to God. We want to see how God will
provide for us if we obey His command to give. We do not trust Him.
Today, God is telling us to prove Him. He commands us to give to
Him, and He has promised to provide for our needs. He wants us to say,
"God, I cannot see how I will be able to provide for my family, but I trust
You. I am proving You are God."
Do you trust that God will provide for you as you obey His
command to give? Prove God today. Trust God fully, and let Him show
His power by providing for you miraculously.

f X()llLS J4 !<; ,,t- i\1 \l T!HW 17

January 25

The Unstrung Bow

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard
his word.-LVKE 10:39

n Athenian one day found Aesop at play with a company of little boys
A at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh at him for it.
Aesop quietly took a bow, unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then
calling the censorious Athenian said, "Now, expound the riddle, and tell,
if you can, what the unstrung bow implies." The man, after racking his
brains for awhile, at last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to
make of it. "Why," said Aesop, laughing, "if you keep a bow always bent,
it will soon break, but if you sometimes let it go slack, it will be the fitter
for use when you want it:'
Just as a bow is more fit for use when it is rested from its usual
tension, so we as humans are better equipped to serve for Christ when we
take time to rest and build up our strength in Him.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She took a moment to rest with her Lord and
listen to Him speak. While Martha worried about the outward appearance
of her house when Christ came, Mary took time to sit at His feet.
Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LoRD." If we don't find our rest
in the Lord and set aside time to spend with Him, we will turn to other
outlets to find peace. People turn to the pleasures of this world to relieve
stress. But the only true place to find rest is in the Lord.
Where do you find your rest? We were not made to keep going
without any rest. God wants us to step away from the pressures of our
day and spend time alone with Him. Plan time to spend time with God
daily-let God strengthen and refresh you in His Word!

48 EXODUS 12 13 'It- MATTHEW 16

 January 24

Come unto Me
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light. -MATTHEW II:28-30

once heard a story of a pet store delivery truck that was experiencing
I difficulty. At every stoplight the driver would get out and hit the sides
of the truck with a wooden board. When someone finally asked him what
he was doing, the driver responded, "This is only a two- ton truck, and I
am carrying four tons of canaries, so I have got to keep two tons of them
in the air all the time."
This is a good picture of many of our lives! It may seem as if while
we are going down life's road, we have to keep stopping to make sure
everything is in order. But Christ wants us to commit our lives to Him.
When we commit our lives to Him, He will give us rest and relief from
our burdens. We do not have to worry about what will happen to us, but
we can entrust our lives to God's care.
Amy Carmichael was a missionary to South India for fifty-six years,
never returning home to Ireland for a furlough. An accident damaged
her leg and left her bedridden for the last twenty years of her life. It was
during those years in bed that she wrote most of her forty books. God
used her experience of suffering to bring encouragement to millions of
people. As Amy remained committed to Christ, He gave her rest and used
her to touch many lives.
A life of commitment to Christ includes living for God no matter
the burdens or trials we go through. Are you living a life of commitment
to our Lord? When trials or difficulties come into your life, bring
them to the Lord, and He will give you rest and bring blessing out of
your burdens.

J:XUl)liS ') II ~fo :f"viATTill:W 1'):21 ~9 47

January 23

One Requirement
And joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as
for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.-GENESIS 50:19-20

T hrough all the trials Joseph experienced, it could be said that he was
always faithful to God. Joseph's journey was a journey of faithfulness.
First Corinthians 4:2 says, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful." God says, "I have one requirement of you. I want you to
be faithful." God has given His children many different talents but there
is only one thing He requires that all Christians can do-be faithful.
Joseph could have quit many times throughout his life. He could
have given up when his brothers laughed at him after he relayed his
dreams to them. He could have quit when his brothers sold him into
slavery. He could have quit after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife,
or when he was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten by the butler after the
butler promised to help him. So many times Joseph could have given up
on God, yet he remained faithful.
Friend, there may be times in your life when discouragement comes.
You may see that others are being blessed or that others are being used
differently than you, but know one thing-God wants you to be faithful.
God has one requirement for your life.lt's not for you to sing in the
church choir, help in the nursery, or help out your neighbors (although
He is pleased when you do these things). God only requires you to
be faithful.
Are you being faithful to God today? Are you faithfully reading His
Word, serving Him, and telling others of His salvation? Do not let Satan
discourage you by showing you the lives of other Christians. God doesn't
want you to be like others; He simply wants you to be faithful to Him.

46 EXODUS 7-8 'ito MATTHEW 1):!- 20

 _bnuary 22

In the Midst of Giants

And the Philistine said unto David, Am l a dog, that thou comest to me
with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
- I SAMUEL 17:43

oliath was a nine-foot giant who shouted threats and cursed God's
G people on a daily basis. As Goliath cried out against God and
threatened the armies oflsrael, King Saul and his armies cowered and hid
from the Philistines. No one wanted to enter a seemingly one-sided fight
with the giant. But when everyone else hid from the challenge, David
realized that this battle was not only a battle between the Philistines and
the children of Israel, but it was a battle of the God of Israel and the gods
of the Philistines.
David was concerned that the enemies of God would speak out
against his God. It angered him with a holy anger that others would mock
the one he loved. Rather than looking at the size of Goliath, David looked
at the size of his God and realized that with God all things are possible.
We need Christians like David today. When others mock Christianity
or the Lord, we need people who will boldly take a stand and determine
to move forward in faith with the cause to further the Gospel.
Attacks on God and His people are nothing new. The devil has
targeted Christians ever since the days of Christ, but the threats of others
should not stop us from telling people about Christ. People may ridicule,
demean, or even threaten you, but Christ has commanded us to stand,
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Have you ever been discouraged by all the attacks against God
and His people? Friend, the only reason Christianity is being attacked
is because the devil knows how powerful Spirit-filled Christians are!
Determine today that no matter what may come your way, you will stand
up for Christ and follow Him.
 January 2J

God's Selection Process

... the LoRD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LoRD looketh on the heart.-I SAMUEL 16:7

od's selection of David to be the next king was not based on David's
G outward attributes or talents but on his heart. What a wonderful
moment in David's life! He was being chosen to rule the nation of Israel.
It is also a wonderful moment when God uses us as His children. We are
blessed to be a part of the plan of God!
Robert Murray McCheyne wrote this to a friend just after that
friend had been ordained: "In great measure, according to the purity and
perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents
God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful
[profound] weapon in the hand of God."
It did not matter how David played the harp, handled the flocks,
or shot an arrow. All David's physical talents were secondary to his heart
for God. He thought about God, sang to God, and read the Word of God.
Because he desired to please God with his life, God chose him to be the
next king of Israel.
God is not looking for someone who can sing the best solo, preach
the best sermon, or outperform others. All the talent in this world means
nothing if you are not following God and seeking to know Him more.
God desires a heart that is wholly committed to Him.
Do you ever feel inadequate, as if God cannot use you? Don't look
at your outward abilities to evaluate whether or not God can use you.
God uses those who have a heart for Him. Get involved at church and
start serving God in whatever way you can! God will use you if you have
a heart for Him.

44 EXODUS I 3 * MATTHEW 14:1- 21

 Januarv 20 ~

David or Saul?
And the LoRD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with
oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided
me a king among his sons.-I SAMUEL 16:1

o king in Israel's history was more loved and more mentioned than
N David. David, a man after God's own heart, was used by God to
bring the nation of Israel out of obscurity and into great power during
that time in history. David was called to be a king of Israel at a young age
while he was tending to his father's sheep.
Saul, the current king when David was anointed, had once been
sensitive toward the things of God. Yet as time went on, he fell out of
fellowship with God. God was saddened because of the wicked life Saul
and His people had chosen to live. It was because of Saul's rebellion that
God sought for another king.
God chose David to be the next king because he had a passion to
know and serve God. He didn't sit by and watch others serve the Lord. He
volunteered to help in any area needed. He gave God his heart, and he
served Him out of love.
Today, God is still looking for men and women who will give Him
their whole hearts. Too many Christians have the mentality of Saul.
They've become complacent in their Christianity. They take things for
granted like souls saved, people baptized, and lives transformed. They go
through the routine of Christianity without truly serving God with their
whole hearts.
Who are you more like-David or Saul? Do you willingly pitch in
and help around church? Or do you let others serve? Are you passionately
seeking to serve God with your whole heart? Or would you rather follow
after the pleasures of this world? Determine to serve God through a
surrendered heart. When God has your heart, there is no limit to what
He can do through you.
January 19

Replacing Bitterness
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things
put on charity, which is the bond ofperfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.-COLOSSIANS 3:12-15

hen we allow thoughts of anger and revenge to rule our hearts, we

W can miss key opportunities to minister to those around us. We
must replace bitterness with three things.
First, we must replace the feelings of anger with choices of
forgiveness. We must put away the thought that we have the right to
punish someone for their actions, and instead show them forgiveness.
When we remember that our forgiveness is based on God's forgiveness to
us, we will be able to forgive others more easily.
Second, we must replace bitterness with kindness. Forgiveness is
evidenced when we can speak kindly of those who have wronged us. We
are to not only forget the bitterness and forgive others, but we are to fill
our hearts with kindness. Often the most hurtful people are the most
hurting people. When someone treats us spitefully, they may be feeling
hurt or neglected themselves.
Finally, we must allow God to replace our hard hearts with tender
hearts. Bitterness in a heart causes it to grow cold and hard-hearted
toward others. Many people lose all trust and confidence in other people
based on their own hurts and past experiences. But we must choose to
remain tender-hearted toward God and those around us!
Is there bitterness in your heart today? Don't let the devil use
bitterness to rob your joy! Replace that bitterness with forgiveness,
kindness, and a tender heart.

42 GENESIS 46-48 'If- MATTHEW 13:1 -30

 January 18

A Bitter Spirit
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
-HEBREWS 12:15

was once walking down a sidewalk that was badly cracked from the
I roots of a nearbymulberrytree. While I was careful of my step, I noticed
those passing by me who were not as careful. They would stumble or trip
over the roots. Even so, if we are not careful to "watch our step" in life, we
can be tripped by the roots of bitterness.
Many Christians struggle with bitterness and an unforgiving spirit.
Satan constantly uses past experiences to defeat God's people in the area
of bitterness. Yet when we harbor bitterness, we are hurting ourselves
the most.
The devil would like us to be focused on other things and not see
the roots of bitterness in our lives. The writer of Hebrews warns that if
we are not careful to examine our lives and see if there is any bitterness,
those feelings will hinder us from being used by God.
Friend, while the world around us tells us to seek revenge and
demand justice, God calls us to forgive and to let go of bitterness. We
must not underestimate the power that anger and bitterness can have on
our lives. They can take us away from God and out of His will.
Is there any bitterness in your life today? Is there someone in your
life who brings thoughts of anger or hurt feelings to your mind when
you hear their name? God desires that we would have hearts void of any
ill feelings toward others. Spend time in prayer now and ask Christ to
forgive you for those bitter feelings. Also, ask Him to help you forgive
those who wronged you and help you avoid bitterness in your life today.

·11
January 17

Anyone Can Come

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
-ROMANS IO:I3

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.-]OHN 6:37

erhaps the most unlikely person in Jericho to turn to God was a

P woman by the name of Rahab. You don't have to read far into Joshua
2 to hear of her reputation. Joshua 2:1 says, "And Joshua the son of Nun
sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even
Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and
lodged there." She was a woman who had lived a wicked life.
We are no different from Rahab, because the Bible says we all fall
short of the glory of God. God knows all our sins yet He willingly reached
out and offered His salvation to us all. He knew what Rahab had done,
yet He loved her just the same.
Never forget that anyone can come to Christ. There are no people
so entangled in sin that God cannot save them. Be sure to willingly share
God's message of love with everyone. Too often we can find ourselves
judging people based on their outward appearances without realizing
that we were unlovely on the inside before God saved us. Just as you and
I were given the opportunity to be saved, so everyone deserves a chance
to come to Christ!
Are you sharing God's message with everyone you meet? God does
not restrict His love to the wealthy, prominent, or friendly people; He
loves us all. Ask God to give you the courage to tell everyone you meet
of His gift of salvation. Determine to share God's love with at least one
person today.

40 CENESIS 41 42 * MATTHEW 12:1-23

 January l (~

Our Hidden Habit

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
jimake thee.·- HEBREWS 13:5

e all battle with the same hidden habit. It is hidden because it exists
W in our thoughts. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to
face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities.
Eliminating this habit would give us more energy to serve God,
more focus to accomplish His work, and more faith to entrust God.
The habit is worry, and it takes root when the cares of this world take
precedence over the promises of Christ.
When Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World
War II, his father, Alex Stewart, chose to trust his son to God. He sent a
farewell letter with Jimmy to encourage his son to trust God as well.
My dear Jim boy. Soon after you read this letter, you will be
on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I'm banking on the
enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place
of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my
faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through
this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray.
Goodbye, my dear. God bless you and keep you. I love you more
than I can tell you. Dad.
Jimmy Stewart later stated that he learned to trust the words of
Psalm 91 during the height of battle. He returned home unharmed and a
decorated hero. Stewart carried the letter with him for the rest of his life,
and the words from the Psalm that his father gave him are written on his
grave marker: "For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways."
What are you worrying about today? Find the victory over worry
through trust in God's promises.
January 15

Used by God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will ofGod.-ROMANS 12:1-2

orne people feel they are inadequate or unqualified to be used by God,

S but God can use anyone! Moses had a speech impediment, yet God
used Him to lead the nation of Israel out of captivity. Rahab had lived a
sinful life, yet God used her to hide the spies and save her family from the
destruction of Jericho. Jonah ran from God, yet he was used to see the
entire city of Nineveh converted to God. No matter what limitations we
have or how inadequate we feel, God desires to use us!
One reason we might feel inadequate to be used by God is because
the devil accuses us. He constantly brings past sins to our minds to
distract us from serving God. Don't believe him-he is a liar! John 8:44
tells us, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it:'
Another reason we may feel inadequate is because things aren't
going the way we planned or expected. Don't turn from God in the hard
times; turn to Him, and He will give you victory.
Do you often find yourself feeling inadequate to be used by God?
None of us are worthy of God's plan for our lives! Even the best preachers
and the most godly people have setbacks and sin. Don't let the devil keep
you from serving God. Ask God for strength in overcoming your setbacks,
and thank Him for His redeeming grace as you serve Him today.

GENESIS 36 38 •tt- MATTI-lEW 10:21 42

 January l4

Blessed to Be a Blessing
And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears,
and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and
fcishioned it with a graving tool .. .. -Exonus 32:3-4

uring World War n, Eddie Rickenbacker, America's most famous

D Army aviator in World War I, along with seven companions made a
forced landing in the Pacific Ocean. There they experienced twenty-four
days drifting in a lifeboat until they were rescued by a Navy plane. After
his recovery from the ordeal, Rickenbacker said, "Let the moment come
when nothing is left but life, and you will find that you do not hesitate
over the fate of material possessions." Rickenbacker understood that at
such a time, one is concerned about the fate of something more precious
than material goods-life itself.
The children of Israel needed to learn the same lesson-the lesson
that possessions are to be used for God and not wasted on self. God had
allowed the children of Israel to spoil Egypt. They were to take the gold
for the purpose of building the temple in the Promised Land. These
items of gold were sanctified to build the worship house of God, but they
used them for evil.
Anything can become an idol. Whether it is money, a certain
possession, your children, or your time, anything that takes priority over
God is an idol.
God does not bless you so that you can consume the blessing upon
yourself. He has blessed you so that you may bless Him with what you
have! God's blessing is an opportunity for you to glorify Him!
How are you using the things God has given you? Are you wasting
His blessings on your life? Have they come between you and God? Keep
God first in your life, and He will bless you. Remember as you go about
your day that honoring God with what you have and having an intimate
relationship with Him is more precious than all the possessions in
the world!
January 13

Defining Love
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.-! ]OHN 3:16

O ne author wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you
love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find
one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone,
you will presently come to love him:'
Our culture has redefined the word love. While the world around us
tells us love is an emotion, God shows tis that love is a choice. It is choosing
to love someone and showing them our love through our actions.
The Bible uses several different Greek root words for our English
word love. One word the Bible uses is philos, which refers to a brotherly
love. It is the word used to show the love between friends. Also, the Bible
uses the word agape. This word carries a stronger meaning and is used in
reference to a high level of divine love.
Agape love does not love simply when it is convenient or when we
feel like it, but because it is what God has commanded. There will be
times in our lives when we do not feel like loving someone, but that is
when agape love must take over. We must look to Christ for strength and
display our love to others.
Christ showed us His agape love by dying on the Cross. He did not
die for us simply because He had an emotion of love, but because He
made a choice to honor and obey His Father. God loved us so much that
He gave!
How are you showing your love to those around you? Love is not
merely an emotion; it is an action. We show others the love of Christ by
what we do, not by what we feel. Ask God to help you love others today
even if you do not feel like it.

36 GENESIS 31 32 <tf- MATTHEW 9:18 38

 January 12

He Is Coming Again1
john bare witness of/lim, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake,
He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
-]OHN I:I5

ome into the life of John the Baptist with me through the Scriptures,
C and see this man who says of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God."
What was John the Baptist's specific ministry? He was to identify the
Saviour. John the Baptist identified for those who gathered around him
who Jesus really was, that He was the eternal, preexistent Son of God,
come to deliver them from their sins.
You have been given the same mission today. Jesus Christ is coming
again very quickly, and, as a Christian, you are to be that voice crying
out in the wilderness, preparing men and women for His return. As in
John's day, the world today is lost and searching for answers but does not
know where to turn. You are to be the light, pointing them to a returning
Saviour and a risen Lord.
John the Baptist didn't focus on himself; he pointed people to
Christ, the eternal God. While many teachers of the day were looking to
push their own agenda or display their own ideas, John the Baptist's only
mission was to foretell the coming of Christ.
Many today fall prey to wrong teachings or other beliefs because
they do not know the significance of who Jesus truly is. He is the eternal
Son of God who died on Calvary for the sins of the world and rose from
the grave three days later.
Have you been faithfully proclaiming to those around you that Jesus
is coming again? The world will look to religion, science, and other things
for answers, but like John the Baptist, you are to be God's forerunner,
telling them of His soon return. Ask God for boldness and clarity of
thought in telling others of His coming. Rely on His strength to faithfully
be the forerunner of His coming as you go about your day today.

(dNfSl' 29 )t> ·rt- ivL\Trll!:W '):! 17

January ll

When Jesus Gave Thanks ...

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
- I CORINTHIANS II:24

A crowd of people gathered to hear from the One who healed the sick
and had compassion on the sinner. Jesus began to minister to the
crowd by comforting them and healing their illnesses. They were in a
desert place, and the evening time quickly came upon them. No villages
were close enough to prepare food for the large crowd. Seeing this need,
Jesus gave thanks and used a boy's lunch to feed thousands (John 6:11).
Because Lazarus was such a close friend to Jesus and a dear brother
to Mary and Martha, when he died, they all deeply mourned his death.
Four days after he passed away, Jesus stood before the cave which held
his body and gave thanks to His Father for hearing His prayer. He then
commanded Lazarus to come forth. Miraculously, Lazarus rose from his
grave (John 11:41).
Sitting around a table, Jesus was surrounded by His disciples. In
just a short time, He would be nailed to the Cross and separated from His
Father. Knowing such suffering was about to take place, He stood before
those whom He loved and ministered, and He praised God by giving
thanks (1 Corinthians 11:24).
When Jesus gave thanks, great things followed-the feeding of
five thousand, the renewed life of a friend, and eternal salvation. Are
you willing to give thanks before a time of testing or when you need a
miracle? Someone once said, "Giving thanks is not a small prayer you
chant before receiving a meal; it is the way you live:' Today, may we "Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name. For the LoRD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).

34 GENESIS 27 28 'l(o- MATTHEW 8:!8 34

 bnuarv 10

Our Home in Heaven

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would hal'e
told you. I go to prepare a place fin· you. And if I go and prepare a place
_f(Jr you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also.-}OHN 14:2-3

heard the story of a man who visited Portugal some years ago on an
I evangelistic tour. He was delighted to find many believers who were
"spiritual giants:' Among them was a missionary named Eric Barker, who
had spent over fifty years in Portugal preaching the Gospel.
During World War II, Barker was advised to send his wife and
eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children
were also evacuated on the same ship. He remained behind to carry on
God's work. On the Sunday following their departure, he stood before
his congregation and said, "''ve just received word that all my family have
arrived safely home!" Later in the service, the full meaning of his words
became known to his people.
Just before the meeting, he learned that a submarine had torpedoed
the ship that was carrying his family. Everyone on board had drowned, but
he knew that because all were believers, they had reached a more "desired
haven" (Psalm 107:30). They were truly home. Although overwhelmed
with grief, the knowledge that his family was enjoying the bliss of Heaven
comforted his heart.
Don't let the word Heaven become so commonplace to you that
you do not realize the magnificence of it! Not only is it a beautiful place
with streets of gold, but God Himself is there! We, as Christians, will be
with Him for all eternity!
Take time today to thank God for preparing a home for you. Thank
Him for creating such a beautiful place for us to spend eternity with Him!
Also, remember that not everyone has the hope of a home in Heaven.
Let someone know today that God loves them and is preparing a home
for them!
January 9

Carry the Pots

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the
governor of the feast. And they bare it.-]OHN 2:7-8

I remember when I first came to pastor Lancaster Baptist Church. We had

some Gospel tracts printed and knocked on doors in the community,
inviting people to church. Although we had no salary or medical benefits,
we were willing to go out and carry some "pots of living water" to a
needy desert.
While we knocked on hundreds of doors each week, there were a
few weeks that, to the best of my knowledge, no one whom I had directly
invited was in attendance the next Sunday. At first I became discouraged
and asked God why we were not seeing results after being so faithful
to Him.
Then I began to notice that there would be five or six families and
two or three teenagers in attendance who simply showed up. They would
tell me things like: "We saw the church sign and decided to stop in;' or ''A
pastor from out of state recommended your church to us." Nothing I had
done had brought them to church, yet they were there. I was learning that
if I would faithfully carry the pots, God would do the miracle.
God is not looking for you to do the miracle. He is simply looking
for you to carry the pot with the water of the Gospel. You cannot
save someone on your own, but as you faithfully tell others of Christ
and continuously obey Him, He will work. Before God shows you the
miraculous, He requires your faithfulness.
Don't get discouraged when it seems no one is responding to
your invitation to church. Don't give up if you don't see many people
saved when sharing the Gospel. You are simply required to be faithful;
God is responsible for the results. Even when you cannot see how God
is using you, be faithful to Him and trust that He is working through
your efforts.

32 GENESIS 23 24 '((- MATTHEW 7

 Januarv 8 ./

You Are Invited1

And the third day there was a marriage in Can a of Galilee; and the
mother of Jesus was there: And lJOth jesus was called, and his disciples,
to the marriage.-)OHN 2:I-2

t was the day of the wedding, and besides the normal marriage
I excitement, an extra buzz was around the room about a certain group
of guests. Jesus was attending this wedding. But notice that He wasn't
simply passing by, He was invited to the wedding.
The Lord should be invited to every wedding. He should be the
welcomed guest of every activity in your life. Every trip to the store, day
at work, family vacation, and time with friends should be accompanied
by God's presence.
Many times Christians don't invite Christ into their day because it
would mean neglecting certain activities or changing certain habits. What
in your life today would have to be different if you were to invite God to
accompany you? What is holding you back from inviting God to take part
in every activity of your day?
God doesn't want merely to be a bystander; He wants to be the
invited guest of your day. He is with you already, but He desires for you to
include Him in every decision you make, every activity you take part in,
and every thought you think.
I once read that some people regard God just as an airman regards
his parachute; it's there for emergencies, but he hopes he'll never have to
use it. Only when God is invited in your everyday life will the miraculous
take place. Had our Lord not been invited to this wedding, He would not
have been there to help them when they needed Him.
Invite God with you every step of the way. Don't wait for the car
crash or the pink slip; ask God to walk with you today. Start each day
by saying, "Lord, I want You to go before me today. I want to walk in
fellowship with You in this very hour. You are invited to be part of all I
think and do."
January 7

Do It Immediately
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of And Abraham
rose up early in the morning.. .. -GENESIS 22:2-3

W e often view obedience as doing what we are asked, but obedience

is doing what we are asked when we are asked. Author Thomas a
Kempis wrote, "Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is;
delayed obedience is disobedience:'
When God commanded Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice,
Abraham's response was immediate obedience. He didn't complain or
make excuses; he simply obeyed God. Romans 1:17 says, "For therein is
the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The
just shall live by faith." Abraham trusted God and immediately did what
God had told him to do. No doubt this command was a challenge of
faith beyond comprehension, but he had full confidence that God would
follow through on His promise of a son.
Abraham had learned that God never fails. When God commanded
him to leave Ur and travel into the desert, Abraham went. When God
promised a child, Abraham believed. God proved His promise by
providing Isaac as the son of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham had seen that
even when he didn't see a way, God had always provided; so he simply
trusted God and obeyed immediately.
Are you responding immediately to the Holy Spirit's promptings in
your heart? Is there an area of the Christian life where you are delaying
in your obedience to Christ? God's way is always the best way! And
immediate obedience always reaps great rewards. Obedience takes trust,
but God is trustworthy.
Whatever God has commanded you to do, do it right away. Don't
put off obedience another day.

30 GENESIS 18 19 'Cfo MATTHEW 6:1 · 18

 January 6

He Cares
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-I PETER 5:7

little boy was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of

A a friend who lived only a few blocks away. When the day finally
arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The
lad's father, sensing the danger, hesitated to let his son go. The youngster
reacted tearfully. "But Dad;' he pleaded, "all the other kids will be there.
Their parents are letting them go:' The father thought for a moment,
then replied softly, "All right, you may go." Surprised but overjoyed, the
boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm.
The driving snow made visibility almost impossible, and it took
him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As
he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His
eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his father. He had
followed his son's every step to make sure he arrived safely.
More protective and caring than this boy's father is our Heavenly
Father. Our God cares about us so much He was willing to leave Heaven
and suffer a cruel death to save us from eternal separation from Him.
But His care for us doesn't stop there. He cares about every detail of
our lives.
When you are in a trial it can be easy to think God has forsaken you
or forgotten about you, but He hasn't. God loves you and is near to you
even during trials in your life. During difficult times the devil can make
you feel alone or helpless, but God is always near.
Are you enduring a tough time in your life? Does it seem as if God
doesn't care about the pain you feel? Don't allow the devil to convince you
that God doesn't care. He cared enough to die for you! Seek God right
now. Tell Him of the pain you feel and the trial you are going through. He
wants to hear from you and help you today.

CIN!SIS !6 17 ''"' .'\lATTI![\\' )27 -+8

January 5

Purpose for Living

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given
us in Christ Jesus before the world began,-2 TIMOTHY 1:9

0 ne of the most common questions people ask me is, "How do I

know God's will for my life?" Oftentimes, when we ask this question,
we want to attach the answer to an event or location. God has purposed
something far greater for our lives than simply an address or an event.
His purpose is that we might be conformed to the image of His Son.
Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to
his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren."
The words "he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his Son" indicate that God has a predetermined plan for your life. His
purpose is for you to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ, as you walk
in His Spirit according to His Word.
Mature Christians, who recognize the sovereign hand of God in
their lives, are able to have a better context for the trials and setbacks they
face. They are able to see God's hand at work in every situation and realize
that He is working in them so that He then might work through them.
God has called us according to His purpose. The Bible says that our
lives no longer belong to us because we have been purchased by the Lord
and are to live according to His purpose. The most miserable Christians
are those who are living according to their own will and trying to get God
to agree with their plans. I thank God that He has a purpose for each life,
and that because of His purpose, each of us may give glory and honor to
Him today!

28 GENESIS 13 15 'l«- MATTHEW 5:1 26

 lmuarv il

His Creation
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day-GENESIS 1:31

twelve-year-old boy named David was born without an immune

A system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct
the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic
bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and
viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact.
When asked what he'd like to do if released from his protective bubble, he
replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass and touch my mother's hand."
How often have we taken for granted the simple pleasures of
creation? The warmth of the sun, the coolness of the grass, the whistling
of the wind, the pitter-patter of rain, the magnificence of the mountains,
and the vastness of the oceans all declare God's greatness.
The God who made all of this, made us. Psalm 139:14 says, "I will
praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy
works; and that my soul knoweth right well." God has created you for a
unique purpose! Whether you view yourself as beautiful or plain, talented
or not, God has uniquely designed you for His purpose and pleasure.
Our culture is consumed with the idea of looking and being perfect. But
God loves you just the way He made you, and He has a purpose for you
no matter how you view yourself.
Next time you feel that you don't measure up, thank God that
you are His creation! Thank God that you are saved and on your way
to Heaven! Thank Him that He doesn't operate on this world's scale but
loves you and made you exactly the way He wants you.
January 3

Continuing in Prayer
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:16

he British preacher Andrew Murray wrote, "The effective prayer of

T faith comes from a life given up to the will and the love of God. Not
as a result of what I try to be when praying, but because of what I am
when I'm not praying, is my prayer answered by God:'
God has given us the opportunity to boldly approach Him through
prayer. You do not have to be someone of great importance to approach
God; you must simply be His child. We can take our prayers before
God and see them answered if we make sure our hearts are correct
when praying.
We must have a confessed heart as we approach God. Psalm 66:t8
says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." We must
make sure our hearts are free of any sin that would hinder our prayers.
Also, we must take our requests before God in faith. '~nd all things,
whatsoeverye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22).
God desires that we would lay our requests before Him and trust that He
will provide for us!
We should also pray according to God's will. First John 5=14 says,
'~nd this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us." When we pray for God's will to be
done, He can open the doors of Heaven and pour out His blessings
on us!
How is your prayer life today? Do you have sin in your life that
is hindering God from blessing you? Do you pray in faith, believing
that God is willing and able to answer your requests? And do you pray
according to God's will? As we pray in agreement with God's Word, we
will be able to continue serving God even when difficulties come. Make
sure nothing hinders your prayers as you seek His help today.

26 GENESIS 7 9 'If- MATTHEW i

 January 2

Continuing in Fellowship
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness ofheart,-ACTS 2:46

British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of

A a friend. Among the thousands of answers received, the winning
definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world
has gone out."
We naturally desire the friendship of others, and it is God's desire
that we would have close fellowship with those oflike faith. The members
of the early church remained steadfast in their service for God because
they were grounded in true doctrine and because they continued in godly
fellowship with other Christians.
The Christians' fellowship was Christ-centered. They realized the
importance of basing their friendships on Christ. In a day of so much
persecution, a wrong friend could get them killed! Even so, a wrong
friend in our lives could bring us down spiritually.
Our fellowship should also be church-centered. Good friends will
encourage you to attend church and should attend church themselves!
One of the purposes of a church is the gathering of the believers to
fellowship. When we place a priority on being in church, we will be able
to continue steadfastly in God's service.
Our fellowship should also be centered around others. Society tells
us to make friendships based on what we can get, but God desires that we
would focus on what we can give in a friendship. Good friends delight in
giving more than they delight in getting.
How is your fellowship with others? Is it centered around God,
church, and others? Are your friends encouraging you to walk closer to
God? To remain steadfast in our service for God, we must have godly
fellowship. Ask God to give you good friends and to make you a better
friend to others.
January 1

A Passion for His Word

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.-]OB 23:12

anuary 1, 1989, was a Sunday, and it was the day the Migliore family
J decided to start the new year right by coming to Lancaster Baptist
Church. Three weeks later, Dan, Pennie, and two of their children walked
the aisle to receive Christ as their Saviour. Their other daughter was saved
a few weeks later. For the Migliore family, this new year was the beginning
of a brand new life!
The new year gives us all opportunities for new beginnings-
especially in relation to faithful Bible reading. If we are to maintain a
faithful walk with Christ, we must develop a passion for His Word. How
is this done?
First, refuse to miss a day. You may get busy or have other things
suddenly come into your day, but refuse to go a day without spending
time in God's Word. When you do miss your time with God, don't become
discouraged and give up. Put that day behind you and spend a little extra
time with God the next day. If you desire to have a passion for the Word of
God, make sure you consistently spend time with God.
Second, pray for understanding. David prayed, "Open thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the
earth: hide not thy commandments from me" (Psalm 119:18-19). Even the
most knowledgeable Bible scholars cannot understand the Bible unless
God opens their eyes.
Third, look for practical applications of what you read. Ask the Lord
to help you understand how to apply His Word to your life.
Do you want a passion for God's Word? Do you want to grow closer
to Christ as a result of your time with Him? Seek to maintain a faithful
walk with God and ask Christ for understanding each time you approach
His Word. As you develop a passion for His Word, His Word will be able
to impact your life.

24 GENESIS I 3 ""' MATTHEW I

 ;\ Dailv Wurd

90-Day Bible
Reading Schedule

Genesis 1:1 Genesis 16:16 Q 46 Proverbs 7:I Proverbs 20:2I [J

Genesis 17:1 Genesis 28: 19 Q 47 Proverbs 20:22 Ecclesiastes 2:26 [J
3 Genesis 28:20 Genesis 40: ll Q 48 Ecclesiastes 3:1 Song 8:14 lJ
4 Genesis 40:12 Genesis 50:26 [J 49 Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 13:22 [J
Exodus 1:1 Exodus 15:18 [J SO Isaiah I4:I Isaiah 28:29 [J
6 Exodus 15:19 Exodus 28:43 u 51 Isaiah 29:1 Isaiah 41:18 [J
7 Exodus 29:1 Exodus 40:38 Q 52 Isaiah 41:19 Isaiah 52:12 [J
8 Leviticus l: 1 Leviticus 14:32 [J 53 1saiah 52:13 Isaiah 66:18 [J
9 Leviticus 14:33 Leviticus 26:26 lJ 54 Isaiah 66:19 Jeremiah 10·.13 [J
I0 Leviticus 26:2 7 Numbers 8:14 [J 55 Jeremiah IO:I4 Jeremiah 23:8 [J
II Numbers 8:15 Numbers 21:7 [J 56 Jeremiah 23:9 Jeremiah 33:22 u
12 Numbers 21:8 Numbers 32:19 lJ 57 Jeremiah 33:23 Jeremiah 47:7 [J
13 Numbers 32:20 Deuteronomy 7:26 [J 58 Jeremiah 48:1 Lamentations 1:22 [J

14 Deuteronomy 8:1 Deuteronomy 23:11 [J 59 Lamentations 2:1 Ezekiel 12:20 lJ

15 Deuteronomy 23:12 Deuteronomy 34:12 [J 60 Ezekiel12:21 Ezekiel23:39 [J

16 Joshua 1:1 Joshua 14:15 [J 61 Ezekiel 23:40 Ezekie135:15 lJ

17 Joshua 15:1 Judges 3:27 IJ 62 Ezekiel36:1 Ezekiel47:12 u
18 judges 3:28 Judges 15:12 [J 63 Ezekiel47:13 Daniel8:27 [J

19 judges 15:13 1 Samuel2:29 Q 64 Daniel 9:1 Hosea 13:6 [J

20 1 Samuel2:30 1 Samuell5:35 [J 65 Hosea 13:7 Amos9:10 [J

21 1 Samuell6:1 1 Samuel28:19 [J 66 Amos9:I1 Nahum 3:19 [J

22 1 Samuel 28:20 2 Samuell2:10 [J 67 Habakkuk 1:1 Zechariah 10:12 lJ

23 2 Samuell2:11 2 Samuel 22: 18 [J 68 Zechariah II: 1 Matthew4:25 [J

24 2 Samuel22: 19 1 Kings 7:37 u 69 Matthew 5:1 Matthew 15:39 [J

25 1 Kings 7:38 1 Kings 16:20 [J 70 Matthew I6: I Matthew 26:56 [J

26 1 Kings 16:21 2 Kings4:37 [J 71 Matthew 26:57 Mark9:I3 [J

27 2 Kings 4:38 2 Kings 15:26 lJ 72 Mark 9:I4 Luke 1:80 [J

28 2 Kings 15:27 2 Kings 25:30 [J 73 Luke 2:1 Luke 9:62 1:1
29 1 Chronicles 1:1 1 Chronicles 9:44 [J 74 Luke 10:1 Luke 20:19 [J

30 1 Chronicles 10: I I Chronicles 23:32 [J 75 Luke 20:20 john 5:47 [J

31 1 Chronicles 24: I 2 Chronicles 7:10 [J 76 john 6:1 john 15:17 [J

32 2 Chronicles 7:11 2 Chronicles 23:15 [J 77 John 15:18 Acts6:7 [J

33 2 Chronicles 23:16 2 Chronicles 35: IS Q 78 Acts 6:8 Acts 16:37 Q

34 2 Chronicles 35:16 Ezra 10:44 [J 79 Acts 16:38 Acts 28:16 [J

35 Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 13:14 [J 80 Acts 28:17 Romans 14:23 1:1

36 Nehemiah 13:15 Job 7:21 [J 81 Romans 15:1 1 Corinthians 14:40 [J

37 Job 8:1 Job 24:25 lJ 82 1 Corinthians 15:1 Galatians 3:25 [J

38 lob 25:1 job 41:34 [J 83 Galatians 3:26 Colossians 4:18 [J

39 Job 42:1 Psalm24:10 [J 84 1 Thessalonians l:I Philemon 25 [J

40 Psalm 25:1 Psalm 45:14 u 85 Hebrews 1:1 James 3:12 [J

41 Psalm 45:15 Psalm 69:21 Q 86 James 3:13 3 John 14 D

42 Psalm 69:22 Psalm 89:13 [J 87 Jude 1 Revelation 17:18 [J

43 Psalm89:14 Psalm 108:13 [J 88 Revelation 18:1 Revelation 22:21 [J

44 Psalm 109: I Psalm 134:3 [J 89 Grace Day Grace Day [J

45 Psalm 135:1 Proverbs 6:35 [J 90 Grace Day Grace Day [J

22
 July August September
.J 1 Job20-21 Acts 10:24--48 .J 1 Ps. 57-59 Rom. 4 ~ 1 Ps.l35-l36 lCor.l2
:_] Job 22-24 Acts II .J Ps. 60-62 Rom. 5 ':J Ps.l37-i39 I Cor.l3
.J Job 25-27 Acts 12 ..J Ps. 63--65 Rom. 6 ..J Ps.\40-142 I Cor. 14:1-20
..J 4 job 28-29 Acts 13:1-25 ~ 4 Ps. 66-67 Rom. 7 .J Ps.143-145 I Cor.\4:21--40
~J Job 30-31 Acts 13:26--52 '.J 5 Ps. 68-69 Rom. 8:1-21 .J Ps.l46----147 I Cor. 15:1-28
..J Job 32-33 Acts 14 .J 6 Ps. 70-71 Rom. 8:22-39 .J Ps. 148-150 1 Cor. 15:29-58
.J fob34-35 Act~ 15:!-21 ..J 7 P~. 72-73 Rom. 9:1-15 ·._] Prov. 1-2 1 Cor.l6
-..J 8 Job .36-37 Acts 15:22-41 .J 8 P~. 74-76 Rom. 9:16-33 .J Prov.3-5 lCor.l
..J 9 job 38--40 Acts 16:1-21 .J 9 Ps. 77-78 Rom. 10 .J 9 Prov. 6-7 2 Cor.2
·.J 10 Job41--42 Acts 16:22--40 _j 10 Ps. 79-80 Rom. 11:1-18 .J 10 Prov.S-9 2Cor.3
.J 11 Ps. 1-.3 Acts 17:1-15 ._] 11 Ps. 81-83 Rom. 11:!9-36 '.J 11 Prov. 10-12 2Cor.4
.J 12 Ps.4--6 Acts 17:16-34 ..J 12 Ps.84-86 Rom.l2 ._] 12 Prov. !".3--15 2Cor. 5
._l 13 P~. 7-9 Acts 18 _j 13 Ps. 87-88 Rom. 13 LJ 13 Prov.16----18 2Cor.6
..J 14 P~. Hl--12 Acts !9:1-20 ...J 14 Ps. 89-90 Rom. 14 ..J 14 Prov. 19-21 2Cor.7
.J 15 Ps. 13-15 Acts 19:21--41 _j 15 Ps. 91-93 Rom. 15:1-13 .J 15 Prov.22-24 2Cor.8
.J 16 Ps. ]6--17 Acts 20:1-16 _j 16 Ps. 94-96 Rom. J5:14-3J ..J 16 Prov. 25-26 2Cor.9
...J 17 Ps. 18-19 Acb20:17-38 .J 17 Ps. 97-99 Rom. 16 .J 17 Prov. 27-29 2Cor.IO
..J 18 Ps. 20-22 Acts2L:l-17 ....1 18 Ps. 100-102 I Cor. 1 .J 18 Prov. 30-31 2Cor.II:l-15
..J 19 Ps.2}-25 Acts21:18--40 _] 19 Ps. 103-104 I Cor. 2 :_] 19 Eccl. 1-3 2Cor.ll:l6----33
..J 20 Ps. 26--28 Acts22 J 20 Ps. 105--106 1 Cor. 3 _j 20 Ecc\.4--6 2Cor. 12
..J 21 Ps.29-30 Acts23:1-15 ....1 21 Ps. 107-109 1 Cor. 4 .J 21 Eccl. 7-9 2Cor.l3
..J 22 Ps.JI-32 Acts23:16-.35 .J 22 Ps.\10-\12 1 Cor.5 :.J 22 Eccl. 10-12 Gal.\
_J 23 Ps. 33-34 Acts24 J 23 Ps. 113-115 1 Cor. 6 ..J 23 Song 1-3 Gal.2
.J 24 Ps. 35-36 Acts25 .J 24 P~.\16----118 !Cor.7:1-i9 ..J 24 Song4-5 Gal.3
_j 25 Ps. 37-.'19 Acts 26 .J 25 Ps.\19:1-88 1 Cor.7:20--40 ._] 25 Song().-..8 Gal.4
.J 26 Ps.40--42 Acts27:1-26 ..J 26 Ps. 119:89-176 I Cor.8 .J 26 !sa. 1-2 GaLS
.J 27 P~. 43-45 Acts27:27--44 _J 27 Ps. 120-122 I Cor. 9 .J 27 Isa. 3--4 Gal.6
.J 28 Ps. 46--48 Acts28 J 28 Ps.l23-125 I Cor. 10:1-18 ..J 28 lsa. S--6 Eph.l
..J 29 Ps. 49-50 Rom.\ _j 29 Ps. 126----128 I Cor. 10:19-33 ..J 29 !sa. 7-8 Eph.2
.J 30 Ps.Sl-53 Rom.2 .J 30 P~.\29-131 \Cor.\i:J-16 .J 30 Isa.9-IO Eph.3
....! 31 P~. 54-56 Rom.3 _j 31 P~. 1.32-134 I Cor. 11:17-34

October November December

_j 1 ba. 11-U Eph. 4 .J 1 )er. 24-26 Titus2 ..J 1 Ezek. 40-41 2 Pcter3
..J 2 lsa.l4-16 Eph. 5:1-16 J 2 jer.27-29 Titu~3 .J 2 Ezek. 42--44 I John I
....1 3 !sa. 17-19 Eph. 5:17-3.3 .J 3 jer.30-31 Philemon .J 3 Ezek. 45--46 I john 2
_j 4 lsa. 20-22 Eph.6 ..J 4 )er.32-33 Heb.l ..J Ezek. 47--48 !John 3
J 5 ha.23-25 Phil. 1 ..J 5 Jer. 34-36 Hcb.2 _j Dan.l-2 I john4
_l 6 !sa. 26--27 Phil. 2 .J 6 jer. 37-39 Heh.3 U 6 Dan.3--4 1 John 5
..J ha.28-29 PhiL 3 ..J Jcr.40--42 Heb.4 _j Dan. 5-7 2 John
.J ls3.3o-3! Phil. 4 .J jer.43--45 Hcb.S _j Dan.8-IO 3 john
.J 9 !sa. 32-33 Col. 1 -1 9 Jcr.46-47 lleb.6 ._] 9 Dan.ll-12 Jude
..J 10 \sa. 34-36 Co\.2 ..J 10 jer.48--49 Heb.7 _J 10 Hos.1--4 Rev. I
_j 11 Isa.37-38 Co\..3 _j 11 Jer.50 Heb.8 ._] 11 Hos.S-8 Rev.2
..J 12 lsa.39--40 Co\.4 '._] 12 Jer. 51-52 Heb.9 ..J 12 Hos.9-ll Rev. 3
_j 13 lsa.4l--42 I Thess. 1 .J 13 Lam. 1-2 Heb.10:1--18 .J 13 Hos. \2-14 Rev.4
..J 14 lsa.43--44 I Thess.2 J 14 Lam.J-5 Heb. 10:19-39 .J 14 Joel Rev.5
.J 15 Jsa.45--46 I Thess. 3 W 15 Ezek. 1-2 Hcb. \i:l-19 ..J 15 Amos 1-3 Rev.6
..J 16 Isa.47-49 I The~s. 4 .J 16 Ezek. 3--4 Heb. 11:20--40 ..J 16 Amos4--6 Rev. 7
.J 17 lsa.S0-52 I Thcss.S ..J 17 b•:ek. 5-7 Heb. 12 _] 17 Amos7-9 Rev.8
.J 18 !sf!.53-55 2Thcss. I _] 18 fuel<. 8--10 Heb.l3 :..J 18 Obad. Rev. 9
..J 19 lsa.56-58 2 Thcss. 2 _\ 19 Ezek. 11-13 james] .J 19 Jonah Rev.lO
.J 20 ba. 59-61 2 Thess. 3 '..J 20 Ezck. \4-15 James2 ~ 20 Micah 1-3 Rev. 11
_j 21 lsa.62-64 !Tim.\ _J 21 Ezck. 16--17 Jamcs3 _j 21 Micah 4-5 Rev.12
'..J 22 lsa. 6.r;;.....oo 1 Ttm.2 .J 22 Ezek. 18-19 )ames4 ..J 22 Micah 6-7 Rev. 13
.J 23 Jer. 1-2 I Tim.3 _j 23 Ezek. 20-21 james5 ..J 23 Nahum Rev. 14
..J 24 jer. 3-5 1Tim.4 ..J 24 Ezek. 22-23 1 Peter I ..J 24 Hab Rev. IS
.J 25 jcr. 6--8 I Tim.S _j 25 Ezck. 24-26 I Peter 2 .J 25 Zeph. Rev. 16
'._] 26 )er. 9-11 I Tim.6 ..J 26 Ezek. 27-29 I Peter3 ..J 26 Hag Rev.l7
..J 27 Jer. 12-14 2Tim.1 .J 27 Ezek. 30-32 I Pcter4 ..J 27 Zech.1--4 Rev.I8
..J 28 Jer. 15-17 2Tim.2 _l 28 Ezek. 33-34 I Peter 5 _} 28 Zech. 5-8 Rev. 19
J 29 jer. 18-19 2Tim.3 _j 29 Ezek. 35-36 2 Peter 1 .J 29 Zech. 9-12 Rev.20
..J 30 jer. 20-21 2Tim.4 ..J 30 Ezek. 37-39 2 Pcter2 ..J 30 Zech. \3-14 Rev.21
_j 31 ]cr. 22-23 litus 1 .J 31 Mal Rev.22
 One-Year Bible
Reading Schedule
January February March
CJ 1 Gen.J-3 Matt.! !...J 1 Ex.27-28 Matt.2l:J-22 U 1 Num. 20--22 Mark 7:1~13
i.J 2 Gen. 4-6 Matt.2 ,.J 2 Ex. 29--30 Matt.21:23--46 .J 2 Num.23--25 Mark7:14-37
J 3 Gen. 7-9 Matt.3 ~ 3 Ex.31-33 Matt.22:l-22 i.J 3 Num.26--28 Mark8
U 4 Gen.I0-12 Matt.4 ~ Ex.34-35 Matt.22:23--46 .] Num.29-31 Mark 9:1-29
U Gen.l3-l5 Matt.S:l-26 0 Ex. 36-38 Matt.23:l-22 :..) Num.32~34 Mark 9:30--50
:...1 Gen.l6-l7 Matt.5:27-48 _:] Ex.39-40 Matt.23:23-39 U Num.35-36 Mark 10:1--31
0 Gen.IS-19 Matt.6:1-18 .J Lev.l-3 Matt.24:1-28 ,:.) 7 Deut.l--3 Mark 10:32-52
CJ Gen. 20-22 Matt. 6:19-34 .::1 8 Lev. 4-5 Matt.24:29-51 CJ 8 Deut.4--6 Markll:l--18
'..J 9 Gen. 23-24 Matt.? .J 9 Lev.6--7 Matt.25:1-30 !...J 9 Deut. 7--9 Mark11:19-33
U 10 Gen. 25--26 Matt.S:I-17 i..J 10 Lev. 8--10 Matt.25:31--46 ..J 10 Deut.10-12 Mark12:1-27
0 11 Gen.27-28 Matt.S:IS-34 '.J 11 Lev.II--12 Matt.26:l-25 U 11 Deut.l3--15 Mark 12:28-44
::J 12 Gen. 29-30 Matt.9:l-l7 .J 12 Lev.l3 Matt.26:26--50 :...J 12 Deut.16--18 Mark 13:1--20
U 13 Gen. 31-32 Matt.9·.I8-38 ·~ 13 Lev.l4 Matt.26·.51~7S ..J 13 Deut.19-21 Markl3·2J-37
U 14 Gen. 33-35 Matt. lO:i-20 ;.J 14 Lev. 15-16 Matt.27:J-26 U 14 Deut. 22--24 Mark 14:1--26
:.J 15 Gen. 36--38 Matt. 10:21--42 U 15 Lev. 17--18 Matt.27:27~50 ..J 15 Deut.2S-27 Mark 14:27~53
LJ 16 Gen. 39-40 Matt. II U 16 Lev. 19--20 Matt.27:51--66 i.J 16 Deut. 28--29 Mark I 4:54-72
:J 17 Gen.41-42 Matt.l2:1-23 :J 17 Lev. 21--22 Matt.28 i..J 17 Deut.30-31 Mark 15:1--25
U 18 Gen. 43-45 Matt. 12:24-50 d 18 Lev. 23~24 Mark 1:1-22 J 18 Deut. 32--34 Mark 15:26-47
:.J 19 Gen. 46--48 Matt.D:I-30 ~J 19 Lev. 25 Mark 1:23-45 U 19 Josh.l--3 Mark 16
U 20 Gen.49-SO Matt.l3:31-58 U 20 Lev. 26--27 Mark2 ~ 20 Josh. 4-6 Luke 1:1--20
:.J 21 Ex.l-3 Matt.l4:l-21 •.J 21 Num. 1--2 Mark3:l-19 :..) 21 Josh. 7--9 Luke 1:21~38
W 22 Ex. 4-6 Matt.J4:22-36 ~J 22 Num.3--4 Mark3:20-35 .J 22 Josh. 10--12 Luke I :39--56
!...J 23 Ex. 7-8 Matt.IS:I-20 U 23 Num.5--6 Mark 4:1~20 U 23 Josh. 13~15 Luke 1:57--80
...J 24 Ex.9-ll Matt.I5:2l-39 ~J 24 Num. 7--8 Mark4:21-4l t..l 24 Josh. 16--18 Luke 2:1~24
U 25 Ex. 12-13 Matt.l6 _J 25 Num. 9--11 Mark5:1-20 ::J 25 Josh. 19--21 Luke2:25-52
0 26 Ex. 14-15 Matt.l7 lJ 26 Num. 12-14 Mark5:2l--43 .J 26 Josh. 22--24 Luke3
:...J 27 Ex.l6--18 Matt.IS:l---20 U 27 Num. 15-16 Mark 6:1--29 'J 27 Judges 1--3 Luke4:1~30
W 28 Ex. 19-20 Matt.l8:21-35 ::.J 28 Num.l7~19 Mark6:30-56 i...J 28 Judges4--6 Luke4:31--44
U 29 Ex. 21-22 Matt.I9 -' 29 Judges 7-8 Luke 5:1--16
!...J 30 Ex. 23-24 Matt.20:l-l6 ~ 30 Judges 9--IO Luke5:17-39
~ 31 Ex. 25--26 Matt.20:17-34 U 31 Judges 11~12 Luke6:1-26

April May June

\..l Judges 13---15 Luke6:27-49 _J 1 Kings 10--11 Luke 2I:20-38 U 1 2 Chr. 15-I6 John 12:27--50
0 Judges 16-18 Luke 7:1~30 '-1 1 Kings 12-13 Luke 22:1--30 .J 2 2 Chr. 17-18 John 13:1--20
[J Judges I9-2l Luke 7:31--50 U JKingsl4-l5 Luke22:31--46 ..J 3 2 Chr.l9-20 John 13:21-38
...J Ruth 1--4 Luke 8:1--25 '-1 l Kings 16--18 Luke22:47-71 U 4 2 Chr. 21-22 John 14
U I Sam. 1--3 Luke 8:26--56 U 5 1 Kings 19--20 Luke23:1-25 ..J 2 Chr.23--24 John IS
U 6 1 Sam. 4--6 Luke 9:1--17 '-1 1 Kings 21 ~22 Luke 23:26-56 :.J 2Chr.25-27 John 16
..J 1 Sam. 7--9 Luke 9;18--36 -1 2 Kings J--3 Luke 24:1-35 U 2 Chr. 28-29 John 17
i...J 1 Sam. I0--12 Luke 9:37--62 :...11 2 Kings4--6 l.uke24:36-53 ..J 8 2 Chr. 30--31 John 18:J-I8
"..J l Sam. 13--14 Luke 10:1--24 J 9 2 Kings 7--9 John I:l-28 i...J 9 2 Chr.32-33 John 18:19--40
U 10 I Sam. 15-16 Luke 10:25--42 .:J 10 2 Kings 10--12 John 1:29-5I ~J 10 2 Chr. 34-36 John 19:1--22
U 11 1 Sam.l7-J8 Luke ll:1~28 U 11 2Kingsl3-14 John2 ..J 11 Ezra I~2 John 19:23-42
J 12 1 Sam. 19--21 Luke 11:29--54 ~ 12 2 Kings 15~16 John 3:1--18 .J 12 Ezra3-5 John20
U 13 1 Sam.22-24 Luke 12:1--31 .J 13 2Kingsl7-I8 John 3:19--36 :.J 13 Ezra6--8 John 21
~ 14 I Sam. 25-26 Luke 12:32--59 U 14 2 Kings 19~21 John 4:1--30 '..J 14 Ezra 9--10 Acts!
:.:.J 15 l Sam. 27--29 Luke 13:1--22 :.J 15 2 Kings 22--23 John 4:31--54 ·.J 15 Neh.l-3 Acts2:L~2l

.J 16 I Sam.30-3I Luke I3:23~35 .J 16 2 Kings 24-25 John 5:1--24 U 16 Neh.4-6 Acts2:22-47

i..J 17 2Sam.1-2 Luke 14:I-24 ..J 17 I Chr.l--3 John 5:25--47 :.J 17 Neh. 7--9 Acts3
U 18 2 Sam. 3-5 Luke 14:25--35 :...J 18 I Chr. 4-6 John 6:1~21 ..J 18 Neh.I0--11 Acts4:1~22

~ 19 2 Sam. 6-B Luke 15:1-10 ..J 19 I Chr. 7~9 John 6:22-44 :.J 19 Neh.I2-13 Acts4:23-37
l.] 20 2Sam.9-11 Luke 15:11--32 U 20 I Chr. 10--12 John 6:45-71 U 20 Esther l--2 ActsS:l-21
:.J 21 2Sam.12-l3 Luke 16 :...J 21 I Chr.l3~15 John 7:I-27 ..J 21 Esther 3--5 Acts5:22--42
:.J 22 2 Sam. 14-15 Luke 17:1--19 U 22 I Chr. 16--18 John 7:28-53 :.J 22 Esther 6--8 Acts6
U 23 2 Sam. 16--18 W.ke 17:20--37 :.J 23 1Chr.19-2I John 8:1--27 U 23 Esther 9-10 Acts7:1-2I
U 24 2 Sam. 19--20 Luke 18:1--23 ::J 24 1 Chr. 22~24 John 8:28~59 :.J 24 Job I-2 Acts7:22--43
r.J 25 2 Sam. 21-22 Luke 18:24-43 i.J 25 l Chr. 25--27 John9:1-23 U 25 Job 3-4 Acts 7:44--60
U 26 2 Sam. 23--24 Luke 19:1~27 i...J 26 I Chr. 28--29 John 9:24-41 :..J 26 Job 5--7 Acts8:1-25
:.J 27 1 Kings l--2 Luke 19:28--48 .:J 27 2 Chr. 1--3 John 10:1--23 :.J 27 Job 8--IO Acts8:26-40
U 28 I Kings 3--5 Luke 20:1--26 r.:.J 28 2Chr.4--6 John I0:24-42 ...1 28 Job II--13 Acts9:1-21
:...J 29 I Kings 6-7 Luke 20:27-47 t..l 29 2 Chr. 7--9 John Jl:l--29 :.J 29 Job 14--16 Acts9:22-43
.:J 30 I Kings 8-9 Luke 21:1-I9 ..J 30 2 Chr. 10--12 John ll:30-S7 i.J 30 lob I7-19 Acts 10:1--23
..J 31 2 Chr. 13--14 John !2:1--26

20
 The Effective Christian's Daily
Bible Reading
Christians used by God have one thing in common: a daily walk with
God. A Christian's daily walk is based upon the foundation of Bible
reading and prayer. It has often been said, "The Book will keep you from
sin, or sin will keep you from the Book:'
Printed at the bottom of the page for each day is a segmented reading
calendar that will allow you to read through the Old and New Testaments
during the course of a year.
When considering whether or not to spend time in the Word of God,
it is advisable to listen to the words of David, a man after God's own
heart, who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote:

Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalmn9:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto
according to thy word."
May God's Word draw you closer to Him, and help you be the
Christian He saved you to be.

1'-!
 ;\ Daily Wurd

When you are discouraged:

1 Samuel3o:6, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:26-28, and
2 Corinthians 4:15-16

When you are disheartened:

Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 73:2, Psalm 73:17, and Psalm 73:24-26

When you are facing opposition:

2 Timothy 3:12,2 Timothy 2:3,1 Peter 4:12-13,1 John 4:4, and
Romans 8:31-32

When friends seem to let you down:

2 Timothy 4:16-17, Hebrews 12:2-3, Matthew 28:20, and
Deuteronomy 32:27

When you are lonely:

Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Acts 18:9-10, and Isaiah 43:2

When you ask if it is worth it:

Matthew 25:21, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, and
2 Corinthians 4:17

lR
 Verses Remembered by
Effective Christians
When you lose sight of His greatness:
Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, and
1 Chronicles 29:11-14

When you have needs:

Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 37:3, Psalm 37:25, and
Deuteronomy 2:7

When you are overwhelmed:

Psalm 55:5, Psalm 55:18, Psalm 107:6-8, and 2 Corinthians 4:16

When problems are insurmountable:

2 Corinthians 4:15-18, Romans 8:18, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 6o:12,
Psalm 61:2, and Psalm 62:6-8

When you need purpose:

1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 3:16-21, John 10:10, and Psalm 139:14

When you have stress:

Philippians 4:4-7, Deuteronomy 20:1-4, and Jeremiah 32:27

When you are under pressure:

Psalm 27:1-2, Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 46:1-2, and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When you worry:

Philippians 4:6-7,1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, and Psalm 46:10

When you are afraid:

Psalm 56:3, Genesis 15:1, Psalm 27:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, and John 14:27

When you have a big decision to make:

Psalm 32:8, Psalm 143:10, Psalm 40:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, and
Psalm 37:3-6
4. A soulwinner should demonstrate the good news that Jesus has
already paid this price.
Not only does Romans 6:23 deal with the penalty of sin, it also
deals with the promise of salvation. Romans 5:8 continues with this
theme by showing the sinner that Christ died for us while we were
yet sinners.

5. A soulwinner must remember that a sinner must personally

accept Christ as Saviour.
This promise is given in Romans 10:13-"For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." A sinner may believe that
God loves him, may understand the fact that he is a sinner, and
may further understand that Jesus died to pay his sin debt and still
be lost. The soulwinner is not after a simple mental assent to a list
of subscribed facts. He is looking for a sinner to repent, to confess,
and to know the joy of being a Christian.

6. Ask the sinner, "Is there anything that would hinder you from
trusting Christ right now, today, as your Saviour?"
This question will show the soulwinner if there are still any
"obstacles" that must be removed before a sinner trusts Christ. It
will also serve as a good transition into drawing the Gospel net.
After a sinner is saved, the Great Commission is still unfulfilled.
We are commanded to go, to win, to baptize, and to teach
(disciple). An effective soulwinner will determine to see each
aspect of the Great Commission come to fruition with those he
leads to Christ.

16
 How to Lead a Person
to Christ
Someone once said: "The fruit of a Christian is another Christian." There
is a lot of truth in that statement. The Christian leader will influence
people to be more soul-conscious. Yet, sometimes a person will be
very active in sharing the Gospel, but will not see much fruit. It is the
responsibility of the Christian leader to "Train Every Available Member"
to not only be available, but effective. Here are some truths that every
soulwinner must remember as he prepares to help another soul spend an
eternity with Christ.

1. A soulwinner should start with the truth of God's love for every
individual.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse in all the New
Testament. "For God so loved the world ...." There are sinners living
today who actually believe that God hates them and wants them to
go to Hell because of their sin. A sinner will never accept a Saviour
who he believes will never love him.

2. A soulwinner must emphasize the fact that we are all sinners-

there are no exceptions.
There have been some who understand the "love" of God and
feel that He would never send anyone to Hell. These sinners must
also understand that the God of "love" is also first, and foremost,
holy. All men fall short of the holy standard He has set. As a result
of this "falling short;' we are condemned to an eternity in Hell.
Romans 3:23 includes all men everywhere.

3. A soulwinner must teach the sinner that his sin carries with it an
expensive price tag.
According to Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death ...." In Ezekiel
18:20, the Israelites learned that the soul that sinned would die. As
a soulwinner, the person you are dealing with has the wrath of
God already abiding on him (John 3:36).
Hebrews 1:5-6-For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten
into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

1Thessalonians 4:16-For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first:

End Times
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.

John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
maybe also.

Acts 1:10-n-And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.

Revelation 22:2o--He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come

quickly. Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.

14
 \ l \.~1\\ \\,,r,:

Ephesians 5:25-27-Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved

the church, and gave himselffor it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.

Acts 2:46-47-And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:13-For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been
all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Timothy 3:15-But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Angels
Genesis 3:24-So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the
garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to
keep the way of the tree of life.

Psalm 14ll:2, 5-Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Let them praise the name of the LoRD: for he commanded, and they were
created.

Isaiah 6:1-3-In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it
stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face,
and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LoRD of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory.

Mark 13:32-But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
 A Daily \Vord

1 John 3:4- Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.

Jeremiah 17:9- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?

Salvation
Isaiah 45:22-Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I
am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 43:11-12-I, even I, am the LoRD; and beside me there is no saviour. I

have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange
god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LoRD, that I am God.

John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 10:9-10- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;

Church
Matthew 16:18-And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Colossians 1:18-And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.

\2
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he
them.
Job 14:1, 14-Man that is born of a woman is offew days, and full of trouble.
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I
wait, till my change come.
Psalm 8:4-5-What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Isaiah 64:6-But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10-u-As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:23-For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Sin
Numbers 32:23-But ifye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the
LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Ezekiel18:2o--The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the
wicked shall be upon him.
Romans 6:23-For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 1:15- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 John 1:8-10-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

II
 A Dailv Word

1 Timothy 2:5-6-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time.

Hebrews 1:8-But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Luke 19:10--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Holy Spirit
John 14:16-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26-But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14-Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

1Corinthians 3:16-Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Ephesians 4:3o-And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:18-And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;

Mankind
Genesis 1:26-27-And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every

lll
Isaiah 57=15-For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Lamentations 3:22-23-It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy
faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 32:4-He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Psalm 138:2-I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for
thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.

John 4:24-God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.

Psalm 90:2-Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
art God.

Jesus Christ
John 1:1, 14-In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-8- Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.

Colossians 1:16-17-For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and
for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

y
 i\ I )aily \Vunl

6. Set goals of time.

If you are not careful, you may ask for disappointment by setting goals
of verses per week. The reason why is that some verses are more difficult
to learn than others. If you set goals of time spent in memorization,
God will honor that.

On the following pages you will find many major Bible doctrines and key
verses to memorize. It is time to put into practice these six principles.

The Bible
Psalm 119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Isaiah 40:8- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our
God shall stand for ever.

2 Timothy p6-17-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, throughly furnished unto
all good works.

Hebrews 4:12-For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.

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

Matthew 24:35-Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,

because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received
it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.

God
Psalm m:9-He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his
covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
 \ l·; ;:!\ . :,·

The Effective Christian

Memorizes Scripture
The following ingredients for effective Scripture memory are taken from
Homiletics from the Heart, written by Dr. John Goetsch.
1. Choose a specific time and a quiet place.
What gets scheduled gets accomplished. When memorizing the Word of
God, you want to free yourselffrom all distractions.

2. Organize by topic.
Many people attempt to learn the "Golden Chapters" or whole books
of the Bible. While this is a noble attempt, it is not the way the Word
of God will be used while teaching or preaching. Choose a topic you
would like to study and then memorize every verse that deals with it.
The next time you are speaking on that particular subject, your mind
will be able to tie these verses together to truly allow you to ''preach the
Word ... "

3. Work out loud.

Even though it may sound odd, your mind memorizes better and faster
that which it audibly hears. This is why you should choose a specific
time and a quiet place!

4. Walk while you memorize.

Your body has a natural sense of rhythm. This is why we memorize the
words of songs so quickly. We will memorize much more quickly (and
retain it longer) if we are walking around.

5. Review, review, review.

Repetition is the key to learning. The one who is serious about
memorizing Scripture cannot simply keep learning new passages weekly.
Rather, he must also make the time to review the previous passages
already committed to memory. It becomes readily apparent that
memorization will take work, but the rewards are worth it!
PRACTICES OF EFFECTIVE
CHRISTIANS
 A Daily \Vurd

A Word from the Author

Dear Friend,

Don't you love a good meal? There's nothing like coming home to a
delicious, piping hot dinner my wife has made! I look forward to it all
day long, and I never want to miss it.
I wonder if we have the same hunger for spiritual food as we do
for physical food. You see, God's Word is to our souls what food is to our
bodies-it nourishes and strengthens us. The patriarch Job had a wise
perspective when he said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more
than my necessary food" (Job 23:12B).
Jesus, too, likened God's Word to food: ''And Jesus answered him,
saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word ofGod" (Luke 4:4). Just as we daily nourish our bodies, we must daily
nourish our souls by spending time with the Lord reading His Word.
A Daily Word has been designed especially to compliment (like
an appetizer or desert) your personal time with God. Each of the 366
devotions are based on Scriptures that will encourage, challenge, and
strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
It is my prayer that each devotion in A Daily Word will help you
in your spiritual growth and encourage you to draw closer to the Lord
everyday.

Sincerely in Christ,
Paul Chappell

4
 Table of Contents
A Word from the Author . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Effective Christian Memorizes Scripture 7

How to Lead a Person to Christ. . . . . . . . . 15

Verses Remembered by Effective Christians . 16

The Effective Christian's Daily Bible Reading 19

One-Year Bible Reading Schedule .20

90-Day Bible Reading Schedule. 22

Daily Devotions . 23

Title Index . . . . 406

Scripture Index . 412

Bibliography . . .420
About the Author. .424
 Copyright © 2009, 2012, 2015 by Striving Together Publications. All
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

First published in 2009 by Striving Together Publications, a ministry

of Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, cA 93535. Striving Together
Publications is committed to providing tried, trusted, and proven
books that will further equip local churches to carry out the Great
Commission. Your comments and suggestions are valued.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-
electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise-without
written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations in
printed reviews.

Striving Together Publications

4020 E. Lancaster Blvd.
Lancaster, CA 93535
800.201.7748

Cover design by Andrew Jones

Layout by Craig Parker and Sarah Michael
Edited by Monica Bass, Lauren Goddard, and Joan Parish
Special thanks to our proofreaders

The contents of this book are the result of twenty-five years of

spiritual growth in life and ministry. The author and publication
team have given every effort to give proper credit to quotes and
thoughts that are not original with the author. It is not our intent
to claim originality with any quote or thought that could not
readily be tied to an original source.

ISBN 978-1-59894-076-3

Printed in the United States of America

STRIVING TOGETHER PUBLICATIONS

366
Scriptural Devotions
for Growing Christians

PAUL CHAPPELL
 February 24

Led by the Holy Spirit

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
-ROMANS 8:14

y first real memories of driving a car are from my teenage years

M as a missionary's son in Seoul, South Korea. Learning to drive in
Korea was a frightening experience. The Korean drivers were reckless
and loved to use the horns on their cars. Probably the most frightening
place to drive was in the areas called "traffic circles." This was an area
where several major roads met and drivers had to drive around a center
point to get to the next street. The irony of traffic circles is that you are
supposed to quickly get to your street and yield to incoming traffic at the
same time.
Sometimes our lives are like being on a traffic circle. We continue to
go faster and faster yet fail to yield to those around us. Many times we fail
to step back from the hectic pace of life and yield to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit desires to lead us off the traffic circle of spiritual
death and onto the road of peace and life as we allow Him to lead us. As
we read His Word, He reveals truth to us and applies the Scriptures to
our lives.
The Holy Spirit is the one who illuminates us as we read the Bible.
Many people claim that the Bible is hard to understand. It is true that we
cannot understand all of it on our own, but God has given us the Holy
Spirit to illuminate and enlighten us.
Are you yielded to the Holy Spirit? Do you seek His help in your life
each day? Before you read God's Word today, ask the Spirit to help you
apply the truths you learn to your life. Ask Him to help you understand
and live out God's Word. The Holy Spirit desires to help us, but we must
first be yielded to Him.

NUMBERS 7-8 '((- MARK4:2I--4I 79

 February 25

It's All from God

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy
son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me,
tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be
near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy
flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast.-GENESIS 45:9-ro

ee Iacocca, the legendary Chrysler carmaker, wrote in his

L autobiography: "Here I am in the twilight years of my life, still
wondering what it's all about. I can tell you this: fame and fortune is for
the birds."
As Christians, we know that blessings and success in life come only
from God. Yet we are sometimes guilty of having an unthankful attitude
to God for His blessings in our lives.
Joseph was faithful during the difficult times in his life and in times
when God blessed him with prosperity. He did not forget in his time of
blessing that it was not by his knowledge, skill, or hard work, but that the
blessings all came from God.
I have seen many people stay faithful to God during adversity, but
when the blessings came, they forgot God. When they lost their jobs, they
prayed for God's intervention and mercy. But when God blessed their
lives, they acquired the mentality that they no longer needed God.
Never forget that whatever blessings come into your life come
from God. James 1:17 reminds us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Have you thanked God for His blessings and provisions? Every
blessing comes from God and He deserves the glory and honor and praise
for it. With blessing comes the temptation to abandon God, to forget the
Source of the blessings. Don't take for granted the times of blessings in
your life. Stay humble, and realize everything you have is from God.

80 NUMBfRS 9 II '£to MARK 5:1 20

 Februarv 26

From Fear to Faith

And the LoRD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are
too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel
vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
-JUDGES 7:2

L. Moody once said, "I prayed for faith and it did not come, but
D when I read the Word of God, then faith came." Faith isn't the power
of positive thinking. It isn't visualization or any man-centered philosophy.
Faith is listening to what God says and acting upon it. It is the realization
that you can do nothing on your own but anything through God.
God was going to use Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites
to drive them from the land. But before he was ready to do all that God
had in store, Gideon had to learn faith.
In response to God's promise to deliver Israel from the Midianites,
Gideon had gathered all the men he could and had prepared them the
best he knew how. He brought together 32,ooo troops, approximately
one-sixth of the troops of the Midianites. Even though Israel was already
far outnumbered, God screened those soldiers and whittled the troops
down to three hundred men.
During this time, God developed the faith of Gideon. He showed
Gideon that it wasn't through anything he could do, but that he had to
place his faith solely in God. Gideon could have let fear control him, and
he could have run from God. That's what Jonah did. Instead, Gideon said,
"I don't know what you're doing, God, and I admit that I'm afraid, but I
trust You. I'm not depending on the strength or talent of my men, but
on You alone:'
Are you afraid of something God has asked you to do or some
situation He has brought into your life? God desires to strengthen your
faith through these times. Rather than seeking your own solution, place
your faith completely in God, and trust Him. Do not allow fear to enter
your heart, but move from fear to faith in God!

NUMBERS I2- I4 'lf- MARK 5:2I- 43 81

 February 27

Stand in Your Place

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the
host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the trumpets,
and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout
all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the
border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.-]UDGES 7:21~22

t was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and Hudson Taylor

I was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess
assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor
insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper."
Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with
unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries
or gave their children as missionaries, and the rest were faithful supporters
of the China Inland Mission for years to come. Because Hudson Taylor
was faithful, God blessed this meeting.
All God requires is faithfulness. God commanded Gideon's three
hundred men to take what He had given them and to stand in their place.
He did not ask them to fight on their own and defeat the enemy. He only
asked them to obey what He had given them to do and to be faithful.
How would things be different in your life if rather than being afraid
or doubting God, you determined to trust His wisdom and to stand in
your place? God will take care of the enemy or the problems in your life,
as you are faithful to stand in your place.
Are you standing in the place God has given you, faithfully serving
God? Far too often Christians desire God's help or blessings when they
have not been faithful to the everyday commands God has given them.
Make sure you are obeying God's commands in your life. Read His Word
each day, be faithful to church, and tell those around you of His salvation.
God blesses faithfulness.

82 NUMBERS 15 16 'l(- MARK 6:1 2')

 February 28

Hold Your Light High

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and
held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands
to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
-JUDGES 7:20

remember reading of a man aboard a ship who was very seasick.

I While in his cabin, he heard that another man had fallen overboard.
Wondering if he could do anything to help save the drowning man, he
found a light, and held it up by the porthole.
The drowning man was rescued, and the seasick man recovered. One
day they met and talked on the deck. The saved man gave this testimony:
he said he was just going down again for the last time, when he put out
his hand. Just then, he said, someone held a light at the porthole, and the
light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him
into the lifeboat. It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light, yet it
saved the man's life.
The command to blow a trumpet and hold a lighted pitcher may
have seemed insignificant to Gideon's men, but God's ways are not our
ways. He knew that the sounding of a horn represented five hundred
men. God knew that when the horns went off in the middle of the night,
the Midianites would be so scared that they would begin killing each
other. God could see what the soldiers could not see.
Many of God's commands may not seem logical, but when we
follow them, we will be blessed. We must hold the light of His Word high
and sound out the trumpet of His salvation to those around us.
Are you holding your trumpet and your light high? Are you
telling others of God and His love for them? Some people may reject
God and mock you, but their actions don't change the fact that God has
commanded you to tell them! Determine to hold your trumpet and your
light high so others can see today.

NUMBERS 17~19 .... MARK 6:30 56 83

 February 29

Leftovers
... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour
as thyself-LUKE 10:27

eftovers are such humble things,

L We would not serve to a guest,
And yet we serve them to our Lord
Who deserves the very best.
We give to Him leftover time,
Stray minutes here and there.
Leftover cash we give to Him,
Such few coins as we can spare.
We give our youth unto the world,
To hatred, lust and strife;
Then in declining years we give
To Him the remnant of our life.

Think of the leftovers that you offer Christ in your life.

Do you give God your leftover time? Do you have a planned time
of day to meet with God? Or do you rush about your day, thinking you'll
meet with God later? What gets scheduled gets done. Don't allow the
other activities of your day to consume your time.
Do you give God your leftover funds? Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man
rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In
tithes and offerings." God desires tithing and giving to be a priority in your
personal budget-not a leftover excess giving, but a sacrificial giving.
Do you give God your leftover energy? Are you wasting your youth
on busyness and other pursuits so that you don't have any energy left to
serve Christ?
Are you giving God priority in your life, or is He the recipient of
your leftovers? Make God's work your first concern in life. He deserves
the best in every area of your life.

84 PSALM 73 ott- PROVERBS 29

MARCH
C(~)
Nlarch 1

Our Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
-JOHN IO:II

t is interesting that God compares us to sheep--one of the dumbest

I animals. Sheep do not care about their surroundings or the dangers
that wait for them. They only care about the grass and water that are
before them. It is the shepherd's job to provide green pastures and clean
water for his flock. He also provides protection as they graze.
Just as sheep enjoy the shepherd's guidance for provision, we, as
God's children, can trust God to provide for us. We should not worry
about earthly provisions; we must simply follow God's leading.
Oftentimes, a sheep will stray from the flock and go his own way.
Because the shepherd loves the sheep, he will seek after it and return it to
the flock. The shepherd may have to punish the sheep so it will learn, but
it is always out of love and care for the sheep.
When we stray from God's guidance, He may have to use a trial
or difficulty to bring us back, but we must never doubt God's love for
us. God only seeks to draw us back to Him because He loves us and He
doesn't want us to get hurt. God only has our best interest in mind, and
He desires to bring us back into fellowship with Him.
The shepherd also provides protection for the sheep. He guards
against wild beasts and steep cliffs. The sheep never worry about what
is around them-they know the shepherd is watching out for them. We
have no need for worry about what the future may hold for us, for we can
depend on our Shepherd for protection.
Are you relying on God for provision, guidance, and protection?
The sheep let the shepherd take full control of their safety and well-being.
Let Christ have control of your life today, and trust Him to guide and
protect you as you live for Him.

NUMBERS 20 22 '($o MARK 7:1 13

 March 2

Follow the Memo

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.-ACTS 1:8

Edgar Hoover ran the FBI with an iron fist. As a result, almost all
J of his subordinates were on the lookout for ways to impress their
powerful boss. A young FBI agent put in charge of the supply department
attempted to cut costs and impress his boss by reducing the size of the
office memo paper.
One of the new memo sheets soon ended up on Hoover's desk.
Hoover took one look at it, determined he didn't like the size of the
margins on the paper, and quickly scribbled on the memo, "Watch the
borders!" The memo was passed on through the office.
For the next six weeks, it was extremely difficult to enter the United
States by road from either Mexico or Canada. The FBI was watching
the borders. They thought they had received a warning from their chief,
but they hadn't. They had transformed an innocuous comment into a
solemn warning.
Many messages are confused or misinterpreted. In the Old
Testament days, the people didn't have the entire Bible, so God gave them
prophets, holy men of God, who relayed God's messages. If a prophet
refused to relay God's message to the people, he was no longer useful to
the Lord. God could speak, but if the prophet was not surrendered and
obedient, the people would never get God's message.
Think about your own life. God has given you a message called
salvation. He has spoken it to you through His Word, and you are
His spokesperson, sent to tell the ones He loves of salvation. Are you
communicating it to them? Have you spoken the truth of God's Word
to those around you? Determine to relay God's message of salvation to
others today, for there will be a day when you will no longer be able to
tell them.

NUMBERS 2j- 25 'Cf- MARK 7:14 37 87

March 3

Not by Accident
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me .. .. -ACTS r:8

orne years ago, I met with the vice president of a bank as we were
S finalizing a loan to build our church auditorium. We had already met
several times, but in our last meeting, the Lord laid it on my heart to
witness to this man.
"Mike;' I began, "if you were to die today, do you know for sure
you would spend eternity in Heaven?" He said, "Well, I really couldn't
say for sure. I hope I would." I then asked, "Could I show you from the
Bible how you can know for sure that Heaven would be your home?'' He
replied, "That would be great." After showing him the Scriptures and
telling him what Christ had done, Mike prayed and accepted the Lord
as his Saviour.
A few weeks after that, Mike wrote me a letter. "Pastor Chappell," he
wrote, "over the years I have worked for the bank, I have visited several
churches. I have been in dozens of pastors' offices, but you were the first
one to ask me if I knew for sure I was on my way to Heaven."
Have you ever neglected the Holy Spirit's leading to tell someone
of Christ, assuming that someone else would witness to him? Too many
times we assume that somehow, some way, someone will tell our friends
or neighbors about God. If I had not followed the Lord's leading, Mike
might have never been saved.
It's not by accident that God has placed you where you are today.
Think about your work, your neighborhood, the grocery store at which
you shop. Those people you see each day are witnessing opportunities
from God! God knows what is taking place in the lives of people with
whom you come in contact, and He knows the right time for the seed
of His Gospel to be planted in their hearts. Remain sensitive to the Holy
Spirit's prompting when He directs you to witness of Him.

NUMBERS 26 28 '1«- MARK 8

 March4

Warning1
And the LoRD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face
of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of
the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace
in the eyes of the LoRD.-GENESIS 6:7-8

T he wind was howling outside the posh Richelieu Apartments when

Police Chief Jerry Peralta pulled up sometime after dark. He came to
warn the group of people who had gathered for a "hurricane party" in the
face of a storm named Camille. Facing the beach less than 250 feet from
the surf, the apartments were directly in the line of danger.
"You all need to clear out of here as quickly as you can. The storm's
getting worse;' Peralta warned. But the group just laughed. "This is my
land;' one man yelled back. "If you want me off, you'll have to arrest me."
Peralta didn't arrest anyone, but he wasn't able to persuade them
to leave either. It was 10:15 PM when the front wall of the storm came
ashore. Scientists clocked Camille's wind speed at more than 205 miles-
per-hour. Raindrops hit with the force of bullets, and waves off the Gulf
Coast crested between twenty-two and twenty-eight feet high.
News reports later showed that the worst damage came at the little
settlement of motels, bars, and gambling houses where some twenty
people were killed at a hurricane party in the Richelieu Apartments.
Nothing was left of that three-story structure but the foundation.
Rejecting a warning from law enforcement can be dangerous. Yet
ignoring a warning by God will certainly end in destruction. I'm sure the
people who ignored Noah's warning of the flood wished they had listened
once the rain began.
Have you strayed from God in some area of life? God has sent out
a warning to you through His Word! Do not neglect God any longer, but
heed His warning. Come back to Him, and restore your relationship with
Him today.

NUMBERS 29- 31 <cf- MARK 9:1-29 89

Ivlarch 5

How Much Time?

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LoRD .... and Noah walked
with God.-GENESIS 6:8-9

t has been said that in a lifetime the average American will spend six
I months sitting at stoplights, eight months opening junk mail, one year
looking for misplaced objects, five years waiting in line, and six years
eating. Those few minutes here and there add up!
What would the number be if you added up all the time you have
spent with God so far in life? Would it be a year? A month? A week? Many
Christians give the excuse that they are too busy to develop a relationship
with God. Yet consider Noah. What gave Noah the faith needed to take
God at His word and to do something that appeared totally illogical?
Noah gained strength and faith from spending time with God. He
developed an intimate walk with God.
The greatest decision Noah made in his life wasn't to build the Ark,
but to spend time with God. Building the Ark was simply the outflow of
a walk with God, of his obedience to God. Noah was ready for his journey
because he was in tune with God.
In spending time with God and walking with Him, Noah had
displayed a spirit, an attitude, and a character that made him acceptable
and well-pleasing to God. This spirit approved him for the most important
of tasks at that time-the task to preserve the human race.
God wants to spend time with you through His Word each day. Just
as Noah had to ignore all the distractions and temptations of his day, so
you must also ignore the distractions of this world and choose to walk
with God.
Have you spent time with God today? We spend so much time on
the trivial things in life, yet many times neglect the One who made us! He
is your God, and He desires to be with you! When life is done, don't let it
be said that you spent more time looking for your lost keys than seeking
God through His Word.

90 NUMBERS 32 34 'lfo MARK 9:30 50

 March 6

Following Orders
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
-GENESIS 6:22

lthough Roger Staubach led the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl
A victory in 1971, there was one part of his career that proved to be a
trial for him: he didn't call his own plays. His coach, Tom Landry, called
all the plays and would only let him change a play in an emergency.
Staubach considered Landry to have a "genius mind" when it came to
football, but his own pride told him that he should be able to run his
own team.
Roger had a decision to make. Would he allow pride to rule his life
and ignore his coach, making himself the star? Or would he listen to the
coach and do what he wanted? Staubach later said, "I faced up to the issue
of obedience. Once I learned to obey, there was harmony, fulfillment, and
victory." Because Roger Staubach decided to ignore his own thoughts
and ideas and simply follow his coach, their team won.
Noah was also good at following orders. God gave Noah specific
directions for building an ark. Rather than questioning God's plan or
design, Noah said, "Okay, Lord. Whatever you want to do is fine by me."
Think about God's plan. Up to this point, there had never been any rain
on earth. The concept of water falling from the sky was foreign to Noah.
Yet rather than questioning God's plan or wasting time trying to figure
out the reasoning behind it, he followed orders.
Our finite human minds will never be able to figure out the plans
of an infinite God! If God has given you a command, then do it! Do not
question, manipulate, or ponder it. If Noah had waited to build the ark
until he figured out God's plan, his family would have drowned.
What has God commanded you to do today? Are you doing it?
When you start to question God's plan, remember Noah's obedience and
follow God's orders right away!

NUMBERS 35 36 * MARK 10:1 31 91

l\'iarch 7

You Need a Relationship

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the
face of the earth .... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LoRD. These
are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his
generations, and Noah walked with God.-GENESIS 6:7-9

E mperor Frederick, who ruled the Roman Empire in the thirteenth

century, carried out a cruel experiment. He wanted to know what
man's original language was-Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. So he isolated
a few infants from the sound of the human voice, reasoning that they
would eventually speak the natural tongue of man. Nurses who were
sworn to absolute silence were obtained, and though it was difficult for
them, they abided by the rule. The infants never heard a word-not a
sound from a human voice. Within several months they were all dead.
These babies needed the voice and loving relationship of a mother.
We all need relationships. God has designed us to need encouragement and
love from others. Your most important relationship is your relationship
with your Heavenly Father.
Our verses today show us that God was not merely interested in
preserving the human race as it was. He wanted a people after His name,
with a heart for Him. So He chose to use a man who was following
Him-Noah.
If God searched the earth today for someone to use, could He choose
you? This search is not a hypothetical situation, for God is searching the
earth! Second Chronicles 16:9 tells us, "For the eyes of the LoRD run to and
fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them
whose heart is perfect toward him ...."
Would God be able to choose you? So many times we seek to be
used by God in great ways, but we don't walk with Him step by step each
day. Only when you are faithful in walking with God will He be able to
use you to accomplish great things for Him.

UEUTERONOM1 I 3 •tt- MARK !0:32 ')2

 March 8

Preparing for Battle

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.- EPHESIANS 6:12

ational Geographic magazine once ran an article about the Alaskan

N Bull Moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during
the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers
crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon,
are broken, which ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest
and strongest antlers, triumphs.
The outcome of the battles the moose fight in the fall, however, is
really determined during the summer, when the moose eat continually.
The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining
weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately
sport weaker antlers and less bulk.
There will be times of spiritual battle that will come into our lives.
But the ways we allow God to work in our lives now will determine the
outcome of the battle.
The Christian life is a spiritual war. The devil is going to attack you.
Whenever you are living for God and are trying to accomplish His will
for your life, the devil will attack you and try to hinder you.
Are you in a spiritual battle right now? We face battles every day.
Whether through temptations or sin, the devil attacks us. The best thing
you can do to prepare for spiritual battle is to be faithful to God and
His Word each day. Spend time in Bible reading and prayer, be faithful
to church, and follow God's will for your life. The only way to resist the
devil and defeat him in battle is to turn to God and let Him help you
stand. He promises to fight for you, but you must allow Him to work in
your life right now.

DEUTERONOMY 4--6 *' MARK II:I 18 93

 March 9

Responding to Scoffers
.. . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
-MATTHEW 5:44

t is amazing to look over the course of American history and see that
I with every conflict, there have existed heroes and scoffers simultaneously.
The contrasts to me are amazing. At one point, former Vice President AI
Gore called for the resignation of President Bush because of the war in
Iraq. But contrast his scoffing with the life of a young football player
named Pat Tillman who walked away from a $3.6 million contract to
fight for his country.
In the spiritual conflict there are also heroes and scoffers. People
mock the biblical family, the biblical account of creation, traditional values,
and moral living. As a Christian, you will face ridicule for your beliefs.
Do not be discouraged, for even Christ was mocked. The Lord gives
us a perfect example of what we are to do in the face of ridicule. While
others mocked and scoffed at Him, Christ answered their accusations
without a word. He showed them kindness when they showed Him
hatred. Even so, when others mock us and seek to slander our names,
we should love them, pray for them, and show them the same kindness
Christ showed others.
It's not easy to show kindness to those who mock you. Our human
nature cries out for retaliation, but God commands us to love and pray
for our enemies. Even when others seek to harm us, through God's help,
we can respond to them with love and kindness.
How do you respond when other people mock you or scoff your
faith? Do you boil over with anger and lash out against them? Or do you
respond in love? Determine that when others mock you, you will go to
God for strength, respond in kindness, and pray for God to change their
hearts. After all, how you respond directly reflects on Christ.

Y4 DEUTERONOMY 7 9 'If- MARK II:I9 33

 March 10

The Way of Temptation

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go
forth to battle, that David sent foab, and his servants with him, and all
Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah.
But David tarried still at Jerusalem.-2 SAMUEL II:I

t was the time of the year when the kings of every nation would
I go to war, yet rather than doing his normal duty, David tarried at
Jerusalem. This led to his adultery with Bathsheba. David's first act of
sin was not lingering on the rooftop, looking at Bathsheba. It was when
he stayed behind in Jerusalem rather than being on the battlefield where
he was supposed to be. God's will for David during that time was to be
at battle, but because he was not on the path God had for him, he fell
into temptation.
God has a pattern and a path for your life that He will bless and
prosper even through trials. But when you step off that path, away from
that pattern of life, you step into the trap of the devil. You are less likely to
fall into temptation when you are on the path God has for your life and
are faithful to the calling He has given you.
God's path for your life includes developing a growing personal
relationship with Him. It includes faithfully reading His Word and
praying each day. It includes attending church and faithfully giving to
Him. It also includes telling others of Christ's plan of salvation and being
yielded to the Holy Spirit's leading. When you lapse from these basics of
God's path for your life, you are more susceptible to temptation.
Are you on the path God has for your life? Are you being faithful to
reading your Bible, praying, attending church, and telling others of Him?
When you are out of the way of duty, you are in the way of temptation.
Make sure you are in the way of duty today so you can avoid the devil's
way of temptation!

DEUTERONOMY I0-12 '11- MARK !2:1 --27 95

 l\!larch 11

Restoring Fellowship
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
- 2 SAMUEL 12:13

russian king Frederick the Great was once touring a Berlin prison.
P The prisoners fell on their knees before him to proclaim their
innocence-except for one man, who remained silent. Frederick called to
him, "Why are you here?" ''Armed robbery, Your Majesty;' was the reply.
''And are you guilty?" "Yes indeed, Your Majesty, I deserve my punishment."
Frederick then summoned the jailer and ordered him, "Release this guilty
wretch at once. I will not have him kept in this prison where he will
corrupt all the fine innocent people who occupy it."
Forgiveness can really only be received when we have acknowledged
our wrong to the Lord and repented. When we sin, our fellowship with
God is hindered and cannot be restored until we have confessed our sin
to Him and asked for His forgiveness.
When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us, because He wants
us to restore our fellowship with Himself. King David was restored
to fellowship with God after his sin with Bathsheba as a result of his
response to conviction. When he was confronted by the prophet Nathan,
he acknowledged his sin and humbly sought the Lord's forgiveness.
How do you handle conviction? Do you become angry? You cannot
get back into fellowship with God if you do not respond correctly to
biblical conviction.
Has God convicted you about some area of your life? Do not view
conviction as an attack on your character. God merely wants to bring you
back to fellowship with Him! And He often uses earthly means to bring
conviction-a godly friend, a sermon at church, a verse from the Bible.
Thank God that He cares enough about you to call you back to Himselfl
Repent about the area of which He is convicting you, and let Him restore
you to a right relationship with Him today.

96 DEUTERONOMY 13 IS * MARK 12:28 44

 March 12

Standing at a Crossroads
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass,
that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou,
and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the
children ofisrael.-]OSHUA I:I-2

W e come to many places of decision-crossroads-when we must

choose which way to turn, which way to go. These are times we
need God's wisdom like never before.
Such a time of decision in Israel's history is found in our verses
today. Moses had died. I'm sure many questions were raised in the camp
of the Israelites. Who would take his place? In which direction would
they head as a people?
God was always faithful to provide prophets and leaders to help
guide the people during their time of decision. This time God brought
Joshua, a faithful servant of Moses and of the Lord, on the scene.
It can be scary to stand at a crossroads, knowing the choice you
make could affect many people, but God provides help during times of
decision! He knows we don't have the wisdom to know which path to
take, so He has provided many different ways to help with your decision.
God's Word is full of promises and truths that can guide you; your pastor
has godly wisdom from the Lord and can give you counsel; godly friends
can also help give counsel; and God can lead you in the right direction
through time spent with Him in prayer. You don't have to make the
decision alone; God wants to help you.
Are you standing at a crossroads? Is there some decision in your
life you must make? Take time today to read God's Word. Spend time
with God in prayer. Also, seek counsel from your pastor or another godly
Christian. When you trust the wisdom of God's Word and godly counsel,
you can confidently choose the right path and continue forward for
the Lord.

DEUTERONOMY 16 18 "'"" MARK 13:1 20 97

March 13

He Knows the Ending

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the
son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his
brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they
hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.-GENESIS 37:3-4

veryone goes through times of crisis in their lifetime. Sometimes it is

E a major crisis, or maybe it's two or three in a row. But every one of us
will have unplanned difficulties along our journey of faith.
Joseph faced crises in his life. I don't think Joseph ever dreamed that
his own brothers would betray him. I'm sure he never thought he would
spend time in a dirty Egyptian prison. No one plans for such difficulty.
Joseph was a man who suffered greatly but who was faithful to
God throughout his entire life. Imagine if God had approached Joseph
beforehand and had said, "Joseph, I am going to use you one day to save
my people from starvation during a great famine. But first, I am going to
take you through some trials. You will be hated by your brothers; you will
be sold into slavery; you will be accused of something you didn't do; you
will spend time in prison; and you will have to struggle to regain your
reputation." What do you think Joseph's reaction would have been? What
would your reaction have been?
God has a great plan for your life, but that plan may require a time
of struggle first. There will be times of difficulty and growth. Trust that
God knows the outcome and the blessings He is going to bring into
your life.
Are you in a time of trial? Is there some difficulty or struggle you
are enduring? Realize that while trials will come and earthly solutions
will fail, God intends for you to grow stronger in faith through them. He
desires that your testimony will shine brighter because of the difficulty
you endured. Submit your will to His and trust Him, for He knows
the ending!

98 DEUTERONOMY 19 21 * MARK 13:21 37

 March 14

Fighting Temptation
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her
eyes upon joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said ...
how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
-GENESIS 39:7-9

magine being in Joseph's shoes. You're in a foreign country. You may

I never see your father again. Your brothers have betrayed you. But
you've been faithful to God through the trials. Now your boss's wife tests
your character and your purity.
The devil is a master at creating "harmless" instances that plant
the seed of temptation in your life. He will tempt you to think that the
sin presented isn't so bad. It isn't an openly defiant act of rebellion. It's
simply a small, private matter.
Do not fall for the devil's temptations. Sin is nothing to be toyed
with. The devil wants nothing more than to ruin your family, your
marriage, your ministry, your testimony, and your effectiveness for God.
The devil never comes out and presents sin for what it is; he is the
father of subtle lies and traps. Never allow the devil even one foot in the
door of your life; flee his temptations! When you allow him to have one
part of you, no matter how small it may be, he will soon have control of
your whole life.
If you are seeking to live for God, the devil will throw temptation
at you. The devil knows your weaknesses, and he will tempt you in those
areas! While it may seem intimidating going up against such a strong
assailant, take heart for God is on your side! You do not have to fight the
battle of temptation alone. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 ).
Is there some area of your life in which you need God's help
resisting the devil? Take time now to give Him control of your life and let
Him guide your paths today. When temptations come into your life, look
to the Lord for strength in resisting the devil.

DEUTERONOM"Y 22- 24 * MARK 14:1- 26 99

March 15

Displaying Character
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left
his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.-GENESIS 39:12

oseph lost his coat, but he didn't lose his character. You may lose some
J friends or a job by taking a stand for God and refusing to give in to
temptation, but you won't lose your godly testimony. God can always
give you another job or different friends, but He doesn't instantly give
you a godly character. Character is developed through living for God and
making right choices day after day.
Character is not created in the crisis; it is merely revealed in the
crisis. Many people in Joseph's situation would have quit. But Joseph had
learned that wherever he went, God went with him. He knew God would
provide grace for whatever situation he was in.
Character is choosing to listen to God and follow Him rather than
giving in to the devil's temptation. It is taking the narrow road rather than
the wide road. Displaying character isn't easy and it isn't developed on
your own, but God's grace can help you develop character in your life.
We all face problems in life, and we all struggle in displaying
character during them. You may be saying, "Well, you don't know what
I'm going through. You don't know the problems I face at work. You can't
understand the issues in my life:' And you're right; I don't know all you're
going through. But I know that if you're saved, the Lord is with you. He
has offered you grace to go through even the toughest situations.
Are you going through a difficult time in your life? God desires that
you would make right choices and display character even in the face of
adversity. As you spend time each day in His Word and develop a pattern
of making right choices, God will develop character in your life.

100 DEUHRONOMY 25 27 '((- MARK I4:27 53

 March 16

Cut It Down, and Forget It

And Joseph said unto his brethren ... be not grieved, nor angry with
yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to
preserve life.-GENESIS 45:4-5

A fter the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took
him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There
she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal
artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at
least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it
down, my dear Madam, and forget it."
After Joseph became a ruler in Egypt and his brothers came to him
for help, he could have meted out some well-deserved punishment to
them. No doubt when Joseph's brothers realized who he was, fear gripped
their hearts. After all, Joseph could have exacted revenge on them for the
terrible crime they had committed against him.
I might have been tempted to say, "You did me wrong so you're
going to serve me for a little while. I've been waiting for this day for
decades." But Joseph was not a scorekeeper, but a grace-giver. He forgave
his brothers.
I've heard people say, "Pastor, I think God gave me cancer so I
can help others." "I think God brought me through that trial so I could
minister to others who are going through it." Rather than focusing on the
pain, these people are trusting in God's purposes for their lives.
When you focus on yourself and how you have been wronged, you
will never see God's purpose in the circumstance. Have you experienced
a hurt or trial? Maybe someone wrongly accused you or falsely punished
you. Do you still feel hurt, anger, or bitterness when you think of the
situation or when you see that person? Don't allow bitterness to have
place in your heart. Give the situation to God, forgive those involved,
and forget the matter! Move forward for God rather than holding on to
the hurt.

DEUTERONOMY 28 -29 *' MARK 14:)4 -72 101

March 17

Only God Can Judge Me

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and
the dead.-! PETER 4:5

noticed a man at the grocery store once who was only wearing shorts
I and a pair of shoes. He was a big man who was covered with tattoos.
When I got in the checkout line, he was directly in front of me. As I waited
for my turn to pay, I began looking at all his tattoos. He had dragons,
people's names, and all sorts of interesting designs. It was evident that he
had spent quite a deal of time and money on his "art." But as he shifted,
I noticed one tattoo that stood out to me. Across one section of his arm
was a tattoo that read: "Only God Can Judge Me."
Most people in society today have the idea that they can live their
lives any way they want, and only God can judge them. Yet even as
they exhibit this mentality, they do not live as if they believe God will
judge them.
One day God will indeed judge all of us. But before God brings
judgment, He always gives mercy. He doesn't want Judgment Day to be a
sad time for us-He desires to reward us.
As Christians, we will stand before God and give an account to Him.
If we are living for God and serving Him, we will be able to hear "Well
done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into My rest."
God's mercy always precedes God's judgment. He will one day
judge, but in the meantime He gives you messages of hope and mercy.
He reaches His hand out to you when you fall. He encourages you to
keep going when things get tough. Do not think that God is ready to
punish you each time you fall. He loves you and extends His mercy to
you. Rather than focusing on the judgment of God, take a hold of His
mercy and continue serving Him.

102 DEUTERONOMY 30 31 ~Co MARK 15:1 2)

 March 18

The Eagle with No Feathers

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he
said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have
ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.-! SAMUEL 18:8-9

T here is a fable of an eagle that could outfly another, and the other
eagle didn't like it. The latter saw a sportsman one day, and said to
him, "I wish you would bring down that eagle." The sportsman replied
that he would if he only had some feathers to put into the arrow. So the
eagle pulled one out of his wing. The arrow was shot, but didn't quite
reach the rival eagle; it was flying too high. The envious eagle pulled out
more feathers, and kept pulling them out until he lost so many that he
couldn't fly. The sportsman then turned around and killed him. The
jealousy of the eagle caused his own demise.
Saul's life is an example of the destructive nature of jealousy.
David's victory over Goliath won him instant popularity among the
people. Because of David's popularity, however, Saul developed a jealous
attitude toward David. Rather than being glad that God had raised up a
man to help defend Israel and to defeat the enemy, Saul sulked because
he was not the one receiving the glory.
Jealousy can come into all our lives if we are not careful. We can
become upset and jealous when someone around us is lifted up for
something they have done. Have you ever felt jealousy toward someone
chosen to lead in an area in which you desired to lead? Or they were
blessed when you felt you should have been blessed instead?
When you feel jealousy beginning to creep into your life, ask God to
help you focus on Him and the work that was accomplished rather than
on yourself. When your heart is right with God and your focus is on Him,
you will be able to rejoice when others are blessed!

DEUTERONOMY 32 34 'lt- MARK 15:26- 47 103

 March 19

Strength to Stand
.. . I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread
nor drink water: And the LoRD delivered unto me two tables of stone
written with the finger of God .. .. -DEUTERONOMY 9:9-IO

A l Capone was the most feared man in Chicago during the prohibition
years. The police and Federal Bureau of Investigation were afraid of
how he would retaliate were they to oppose him. One law enforcement
official, however, had the strength to meet this challenge. Frank Loesch,
a Christian, organized a group of citizens into the Chicago Crime
Commission. This group's mission was to end organized crime in Chicago
and thus free innocent victims from its clutches.
Serving as the crime commission chairman, Loesch had constant
threats on his life as well as on the lives of his family and friends, yet he
stood strong. Ultimately, he was victorious and was a key instrument in
detective Eliot Ness' mission to remove Capone from the streets of Chicago.
Loesch had the strength and confidence to stand against the most feared
mob boss at that time as a result of the time he spent with God each day.
In the same way, Moses gained strength to lead the children of Israel
in the time he spent alone with God. Moses spent forty days on Mount
Sinai, fastened upon God. He was so intently listening to God that for
forty days he did not eat or drink. He wanted and needed nothing more
than the presence of God.
Moses was one man, leading a large group of people through a
wilderness to the Promised Land. While it seems obvious that Moses
needed God's help and guidance, God's strength in your life is no
less important.
Are you spending time with God each day? He desires to help you
and give you strength and direction for your life, but He can't unless you
are daily seeking His face. Do you need strength today? Strength is found
in the presence of God. Spend time with God right now.

104 }OSHUA I 3 'II- MARK !6

 March 20

Just Be Patient
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the
mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said
unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses,
the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is
become ofhim.-Exoous p:I

e can all be impatient at times-whether it is standing in line,

W sitting in traffic, or waiting for a tax return! But sometimes we can
also become impatient while waiting on an answer from God in a certain
situation. The children of Israel experienced this when they were waiting
for Moses to return from Mount Sinai.
Moses was spending time alone with God on the mountain to get
further direction, but the people turned aside from his commands and
sought another way to the Promised Land. They no longer wanted to
wait for God's man.
Oh how important it is to wait on the Lord. As children, we were
taught to obey mom and dad when they said to do something. And if
they didn't allow us to do something, we would have to wait for their
permission in their timing. But even as adults, that principle holds true.
When you ask God for something, how quickly do you give up after
not receiving it? God's greatest times of working come through times of
waiting. God was writing His law personally for the nation oflsrael-His
people! They lost the blessing of what God had intended this time to be
because they were impatient.
Are you waiting on the Lord? Are you feeling impatient? When
tempted to rush ahead of God's will and timing, think of the blessings
you will miss if you become impatient and give up on God! God has
blessings in store for your life if you will only wait on Him and on His
timing. Patiently and prayerfully wait on the Lord today. After all, you
may be only a day away from seeing your prayer answered!

jOSHUA 4--6 '1foo LUKE I:I 20 ]()5

March 21

Delivering an Urgent Message

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one
died for all, then were all dead.-2 CoRINTHIANS 5:14

once read the story of John Currier who was convicted of murder and
I sentenced to life in prison in 1949. He was transferred to work on a
prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee. After Currier had worked for
twenty years, his sentence was cut short, and a letter was sent declaring
him free. The letter, however, never reached Currier, and he served an
additional ten years, unaware that he was really a free man.
The story concluded by asking, "Would it matter to you if someone
sent you an important message-the most important in your life-and
year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"
Had someone cared about this man's freedom, they would have
sought him out until the message was delivered. Even so, as Christians,
God desires that we passionately share the message of Christ with others
so they too can know true freedom in Christ.
We have been entrusted with the most important message anyone
could ever hear. We know the truth that would set others free-if we
would just deliver it.
Communicating the message of the Gospel will take diligence and
effort. It will require commitment and perseverance to seek out those
who are lost and convey the urgency of their condition. But when we see
the love that Jesus has given us, we are constrained to tell others of Him.
Do you have a burden for souls? Are you passionately witnessing
for Christ? David Brained, missionary to the North American Indians,
wrote, "I care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may
save souls." Spend time telling others of Christ today. Be passionate in
your witness and prayer for the souls of the lost.

!On JOSHUA 7 <) * LUKE 1:21-38

 March 22

Make a Decision
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye
between two opinions? if the LoRD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then
follow him. And the people answered him not a word.-1 KINGS 18:21

ormer President Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to
F a cobbler for a new pair of shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan,
"Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't
answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler
saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted
on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well,
come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready."
When the future President did so, he found one square-toed and
one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make
decisions for you:' the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned
right then and there;' Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own
decisions, someone else will."
The people of Elijah's day faced the problem of indecision. They
couldn't decide whether they wanted to follow God or the idols King
Ahab had built. That problem is also prevalent in Christianity today.
Many Christians can't decide whether they believe God's Word and want
to trust Him, or live for the pleasures of this world. They are torn between
living for God and living for self.
Some Christians, like Joshua, need to decide to serve God no matter
what," .. . as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).
The devil tempts Christians daily to serve idols or self, rather than
serving God. How do you respond to temptation in your life? Like the
Israelites in Elijah's day, you must make a decision. Determine today to
seek God's help in making the decision to serve Him rather than self.

jOSHUA 10 12 '~ LUKE I:39 -56 107

lvlarch 23

Not in My Strength
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of
the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let
them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for
themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire
under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name
of the LoRD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all
the people answered and said, It is well spoken.-r KINGS r8:22-24

lijah saw that the people of Israel could not make up their minds in
E deciding who to serve, so he proposed a test to prove which "god" was
more powerful. The God that answered by fire would be worshipped as
the true God.
The prophets of Baal began their ceremonious chanting and praying
to their god. But nothing happened.
Then Elijah cried out to God, ''And ... Elijah the prophet came near,
and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this
day that thou art God in Israel ... " (1 Kings 18:36). Those on the mountain
heard the sincere prayer of Elijah and saw the fire come down from
Heaven. The reason Elijah prevailed in the conflict was not because of
his skill or his effort, but because of the mighty hand of God.
None of us can make it on our own! The Christian life lived in
your own strength is destined to be a life of misery, heartache, and
failure. Only through the strength of God is the victorious Christian
life possible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"
(Philippians 4:13).
Have you been frustrated trying to live your Christian life in your
own strength? Don't go through today in your own strength, but look to
God for help right now.

!Ok JosHUA 13 15 '(to LuKE 1:57 -So

 March 24

When You're Discouraged

... and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough;
now, 0 LoRD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
- I KINGS 19:4

R obert Louis Stevenson, the great writer and poet, wrote words that
continue to enrich our lives today. Yet what did he write for his
epitaph? "Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed
much." When Stevenson reached the end of his life and looked back on
his accomplishments, he saw mostly failure.
Sometimes after a great period of exertion, physically or spiritually,
there comes a season of discouragement. This happened in Elijah's life. He
had just accomplished a great spiritual victory when he called down fire
from Heaven and slew the prophets of Baal. Yet in 1 Kings 19, we see Elijah
retreating from the battle.
Even Elijah, a great man of God, experienced discouragement. If you
feel discouraged, it does not mean you are uncommitted to God. Sometimes
you are physically or spiritually exhausted, and you feel discouraged.
The devil often uses discouraging times to pull you away from God
and onto a different path. He will cause you to doubt your salvation,
question God's goodness, and stray from God's will for your life. Do
not make life-changing decisions during times of discouragement! This
is not the time to decide God wants you to be somewhere else, doing
something else.
Look at God's response to Elijah's request to die, ''And the angel of
the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and
eat; because the journey is too great for thee" (1 Kings 19:7). God fed Elijah,
gave him sustenance and rest, and encouraged him to keep going.
When you are feeling discouraged, don't let the devil pull you away
from God. Take time for spiritual sustenance and rest. Spend time with God
in His Word. Let Him sustain you and strengthen you for your journey.

}OSHUA 16-18 <"" LUKE 2:I 24 109

March 25

What Humility]
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took
Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place
called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where
they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus
in the midst.-]OHN I9:I6-r8

T he King of kings, Lord oflords, Creator, Redeemer, and all-powerful

God died between two common criminals-two men who had sinned
against Him. He was dying because of their sin, for their eternity, in the
midst of them. What humility!
God deserved all glory, honor, and praise, yet our Lord's life was
one of humility. He came not to the earth to be served, but to serve.
He humbled Himself and served those who should have been serving
Him. He worked for His earthly father; He healed the sick; He fed the
multitudes; He calmed the storm; and as the ultimate picture of servitude,
He washed the disciples' feet.
If Christ was willing to humble Himself, how much more should
we as Christians? Think about this. The one who created you and gave
you breath and life died for you. Not because you deserved it or because
you had done something great for Him-your denial, rejection, and
disobedience caused His pain. Yet He humbled Himself and came.
When you get a glimpse of Christ's humility you will see that there
is nothing too small for you to do. There is no person too "low class" for
you to serve. Service is born out of humility. When you humble yourself,
you will serve others.
How are you serving others today? Are you serving those who
mock or ridicule you? Christ did. Are you serving those who don't have
as much as you? Christ did. Look to the Lord as your example today.
Humble yourself, and look for those whom you can serve. Seek not to be
served, but to serve.

110 [OSHUA 19 21 '((-- LUKE 2:2') ')2

 March 26

Father, Forgive Them

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they
crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other
on the left. Then said jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.-LUKE 23:33-34

ather, forgive them." Can you visualize the passion Christ put into
F that statement? He had just been beaten beyond recognition. He
endured the mocking, the spitting, and the jeering. He stood silently as
the people He formed with love lied about Him and falsely accused Him.
He allowed them to burden Him with a rugged cross as He painfully
made His way to His death. He suffered as they nailed His hands and feet
to the Cross. And He hung on the Cross as the guards mocked Him.
While most of us would have spoken out in anger, our Lord
spoke out in kindness. He begged His Father to forgive those who were
crucifying Him. Through all the injustices, Christ still saw these people
with love.
As Christians, many times we can be guilty of failing to forgive
others. How many times has someone sought your forgiveness for a
wrong they had committed against you, but you refused to forgive them?
Or how many times have you verbally forgiven someone, but kept the
hurt in your heart?
God did not have to forgive us, and yet He did willingly. He lovingly
and almost excitedly offered you forgiveness! It's as if He said, "Here it
is! Look! I suffered and died all because I wanted to give you this-it's
forgiveness for all you've done. Please take it." We should be as eager to
forgive others as God was to forgive us.
If Christ could see those who crucified Him and forgive them, can't
you forgive those who have wronged you? Who do you need to forgive?
Do not forgive them because they deserve it or because you feel like it; do
it because you love God-because He has forgiven you.

josHuA 22 24 'lfo LuKE i Ill

 Nlarch 27

He Is Alive
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it
was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were
affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek jesus of
Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place
where they laid him.-MARK 16:4-6

T hree days after Jesus died on the cross, Mary Magdalene and some
other women came to His tomb to cover His body with incense.
When they approached the tomb, they found an empty tomb and saw an
angel nearby. The angel proclaimed the good news-that Jesus had risen
from the dead.
These women were astonished and probably confused as the angel
told them of the resurrection. They had been living in sadness of Jesus'
death, when really He was alive! Many times we as Christians do not live
as though Christ has risen. Sometimes our faith and hope is so faint that
one would wonder if we truly believe that Christ is alive.
For many Christians, a trial or a difficult situation causes them to
lose hope. Their trust in God wanes, and they no longer live with a love
for Him. This should not be. We must not let the devil rob us of our hope
and joy. Christ is alive! Let us live each day with that fact in mind!
Death Valley, at 276 feet below sea level, is the hottest place in
the Untied States. In 2005, however, a strange weather pattern caused
rain to fall on this parched desert for nineteen days. Suddenly, millions
of dormant seeds burst into bloom, and the valley of death exploded
into life.
When we live with the hope and joy that Christ is alive, our once
"dead" lives will blossom into life and service for God! Are you living with
the hope and joy that Christ is alive? Let your actions and countenance
today show that Christ truly has risen and is alive!

112 JUDGES I ) 'l«- LUKE 4:I jO

 March 28

HeHasaPlan
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify
thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work
which thou gavest me to do.-]OHN 17:1-4

as it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?

H Our God is an all-knowing God. There was not one step on His
journey to the Cross that caught Him by surprise. No difficulty entered
His life that He was not anticipating. Even before Christ chose to come
to earth, He knew all the suffering He would endure. Yet He still chose to
come. He subjected Himself to the pains and difficulties of human life
because there was an eternal purpose in it all.
Even so, God allows difficulties into your life not because He desires
to make life difficult, but because He desires to bring about His purpose
in your life-to teach you something, to draw you closer to Him, to make
you a better Christian. Whatever the outcome, one of God's foremost
ways of developing you as a Christian is through trials.
Think back to the last trial you went through. Now that you are past
that trial, can you see how God worked through it? Or did you resist Him?
When you go through a time of trial, realize that God has a purpose in it.
Let Him work in your life, and you will come out a stronger Christian.
Everyone experiences trials, but God has a plan for each trial. He
desires to work through your trial, but the outcome of your trial is up to
you. Will you fight God's plan and resist Him? Or will you submit to His
plan and purpose and become a better Christian?

113
March 29

Your Life's Journey

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou
gavest me to do. And now, 0 Father, glorify thou me with thine own self
with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
-JOHN !7:4-5

ver the years there have been some amazing journeys taken
O throughout our world. In 1773, Captain James Cook led an
expedition to explore Antarctica. In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark journeyed to the Louisiana Purchase to survey the western territory
of the United States. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and his team of explorers
made a journey up Mount Everest.
These were all monumental and courageous journeys, yet they all
pale in comparison to the journey that was taken nearly two thousand
years ago--Christ's journey to the Cross. While the end of the Lord's
journey-His glorious resurrection-was amazing and noteworthy,
notice something about His actual journey: everything that Jesus did on
His journey was to bring glory and honor to His Father.
In the same way, our main reason for this journey called "life" should
be to glorify God in all we do. We should not seek God's glorification for
our own personal gain, but we should reflect all the praise back to Him!
For without God, we would be lost sinners on our way to an eternity
in Hell.
What is your primary purpose for living on earth? Is it to attain a
certain status at work or to gain a certain possession? Christ's primary
goal while on earth was to glorify His Father in all He did. Even so, your
main goal in life should be to bring honor to your Heavenly Father. I
once heard a preacher say, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and
to enjoy Him forever."
Put God at the forefront of your mind today. Focus on glorifying
God in all you do today and throughout your life's journey.

114 )UD(;Es 7 8 cjo LUKE ):I I6

 March 30

He Was There
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over
the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his
disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus
ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received
a band of men and officers from the chiefpriests and Pharisees, cometh
thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.-JOHN 18:1-3

esus knew the agony of loss. He tasted the pain of death. He felt the
J hurt of rejection. Jesus also experienced the pain of personal betrayal.
It's one thing to have the world against you, but it's another thing to have
those closest to you betray you.
Judas walked with Jesus for three and a half years. He heard Jesus'
teachings, saw His miracles, and witnessed His power. Yet Judas did not
accept Christ for who He was. He was not a true follower of Christ.
It must have hurt the Lord's heart to see Judas cast his lot with the
enemy. He had betrayed Christ and had chosen to side with the devil. All
the time the Lord had spent teaching, training, and mentoring him was
to no avail.
Maybe you have experienced the pain of personal betrayal. Maybe
someone you knew or loved turned away from you or betrayed you.
Many times it hurts the most when those closest to you disappoint you.
Yet even during these times, God says, "I know how you feel. I was there.
I experienced that too. It hurts. But I want to comfort you. Come to Me
and let Me help heal the pain:'
Have you been hurt by someone you love? Are you hurting from
something in your life right now? You don't have to go through the pains
of life alone. Christ experienced the pain you face today. He suffered
loss, the death of a loved one, personal betrayal, denial, and rejection.
Don't live in hurt and pain, but seek Christ's comfort, and press on for
Him today.

]UDGES 9 10 'tC-- LUKE 5:17 39 I 15

March 31

Ring the Bells

The LoRD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I
am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I
praise him.- PSALM 28:7

T he citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Soldiers from

Napoleon's massive army were spotted on the heights above the little
town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was
hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves
or display the white flag of surrender.
It happened to be Easter Sunday and the people had gathered in the
local church. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting
on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of
our Lord's resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual,
and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not
the power of God to defend us:'
The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy,
hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived
during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy
broke camp and left.
God was gracious to protect that group of believers as they rang
the bells to worship Him. How foolish it would have been had the pastor
stood up and proclaimed that his quick thinking and immediate action
saved the people!
We too often accept praise for something "we did." Christian, any
talent, ability, knowledge, or skill you have is a direct gift from God. He
alone deserves the praise for anything good in your life.
When was the last time you thanked God for the abilities He's given
you? Find a piece of paper, and write your name at the top. Then write
out everything you're good at doing. Now cross out your name and above
it put God. The next time you're tempted to accept praise for something
you've done, remember that list and reflect the praise to God.

116 }UDGES ll 12 'lC- LUKE 6:1 26

APRIL
(_~
Aprill

God Never Changes

For I am the LoRD, I change not; therefore ye sons ofJacob are
not consumed.-MALACHI 3:6

here is a place on my Grandfather Chappell's farm that is very special

T to me. To get there you must drive past the farm house and down
the Colorado dirt road for a mile or two. On the left are pinion trees and
sage brush and on the right are fields of red dirt. To the north are the
La Salle Mountains and to the east are the San Juan Mountains. Cutting
through the trees you can walk to a canyon ledge. With the beauty of
God's creation all around, time seems to stand still. Perhaps the aspect I
love the most about that place is that it never changes.
There can be no question that we live in a day of unprecedented
change. Even in the midst of constant change and progression, however,
our God never changes.
Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, wrote to the
remnant of Jews who had been restored from Babylonian captivity.
During their captivity, their faith had not been consistent. But even
though the Jewish people had changed, God had not changed.
God is faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him! He does
not turn His back on us as His children and reject us; He loves us and
desires to restore fellowship with us! People may say they feel God is far
from them, but in reality, our God never changes-it is we who turn
from God and move away from Him! We must turn to God and stay in
fellowship with Him for He will never change.
We tend to attach our hopes and dreams to changeable things.
These things could change, and our hope could be lost. But when we
place our hope and trust in God, we will never be disappointed!
Have you strayed from God? Come back to Him, and find in Him
all you need. Are you struggling to face a changing world? Find your
security in the unchanging promises of God.

118 )UDGES !3 !5 ctfo LUKE 6:27 49

 April2

Looking Only to God

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the
mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said
unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses,
the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is
become of him.- EXODUS 32:1

ach of us have times in our lives when we must decide whose side we
E are on. Whether it's deciding a sports team or a political candidate,
we have all had to decide who we trust and partner with.
The Israelites faced such a choice shortly after being delivered from
Egypt. They had miraculously crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and
arrived at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses had already made one trip up the
mount and returned with the Ten Commandments. He told the people
to sanctify themselves and receive the rest of God's instructions, and they
agreed to keep themselves pure before the Lord until Moses returned.
When Moses was gone, many days passed with no word from him.
It had been almost forty days since he left, and the people started to get
anxious. They did not know if Moses was even still alive!
Instead of trusting God during this time of waiting, however, they
turned to Aaron and demanded immediate action. Aaron, Moses' brother,
should have been a strong spiritual leader, but he caved in to the people's
requests and sought to appease their demands. Instead of pointing the
people back to God, he made an idol for them to worship.
Like Aaron and the Israelites, we sometimes take our eyes off God
during a time of waiting. In our impatience, we attempt to find answers
on our own, preventing God from the work He wants to do in our lives.
Are you going through a time of waiting? God longs to work in you,
but you must look to Him and remain faithful. Ask God to help you look
only to Him as you patiently wait for His will in your life.

jUDGES 16 r8 '1«- LUKE 7:1- 30 !19

April3

Glorifying God
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord ... Who hath
saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
jesus before the world began.-2 TIMOTHY r:8-9

illy Sunday once said, "More men fail through lack of purpose than
B . lack of talent." Many go about life with no purpose. Others seem to
only be living to gather earthly possessions or material wealth. But as
Christians, we know that God has a purpose for each of our lives.
One of God's purposes for our lives is that we glorify His name.
Ephesians 1:12 says, "That we should be to the praise of his glory ...." When
we bring praise to His name, we are fulfilling God's purpose for us
as believers.
The world notices that we are Christians, and they watch how we
live. If we live no differently than they do, they will not see their need for
Christ. One of Hollywood's leading men a generation ago seemed to have
it all. After a glamorous life, however, he felt there was nothing else for
which to live and took his life. He left a note that read: "I committed suicide
because I am bored and because I have already lived long enough."
Millions today are hurting and struggling to find the significance
of life. Many turn to money, pleasure, or substances to find purpose, but
they need to see in us that true life purpose is only found in Christ.
God desires for us to glorify Him in all we do each day. Whether we
are at work, home, or simply out and about, others should know that we
are Christians through our testimony and our words.
Are you glorifying God through your actions? Our purpose on
earth is not to gain possessions or material wealth, it is to do God's will
and glorify His name in all we do. Ask God to help you glorify Him today,
and remember to honor Him in all you do today.

120 }UDGES 19 21 'il- LUKE 7:31 )0

 April4

A Message of Hope
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into
thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day
shalt thou be with me in paradise.-LUKE 23:42-43

f you were to look at Rembrandt's painting of The Three Crosses, your

I attention would be drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died.
Then, looking at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you'd
see the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in
the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God.
Finally, near the edge of the painting, there is another figure
almost hidden in the shadows. Art critics say this is a representation of
Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus
to the Cross.
We all had a part in nailing Christ to the Cross because of our sin.
Yet through Christ's sacrifice, we can have hope. To receive Christ's gift of
salvation and hope, we must believe on Him.
This thief in our text above realized that Christ was the Son of God
and that He was the only way to Heaven. After the thief repented, Christ
forgave him of his sins, and gave him hope by promising that he would
be with Him in Heaven.
Christ promises that whoever believes on Him has a home in
Heaven for all eternity! John 14:2-3 says, " ... I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." His death and
resurrection gives each one of us hope today!
Thank God today for His message of hope! Thank Him for sending
His Son to die on the Cross so that you might spend eternity in Heaven
with Him. Christian, are you making it a priority to tell others of the
hope Christ offers them? Ask Christ to help you share His message with
others today.

RUTH I 4 '11- LUKE 8:1 -25 121

April 5

A Message of Importance
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If
thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked
him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our
deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.- LUKE 23:39-41

e see a repentant heart in one of the thieves crucified by Jesus. But

W notice there was another thief who was hanging beside Christ.
While both men had been convicted of crimes and had been sentenced
to death, one chose to believe Christ, and one chose to reject Christ.
Notice the unbelieving thief started with "if." He did not believe
that Christ was who He claimed to be, and he rejected Christ because he
had an unbelieving heart. John 3:18 says, "He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Those who do
not believe on Christ are condemned because of their unbelief.
The thief also rejected Christ because of an unrepentant heart. To
repent means "to change one's mind" about a matter. This man was not
repentant of his crimes or his sins. He did not see his need for Christ. He
ignored Christ's message to him to his own detriment.
Each person must decide whether or not to accept Christ's love and
forgiveness. Friend, has there been a definite time in your life when you
have accepted Christ's gift of forgiveness-His gift of eternal life? Don't
wait another day. Ask Him to be your Saviour today!
Christian, sometimes we become so caught up in our hectic
schedules that we develop hard hearts toward God and ignore His leading
in our lives. Is God trying to speak to you, but you're too busy to listen?
Don't ignore Christ's leading in your life. Make sure your heart is tender
toward Christ today.

122 I SAMUEL I j 'iC- LUKE 8:26 )6

 April 6

A Message of Forgiveness
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him,
saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen
of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering
him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself And
a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin,
and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.- LUKE 23:35-38

he famous Baptist pastor, R.G. Lee, once visited the site of Calvary in
T Israel. He wanted to go to the top, so he asked a guide to bring him. As
they reached the top, the guide asked, "Have you ever been here before?"
Dr. Lee said, "Yes, some 2,ooo years ago." A piece of each of us was at
Calvary that day as Christ bore each one of our sins. Our sins demanded
death, and Christ paid the price as He shed His blood for us.
Christ's redemption provides a way to Heaven. While doing good
things will not get us to Heaven, believing on Christ will! When we were
in sin, we had no hope of an eternity spent with Christ, but Christ changed
that when He died on the Cross! John 6:47 says, "Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."
Friend, Christ paid the price so that we might be saved! His sacrifice
paid for our sins and provided a way for us to get to Heaven. Thank God
today that He sent His Son to die for us. Not only did Christ die for us,
but He rose from the grave three days later! Death could not have power
over Him! As you remember Christ's sacrifice, rejoice in the fact that He
is alive today!
There are many who still have not received Christ's gift of
forgiveness. Let them know that Christ paid for their sins and provided
them a way to Heaven when He died on the Cross. Share His message of
the Cross today!

l SAMUEL 4 6 * LUKE '):I 17 12.1

April7

A True Disciple
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me,
not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and
were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat
which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto
you: for him hath God the Father sealed.-] OHN 6:26-27

ur Lord had no difficulty seeing the difference between counterfeit

0 followers and true disciples. Some came only to see Christ's miracles,
but the true believers were adhering to the truth of His teaching.
There are many today who pursue Christ only for temporary
satisfaction or monetary gain. But a true disciple will pursue Christ for
salvation and for peace and joy. They seek to know God's Word, and they
desire to walk with God.
True disciples also obey God's Word. Counterfeit disciples will
sometimes read the Bible, but they do not desire to please God by obeying
the Bible.
Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the
Middle East. The trainers require absolute obedience from the horses
and then test their obedience training. The final test is almost beyond the
endurance of any living thing. The trainer forces the horses to go without
water for many days. Then he turns them loose, and of course they start
running toward the water. Just as they get to the edge, however, the
trainer blows his whistle. The horses who have learned perfect obedience,
stop, turn around, and come pacing back to the trainer. After the trainer
sees their obedience, he allows them to drink. The trainer can tell which
horses have been trained well by their obedience. Even so, others can see
our commitment to Christ by our obedience of His Word.
Have you read God's Word today? Are you obeying His Word? Make
sure your life shows that you are a true disciple of Christ today.

124 I SAMUEL 7 ') 'I«- LUKE su8 36

 AprilS

Forgiven
And.. .Joseph ofArimathaea ... came, and went in boldly unto Pilate,
and craved the body ofJesus. And he bought fine linen, and took him
down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre
which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the
sepulchre.- MARK 15:42-43,46

oseph of Arimathaea was a wealthy man who was saved early in Jesus'
J earthly ministry. Joseph wanted to preserve Christ's body and requested
to bury it in his own tomb.
The linen Joseph used to wrap around Jesus' body was a picture
of righteousness. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are
wrapped in His righteousness. As we ask Him for forgiveness from our
sins, we are declared righteous before God's throne. Christ's death and
resurrection is a picture of forgiveness and righteousness.
Sometimes it is hard for us to comprehend God's forgiveness
because our human forgiveness is temporal. When we ask God to forgive
us, He never remembers our sins again! While we may struggle to forgive
others, God forgives us and declares us righteous.
A man was telling his friend about an argument he had with his wife.
"Oh, how I hate it," he said. "Every time we have an argument, she gets
historical." The friend replied, "You mean hysterical." "No," he insisted. "I
mean historical. Every time we argue she drags up everything from the
past and holds it against me!"
It's easy for us to remember the faults of others, but because we
have been forgiven and are clothed in God's righteousness, He never
remembers our sins! We must strive to forgive others with the same
forgiveness we've received. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you"
(Ephesians 4:32).
Is there someone against whom you're harboring bitterness? Forgive
those who have wronged you even as God has forgiven you.

I SAMUEL 10 12 'If- LUKE 9:37 62 125

April9

Coming Again
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous ofgood works.-Tnus 2:13-14

he early church had great anticipation for the Lord's return. Every
T writer of the New Testament gave some information about the Lord's
return and the hope it brought to those in suffering and persecution.
Many had lost loved ones and friends dear to them, so the hope of seeing
them again one day was also comforting.
Christ promises that His return is certain. "... I go to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again ... "
(John 14:2-3). We can trust that Christ is one day coming again.
Christ's return will be sudden, and Scripture instructs us to look for
His coming. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20 ). We do not know
the time of His return, yet because He tells us in Scripture, we know that
it is soon.
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, the distinguished British clergyman, said,
"I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He
may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death, I
am looking for Him."
Because we know that Christ's return is soon, we should be prepared
and ready for Him to come back at any moment. Our lives should be
spotless, and we should be busy about God's work so that if He were to
come back, we would be ready.
Christ's promise to return offers hope to us as believers, yet we must
make sure we are ready to meet Him. Christ could come at any moment!
As a Christian, are you ready to meet the Lord? Are you faithfully serving
Him with a pure heart? Spend time with the Lord right now, and make
sure you are ready should He come back today.

126 I SAMUEL 13 14 * LUKE IO:l 24

 April 10

Living by Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.- HEBREWS II:I-2

ebrews 11, the "faith chapter" of the Bible, chronicles the lives of
H men and women who showed faith in the face of adversity. It also
records the ways God blessed the lives of these heroes of faith.
Faith simply believes God. A life of faith is not characterized by
doubt or fear. When we trust God and place our lives into His hands, we
can trust that He will guide us in the direction we need to go. While many
people worry about finances, decisions, and life after death, we can have
confidence when God controls our lives!
Faith is a choice. We must choose to place our trust in Christ and
give Him full control. We are not living by faith if we are creating a "back-
up plan!" Faith trusts Christ fully.
A traveler in the early days of the West came to the Mississippi River
and discovered there was no bridge. Fortunately, it was winter and the
great river was sheeted over with ice. But the traveler was afraid to cross,
because he did not know how thick the ice was. Finally, with infinite
caution, he began to creep across on his hands and knees. About halfway
over, he heard singing from behind. Cautiously he turned, and there, out
of the dusk, came another traveler, driving a four- horse load of coal over
the ice, singing as he went!
The traveler in the wagon had faith that the ice would hold him, but
the first traveler would have never known the power of the ice, because he
did not trust it. We can trust our God! But we must choose to trust Him.
Are you living by faith? Faith does not hesitate or falter when asked
to do the impossible! We know our God is mighty and powerful, and He
can do all things! Ask Christ to help you live by faith today.

I SAMUEL 15--16 '((o LUKE 10:2')--42 127

Aprilll

Choosing to Surrender
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the
king's commandment.- HEBREWS II:23

hortly before Moses was born, Pharaoh decreed that all male Jewish
S children were to be killed. God had other plans for Moses' life, however;
God had chosen Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Because Moses'
parents were surrendered to God's will, they protected their son. They
chose to follow God instead of Pharaoh. They chose to surrender to God
rather than the world.
A life of faith chooses to surrender to God. Moses' parents had faith
that God would take care of them and Moses as they obeyed Him. As
Moses' parents chose to trust God for safety and surrendered him, He
protected young Moses.
It has been said that there is no such thing as a correspondence
course for swimming. If you want to swim, you must get into the pool.
It takes courage to get into the unknown and learn. Even so, we cannot
expect God to work in our lives if we are not surrendering to God in
obedience. A faith that is never put to work will not be strong when it
is tested.
Living by faith requires a choice of surrender to Christ. We must
surrender our will and our plans to Him. We must put our lives in His
hands. When we, in faith, put our lives into God's hands, He will guide
us and protect us. Moses' parents surrendered themselves to Christ, and
they exhibited that surrender in obedience to Him.
Are you surrendered to God? Are you living with complete trust
and faith in Him? Don't let the devil bring fear and doubt into your life.
Choose to surrender to God and trust Him completely as you live by
faith today.

12il I SAMUEL 17 18 'it- LUKE Il:f 28

 April 12

Choosing to Identify
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
-HEBREWS II:24-25

T hrough the decision of faith that Moses' parents made, God

orchestrated events so that Moses grew up in the Egyptian palace as
the princess' son. As Moses became a young man, he was faced with his
own decision of faith. He could choose to live the life of a prince and
possibly one day rule Egypt, or he could choose to follow God and to
identify with God's people.
Moses chose the latter. He refused to be called an Egyptian prince,
choosing instead to follow God's call. This decision required faith. Moses
was leaving the comfort and ease of palace life.
This decision required suffering. Moses chose to suffer the physical
pains of being a slave rather than the comforts of being a prince. He chose
to trust God rather than take part in sin. The Israelites were captives of
the Egyptians, and to identify with the Israelites was to embrace a life
of hardship. Yet Moses chose this, not because it was the easy way, but
because it was the right way.
Every Christian who chooses to walk by faith and identify with
Jesus Christ will suffer some form of persecution. Living for pleasure and
sin always leads to a wasted life and heartache. But choosing to identify
with Christ and living for Him brings eternal rewards! When we choose
to live by faith and identify with Christ, He will guide and bless us.
Have you chosen to identify with Christ by living for Him? It may
mean leaving the cares and comforts of this world, but Christ will bless
your life and will give you strength and protection as you live for Him!
Choose to identify with Christ by living for Him today.

l SAMUEL I9 -21 '"" LUKE 11:29 54 L?9

April 13

Showing Our Faith

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.- HEBREWS I2:I-2

n July of 1986, my family and I moved to Lancaster, California. On

I our first Sunday at Lancaster Baptist Church, I wrote this note in our
bulletin: "I believe today will be the beginning of a long and fruitful
ministry here in the Antelope Valley." At the time, the situation looked
bleak. The church had outstanding bills that had to be paid. There was no
money in the bank. The city itself did not seem like a promising location
for a growing church. Yet, God commands us to demonstrate our faith in
Him, and that is what we did. I thank the Lord that He has chosen to bless
that faith and the faith of our church family over the years.
I like the old saying, "Faith is not a pill you take, but a muscle you
use:' Faith must be continually at work in our lives if we are to please
God. So, how can we display our faith?
We display our faith by running the spiritual race that is set
before us. Our race includes hurdles and obstacles, and we display faith
in God when we continue to run despite the setbacks. As we run, we
must focus on Jesus. It requires faith to concentrate on Him amidst the
many distractions.
How are you displaying faith in God? Distractions and
discouragements will come, but we must determine to have faith in God
and keep running. Ask God to help you display your faith by running the
race He has given you today.

130 I SAMUEL 22 24 '/t- LUKE l2:I jl

 Aprill4

Reading and Remembering

And they found written in the law which the LoRD had commanded by
Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the
seventh month: And that they should publish and proclaim in all their
cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive
branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches,
and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people
went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one
upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the
house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the
gate of Ephraim.- NEHEMIAH 8:14-16

T he Israelites experienced revival by reading God's Word and

remembering His commands. All too often we forget what God
has done for us. It's easy to see what is going on around us and forget
the blessings God has given us in the past. It would be good for us to
take time to remember and thank God for all He has done for us. True
revival is always accompanied by renewed thanksgiving unto God. As
we experience personal revival, we will be more thankful for all God has
done for us.
God's Word reminds us of God's commands. As the Israelites read
the Scriptures, they remembered the observances they had neglected and
the commands they had not obeyed. One of the observances they had
neglected was the feast of the tabernacles. This feast lasted seven days
(Leviticus 23:34) and was a time when the Israelites separated themselves
and remembered God's care.
Amidst our busy schedules, we tend to forget God. Personal revival
comes when we separate ourselves from our normal routines and seek
God's face. When was the last time you set aside time to spend in God's
Word and remember His blessings? Take time right now to be with God.
Read His Word and remember all He has done for you.

I SAMUEL 25--26 * LUKE 12:32--59 131

AprillS

False Accusations
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all
their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and
saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.- PSALM 34:17-18

ave you ever been faced with the injustice of a wrongful accusation?
H Even when our testimony is pure, others sometimes accuse us of
things we did not do. We've all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is simply not true.
No matter what age a person is, unkind words or wrongful accusations
can hurt us and result in broken hearts.
When we go through the heartache of an injustice in our lives, we
must look to the Lord. He was wrongfully accused when He was on earth.
In order to "rightfully" crucify Christ, the religious leaders had to accuse
Him of some crime, yet He had no fault. They lied and I'm sure it broke
our Lord's heart to know that the people He loved were falsely accusing
Him. Yet He did not retaliate; He simply loved them.
Even when those around us accuse us or slander our names, we
must love them. We can look to Christ as our example and love these
people. Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Christ wants us to love even
those who purposefully try to hurt us.
I once heard a missionary to China describe different characters
of the Chinese alphabet. He came to one symbol that looked like a knife
throughaheartandexplaineditsymbolizedtheword"perseverance."Even
when others have hurt us, we can persevere through God's strength.
Have you been wrongfully accused? Have you been hurt by someone
around you? Ask Christ to help you love those who have hurt you. Seek
His strength to continue faithfully serving Him today.

U2 I SAMUEL 27 29 '((- LUKE 1):1 22

 Aprill6

Receive God's Grace

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say
not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
-MATTHEW 18:21-22

od's grace is sufficient to help us when others wrong us. Yet we

G refuse God's grace when we choose bitterness over forgiveness.
Forgiveness and God's grace go hand-in-hand. As we seek God's grace,
He will help us forgive others.
Bitterness distorts our perspective on life. Rather than focusing on
Christ and living for Him, our eyes settle on the hurt and pain we feel. We
can focus so much on the pain that we develop resentment toward the
person who caused the pain.
Bitterness also causes us to lose our trust in others. Just as children
who have been abused or neglected have difficulty trusting anyone, when
we harbor a bitter spirit toward someone, we will lose our ability to trust
others. This distrust will overrun our lives, and we will also lose our
effectiveness for Christ.
God has a purpose for our lives, and He wants to use each of us in a
special way. When we are focused on our hurts, we will not be able to see
the needs of others. We will lose the opportunity to tell others of Christ
or to help others who are hurting. When we choose to forgive rather than
become bitter, God is able to use us in a mighty way.
Booker T. Washington once said, "I will never allow any man to
destroy or degenerate my soul by making me hate him." Even though
someone wrongs us, we should not get angry or bitter toward them. We
must, like Christ, forgive them.
Are you harboring bitterness toward someone? Have you failed to
forgive someone who has wronged you? Receive God's grace to forgive
even the deepest hurts of your life. Let God use you today by having a
God-honoring spirit instead of a bitter spirit.

I SAMUEL 30 31 'lfo LUKE 13:23 3'i 133

Aprill7

Grateful for His Blessings

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ jesus
concerning you.-1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

ne way we can keep our focus on Christ, rather than on ourselves, is

0 by thanking Him for His many blessings.
Thank God for His provision. It has been said that to be upset over
what you don't have, is to waste what you do have. God has given each
of us exactly what we need to accomplish His will for our lives. He has
provided for us, according to our needs and has given us far more than
we deserve! When we realize how much God has blessed us and given us,
we will soon forget our own hurt.
Thank God for His omniscience. Romans 12:19 says, "Dearly beloved,
avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." God promises us that He
is in control of everything that goes on. He knows when others wrong us,
and He wants us to let go of that hurt and let Him have control.
It's a good thing that we do not have to keep track of everything
that goes on in the world! When we realize that God is over all, and that
He knows what goes on; we can know that He will take care of everything
and work everything out according to His plan.
Thank God for His salvation. No matter what happens to us in this
life, we can give thanks that we will one day live with Christ in Heaven for
eternity! There will be no more hurt or heartache, and we will all worship
God forever. What a great promise! When we remember this promise, we
can forget the cares of this life and set our eyes on Christ.
What blessings have you thanked God for today? When we take our
eyes off ourselves and focus on the goodness of God, we will not develop
bitter spirits toward those around us. Thank God today for all He has
done for you.

134 2 SAMUI:L I 2 ~fo LUKE J4:I 2.1

 April 18

God's Promise
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
-ROMANS 8:28

omeone once said, "You can't break God's promises by leaning on

S them." One of God's promises is that He will make everything He
allows in our lives work out for good. God knows when we have trials,
and He desires to work through these trials. But He cannot work if we are
resisting Him. It is not always easy to go through a trial, yet we must look
to God and seek His purpose in the trial. As we turn to God and seek His
purpose, He promises to work through our trials to grow us.
After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary
work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon
the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey
had spent many years learning the language so that he could produce the
Scriptures in the language of the people he served. He had also prepared
dictionaries and grammars for the use of his successors.
One day while Carey was away, a fire broke out and completely
destroyed the building, the presses, many Bibles, and the precious
manuscripts, dictionaries, and grammars. When Carey returned and
was told of the tragic loss, he showed no sign of despair or impatience.
Instead, he knelt and thanked God that he still had the strength to do
the work over again. He started immediately, not wasting a moment in
self-pity. Before his death, he had duplicated and even improved on his
earlier achievements. Because Carey knew God was working for good in
his trial, he trusted God, and God was able to work through the trial and
bless him because of it.
Are you going through a trial today? God desires to work through
our trials but we must let Him work in our lives. Give your trial to God
today. Let Him work through your trial to draw you closer to Him.

2 SAMUEL 3 5 '~ LUKE L.J.:25 3~

Aprill9

Compelled
Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, Whom shall I send, and who
will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.-ISAIAH 6:8

s Isaiah stood in the presence of the Lord and saw His glory, He
A willingly volunteered to serve Christ in any way! Even so, as we
spend time with Christ through His Word, and we see His glory, we will
be compelled to serve Him. Serving Christ will become a joy, and we will
look for any opportunity to serve Him.
Paul also volunteered to serve God when he beheld His glory. "And
he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And
the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee
what thou must do" (Acts 9:6).
We see God's glory through His Word. When we behold God's glory
through spending time in His Word, we will delight in serving Him and
willingly volunteer to do His will as Isaiah and Paul did.
A glimpse of God's glory also increases our appetite for Him. Time
spent with God compels us to want to know Him better. A deep hunger
for God will open treasures from His Word. "My son, if thou wilt receive
my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline
thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if
thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the LoRD, and find the knowledge of God"
(Proverbs 2:1-5).
Do you enjoy serving Christ, or has it become a burden? Do you
have a passion to know Christ? As we behold God's glory through His
Word, we will be compelled to serve God, and we will desire to study His
Word so we can know Him more. Spend time with Christ today, volunteer
to serve Him, and seek to know Him more.

2 SAMUEL 6 8 '1t- LUKE I):I 10

 April20

Remaining Faithful
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first
to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.-MARK r6:9

s the glorious dawn of the resurrection morning appeared, God's

A redemptive work was complete. What a wonderful moment! But the
early Christians did not immediately celebrate this great victory.
Most of the followers of Christ were in a state of shock or denial.
Peter returned to his fishing nets, and many of the disciples joined him.
It's amazing to observe who remained faithful and committed to the cause
of Christ when pressures mounted. The Bible records that there was one
individual who was faithful through all the trauma-Mary Magdalene.
Mary followed Christ and served Him until His death. Undoubtedly
with a broken heart, she followed Him down the way of sorrow to Calvary.
There she watched the crowd mock Him. She also saw the sky grow dark at
midday as God turned His back on our sins which were placed on Christ.
As we see in Mark 15:33-34, "And when the sixth hour was come, there was
darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour
jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is,
being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Even through all the pain, Mary remained faithful to Jesus and
followed Him. She could have very easily been captured and punished
for following Him, yet she loved Him enough to risk her life. Even when
the disciples forsook Jesus and returned to their old ways of life, Mary
remained faithful through it all. Christ rewarded Mary's faithfulness by
showing Himself first to her after His resurrection.
When difficult times enter your life do you turn to God like Mary
Magdalene or from God like the disciples? Turn to Christ today, and ask
Him to help you as you seek to live for Him.

2 SAMUEL 9-Il ""' LUKE I5:TI -32 137

April21

A Friend's Support
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
-PROVERBS 17:17

omeone once said, "Prosperity begets friends, adversity proves them."

S It is easy for many people to be a friend when things are going well,
but true, godly friends will provide support even in times of need.
First Samuel19 records an example of the support a godly friendship
provides. King Saul had just commanded Jonathan and all his servants to
find and kill David. Jonathan, David's friend, warned David and helped
him escape. Jonathan then spoke to his father and persuaded him not to
kill David.
Jonathan was a friend to David in the good times and in the hard
times. Too often we see people walking away when difficulties arise. In
marriage, friendship, or employment, the world's solution to difficulties
is to run. But these are the times that our friends most need our support.
Just as Jonathan stayed and supported David, even though his own safety
was at risk, we must determine to give loyal support to our friends.
A godly friend never looks for what they can get out of a friendship,
but they are constantly looking for ways to give support. Often it is the
simple acts of thoughtfulness that encourage-a phone call, a small
present, or even just a smile. It is usually the small things done at just the
right time that helps support a friend the most.
A godly friend loves at all times-no matter what! We may not
always know when a friend is going through a trial or difficulty, yet as
we continue to love them at all times, God will help us support them in
their time of need.
Are you providing support for your friends in their times of need?
Ask the Lord to bring to your mind a friend who needs your support, and
think of something you can do to help them today.

2 SAMUEL !2- l j 'l(o- LUKE 16

 April22

A Friend's Protection
And Jonathan said unto David ... if it please my father to do thee evil,
then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace:
and the LoRD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
- 1 SAMUEL 20:12-13

once heard the story of two men who were on a hunting trip. Suddenly,
I one yelled, and the other looked up to see a grizzly bear charging
them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his
friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't
outrun a grizzly bear?'' "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to
outrun you!"
True friends do not run away when troubles come, but seek to help
protect their friends from the danger.
In our verses today, we see a familiar pair of friends, Jonathan and
David. Jonathan's father, King Saul, was pursuing David with the intent
of killing him. Jonathan protected David, risking his own life to keep
David safe.
There is an old Jewish proverb that says, "A friend is one who warns
you." True friends will warn each other and will help protect each other
when spiritual dangers come.
While Jonathan protected David from physical danger, we can
protect our friends from spiritual danger. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A godly
friend is not afraid to lovingly point out a spiritual danger in a friend's
life. Godly friends seek to build each other up and help protect each other
from the spiritual dangers of this world.
The world looks at friendships for what they can get out of the
relationship. But godly friends look at how they can help each other grow
spiritually. Are you helping your friends grow closer to Christ? Are you
protecting them from the devil's attacks? Ask Christ to help you draw
your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.

2 SAMUEL 14 15 '11- LUKE 17:1 19 13')

T:pril23

A Vision of Faith
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched
unto the children of Israel. .. there we saw the giants, the sons ofAnak,
which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,
and so we were in their sight.- NUMBERS 13:32-33

ne night a house caught fire, and a young boy was forced to flee to
0 the roof. His father stood on the ground below with outstretched
arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to
jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke,
and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His
father kept yelling, "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested,
"Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's
all that matters."
A vision of faith can enable us to conquer obstacles that come
into our lives. Joshua was a man with a vision. In Numbers 13, twelve
spies were sent into the Promised Land to scout it out. Ten of those spies
saw the land with human eyes-they saw the giants and overwhelming
obstacles that stood in the Israelites' way. But two of those spies, Caleb
and Joshua, saw the land through the lens of faith. Joshua and Caleb had
the vision to see past the obstacles to the mighty hand of God, and they
chose to believe God's promises.
When we don't view our circumstances through the eyes of faith,
even the smallest battles become giant obstacles in our eyes. Through the
eyes of faith, however, we see that nothing is too hard for God!
Has God given you a promise? Has He commanded you to go
forward and do something for Him? Many times we fail to obey His
commands because of a lack of vision. Don't let Satan steal your vision
of faith. When a problem arises, go to God's Word and find His promise.
Then claim it in your life, and trust Him for the victory!

140 2 SAMUEL 16 18 ~... LUKE 17:20 37

 April24

Joy in Christ
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full.- JoHN rs:u

isiting the garden of Gethsemane, I tried to visualize the time Jesus

V spent there with His disciples just before His crucifixion. John 15
records some of the conversation they shared as they walked to the
garden. In the past few hours, Jesus had told them many serious things.
He told them that He would go away and prepare a place for them; the
Holy Spirit would comfort them; they were to abide in Him; they would
be purged by the Father; and that if they loved Him, they would keep
His commandments. These were serious matters for the disciples to
remember. There must have been a meditating and pondering on these
things as the disciples walked with Christ.
Yet the Lord told them that He would give them joy as they obeyed
these commands. He promised them that, as long as they remained
steadfast in Him, His joy would remain in them. That promise was not
only for the disciples, but it is for us as well!
Christ offers us His joy and happiness, yet many times we let the
little things of this world replace that joy in our lives. Christ's joy is far
greater than any temporary happiness or pleasure of this world! And He
offers this joy to us each day. We must not let other people or situations
prevent us from having Christ's joy in our lives. As Christians, we should
be known as the most joyful people.
Do you have Christ's joy in your life? The reason many of our
forefathers of the faith were able to have joy in the midst of trials is
because they walked with God. They daily spent time with Him and
followed His path for their lives. Their joy came not from the people or
circumstances around them, but from serving God.
Take time today to be with God. Spend time in His Word and in
prayer. Seek the joy of the Lord today through faithfully living God's will
in your life.

2 SAMUEL I') 20 * LUKE !8:1 23

April25

Continuing Joy
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things
have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your
joy might be fu//.-JOHN I5:IO-II

n yesterday's devotion we saw that Christ desires to fill our lives with
I joy. Not only does Christ desire to give us joy, but He wants us to have
joy in our lives continually! The happiness the world offers is temporary
but God's joy continues forever. He has an endless supply of joy, and He
desires to give us that joy each day!
Focusing on God's Word will bring continuing joy. Philippians 2:5
says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We should
spend time in God's Word each day to abide with Him. When we abide in
Christ and focus on His Word, we will have Christ's joy in our hearts.
Focusing on God's goodness to us will bring us joy as well. It was
once said that if we were more mindful of what God has done for us, we
would truly be thankful and joyful. Imagine where you would be without
Christ today. If Christ had not come to die for us, we would have no hope
of eternity! Not only did He provide us with a home in Heaven, but He
guides us, provides for us, and comforts us throughout our lives. God is
so good to us!
No matter what we go through, we can have joy as we focus on
God's Word and on His goodness to us. Do you have joy today? Spend
time in God's Word each day, and meditate on what you read. Take time
to thank God for all He has done for you. Let Christ give you the joy that
continues as you live for Him.

142 2 SAMUEL 21 -22 'If> LUKE 18:24-43

 April26

A Working Testimony
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not
with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart.-EPHESIANS 6:5-6

ne of my first jobs as a college student in Bible college was as a shoe

0 salesman at Montgomery Wards. I was excited to have a job to help
pay my school bill, and I did my best to keep a good testimony. I eagerly
assisted customers who needed certain shoe sizes. I complimented their
selections, kept the display racks neat and my name tag straight. I strove
to be the best employee I could be!
At times, it can be easy to forget the purpose God has for us at
work. Yes, we need to make money. And it is true that we should seek to
please our employers. However, God often has a greater plan in mind. He
desires that we be a good representation of Him! We should determine
to please Him even above customers and employers. We must have good
testimonies so our coworkers will see Christ in our lives.
One way we can create good testimonies is through working hard.
Some people spend more energy trying to get out of work than actually
working! This should not be said of a Christian; being a Christian should
make you a better and more productive employee.
Another way to develop a good testimony is by having an obedient
spirit at work. We should obey our employers because God has placed them
as authorities in our lives. Even when we do not agree with our authorities,
we are to respect their position and thus create good testimonies.
What is your testimony at work? Do you work hard? Do you have
an obedient and respectful attitude? Ask God to help you glorify Him at
your workplace.

2 SAMUEL 23 ~24 'lfo LUKE 19:1-27 143

April27

Seek the Lord

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no
money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without
money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which
is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken
diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight
itself in fatness.- ISAIAH 55:1-2

ean recall the apprehension I sensed from our church members at our
l 1999 watch night service. Banks, businesses, governments, and military
branches all spent enormous amounts of time and money preparing
for"Y2K."
The year 2000 has come and gone, and the predictions of financial
and technological failures have been proven wrong. Just as with the
"Y2K" crisis, the world often seeks earthly solutions for survival. But as
Christians, we must seek Christ to help us spiritually "survive."
God calls out to us to seek Him for spiritual strength and sustenance.
He promises to give strength, nourishment, and joy to those who seek
Him. Every man has been created with a hole in his heart that only Christ
can fill. Yet when men seek happiness through other sources, they are
never satisfied. In 1900 there were three thousand millionaires in America.
Today there are nine million millionaires in America, yet men are still
seeking happiness. Only through seeking Christ can we have true joy.
Christ says that those who truly seek Him will never be disappointed!
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled" (Matthew s:6). When we seek the Lord through prayer
and Bible reading, we can have true joy. Nothing can offer us anything
compared to the joy we receive by seeking Christ!
Are you seeking Christ today? He will give us joy beyond what we
could imagine! Seek Him today and let Him strengthen you and fill your
life with His joy.

144 I KINGS I 2 'if- LUKE I9:28 48

 April28

Someone in Your Corner

But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall
go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land
which thou shalt see.- DEUTERONOMY 3:28

BS News anchor Dan Rather admits he was always fascinated

C by the sport of boxing, even though he was never good at it. "If
you're in a ring just once in your life-completely on your own-and
you get knocked down but you get back up again, it's a never-to-be-
forgotten experience. Your sense of achievement is distinct and unique.
And sometimes the only thing making you get up is someone in your
corner yelling."
We all need someone in our corner cheering us on in life. Think of
the times you've faced difficulties. Was there someone who encouraged
you to keep going? Think of what a difference they made in your life. You
might not be where you are today without them!
Everyone needs an encourager. People around us are right now
facing unfair situations. Someone falsely accused them at work yesterday.
They are being threatened with legal action over something they didn't
do. A loved one walked out on them. They are facing problems you don't
know about. Look for ways you can encourage them.
Encouraging people doesn't mean you have to do something
elaborate for them, but simply showing them you care. Whether it's
through a simple phone call, a note to say you prayed for them, or an
encouraging Bible verse to help them through their day, anything can be
encouraging when you take time to show you care.
Think of your friends, neighbors, and people you know. Who could
use some encouragement? Take time today to encourage! You never know
when your word of encouragement will make a difference. Determine
today to be that someone who stands in the corner, encouraging people
through the ups and downs of life.

I KINGS·~ ') ~ LUKE 20:I 26 145

April29

What Is Your Answer?

And jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word of God.- lUKE 4:4

ven in the early days of the lord's ministry, Satan tempted Him,
E seeking to discourage His ministry.
luke 4:1 says, "And jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from
jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness." These steps of the
lord were not only planned but were directed by God's Spirit. There was
a purpose for the trial Christ went through.
The Bible goes on to say in luke 4:2, "Being forty days tempted of
the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended,
he afterward hungered." The lord had spent time in prayer and fasting,
seeking His Father's strength before facing the devil. The word tempted in
this verse means "to entice with evil." During a time of physical weakness,
Christ was enticed with evil.
But the lord did not give in to temptation! Rather than letting
the thought of sin linger, He replied to the devil's temptations with the
sure Word of God. Satan attacked the Lord three times, and all three
times, Christ answered him with Scripture. Jesus showed us how we can
have victory over the devil's temptations. We must be in God's Word and
memorizing Scriptures that will help us resist the devil.
What weakness do you have in your life? In what area do you
struggle? The only way you will have victory over the devil as he tempts
you is if you are in God's Word and diligently memorizing it. Take
whatever weakness you have and spend time searching for Scripture
dealing with it. Write out a few verses on a 3X5 card and carry it with you
today. Determine to commit these verses to memory so the next time the
devil tempts you in that area, you can answer his temptations with the
powerful Word of God.

146 1 K1NGS 6 7 * LUKE 20:27 47

 April30

In Times of Weakness
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- I JOHN 2:!6

A story is told of the life of Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in

what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly
called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat."
After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a
successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald but did not kill
him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle
and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he
was able to leave the room.
This would not have been difficult for most people since the room
had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was
locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom,
he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each
day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of
prison, Raynald grew fatter.
Just as Edward tempted Raynald with his weakness, so the devil
targets our weaknesses when tempting us. There are three realms of
temptation-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
We must always be ready for the devil's temptations.
How many times have you seen someone stop serving God during
a trial or difficulty? Where once they used to be a strong follower of God,
they turned from Him during a time of weakness. That could happen to
any of us! Even in difficult times, it is imperative that we remain faithful
to God, His Word, and church.
Take time now to seek God's strength for today. Even when you face
trials, remain faithful to God. As you look to God and seek His strength,
He will help you resist the devil even in your weakest moments.

1 KINGS 8 9 *' LUKE 21:1 19 147

 May l

God's Perfect Word

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, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

T he Bible is God's perfect Word. It was written by many different men

of God as the Holy Spirit filled them and directed them in what to
write. Second Peter 1:21 says, "For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost."
Over three thousand times in the New Testament, the Bible is
referred to as "the word of God;' "God's Word;' "the words of the Lord;'
etc. Because the Bible is inspired by God, we know that it is perfect.
Not only is the Bible God's perfect Word, it is also God's personal
letter to us. During Old 'Testament times, God sometimes spoke to
people audibly. Although God does not communicate to us in this way
anymore, He still speaks to us through His Word. Peter, who experienced
both methods of communication with God, explained that the written
Word is a "more sure word" than the spoken word. (See 2 Peter 1:19.) We
do not have to be at church or in any specific place to hear from God. We
can go to His Word anytime and read His promises to us! The Bible is our
way of hearing from God and fellowshipping with Him.
Are you reading God's perfect Word each day and spending time
with Him? God has written His Word for you and me, and it is profitable
for us! In it we can find promises and gain strength to live for Him each
day. Read His Word today with an open heart, and let God speak to you
through it.

ISO I KINGS 10 II 'lf> LUKE 2! 20 -j8

 May2

Don't Lose Your Children

... asfor me and my house, we will serve the LoRv.-]OSHUA 24:15

young man was to be sentenced to the penitentiary. The judge had

A known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his
father-a famous legal scholar and author. "Do you remember your
father?" asked the magistrate. "I remember him well, Your Honor;' came
the reply. Trying to probe the offender's conscience, the judge said, '1\8
you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad,
what do you remember most clearly about him?"
There was a pause. Then the judge received an answer he had not
expected. "I remember when I went to him for advice. He looked up at me
from the book he was writing and said, 'Run along, boy; I'm busy!' When
I went to him for companionship, he turned me away saying, 'Run along,
son; this book must be finished!' Your Honor, you remember him as a
great lawyer. I remember him as a lost friend:' The magistrate muttered
to himself, "Alas! Finished the book, but lost the boy!"
This man lost valuable time to teach his son right from wrong
because he was more interested in his work than in his son. Joshua
realized that his responsibility as a leader began at home. He was to lead
his own family before he could lead the children of Israel.
Dads and Moms, your greatest life's work is to properly train
and guide your children into a loving relationship with God. More
important than a career, a promotion at work, or a hobby are the hearts
of your children.
Are you biblically training your children? Are they a priority in
your life? The devil is attacking young people like never before, and as
Christian parents, we must be active in guiding them to Christ. Spend
time mentoring your children today. Let them know you love them and
that you care. Seek God's help in leading your family, and don't lose the
time you have to train your children.

I KINGS !2 13 'II- LUKE 22:1 30 151

N1ay 3

Wherever He Leads
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LoRD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.-]OSHUA 1:9

A s the Israelites approached the Promised Land, God encouraged

them to claim all the land He had promised to Moses. "From the
wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of
the sun, shall be your coast" (Joshua 1:4).
The land of Canaan comprised more than three hundred thousand
square miles. It had abundant natural resources, and the land was fertile
for farming. It was also located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea,
giving the Israelites a port for shipping and trading. While God had
provided this land for them, Israel never claimed more than ten percent
of the land promised them.
That story is often symbolic of the average Christian today. God
wants to bless and use us, but as a result of a lack of faith, many times we
don't claim more than ten percent of what God wanted us to accomplish
for His glory.
God wants to bless you. He says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LoRD, thoughts ofpeace, and not
of evil, to give you an expected end." But to receive His blessings you must
step out in faith and trust His guidance.
In what area of your life has God asked you to follow Him in faith?
Finances? Life calling? Career change? God only blessed Joshua as he was
faithful to obey God's command and follow Him by faith. Determine to
follow God's leading wherever He directs you. Don't miss the blessings
He has for your life because you failed to trust His leadership.

152 I KINGS 14 I) '((oo LUKE 22:31 46

 May4

Stay in the Washing Machine

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience;
and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us.- ROMANS 5:3-5

ne preacher likened trials to washing machines. For the clothing to

0 be clean, it must endure all the machine's cycles, including being
drenched, covered in soap, and spun around.
Even so, no matter how tough it may be, you can't remove yourself
from God's "washing machine" until He is through. It takes patience to
accept God's trials and wait on His timetable, yet it is the only way to
grow closer to God.
When we are in the middle of a spiritual battle and feel the pull to
avoid the conflict, we must realize that God has a purpose in mind for
every trial and testing of our faith. These trials are all according to His
perfect timetable.
God is always at work. Even in the difficult times, God works on our
behalf. God doesn't make mistakes. Your health trial wasn't at a bad time
for God. That financial struggle didn't come a little too early in life. And
your spiritual battle wasn't at an inopportune time according to God's
timetable. Everything happens at a specific time for a reason.
Are you questioning God in your trial? Are you searching for a way
out? God has a purpose for the trials you face and for the time at which
you face them. When the devil tempts you to question God's timing and
turn from Him during a trial, remember that God is in control, and He
has a purpose for what you are facing.

I KINGS 16-18 •,t. LUKE 22:47 71 153

MayS

Trust Your Barometer

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.- ROMANS 8:28

man who lived on Long Island in New York was able one day to
A satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine
barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he was extremely
disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck,
pointing to the sector marked "HURRICANE:' After shaking the
barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and
wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the
instrument. The following morning on the way to his office in New York,
he mailed the letter.
That evening he returned to Long Island to find not only the
barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer's needle had been
right-there had been a hurricane!
Sometimes we likewise fail to trust our "barometer" of God's
promises. When God promises that He is working all for good in our
lives, we look at the circumstances surrounding us and wrongly conclude
that God's promises are wrong.
God can be trusted. No matter what goes on in our lives or what
God asks us to do, we know that He is in control of it all. God has a
special plan for your life. When you trusted Christ as your Saviour, God
did not merely give you a place in Heaven, but He gave you a purpose on
earth as well! And He has promised to make everything in your life work
to accomplish that special purpose if you love Him.
The opposite of trust is fear, and fear is a self-imposed prison that
will keep you from becoming what God wants you to be. Do you fear
what you see around you? Do you fear your future? Don't let fear hinder
your obedience to God and your trust in Him. When fear of the unknown
enters your heart, remember that God is in control and you can trust His
plan for your life!

154 I KINGS 19 20 'lfo LUKE 2:p 2')

 May6

In the Face of Adversity

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is
he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the
Son ofGod?-I JOHN 5:4-5

have never met any Christians who had as much strength and hope
I in God's promises in the face of adversity as the believers in China.
There are a few approved state churches there, but most people meet
secretly for church each week. They aren't allowed to buy property, gather
materials, and build a church building. They aren't allowed to worship
and witness openly.
We had the privilege of meeting with some underground house
churches. As the Chinese believers walked in, I watched them look around
for the cameras and security guards. I saw them dig deep into their bags
and uncover their Bibles.
After the service, I had the privilege of speaking with one man who
told me this story: Once the Communist soldiers came into his mother's
house where services were being held. They saw the two men at the front
who were holding the service, and they grabbed those men and took
them away. Nobody knew where they were. Even after being threatened
and seeing his friends taken away, he still risked his life to come to the
service that day.
I'm afraid too many of us would give up in the face of these trials.
We would throw in the towel and say it's too much for us to go on. Yet a
Christian who has faith in God's Word and His promises realizes there's
no need to be discouraged or afraid.
Are you facing a trial today? Do you ever feel weary and just want
to give up? When the difficult times come and the world is pulling you
away from God, turn to the Word of God. When you seek help from
God's Word during difficult times, you will be strengthened and given
new hope to keep pressing on for God and remaining faithful to Him.

I KINGS 21~ 22 'lt- LUKE 23:26 ')6 !55

 May7

Victory over Sin

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under
grace? God forbid.- ROMANS 6:rs

ne key to drawing closer to God is refusing to presume upon

0 the grace of God. We can't take God's grace for granted and live
however we want!
Since there's grace and forgiveness, should we continue in the life
we have, giving no care of sinning or disobeying God? No. This is not
why God has provided grace for us. When we take no thought of sin and
the temptations of this world, Satan has a hold on our lives. In order to
have victory over sin, we must realize God's grace is not a reason for us
to take sin lightly.
Think about it this way. Your child has just purchased his first car.
In order to help levy the cost of gas, you provide him with a credit card
in your name and let him buy gas with it. You have given him something
he doesn't deserve. But if your child were to use that card to buy fast food,
new clothes, electronics, and whatever else he desired-that would be a
misuse of your generosity or grace. When we take no thought of sin and
carelessly live our lives, we are misusing God's grace. In order to have
victory over the power of sin, we must correctly view God's grace. God's
grace is God giving us something we don't deserve.
Do you have a correct view of grace? Do you abuse it or appreciate
it? While you may never think of misusing God's grace or sinning without
thought, be careful to what thoughts the devil brings across your path.
Many of the new philosophies in the world teach a disregard for God's
grace, belittling the gift He offers us! Do not take for granted the fact
that God forgave all your sins and offers you grace for when you fall.
Thank Him for the free gift He offers you, and draw closer to Him today
through a correct understanding and appreciation of grace.

l.'i6 2KINGSI-3 * LUKE24:1 35

 May8

Motivated to Serve
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for
an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.-GALATIANS 5:13

uring the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past

D a group of soldiers repairing a barrier. Their leader was shouting
instructions, but making no attempt to help. Asked why by the rider, he
retorted with dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!" The stranger apologized,
dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done,
he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have
a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-
in-chief, and I will come and help you again." It was none other than
George Washington.
We need Christians who rather than focusing on what they don't
have to do, focus on what God has commanded them to dol While some
would use grace to live life the way they want, we should use grace to live
life how God wants.
Grace is the inner working of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer,
bringing them into the image of Christ. While many people view grace as
a license to sin, true grace should be our motivation to serve others! We
are free under grace, not to sin but to serve!
When was the last time you went out of your way to serve someone
else? When was the last time you sent a friend a card, baked some cookies
for your neighbor, mowed someone's lawn, or showed someone you
cared? Sometimes the hardest thing you can do is show kindness to
someone who isn't kind to you. But that's where God's grace comes in!
Because of God's grace, we can serve anyone who comes along our path.
Ask God now to give you grace to help others today. As you go
about your daily routine, be looking for someone you can serve through
God's grace.

157
iv1av 9
.J

Be an Encourager
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers.- EPHESIANS 4:29

E dward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most

renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first
pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took fifty photos.
Only one turned out-a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's
father thought that was a poor showing, but his mother insisted that the
photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated
for forty-nine failures. Her encouragement convinced Edward to stick
with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had
been a close call. What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in
the midst of a lot of failure.
As Christians, we should be known as people who are always
encouraging, always cheering on others to keep going. While we all
have struggles and trials in our lives, we can keep cheerful hearts and
encouraging conversations through the grace of God.
True grace will motivate us to encourage others. People who are
growing in grace are very encouraging to be around. They always have
something kind to say or something to cheer you up. These are the people
we usually gravitate toward and the ones we seek when we need advice.
God's grace allows them to keep an encouraging spirit.
Have you ever wondered how these people are always so cheerful?
Don't they suffer trials too? We all have difficulties, but God's grace allows
us to remain joyful even in the midst of our trials! When we have grace
in our lives, we will have kind words for one another no matter what is
going on!
Even when difficulties come, determine to continue encouraging
others. Look for at least three people today who you can cheer on to
remain faithful to Christ.

LiS 2 KINGS 7 9 'tt- }OliN !:I 28

 May 10

Just Like a Llama

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
-ROMANS 6:3-4

he Denver Post once reported: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West,
T Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from
killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-
coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed
battery-operated radios near them. She has corralled them at night and
herded them during the day. But the southern Montana rancher has lost
scores oflambs-fifty last year alone. Then she discovered the llama-the
aggressive, funny-looking, afraid-of-nothing llama. 'Llamas don't appear
to be afraid of anything; she said. 'When they see something, they put
their heads up and walk straight toward it. That is aggressive behavior as
far as the coyote is concerned, and they won't have anything to do with
that ... Coyotes are opportunists, and llamas take that opportunity away."'
The llamas aren't afraid of coyotes and boldly oppose them. Even so,
Christians must be bold in resisting Satan's temptations. We can have this
boldness through the victory Jesus won on the Cross.
On the day of salvation, the victory over Satan was won, and our
old nature was put to death. You are no longer a servant of sin, but a
servant of Christ, who overcame sin.
Do you ever wonder how you can have victory over sin? The
minute you were saved, Satan lost his hold on your life. You are no longer
resigned to sin, but have a new life in Christ!
Yes, we all still sin because we are human, but we can have victory
over sin through Christ. When the devil tempts you, resist him through
the victory Jesus offers.

2 KINGS 10 I2 'lf- jOHN 1:29 )I !59

May ll

Reckon Yourself Dead

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that
is dead is freed from sin. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-ROMANS 6:6-7, II

man asked Dr. Lee Roberson the key to the Christian life. Dr.
A Roberson answered, "Be filled with the Spirit and dead to self."
We are commanded by God to reckon ourselves dead to sin. The
word reckon means "to put to an account." To say that your old nature
is crucified is one thing, but to reckon it means to put Christ's victory
on the Cross to your account daily. Paul said it this way, "I die daily"
(1 Corinthians 15:31). Every day he died to the old nature and reckoned
himself alive in Christ.
We all reckon things, or set to an account and credit things every
day. For example, when we see a speed limit sign, we have a reckoning at
that moment. Some people reckon the speed limit to be higher than it is!
But we all reckon the speed limit. We also reckon the promises of God.
Either we believe God's promise that the victory over temptation is ours,
or we count God's promise as impractical and unrealistic.
It is more than a historical fact that the Lord paid for your sins
and won the victory over the devil; it is a truth you can apply to your
life today! You don't have to fall to Satan's temptations. You are a new
creation in Christ.
What sin do you need to reckon yourself dead to today? In what
area does Satan have a hold in your life? Friend, we are dead to sin-you
can have the victory over the devil's temptations! Satan no longer has
power over you, and you can resist him through the resources God has
given you. When you are dead to sin, you can live for God!

160 2 KINGS 13 14 'If- )OHN 2

 Mayl2

Choose You This Day

.. .choose you this day whom ye will serve .. .-JOSHUA 24:15

oses could have had a big position in Egypt. He was destined for
M wealth and fame as a ruler one day. But he chose to please God
rather than seek the world's pleasure. Hebrews 11:25 says, "Choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season." God was more important to him than anything else.
Daniel also faced the decision whether to follow God or man as
we see in Daniel1:8: "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not
defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which
he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself" Daniel decided he wasn't going to enjoy the food and
drink that had been offered to idols. He wasn't going to disobey God. He
chose to separate himself from the sinful acts of the people and follow
God's commands.
Just as Moses, Daniel, and many others who have faced the decision
to separate from sin, you will face the same decision as well. You will be
tempted to enjoy sin and take part in its pleasures. Sin is enjoyable for a
time, but it always comes with consequences.
God has eternal pleasures to offer you, but many times sin is more
desirable to our flesh. While we can see the "rewards" of following sin
right now, it is often difficult to see the spiritual rewards God offers. But
when you choose to follow God, He will open the windows of Heaven
and pour out blessings that far surpass the temporary joys of sin!
You are facing a choice today. Will you follow God and neglect
the pleasure of sin? God desires that you would see past the immediate
pleasures of sin and choose to enjoy the eternal joys of following Him.
When you are tempted today, ask God for the wisdom to see past the
pleasure of sin and choose to serve Him.

2 KINGS IS-16 *' jOHN 3:1 !8 161

 May 13

They're Watching You

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am
persuaded that in thee also.-2 TIMOTHY 1:5

Y ears ago the Communist government in China commissioned an

author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of
distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to
discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the Gospel. As the
author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's
saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to
carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the
risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and
received Jesus as his personal Saviour.
Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on
others. What we do is more powerful than what we say. Someone who
experienced that firsthand was Timothy. He saw a godly example in his
mother and grandmother, and it strengthened his own faith.
Bible scholars believe Timothy's father was not a believer. Timothy
probably never saw his father read his Bible; he never had the privilege
of going to church with his father. The credit for Timothy's godly morals
and foundation goes to his mother and his grandmother.
If as parents we are going to raise up godly children who love God,
we need to be sincere in our faith. We cannot live for God on Sundays,
live for the world the rest of the week, and expect our children to
follow God.
Your children know a lot more about you than you think. They
watch you each day! Do they see a real faith in your life? Or do they see
you act one way around church and completely different at home? Your
children will look to someone as their example; live your life so they can
look to you for spiritual guidance and strength.

162
 May 14

Honoring Moms
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praiseth her.- PROVERBS 31:28

ashington Irving said, "The love of a mother is never exhausted.

W It never changes-it never tires-it endures through all; in good
repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world's condemnation, a mother's
love still lives on."
Mothers today are often misconceived as someone who cooks,
cleans, and takes care of the children. But a mother is a much more vital
part of the family. In fact, mothers are one of the most influential people
on earth! From the time children are born, they are constantly connected
to their mother. They depend on their mother for food and water. They
look to their mother when they are frightened or are in need. Children are
dependent upon their mother for physical and emotional provisions.
God ordained the home for a purpose. He had a plan for each
member of the family, and He has ordained the mother to be significant
in her children's lives. While the father many times supports the family
financially, the mother often supports her family emotionally.
Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember all that your
mother did for you? Remember the time she made your favorite meal, or
the time she cleaned your cut when you fell off your bike, or maybe when
she cheered you on at your sports game, or perhaps the time she stayed
up late helping you with a school project? It has been said that a mother
spends an average of 92 hours a week doing everything from being a taxi
driver to being a chefl Your mother has worked hard and sacrificed a lot
for you over the years.
How have you thanked and honored your mom for her hard work?
Take time now to let her know you love her. Call her, write her a note, send
her flowers, or do something to let her know that you love her and that
you respect and honor her.

2 KINGS 19 21 'if- JOHN 4:1-30 163

May 15

There Is a Purpose
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.-! PETER4:I6

avid, a small boy with leukemia, was being treated by Dr. John
D Truman who specialized in treating children with cancer and various
blood diseases. When he was three, David had to have a spinal tap-a
painful procedure at any age. It was explained to him that, because he
was sick, Dr. Truman had to do something to make him better. "If it hurts,
remember it's because he loves you:' his mother said. The procedure was
horrendous. It took three nurses to hold David still while he yelled and
sobbed and struggled. When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in
sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, "Thank you, Dr.
Tooman, for my hurting."
When we think of the reality of injustice, remember that bad things
sometimes happen to good people. The life of Job is a good example of
an injustice. He loved the Lord and was living for Him yet God chose to
allow the devil to persecute him.
The Bible says that sufferings and injustices will come, but that
we should rejoice during these times, knowing that Christ also faced
injustices when He was on earth.
The mature Christian doesn't become upset and emphasize his
rights when facing injustices, but rather sees God's hand working and
accepts the injustice. God uses these times to help us grow as believers.
Have you ever questioned why God brings trials into the lives
of seemingly good people? Maybe you have faced injustices and trials
when you were faithfully following God and seeking His will. God never
promises we won't face trials, but He does promise to help us through
them! Rather than questioning God's purpose during the trial, let the
trial draw you closer to God by spending time with Him and remaining
faithful during the trial.

104 2 KINGS 22 23 '((- )OHN 4:31 S4

 Mayl6

Never Take Counsel of Fear

For God hath not given us the spirit offear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind.-2 TIMOTHY 1:7

uring World War n, a military governor highly praised General

D George Patton for his courage and bravery. The general replied,
"Sir, I am not a brave man. The truth is I am an utter craven coward. I
have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of a battle in
my whole life that I wasn't so scared that I had sweat in the palms of
my hands." Years later, when Patton's autobiography was published, it
contained this significant statement by the general: "I learned very early
in my life never to take counsel of my fears."
Fear holds us captive and prevents us from living for Christ. But
God gives us the victory over fear! He has provided us power, love, and a
sound mind through faith in Him.
Godly faith is empowering. God's power imparts strength and
grace to us as believers which give us strength to overcome whatever fear
enters into our lives. Sixty-three times in the Bible God uses the words
"fear not."
Godly faith also brings love which enables us to believe, endure,
and hope in all things. Even when fears and doubts surround us, God
tells us in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out
fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
When we love Christ and are walking according to His Word, there will
be no place for fear in our lives!
And last, godly faith creates a sound mind in us. The phrase sound
mind means "a clear understanding, sound judgment:' A sound mind
enables us to understand when the fear in our hearts is from Satan's
attacks and helps us look to God during that time.
Is your life gripped by fear? Don't give place to fear! True power,
love, and a sound mind come from God and can help you overcome
whatever fear comes your way.

2 KINGS 24 -2) 'lt- }OHN ):I 24 165

May 17

A Tender Heart
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down
upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my
mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the
LoRD hath taken away: blessed be the name of the LoRD.-JOB I:20

M ost Christians are familiar with Romans 8:28, "And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Perhaps no man illustrates the truth
of Romans 8:28 as Job.
The early verses of Job tell us of his trials. His entire livelihood, his
flocks and herds, was destroyed in one day. In the same day, his ten sons
and daughters were killed. Job's response to these many tragedies was
one of worship.
Job's wife did not understand Job's faithfulness to God and she
encouraged him to deny God. His friends came and accused him of
bringing these calamities on himself by secret sin. Even though so many
people were turning against him, Job remained faithful to God.
Job had a tender heart. Even though he didn't understand what God
was doing in his life, he knew that God was in control, and he trusted God
to take care of him. As can be seen in the final chapter in Job, his faith was
not misplaced. In the end, God brought double blessings to Job.
When difficulties come our way, we easily become bitter and turn
from God. Even through the worst of trials, Job showed us that as we
remain faithful to God with a tender heart, He will bless us.
Do you have a tender heart toward God? Even though our human
nature wants to become angry or upset, we must remain tender and open
to God during tough times. Approach God with a tender heart right now
and ask Him to strengthen your faith.

166 I CHRONICLES I · 3 *' }OHN ):2) 47

 May 18

A Revealed Heart
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put
strength in me .... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried
me, I shall come forth as gold.-]OB 23:6, 10

A lfred Edershein, a converted Jew and theologian, once said, "We

cannot understand the meaning of many trials; God does not explain
them. To explain a trial would be to destroy its object, which is that of
calling forth simple faith and implicit obedience. If we knew why the
Lord sent a trial, it would cease to be a trial of faith."
As we saw yesterday, the book ofJob is the record ofJob's faithfulness
to God through many extreme trials. Job's response to these trials revealed
what was in his heart.
Job revealed that he desired God's strength. He realized that he
could never make it in his own power, but with God's help, he could
remain faithful.
Our human nature wants to find our own solution to a trial and
make it through alone. But God is the only source of strength. We cannot
make it through without Him!
Job also revealed that he trusted God. While Job didn't understand
all that God was doing, he realized that God would bring growth to his
life through these trials.
Sometimes we focus so much on the immediate that we fail to see
the future. God desires to use us to accomplish His will, but many times,
doing His will requires a molding and shaping of our lives. These times
are never easy, but we must trust that the Lord is in control. If we do not
accept the trials as God's molding, we will not become the Christians
God desires us to be. We must trust God during these times.
Our hearts will be revealed during difficult times. If your heart were
to be revealed today, what would others see? Do you trust God during
difficulties? Do you look to Him for strength? Purpose to trust Him, and
let Him strengthen and guide you as you live for Him today.

I CHRONICLES 4- 6 *' )OHN 6:1- 2! 167

Nlay 19

A Refined Heart
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he
is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even
that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and
many such things are with him.-]OB 23:II-I4

y great grandfather worked in the gold mines of Colorado. The

M mines were dirty and dark places to work. As he mined, it was
often difficult to spot which pieces of rock held gold because the ore was
so rough. Later, after a series of chemical treatments and fire, however,
the ore was purified into beautiful gold.
As we've seen over the past few days, God used extreme fire to refine
Job's heart. The refining process was successful because Job realized
two things.
First, Job realized that God knew his needs, and that He knew what
was best. God's refining work begins in our hearts when we realize God
knows what we need to go through in order to become the Christians
He wants us to be. Everything we go through is Father-filtered. We must
trust Him and let Him work in our lives.
Job also realized that God had a purpose, as He does for everything
we go through, as well. Whatever difficulty you are experiencing, God has
a plan for it. Never look at a trial as simply a time of difficulty; look at it
as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ.
God desires to refine your heart through your trial, but you must
open your heart to Him. You must realize that He knows what's best!
Have you given God full control so He can refine your heart? Believe
that God knows your needs and that He is using this trial for a beautiful,
though yet unseen, purpose. Let Him refine your heart.

168 I CHRONIClES 7 lJ '1(- }OHN 6:22--44

 May20

Only God Is Great

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness
is unsearchable.- PSALM 145:3

n 1715, King Louis XIV of France died after a reign of 72 years. He

I had called himself "the Great;' and was the monarch who made the
famous statement, "I am the state!" His court was the most magnificent
in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular. As his body lay in
state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be
very dimly lit with only a special candle set above his coffin to dramatize
his greatness. At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then
Bishop Massilon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out
the candle and said, "Only God is great."
Many men have proclaimed their own greatness, yet they all have
fallen. From Caesar to Alexander the Great to Napoleon Bonaparte,
history is filled with powerful leaders and conquerors who sought to give
themselves the title of great. But only One deserves to be called great-
the Lord Jesus Christ.
God is still testifying of His glory today. He testifies of His greatness
through His Word, answered prayer, changed lives, and through the lives
of His children. Anytime He blesses you, He is showing to you and those
around you that He is truly God.
Sometimes we need to stop and realize that God alone is great.
He alone deserves our glory and honor. How many times have you
been blessed but failed to glorify God for it? Many times we can look at
blessings as the result of our own work. But God is the one who gave us
the talent and ability to work.
God alone deserves the praise for everything in your life. Take
time today to notice how much God has blessed you. Thank Him for
it! Determine to reflect all the glory to God, for He alone deserves to
be praised.

I CHRONICLES IO 12 '!(- }OHN 6:45 71 169

 May2l

A Heart for God-Part 1

The LoRD is my shepherd; I shall not want.-PSALM 23:1

n 1878, when William Booth's Salvation Army was beginning to make

I its mark, men and women from all over the world began to enlist. One
such man, Samuel Brengle, crossed the Atlantic Ocean from America
to England to join Booth's army, leaving a successful pastorate behind.
At first General Booth accepted his services reluctantly and grudgingly.
"You've been your own boss too long;' Booth explained to Brengle. In
order to instill humility in Brengle, he set him to work cleaning the
boots of other trainees. Discouraged, Brengle said to himself, "Have I
followed my own fancy across the Atlantic in order to black boots?" Then
he pictured Jesus bending over the feet of rough, unlettered fishermen.
"Lord;' he whispered, "You washed their feet; I will black their shoes."
God was able to use Samuel Brengle because of his servant's heart.
Even so, God placed David as the king over His people because he had
a heart to serve God. " ... I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after
mine own heart... " (Acts 13:22).
Psalm 23 gives us a glimpse into the heart of David. It shows us the
characteristics of a heart that seeks to please God.
David had a believing heart; he was not ashamed to proclaim
the Lord as his Shepherd. We, too, should clearly and boldly identify
with Christ. How often have we neglected to share the Gospel with
someone because of fear? "They might laugh at me." "They might treat
me differently:' The devil is an expert at planting fear in our hearts. But
2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
How are you when it comes to sharing God's Word with others? We
all feel nervous or afraid sometimes, but don't let that stop you! Determine
that, with God's help, you are going to witness to someone today.

170 I CHRON1CLES 13 I) 'It- }OHN 7:1 27

 l'v1ay 22

A Heart for God-Part 2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.-PSALM 23:2-4

T he twenty-third psalm gives us a glimpse into David's heart-a man

with a heart after God's heart.
David had a teachable heart; he was walking closely with God. He
wanted to get all he could from the Word of God and from his time with
God. He submitted himself to God's commands and remained teachable.
You can demonstrate a teachable heart by reading God's Word every day
and being faithful in a church that teaches God's Word.
David also had a holy heart; he asked God to lead him in paths of
righteousness. God is pleased when we have holy hearts, void of sin or
wickedness. This does not mean that we will not sin (we are still human!),
but it does mean that we repent and seek restoration when we do sin. A
holy heart does not entertain sin, but repents of it and seeks to always be
right with God.
Another characteristic of a heart for God is confidence. David
completely trusted in God's protection, even in the valley of the shadow
of death. He did not fear the devil's attacks, because he knew that God
was on his side. This was not arrogance, but a submissive spirit, leaning
on Christ for strength.
We live in a world under Satan's constant attacks. There are
temptations and traps everywhere. Yet just as David, we can live in
confidence that God is protecting us.
Do you have a teachable heart? Are you living in the confidence of
Christ's protection? Do you have a holy heart, one that is surrendered
wholly to Christ? Keep your heart right with God today, and rest in the
knowledge of His protection, for God is always in control!

I CHRONICLES I6- I8 '/t- )OHN 7:28- )3 i 71

 May23

A Heart for God-Part 3

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.-PSALM 23:5-6

once read the story of two men who were walking through a field
I when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the
nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon
apparent they wouldn't make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other,
"Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
''All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one
my father used to repeat at the table: '0 Lord, for what we are about to
receive, make us truly thankful."'
David had a thankful heart; he recognized the blessings of God on
his life, and he praised God for all He had done. Sadly, the only time
many Christians thank God for what they have is at a meal. God deserves
to be thanked and praised for everything we have! A heart for God is
shown through thankfulness.
David developed a heart for God by having a fixed heart. He fixed
his heart and his focus on the Lord and determined to follow Him for
the rest of his life.
Two other times in Psalms we see David showing his heart's focus
on God. Psalm 57:7 says, "My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed: I will
sing and give praise." And Psalm 108:1 says, "0 God, my heart is fixed; I will
sing and give praise, even with my glory." David realized the importance of
fixing or focusing his heart on the Lord.
Do you have the heart for God we've looked at in Psalm 23? Focus
your heart on serving, loving, and knowing God more. Ask God to help
you develop a heart for Him today.

172 I CHRONICLES Jl) 2! '/t- jOHN 8:1 27

 May24

Victory over the Vines

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith- I jOHN 5:4

0 ne author wrote: "Walking through a park, I passed a massive oak

tree. A vine had grown up along its trunk. The vine started small-
nothing to bother about. But over the years the vine had gotten longer
and longer. By the time I passed, the entire lower half of the tree was
covered by the vine's creepers. The mass of tiny feelers was so thick that
the tree looked as though it had innumerable birds' nests in it.
Now the tree was in danger. This huge, solid oak was quite literally
being taken over; the life was being squeezed from it. But the gardeners
in that park had seen the danger. They had taken a saw and severed the
trunk of the vine-one neat cut across the middle. The tangled mass
of the vine's branches still clung to the oak, but the vine was now dead.
The vine's death would gradually become plain as weeks passed and the
creepers began to die and fall away from the tree."
Just as vines can subtly snake around a tree and squeeze it to
death, sin can creep into our lives and squeeze God out. How can we,
as Christians, ignore the pulls of Satan and live for God? Our faith in
God gives us victory over the world. As the songwriter once wrote, "Faith
is the victory. Oh glorious victory that overcomes the world." Our faith
must be in the right place if we are to have victory in our lives.
Are you struggling with sin in your life? Christ gives us the answer
to victory over sin: faith in Him! The devil is subtle in his attempts to
choke us. When the devil tempts you, turn to God and trust Him to help
you reject the devil's temptation and continue being faithful to Him.

I CHRONICLES 22 24 '/(o- jOHN 8:28- 59 173

May25

Creating a Monster
I am the LoRD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
-EXODUS 20:2-3

our royal brothers each decided to master a special ability. Time went
F by, and the brothers met to reveal what they had learned. "I have
mastered a science;' said the first, "by which I can take but a bone of some
creature and create the flesh that goes with it." "I;' said the second, "know
how to grow that creature's skin and hair if there is flesh on its bones:'
The third said, "I am able to create its limbs if I have flesh, the skin, and
the hair." "And I;' concluded the fourth, "know how to give life to that
creature if its form is complete:'
Thereupon the brothers went into the jungle to find a bone so they
could demonstrate their specialties. The bone they found was a lion's.
One added flesh to the bone, the second added hide and hair, the third
completed it with matching limbs, and the fourth gave the lion life.
Shaking its mane, the ferocious beast arose and jumped on his creators.
He killed them all and vanished contentedly into the jungle.
Just as these brothers were destroyed by their creation, so the
creation of idols in our lives will destroy us. An idol is anything that keeps
us from God or turns our faith from God to man. It is what or who you
look to before you look to God.
What has come into your life that has distracted you from God?
A love for self? A desire to gather material possessions? Recreation or
sports? A relationship? The devil is subtle in drawing our attention away
from God. Ask God to show you any idols that have taken His place in
your life. Turn away from those things and set your trust back in God.
Nothing is more important in your life than your relationship with God.

174 l CHRONICLES 2)-27 'l(o JOHN 9:1·23

 May26

He Is with You
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you.- LUKE 24:36

H ave you ever thought of climbing Mount Everest? God formed the
rocks and sits upon the vast mountain range. Ever dreamed of diving
into the depths of the oceans? God filled the oceans with water and takes
residence there as well. Ever wanted to explore the great Amazon jungles?
God handmade each leaf and plant and can be found there also! There is
no place on earth where God is not present-just ask Jonah!
Remember, God is in the midst of your trials. Have you lost a loved
one? God allowed this pain for a reason, and He is with you. Have you
faced financial hardship? God knows your struggle, and He wants to help
you through it. Have you felt as if your world was falling apart? God
planned your life, and He wants to help you through the trials you face.
There is no trial you face that God is not standing beside you, urging you
to turn to Him.
God has compassion on those who are hurting and struggling
through trials. Over fifteen hundred people saw the resurrected Christ.
These people were mostly weary and worried disciples who Christ visited
to strengthen their faith and encourage their hearts.
Even as Christ gave His presence to help comfort His disciples, so
He gives us Himself as well. When a person is born again, God's Spirit
takes residence in his or her life. Jesus promises, "I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Christ emphasized this point the day He
arose from the grave. Not even death could conquer our Lord and keep
Him from being with us\
Are you in a difficult time? Is it hard to see any sign of hope?
Christian, do not forget that God has promised to be with you always!
Claim His promise, and live today as if God is standing next to you the
entire time-for He is!

I CHRONICLES 28-29 'CC- jOHN 9:244I 175

May27

Facing Your Critics

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and
Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why earnest
thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the
wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou
art come down that thou mightest see the battle.-I SAMUEL 17:28

eorge Whitefield was an English evangelist who was greatly used

G by God in both Britain and America. Like any preacher who is
faithfully preaching God's truth, Whitefield had many critics. Once when
he received a particularly venomous letter of false accusation, he wrote a
simple reply: "I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my
other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself
than you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, George Whitefield."
When you decide to live for God, you will be challenged. When
David prepared to fight Goliath, he was immediately criticized. His brother
questioned his motives and accused him of pride. But he remained bold
in the Lord's strength and continued doing what was right.
There may come a time in your life when you are simply trying to
be faithful, witnessing to others, and following God's will for your life
when criticism and challenges will come your way. Even when everyone
seems to be against you, remember how David stood in the midst of the
scorners and God gave him the victory.
Have you ever felt as if everyone was against you? Don't allow
criticism to discourage you. We've all had to deal with some kind of
challenges! Keep your focus on God and pleasing Him. After all, what
you accomplished for Christ is all that will matter when you stand before
Him in Heaven one day.

176 2CHRONICLESI3 '((- ]OHNIO:I-23

 May28

Stop to Wash
Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me.
-PSALM 51:10

n 1818, Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women.
I The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge
of "childbed fever." A doctor's daily routine began in the dissecting
room where he performed autopsies. From there he made his way to
the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash
his hands. Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such
examinations with the resultant infection and death.
After eleven years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, Dr. Semmelweis
lost only 184 mothers. He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and
debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, "Puerperal fever is caused
by decomposed material, conveyed to a wound .. .I have shown how it
can be prevented. I have proved all that I have said. But while we talk,
talk, talk, gentlemen, women are dying. I am not asking anything world
shaking. I am asking you only to wash ... wash your hands."
But virtually no one believed him. Doctors and midwives had
been delivering babies for thousands of years without washing, and no
outspoken Hungarian was going to change them now! Semmelweis died
insane at the age of 47, his wash basins discarded, his colleagues laughing
in his face, and the death rattle of a thousand women ringing in his ears.
How often do you wash your hands? How often do you wash your
heart? We all collect "dirt" in our hearts each day. Whether it's through
willful sinning or just by living in our imperfect world, there are things
we see, hear, or do that are not pleasing to God. Going on about our
lives without stopping to clean our hearts from these things will harm
us spiritually!
As a Christian, you need to spend some time alone with God and
ask God to create a clean heart in you. When you take time to wash your
heart, God can better fill you and use you for His glory.

2 CHRONICLES 4--6 'tC- jOHN 10:24 42 177

 I\llay 29

God's Proven Methods

And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass
upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded
his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved
it .. .. - I SAMUEL 17:38-39

hen Hudson Taylor went to China, he heard a knock on his

W stateroom door that seemed very urgent. He opened the door and
was surprised to see the captain of the ship standing in front of him.
"Mr. Taylor;' he said, "we have no wind. We are drifting toward an island
where the people are heathen, and I fear they are cannibals:'
The captain knew Taylor believed in God and asked him if he
would pray about the situation. Taylor replied, "I will, but you must set
sail." The captain protested that there wasn't even a light breeze yet and
the sailors would think he was crazy for just suggesting to set sail with
no wind. Taylor insisted, so the man relunctantly agreed. The men began
to let down the sails and within just a few moments the wind started to
blow. The captain returned to Taylor's room about forty-five minutes
later and found the missionary still praying. "You can stop praying now;'
the captain stated. "We've got more wind than we know what to do with!"
When it comes to fighting spiritual battles, we don't need new
methods or different strategies. All we need is God's proven method
of success: reading His Word, telling others of Christ, spending time in
prayer, and having faith in God. God has proven He blesses our obedience
to His Word.
Are you following God's proven method in your life? When we live
in obedience to God's Word and in submission to His proven methods,
He will help us through any trial or difficulty that we may face!

1/R 2 CHRONICLES 7 9 'l(oo }OHN II:! 29

 May30

Who Art Thou?

And this is the record ofJohn, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? ... He said, I am the voice of one
crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the
prophet Esaias.-]OHN I:I9, 23

ohn the Baptist was so mysterious in his ways that the religious leaders
J of his day came to him, asking who he was. They wanted to put a label
on him so they could put him on a shelf in their theological cellar. They
wanted to be able to write him off as just another religious fanatic. He
was a man who didn't identify with the world but with God.
When you live your life for Christ, there will be opposition. Some
will write you off as another "Christian" or as just another nut. People
today see those who have claimed the name of Christ and fallen into
sin, and they try to classify all believers as phonies. But, when you are
living for God and your testimony matches up with the witness you are
proclaiming, God will bless your efforts! Do not be discouraged when
people reject your message; trust that God is still working through
your life!
A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected
by so many customers he approached. He asked a more experienced
salesman for some advice. "Why is it that every time I make a call on
someone I get rejected?"
"I just don't understand that," answered the older salesman. ''I've
been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but
I've never been rejected:'
Rejection isn't what happens to us but how we interpret what
happens to us. When others refuse our witness or reject Christ, they
are not rejecting us but the Lord. It can be easy to become discouraged
during these times, but don't give up. Recognize the great need others
have for God's Word, and determine to continue witnessing. God will
bless your efforts.

2 CHRONICLES IO- 12 '1fo JoHN I 1:30 57 179

Parental Protection
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of
bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child
therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.-EXODUS 2:3

he early verses of Exodus show us a time when the children of Israel

T were under intense slavery and abuse in Egypt. The height of this
abuse came when Pharaoh commanded that every male child born be
thrown into the river as a means of annihilating the Jewish race.
It was into this wicked environment that Moses was born. What a
moment when Jochabed gave birth to Moses, knowing a decree had been
set for his life to immediately be taken. Notice the heart of a mother in
this story.
As soon as Moses was born, Jochabed and her husband Amram hid
him from the Egyptians. After three months of hiding, they made a tiny
boat for him and sent him out on the river. It was a natural instinct for
Moses' parents to seek to protect him from harm. It was by faith that
Jochabed let go of Moses. This couple was completely trusting God to
take care of their son.
Amram and Jochabed illustrate the love and protection parents
have for their children. In the same way, God, your Heavenly Father, loves
and protects you as His child. He knows this world's wickedness, and He
is watching out for your safety. You must simply trust Him.
Jochabed trusted that God would continue to protect Moses as he
floated down the Nile River. What faith! Even with the sharp rocks of the
river, the Egyptian soldiers, and the other dangers, Jochabed trusted that
God was in control.
Do you seek God's protection each day? The devil is seeking to pull
you away from the Lord. He wants to harm your testimony and distract
you from God's will. Yet, Christ has offered His loving protection to you.
Look to God for strength to resist Satan, and have faith knowing your
Heavenly Father will protect you.

180 2 CHRONICLES l3 14 'l«- jOHN 12:1 26

June 1

ANeighbor inNeed
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water
is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me.-]OHN 5:7

he pool of Bethesda stands empty today, but when I visited it, I

T visualized it like it must have been on the day recorded for us in John
five. Many people with sicknesses surrounded the pool and anxiously
waited for the smallest ripple of water, because when the Angel of the
Lord stirred the waters, the first person to touch the water would be
healed of his infirmity.
As the waters gently moved, a great fervor passed over those present
as each person sought to be the first one to touch the waters. One
particular man didn't get there first. In fact, he had never gotten to the
pool first in all the thirty-eight years he had been lying there. When the
Lord came by and asked him why he had not made it, he replied that he
had no one to put him in the water. He was powerless in his sickness and
needed someone to help him to the healing waters.
In the same way, many today are lost in their spiritual state of
sickness and need someone to guide them to the healing waters of
salvation. They need someone to show them the way to Heaven through
the sacrifice of the Lord. God has commanded you to be a light to these
people, pointing them to Him!
Have you helped anyone to Christ lately? Have you been too busy
going about your daily routines to notice a sin-sick person who needs
help to get to the water of life? With so much going on, it is easy to
neglect the call to point others to God. Today, rather than focusing on
tasks, focus on people who need Christ's healing power. When you focus
on those around you, you will have no problem seeing others who need
help finding Christ.

182 2 CHRONICLE~ I')- 16 * )OHN 12:27 ';0

 June 2

Don't Give Up
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked
shall fall into mischief-PROVERBS 24:16

he ancient philosopher Plato wrote the first sentence of his famous

T Republic nine different ways before he was satisfied. Noah Webster
labored thirty-six years writing his dictionary, crossing the Atlantic twice
to gather material. John Milton rose at 4:ooAM every day in order to have
enough hours for writing Paradise Lost. Edward Gibbon spent twenty-six
years on his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. These men succeeded
not because they were talented, but because they persevered in the face
of failure.
Sometimes we read stories of people in the Bible and are amazed
at how God used them, not realizing that God can use us in the same
way. Moses, Noah, Elijah, and Paul were all ordinary men. They didn't
have special talents or qualifications to offer God. Moses had a stuttering
problem; Elijah became discouraged; and Paul spent the first part of his
life murdering God's people.
Every Christian has faults and shortcomings. Yet God still wants
to use you. He knows your weaknesses and where you struggle. Yet He
has designed a perfect will for your life that He wants to accomplish
through you.
The one thing that set apart the people God used in Bible times was
that they allowed God to work in their lives. They obeyed His commands
and followed His will. Yes, they made mistakes and sinned, but they got
back up and continued following the Lord.
Have you fallen or sinned in some area of your life? Don't get
discouraged. No one is perfect, and even the most spiritual of Christians
struggle with sin and temptation. Rather than getting upset or discouraged,
ask God for forgiveness, get back up, and continue following God.

2 CHRONICLES 17 I/) * JOHN J3:I 20 103

~June3
Didn't You Hear Me?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.-]OHN 5:24

ave you ever told one of your children to do something, and he

H never did it? Maybe you went to him out of frustration and, like
many parents, exclaimed, "Didn't you hear me?"
Hearing and listening are two different things. While hearing
simply requires the ability to hear sound, listening requires effort and
close attention. The same is true about listening to the Word of God.
Many times Christians can hear a sermon or read the words of the Bible,
yet not be listening to God.
Think about this fact: when you got saved, you didn't merely hear
God's Word but you listened to it and accepted the truths of it. As our
verse today shows us, God's Word is first heard, or in this case, listened to
intently, by a person before he is saved.
Are you still approaching God's Word with that same spirit? God
desires to speak to you and give you truth to help you. Yet, you can miss
out on His promises if you are not attentively listening to Him.
Have you ever been reading your Bible or praying when you realized
that your mind was on something else? I'm sure we could all attest to that
fact. The devil likes to distract your mind so you are too busy thinking
about other things to focus on God. Rather than getting upset or giving
up, determine to set aside the cares of this world and focus your heart
and mind on God.
God is trying to speak to you today. He has given you His Word,
His church, and His creation that proclaim His greatness. But maybe
you're too busy to focus on God. Don't let the things going on around
you overtake your time with the Lord. As you spend time with God today,
determine to keep your mind on Him and ask Him to speak to you.

1~4 2 CHRONICLES 19 20 'il- )OHN !3:21--38

 June4

Rooted in Christ
As ye have therefore received Christ jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.-COLOSSIANS 2:6-7

E very spring our family plants a garden. We purchase seeds, prepare

the soil, and then on a warm afternoon, we plant the garden, row
by row. It is vital that each seed is rooted in the proper type of soil and
spaced according to the instructions. Of course, the depth and quality of
the root system determine the plant's ability to rise.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Colosse about his concern
that each believer was rooted and built up in Christ. He desired their
spiritual growth, and in order to grow, we must be rooted properly.
The roots are what provide stability for the plant. If the roots are
too shallow, the plant will fall when adversity comes. But if the roots are
deep and have a firm hold in the earth, the plant will be able to stand.
This is true in our lives as well. We are all rooted in something. Whether
it is in the world or in God, we have stabilized ourselves in some sort
of"soil."
So many today fail to see the importance of setting their roots in
Christ. What we base our families and our lives on will determine our
growth. If we haphazardly go through life without setting down deep
roots in God's Word, any difficulty will pull us away from Him. We must
stabilize our lives by spending time in God's Word.
What is your life rooted in today? We would all do well to reexamine
our roots. Ask God to help you ground yourself in Him. Only when we
are rooted in Christ, will we be established in the faith and abounding
with thanksgiving.

2 CHRONICLES 21 22 'lf- jOHN 14 185

T:neS
Pulling the Weeds
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.-COLOSSIANS 2:7-8

remember going to the Chappell's farm in Colorado when I was a child.

I Granddad was a bean farmer, and our trips to his farm were usually
filled with farm work. One job he gave us was to pull weeds in the fields.
This was vital, because the weeds would steal the water and nutrients
from the soil that were needed for the bean plants to grow. Even so, the
weeds of sin can enter our lives and steal the water and nutrients of God's
Word that are needed for us to grow.
Yesterday we learned that Paul told the church at Colosse that they
needed to be rooted in God. In the very next verse he warned them to
pull the weeds of sin and false teaching from their lives.
To properly deal with a weed of sin, we must be able to identify the
root problem. For example, while there may be the fruit of moral failure,
the root problem is selfishness or lust. There may be the fruit of a lack of
communication, but the root problem is bitterness.
We must seek God's help in finding the weeds. It is not easy to spot
a small weed in your garden among the other green plants. But as we
seek help from God in identifying root problems, we will be able to better
guard against the weeds of sin.
How is your garden today? Ask God to help you guard against the
weeds of sin and to give you wisdom in seeing the root problem. Ask Him,
too, for His strength to remove the weeds. As we remain alert to the sin
which the devil throws our way, we will be able, with God's help, to keep
a walk with the Lord that is growing more every day.

IH6 2 CHRONICLES 2~ 24 '((o- jOHN I)

 June6

Having Patience
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
-GALATIANS 5:22-23

wish we all could be a little more like the boy standing at the end of
I the escalator. The sales lady asked, "Son, are you lost?" He replied, "No
ma'am, I'm waiting for my chewing gum to come back."
One of the fruits of the Spirit is longsuffering. The Greek word for
longsuffering is made up of the two words makro, meaning "slow;' and
thumos, meaning "thunder." God desires that we would be slow to anger
and have the characteristic of patience in our lives.
We live in a day of impatience and quick retribution. On the news
there are often stories of road rage, impatient grocery store customers,
and retaliation. Our society has taught us that when we are wronged, we
must take revenge. But God desires that we would have patience and
forgive others when we are hurt.
The fruit of longsuffering is not developed through self-
determination but by the Holy Spirit. Only God can give us the patience
we need. We must look to Him when we are wronged or are going
through a trying time. If we desire to have patience, we must be walking
in the Spirit and fellowshipping with God each day.
To obtain patience, we must spend time with God and walk in the
Spirit. Patience is an attribute of God. Exodus 34:6 says, ''And the LoRD
passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LoRD God, merciful
and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." We could
all use more patience, and the only way we can take on that attribute of
God is by spending time with Him.
Are you patient even when things do not go your way? Seek God's
help right now and ask Him for patience. As we daily walk with Him, we
will be able to have patience in our lives.

2 CHRONICLES 25 27 '1«- jOHN 16 187

June 7

A Thankful Heart
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.-1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

hen devastating floods came to Mozambique a few years ago, one

W minister of Mozambique named Samuel Naftal gave thanks to
God and mosquitoes for saving his life. As Samuel, along with sixteen
other people, clung tightly to the limbs of trees for two days, he began to
preach. All of them hoped his preaching would keep them alert to their
surroundings. They listened and watched as furniture, televisions, and
other material goods floated by. Then the mosquitoes began swarming
around them, repeatedly biting them. Naftal testified, "I thank God for
those mosquitoes because they kept me from falling asleep. If we had
fallen asleep, we would have been carried away by the water:' He and the
others hung on and were finally able to wade to safety as the waters began
to recede.
With such a drive for material possessions and economic success
in our world today, there has been a loss of thankfulness. Commercials,
billboards, and magazines all tell us that what we have isn't enough-that
we must buy the newest and the best things. But as we see in our verses
today, God desires us to be content in Him and to express an attitude
of thankfulness.
We must always be thankful. God doesn't command us to be thankful
only when things are going well. He says to be thankful in everything. We
must thank God in every situation and praise Him for all He has done for
us. Every gift we have is from the Lord. "Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is
no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).
Do you have a thankful heart? Do you thank God in every situation?
As you walk in the Spirit each day and thank Him for all He has done, you
will develop a thankful heart that pleases God.

181\ 2 CHRONiCLES 28 29 o,C.. jOHN 17

 Junc8

Our Catcher
.. . they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.- ISAIAH 49:23

0 ne author suggested "The most important member of the trapeze

team is the catcher. He's the one you can't see." The author explains
that the success of the show depends on the faith of the trapeze artist. For
when that man lets go of his bar and swings himself out into midair, he
must have faith that the catcher will be there to grab hold of him.
While in the air, the trapeze artist exhibits great patience. He
cannot jump up and down, scream for someone to catch him, or even
formulate his own way of getting to safety. There is no "Plan B" once he
has completely let go of his bar. The only way for him to reach safety is
by waiting for the catcher to go through his motions and catch him. He
must simply wait for the right timing of the catcher.
Sometimes it's hard to wait on the Lord. If you're like me, in some
of your prayers, you wanted the answer yesterday. You want God to work
on your timetable, but when it comes to the matter of God's will, realize
that God's timing is always perfect.
Contrary to popular opinion, waiting is not irresponsible. Sitting
still and not moving forward is not a form of laziness. It is actually
evidence of a complete faith in God. Granted, God wants you to be
busy about His work and faithfully obeying Him, but waiting on Him
for guidance is not a bad thing! God's foremost way of teaching us life's
toughest lessons is often through a time of waiting.
Have you been praying for God's leading but haven't received a
clear direction from God? Has He been telling you to wait on Him, to
trust His guiding hand? Don't waste this time by seeking to find your
own way. Accept God's plan of patience and trust Him to work things out
on His timetable. Only when you submit to His plan of waiting will He
be able to show you His will.

2 CHRONICLES 30 -31 .,._ )Ol-IN I8:r 18 IS9

June 9

Sacrifice
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins:- COLOSSIANS 1:14

T he sun had just risen on a hot August day in 1944, in the small village
of Plelo, in German-occupied France. The fifteen-year-old boy did
not know why he and the other citizens of Plelo had been lined up before
a firing squad in the town square. Perhaps they were being punished
for harboring a unit of Marquisards, the French underground freedom
fighters. All the boy knew was that he was about to die.
Suddenly, the boy heard the sound of exploding mortar shells
beyond the limits of his little village. Soon rolling tanks could also be
heard. The Germans were forced to abandon the firing squad and face a
small unit of U.S. tanks with twenty Gls led by Bob Hamsley, a corporal
in Patton's Third Army. After three hours, fifty Nazis were dead, and the
other fifty were taken prisoner.
Forty-six years later, the town of Plelo honored Bob Hamsley on
the very spot where dozens of the town's citizens would have died if not
for him. The man who initiated the search for Hamsley to honor him
was the former mayor of Plelo, that same fifteen-year-old boy. He was
grateful for Hamsley who had risked his own life to save his and many
others' and as a grown man determined to find and honor him.
When you are thankful for what someone has done for you, you
will desire to express your gratitude to them. Years ago, a much greater
sacrifice was made willingly for you. Are you thankful for what Christ
did for you on Calvary? How often do you thank Him for being mocked,
rejected, spat upon, beaten, and nailed to a cross for your sake-in
your place?
Think today of the sacrifice Christ made for you and the eternal
benefits you will reap because of it. The more we reflect upon Christ's
sacrifice for us, the more we will look for ways to express our gratitude
to Him.

190 2 CHRONICLES 32 33 'l(o- ]OHN 18:19 40

 June 10

Whatever He Says, Do It
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you,
do it.-]OHN 2:5

T he story is told of a turpentine worker who enjoyed the company of

his dog and often brought the dog with him to the forest. This dog
was both loyal and well trained, and the owner could always count on
him to obey. One day, the man left the dog in a clearing with a command
to watch his lunch bucket while he worked deep in the forest.
While the man was working, a forest fire started and overtook
the spot where he had left his dog, but the dog didn't move. In loyal
obedience he stayed where his master had left him. With tears in his eyes,
the master explained to a friend, "I always had to be careful what I told
him to do, 'cause I knew he would do it."
Can God say of you, "Whatever I tell him to do, he does it"? God is
looking today for people who are willing to obey His basic commands. He
is not going to bless with the miraculous outpouring of His Spirit those
who are not willing to obey Him in the smallest areas of the Christian
life or those who are unwilling to do what He wants them to do on a
daily basis.
It is not your unique gift or skill that impresses God. He is not as
concerned with those things as He is with your maturing as a believer in
the area of everyday obedience. Are you willing to faithfully obey God in
the smaller areas of life?
Ifl could give you counsel today, it would be to obey God. James 1:22
says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves." Don't simply hear God's words today; obey Him. Don't debate
Him. Don't question His plan. Don't dispute His commands. Just obey
Him. Spend time with Him right now and commit to obeying Him today,
no matter what He asks of you.

2 CHRONICLES 34- 36 "'" jOHN 19:1 22 I'll

June 11

Just Obey Him

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the
purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith
unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the
brim.-]OHN 2:6-7

T hese water pots had already been used for the ceremony of washing
the feet of the guests. (It was customary for the host of the gathering
to wash the feet of the guests so as to remove the dirt that accumulated
after traveling.) Yet our Lord commanded for these vessels to be gathered
and filled with water so He could work a miracle through them.
God had a lesson in those old water pots. While the servers and
others around Him didn't even consider the used vessels, God used them
to carry out His plan. You may count yourself useless to God. Rather than
questioning whether God can use you or not, simply obey Him.
Jesus' command to fill the pots with water required the faith and
obedience of the servers. Had they not obeyed His command, there
would have been no miracle! Sometimes the only thing hindering God
from working the miraculous in our lives is our lack of obedience.
There will be times in your life when you need God to work a
miracle, and He will tell you to obey Him. You may think, "Lord, you
don't understand. I don't need just to go to church. I need help financially.
I don't need just to read the Bible. I need a miracle for my children:'
But while you may be looking for an instant miracle, God requires
simple obedience.
Have you been fervently praying for God to work in your life but
have not seen any results? Take a look at your life. Are you spending time
in God's Word, being faithful to His church, and obeying the commands
He has already given you in His Word? God desires to bless you and work
a miracle through your circumstance, but He requires that you obey
Him first.

192 EZRA 1 2 * )OHN 19:23- 42

 June 12

He Created It All
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.-]OHN 1:3

T he French mathematician, LeCompte de Nouy, examined the laws of

probability for a single molecule of high dissymmetry to be formed
by the action of chance. De Nouy found that, on an average, the time
needed to form one such molecule would be about 10 to the 253rd power,
in essence, billions of years.
"But;' said de Nouy ironically, "let us admit that no matter how
small the chance it could happen, one molecule could be created by
such astronomical odds of chance. However, one molecule is of no use.
Hundreds of millions of identical ones are necessary. Thus we either
admit the miracle or doubt the absolute truth of science:'
In essence, this is how many people believe. They can either admit
there is a God in Heaven who divinely ordered the creation of the earth,
or they can reject the truth and believe the world was one big mistake,
an accident. But no matter how many times a person rejects the truth of
creation, the evidence is still clear: this world was divinely created by an
all-powerful God.
You may recognize that God created everything you see, but think
about Proverbs 16:4, "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even
the wicked for the day ofevil." Nothing catches God by surprise. Even what
seems wicked and evil to us has a divine purpose in God's eternal plan.
You may be going through a difficult time right now. You may be
questioning God's providence in it all, but remember that God created
all-not just the earth and everything you see, but also the situations that
come into your life.
Don't give up in the face of adversity; trust God's plan. Even when
you can't see a way that God could be in your situation, stay faithful to
Him and trust that He has a plan for it all. God created it all, and it all
works together for His glory.

EZRA 3 5 'lio }OHN 20 193

June 13

The Old Blue Suit

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, 0 LoRD, my strength, and my redeemer.- PSALM 19:14

ritish statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used
B to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler
for correct dress-but apparently not at the expense of someone else's
feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and
had to go directly to Rhodes' home in his travel-stained clothes. Once
there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing
full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a
shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been
dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his
young guest's dilemma.
Rather than pointing out this man's discomfort, Mr. Rhodes made
the man feel at ease. Have you ever been around someone with this type
of kind, agreeable spirit? Just being around them brings a joy and a
refreshing to your soul. But it's even better when you are that person!
It's not always easy to be agreeable. We all face difficult times and
have to deal with difficult people, but that doesn't mean we have an
excuse to be unkind or bitter! God desires that we would have sweet and
agreeable spirits at all times.
While others look to tear down, we should look to build others
up with our words. While some spread gossip, we should be diligent to
spread truth. Life is too short to be caught up in an unkind spirit and
hurtful words! Use the breath and the words you have to honor God and
uplift His name.
Are you known as being an encourager, always smiling and ready
to give a kind word? Or do people know you for your sarcastic, cutting
words? As Christians, we should be known for our sincere love and care
for others. Use your words to edify and uplift others today.

194 EzRA 6 8 'II- JoHN 21

 June 14

Don'tRush1
Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say, on the LoRD.-PSALM 27:14

P atience is not my greatest strength! I remember some years ago, as

we were preparing to go to Colorado for vacation, I told my wife,
"Honey, tomorrow morning we are going to start our vacation early. If
we can get up at four, we can be on the road by six. That way we can get
through the desert before it gets too hot." My wife, the godly submissive
wife she is, said, ''All right sweetheart, we'll be glad to do that:'
Sunday was a busy day at church, and we returned home late that
night. I was sleeping very soundly when four o'clock came and went.
When I woke up around seven, I bolted out of bed and began getting
everyone up. We all got the suitcases, threw them in the car, and were
finally on our way.
As we drove through the desert, I asked for my sunglasses. My wife
said they were in our blue suitcase, so I asked my son Larry to get them.
After digging around in the back of the car, he informed me that there was
no blue suitcase. I asked my wife which blue suitcase, and she responded,
"The one I told you to get at the top of the stairs as we were rushing out of
the house." We stopped in Flagstaff, Arizona to buy new sunglasses.
I learned that day that my impatience cost me. Spiritually, I have
seen in my life and in the lives of others the lost blessings as a result
of impatience.
Are you in a time of waiting? Maybe you are faithfully praying for
something, yet God has told you to wait. We easily rush ahead of God
rather than waiting on His timing. Often in our rush to get things done,
we get ahead of God and miss out on His blessings. Rather than becoming
impatient, place the situation in God's hands, and give Him full control
of the outcome and the timing.

EzRA 9 10 .,c.. AcTs I 195

June 15

A Spirit-filled Christian
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with
the Spirit;- EPHESIANS s:r8

T wo college boys were trying to smuggle the school mascot, a goat, into
their dorm. As they entered the dorm, one stopped and said to the
other, "What about the smell?" The other boy replied, "Well, he'll just
have to get used to it!"
Unfortunately, we easily "get used to the smell" of the sin around
us. But the fact that Christ lives in every Christian is not just a Sunday
principle; it is a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week reality! We
must seek to be spirit-filled Christians all week long.
Everyone who is saved receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). He
guides us, protects us, and convicts us when we are wrong. If we are to be
spirit-filled Christians, we must make three choices each day.
First, we must choose to be completely committed to God. Many
years ago a group of preachers was trying to decide whom to invite to
speak at an upcoming revival meeting. One older preacher suggested the
evangelist D.L. Moody. A younger and more naive preacher commented,
"Why do we have to invite Mr. Moody? Does he have a monopoly on the
Holy Spirit?" The older preacher replied, "No, but the Holy Spirit has a
monopoly on him:' We must be completely committed to our Lord if we
desire to be spirit-filled Christians.
Second, we must continually choose to submit to God. We cannot
be spirit-filled Christians if we are fighting against His will for our lives!
Finally, we must choose to accept the power of the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit already lives in us and has offered us His power each day. We
must claim that power and live in it!
Are you struggling with temptations or difficulties? God offers you
the power of the Holy Spirit to live for Him! Choose to be completely
committed to Christ, yield your life to Him, and accept His power in
your life.

196 NEHEMIAH l 3 <;to AcTS 2:1 21

 June 16

Reasons for Ingratitude

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.- I THESSALONIANS 5:18

T hank you notes, random acts of kindness, a small gift, a hug--these

are all ways to show appreciation. But these actions do not come
naturally. Knowing that gratefulness may not be an instinctive part of the
way our flesh is wired, God distinctly put a reminder-a command-;:-for
everyone to give thanks.
Few are truly thankful. Why are people, you and me
included, unthankful?
One reason we are ungrateful is because we compare.
Second Corinthians 10:12 says, " ... but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." Is
someone around you living a better life than you are? Does it seem that
God's favor is upon everyone else's life but your own? Having constant
thoughts like these will breed a spirit of ingratitude. The more you and I
compare our lives with others, we will surely find many things we want to
fix, rather than find many things for which we can give thanks.
Another reason for ingratitude is our expectations. As someone
once said, "The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing."
May we not live a life of expecting, but may we live a life of giving!
Discontentment is a key culprit in destroying gratitude.
First Timothy 6:6-8 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." Someone
once said, "Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the
realization of how much you already have:'
These stumbling blocks to gratitude will keep you and me from
giving thanks. May we acknowledge them, ask the Lord for wisdom to
overcome them, and give thanks for His provision and mercy.

NEHEMIAH 4 6 *' ACTS 2:22 47 197

June 17

Watch Your Back1

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of
his devices.-2 CORINTHIANS 2:11

hile in China, I had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall. I was
W amazed by its size and awed to think of the immense amount
of money and labor invested to build it. When first built, it seemed
impregnable. Yet the wall was penetrated-not by breaking it down, but
by bribing the general who kept the gate.
Did you know you have an adversary today? And, like the enemy to
the ancient Chinese, he looks for every opportunity to gain entrance into
your life. Every step you take in the Christian faith will be challenged.
Since the beginning of time, Satan has done everything he could
to keep God's children from having the joy of walking with Him and
enjoying His fellowship. As you read the Bible, you can see story after
story of people the devil tempted and fought. But Christ assures us in
Romans 8:37 that we can have the victory through Him: "Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
So often we hear stories of Christians who were living for God, but
somewhere in life, the devil worked his way into their lives. Friend, none
of us are above falling into temptation! The devil knows our weaknesses
and has pinpointed our vulnerabilities. The only way we are going to
remain faithful to God and to live for Him is if we constantly seek God's
help and protection each day.
Are you daily seeking God's protection? Do you ask Him for
strength to resist the devil's temptations? We must be diligent in resisting
the devil's attacks! Satan never takes a vacation or a sick day in tempting
us. Ask God to give you the strength you need to face the devil today and
resist his temptations. We will only be able to remain faithful as we are
spending time on our knees before we face each day.

19/l NEHEMIAH 7- 9 o,t> ACTS 3

 June 18

Saved to Be Like Him

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his Son .. .. -ROMANS 8:28-29

A s you journey through your Christian life, God wants you to become
more like Him each day. That doesn't mean He expects you to be
perfect, for none of us will ever be perfect like Christ until we get to
Heaven. But God desires that you mature spiritually and grow each day
to become more like Him.
How do you become more like Christ? How do you conform your
imperfect sin nature to His holiness? Romans 12:2 says, ''And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God." You conform yourself to Christ by renewing your mind through
spending time with Him.
The more time you spend with someone, the more you become
like them. Think of your best friends or perhaps a close family member.
Have you noticed that you begin to talk, act, and think more like them
the longer you are around them? So it is with God. The more time you
spend with Him through Bible reading, memorization, prayer, listening
to godly music, and taking time to be with Him, the more you will be
like Him.
So how much time are you spending with God? If you desire to
become more like Christ, you must make time each day to be with the
Lord. Plan a time right now when you can be alone with God. Spend time
reading your Bible and talking with Him in a quiet place in your house.
Let God be a part of your every day, and allow Him to conform you to
the image of His Son each day.

NEHEMIAH IO-II 'lfo ACTS 4:1-22 J9<J

June 19

Just Like the Father

Be ye therefore ... as your Father.-LUKE 6:36

uring the Thirty Year's War in Europe (1618-1648), Sweden was

D thrown into mourning when King Gustavus Adolphus was slain
in battle. When government officials met to determine how to replace
the king, some suggested a republic; others thought the crown should
go to Adolphus' cousin, the king of Poland. After hours of arguing, the
chancellor of Sweden arose and said, "Let there be no talk of a republic
or of Polish kings, for we have in our midst the heir of the great Gustavus,
his little daughter, who is six years of age." Some protested that they had
never seen her. The chancellor said, "Wait a minute, and I will show you."
He brought in Christina, daughter of the king, and placed her on the
throne. One of the representatives who was especially suspicious of the
move pressed forward and gazed intently into her face. Then turning to
the assembly, he exclaimed, "Look at her nose, her eyes, her chin! I see in
this child the features of the great Gustavus. She is the child of our king!"
From all quarters of the room rang the proclamation, "Christina, Queen
of Sweden!"
The reason the Swedish people crowned Christina queen was
because she looked like her father-her physical characteristics identified
her as the next heir to the throne.
As Christians, we should take on the characteristics of our
Heavenly Father. Think of your day yesterday or today. How would you
characterize it? Focusing on being like Christ in such a hectic world can
often be overwhelming, but when our hearts are right with Him, humility,
kindness, and sacrifice will naturally flow through our lives.
If someone were to look at your life would they see your Father in
you? Ask God to help you display His characteristics in your life today.
Determine that no matter how you are treated or what circumstances
arise, you will reflect His heart to those around you.

200 NEHEMIAH 12 13 '/(o- ACTS 4:23 -37

 June 20

The Invisible Parent

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.-PROVERBS 22:6

U S News and World Report reported the following story about

parenting: "We are becoming a country of deadbeat dads who don't
pay their bills and dead-tired moms who work two jobs to pick up the
slack. Even many parents who pay for their children don't pay attention
to their children. In so doing, they miss out on some of life's greatest
joys-hearing a small giggle or holding a small hand ....
"Probably the best thing that society can do for its toddlers is to
make 'parent' an honorable title again. No job is more important, yet no
job is more often taken for granted. We teach work skills but not life skills,
how to change a carburetor but not a diaper, how to treat a customer
but not a kid. Becoming a parent should be the result of love; a sign of a
lasting relationship, not just a passing infatuation; a source of pride, and
not remorse. Only then will our children be safe:'
Even a secular columnist recognized that today's parents are not
doing their job. Even in Christian homes parents get so busy with work,
hobbies, and sometimes church, that they neglect their families.
Psalm 127:3 says, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the
fruit of the womb is his reward." God has given you a great gift in your
children. He's entrusted you to raise them ilie way He desires! What a
great responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly!
How much time do you spend training your child? It's not ilie church
or the school's job to raise your child. God gave you that responsibility!
Nothing can take the place of a godly parent in a child's life. Take time
this week to train your child. Spend some one-on-one time with them
strengthening your parent/ child bond. God has given you the task of
raising your child; do all you can to obey that command!

EsTHER 1 2 * AcTs 5:1 21 201

June 21

Sitting at His Feet

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard
his word.- LUKE 10:39

umility seems to be a lost art. People today are encouraged to stand

H up for their rights and fight for what they believe. The news is full
of lawsuits, protests, and people speaking out. It seems as if the world
applauds when someone starts a fight with someone else. But God tells
us that rather than fighting, we should be submitted to Him. We should
spend time in His Word, sitting at His feet in peace and humility.
The ancient posture of students or disciples was to sit at the feet of
the instructor. In the verse today, we see that Mary was a learner, sitting
at the feet of Jesus and listening intently to Him.
Notice that Mary's posture was that of humility. When Mary sat at
Christ's feet it was her way of saying, "You are Master and Lord. I am your
disciple, and I need you, Lord, to put all things in perspective for my life."
She humbled herself and willingly sat at His feet.
James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he
shall lift you up." If we are to be true disciples then we must sit at Jesus'
feet and take in His teaching, His commandment, and His guidance.
You cannot be a disciple unless you know the Lord. There is a time for
standing up and boldly proclaiming God's Word, but before that time
comes, there must be time spent at the feet of Jesus, learning of Him and
drawing closer to Him.
Have you spent time at the feet of Jesus lately? Have you humbled
yourself, submitted to Him, and spent time learning at His feet? Christ
wants to meet with us and draw us closer to Him, but we must come to
Him with humble hearts and willingly submit ourselves to His teaching.
Spend time at Christ's feet today. Open your heart to Him and let Him
mold you into the Christian He wants you to be.

202 [STHER 3 ) ""' ACTS ):22. 42

 June 22

Keep Your Focus

And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes,
and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore
afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LoRD.
-EXODUS I4:IO

amous golfer, Arnold Palmer, once recalled a lesson about

F overconfidence: "It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament,
and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I
felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old
friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out
his hand and said, 'Congratulations.' I took his hand and shook it, but as
soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus.
On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it
over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don't
forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined
that you will never do that again. I haven't in the 30 years since."
We lose our focus too easily. When we are distracted from focusing
on the Lord, we fail to stay on the path God wants us to follow. The
children of Israel had this same problem.
With the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind
them, the Israelites began to doubt. They forgot the great blessings
God had performed for them in Egypt, and they forgot the miraculous
way God had released them from bondage. All they could see was an
impossible situation. They could not see that God was about to part the
Red Sea and give them a safe, dry passage. They needed to keep their
focus on the Lord instead of their circumstances.
Have you lost your focus in a time of trouble? Look away from your
problem, and focus on the Problem Solver. Retune your focus through
reading and choosing to trust God's promises.

ESTHER 6- 8 'If- ACTS 6 203

June 23

Forgiveness
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.- I JOHN 1:9

little boy who was visiting his grandparents was given his first
A slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target.
As he came back to his grandma's backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an
impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.
The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile,
only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she
said nothing. After lunch that day, his grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the
dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen
today. Didn't you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the
duck!" So Johnny did the dishes.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he
couldn't stand it anymore. He confessed to his grandma that he'd killed
the duck. "I know, Johnny;' she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at
the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I
wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
This is how the Christian life sometimes is. We sin against God and
then try to hide it by not confessing it to Him. We live as slaves to sin and
to the devil the whole time. But God already knows our sins and paid for
them when He died on the Cross.
As His children, God wants us to come to Him and confess our sins.
God loves us and because He loves us, He forgives us, but we must first
come to Him and ask for forgiveness.
We, who so often sin against God, should also remember to show
the love of Christ to those who have wronged us and forgive them. Who
do you need to forgive today? Take time today to thank God for forgiving
your sins!

204 ESTHER 9 10 'If- ACTS 7:1 21

 June 24

When WeAre Weak

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am
[ strong.-2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

oe Scriven was born in Ireland in 1819.After finishing college, he moved

J with his fiancee to Canada to work as a missionary among the Iroquois
Indians. The night before their wedding, she drowned in an ice accident.
Joe buried her with his own hands and a broken heart. Later, he fell in
love again, only to have his second fiancee die of pneumonia.
When his mother was on her deathbed, Scriven wrote her a poem
to encourage her. We still sing his words today: "What a friend we have in
Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything
to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble
anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer:'
Every one of us faces challenges that seem to overwhelm us. But we
must always remember that there is hope in Christ. When we are weak,
we must turn to God for strength.
Even in our darkest days, God is still with us, and He promises to
be near us. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b ). That
isn't simply a Bible truth but an everyday reality! No matter where we are
or what we are going through, we can look to God for help.
Many times God brings a difficulty into our lives to show His
strength to those around us. As we remain faithful to God through
difficulties, He will work through our situation for His glory. When we
faithfully serve God through our weakness, others can see His power.
Are you in the midst of a difficult situation today? Do you feel fear
and weakness as the devil attacks? We must not be overwhelmed by our
difficulties, but we must turn to God and seek His power. Spend time
with God right now and seek His power in your life. Ask Him to help you
overcome your weaknesses. Continue to faithfully serve Him so He may
show Himself strong through your life today.

Jon 1 ·2 'II- AcTS 7:22 41 205

June 25

The Gospel According to You

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
- 2 CORINTHIANS 3:2

T he Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Are read by more than a few,
But the one that is most read and commented on
Is the gospel according to you.
You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day
By the things that you do and the words that you say,
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true,
Say, what is the gospel according to you?
Do men read His truth and His love in your life?
Or has yours been too full of malice and strife?
Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true?
Say, what is the gospel according to you?
-Author Unknown

Your testimony is seen by others every day. It's who you are, what
you do, and why you exist. And whether you realize it or not, people are
judging God and Christianity based on you. So how can you live for God
even when it's not easy?
When you are truly saved, everyone should see it. People should
recognize the difference in you and should realize you are not the same.
You should be different in your actions, countenance, and interests, and
others should see God's hand upon your life.
Can others see a difference between the way you were before you
were saved and the way you are now? God called you out from the world
so you could be a light to the world. Share His Gospel with others through
your testimony today!

206 }OB 3 4 'If- ACTS 7:44 -60

 June 26

Where's Your Focal Point?

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God,
and there is none else.- ISAIAH 45:22

hen we were expecting our first child, the hospital recommended

W delivery classes so I could know how to help my wife during
the birth. One of the things taught in the class was that in the delivery
room, the wife would need to have a focal point so that no matter what
happened, she would be able to focus on that point.
When the time came for our daughter to be born and my wife
went into labor, I was with her, reminding her how to breathe and trying
to help her remember everything the instructor had taught us in the
delivery classes. My wife Terrie had some interesting comments about
how I needed to help her, as most women do during that time. And as the
tension began to rise, I remember saying, "Honey, don't forget, you have
to find your focal point." But at that time, she couldn't care less about a
focal point!
Many Christians lose focus under stress. When you are under stress,
things that were once important to you can be put on the back burner
while other projects take first priority. Remember that the focus or main
goal of our lives as Christians is to honor and glorify God. The projects
can wait; the overtime at work can go to someone else; and the extra
work can all be done later. But time alone with Christ and time with your
family cannot be put off.
Taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus will renew us spiritually and
refresh our focus. Spending time with Christ by, among other things,
attending church, reading His Word, singing to Him (and about Him),
brings renewal in our hearts.
Where's your focal point today? Is it a job, a possession, a person, or
is it Christ? Make sure God is the focus in your life. Make pleasing Him
and living for Him the main goal of everything you do!

)OB S · 7 '((oo ACTS 8:1 25 207

 June 27

ALifeofJoy
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and
for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
- I SAMUEL 30:6

hen I stood before Calvary, I was reminded of the great hope we

W have because of the Cross. Many Christians live as if there is no
hope, but Christ's death and resurrection can give us a continual source
of joy.
Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice." God commands us to rejoice in Him! He is our source of joy.
When David faced incredibly discouraging circumstances, he chose to
encourage himself in the Lord. We, too, can encourage ourselves in the
Lord by thinking on two things.
First, we must think about our salvation. God sent His only Son
to die for you! Had you been the only person on earth, Jesus still would
have died for you. God loves you that much! You also have a home in
Heaven and will one day spend eternity with Christ. When we think of
our eternal destination, we cannot help but be joyous.
Also, we must encourage ourselves by helping others. There is no
greater joy than to help others in their time of need. You may be thinking,
"Well, aren't they supposed to help me? Here I am in difficulty, and no
one is helping me." When we focus on ourselves, the problem will always
seem bigger than it actually is. We must focus on the burdens of others
and take time to help them.
Are you living a life of joy today? When discouraging times come,
don't let the devil rob you of your joy. Encourage yourself by thinking
about your eternal home in Heaven. You will live with God forever. Also
take time to help others. As we focus more on others than ourselves,
our burdens will become lighter. Ask God now to help you live a joyful
life today.

208 }OB 8- IO '1fo ACTS l-l:26 40

 June 28

A Resilient Joy
.. . the joy of the LORD is your strength.- NEHEMIAH 8:10

A uthor Jim Loehr wrote of a study he had observed, "Researchers

have found almost no correlation between income levels and
happiness. Between 1957 and 1990, per person income in the United
States doubled .... Not only did people's reported levels of happiness fail
to increase at all during the same time period, but rates of depression
grew nearly tenfold."
For the Christian, joy is not reserved for the good times. Even
in difficulties we can have joy because we know God is working.
Romans 5:3-4 says, ''And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience;
and experience, hope." Can you think back to the times when God was
teaching you the most? More than likely, that teaching came through a
time of difficulty.
Our joy is enhanced by remembering that Christ is coming again.
One day our Lord will return and take us home to Heaven for all
eternity. Right now God is preparing a home for you in Heaven. This
isn't a normal home made of plaster and stucco. It isn't a home that
has a lock on the doors. And it isn't a home that will decrease in value.
This home is built by our Lord. There is no crime in the neighborhood,
violence in the streets, or vandalism on the block. There is no death,
pain, sorrow, or hurt. The neighbors won't be too loud, no dogs will be
there to scare you, and the lawn won't require upkeep! Best of all, we
will live with our Lord of Lords and will worship Him forever. What an
encouraging thought.
Do you have joy in your life today? Joy is God's gift to you to give
you strength during difficulty. Remember that God is working through
your troubles and that He is coming again. Let God work in your life,
and remain joyful as you faithfully serve Him today.

JoB 11 l3 '1«- AcTs 9:1 21 20')

June 29

Showing Our Joy

The king shall joy in thy strength, 0 LORD; and in thy salvation how
greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast
not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.-PSALM 21:1-2

e can have joy even in the most discouraging circumstances, and

W God desires us to show our joy to those around us. Let's see four
ways we can show our joy to others.
First, joy is revealed through our singing (Psalm 95:1). Five times
in the book of Psalms, God commands us to "make a joyful noise." How
many times have we gone to church and sung the songs out of routine?
I'm sure we are all guilty of singing the songs, yet focusing on other
things. God desires that we focus our minds on Him and truly sing
praise to His name.
Second, we can also reveal our joy through serving. A joyful
Christian desires to get involved and serve the Lord through the church
(Acts 20:24). Paul says that no matter what came into his life, he continued
serving God with joy.
Third, we must reveal our joy through our soulwinning
(Psalm 126:5-6). When we are telling others of the great gift God has
given us, they will see our joy.
Last, joy is revealed through our stewardship (Acts 20:35). When
we are filled with joy, we delight in giving to God.
There are many people today who are searching for joy. They seek
joy in pleasures, material goods, and the promises of this world. But as we
are living for Christ and are singing to Him, serving Him, soulwinning
for Him, and stewarding our finances for Him correctly, others will be
able to see in our lives the true joy that only God can give.
Are you revealing God's joy to those around you? As we reveal our
joy to others, God will be able to use us to draw people to Him.

210 )OB 14 16 'lf- ACTS <):22 4i

 June 30

I Hear You
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:15-16

hortly after September n, 2001, the President of the United States went
S to Ground Zero in New York City. Standing atop some of the rubble
with a megaphone in his hand, he spoke to the people and the rescue
workers present. There was a lot of noise in the background, and some
of the spectators from the other side of the crowd must have been saying,
"We can't hear you." The President lifted the megaphone to his mouth and
said, "You can't hear me, but I can hear you."
What an encouragement it must have been to those workers and the
people mourning to know that the Commander-in-Chief heard them-
he came to where they were, among the rubble, ashes, and debris. Even
when there was pain, difficulty, and loss, the President left his place of
safety and comfort and went to those in need.
Something much greater than that took place when Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, took on Himself the form of a man and came personally
to this world to show us the love of God. He chose to experience the
situations we have in life today. What a comfort to know that no matter
what you are going through, Christ hears and knows your pain. He was
betrayed by friends, mocked and laughed at, treated wrongfully, accused
falsely, rejected and despised, and today He tells you that He knows just
howyoufeel.
What are you going through today? Are you going through a financial
crisis? Are you having difficulty knowing God's will? Are you facing a
problem you cannot resolve? Whatever fears, doubts, uncertainties, or
struggles you have, our Lord has felt. He offers you mercy and grace in
your time of need. Come boldly and request it.

}OB 17 19 '£to ACTS 10:1 23 211

July 1

The Greatest Loss

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death.-JAMES I:I4-I5

ary Richmond was a zookeeper who wrote a book titled A View

G from the Zoo. In the book, he explained that when raccoons reach
the age of twenty-four months, a glandular change takes place. Instead of
being cuddly, playful animals, they will oftentimes strike at people for no
particular reason. He noted that a thirty-pound raccoon can fight more
viciously than a one-hundred-pound dog.
Gary had a friend named Julie who had a raccoon. Julie loved
the raccoon, and the raccoon loved her. Gary felt he should share his
discovery with Julie. He warned, "Julie, that raccoon is just about the age
now where it could become a danger to you." Julie looked at Gary and
said, "Oh, it will be different for me. Bandit would never hurt me:'
Gary did what he could to try to persuade her, but she wouldn't
listen. Three months later Gary went to visit Julie at the hospital where
she had just undergone plastic surgery for the facial lacerations she had
received from her pet raccoon.
Sin isn't a pet that you can keep and then walk away unscathed
when it attacks. Sin always causes loss. One of the greatest things you can
lose because of sin is your fellowship with God. God desires to meet with
you each day and help you live for Him, but when there is sin in your life,
He cannot help you. Because God is just, He despises sin and can have no
dealings with it. He longs to spend time with you, but sin in your life will
prevent Him from doing so.
Is there sin in your life? Do not lose the sweet fellowship God offers
you because of sin. Confess your sin, and turn your heart back towards
Him. When you fall, quickly ask God's forgiveness so you can continue
in your intimate relationship with Him.

214 jon 20 21 '"" AcTs 10:24 48

 July 2

Spiritual Freedom
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the
house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make
you free, ye shall be free indeed.-JOHN 8:34-36

ince the end ofWorld War II, Americans have lived without the concern
S of having their freedom challenged. On September n, 2001, we were
all reminded that freedom is not something to take for granted. Most of
our lives have been affected in some form or another by this tragedy.
Americans have always been a people who valued freedom. While
Americans have enjoyed physical freedom for much of their lives, many
Americans (as well as people all around the world) have never enjoyed
spiritual freedom.
John 8:32 says, ''And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free." Jesus did not come to this world to bring physical freedom.
He knew that men could live in the freest land in the world and still
be enslaved to hurt, anger, and sin. He came to show us how to have
spiritual freedom through the truth of the Gospel.
People all around the world are living in spiritual bonds because
they have not accepted the truth of Christ. The truth is that Christ came
to die on the Cross and set us free from the bonds of sin. But we must
accept Him before we can experience this spiritual freedom.
Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour? If not, ask Him to save
you today and let Him set you free from the bonds of sin. If you have
accepted Christ, are you telling others of Christ's spiritual freedom?
Christ offers spiritual freedom to all who will call upon His name! Let
those around you know of the freedom Christ offers them today!

]OB 22- 24 '((o- ACTS ll 215

July 3

The Way to Spiritual Freedom

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.- EPHESIANS 2:8-9

few years ago, my family and I had the opportunity to visit the farm
A of Patrick Henry at Red Hill. We saw his tombstone, as well as those
of several of his family members. In Patrick Henry's will he wrote, "There
is one more thing I wish I could leave you all: the salvation of Jesus Christ.
With this, though you had nothing else, you could be happy. Without this,
though you had all things, you could never be happy:'
Without salvation through Christ, we can never experience the true
joy of spiritual freedom. Christ paid a high price for us to be redeemed
from our sins, and He gives us freedom from sin. We can have this freedom
through God's grace by stepping out in faith to trust Him.
Grace has been defined as "the freely given, unmerited favor and love
of God:' We do not deserve this freedom, yet God offers it to all through
belief in His Son. What an awesome God we have! We do not have to
go through life wondering about our eternity, but we can know we have
eternal life through Him.
We also have this freedom by faith. When we trust God in faith and
turn from our sins, we can receive Christ's gift of spiritual freedom. Only
through faith in Christ can we obtain freedom from sin.
Are you telling others that they can have this special gift? As
Christians, we must tell others that Christ is the way to spiritual freedom.
He has offered this gift to everyone, and we must tell them! Ask God to
give you the boldness to tell others of His gift. Also, take a moment to
thank God for the sacrifice He made so many years ago and for how He
still works in our lives today!

216 }OB 25 27 <£«- ACTS 12

 July4

Lord, Heal Our Land

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to
devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my
people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
- 2 CHRONICLES 7:13-14

0 n July 4, 1776, heroic men placed their names on the Declaration

of Independence. They were willing to risk their lives, fortunes,
future, and families for freedom. Fifty-two of the fifty-five signers of
the Declaration of Independence placed their faith in Christ openly
and publicly.
At the same time these men were declaring independence from
Britain, they were declaring their dependence on God. Yet, as America
celebrates her birthday this week, we realize there is a great need for revival
and repentance in our land. The ingredients for national restoration are
found in today's text.
Our verses indicate that we must each begin with an honest
evaluation of our own lives. Truly, the need in America, from a biblical
perspective, is for an old-fashioned movement of obedience to the Lord
on the part of each of us as God's people.
Our nation will never be great if we as God's children are not
seeking His will in our lives and obeying Him. God promises that when
His people turn to Him in humble repentance, He will heal their land.
How are you helping America today? In order for God to heal our
land, we as believers must turn to Him in repentance and obey His will
for our lives. When we are living for God and following Him each day,
He promises to heal our land. Examine your life. Are you following God?
Repent of any sin, and focus on living for Christ today. If you desire to
help America, continue living for the Lord each day.

}OB 28 29 'lfo ACTS J3:I -25 2l7

JulyS

Meeting with God

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he
shall hear my voice.- PSALM 55:17

rayer is an assault on our human autonomy. We want to put life on

P autopilot and keep going as if we don't need help from anyone. But
we do need God, and the way we express our need is by spending time
with Him and pouring out our hearts before Him.
The key to meeting with God is found in 2 Chronicles ?:J4, "If my
people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." God says if you
will humble your heart and pray through seeking His face and turning
from sin, He will hear you.
Prayer requires a heart that seeks after God. The Bible says if we will
seek His face we will find Him. Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek ye the LoRD while he
may be found, call ye upon him while he is near."
If you wish to find God, you must seek after Him. If you approach
prayer as just a time to spout off a list of things you would like done
or rehearse something you've heard, then you will not find God. God
wants you to humble your heart and diligently seek Him and His will
for you. God is waiting for you, but in order to find Him, you must first
seek Him.
How do you approach your time with God? Do you view it simply
as a time to run through a prayer list or do you truly want to meet with
God and hear from Him? Take time right now to seek God's face. Spend
time in His Word, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Make sure that
your time in prayer each day is not simply you meeting with God, but
Him meeting with you and speaking to your heart .

.2lK )on w )I '* Acrs 1):26- 'i2

 July 6

Don't Turn Back

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and
looking back, is fit for the kingdom ofGod.-LVKE 9:62

argaret Wilson was a young Scottish girl who was martyred in the
M early 168os for her faith. At the age of eighteen, she was tied to
a stake where the tide was due to come in. The water covered her, but
before her life was gone, they pulled her up until she recovered the power
of speech. She was then asked by Major Win dram, who was in command,
if she would pray for the king. She replied that she "wished the salvation
of all men, and the damnation of none:'
"Dear Margaret;' said one of the by-standers, deeply affected, "say
'God save the king."' She answered with great steadiness, "God save him,
if He will, for it is his salvation I desire.""Sir," they cried to the major, "she
has said it; she has said it!"
The major offered her the abjuration oath charging her instantly to
swear it, otherwise to return to the water. The poor young woman firmly
replied, "I will not; I am one of Christ's children! Let me go." Upon which
she was again thrust into the water, and drowned.
Throughout history there have been Christian men, women, and
children martyred for Christ. Most of them had a chance to escape death
by recanting their faith. Yet they chose death for Christ rather than the
ease of living and denying Him.
While most of us aren't facing death today, we do face struggles and
temptations. These situations are difficult, but like the martyrs, we can't
turn back. After all God has endured for us, how can we give up when
things get a little difficult?
What are you facing today that is difficult? Whatever the difficulty
is in your life, don't quit. The next time a trial comes into your life, seek
God's help through prayer. Then read Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John
Foxe. Realize that just as others have come through trials, you can too
with God's help.

}OB 32 33 *' ACTS 14 219

July 7

Because You've Been Forgiven

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to
death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there
they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the
other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.- LUKE 23:32-34

F orgiveness is sometimes the hardest thing to do in life. It is not natural

and is not easily accomplished, for to forgive is to humble oneself
and release bitterness and hurt. When wronged or hurt, we naturally feel
the desire for revenge or bitterness, but God desires that we ignore those
feelings and forgive as He has forgiven us.
How unconditional is Christ's forgiveness? Consider the scene at
Calvary for a minute. Among the common criminals was Jesus, a man
who had done no wrong and yet was sentenced to death. In today's world,
people would be protesting, screaming for justice to be done. Yet, in the
midst of the pain and suffering He felt, the Lord begged His Father for the
forgiveness of His accusers. What He spent His life preaching, He acted out
in His last moments on earth.
Jesus' death on the Cross is the ultimate picture of forgiveness. He
bore what He did not deserve and willingly forgave the sins committed
against Him.
How do you handle injustices in your life? Do you lash out in
anger and bitterness, or do you forgive as Christ has forgiven you? Your
forgiveness of others should not be based on their actions toward you, but
on Christ's action toward you.
Examine your heart for any bitterness right now. If you haven't yet
forgiven someone, make that right today. Call, email, write, or visit them
and forgive them because God has forgiven you each time that you have
sinned against Him.

220 )OB 34 35 *' ACTS 15:1 2!

 July 8

Faith and Obedience

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one
of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the
body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone.-JAMES 2:15~17

s a young man preparing to go to China, Hudson Taylor resolved "to

A learn before leaving England to move man through God by prayer
alone." He worked for a doctor, and when his quarterly salary was due,
Taylor was disturbed that his employer said nothing about it. He had only
one half-crown piece, but he determined not to break his resolution and
ask for his salary. While visiting a needy home on the Lord's Day, Taylor
felt led of God to give his last coin to the needy family.
The next day he received an anonymous gift through the mail, four
times what he had given to the poor! And the following Saturday the
doctor remembered Taylor's salary. Taylor grew in faith, but he didn't
sit around, waiting for God to provide money out of thin air. Taylor was
hard at work, honoring God in his work and in his giving.
If I told you I had faith that God would save my neighbor, yet I never
witnessed to him, would you believe me? God could use someone else,
but if I truly wanted to see him saved, I would be obedient in witnessing
to him.
Faith and obedience go hand-in-hand. A.W. Tozer put it this way,
"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does
it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are
opposite sides of the same coin."
Do you have faith that God will save someone you know, provide for
you, or heal a loved one? Then be obedient in witnessing to your friend,
working and stewarding your money wisely, and surrendering your will
to God's sovereign plan. Believe that God will answer your prayer, but
also obey His commands.

)OB 36~37 'If' ACTS 15:22-41 221

 July 9

Staying Close
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
-PSALM II9:I05

n the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was traveling alone up the
I rutted and rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. Linda didn't
know you don't travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown Honda Civic,
so she set off where only four-wheel drives normally venture. The first
evening she found a room in the mountains near the summit and asked for
a 5 AM wakeup call so she could get an early start. She couldn't understand
why the clerk looked surprised at that request, but as she awoke to early-
morning fog shrouding the mountain tops, she understood. Not wanting
to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast.
At breakfast, two truckers asked Linda where she was headed.
"Whitehorse." "In that little Civic? No way! This pass is dangerous in
weather like this." "Well, I'm determined to try;' was Linda's gutsy, if not
very informed, response. "Then I guess we're just going to have to hug
you," the trucker suggested. Linda drew back. "There's no way I'm going
to let you touch me!" "Not like THAT!" the truckers chuckled. "We'll put
one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we'll get you
through the mountains." All that foggy morning Linda followed the two
red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as
they made their way safely through the mountains.
Linda was able to make her way safely through the fog because she
trusted the truckers and stayed close to them. During treacherous times
in our lives, the only way we will survive is by trusting the Lord and
staying close to His Word.
Are you facing a trial today? Perhaps fog is hiding the path of life
from you and you don't know which way to go. God gives you the answer
for trials-stay close to Him. Allow Him to guide you through the stormy
path, and trust His Word for comfort and guidance.

222 jOB 38 40 * ACTS 16:! 2I

 July 10

A Joyful Priority
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.-JOSHUA 1:8

od's Word is vital to our faithfulness as Christians. Too often,

G however, we treat time in God's Word as a duty rather than a
privilege. To develop a passion for the Word of God, it is vital we refuse
to skip time in His Word.
Schedule a special time daily in God's Word. Acts 17:11 says, "These
were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so." These people spent time each day searching the Word of
God, getting to know Him more.
Do you have a specific time and place you meet God each day? When
we make appointments in life, we always designate a time and a place
to meet. Whether it's a business appointment or a dentist appointment,
we know where to be and what time to be there. What about your
"appointment" with God? Having a specific time and place designated for
your time with God will help you consistently meet with Him.
The morning is the best time to schedule your appointment with
God. Jesus often went out early in the morning to spend some time alone
with His Father. I've found that the mornings are the quietest times
around my home. Rising early in the morning and spending time with
God helps me start each day with His Word in my mind and His strength
to help me live for Him.
Do you have a specific time and place you meet God? Do you seek
Him each morning? Make God's Word a priority in your life, and you
will find the joy of communing with Him.

}OB 41 42 'l«- ACTS 16:22 40 223

Julv 11

The Refiner's Fire

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you.-1 PETER 4:12

veryone faces times of adversity. Most of the Psalms were born in

E difficulty. Most of the Epistles were written in prisons. Most of the
greatest thinkers of all time had to pass through the fire. Bunyan wrote
Pilgrim's Progress from jail. Florence Nightingale, too ill to move from
her bed, reorganized the hospitals of England. Semi-paralyzed and under
the constant menace of apoplexy, Pasteur was tireless in his attack on
disease. During the greater part of his life, American historian Francis
Parkman suffered so acutely that he could not work for more than five
minutes at a time. His eyesight was so wretched that he could scrawl only
a few gigantic words on a manuscript, yet he contrived to write twenty
magnificent volumes of history.
Even the most famous of people who seemed to have an easy life,
secretly struggled with adversity and suffering. Suffering is not reserved
for a certain type of people. We all face adversity at some point in
our lives.
The fiery trial reminds us of the refiner's fire. The refiner is God,
and He brings into our lives the fire that will not burn us but will burn
out the impurities in our lives. Just as the refiner puts the gold ore in the
fire to separate the pure gold from the dross, so God brings adversity to
teach us to trust Him and to help us mature as His children.
Are you in the refiner's fire? Is God seeking to refine you through
adversity? Friend, don't let trials separate you from God. God has a
purpose for that trial in your life! Even when you don't understand why
or when you can't see God's plan, trust that He, as your Heavenly Father,
knows what's best for you and only wants to help you. Endure the fire, for
in the end you will come forth as gold.
 July 12

Useless?
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee
and to me.- PHILEMON 10-II

n David McCullough's book on John Adams, he tells of the time our

I second President was living in Philadelphia. John and Abigail Adams
befriended a little boy named James Prince. They cared for this boy
and provided food, clothing, and other necessities for him. But when
they went to enroll him in the local school, the school refused to allow
him to attend for racial reasons. The Adams' family was upset, and Mrs.
Adams demanded that the boy be allowed to attend. She said, "Is this the
Christian principle of doing unto others as we would have others do to
us? I hope that we shall all go to Heaven together!"
Many people have been treated as useless or unprofitable, but our
verses today show that God has a special use for each of His children.
When Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of his runaway servant
Onesimus, he sought to persuade Philemon to restore Onesimus as a
servant and forgive his running away. Onesimus' name means "profitable;'
but no doubt he had become unprofitable or useless in Philemon's eyes.
In Christ, all men are profitable. God has created everyone with
a divine purpose in mind. When Onesimus repented of his sins and
received Christ as his Saviour, he moved from being unprofitable to
being useful to God.
God has a plan for your life today. Before you were even born, He
knew you and He planned out your life. Have you run away from God's
plan like Onesimus? Do you consider yourself useless to God? No matter
what you've done or how badly you've "messed up;' God can still use you!
Don't allow the devil to convince you that you're useless to God. God
wants to use you. Seek God's forgiveness for your failure, and press on in
spite of it! Let God use you to accomplish His will today.

J'SALMS 4 6 'tt- ;\CTS 17:16 34 .22_1

July 13

When There Are No Answers

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which
he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land ofpromise,
as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God.-HEBREWS II:8-ro

T he African impala can jump to a height of over ten feet and cover a
distance of greater than thirty feet. Yet these magnificent creatures
can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a three-foot wall. The animals
will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.
Faith is leaping when you can't see where you're going to land. It is
taking action based on the unseen fulfillment of God's promises.
Abraham was a man of faith. God called him out of his hometown of
Ur to a land God would later reveal to him. The word call in Hebrews n:8
means "to invite." And the word obey means "to submit." Abraham
submitted to the invitation of God
Abraham believed God when he did not know where, when, how, or
why. It was faith in God's Word that made Abraham leave his home, live
as a pilgrim, and follow God wherever He led. He was willing to sacrifice
his hopes, dreams, and plans in order to follow God. Abraham had faith
that God would lead him.
God will sometimes ask you to follow Him down paths you do not
understand. Do not be afraid of stepping out by faith. God won't always
show you the outcome before He requires you to trust Him.
Are you living by faith today or are you living like the African impala,
caged in by fear of the unknown? God desires that you would trust Him
with each new step you take in your Christian life. He knows what's best
for you, so trust Him even when you can't see the ending.

226 PSALMS 7 9 * AcTS 18

 July 14

Iron for Gold

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son,-HEBREWS II:I7

K ing Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars

had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he became seriously
short of finances. He couldn't disappoint his people, and to capitulate to
the enemy was unthinkable. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the
women of Prussia to bring their jewelry of gold and silver to be melted
down for their country. For each ornament received, a decoration of
bronze or iron was given as a symbol of his gratitude. Inscribed on the
decorations was, "I gave gold for iron, 1813."
The response was overwhelming. These women prized their
gifts from the king even more highly than their former jewelry-the
decorations were proof that they had sacrificed for their king.
One of the greatest challenges of faith and sacrifice I have ever
read is in the life of Abraham. God had miraculously provided a son,
Isaac, to Abraham and Sarah. Then God requested that Isaac be offered
as a sacrifice! Yet Abraham was willing to lay down his most treasured
possession in sacrifice to God.
Sometimes we disobey God's command to sacrifice because we fear
letting go. You should know that when you sacrifice something for God,
He will bless you far beyond what you gave. God knows exactly what
you need, and He will provide it for you. "But my God shall supply all
your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4=19 ).
While the women in our story gave up their gold for iron replacements,
when we give up our "iron''-the things of this world-we gain God's
richest blessings of gold.
Are you willing to surrender your most prized possession to God?
God promises that as you willingly give your all to Him, He will replace
it with Heaven's gold.

PSALMS 10 I2 'it- ACTS 1'):1 20 227

July 15

Come unto Me
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched
him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.-! KINGS 19:5

From the diary of John Wesley...

Sunday AM, Mays-Preached in St. Anne's. Was asked not to
come back.
Sunday PM, Mays-Preached in St. John's. Deacons said "Get out
and stay out."
Sunday AM, May 12-Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back
there, either.
Sunday AM, May 19-Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons
said I couldn't return.
Sunday PM, May 19-Preached on street. Kicked off street.
Sunday AM, May 26-Preached in meadow. Chased out of
meadow as bull was turned loose.
Sunday AM, June 2-Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked
off highway.
Sunday PM, June 2-Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten
thousand people came.
Do you have days when it seems as though you are getting beaten
up and knocked down constantly? Sometimes we all need rest. This was
Elijah's need in 1 Kings 19. He was spiritually depleted, physically exhausted,
and mentally tired. But even when Elijah was ready to quit, God sustained
him. God told him, "Just hang in there. Have something to eat. Take time
to rest. I want to use you once again."
Even when you feel like quitting or giving up, God is there. When you
face physical exhaustion or spiritual fatigue, God will provide rest.
Are you physically worn down and spiritually exhausted? God wants
to strengthen you. Spend time alone with God. Go to a quiet place, shut
out the cares of this world, and simply spend time reading God's Word and
talking to Him. Let Him refresh and strengthen you today.

PSALMS [:5 ··I) '/to AcTS T9:2I 41

 July 16

A Humble Servant
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
-MATTHEW 23:II

hen I was a young teen, a friend of mine invited me to go with his

W family on a vacation to Palm Springs. As we were running into
the hotel room one afternoon, I stubbed my toe on the threshold. My
friend's mom got some ice and gave me some pain reliever to help my toe,
but the pain didn't go away.
About midnight that night, I couldn't take the pain anymore. I got
out of bed, hopped over to my friend's parents' room, and told them I
needed to go see a doctor. Graciously, they got dressed and took me to
the emergency room. As I was waiting there, several ambulances drove
into the parking lot. Apparently there had been a collision between a
Greyhound bus and a semi truck on the freeway. I sat there and watched
as people who were clinging to life came through the emergency room.
After a while, I looked down at my toe then looked to my friend and his
parents and said, "I guess we can go back to the hotel now. I think I'll
be okay:'
That night I learned that my problem was nothing compared to
the problems of others. We easily get so tied up in our schedules that we
fail to see those around us who are hurting. Sometimes pride can fill our
hearts and we can overlook those whom we could help.
When we humble our hearts, we will be able to see the needs of
others and Christ will be able to work through us. A humble heart is a
heart that is emptied of self.
Do you have a humble heart before God? Are you willing to serve
others? Ask God to take your eyes off yourself so you can see the needs
of those around you. Seek to be an encouragement to someone who is
hurting today.

PSALMS r6- 17 *' ACTS 20:! 16 229

Juiy l 7

Signs of a Humble Heart

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted.-MATTHEW 23:12

humble heart is a necessity when approaching God. When you humble

A yourself and develop a correct view of yourself, you will also develop
a correct view of God. God is the Creator of the world! He deserves all
respect and honor, and we can only give Him the glory He deserves if we
are humble before Him.
What are the indicators of humility?
First, a humble heart brings about confession of sin. A person with a
humble heart acknowledges his sin and will readily confess it before God.
He is hurt by sin and will seek to make things right as soon as he can.
Psalm 32:5 says, "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity
have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LoRD; and
thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah." David shows his humble heart
by readily admitting his sin and confessing it to God.
Second, a humble heart brings about appreciation for God's mercy.
Unless you realize the sinfulness of your human nature, you cannot fully
appreciate God's mercy and His provision of that mercy on Calvary. A
true appreciation of God's sacrifice comes from a correct view of your
own heart.
Last, a humble heart makes way for the forsaking of sin. When you
humble your heart and lift God up in your life, it will be easier to turn
away from temptation and resist sin. The famous preacher F.B. Meyer
once said, "The only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ." As
we lift Christ up and give Him the honor and glory He is due, we will be
humbled before Him.
Are you easily convicted of sin? Do you thank God for His mercy?
Spend time in prayer, asking God to humble you and bring about a correct
view of Him in your life. Lift God up in everything you do today.

l'SM.MS r8 !<) <,to ;\CTS 20:17 38

 July 18

A Little Bit of Soap

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.-GALATIANS 5:9

once read this story about an author's first pet experience with his
I children: "At their school carnival, our kids won four free goldfish
(lucky us!), so out I went Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The
first few I priced ranged from $40 to $70. Then I spotted it-right in
the aisle: a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and
filter-for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, it was nasty dirty, but the
savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze.
"Those four new fish looked great in their new home, at least for
the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, but three remained.
Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a
third goldfish had gone belly up. We called in an expert, a member of
our church who has a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover
the problem: I had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. My
uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives I was trying to protect."
While he had the best intentions with trying to clean out the
tank, the author had a harmful substance that eventually killed the fish.
Sometimes we dabble in "harmful substances" such as anger, bitterness,
revenge, and other sins that kill our spiritual lives.
Sin is nothing with which to experiment. It is a powerful tool in the
devil's arsenal of spiritually harmful devices. Even holding on to a "little"
sin will prove to be spiritually fatal.
What "little" sin are you entertaining in your life? Remember that
even a little leaven can leaven the whole lump. While it may seem little
to you, God sees it as a spiritual infection that is harmful. Put away the
little sins that are in your life and give your heart wholly to Christ. Only
when you are wholly His without sinful distractions can He fill and use
you for His glory.

PSALMS 20 22 'If- AcTs 21:1 17

 July 19

Listen Up
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves.-]AMES 1:22

T he story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving

lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any
attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to
try an experiment. To each person who shook his hand, he murmured,
"I murdered my grandmother this morning:' The guests responded with
phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you.
God bless you, sir." It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the
ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Startled by
the comment, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she
had it coming."
Do you listen to God when He speaks to you? Listening, unlike
hearing, requires a conscious effort to focus on and understand what is
being said.
When our hearts are broken, God wants to speak to us personally
and comfort us. But if we are bitter at God, we will not hear Him. We
must be purposefully listening to His Words in order to grow in Him.
There is a direct connection between hearing and doing in the
Bible. Hearing the Word of God is good, but doing it shows a desire to
understand and obey.
Maybe you spend time each morning in God's Word. But did you
hear God speak to you through His Word? It can be easy to hear God's
Word without listening to God. Thoughts of bills to pay, projects to
accomplish, and errands to run can fill your mind and can prevent you
from listening to Him.
Were you intently focusing on listening to God as you spent time
with Him today? Don't let the cares of your day drown out God's voice as
He seeks to speak to you. Find a quiet place, ask God to speak to you, and
determine to focus on God and listen to what He has to say to you.

232 PSALMS 23 2) 'lC- ACTS 21:!8 40

 July 20

A Christian Leader
And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool,
after he had made it a molten calf" and they said, These be thy gods, 0
Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron
saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and
said, To morrow is a feast to the LoRv.-Exoous 32:4-5

eadership-it is highly valued in the business world and sought after

L by many. Yet only Christ can develop true servant leadership in our
lives. He does this as we faithfully serve those we are responsible to lead.
One author shows what is required of a Christian to be a leader:
• Be willing to stand alone.
Be willing to go against public opinion in order to promote
what you believe.
Be willing to risk failure.
Be willing to remain above reproach.
Be willing to make decisions others don't want to make.
Be willing to say no at times, even when you'd like to say yes.
Every leader is prone to fall. When Moses was gone for forty days,
he placed Aaron in charge of the people. Rather than standing firm and
admonishing the people to obey what Moses had commanded, Aaron
bent under the pressure and gave in to their demands.
As a Christian, you are to be a leader wherever you go. Whether at
work, at the mall, at home, or wherever you are, God desires for you to be
a leader in living right. Just as Aaron, you will face opposition. People will
not understand why you choose to be truthful and why you work hard
and do what is right, but God has commanded that whatsoever you do,
do it all for His glory and honor (Colossians 3:23).
Are you being a Christian leader today? Determine not to give in to
peer pressure like Aaron did, but seek God's help in becoming a Christian
leader who honors Him.

PSALMS 26- 28 'II- AcTS 22 233

July 21

Your Secret Weapon

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but
will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to
bear it.-I CORINTHIANS IO:I2-I3

here is a beautiful little plant that grows in Venezuela-the sundew.

T Along each of its leaves are delicate hairs that glisten with drops that
resemble the morning dew. Insects are attracted to its blossoms, but soon
wish they hadn't been. For the drops on this plant are sticky and will
trap any visitors. The plant then secretes enzymes that dissolve its prey,
turning the insect into the sundew's next meal.
Just as the sundew plant lures insects in and traps them, so Satan
seeks to lure us into his traps. But unlike the insects, we have a way to
escape the devil's traps!
Our weapon in the battle against Satan is the Scriptures. God
promises that whatever the temptation that comes into your life, He will
give you a way to escape from it. You don't have to sin! You have a way to
resist the devil and trust God.
What is the devil tempting you with today? Where is he attacking
you in your Christian life? You don't have to fall into his traps! God has
provided a way of escape for you.
Find a piece of paper and write out the areas in which you are
struggling-pride, anger, lust, envy, attitude. Then, search for Scripture
verses on that topic. You can use your index or a computer program.
Write out as many verses as you can find on little cards. Carry those cards
with you today, and pull them out when you are tempted to sin. Use
God's Word as your weapon against the devil.

PSALMS 29- 30 '!Co- ACTS 23:1 IS

 July 22

Resisting the Snake

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in
the faith . ... - 1 PETER 5:8-9

n old Indian legend is told about a young boy who hiked a tall rugged
A mountain, capped with dazzling snow. When he reached the top he
stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled
with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a
snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke.
"I am about to die;' said the snake. "It's too cold for me up here, and
I'm freezing. There's no food, and I'm starving. Put me under your shirt
and take me down to the valley." "No;' said the youth. "I am forewarned. I
know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and
your bite will kill me." "Not so:' said the snake. "I will treat you differently.
If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you:'
At last the youth tucked the snake under his shirt and carried it
down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the
snake coiled and leapt, biting him on the leg. "But you promised..." cried
out the youth in pain. "You knew what I was when you picked me up," the
snake said as it slithered away.
The boy knew the danger of touching the snake, yet he gave in to
the temptation. The devil is so subtle in his temptations that sometimes
it can seem harmless, but the results are painful.
My mom used to say, "Son, if you don't want a rotten apple, then
stay out of the devil's orchard:' She taught me that nearness is likeness.
If I hung around the wrong crowd, my spiritual walk with God would
be damaged.
Have you given in to temptation? Next time the devil comes
around, resist him through God's strength and claim the victory Christ
offers you.

PSALMS 31 32 * ACTS 23:16 -35

c
' ' ~-)
July 7.,

Stressed Out?
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and carne to him, and
said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
bid her therefore that she help me.-LUKE 10:40

A s Jesus traveled about the Galilean countryside, He found His way

to people whom He loved very deeply. One of His favorite stopping
points was in the town of Bethany, on the eastern side of the Mount
of Olives.
In this town there was the family of Mary, Martha, and lazarus.
This family had the joy of welcoming Jesus physically into their home
during His earthly ministry.
One member of the family struggled with stress more than the
others-Martha. Notice the picture of Martha. She is described as
one who is cumbered about. The word cumbered means "to be driven
mentally." She was a driven person who liked to get things done.
Although Martha had a busy schedule of serving others, like many
stressed people, she began to complain. "No one's helping me around the
house. I have to do everything myself. No one cares like I do."
But it was not Martha's service that most blessed the lord. It was
Mary's delight in sitting at His feet and learning from Him. He answered
Martha, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
There's nothing wrong with being busy serving the lord. God
delights in this! But when you are so busy working for God that you are
not spending time with God, then your priorities need to be examined.
We all face stressful times in our lives. The "to-do" list keeps growing
while the time to complete it grows shorter. What do you do during these
times? How do you handle stress in your life? Rather than complaining
to God as Martha did, spend time with Him. Take time to stop, read His
Word, seek His face in prayer, and let Him give you the strength you need
to serve Him.

I'S.UM S B '34 1Co ACTS 24

 July 24

When Facing Adversity

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf- I PETER4:I6

swald Chambers wrote, "Suffering is the heritage of the bad, of the

0 penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends at the Cross. The
bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and the Son of God is
crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of suffering:'
If there is a common thread running through the human race, it is
the thread of suffering. This was especially true for the Christians in the
first century. These Christians put their faith in the resurrected Christ in
the midst of a Roman culture that was hostile to the teachings of Christ.
Many Christians were imprisoned and sent to battle lions or gladiators in
the Coliseum as sport for the Romans to watch.
Truly, if any Christians have known suffering, the first century
Christians went through incredible persecution and suffering for the
faith. Peter wrote to the Christians who were scattered throughout what is
modern-day Turkey to assure them that God had a reason and a purpose
for the trials that had entered their lives.
While it may not be physical persecution or the possibility of
death, suffering for the cause of Christ still happens to many Christians.
Whether it's ridicule at work or rejection by others, many Christians still
face adversity today.
When adversity or suffering enters your life, seek refuge in the
promises of God's Word. The peace that many early Christians felt came
from quoting Scripture, singing spiritual songs, and meditating on
God's promises.
Are you facing adversity? Spend time with God now. Meditate on
His Word and let Him fill you with His peace. Claim Philippians 4:7 as
you go about your day today, "And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

PSALMS 35~ 56 .,... ACTS 2) 2T7

 July 25

Founded on Truth
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will
liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the
rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
-MATTHEW 7:24-25

t the county fair a distinctively dressed Quaker offered a horse for

A sale. A non-Quaker farmer asked its price, and since Quakers had a
reputation for fair dealing, he bought the horse without hesitation. The
farmer got the horse home, only to discover it was lazy and ill-tempered,
so he took it back to the fair the next day. "Thou hast no complaint against
me:' said the Quaker. "Had thou asked me about the horse, I would have
told thee truthfully the problems, but thou didst not ask." "That's okay,"
replied the farmer. "I don't want you to take the horse back. I want to try
to sell him to someone else. Can I borrow your coat and hat awhile?"
Sadly, honesty and truth seem to be lost characteristics in today's
society. Honesty is sacrificed for success, and truth is sacrificed for
acceptance. But God desires that we build our lives on the truth of
His Word.
The only way to build on truth is to build on God's Word. Faithful
attendance to a Bible-believing church that preaches the truth of God's
Word is vital for our establishment on God's truth. Personal study digging
into the truths of God's Word is important as well. The process of digging
a good foundation is not a one-day event. It takes daily work, searching
for God's truth, and applying it to our lives to ground our lives in truth.
What is the foundation of your life? Is it the shifty sands oftoday's
ideas? Or is it the solid bedrock of God's truth? Take time today to dig
deep into His Word. Also, remain faithful to God's house. It is through
the preaching and reading of God's Word that your life will be founded
on Christ.

PSALMS 37 39 'If- AcTS 26

 July 26

It's Better Higher Up

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when
his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
- I PETER4:13

.L. Moody told the story about a Christian woman who was always
D bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to
her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth
floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day
and brought along another woman-a person of great wealth. Since
there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward.
When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman
commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's
better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was
made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It's better higher
up:' The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found
the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that
filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the
window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings
in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult
for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation the shut-in
responded, "It's better higher up."
While the old woman could have focused on her suffering, she
realized that her pain was temporary and that one day she'd be in Heaven
where things were better. Similarly, if we are to endure suffering and
remain faithful to God, we must remember that our trials and pains are
only temporary.
Are you rejoicing in your time of adversity? The way to overcome
adversity and to have joy in times of suffering is by looking to the Cross
for strength. Spend time reflecting on Christ's suffering today, and choose
to rejoice in what He has done for you.

PSALMS 40 42 *' ACTS 27:1-26 239

July 27

Is Your Truth Fiction?

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man,
and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed
in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and
taught diligently the things of the Lord .. .. -ACTS r8:24-25

T here is a tale told of the great English actor Macready. An eminent

preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me the
difference between you and me. You are appearing before crowds night
after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am
preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any
crowd at all:'
"This is quite simple;' Macready answered. "I present my fiction as
though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
Many Christians have lost their passion and zeal for Christ. Their
lives present the truth of God's Word as though it were fiction. They
have lost their fervor and passion to serve the Lord and are simply going
through the motions of Christianity. Where once we were on fire for God
and daily seeking to please Him, after a few setbacks and some tough
times, we lose our fervency to serve the Lord.
The devil can trick us into loathing the "routine" of Christianity so
that we forget our true purpose in serving God. Don't let the Christian
life become monotonous to you. Every time you are able to meet with
God is a sacred privilege. Every time you get to see a soul saved is a
glorious honor. God has given us the ability to take part in His work on
earth. Thank Him for it. And never forget that it truly is a privilege that
He would use us.
Are you fervent about your Christian life? Do you have zeal to want
to know God more and to tell others of Him? Ask God for fervor to
serve Him. Renew your zeal by remembering all He has done for you, and
rekindle the passion in your heart to live for Christ.

240 PSALMS 43 45 * ACTS 27:27 44

 July 28

Judge Not
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again.-MATTHEW 7:1-2

n his little book Illustrations of Bible Truth, H.A. Ironside pointed

I out the folly of judging others. He related an incident in the life of a
man called Bishop Potter. "He was sailing for Europe on one of the great
transatlantic ocean liners .... After going to see the accommodations, he
came up to the purser's desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch
and other valuables in the ship's safe. He explained that ordinarily he
never availed himself of that privilege, but he had been to his cabin and
had met the man who was to occupy the other berth. Judging from his
appearance, he was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person.
The purser accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked,
'It's all right, bishop, I'll be very glad to take care of them for you. The
other man has been up here and left his for the same reason!"'
Judging comes so naturally to many of us. But God condemned the
Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and He warns us not to judge as well.
The phrase judge not does not refer to discerning between false
doctrine and truth. It speaks of judging another man's motives, which no
human being can know. Man is not omniscient. While someone's actions
may seem strange or even pious, you can never know someone's heart
on a matter. Rather than judging someone, remember that the Lord is in
control of everything. If their motives are wrong, God will take care of it.
And if their motives are pure, He will reward them for that as well.
Do you find yourself judging other people's actions? Don't fall prey
to the devil's trap of criticism. Give the situation to the Lord, and allow
Him to take care of it.

241
 July 29

Don't Be Ashamed
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf-! PETER4:I6

ometimes Christians can be ashamed to identify with Christ. They

S fear persecution or ridicule for standing up for the Lord, yet Peter
urges Christians to identify with the Lord. Don't be ashamed to identify
with Christ. Claim Him as your Saviour and let others know you trust in
Him and live each day to please Him.
Peter once was ashamed to claim Christ; therefore, he knew the
agony felt because of it. Peter denied the Lord three times, and now he
was reminding Christians to not be ashamed to identify with the Lord.
Rather than being ashamed or shying away from identifying with
God, glorify Him in your adversity. Suffering for the Lord's sake is not
easy, but when you remain faithful to Him and continue to serve Him,
He is glorified.
Have you ever noticed that people are always watching you?
Whether it's at work, the store, your neighborhood, or throughout your
community, people watch your actions. They see when you get mad at a
neighbor for the mess they made on your lawn. They hear you criticize
the boss behind his back. They listen as you grumble about the slow
cashier at the store.
Whether you realize it or not, people are watching you. And most of
the time they know if you're a Christian. So how are your actions during
difficult times reflecting on God? Do others see a sweet spirit in you when
a financial crisis enters your life? Do they see you trusting God when
you face unplanned circumstances? How you react to suffering directly
reflects on the Lord.
Are you standing up for God and glorifying Him with your life
today? Don't be ashamed to remain faithful to God in spite of suffering.
Glorify Him during that time and let others know that you trust that God
is in control.

242 PSALMS 49 -50 'If- ROMANS I

 July 30

A Faithful Sower
For we are labourers together with God .. .- I CORINTHIANS 3:9

n the Parable of the Sower (Matthew13), Christ likens His Word to seed,
I and He likens the hearts of those who hear His Word to soil. Seed can
be planted anywhere, but it will only grow strong roots, develop healthy
plants, and produce abundant harvest in fertile soil.
God has commissioned us as His laborers to plant the seed of the
Gospel in the hearts of the lost. Not everyone will readily receive the
Gospel message. Some hearts are hard, like some soil, and reject or ignore
the seed of the Gospel. Other hearts are shallow, like soil with rock just
beneath the surface. Other hearts are easily distracted from spiritual
truth, like soil that grows weeds. Some hearts, however, are receptive and
ready to hear and respond to the truth of the Gospel.
The fruit of the seeds varies in quantity because of the quality
of the soil in which they are sown. As God's field laborers, we are not
responsible for the response of those to whom we witness. God is the
one who works in hearts to bring others to know Him. We are simply
responsible to faithfully plant the seed.
Have you ever become discouraged because of the results of your
witnessing? Have you prayed for, labored over, and diligently witnessed
to someone only to see them reject God's Word? Sometimes you will be
the first to sow in one's heart, other times you may help water and soften
hearts, and sometimes God will allow you to see the harvest of a lost
soul come to Him. Sometimes you may even miscalculate the type of soil
one's heart represents-only to see them readily respond to the Gospel.
Regardless of the immediate, visible results, be faithful to plant the
seed of God's Word in the hearts of the lost today. The more seed you
plant, the greater the harvest will be!

PsALMS 51 53 * RoMANs 2
July 31

When Facing Criticism

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus,
that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites?
And they did chide with him sharply.-]UDGES 8:r

udges 7 shows how Gideon trusted God, went into battle against the
J Midianites, and achieved a great victory through the Lord's power. Yet
on the heels of such a great miracle, Gideon was criticized. The men of
Ephraim were upset that Gideon had not called them to do battle. They
questioned his decision and argued his command.
I once read a helpful article on the subject of criticism that offered
these four suggestions:
1. Commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all
resentment or counter-criticism on your part and teach you the
needed lessons.
2. Remember that we are all great sinners, and that the one who
has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us.
3. If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and
frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured.
Even if the criticism is not given with the right motivation or in
the right spirit, you can learn from it.
4. Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you
need God's grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep
on the straight path.
Criticism is going to come into all our lives. Are you facing some
sort of criticism in your life today? Maybe you make a great sacrifice for
God or you serve Him tirelessly, yet it seems as if someone always points
out the small, petty things that were wrong. Do not be discouraged when
you are criticized. Instead, take the four points above and apply them to
your life. Then pray and ask God to help you remain faithful in spite of
the criticism of others. Die to self today so that criticism will not have the
wrong effect in your life.

244 PSALMS 54 56 oJo. ROMANS 3

AUGUST
August l

The Dead Olive Tree

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at jesus' feet, and heard
his word.-LUKE 10:39

n the Greek Islands, near the home of Hippocrates, the father of

I modern medicine, stands an olive tree that supposedly dates from his
time. If true, this tree is some 2,400 years old. The trunk is very large but
completely hollow. The tree is little more than thick bark. There are a few
long, straggling branches, but they are supported by sturdy wooden poles
every few feet. It has an occasional leaf here and there and might produce
a few olives each year.
In the nearby fields, however, are olive groves in many directions.
The strong, healthy, young trees with narrow trunks are covered with a
thick canopy of leaves, under which masses of olives can be found each
year. The tree of Hippocrates can still be called an olive tree by nature, but
it has long since ceased to fulfill an olive tree's function. Tourists line up
to inspect this ancient relic, having some link to a dim history, but the job
of the olive tree passed long ago to many successions of replanted trees.
Many Christians are as the dead olive tree. They still go to church,
read their Bibles, and tell others of Christ; yet they are hollow inside.
Their motive for serving Christ is not to know Him more, but to please
others. Many approach the Christian life as a duty, rather than a delight.
Mary's position of humility was an expression of her genuine love for
her lord.
Do you view time with God as a duty? Or do you approach it with
an open heart? God desires to speak to you, to teach you of Himsel£ But
when you apathetically sit down at His feet and become distracted by
other things, His words cannot speak to you.
Spend time with Christ now. Don't merely read His Word, pray
through a list, and go about your day. Ask God to touch your heart and
teach you something new today.

246 PSALMS 57 59 'lC- ROMANS 4

 August 2

Integrity
judge me, 0 LoRD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also
in the LoRD; therefore I shall not slide.-PSALM 26:1

ntegrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching. Integrity

I means giving your employer an honest eight hours of hard work;
integrity is attending church even when your relatives decide to plan a
big event on Sunday. Integrity is never separating the life you live from
the words you speak.
Someone once said, "Integrity is keeping my commitment even
when the circumstances surrounding my commitment have changed."
As Christians, our commitment is first to Jesus Christ. No matter if the
circumstances surrounding our lives change, we must keep our integrity
by staying true to our Lord.
One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be
compromised. Ask yourself these questions, "What does it take to stop
me from serving God?" or, "What does it take to make me compromise
one of my beliefs?"
If someone tried to ruin your Christian reputation, would you
compromise a belief and start talking badly about them? If your parents
got a divorce, would you give up on God altogether? If your family
quarrels, will you forget God's omniscience and start blaming Him for
giving you a dysfunctional family?
Integrity is mentioned sixteen times in the Bible. Five times that
integrity is mentioned, the word refers to walking in integrity. Five other
times this word is mentioned, it refers to the integrity of the heart. We get
integrity by maintaining a consistent walk with God from the heart.
Job is one of the best examples of a man with integrity. He allowed
God to prove him, and through his integrity, he not only proved his love
to God, but he also received ten times the blessings. Can your life be
characterized by integrity?

PSALMS 60 62 'lfo ROMANS) 247

 August 3

Where Is Your Home?

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.-]OHN 14:2

A missionary in Laos years ago described how the Laotian and

Vietnamese houses were distinguished for taxation purposes before
national boundaries were imposed: "Those who ate short-grain rice, built
their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian -style serpents were
considered Laotians. On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice,
built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style
dragons were considered Vietnamese. The exact location of a person's
home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person
belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
In the spiritual realm, we are also identified by the kingdom whose
cultural values we exhibit. Our "homeland" is determined by the values
and ideas we show forth in our life. God tells us that this world is not
our home or permanent dwelling place. Unfortunately, however, many
Christians make this world their home by planting the roots of their lives
in the things of this world and holding on to them for support.
The home Christ is preparing for us is a mansion located in a perfect
environment. Everyone is joyful and love abounds. Why would you want
to make this world of discomfort and strife your home?
Where is your home? In order to answer that question, examine
your actions and ideas. Would they align more with the Bible or with
this world's philosophies? God desires that you would reach out to the
world and tell them of Christ, but not become so comfortable with your
surroundings that you adopt the world's culture.
Choose to pattern your life after God's "culture" rather than the
culture of this world. Plant yourself in the Word of God and keep looking
to Heaven as your eternal home.

24ti PSALMS 63 6') c,C. ROMANS 6

 August 4

Walking in Humility
... be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble.- I PETER 5:5

any years ago, Christian professor Stuart Blaclcie of the University

M of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented oral
readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his
book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, "Take your book in
your right hand, and be seated!" At this harsh rebuke, the student held
up his right arm. He didn't have a right hand! The other students shifted
uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor hesitated. Then he
made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and with tears
streaming from his eyes, said, "I never knew about it. Please, will you
forgive me?"
This story was told some time later in a large gathering. At the close
of the meeting a man came forward, turned to the crowd, and raised his
right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, "I was that student. Professor
Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could have done it if he had not
made the wrong right:'
Had Professor Blacl<ie not humbled himself and apologized to his
student, that student may have never received Christ. It took a refusal of
pride, a natural human reaction, and an admission of fault.
Many times the biggest reason we fail to follow God's leadership is
because of pride. Pride is a natural human tendency on which the world
seems to focus. God teaches us that in order to follow Him, we must
humble ourselves.
Are you submitted to God's leading in your life? Have you humbly
given Him control? The key to walking in humility is daily submitting
yourself to God's leadership in your life. This isn't a one-time decision,
but a daily surrendering before God. Before you leave your house today,
humble yourself before God. Die to pride, and allow God to guide you by
surrendering your will to Him.

PSALMS 66 -67 'lt- ROMANS 7 249

August 5

God Will Take Care of You

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall
on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are
all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many
sparrows.-MATTHEW !0:29-31

orry is a part of the average person's daily life--worrying about

W work, children, finances, the future. Sometimes worry can consume
a person so much it gives them health problems. But God's Word tells us
not to worry because He is in control.
Be not troubled with thoughts of the morrow,
Of duties you surely must do.
On the Lord cast your burden of sorrow;
It matters to Him about you!
... Then be patient until His appearing,
'Tis dawn almost now on your view;
For the mists of this dark age are clearing.
In love He is planning for you!
-Audrey Mieir
With God in control of our lives, there is no reason to worry! If He
can sustain the children of Israel for forty years in the desert, shut the
mouths of hungry lions, provide lunch for five thousand people from a
little boy's lunch, then He can take care of our needs each day. Time and
again, God has shown that He is worthy to be trusted.
Do you believe God when He says He will care for you? If you find
yourself worrying about a matter, take time to read some of the accounts
of God's provision in His Word. Read of the children of Israel, Daniel
in the lion's den, the feeding of the five thousand, or the life of John
the Baptist. Let God's faithfulness encourage you to trust Him with your
circumstances today.

250 i'SALMS68 6l) * ROMANS8l·2I

 AugustS

Why Call Ye Me Lord?

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
-LUKE 6:46

remember hearing a story of a pastor's early experience in leadership:

I 'As a young pastor, I worked at a feed processing plant in Celina, Ohio.
Each night when I went home, my boys would look at me and say, 'Boy,
Dad, you sure are dusty!' I grumbled within myself, but smiled at them
and said, 'Yes, I sure am dusty.' On a Saturday morning, I started washing
my car. As I did this, my oldest son, 4 years old at that time, began to pick
up the small stones in our drive and rubbed them onto his pants. I asked,
'What are you doing?' He said, 'I want to be dusty like you, Dad.' At that
time, I realized that if a son would look up to his father for being dusty,
he would look up to dad for anything. What a responsibility.''
Can you remember as a child idolizing someone in your life?
Perhaps it was a sports star, a parent, a pastor, a friend, or a teacher. You
wanted to be just like them some day.
We all follow someone. Even as adults, we are under the authority
and direction of others. But who we allow to influence and guide us is
our choice.
Who is the Lord of your life? Who have you set as your leader and
guide? Many people look to educated men, modern philosophies, or
new-age methods of guidance through life, but God desires to guide and
direct you through this life.
Do you, like the people to whom Jesus spoke, call God your Lord
and Saviour yet do not obey His commands? Make sure Christ is the
Lord and leader of your life. Look to Him when you face unknown or
challenging times. Obey His commands and allow Him to guide you, for
He is the only tested and proven guide to navigating your life's path.

PSAlMS 70 71 *' ROMANS 8:22 39 251

August 7

Don't Forget1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came
unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and
certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the
sepulchre.-LUKE 24:1-2

will never forget visiting the Garden Tomb in Israel. I tried to imagine
I what Mary Magdalene was thinking as she walked to the tomb early
that Sunday morning. With Calvary fresh on her mind, her heart must
have been filled with sorrow. She had loved Him and was hurt deeply by
this loss.
Like so many others, Christ had set Mary free from Satan's rule.
The fear and torment were gone, but now she faced a life of fear and
uncertainty without the Saviour. When Mary approached the tomb and
found it empty, she thought someone had stolen His body.
Remember that the Lord had foretold His resurrection and had
promised His victory over death. He had discussed many times with the
disciples His death, burial, and resurrection. Yet when it happened, Mary
and others did not remember His prophecy.
Sometimes when sorrow fills your heart and when fear comes over
you, you can forget what God says. You can forget what you read in your
Bible or what God has promised you. One of the scariest things a pastor
can do after church is ask his children what the sermon was about. It can
be humbling indeed! But we are all prone to forget God's truths at times.
God has promised in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee." It is easy to hear that promise and believe it now, but in the
midst of trials, your reasoning and understanding can become confused.
Are you going through a trial or difficulty? God has promised to be with
you and to provide for you! Don't forget God's promises as you live for
Him today.

252 PSALMS 72 73 'lfo ROMANS 9:1 I)

 August8

Fear Not
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they
said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here,
but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his
words.-LUKE 24:5-8

e all face fears. Some people are afraid of heights, some are afraid
W of snakes, and some are afraid of dying. We aren't the only ones
who often have fears. The women who journeyed to Christ's tomb felt
fear and sorrow as well. But their journey of fear and sorrow became a
time of rejoicing the morning they arrived at the tomb. Once they saw
that stone had been rolled away and realized Christ was alive, their fear
turned to joy.
Our fears and worries can be turned to joy when we look to Christ
and remember His promises. When we realize the truth of God's Word
and apply it to our lives, sorrowful days will turn into joyful days.
Christians often focus so much on their fear that they fail to see
God. But a time of fear is the time you need God the most! He's the only
one who can help you through your fear.
When the women at the tomb remembered the words of Jesus, their
fears were relieved. They realized God had conquered death, and He was
still alive! They had hope. They could face the future, knowing their Lord
and Saviour was there to help them.
Even so, when you spend time in God's Word and remember the
words of Christ, your fears will be relieved.
Do you find yourself fearing about the future or about some event
in your life? Maybe it's finances, the economy, or a work situation. God
has everything under control. Spend time with Him now and shift your
focus from your problem to the Problem-solver.

PSALMS 74 76 'II- ROMANS 9:16 33 253

 August 9

And Peter
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into
Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.- MARK 16:7

Y ou may recall that even after following Christ faithfully for years, Peter
denied the Lord. After seeing His trial, death, and burial, Peter became
discouraged and turned away from God. He simply said, "I go a-fishing."
Many people face discouragement like Peter. Trying times can enter
Christians' lives and rather than seeking out the promises of God, they
fall away from God and become discouraged. They lose faith and hope
in the Lord.
We all have failed in our witness or our relationship with the Lord.
But God's mercy is everlasting. His grace for you is abundant. No matter
what you have done or what you have been through, He is ready and
willing to forgive you.
Notice Jesus' care for Peter in our verse today, especially seen in
the words "and Peter." After Jesus rose from the dead, He said, "Go tell
all the disciples, and by the way, don't forget to tell Peter. I know he's
discouraged. I know he blew it. I know he's out there fishing somewhere,
but go get Peter and tell him that I still love him; I still want to see him
and have fellowship with him:'
It doesn't matter what you've done today, God still loves you. When
the devil tells you God can't use you anymore, don't believe him! God
is not done with you and will always give you His mercy, grace, and
forgiveness when you fall. Never turn your back on God because you
think He cannot forgive your sin. He can, and He will.
Have you neglected to seek God's forgiveness for a sin you thought He
wouldn't forgive? Have you fallen away from God? It doesn't matter what
the sin is; what matters is that you turn to God for forgiveness. Seek His
mercy today, and let Him transform your life through His forgiveness.

25-t PSALMS 77 78 * ROMANS 10

 August 10

He Will Hear
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their
mouths.-PSALM 135:15-17

remember a few years ago visiting the country of Costa Rica with the
I senior class from our high school. As we were driving through a city
one day, I saw a group of people headed into a very large building. I
stopped the bus driver, and we all got out and went to see where they
were going. It was the Basillica, a Catholic church.
The ground was very rough and the stones sharp and jagged. Yet
many of the people were crawling on their hands and knees to the statue
of Mary as if to gain her attention before they sought her help. Many of
these people had bloodied hands and knees, but they continued in their
search to find help from their god. It broke my heart to see so many
people looking for help, but not finding it. Thankfully, we were able to
point them to the true Source of help in Jesus Christ and several did
come to know Him.
There are many false gods in our world, but none of them can hear
and answer the prayers of their followers. Only God Almighty can help
in time of need, and He promises that as we turn to Him, He will hear
our prayers.
In order for God to hear you, however, you must be speaking. When
was the last time you longed for help so much that you poured your heart
out to God? Have you ever had a burden so heavy you sought God in
tears? God has promised to hear your cry for help, but you must pray.
Cry out to Him. As a loving Father, He wants you to come to Him and
seek His help today.

PSALMS 79 80 <;t- ROMANS Il:I- 18 255

August 11

Proven for Greater Use

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of
thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee,
nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people
shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their
fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou
mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant
commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that
thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.-]OSHUA 1:5-7

hy was Joshua able to enter the Promised Land when so many of

W his generation died in the wilderness? Why did God choose Joshua
to be the next leader of Israel?
God has taught in His Word that there should be a proving time
before times of greater usefulness. Joshua had been through his times of
proving. Joshua was born in Egypt and suffered as a slave there under the
oppression the Israelites faced. He had journeyed with Moses and had
followed Moses into the wilderness. He had also seen many miracles of
God and had fought many battles for God. He had seen both victories
and defeats, yet through it all, He had remained faithful.
It has been said that a faith that is not worth testing is not worth
trusting. Joshua's faith had been tested in Egypt, on the battlefield, and
while wandering in the wilderness.Although he witnessed other Israelites
falling away from God, Joshua remained faithful and trusted the Lord.
Are you in a time of battle in your life today? Maybe your battle
doesn't involve a sword, but it is a difficult time nonetheless. Realize that
these difficulties are simply God's proving grounds in your life. He is
preparing you for greater usefulness in the days ahead. Spend time with
God now, and commit to remaining faithful to Him no matter what
difficulties may lie ahead.

256 I'SALMS 81- 83 * ROMANS Il:l9 36

 August 12

Take It into the World

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.- MARK 16:15

nee a world-renowned violinist, Fritz Kreisler, found his dream

0 violin in an antique shop. Unfortunately, Kreisler did not have the
money to purchase the violin at the time. As soon as he raised enough
money, however, he returned to the seller of the violin.
"I'm sorry;' the seller explained, "I just sold the violin to a collector a
few weeks ago:' Not to be dissuaded, Kreisler obtained the address of the
collector and went to his house. But the collector refused to sell.
"Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to
silence?" Kreisler requested. The collector agreed, and Kreisler began to
play. The violin responded beautifully to his skilled fingers and filled the
room with music more stirring than the collector had ever heard. "I have
no right to keep that to myself," the collector exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr.
Kreisler. Go out into the world, and let it be heard."
The Gospel message can be compared to the collector's violin in
that it accomplishes its purpose when shared with others. Sadly, many
Christians have received God's message only to keep it to themselves.
They enjoy reading about it, meditating on it, and rejoicing in the hope it
gives them; but they do not share God's message.
Are you sharing the hope God has given you with others? When
Jesus died on Calvary, He died for you, your neighbor, the waiter at
your favorite restaurant, your complaining coworker, the impatient lady
behind you at the grocery store, and everyone else you know. He died for
all mankind and desires that all would come to know Him.
Purpose today to share God's message of salvation with at least one
person. Hand someone a tract, or take time to show them from the Bible
how they can be saved.

PSALMS 84 86 * ROMANS 12 257

 August 13

Think before You Speak

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these things.-PHILIPPIANS 4:8

erhaps you have heard of the gossiping church member who became
P convicted of her habit. The main target of her frequent rumors was
her pastor, so she went to him and asked his forgiveness. He for~ve her,
but when she asked, "What can I do to make things right?" he gave her
an assignment. Handing her a bag of feathers, he told her to spread them
around the lawn. "These feathers represent the rumors you have told," he
explained. "Now, gather the feathers back up." Realizing this would be
impossible, the lady understood the destruction her gossip had caused.
Hurtful speech of any kind cannot be undone once it is spoken. God
desires that our speech be pure, holy, and uplifting.
Our verse today gives us the pattern for the things of which we should
speak Before we speak, we must think about what we are going to say and
consider if it will honor the Lord.
I once saw this acrostic for how we can think before we speak:
T-Is it true?
H-Is it helpful?
l-Is it inspiring?
N-Is it necessary?
K-Is it kind?
If we all ran our speech through the filter of THINK, we would be less
condescending, hurtful, and careless with our words and more uplifting
and encouraging in our speech.
The tongue is a mighty tool that can be used for good or bad. How
are you using your tongue? Do you think before you speak? Remember to
THINK before you say anything that could be harmful or unkind.

251\ PSALMS 87 88 'it- ROMANS 13

 August 14

Failure Is Not Final

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked
shall fall into mischief.-PROVERBS 24:16

ailure plagues many people. Whether it's failure as an employee,

F failure in business ventures, failure in parenting, or failure in financial
endeavors, many people today fear failing in some aspect of their life. The
world has painted a seemingly unattainable picture of success that if any
of us were to measure our life against, we would feel like failures.
Many Christians attempt little because they also are paralyzed by
the fear of failure. I wonder how many churches could be planted, souls
could be won, and lives changed for the glory of God if only Christians
were not afraid of failing.
Failure is a natural part of life. Everyone has failed at something
in their lifetime, yet failure is no reason to quit. Failing is not a sin, but
not getting back up and pressing on is. God realizes you will fail, but
He commands you to keep going, to rise up again and continue living
for Him.
Take a moment right now to think about failure in your life. What
is an area in your life in which you are holding back because you are
afraid to fail? Is it witnessing, teaching a Sunday school class, developing
a regular Bible-reading routine? Failure is the devil's way of intimidating
you to not serve Christ.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "The only man
who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything." You
will make mistakes. You will fail at times, but that's when God wants you
to help you get up and get back to living for Him.
Missionary William Carey put it this way, "Expect great things from
God, attempt great things for God:' God will bless you as you continue
to attempt great things for Him, without fearing failure. Remember that
failure is not final, but not getting back up is.

PSALMS 89-90 'f:lo ROMANS 14 259

 August 15

Blind Leading the Blind

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall
they not both fall into theditch?-LUKE 6:39-40

eurologist Oliver Sacks once wrote about Virgil, a man who had been
N blind from early childhood. When he was fifty, Virgil underwent
surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out,
having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing. Virgil's
first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out
colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was
more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his
habits-his behaviors-were still those of a blind man.
Simply giving someone eyes does not cure blindness; they need the
ability to see and discern what is happening. Even so, most all of us have
the ability to see, but many times we lack the discernment to know what
is happening and how to react to different situations.
As Christians, we cannot often "see" the purposes and plan of God.
We cannot decipher on our own what God has for us, but through godly
counsel and spiritual guidance through God's Word, we can be guided
by Christ.
While our judgment as humans will fail us, God has placed godly
men and women in our lives to point us to God. As the Apostle Paul
says, "Be yefollowers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Godly counsel through your pastor, parents, or friends can help you
follow God's path for you.
Who are you following? Are you following the philosophies or
"maps" of this world? Or are you trusting God and godly counsel to lead
you in God's path for you?
When a decision arises in which you need God's guidance, spend
time in His Word, speak to Him in prayer, and seek council from godly
Christians. God already knows the path of your life and desires to reveal
it to you in His time.

260 PSALMS t)I 93 '14- ROMANS I):l 13

 August 16

Looking toward Heaven

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on
the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they
came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he
arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased,
and there was a calm.- LUKE 8:23-24

once read about the last few hours of a five-year-old boy's life: "A nurse
I with whom I worked, named Gracie, took care of this lad dying oflung
cancer, which is a terrifying disease in its final stages. This little boy had
a Christian mother who stayed by his side through the long ordeal. She
cradled him on her lap and talked softly about the Lord. Gracie told me
that she entered his room one day as death approached, and she heard
this lad talking about hearing bells. 'The bells are ringing, Mommie,' he
said. 'I can hear them.'
"Gracie thought he was hallucinating and said to his mother, 'I'm
sure you know your baby is hearing things that aren't there. He is
hallucinating because of the sickness.'
"The mother pulled her son closer to her chest, smiled and said, 'No,
ma'am. He is not hallucinating. I told him when he was frightened-
when he couldn't breathe-if he would listen carefully, he could hear the
bells of Heaven ringing for him. That is what he's been talking about
all day."'
This little boy had fixed his eyes on Heaven and was ignoring the
pain filling his body. Rather than giving in to fear, he looked to God to
welcome him home to Heaven.
In any fearful time, it is easy to focus on the pain and uncertainty
around us rather than focusing on Christ. What trial or fearful time
do you have in your life? Don't allow yourself to focus so much on the
problem that you forget that Christ is with you. He is on your side and is
working everything for your good.

PSALMS 94 -<;6 '(i- ROMANS 15:14 33 261

 August 17

Not Many Mighty

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen
the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.-! CORINTHIANS 1:26-29

hen you think of a leader, what do you imagine? Perhaps

W someone large, authoritative, and wise? But consider the height
of these well-known leaders and professional people: Victoria, British
queen-s'; Yuri Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut-s'2"; Nikita Khrushchev,
Soviet leader-s'3"; James Madison, U.S. President-s'4"; Haile Selassie,
Ethiopian emperor-s'4"; Hirohito, Japanese emperor-s's"; Napoleon
Bonaparte, French emperor-s'6".
These people may not have "fit the mold" of a mighty ruler or leader,
yet they excelled despite what others thought. Maybe you don't think you
"fit the mold" to accomplish great things for the Lord. Perhaps you have a
weakness that you think will hold you back.
God doesn't choose the mighty, noble, talented, or most
accomplished people to serve Him. He isn't searching for what man can
offer Him in the way of talents. But He is searching for people who will
completely yield their lives to Him and allow Him to use them. When
God uses surrendered Christians, He receives the glory for what He does
through them.
Do you desire Christ to use you? Do you want to accomplish great
things for Him? God uses those who are humble to Him and obedient to
His will. Examine your heart right now. Humble yourself to God's will
and allow Him to mold you into someone He can use for His glory.

262 PSALMS 97 99 'it- ROMANS 16

 August 18

Speaking the Language

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a
man's friend by hearty counsel.- PROVERBS 27:9

any years ago in England a circus elephant named Bozo was very
M popular with the public. One day there came a sudden change in
the elephant's personality. Several times he even tried to kill his keeper. It
was obvious he would have to be killed. Just before Bozo was to be killed,
a short, inconspicuous man in a brown derby hat came up.
"There is no need for this;' he told the manager quietly. "Give me
two minutes in the cage alone with him, and I will prove you are wrong."
At the sight of this stranger in his cage, the elephant let out a mighty roar
and prepared to charge. The man stood still, a faint smile on his face as
he began to talk to the animal. Those near the cage could hear the man
talking but couldn't make out the words. As the man continued to talk,
the elephant slowly raised his head and let out an almost piteous cry. All
aggression seemed suddenly to have been drained. After a while, the man
bade farewell to the elephant and left the cage.
"He'll be all right now;' he told the manager. "You see, he's an Indian
elephant, and none of you spoke his language. I would advise you to get
someone around who speaks Hindustani." And with that, the little man
left. The astounded manager looked down at the slip of paper in his hand.
The name the man had signed was Rudyard Kipling.
Though the elephant had been kind and gentle at first, being around
foreigners had changed him into a violent beast. Even so, those who are
around you can change your attitude and actions.
Who are your friends? Do they encourage you to walk with God
and remain close to Him? Or do they not "speak your language"? Do they
encourage you to do wrong? Choosing your friends is a vital action of your
Christian life. Your friends will ultimately determine how you behave.

PSALMS 100 102 *' I CORINTHIANS I 26)

 August 19

Doing What's Right

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness
of transgressors shall destroy them.-PROVERBS 11:3

0 ne winter a lowly paid waiter in a major city found a briefcase

containing cash and negotiables in a parking lot-and no owner
in sight. No one saw the waiter find it and put it in his car in the wee
hours of the morning. But for the waiter, there was never any question
of what to do. He took the briefcase home, opened it, and searched for
the owner's identity. The next day he made a few phone calls, located
the distressed owner, and returned the briefcase-along with the $25,000
cash it contained.
The surprising thing about this episode was the ridicule the waiter
experienced at the hands of his friends and peers. For the next week or so
he was called a variety of names and laughed at, all because he possessed
a quality the Bible holds in high regard: integrity.
The world laughs at integrity. Choosing between something
beneficial and integrity seems to be a no-brainer to most people-choose
whatever best helps you. If you have to lie to advance yourself, that's just
part of the game. If you forge something to help someone else, you did a
great thing. Few people today value integrity.
Integrity can be described as doing what's right even when no one
is watching. When you're alone at home, when you're filling out a form,
when you find someone else's wallet, what is the right thing to do?
No matter who is around or what everyone else is doing, God
desires you to choose what is right. Circumstances should not determine
your behavior, but God's commands should dictate your steps.
Are you walking in integrity today? Do you decide to obey God
even when no one's around? Determine today that no matter what others
say or who is watching, you will choose to obey God. Remember that
even if man isn't watching, God is always watching your actions.

264 PSALMS 103 104 '(to I CORINTHIANS 2

 August 20

All Is Well
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things
well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
-MARK7:37

W hile on a family vacation in Fortuna, California, I visited an old

graveyard where I noticed a tombstone marking the grave of a
mother and her two day old baby. Engraved on the stone were the words,
"We cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, but all is well that is done by Thee."
What faith and grace it must have taken that husband and father to
include those words of trust and praise on this tombstone!
It's easy to see that Jesus does all things well when He is opening the
ears of the deaf and loosing the tongues of the speechless. We all praise
Him on the good days when we get a raise at work, when we hear good
news from the doctor, and when there are no problems.
But do you believe He does all things well when you lose your job,
when the doctor speaks those dreaded words-"It's cancer;' or when
your loved one is taken to Heaven? Do you believe Jesus does all things
well when life takes an unexpected turn and you cannot see how God
is leading?
Times of loss and uncertainty, pain and grief are the times we most
need to recognize God's goodness. Times when we cannot see God's
goodness in our circumstances are our greatest opportunities to give
God the gift of our unwavering trust in His goodness.
Are you struggling to see God's goodness today? Read God's
promises (such as Romans 8:28 and 2 Corinthians 4:17-18), and choose
to trust Him through the darkness. One day, we will all look back and see
the incredible ways God worked in our lives-in good times and bad. It
will not be hard then to say, "Jesus doeth all things well." May that day not
be stained with regrets of earlier doubt. Ask God for the grace to say even
today, "All is well that is done by Thee:'

PSALMS I05 ro6 'It- I COR! NTH IAN S ) 26:1

August 21

A Parent's Prayers
And she vowed a vow, and said, 0 LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look
on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget
thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then
I will give him unto the LoRD all the days of his life, and there shall no
razor come upon his head.-r SAMUEL I:II

uring the first months of our ministry in Lancaster, we prepared

D to home school our daughter for her kindergarten school year.
Unbeknownst to me, my wife Terrie prayed fervently for God to provide
a desk for Danielle to use her first day of school. The day before Danielle
was to begin her lessons, we still did not have a desk, and my wife felt
as if her prayers had gone unanswered. But as we prepared for bed that
evening, the phone rang. Someone called to say they had an old desk and
wondered if we would be interested in it. My wife was elated! God had
answered her prayers on behalf of Daniell e.
One of the most touching stories in the Bible is the story of Hannah.
Hannah wanted a son more than anything. She promised God if He gave
her a son, she would give him back to the Lord.
God blessed Hannah with a son, Samuel, and God raised Samuel
up to be a man who would call Israel back to God.
Before Samuel's public ministry ever began, however, he had a godly
mother who dedicated him to God and prayed for him. I believe many of
God's blessings upon my life are the result of a godly grandmother who
prays for her grandson and his ministry every day.
How often do you pray for your children? Every day your children
are faced with temptation. Do you pray that they will resist the devil? Do
you pray that they will draw closer to God and follow Him? God used
Samuel in a great way because he had a godly mother who gave him to
God and prayed for him each day.

PSALMS 107 109 'lfo I CORINTHIANS 4

 August22

How Can I Serve?

But Samuel ministered before the LoRD, being a child, girded with a
linen ephod.-1 SAMUEL 2:18

t had been a long day on Capitol Hill for Senator John Stennis. He was
I looking forward to a bit of relaxation when he got home. Just outside
his front door, however, two people came out of the darkness, robbed
him, and shot him twice. For nearly seven hours, Senator Stennis was on
the operating table at Walter Reed Hospital.
Less than two hours later, another politician was driving home
when he heard about the shooting. He turned his car around and drove
directly to the hospital. In the hospital, he noticed that the staff could
not keep up with the incoming calls about the Senator's condition. He
spotted an unattended switchboard and voluntarily went to work taking
calls until daylight.
Just before leaving, he introduced himself quietly to the other
operator, "I'm Mark Hatfield. Happy to help out." Then Senator Mark
Hatfield unobtrusively walked out. The press could hardly handle that
story. There seemed to be no reason for a conservative Republican to give
this Democrat a tip of the hat, let alone spend hours doing a menial task
and be "happy to help out:'
Senator Hatfield's Christian testimony was seen in his willingness
to help others. Likewise, God has given us a purpose on earth and part of
that purpose is that we would serve those around us.
Some may have viewed Samuel as being too young to serve God,
but God didn't see him that way. Since the time Hannah brought Samuel
into the world, he began serving God. God chose Samuel because he had
been faithfully serving where God had placed him.
Are you serving God where you are? God can only use you as you
are being faithful to serve Him where He has placed you. As you go about
your day today, ask "How can I serve others?" Look for people to help and
allow God's Word to shine through you as you serve them.

i'SALMS IIO 112 o,t- I CORINTHIANS 5 267

August 23

God Has Spoken

And the LoRD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,
Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
- I SAMUEL 3:IO

od wanted to reveal His will for Samuel's life to Samuel that night,
G and He was able to do it because Samuel had been faithfully
serving God.
Many times people say to me, "I can't understand God's will. I just
don't know what He wants for my life. Why isn't God speaking to me?"
But God is speaking today! He is calling out in every city, every home, for
people to discover His will for their lives and to serve Him. Many times,
Christians fail to "hear" God because they are not faithfully serving Him.
God is speaking to you today. He wrote you a letter called the Bible,
through which He longs to speak to you. He is waiting to meet you in
prayer and speak to you through that time as well. If you are a Christian,
God has spoken to you and has given you His desires for your life. It is up
to you to obey Him in what He has revealed to you.
Whether you are a married person seeking God's will in your
marriage, or a single adult or young person seeking God's direction
for your life-God has spoken to you today. He has given you His plan
for your life. He desires first of all that you would love Him, and that
you would spend time with Him each day. He also desires for you to
be a faithful soulwinner, church member, and giver. God will never
reveal His future will for your life if you are not faithfully obeying His
immediate will.
Are you obeying God's will today? Are you being a faithful servant?
He has spoken to you and given you His plan; you must simply obey Him.
Determine to faithfully obey God's commands as you seek His will for
your life today.

2oK PSALMS!f:jll5 'l(o- ICORINTHIANS6

 August24

A Lighthouse
And the LoRD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which
both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will
perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house:
when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will
judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his
sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
- I SAMUEL 3:II-I3

lighthouse is not useful if the glass surrounding the light is dirty. The
A dirt blocks the light from giving off the pure stream the ships need
to guide them. D.L. Moody once said, "A holy life will make the deepest
impression." Even so, God desires that the life of every Christian be a
lighthouse, giving off the pure light of His Word to a lost world.
God didn't call just anyone to be the next prophet of Israel. He
didn't use a mediocre, lukewarm believer. God chose a young man
named Samuel. But why did God choose Samuel? Why didn't he use a
more experienced man?
Eli was the priest, yet his sons were wicked, immoral young men. Eli
knew about his sons' sin but did nothing about it. God wanted his priest
or prophet to be a shining testimony for Him, so He chose Samuel to
succeed Eli. Samuel had a reverence for God, and his life was a testimony
to the nation.
Your life is a testimony to those around you as well. What kind of
testimony are you showing? God desires that others would see the light
of His Word shining through your life, but just as with a lighthouse, dirt
or sin can prevent Him from using you.
Examine your life now. What is hindering your witness to others?
Do others see Christ in you, or is something blocking Him from shining
through? Confess any sin that may be in your life and determine to be a
witness, a lighthouse, for Christ today.

PSALMS II6--ll8 *I CORINTHIANS 7:1-19 269

 August 25

He Can Still Use You1

... If ye do return unto the LoRD with all your hearts, then put away the
strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts
unto the LoRD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the
hand of the Philistines.-! SAMUEL 7:3

T he Israelites had been following the pagan gods of the Philistines

and the Amorites rather than the God who had delivered them from
Egypt. God said, "I will deliver you from your enemies if you turn from
your ways:' God desired that the children of Israel would turn from their
sin and turn to Him in repentance.
This same principle is shown in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people,
which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek
my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God loved the children oflsrael and greatly desired to bless and use
them-they were His chosen people! Yet their sin came between them
and God. God, in His mercy and grace, promised that if they would turn
from their sin, He would deliver them and use them once again.
The same is true for you! God desires to use you and bless you
beyond what you could ever imagine! But is He able to? Is there sin
standing between you and God? Don't let the devil draw you away from
God into idolatry-placing anything above God in your life. Make
sure God is first in your life and that you are serving Him alone. If you
have fallen away from God, claim His promise of restoration and seek
His forgiveness right now. He can still use you no matter what you've
been through!

270 PSALMS !1<):1 88 ~~- I CORINTHIANS 7:20 40

 August 26

A Call for Help

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LoRD
our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And
Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly
unto the LoRD: and Samuel cried unto the LoRD for Israel; and the LoRD
heard him.-1 SAMUEL 7:8-9

hen the Israelites were confronted with their sin, they cried out
W to God for help. They confessed their sin and sought forgiveness.
Psalm 66:18 teaches, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear
me." Before God answered the cry for deliverance from their enemies,
they would have to turn to Him from their sin.
God shows time and again that if you desire His help in a situation,
you must clear your life of any sin that may be present. God told the
Israelites, "I want to help you. I want to deliver you from your enemies
and show Myself strong through you, but you need to turn from your
pagan idols and recognize Me as your God once again."
God offers the same promise to us today in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." Even as Samuel took the blood of an innocent lamb
and prayed for the forgiveness of the people, so Christ offered Himself on
Calvary and paid for the sins of the entire world.
Christ shed His blood for you. Christian, there is nothing you could
do to make God forsake you; there is no sin you could commit for which
He hasn't already paid the price. He is willing and able to forgive you.
Do you need God's help in some area of your life today? He desires
to help you! Examine your life for unconfessed sin. Ask His forgiveness
and call unto Him for help today. He promises to answer your cry!

PSALMS II9:89-176 *' I CORINTHIANS 8 271

August 27

Keeping Your Focus

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said,
Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the
nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight
our battles.-I SAMUEL 8:19-20

rior to today's verses, God had been the Ruler of the nation of Israel.
P He had raised up leaders and had guided the people through them.
Unfortunately, after the Israelites saw the other nations around them, they
desired to be like them and asked Samuel to choose a king to rule them.
Just a few days before this request for a king, the people were
begging Samuel to seek the Lord's forgiveness and to help them against
the Philistines. They recognized their sin and turned from the idols they
were worshipping. They offered a sacrifice to God, fought against the
Philistines, and God gave them the victory. God showed Himself strong
through them.
But Israel lost focus. They refused to listen to Samuel's instruction
to look to God and give Him the glory for the victory.
Is that not a good depiction of human nature? One day Israel was
dedicated to God and fighting in His strength, but shortly thereafter, they
were refusing to listen to the man of God and were seeking their own
king. This new attitude and direction started when the people lost their
focus and did not give God the glory for their recent victory.
Have you ever experienced a great miracle in your life but failed to
give God the glory? Have you lost your focus? Many times we become so
wrapped up in the victory and the joy of success that we fail to deflect
the glory and praise to God. Friend, God is the only one who deserves
the praise for anything good in our lives! When you enter a time of crisis
or a time when you desperately need God's help, remember to keep your
focus on God, and then give Him the praise for the victory He gives you.

i'.'>ALiv!S !20 !22 'lt- I CORINTHIANS 9

 August 2R

Trusting God's Timetable

And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw
that the people were scattered from me, and that thou earnest not within
the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together
at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon
me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LoRD: I forced
myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.-! SAMUEL I3:II-I2

hillip Brooks, a famous pastor of the last century, was in his office,
P pacing the floor out of frustration. Somebody walked in and asked,
"What's the matter, Pastor?" He said, ''I'm in a hurry, and God isn't!"
Have you ever been in that place-you're in a hurry but God isn't? I
have. We tend to rationalize or create our own plans in case God doesn't
show up. Saul did exactly that when Samuel failed to show up when Saul
wanted him to.
Saul and the people were ready for battle, yet Saul was told to wait
at Michmash until Samuel came and offered the burnt offering. Saul
chose to disobey Samuel's direct commands and to offer up a sacrifice on
his own terms. He was in a hurry and began rationalizing and creating
his own plan to get things done.
Can you relate? Maybe you needed to know where God wanted you
to move or which job He wanted you to take. Maybe you needed finances
for a bill or you needed an answer for a difficult situation. But no matter
how hard you prayed or sought God's face, He wasn't responding to your
prayer as quickly as you wanted.
When you need an answer as soon as possible, take time to stop,
pray, and realize that God has everything in control. God has His own
timetable for doing things, and it is always right! Nothing is ever late,
even though it may seem so to you. Trust God with your situation today,
and know that no matter how late the hour may seem to you, God is
always right on time.

PSALMS 123 125 '11- I CORINTHIANS 10:118 273

 August 29

Faithfulness in Prayer
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to
pray, and not to faint.- LUKE 18:1

rayer is one of the great privileges of the Christian life. Lowly, sinful
P human beings are allowed to approach the Holy of holies, the Lord
God, the Creator of the earth. The very One who set the stars in the sky
and formed the tiny ant invites you into a daily time of conversation,
confession, requests, and praise with Him. He desires to hear personally
from you.
Yet sadly, many times we become weary in our prayers. We bring
a request before God for a length of time, and, not seeing God's answer
right away, we become discouraged and give up. God does not want us to
"lose heart" in our prayer lives, but has promised to be our advocate as we
are faithful to continually seek Him in prayer.
When we pray, we come before God with a pure heart and lay our
requests at His feet, trusting Him to take care of them. God has three
answers to our petitions: yes, no, or wait. Sometimes what we are asking is
in the will of God; sometimes it's not in our best interest; and sometimes
God's timing is not right yet.
Have you ever prayed over something for months or even years
without seeing results? Do not become discouraged. God hears your
prayers! Praying faithfully takes faith to know that God hears what you
are asking and is working everything out for your good. God has a plan
for that request and will fulfill it in His time.
Think of that one request you have been praying about for a while.
Do you believe that God can and will answer your request? Do you trust
that His answer will be perfect, even if it doesn't match your desired
outcome? Then have faith and continue praying faithfully, trusting that
God is in control.

274 PSALMS 126 128 '[(- I CORINTHIANS 10:19 33

 August 30

Resting Grace
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stab/ish, strengthen, settle you.- I PETER 5:IO

once read these words on rest: "Every now and then go away, have a
I little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment
will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose
power of judgment.... Go some distance away because then the work
appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of
harmony or proportion is more readily seen."
The man who wrote those words wasn't an idler. He was Leonardo
da Vinci, the painter, sculptor, poet, architect, engineer, city planner,
scientist, inventor, anatomist, military genius, and philosopher. Leonardo
da Vinci realized that without rest, his work would be hindered. He didn't
focus his life on rest, but he used periodic times of rest to sharpen him
and revitalize his work.
Do you ever feel like you need rest? Perhaps you've been running a
mile a minute and just wish you could step back for a few minutes. The
Christian life is characterized by grace. And God promises to give resting
grace during times of trial.
Times of suffering or loss can be overwhelming, and you can feel as
if your world is caving in. But God offers you rest in Him. He tells you in
Psalm 23:2-3, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake."
When was the last time you enjoyed rest in the Lord? When was the
last time you took time apart from everything going on in your life and
simply abided with God? Don't let the trials and pains of this world burn
you out. Allow God's Word to minister to your heart and refresh and
renew you for the rest of your day today.

PSALMS I2l)--I31 '£t- I CORINTHIANS II:I-16 275

 August 31

Did You Do Your Best?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
ofGod.-I CORINTHIANS I0:3I

F or many years, every officer aboard a nuclear submarine was personally

interviewed and approved by Admiral Hyman Rickover, the head of
the U.S. Nuclear Navy. Among them was former President Jimmy Carter
who, years ago, applied for service under Rickover.
Following is his record of the interview: "It was the first time I met
Admiral Rickover, and we sat in a large room by ourselves for more than
two hours .... He always looked right into my eyes, and he never smiled. I
was saturated with cold sweat.
Finally he said, 'How did you stand in your class at the Naval
Academy?' Since I had completed my sophomore year at Georgia Tech
before entering Annapolis as a plebe, I had done very well, and I swelled
my chest with pride and answered, 'Sir, I stood fifty-ninth in a class of
82o!' I sat back to wait for the congratulations which never came. Instead,
the question: 'Did you do your best?' I started to say, 'Yes, sir; but I
remembered who this was and recalled several of the many times at the
Academy when I could have learned more about our allies, our enemies,
weapons, strategy, and so forth. I was just human. I finally gulped and
said, 'No, sir, I didn't always do my best.' He looked at me for a long time,
and then turned his chair around to end the interview. He asked one final
question, which I have never been able to forget-or to answer. He said,
'Why not?' I sat there for a while, shaken, and then slowly left the room."
Too many times we go through the motions of service to the Lord
without giving our best. But more important than standing before an
admiral will be standing before Christ to give account of our lives. When
Christ asks you if you gave your best for Him, what will be your honest
answer? Ask God to help you to give your best in all you do.

276 PSALMS 132 134 * I CORINTHIANS f!:17 34

SEPTEMBER
(~~
C£-~~-~~·/
 September l

Pay the Price

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
-PROVERBS f4:5

B ob Harris, weatherman for New York television station WPIX-TV

and the nationally syndicated independent network news, had to
weather a public storm of his own making in 1979.
Though Harris had studied at three colleges, he left school without
a degree but with a strong desire to be a media weatherman. He phoned
WCBS-TV, introducing himself as having a Ph.D. in geophysics. The
phony degree got him hired as an off-camera forecaster. For the next
decade his career flourished. He became widely known as "Dr. Bob." He
was also hired by the New York Times as a consulting meteorologist. The
same year, both the Long Island Railroad and then Baseball Commissioner
Bowie Kuhn hired him.
Forty years of age and living his childhood dream, he found
himself in public disgrace and national humiliation when an anonymous
letter prompted WCBS management to investigate his academic
credentials. WCBS and the New York Times both fired him, and his story
got nationwide attention. He thought he would lose his home and never
work in media again.
He admitted it was a dreadful mistake on his part and doubtless
played a role in his marital problems. "I took a shortcut that turned out
to be the long way around, and one day the bill came due. I will be sorry
as long as I am alive."
One little lie never seems like it will do much damage when it is first
told. Maybe you call it a fib, a white lie, or a joke. But no matter what you
call it, a lie is a lie. No matter how small it is, a lie always costs.
Have you ever caught yourself making an excuse for lying? Perhaps
it was to help someone else or to make yourself feel good. Don't allow
yourself to belittle lying! It is a sin, and God commands that we abstain
from it. The next time you are tempted to tell a "small lie;' remember, "a
faithful witness will not lie."

l'\AIMS 13) 136 'If- I COJUNTHIANS 12

 September 2

Work the Works

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night
cometh, when no man can work.-JOHN 9:4

o you ever feel overworked, over-regulated, under-leisured, or

D under-benefited? Take heart. This notice, dated 1852, was found in
the ruins of a London office building.
1. This firm has reduced the hours of work, and the clerical
staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 7 AM and
6 PM weekdays.
2. A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. It is
recommended that each member of the clerical staff bring four pounds
of coal each day during the cold weather.
3. No talking is allowed during business hours.
4. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced,
the partaking of food is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but work will
not on any account cease.
s. The owners recognize the generosity of the new labor laws, but
will expect a great rise in output of work to compensate for these near
utopian conditions.
With rules like these in today's society, companies would be bankrupt
from having no workers! Yet even if the conditions have changed, we all
still have a job to do.
Every day souls are perishing and entering eternity without Christ.
People need to hear how to be saved! We must work while there is still
time. In Heaven we will have rest and refreshment, but while we are on
earth, we are to tell everyone we can of God's way to Heaven.
Are you a hard worker for Christ? Ask God to renew your passion
for lost souls right now, and determine to tell at least one person about
God today.

l'SALMS 137- 139 "'" 1 CORINTHIAN~ l j

 September 3

You Can't Just Sit There

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and
stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I
found none.- EZEKIEL 22:30

L arry Walters, a 33-year-old man, wanted to see his neighborhood from

a new perspective. One morning, he purchased forty- five used weather
balloons from the local army surplus store. That afternoon he strapped
himself into a lawn chair, to which several of his friends tied the now
helium-filled balloons. He took along some drinks, a peanut-butter-and-
jelly sandwich, and a BB gun, figuring he could shoot the balloons one at a
time when he was ready to land.
Walters, who assumed the balloons would lift him about 100 feet
in the air, was caught off guard when the chair soared more than u,ooo
feet into the sky-smack into the middle of the air traffic pattern at Los
Angeles International Airport. Too frightened to shoot any of the balloons,
he stayed airborne for over two hours, forcing the airport to shut down its
runways for much of the afternoon.
Soon after he was safely grounded and cited by the police, reporters
asked him three questions: "Were you scared?" He answered "Yes." "Would
you do it again?" "No;' he replied. "Why did you do it?" "Because;' he said,
"you can't just sit there."
Walters realized that he couldn't just sit around doing nothing; he
had to do something, even if it was ludicrous.
Christ has called us as Christians to follow Him, not stay behind and
relax. The prophet Ezekiel searched for a man to stand up for what was
right, to follow God. But sadly, he found no one.
God is calling to Christians today, searching for men and women to
stand up for Him and to follow His path, regardless of what others say.
Are you actively following Christ? Or are you just sitting there?
Commit to God that no matter what comes your way, you are determined
to stand in the gap and follow Him today.

2RO I'SALMS 140 142 'lf- I CORINTHIANS 14:1 20

 September 4

Forgiven and Restored

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in
mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, 0 LoRD, unto my
prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my
trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.- PSALM 86:5-7

once saw a man wearing a button on his coat that said, "To err is human.
I To forgive is out of the question." This is the attitude many have, but
aren't you glad God isn't like us? He is ready and willing to forgive us if
we will simply turn to Him.
Ephesians 1:7 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." It doesn't matter
what you've done, God is ready to forgive you. He says, "Turn to me.
Humble yourself and seek My face. I want to draw you closer to Me, but
you must seek My forgiveness:'
Not only will God forgive you, but He will also restore you to
fellowship with Him. The last part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 says," .. . and will
heal their land." God told the nation of Israel, "I know you've turned your
back on Me and have disobeyed Me. But if you seek Me through humility,
I will restore you to fellowship with Me and will draw you close to Me
once again."
Have you ever felt as if God were far away? Maybe you once enjoyed
sweet fellowship with Him and spent time with Him each day, but now
you find yourself too busy for Him. Make sure nothing has come into
your life that has pulled you away from God. Seek to stay close to God by
immediately confessing your sin today.

PSALMS 143~ 145 'lt- I CORINTHIANS 14:21 40 2R1

 September 5

A Labor of Love
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how.. .for my
name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.- REVELATION 2:2-3

avid Brainerd, missionary to the Native Americans, once said, "I

D care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may
save souls. When I sleep, I dream of them; when I awake, they are first
in my thoughts:' Even so, the church at Ephesus wholeheartedly gave
themselves to the work of the Lord.
Although the church of Ephesus fell away from Christ later, Christ
commended them for their labor of love in the first few verses of
Revelation 2.
This church was a serving, working church. They were fervent in
their service for the Lord. They did not serve out of duty or necessity, but
they put their hearts into serving Christ. It is often easy to become so
caught up in the routine of the Christian life that serving God becomes
a burden. We sometimes serve God out of duty, rather than hearts that
love Him.
Christ told the church that He knew they had been serving Him,
and He was pleased with their work. Even when no one else saw their
works, He saw them. Some Christians become bitter when others do not
notice the work they are doing for God. But Christ sees our service to
Him, and He promises to reward us in Heaven.
Also, Christ says, "and thy labour." This word labour means "to
grow weary, tired, exhausted." Christ saw that this church was expending
themselves for the work of the Lord. They had put their all into
serving Christ.
In what ways are you laboring for the Lord today? When we love
the Lord, duty becomes delight, and burdens become blessings. We must
serve God from hearts of love rather than merely for the praise of people.
Ask God to help you serve Him with a willing heart, even when others
do not see.

2li2 PSALMS !4(> I47 '/C- 1 CORINTH !ANS 15:1 28

 September 6

Keeping the Passion

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

T he Ephesian church started out with a fervor and zeal to serve the
Lord. Yet, as time went by, that zeal diminished, and they lost their
passion for Christ. As new Christians, most of us were on fire for God
and wanted to serve Him any way we could. As time goes by, however, it
can be easy for us to lose our passion for serving Christ.
A well known author once said, "On the whole, God's love for us is
a much safer subject to think about than our love for Him:' God loved us
so much that He sent His Son to die for us. Because of this passion and
love Christ had for a lost world, He gave His life on Calvary. Do we have
such passion for Him? Do you give your all in serving Him?
The early Christians delighted in serving God and did so with
joy. But that joy diminished as their service became laborious to them.
Even so, as we serve God, our service can become laborious if we are not
careful to nurture our love for the Lord Himself. One hymn writer wrote,
"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." We are all
prone to lose the passion we once had when we were first saved. Yet, God
wants us to consistently serve Him with hearts that love Him.
The devil wishes to steal our passion because when we lose our love
for God, our service will lose its effectiveness. That is why we must daily
ask God to renew our passion for Him.
Has your passion for the things of God lessened? Don't allow your
service for God to become laborious. Ask Him right now to renew your
passion to serve Him today.

PSALMS 148 150 * l CORINTHIANS 15:29 58 2f.3

Septen1bcr 7

Renewing Biblical Passion

0 give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds
among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all
his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them
rejoice that seek the LoRD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his
face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.- PSALM I05:I-5

H ow can we renew a biblical passion to serve Christ? We must

first remember the times we served God from passionate hearts.
Remember when you loved soulwinning and had a desire to minister
to others? Sometimes people wish to blame the changes in their lives on
the church, a friend, or someone else. But many times they are the ones
who have changed. We must remember the joy we had as we served God
with passion.
Next, we must repent of falling away from loving God and losing
our passion to serve Him. The word repent has to do with a change
of heart, attitude, and direction. We must come to God with a sincere
heart of confession and turn back to serving Him with biblical passion.
We must turn from serving out of duty and renew our love for serving
Christ. The result of this repentance is a return to our first works-a
labor of love.
Last, we must receive God's Word. James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye double minded." As we spend time in God's Word and draw
close to Him, our biblical passion and fervor to serve Him will grow.
Are you daily renewing your passion for God, or has serving Him
become a duty or burden to you? Take time to remember the times you
used to serve God with passion, repent of your sin, and receive God's
Word. Ask God to renew your biblical passion today.

l'ROVFRHS J 2 """ I CORINTHI.'\NS 16

 Septetnber 8

How to Serve Christ

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was
sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall
the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and
fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and
took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in
prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.-MATTHEW 25:35-40

n 1722, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, founder of the Moravian

I missionaries, was known for his helpful writings on dealing with others.
One help guide he wrote is known as "The Order of the Mustard Seed."
It states:
1. Be kind to all people.
2. Seek their welfare.
3. Win them to Christ.
It has been said that the ministry is not just paperwork but people-
work. It's hard to go through life without having to deal with people. In
fact, it's just about impossible!
Notice our verses today. When the disciples took time to help the
poor, tired, or hungry, they were doing it unto the Lord. Even so, when we
put others first and help them, we are helping Christ.
How are your people skills? Are you known as somewhat stand-
offish or rude to others? God says that whatever you do to others, you are
doing to Him! Implement these three principles in your life. Show others
kindness through your speech and actions. Then, place their needs and
desires above your own, going out of your way to help them. Also share
the good news of God's salvation with them. Next time you interact with
someone, ask yourself, "How would I treat Christ in this situation?"

PROVERBS i 5 * 2 CORINTHIANS l
September 9

Everyone Fails Sometime

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked
shall fall into mischief-PROVERBS 24:16

T he great inventor Charles Kettering suggested that we must learn to

fail intelligently. He said, "Once you've failed, analyze the problem
and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading up to the
cathedral of success. The only time you don't want to fail is the last time
you try."
You may not be able to reclaim the loss, undo the damage, or reverse
the consequences, but you can make a new start-wiser, more sensitive,
renewed by the Holy Spirit, and more determined to do right.
Kettering suggested three steps for dealing with failure, and certainly
they can be applied to our Christian lives as well.
First, honestly face defeat; never fake success. When you fail, don't
make excuses or try to hide it. God already knows you sinned, so bring it
before Him and seek His forgiveness immediately.
Second, exploit the failure; don't waste it. Learn all you can from it;
every bitter experience can teach us something. Make the most of your
failure. Learn from your mistake and how to avoid it the next time. Seek
God's help in getting through the failure.
Last, never use failure as an excuse for not trying again. Don't
become discouraged and quit. The devil can easily use something as
small as a failure to cause you to give up on living for God. But as our
verse says today, even a just man falls and gets up again!
Everyone fails sometime. Don't let failure or messing up cause you
to give up altogether. Remember that God is greater than any of your
failures! He wants to restore you to a right relationship with Him.
Have you failed in some area? Are you discouraged from falling
time and again? Take Proverbs 24:16 to heart, and commit to getting back
up every time you fall. Failure will happen, but how you respond to it will
determine your faithfulness to God.

28o I'ROVERliS (, 7 'll- 2 CORINTHIANS 2

 September 10

Faith to Pre-Order
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen .... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.-HEBREWS II: I, 6

or ten years Robert and Mary Moffat labored faithfully as missionaries

F in Bechuanaland (current Botswana) without one convert to
encourage their efforts. Finally, the directors of their mission board
began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of
leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for
they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people
turn to Christ in due season. They stayed; and for a year or two longer,
darkness reigned.
Then one day a friend in England asked the Moffats what she could
mail them as a gift. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work,
Mrs. Moffat replied, "Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be
needed." God honored that dear woman's faith, and as the Holy Spirit
moved on the hearts of villagers, there was soon a group of six converts
united to form a church. The communion set from England was delayed
in the mail, but on the day before the first Lord's Supper in Bechuanaland,
the set arrived.
Faith is essential to the Christian life. To the world, faith doesn't
make sense. There is no sense in giving during an economic downtime.
There is no sense in seeking an unseen God for answers during a trial.
There is no sense in believing your prayers will be heard. As Christians,
however, we know God is pleased when we place our faith in Him.
How are you living by faith right now? God gives many promises
in His Word-you must have the faith to receive them and believe He
will fulfill them in your life. Pray with the disciples, "Lord, Increase
our faith" (Luke 17:5). Don't let logic come between you and faith in
God's promises.

PROVERBS 8 9 * 2 CoRINTHIANS 3 287

September 11

Nestled in His Arms

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee.-ISAIAH 26:3

T he events ofSeptembern, 2001, shattered the peace of many Americans,

indeed many around the world as the tragic news spread. Nineteen
terrorists hijacked four commercial American airplanes, crashing two
into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and
one into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Struck by the realization of
the intense hatred of terrorists toward America, many wondered if they
could ever again feel safe and expect peace.
Most people believe peace is experienced in the absence of
circumstantial turmoil. One artist gave a more biblical picture of peace.
In his picture, a tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky
precipice. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning,
wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a
spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches
extended out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to
experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that
branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested
on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little
ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.
No matter what the storm or trial, God always provides peace and
rest. When trials or storms come into your life, where do you run? Do
you seek refuge in a friend, a location?
I don't know what trial or storm you face today, but I do know that
God is willing to give you peace. Just as a mother bird stretches out her
wings to protect her young, God wants to stretch out His arms and give
you peace. Refuse to worry about your trials, and fix your mind on God.
He will fill your heart with the peace that passes all understanding.

PROVERBS 10 · !2 ~t- 2 CORINTHIANS 4

 September l 2

Pull up the Roots

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned
out of the way; but let it rather be healed.- HEBREWS 12:13

n elderly teacher, with a pupil by his side, took a walk through a

A forest. Suddenly he stopped and pointed to four plants close at hand.
The first was just beginning to peep above the ground, the second had
rooted itself pretty well into the earth, the third was a small shrub, and
the fourth was a full-sized tree.
The tutor said to his young companion, "Pull up the first plant."
The boy did so eagerly, using only his fingers. "Now pull up the second."
The boy obeyed but found the task more difficult. "Do the same with the
third;' he urged. The boy had to use all his strength to uproot it. "Now;'
said the instructor, "try your hand with the fourth." The pupil put his
arms around the trunk of the tree but couldn't even shake its leaves. "This,
my son, is what happens with our bad habits. When they are young, we
can remove them readily; but when they are old, it's hard to uproot them,
though we pray and struggle ever so sincerely."
A habit is developed through repetition. The more you do something,
the more permanent it becomes. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.
The more you read your Bible, the more strong a habit of Bible reading
is formed. The more you give in to sin, however, the more permanent a
sinful lifestyle becomes in your life.
Hebrews 12:13 tells us we can avoid sinful habits and develop good
habits by keeping our path straight and our eyes focused on Christ. We
all have habits. Whether it's what time we wake up in the morning or
which route we take to work, we have daily patterns that we follow.
So what are your habits? Follow the guide in Hebrews 12:13, and set
straight your course. Develop the habits and patterns God has laid out in
His Word, and let Him give you the victory.

PROVERBS 13 I) '~ 2 CORINTHIANS 5 289

September 13

I NeedAir1
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.-MATTHEW 5:6

A proud young man once went to his professor asking for knowledge.
The professor led the young man to the sea and chest-deep into
water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge;' said the young
man with a smile.
The professor put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and
pushed him under. Thirty seconds later he let him up. "What do you
want?" he asked. "Knowledge;' the young man sputtered.
The professor held him under again. Thirty seconds passed. Thirty-
five. Forty. The professor let him up. The man was gasping. "What do
you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow
wheezed, "Knowledge:'
The professor jammed him under again for fifty seconds. "What do
you want?" ''Air!" the young man screeched. "I need air!" "When you want
knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge:'
The reason the prideful young man did not have knowledge
was because it was not important to him. He wanted his professor to
immediately impart wisdom to him without having to work for it.
Many Christians view God's wisdom that way too. We all want
wisdom and the mind of Christ, but how hard are we working toward it?
Do you want God's Word as much as you want other things in your life?
Do you have a burning passion to gain His wisdom?
God says those who hunger and thirst after His righteousness will
be filled. Only when you seek after God's Word as a starving man seeks
after food will you be able to gain His wisdom.
Take time right now to seek after God. Diligently search His Word
and draw closer to Him. Make sure that as you approach your Bible
reading each day, you read His Word intently, searching for its treasures
of truth to apply to your life.

290 PROVERBS r6 18 ~.. 2 CORINTHIANS 6

 September 14

Praise God from the Heart

Make a joyful noise unto the LoRD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD

with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the
LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we
are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and
bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his
truth endureth to all generations.-PSALM roo

T here are two ways we can develop a heart of praise in our lives. First,
we can cultivate a spirit of joy and praise when we become truly right
with God. C.H. Spurgeon once said, "The one who prays for holiness
will one day praise for happiness!" When we are right with God and are
seeking to be holy by spending time with Him, we will truly praise God
from joyous hearts.
Our hearts must be prepared to praise God. If there is sin or
disobedience in our lives, our praise becomes vain and meaningless.
We must empty our lives of any unconfessed sin and seek God with
pure hearts.
Sometimes our idea of praise is secularized. Many Christians
believe that worshipping God comes in the form of an ungodly concert
or a self-centered church service. This outward display of "praise" does
not honor God. By seeking to be holy through spending time with God,
we can develop pure hearts in our lives that praise God.
Second, we can develop a heart of praise through understanding
the Word of God. Psalm 119:7 says, "I will praise thee with uprightness of
heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments." When we study
God's Word, we will grasp the very nature of God, and our praise will
turn from vain repetition to heart-felt praise and glorification.
Have you praised God today? Ask the Lord to show you any sin
or disobedience that would hinder your praise. Then, use the Psalms of
praise to worship the Lord for His goodness and His faithfulness.

PROVERBS 19-·21 oct- 2 CORINTHIANS 7 291

September 15

The Pressures of Life

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.- HEBREWS 4:15-16

0 ne man awoke to find a puddle of water in the middle of his king-size

water bed. In order to fix the puncture, he rolled the heavy mattress
outdoors and filled it with more water so he could locate the leak more
easily. The enormous bag of water was impossible to control and began
rolling on the hilly terrain. He tried to hold it back, but it headed downhill
and landed in a clump of bushes which poked it full of holes.
Disgusted, he threw out the water-bed frame and moved a standard
bed into his room. The next morning, he awoke to find a puddle of water
in the middle of the new bed. The upstairs bathroom had a leaky drain.
Sometimes we face days like that. What starts as a simple problem
turns into a catastrophe, sometimes filled with unexpected heartache. As
these events unfold in our lives, we can find great comfort knowing our
Saviour went through real pressures as well.
Even when we go through loneliness, physical pain, or criticism,
Christ is there to comfort us. Jesus faced many difficult situations while
He was on earth, and He offers to help us through these situations.
Hudson Taylor, a pioneer missionary to China, said, "It doesn't
really matter how great the pressure is; it only matters where the pressure
lies. See that it never comes between you and the Lord, and the greater the
pressure the more it presses you to His breast:'
Are the pressures in your life mounting? First Peter 5:7 says, "Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Cast your cares upon the
Lord today. He knows what you are going through, and He can help you.

292 PROVERBS 22 24 'l(oo 2 CORINTHIANS 8

 Scpten1ber t t)

Nice Guys Finish Last

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing
again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the
Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful.- LUKE 6:35-36

ave you ever noticed that in the sporting world, acts of sportsmanship
H and kindness often result in defeat? It happened that way in the
marathon tandem kayak racing event at the world championships in
Copenhagen in 1990. Danish paddlers were leading when their rudder
was damaged in a portage. British paddlers, who were in second place,
stopped to help the Danes. The Danes went on to defeat the British by
one second in an event that lasted three hours.
Some people use the phrase "Nice guys finish last" to illustrate that
kindness and taking time to do the right thing hurts you. That's not how
God views it! As a Christian, God wants you to be kind to others no
matter the reward!
But there's a happy ending to the story above. According to The
Wall Street Journal, the British kayakers won what many people in Europe
regard as the highest honor in sports. They became the winner of the
Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy. The trophy is named
for the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and it has been awarded
annually for the past 28 years to people in sports who have demonstrated
nobility of spirit.
If there were a daily reward for being kind or helping others, I'm
sure many more people would be kind and helpful! God instructs us,
however, to show kindness even if there is no medal to be earned and no
recompense offered.
Have you taken on the "medal mentality;' only doing things for what
you'll get in return? Even if no one's watching or no one offers to pay you,
go ahead and help someone else. After all, God's watching everything and
He gives out larger rewards than any human could.

l'ROVERJ3S 25 26 <l.. 2 CORINTHIANS 9

September l 7

Stop Thinking about It

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto
you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to
morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, 0 ye
of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or,
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all
these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that
ye have need of all these things.- MATTHEW 6:28-32

C onnie Mack was one of the greatest managers in the history ofbaseball.
One of the secrets of his success was that he knew how to lead and
inspire men. But Mack had another secret of good management-he
didn't worry. "I discovered;' he explained, "that worry was threatening
to wreck my career as a baseball manager. I saw how foolish it was and I
forced myself to get so busy preparing to win games that I had no time
left to worry over the ones that were already lost."
I wonder how much time we've spent worrying. Months? Years?
Decades? Neither you nor I can change many things in our lives, but we
still choose to worry about them. God would instead have us go to Him
during those times. He is the One in control of everything, so why should
we deal with the situation?
Worrying doesn't help anything[ The birds, flowers, and plants
don't worry about whether they'll get enough water and sunshine; they
trust their Maker to provide for them.
Friend, there is nothing you can change about many of the things
in your life. Rather than worrying about it, take it to God. Let Him have
full control of the situation, and let it go. Have faith that He knows what's
going on and has your best interest at heart.

294 l'ROVERBS 27 29 'If> 2 CORINTHIANS 10

 September 18

Danger1
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:- EPHESIANS 4:31

hen John D. Rockefeller was running the Standard Oil Company,

W a senior executive made a decision that cost the company over $2
million. The day the news leaked out, Edward T. Bedford, a partner in the
company, was scheduled to see Rockefeller. Prepared to listen to a long
harangue against the man who made the error in judgment, he entered
Rockefeller's office. The powerful head of the gigantic Standard Oil empire
was bent over his desk busily writing. Bedford stood silently, not wishing
to interrupt. After a few minutes Rockefeller looked up.
"Oh, it's you, Bedford;' he said calmly. "I suppose you've heard about
our loss?" Bedford said that he had. "I've been thinking it over;' Rockefeller
said, "and before I ask the man in to discuss the matter, I've been making
some notes." Bedford later reported: ''Across the top of the page was
written, 'Points in favor of Mr._.' There followed a long list of the man's
virtues, including a brief description of how he had helped the company
make the right decision on three separate occasions that had earned many
times the cost of his recent error."
It has been said that anger is just one letter away from danger. Anger
can be dangerous indeed. Just as controlling substances can take hold of
our lives, so anger can cause us to do and say things we may have otherwise
never said.
Have you ever noticed that when you are angry at someone, it's
difficult to be kind, witness, or serve others? Anger takes away our ability
to live for Christ and centers our focus on ourselves.
Are you angry at someone? Rather than allowing anger to rule in
your heart, spend time in prayer while you're upset. It's not always easy to
approach God when you're worked up over something, but it's better than
approaching someone else with that anger. Allow Him to restore peace
and joy to your life by removing the anger.

PROVERBS 30- 31 * 2 CORINTHIANS II:! I) 295

Septern ber 19

What's Your Hurry?

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience,
hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
-ROMANS 5:3-5

n 2006, my family and I had the privilege of visiting the historical

I Christian sites of London. We set aside one day to see some of
England's tourist attractions. Our day began on a tight schedule, as we
headed to see the Changing of the Guard outside of Buckingham Palace.
We jumped on the hotel elevator to rush to catch a taxi and head to the
Palace. Our hurried pace came to a fast and devastating halt, however,
when the elevator malfunctioned. It began to jolt and then ascended
and descended many times before finally stopping between two floors.
Imagine our disappointment as we waited in a hot elevator for over an
hour before finally being rescued by the hotel's staff! Our plans and
determined pace for the day had been drastically changed!
God doesn't operate on our timetable. As Isaiah ss:S says, "For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
LoRv." God has His own plan for our lives!
Did you ever realize that an emergency to us is simply part of the
plan to God? When something happens suddenly in our lives, we can be
sure that God knew it would be there all along! He has His hand on it,
and He will take care of it in His time!
Does God seem to be testing your patience? Remember when
the waiting times come, you can rest assured of His hand over it all!
As the Lord would have it, the hotel paid for the taxis to take us to the
Buckingham Palace, and we were able to arrive just as the ceremony was
taking place. Rather than becoming impatient or discouraged, ask God
to help you grow through your waiting period.

296 ECCLESIASTES I 3 '/to .2 CORINTl!IANS I r:r() 33

 September 20

Stand Your Ground

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.-PROVERBS r:ro

large spider in an old house built a beautiful web. Every time a fly
A landed on the web the spider devoured him, so other flies would
think the web was a safe place to rest. One day a fairly intelligent fly flew
above the web so long that the spider called, "Come on down." But the fly
was too clever for him and said, "I never light where I don't see other flies,
and I don't see other flies in your house:' So he flew away until he came to
a place where there were a great many flies. He was about to settle down
among them when a bee buzzed up and said, "Hold it, that's flypaper. All
those flies are trapped:' "Don't be silly;' said the fly, "they're dancing." So
he settled down and became stuck to the flypaper with all the other flies.
This story illustrates our lives. We, like the fly, know it's wrong to sin
and have been taught to avoid it. We know what sin looks like and many
times recognize the devil's attempts to lure us into sin. But it's the pull of
seeing others in "fun" that usually causes us to fall.
Think of the two different pulls. The world pulls you to do wrong.
Of course it looks appealing and there is fun involved. Everyone is a part
of it. You won't be considered socially acceptable unless you take part. But
think of Christ. He is pulling us to do right. He doesn't promise a carefree,
easy life if we follow Him, but He does promise future blessings.
So which way will you go when the pressure sets in? Will you give
in to the immediate gratification of this world, or will you choose to
follow the Lord and live for Heaven's blessings? Stand your ground when
others pull you to do wrong. Don't give in. Next time you are faced with
negative peer pressure, ask yourself this question: "Who do I really want
to please-God or man?"

ECCLESIASTES 4 6 'lf- 2 CORINTHIANS 12 297

September 2l

Personal Revival
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel
were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood
and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood
up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LoRD their God
one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and
worshipped the LORD their God.-NEHEMIAH 9:1-3

ehemiah was living nearly seven hundred miles away from Jerusalem
N during a time of foreign captivity. One day, word was brought to
him that his home city of Jerusalem was in tremendous need. The wall
of the city had been broken down, and the city had been destroyed. As a
result of months in prayer, Nehemiah was used of God to lead a faithful
remnant of people in rebuilding the wall.
The emphasis of Nehemiah chapters 1-7 is the rebuilding of the
wall of Jerusalem, but the emphasis of chapters 8-9 is the rebuilding of
the Israelite people. When the people came back to rebuild the city, they
also rebuilt their lives spiritually. As we serve God, we must remember to
develop a heart for Him as well. Our work means nothing to Christ if we
do not have a relationship with Him.
As the people gathered around Ezra the priest to hear the Word
of God, their hearts were touched. They listened to God's Word, and
there was a tremendous response-a real evidence of revival. Revival did
not come to these people until they realized their need was not simply
rebuilding a physical wall, but rebuilding the spiritual wall of their hearts.
We must not focus solely on serving Christ outwardly-we must develop
our relationship with Him.
Are you developing a relationship with Christ each day? Personal
revival comes when we seek to become like Christ as we live for Him
each day. Determine not only to live for God today but to develop a
relationship with Him as well.

ECCLESIASTES 7 9 'l«- 2 CORINTHIANS 13

 Septcrnber 22

Reading His Word

And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of
the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part
tlzey confessed, and worshipped the LoRD their God.- NEHEMIAH 9:3

hen our hearts are right with God, there is a fresh desire to read
W His Word. As we spend time with God, we are renewed, and we are
fed spiritually.
God's Word provides protection for our daily lives. Psalm 119:11 says,
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." When
we hide God's Word in our hearts, we will be prepared to fight the devil
when he tempts us. The devil is very powerful and subtle in his attacks
against us. If we have spent time with God in His Word, He will protect us
through the knowledge of His Word. Only God can give us the strength
needed to fight temptations, and we can find that strength in His Word.
The Word of God strengthens us. Psalm 119:28 says, "My soul melteth
for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." As we spend
time with God each day in His Word, we will be strengthened through
His power. The Word of God has power that no other book can offer, and
that power can strengthen us daily as we live for Him.
Last, the Word of God provides direction. Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." God's Word is a
light to guide us along the right path. We can look to Scripture each day
for direction.
Ronald Reagan once said, "Within the covers of one single book,
the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today-if
only we would read and believe."
Do you spend time in God's Word each day? Take time today to
meditate on His Word and seek the power of God through the Bible. Ask
God to personally revive your heart today.

[CCLE~I \STES 10 12 * CALATJANS I 2'J<)

September 2 3

Clear and Unmistakable

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet .. .. -ISAIAH s8:I

once read of an illustration someone used to teach young people the

I importance of witnessing: "We took a young volunteer from the room
and blindfolded him. We simply told him that when he returned, he could
do anything he wished. He remained outside the room while we instructed
each audience member to think of a simple task for the volunteer to
do. When the volunteer returned, they were to shout their individual
instructions at him from where they sat. Prior to this, we privately
instructed another person to shout a very specific task at the blindfolded
volunteer as though it were a matter of life and death .... The volunteer
was oblivious to all instructions and previous arrangements ....
"The blindfolded student was led back into the room. The lecture
room exploded in a din of shouting. Each person tried to get the volunteer
to follow his or her unique instructions. In the midst of the crowd, the
voice of the person with the vital message was lost; no single message
stood out. The blindfolded student stood paralyzed by confusion and
indecision. He moved randomly and without purpose as he sought to
discern a dear and unmistakable voice in the crowd."
While there was a voice telling the blinded student which way to go,
the voice was drowned out by the other voices. The way was there, but the
volunteer missed it by not being able to hear it.
We know the true way to salvation, yet in the midst of witnessing,
there are many other voices distorting God's truth. The world is screaming
at people, leading them away from God. Yet many times Christians shy
away from speaking up and telling others the way to go.
Think of all the different voices around you in the world today.
Imagine how a lost person must feel by listening to all of them! Christian,
you have the one message they so desperately need. Don't stutter. Don't
whisper. Speak up and tell others of Christ today!

300 SONG OF SOLOMON I 3 'lfo GALATIANS 2

 September 24

Personal Loss
And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. When Jesus heard
of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart ....
-MATTHEW 14:10, I3

W hile on earth, Christ went through many situations that caused

pressure and grief in His earthly life. One such trial was when John
the Baptist was beheaded.
John the Baptist was Christ's earthly cousin (see Luke 1:35-36).
Because of their relationship, Jesus and John the Baptist may have spent
time together while they were growing up, and they probably developed
a close friendship.
Christ would have been very close to John the Baptist not only as
family, but also in ministry. John the Baptist was a forerunner to Christ
and prepared the way for Him by teaching the people about Christ. John
the Baptist even baptized Christ as He started His earthly ministry.
Because Christ and John the Baptist were close, Christ felt the pains
of personal loss when John the Baptist was killed. When He heard the
news, He took His disciples and departed to a solitary place to weep. Jesus
was one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man as He was
on earth. He knew what it was like to feel pain and loss.
We all experience personal loss in our lives. Although there is pain,
it is a comfort to know we can turn to Christ. Christ knows what we are
going through and He offers comfort and reassurance to us. When we
turn to Him and cast our burdens on Him, He will draw us close to Him
and will heal the hurt in our lives.
Have you been hurt by personal loss? Christ knows how you feel
and He wants to help you. There is nothing more difficult than going
through a loss without the comfort of Christ. Turn to Christ and let Him
help heal the pain and sorrow in your heart today.

SONG OF SOLOMON 4 'i * GALATJANS 3 lOJ

Septetnber 25

Private Time with God

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain
apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
-MATTHEW 14:23

any times when you want nothing more than to spend time alone,
M interruptions arise that demand your immediate attention. It may
be while you are on vacation that someone gets sick, and you must go to
the hospital. Or maybe on a day off, you get called into work. Whatever it
is, many times pressures mount when we cannot get time alone.
Christ also sometimes found it difficult to spend private time
with God the Father. After hearing the news of John the Baptist's death,
Christ sought to spend time alone with His disciples. But as He crossed
the Sea of Galilee, He faced a multitude of people who wanted to hear
Him teach.
Setting His own need for solitude aside, Jesus gave Himself to
those who needed Him. "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,
and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick"
(Matthew 14:14). Then, seeing their hunger, He fed the multitude of over
five thousand people.
Even with these interruptions, however, Jesus still made time to
spend with His Father. "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he
went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he
was there alone" (Matthew 14:23).
It is often a struggle to simply spend five minutes with God during a
hectic day! Yet, it is this time alone with Him that will help us get through
our day. It is through this time that we are renewed and strengthened in
our Christian lives.
Do you ever have difficulty finding time to spend with Christ? Don't
let the things of this world take the place of private time with God. Ask
Him to help you find time to spend with Him each day, and determine to
seek His face no matter what comes into your life.

302 SONG OF SOlOMON 6 8 *' CALATJANS 4

 September 2 6

Considering Others
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom
he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he
to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took
her unto his own home.-]OHN 19:26-27

L ooking down from the cross, Jesus saw His mother, and in great
concern that no one would care for her, He asked the disciple standing
near to care for her as his own mother. Even as Christ was dying, He
saw the need of His mother and wanted to make sure that she was well
cared for. This consideration for others was not just seen at Calvary but
throughout His life as well.
Jesus' earthly ministry was about others. Christ cared for the needs
of the sick, crippled, and maimed. He spent His time helping others.
Jesus also was considerate of His disciples. He spent time with
them, mentored them, exhorted them, taught them, and loved them. He
instructed them in the way they should live and taught them the truth
about God's Word so they could reach others. He was reaching out to
them so they could, in turn, reach out to others.
We all could admit that we don't love others as much as Christ did.
And sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us love others. One magazine
reported that in the wake of the September n tragedy, over four hundred
couples withdrew their divorce documents in just ten days.
Christ doesn't want us to wait until we are hurt to realize the
importance of loving others. John 13:34 says, '1'1. new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love
one another." That verse really puts things in perspective. We are to love
others as much as Christ loved us. He gave His life for us!
Even in Christ's time of suffering, He was thinking of others. When
was the last time you thought of another before yourself? Ask the Lord to
help you be considerate of others.

ISAIAH I-2 <;I> GALATIANS') 303

 September 2 7

Overcoming Temptation
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
-MATTHEW 4:4

A fter reading the Bible through one hundred times with increasing
delight, George Mueller made this statement: "I look upon it as a lost
day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God. Friends often
say, 'I have so much to do, so many people to see, I cannot find time for
Scripture study.' Perhaps there are not many who have more to do than
I. For more than half a century, I have never known one day when I had
not more business than I could get through, but I have always made it a
rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and
His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful.''
God's Word is our strength and defense against the devil's attacks.
We can overcome temptation as we turn to God for His power, daily
memorizing His Word to answer the devil.
In the day in which we live, there are many ways the devil tempts
us to sin. Never before has our adversary had such powerful technology
with which to glamorize sin. But even though the devil is powerful, we
can overcome his temptations with Christ's help.
When Christ was on earth He was tempted, yet He resisted the
devil's temptations by quoting Scripture. He turned to God's Word.
We must be ready with Scripture to ward off Satan's attacks. The
devil cannot fight against the Bible because it is the truth. We must be in
God's Word daily, studying and memorizing Scripture. When we answer
every attack the devil has with God's Word, we will have God's power to
overcome temptation.
Are you studying and memorizing God's Word? Only when we know
God's Word can we effectively answer the devil's attacks. Take time today to
read the Bible and memorize a verse to help you overcome temptations.

304 ISAIAH 3 4 •"' GALATIANS 6

 Take Your Stand
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,
so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.- PHILIPPIANS 4:1

A young man enlisted in the military and was sent to his regiment.
Before going to bed the first night, he knelt to pray. The other men
began to curse him, jeer at him, and throw boots at him. So it went on
the next night and the next. The young man finally went to the chaplain
and asked what he should do.
"Well;' said the chaplain, "the other men have just as much right to
the barracks as you have. It makes them mad to hear you pray, and the
Lord will hear you just as well if you say your prayers in bed and don't
provoke them."
A few weeks later the chaplain met the young soldier and asked if he
had taken his advice. "I did, for two or three nights." "How did it work?"
inquired the chaplain. "Well," said the young man, "I felt like a whipped
hound, so the third night I got out of bed, knelt down, and prayed.""Well;'
asked the chaplain, "how did that work?" The young soldier answered,
"We now have a prayer meeting every night; three have been converted,
and we are praying for the rest."
The other soldiers, wanting to test this young man, made him feel
inferior or ridiculous for being a Christian and spending time with Christ.
While at first he gave in to the peer pressure, he realized that standing for
Christ showed the other soldiers his commitment to God.
We are commanded to take a stand for Christ, but this world will
not readily accept our testimony for the Lord. God never said taking a
stand would be easy, but His path to the Cross wasn't easy either!
What are you doing to let others know you are a follower of God?
Don't allow people around you to discourage you from standing for
Christ. Take your stand today and allow God to change other people's
hearts rather than allowing them to change yours.

hAIAll 5 6 ·ct> El'HESlAN.'> 1 J()j

September 29

Only Six Feet

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
-PROVERBS 14:30

ussian author Leo Tolstoy wrote about a successful peasant farmer

R who was not satisfied-he wanted more of everything. One day he
received an offer. For 1,ooo rubles, he could buy all the land he could walk
around in a day. The only catch was that he had to be back at his starting
point by sundown.
Early the next morning he began, walking at a fast pace. By midday
he was very tired, but he kept going, covering more and more ground.
Well into the afternoon he realized his greed had taken him far from the
starting point.
He quickened his pace, and as the sun sank low in the sky, he began
to run. As the sun began to sink below the horizon, he came within
sight of the finish line. Gasping for breath, he called upon every bit of
strength left in his body and staggered across the line just before the
sun disappeared. He immediately collapsed. In a few minutes he was
dead. His servants dug a grave. It was not much over six feet long and
three feet wide. The title of Tolstoy's story was: "How Much Land Does
a Man Need?"
All the land that man needed was a plot six feet long. Even though
he now owned acres and acres of land, he couldn't enjoy it because he
had given his life trying to get as much as he could.
Like this man, many people spend their lives pursuing wealth and
possessions, but in the end, they won't be able to take any of it with them.
They will only need a small plot of land six feet deep.
How are you spending your life? Are you passionately seeking
another raise or more possessions? Or are you investing in Heavenly
rewards? Spend time in God's Word. Take time to tell others of Christ.
Serve in your church. Live so that at the end of your life you'll have riches
waiting for you in Heaven.

306 ISAIAH 7 8 'Ct- EPHESIANS 2

 September 30

Jesus Christ Is Precious

I will bless the LoRD at all times: his praise shall continually be in
my mouth.- PSALM 34:1

ohn Newton was once a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an
J appetite for rotten living. As a slave-ship owner, he enslaved men for
his own gain. Then he was saved and spent his life freeing men from the
bond of sin for God's glory!
Well past his "retirement age;' he had to have an assistant stand
in the pulpit with him on Sundays. He was nearly blind and spoke in
whispers, but nothing could keep him from preaching while he still
had breath.
One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence:
"Jesus Christ is precious." His helper whispered to him: "But you have
already said that twice." Newton turned to his helper and said loudly, "Yes,
I've said it twice, and I'm going to say it again." The stones in the ancient
sanctuary fairly shook as the grand old preacher said again: "Jesus Christ
is precious!"
Even when Newton was old and had physical limitations, he never
ceased from declaring how good God had been to him.
Isn't God's salvation a miracle? The fact that God would send His
only Son to die a cruel death on the Cross for people who had rejected
Him is mind-boggling. But even more astounding is the fact that with all
Christ has done for us, we sometimes fail to tell others of Him.
John Newton didn't allow blindness and a weak voice to keep him
from declaring God's goodness, so what excuse is there for us? God
commands us to tell everyone we meet of His miracle of salvation!
What is holding you back from witnessing to others? There is no
challenge so great in our lives that we can't overcome it to tell others
of Christ. Whether through a tract or even sharing your testimony,
determine to tell at least one person today of God's love. After all the
Lord has done for you, what keeps you from obeying Him?

ISAIAH 9 !0 'l«- EPHESIANS 3 307

OCTOBER
(_(~~)
 October 1

The Son's Miraculous Power

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor
of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted
the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the
servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the
bridegroom.-]OHN 2:8-9

he wedding went without a flaw. The bride and groom exited the
T building, and the reception soon followed. Everyone was having a
good time. People were eating, laughing, and retelling fond memories of
the happy couple.
Just then a servant approached the hostess and told her they had
run out of wedding punch. She began to panic-the reception was still
to last for many hours! Just then a woman nearby told the hostess that
her son could help. The woman went to her son who was at the wedding
and asked him to help. She then instructed the servers to obey anything
her son told them to do.
The son instructed the servers to fill all the empty pots with water
and serve the man in charge of the reception. What? Serve water? Would
the man in charge be mad at them? Would he punish them? And why
had this woman's son ordered them to give him water anyway? In spite
of their questions, they obeyed him. They filled each pot to the brim
and poured it for the man in charge. When the servers poured the water,
something miraculous happened-it came out as the wedding punch!
This is a true story of how God worked through the life of Christ
and showed His miraculous power at the wedding in Cana.
God has all power. There is no problem too large, no situation
too difficult, no crisis too complicated in which God cannot work! We
often flounder in our problems, seeking to find our own solutions. Why
would you not go to the source of all power to find help when you need
it? He has offered it to you; simply take it, and follow His directions to
the letter.

_lj(J
ISAIAH II 13 'If- EPIIESIANS4
 ()ctober 2

True Faith
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh
to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet
the Philistine.-! SAMUEL 17:48

T here once was a tightrope walker who did incredible aerial feats all
over Paris. After he crossed the tightrope, he would have succeeding
acts. He would cross the tightrope again blindfolded, then he would go
across the tightrope, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow.
An American promoter read about this in the papers and wrote a
letter to the tightrope walker, saying, "Tightrope, I don't believe you can
do it, but I'm willing to make you an offer. For a very substantial sum of
money, I would like to challenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls:'
Tightrope wrote back, "Sir, although I've never been to America and seen
the Falls, I'd love to come."
Many came to see the event. Tightrope was to start on the Canadian
side and come to the American side across the most treacherous part
of the falls. As the drums rolled, he was blindfolded and started across
the rope. He made it across easily, and the crowds went wild. He then
approached the promoter. "Well, Mr. Promoter, now do you believe I can
do it?" "Well of course I do-l just saw you do it." "No, no, no," said
Tightrope, "do you believe I can do it?" "Yes," said Mr. Promoter, "I believe
you can do it:' "Good," said Tightrope, "then get in the wheelbarrow."
David really believed God would use him to kill Goliath. While the
rest of the Israelite army hid from the challenge, David had faith in God
and ran out to meet Goliath head on!
When God puts on your heart to do something, don't hesitate!
When He tells you to give, tell someone else about Christ, or to attempt
something for Him, obey. Have you been hesitant to obey God's
commands? Ask God for courage and strength, then run out to the
battlefield and have faith that He will work through you!

lS/\1,\ll 14 16 ~to- EPHE~lAI\iS ):! !6 Jll

October 3

A Moment of Faith
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.-MARK II:22

everal years ago, I had the joy of going traveling with my son Matthew
S on his senior class trip. One activity the teens planned on that trip
was to slide down a zip-line.
We arrived at the top of the mountain where we were to begin and
saw a large metal cord wrapped around a tree. About a quarter of a mile
down, we saw the other end wrapped around another tree. I began to
become apprehensive about hanging from that metal cord.
I approached our guide and asked about the durability of the cord.
He assured me that the tourism industry inspected it. When he added
that I would need an extra harness and safety hook, I began feeling even
more apprehensive. We were five to ten stories from the ground with
a raging river below us. I wasn't too sure I wanted to risk my life for a
zip line!
To test the durability of the chord, I allowed someone heavier than
I to go first. After he was safely across, I was faced with a moment of
faith. Would I trust the cords to hold me? With all the teenagers around, I
decided to jump on the zip-line. The cord did hold me, and I safely rode
down that zip-line.
It always amazes me that we tend to trust in man-made devices
before we trust in God. There is something about our nature that thinks
if we can see something or test it out, we can trust it. But the most
trustworthy things of this world don't compare to our trustworthy God.
What are you afraid to give to God? God is worthy of your trust! If
you are saved, you've already trusted Him with your soul. Why not trust
Him with the rest of your life today?

312 ISAIAH 17 ll) oc(o. EPHESIANS 5:17 33

 October 4

Devoted to Know Him

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all
your heart.-]EREMIAH 29:13

A s a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in

the far north looking for iron ore, and cod. He found none, but he
did shoot 7o,ooo feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to
edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing.
But just as he finished, a match dropped among the celluloid, consuming
the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster
was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo
life "that people will never forget." He did just that, and the result was the
classic 1922 documentary, Nanook of the North.
What caused Flaherty to keep going despite the tragedy in his life?
He was devoted to his goal. If someone such as Flaherty could be so
devoted to something which helped him overcome loss and extreme pain,
why can't we as Christians be devoted to God who helps us overcome the
pains oflife?
Devotion has been defined as "ardent, often selfless affection and
dedication, as to a person or principle:' Devotion is giving of yourself to
someone or something else. It is neglecting the desires of your own heart
to seek after God's heart.
God wants your whole heart. Sometimes Christians can be guilty of
seeking God while seeking other things. Have you ever sat down to spend
time with God but found yourself preoccupied with other thoughts?
Rather than being distracted by the things of this world, focus your whole
heart on knowing God more.
Are you devoted to knowing God more? God promises that as we
give Him our whole hearts, He will reveal Himself to us. Set aside time
to be with God today. Even if you have to give up a hobby or an activity,
realize that knowing God is worth more than any other earthly pursuit.

ISAIAH 20 -22 'CI- [PHESJANS 6 3[3

Loving Everyone
... }c>.us t hcrcfim·, bci11g wearied with his journey, sat thus 011 the well: and
it Wll> about the sixth hour. Tl1cre cometh a woman of Samaria to draw
water: Jesus saitlz unto her, Give me to drink.-- JOHN 4:6-7

esus felt the need to go through Samaria. He arrived at Jacob's well in

J the city of Sychar at noon, a time when most women of the city would
not be drawing water. The woman we see in our verses today was there at
this time because the other women did not accept her because of her sin.
As she was getting her water at the well, Jesus spoke to her about the water
of eternal life. He had mercy on this Samaritan woman. Before He judged
her or condemned her sin, He offered her hope and a chance to repent.
Our Lord shows us the perfect example of pure-hearted love when
He speaks to the Samaritan woman. Yes, He could have condemned her,
focusing on her sin rather than her soul. Yet here He shows that He loves
everyone, no matter their sin.
It takes supernatural power to overlook someone's sins and love
them. In and of ourselves, we cannot exhibit Christ-like love to those
around us. We need God's Spirit and His love so we may show others the
gift of salvation.
How many times have you focused on someone's sin rather than
their soul? Have you ever neglected to tell someone of Christ because
you thought them to be "too far gone"? Jesus certainly had the right and
the authority to punish this woman for her sin, yet He showed her love
by offering her eternal life.
God desires for us to be witnesses to everyone we meet, no matter
their outward appearance, background, or social status. If God had only
offered salvation to those who were worthy of it, none of us would be
saved today! Ask God to fill you with His love, and determine to witness
to someone around you today, regardless of their appearance.
 October 6

A Passion to Possess
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for
a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth.-LUKE 12:15

arketing researchers spend their lives catering and appealing to

M our checkbooks. They devise strategic approaches using words,
commercials, signs, and billboards to demand our attention. Below are
some of the most powerful and effective taglines ever propagated:
Fly the friendly skies-United Airlines
Don't leave home without it-American Express
It does a body good-Milk
Have it your way-Burger King
Just do it-Nike
Reach out and touch someone-AT&T
Snap, crackle, pop-Kellogg's Rice Krispies
Along with others, these taglines appeal to the common man for a
simple reason. They were designed to catch our attention and to create
a desire within us to buy their product. Realizing the universal wants of
man, marketing researchers focus on possessions-why we need them
and what they can do for us.
The world's view of possessions completely contradicts God's view
of possessions. Jesus commands us to be on guard and protect ourselves
from our passions being misdirected through covetousness. You may not
care as much for possessions, but you may have a passion for a certain
position at work or in your church. Do you desire the position more than
you desire Christ?
Do you have a passion for things more than you have a passion
to serve, witness, and know Christ? Remember, God does not look at
the outfit you are wearing, the car you are driving, or the title outside
your office door, but "... the LoRD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel16:7).
Choose to have a heart of gratitude and contentment.

ISAIAH 26-27 '/t> PHILIPPIANS 2 315

October 7

Patience during Trials

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By
pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost,
by love unfeigned.-2 CORINTHIANS 6:4-6

T he nineteenth-century preacher A.B. Simpson once commented on

the opportunity of developing patience, "Beloved, have you ever
thought that someday you will not have anything to try you, or anyone
to vex you again? There will be no opportunity in Heaven to learn or to
show the spirit of patience, forbearance, and longsuffering. If you are to
practice these things, it must be now."
God has a purpose for everything we go through. Sometimes as we
are in the midst of a trial we fail to see His purpose, but if we are in His
Word and trust Him, He will give us the patience and longsuffering we
need during our trials.
Sometimes God uses trials to correct us. Because God loves us, He
takes measures to bring us back to Himself when we go astray. We should
not view these trials as the outpouring of God's wrath, but of His love.
When going through a trial, we should examine our lives to make sure
there is nothing that would take us away from God.
Another reason God brings trials is to challenge us. Trials often
cause us to listen to God's Word more intently and draw closer to Him.
It is during these times of trial that we learn the most from God and
His Word.
God also brings trials into our lives to use us. God often allows
trials in our lives to mold and shape us for His special plan. We must not
get bitter, but have patience and stay faithful to God during this time.
Are you going through a trial today? Do not become angry at God
for your trial but look at it as a growing opportunity. Ask God to help you
have patience and remain faithful to Him today.

316 ISAIAH 28 29 'lfo PHILIPPIANS 3

 October 8

Influence during Trials

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
-ROMANS I2:I9

omeone once said, "Longsuffering is the grace of the man who could
S revenge himself and does not." There will be times in each of our lives
when we have the opportunity to avenge a wrong done to us, but these
are the times God desires us to have longsuffering. We must be so careful
how we react during these situations because we have an influence on
many different people.
We have an influence on our families. Because we spend so much
time with them, there will be times when we get upset or are wronged
by a family member. It is during these times when we must ask the Lord
for patience. We must not strike back in anger or out of retribution. The
Holy Spirit enables us to have patience during these times.
We also have an influence on the people around us. Whether we see
it or not, others are watching us. Whether it's a neighbor, coworker, or
even someone we don't know, other people watch our reactions during
difficult times. The world thinks nothing of retaliating or screaming out
in anger, but as Christians, God desires us to be a testimony to those
around us by having patience. It is often the silent witness of a Christian
living for God that has the greatest impact on the lives of others.
Sometimes we can become so focused on ourselves and our own
hurt that we fail to see that others are watching. We must be careful not
to react in anger, but to demonstrate patience when things go wrong.
How are you influencing those around you today? What are they
seeing in your life? Ask God to help you respond correctly in difficult
situations. Ask Him to help you be a good influence to those around
you today.

ISAIAH 30 31 'it- PHILIPPIANS 4 317

October 9

The Reason for Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
-}AMES 1:2

typical concert piano has over 240 strings that, when tuned and
A tightened, create a pull of 4o,ooo pounds on the frame. Without the
tension, there would be no beautiful music. Most of us today would say
that our lives have too much stress. We try to avoid and alleviate stress
at all costs. Yet, sometimes God allows stress and trials into our lives to
further develop our faith and our walk with Him.
Our verse today teaches that God wants us to consider it a joy to
receive a trial in our lives. That is opposite of what we want to do! Our
human nature doesn't like times of difficulty or trial. We want to have
an easy Christian life free of any difficulties. Yet, God uses these trials to
develop our faith.
It has been said that we are either going through life or we are
growing through life. God seeks to grow us and stretch our faith, and His
plan in doing so is through trials. God desires to conform us to His image
and develop our faith during trials.
I once heard a preacher say, "Don't waste your trials." God has a
purpose for every trial and difficulty that comes into your life. He knows
where you are in your spiritual life, and He wants to develop and mature
you. Don't resist God's working through the trials. Instead, accept His
purpose for developing your faith and display it during your trials.
Are you going through a time of trial or difficulty? Do you find it
hard to see God's reason for the trial in your life? God has a purpose for
everything that comes into our lives, and He only wants what is best for
us! We must look to Him during our trials and seek to grow closer to
Him. Open your heart to His purpose for your trial, and let Him draw
you closer to Him today.

.1 l K Is \lAH 32 B 1t- COLOSSIANS I

 October 10

The Path of Your Trial

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing-JAMES 1:3-4

n the summer of1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast
I of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy
waters. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation
revealed that the cause of the accident was human stubbornness. Each
captain was aware of the other ship's presence. Both could have steered
clear, but neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too
proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
God has a path He wants us to take in every trial, but sometimes
human nature gets in the way and makes us not want to surrender or give
in. However, God can only work in our lives as we surrender to Him.
We must first surrender our past (Philippians 3:13). The devil
attempts to use past failures or sin to distract us from seeing God's
purpose for our trials. He tries to convince us that God is punishing us
or that He is upset with us and cannot use us. If you have asked God
for forgiveness for those things in your past, then He doesn't remember
them anymore! Don't let the devil distract you from seeing God's plan
for you.
We must also surrender our present-each day we must surrender
ourselves to Christ. As we do so, we can see God's purpose in our trials
and draw closer to Him.
Last, we must surrender our future. We must trust that God has a
plan for us, that He is leading us, and that He has a purpose for what He
allows in our lives.
Have you surrendered your past, present, and future to God? He
has a plan for your life, and He desires to use you. Ask God to help you be
fully submitted to Him and to draw you closer to Him today.

ISAIAH 34 -36 '<fo COLOSSIANS 2 319

The Results of Your Trial
1/oll}' of you lnck wisdom, let him ask of Cod, that giveth to all men
libemlly, and upbruidetii not; and it shall be given Jzim. But let him ask
in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavercth is like a wnvc oftlzc sen
driven with the wind and tosscd.--)AMES 1:5-6

rials reveal our need for wisdom. Psalm m:w says, "The fear of the
T LoRD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." We are more
apt to gain real wisdom during a trial than at any other time. It is often
during a trial when I find myself on my knees in prayer and reading the
Bible more.
Trials reveal our dependence upon God for help. Charles Spurgeon
once said, "The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our
own ignorance." When we come before God with the realization that we
are in desperate need of His wisdom, He will give us wisdom.
We will gain God's wisdom through God's Word! It's one thing to ask
for wisdom, but it's another thing to receive it! Second Corinthians 12:9
says, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Paul said that he
would gladly endure the trials so he could draw closer to Christ.
Are you going through a difficult time today? Is there some trial
in your life for which you cannot see God's purpose? Remain faithful
to God during these times. As you focus on Him, you will see your need
for wisdom and will receive His wisdom through His Word. Ask God to
help you remain faithful during your trials so you may become more
like Him.
 October 12

Patient and Kind

Charity suffereth long, and is kind .. .. - I CORINTHIANS I3:4

od desires for us to love others in the power of His love. If we are not
G careful, however, many times serving and loving others becomes
routine. Two attributes God uses to describe true love are patience
and kindness.
The term for patience in the Bible is longsuffering. This word has
the idea of putting off anger and being patient in our reactions. When we
love others, we are more patient in our responses to them.
Love practices being patient. I once heard the quote, "To dwell
above with those we love, oh that will be glory. To dwell below with those
we know, well that's another story." It isn't always easy to get along with
everyone because we are all human and often make mistakes! But as we
seek to have God's love in our hearts, we will be able to practice patience
to those around us.
Also, love is kind. To be kind means to be useful, forbearing, and
gracious. We must be kind to others even when they are not kind to us.
God does not command us to be kind only if others deserve it. We surely
do not deserve His kindness! Yet, because He loves us, He is kind and
gracious to us. When we love others out of a love for God, it will be easier
to be kind when others are not kind to us.
There will be times in each of our lives when we are wronged and
we simply want to lash out in revenge. But God desires that we would act
out of love and be patient and kind. How are your reactions to difficult
situations? Are you patient and kind even when you are wronged? Ask God
to help you have true love for others by being patient and kind today.

IsAIAH 39 40 'Cf> CoLOSSIANS 4 32i

 October 13

Love Is Not Jealous

... charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
- I CORINTHIANS I3:4

ove and jealousy are mutually exclusive. We all face the temptation
L towards jealousy when someone else gets something a little better
than what we have! But true love is not jealous when others are blessed.
True love rejoices with them and is content in what they already have.
Neither does love attempt to make others jealous by prideful
bragging. People with true love do not parade their accomplishments
or possessions. They do not focus on themselves but on others. The
Corinthian believers struggled with bragging, and Paul admonished
them in 1 Corinthians 14:26, "How is it then, brethren? when ye come
together, every one ofyou hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath
a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."
Paul told them that in all their conversation, they were to be edifying
one another! We must seek to uplift and encourage others instead
of bragging.
Last, love is not arrogant. First Corinthians 4:18-20 says, "Now some
are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you
shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are
puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in
power." As someone once said, "Love is not big-headed, but big-hearted."
When we are filled with biblical love, we will not seek to build ourselves
up, but to build up others around us.
Simply put, people with love place their focus and energy on helping
others. Do you focus more on yourself or on those around you? It can be
easy to get so wrapped up in our own schedules and agendas that we fail
to take time for others. Ask Christ to help you love others with biblical
love by focusing on helping those around you today.

322 ISAIA.H 41 42 o~ I THESSALONIANS I

 October 14

A Heart That Prioritizes

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows.-! TIMOTHY 6:10

0 seolla McCarty was an eighty-eight-year-old widow in Mississippi

who had dropped out of school after the seventh grade. She worked
as a seamstress in relative obscurity until July 26, 1995, when she walked
into her bank, withdrew her "nest egg" of $15o,ooo, and gave it to the
University of Southern Mississippi.
A media frenzy ensued. The New York Times interviewed her, and
Harvard gave her an honorary Humanities degree. She received more
publicity than she ever imagined. Why? Because it is rare when people
handle their money in this way!
It is uncommon to see commitment and priorities like this lady's.
Not many people place such high priorities on planning and saving.
Nor do many people place high priorities on the Lord's work. While
God commands us to give to His work, many people today place a false
priority on the money they have.
Some place a priority on wealth because it gives them a sense of
power. The world has set the image that those with money are powerful.
Yet God shows us that those who give to Him and to His work have true
joy. The wealthy may have power and influence in this world, but those
who give to God's work have an impact on eternity.
Some people place a priority on wealth because it brings them
satisfaction. If we are not careful, we all can get caught in the trap of
seeking money or possessions for joy and satisfaction. Seeking money
and material wealth can distract us from seeking God. We must look to
Him to be the source of our joy and satisfaction.
Has wealth become a priority in your life? It's not wrong to have
nice things, but we must place a priority on God and His work. Never let
the world's things hinder you from obeying God in giving to Him.

ISAIAH 43-A4 'lio I THESSALONIANS 2 323

T:oher 15

Analyzing Our Priorities

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
-MATTHEW 6:21

omeone once said that there are two ways in which a Christian may
S view his money. "How much of my money shall I use for God?" or
"How much of God's money shall I use for myself?"
To analyze your financial priorities, ask yourself the following
four questions:
Am I trusting God with my fmances? Those who do not know
Christ often worry about their future and seek to control their finances.
But God desires us to trust Him to take care of us. He knows what we
need and He will provide for us!
Am I seeking His kingdom first? God promises that as we seek
Him first, He will provide for our needs. If He lays it on your heart to
give to Him, do not try to figure out how the finances will work. Simply
trust Him.
Am I placing treasure in His work? Our hearts are affected by where
we place our treasure. We must make sure we are placing a priority on
God's work by investing in it.
Am I preparing to give an account? One day we will all give an
account before God. We must make sure we are using every opportunity
God has given us to give to Him.
Someone once said, "We exist temporarily through what we take;
we live forever through what we give." God desires that we would place a
high priority on His work and on giving to Him. It can be easy to focus
on worldly possessions rather than on God. We must take time to analyze
our priorities and focus on God.
What are your priorities in life? Is God's work at the top of the list?
When we place God and His work as a priority in our lives, we will have
no problem obeying His commandment to give to Him.

ISJ\Ic\H 4'i 4() 0

"" l TH[SSAL()N!ANS'
 October 16

The Definition of Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
-HEBREWS II:I-3

iving the Christian life without faith is like driving a car with no oil,
L washing clothes with no soap, or playing half-back in the Super Bowl
with no helmet or pads. Without a life of biblical faith, many Christians
struggle with discouragement, worry, fear, and hurt.
Having faith means trusting God even when we can't logically figure
out the outcome. It means not worrying about a problem or situation
but giving it over to God and letting Him handle it.
We have become accustomed to trying to figure out the results
before doing something. We like to test drive a car, sample food, and
try out new products before we buy them. There is nothing wrong with
wanting to test something before we buy it, but we must not assume that
thinking when it comes to faith. We must trust God with the results and
choose to follow Him without knowing the outcome.
A person with faith also acts upon their faith. Anyone can believe
that God is able to meet their needs or answer their prayers, but it takes
true faith to act on the belief. It takes a person with real faith to say, "God,
I may not understand why or how, but I know that you are in control,
and I will keep on going even though I don't see how You will provide."
True faith is not only willing to trust God, but is willing to step forward
and continue serving Him as well.
Are you exhibiting true faith in your life today? Spend time with
God now and commit to following Him in faith. Take that next step and
trust Him for the outcome. You will never regret fully trusting God with
your life.

ISAIAH 47--49 '£Co I THESSALONIANS 4 325

Showing Our Faith
Yc are the light of the tvorld. A city that is set 011 an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a wndle. 111111 put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; mzd it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your
light so shine bef~Jre men, thot thcr may see your good works, and glorify
your Father tvhiclz is in lzeavCI/.~~MATTHEW 5:r4--r6

fter each of our church's weekly men's prayer meetings, we have a

A time of testimony. One Saturday evening one of our bus captains
stood and told the story of a little boy he had met while bus calling. He
said that one Sunday morning as he waited for a family to get ready, he
began a conversation with a four-year-old boy standing on the sidewalk.
As it was time to go, he said goodbye to the boy and turned to leave. The
boy then said, "Goodbye, Jesus."
This man had so displayed the love of Christ that this little boy
easily related him to Jesus. The very core of our faith is Jesus Christ and is
evidenced each day as we walk with Him. We display this faith as we daily
choose to trust Him with our needs and live in the power of His Word.
Our entire Christian journey is a journey of faith!
Our faith is demonstrated by godly works. While those around us
may not see our personal walk with God, they will be able to see the
effects of our faith through our obedience.
Throughout God's Word we seeexamplesofthosewho demonstrated
their faith through their obedience. It was faith that caused the three
Hebrew children to obey God and not bow to the king's idol. It was faith
that caused David to face the giant Goliath. We too must demonstrate
our faith by living for God and serving Him.
Can those around you see your faith? Sometimes our loudest
witness will be the demonstration of our faith. We must be faithful in
our walk with God and in serving Him.
 ()ctober ] 8

What Do You Have?

And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said,
A rod.- EXODUS 4:2

W hen God spoke to Moses through a burning bush in the desert,

Moses' first response was fear. He worried about his failures and
weaknesses, but God promised to be with Him and to show Himself
strong through Moses' life.
God began by asking Moses a simple question, "What is that in
thine hand?" Many people wonder how God can use them or what
they have to offer Him. God doesn't ask us to do the amazing or the
impossible. He simply asks us to give Him the time, talents, and resources
we already have.
God is asking you today, "What do you have in your hand?" What do
you have that you can offer God? One little boy only had two fish and five
loaves of bread, yet God worked through him because he willingly gave
what he had. It is not the amount of what we have but our willingness to
give it to Him that matters to God.
We also see that God performed an amazing miracle. Exodus 4:3-4
says, ''And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and
it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LoRD said unto
Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his
hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand." God performed a
great miracle because Moses was willing to give God what he had and
obey His commands.
What do you have today that you can give God? A talent? Some
time? A resource? God doesn't ask that you have the most talent, the
longest amount of time, or the greatest resources; all He asks is that you
give Him what you have. Give God what you have. Do not spend time
wondering how He could use you, but rather give Him what is in your
hand today!

]SAlAH 53 ')') 'If- 2 THESSALONIANS I

October 19

God's Purpose
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
ofGod.-I CORINTHIANS I0:3I

any people, even those who are well-known, can attest to that void
M felt by a lack of purpose in life. For example, H. G. Wells, famous
historian, said at age sixty-one: "I have no peace. All life is at the end
of the tether." The literary genius Thoreau said, "Most men live lives of
quiet desperation:'
Ralph Barton, one of the top cartoonists of the nation, left this note
pinned to his pillow before taking his own life: "I have had few difficulties,
many friends, great successes; I have gone from wife to wife, from house
to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with
inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day."
Solomon indicated in the book of Ecclesiastes that if we do not
understand the purpose of life, life will seem useless, tiresome, and
unfulfilling. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all
is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under
the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). When we live without purpose and without
God's will, it is all vanity!
Life is not useless or vain-everything we do can be meaningful
when it is done to the glory of God. We tend to divide our activities into
the categories of sacred and secular, or spiritual and non-spiritual. We
think of teaching a Sunday school class or witnessing to a lost person as
obvious avenues to bring God glory. God desires, however, that everything
we do, even the most common activities, be done for His glory. We do
things to God's glory when we surrender ourselves to Him and seek to
serve Him through each act.
What have you done over the past twenty-four hours? All that
was not done to the glory of God was wasted time. Yet each moment
and activity that you dedicated to God and used to serve Him was
eternally invested.

328 lSAIAII )6 )8 '1«- 2 THESSALONIANS 2

 October 20

Day-by-Day Victory
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing ofyour mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will ofGod.-ROMANS 12:1~2

e all have imperfections in our lives, yet God desires to use us.
W To day's verses show us how we can be used by God.
First, we must present ourselves to the Lord. We must give ourselves
to God each day and let Him fill us.
Second, we must be transformed by the Lord. God desires to renew
and transform us into Christians He can use.
It has been said that our thoughts are the autopilot of our lives.
Many times someone will say, "I could never teach a Sunday school class"
or "I could never work on a bus route." These thoughts dictate their
behavior and prevent them from serving God. What is your autopilot
today? What have you been making excuses about to avoid doing? God
can use any of us if we will surrender to Him and let Him transform us.
Third, focus on victory one day at a time. We must realize that we
cannot do it on our own, but we can focus on God and ask Him for victory
each day. Make a list of the areas in your life that need change. Take your
list before God in prayer, and each day ask for victory in every area.
Last, we must memorize Scripture. As we are memorizing Scripture
and applying the truths of God's Word in our lives each day, God will
help us have victory.
In what areas are you struggling? We all need God's help each day.
Present yourself to God, ask Him to transform you, focus on victory one
day at a time, and memorize and apply God's Word in your life. God will
help you gain the victory.

ISAIAH 59 61 'lf- 2 THESSALONIANS 3 329

()ctober 21

Yielded to Him
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himselffor me.-GALATIANS 2:20

man once testified in one of D.L. Moody's meetings that he had

A lived "on the Mount of Transfiguration" for five years. "How many
souls did you lead to Christ last year?" Moody bluntly asked him. "Well;'
the man hesitated, "I don't know." "Have you seen any saved?" Moody
persisted. "I don't know that I have;' the man admitted. "Well;' said
Moody, "we don't want that kind of mountaintop experience. When a
man gets up so high that he cannot reach down and save poor sinners,
there is something wrong."
God desires that we be faithful in our witness no matter what our
situation is in life. How guilty are we of failing to obey God's command
to witness? How often has God brought someone across our paths who
needed to be saved, but we failed to tell that person of Him? I am afraid
we are all guilty of missing key witnessing opportunities because we were
not yielded to the Holy Spirit.
We must be sensitive when the Holy Spirit directs us to do something
that we may not understand. God has a plan for our lives, and that plan
may sometimes include following Him without knowing all the details.
But as we are sensitive to His leading and are yielded to His commands,
we will see His blessings in our lives.
Are you remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and
prompting? We must daily yield to the Holy Spirit's will for our lives.
Take time now to meet with God. Yield your will to Him and ask Him
to guide you as you seek to live for Him today. Especially ask Him to
give you opportunities to witness for Christ, and be sure to follow His
promptings when He tells you to witness to someone.

lSAIAII 6.::!. 64 '~ I TIMOTHY I

 October 22

The Peace of God

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ fesus.-PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

W hile in England, I visited the site where Nicholas Ridley was burned
at the stake in 1555 because of his witness for Christ. On the night
before Ridley's execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the
prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the
offer and replied that he wanted to go to bed and sleep as quietly as he
ever did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the
strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need.
People go to great lengths to attain peace. Some try medicine,
different exercise classes, or even move to remote places in attempts to
bring peace to their lives! However, peace is not found in the absence
of trouble but in the presence of God. To have true peace, we must seek
the Lord.
God desires that we would "be careful for nothing:' God does not
want us to worry about our problems and needs. He desires that we would
give them to Him. He is the ruler of the world and can fix any problem we
have and provide for any need that may arise. Why would we hold onto
our problems when He offers to take care of them for us?
We must take our problems and needs before God instead of
worrying over them. Because of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, we can go
boldly unto God and lay our requests before Him! What an honor and
privilege! Yet, many times we hold onto our problems and seek solutions
on our own.
Is there a lack of peace in your life? God desires us to live with His
peace, yet we must first give our worries and problems to Him. Give God
control of every problem you face. He will give you peace today.

ISAIAH 65- 66 * I TIMOTHY 2 331

Forgiveness
Then :;aid jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do ....
·-LUK£.23:34

e have all heard of the tragedy of the German prison camps during
W World War II. As stories of the atrocities and injustices that were
performed at the German prison camps during World War II are told,
it seems impossible to imagine the Lord at work during this time. But
while going through the clothing of one of the children who was kept at
the Ravensbruck concentration camp, this note was found scribbled on
a piece of scrap paper:
"0 Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but
also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have
inflicted upon us. Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of
this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility,
our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from
this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of
these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness."
How could someone endure such pain and injustice and yet
willingly forgive those who had hurt him? Not only did this young
child freely forgive his captors, but Christ freely forgave those who had
wronged Him as well.
Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christian disciples, and it is the fruit
of true Christ -like character. Amazingly, when we choose to forgive, God
will miraculously bring good out of the wrongs done to us. If we cling to
bitterness, however, we lose twice-first through our mistreatment, and
second by missing out on the benefits we would have reaped through
forgiveness. As someone once said, "To forgive is to set a captive free, only
to discover that captive is me!"
Has someone wounded you? Have you been abused or mistreated?
Choose to forgive. Only through forgiveness can you find healing, and
beyond healing, blessing.
 ()ctobcr 24

Time, Talents, and Treasures

.. . God loveth a cheerful giver.-2 CORINTHIANS 9:7

A mother wanted to teach her daughter the joy of giving. She gave
the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church. "Put whichever one
you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself;' she
instructed. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her
daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was
going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the preacher said
that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if
I gave the quarter, so I did."
God gave His Son for us so we may have eternal life with Him in
Heaven. He gave His all, and in return, we should give our all for Him as
well. What can we give God?
We can give Him our time. What have you done for God in the past
five years? How have you served Him, honored Him, and given your time
to Him? No matter how busy your schedule is, you must make time to
serve Him.
We can give Him our talents. When someone says the word "talent"
I often think of a school talent contest where children perform for parents,
teachers, and peers. But God gave us talents to glorify Him! Whether you
can sing, play an instrument, work in a nursery, sweep a bathroom, or
preach a sermon, God has given you that talent so you may honor Him
with it! Everyone has a talent or ability that can be used for God.
We can give Him our treasures. None of us "earned" the money
we have by ourselves. The job we have and the skill and ability we have
to work was given to us by the Lord. We must realize that any money or
treasure we have is already the Lord's.
What can you give God today? Our time, talents, and treasures are
all temporary-unless we invest them in that which has eternal values.
Look for ways to give to the Lord today.

jEREMIAH 3 5 'Cl- 1 TIMOTHY 4 333

 ()ctober 25

The Expression of Gentleness

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy.-]AMES 3:17

entleness is a rare thing in today's culture. As Christians, we are to

G be the expression of gentleness in our society.
One way we can express gentleness is through sensitivity. No matter
how many Scriptures we have memorized, or how many convictions we
have, if we do not have love, we fail. It has been said that people don't care
how much you know until they know how much you care. Sometimes
our greatest witness is when we take time to help others.
Think back to someone who made a great impact in your life.
Maybe it was a teacher, a friend, a parent, a coach, or someone else. I'm
sure that one of the reasons they had such a great influence on your life
is because they showed that they cared. They took time for you and were
kind to you. Even so, we can have a great impact on those around us if we
will just take time to be sensitive and show others we care.
We can also express gentleness through sympathy. Romans 12:15 says,
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Is there
someone you know who is going through a difficult time right now? A
card or a simple phone call would show them how much you care.
How are you expressing gentleness today? Do others around you
not only know that you care about them, but see your kindness through
your actions? Take time now to think of ways you can express kindness.
Ask God to give you gentleness, and look for ways you can express it
to others.

/EREMIAII 6-8 'II- l TIMOTHY 5

 October 26

Lost Keys
But iffrom thence thou shalt seek the LoRD thy God, thou shalt find him,
if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
-DEUTERONOMY 4:29

sometimes believe my car keys have legs-wherever I put them, it

I seems they sneak away. Perhaps your keys play the same tricks. Have
you ever searched for your car keys, and still could not find them? You
continued searching diligently, but for some reason you still had no keys
in your hand. You open every drawer, shuffle through every pile of papers,
and look in every pocket just to find those keys.
When you seek God, do you feel the same way? Do you feel as if you
are searching, searching, and searching, but you still don't have what you
are looking for?
Some of us may have the "seeking" part down. We may know the
best places to search for our keys, and we may be diligent to pray and read
our Bibles each morning, but why the continual feeling of "I just can't
get a hold of God"? Deuteronomy has the answer. God promises that if
we seek Him, we will find Him, but under one condition: We are to seek
Him with our whole hearts.
Sometimes we give our hearts to so many different desires, and we
only save a small portion of it for God. We spend time with Him in the
morning, but we forget about Him throughout the day. How many times
yesterday did you speak of Him, think of Him, and slip away to talk with
Him? Is God your whole heart's desire?
God is with you right now, waiting for you to seek Him with your
whole heart and soul. Losing keys is always frustrating. Not being able to
find God is even more frustrating and disappointing. But, the Scriptures
give hope. They show us a simple way to find God! May we seek Him
with all of our hearts and souls today!

jEREMIAH 9 II 'l:f- I TIMOTHY 6 335

()ctoher 27

Focused on the Lord

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that
endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied
and faint in your minds.- HEBREWS I2:I-3

T here is one common focus of each Olympic athlete: the gold medal.
Their focus, their goal, is to be able to stand on the platform and
receive the gold medal.
The Christian life is like a race. We have each been given a goal, and
that goal is to remain faithful to Christ until the end of our race. But with
all the other runners around us, it can sometimes be hard to focus on
our race. We can see the journey of others and compare our difficulties
to theirs. When we focus on others rather than Christ, our race will seem
more difficult.
Every runner in the Christian life will face adversity. We all have
to jump hurdles and avoid obstacles. But where we focus during the
adversities of our race determines our outcome.
While your trials may seem overwhelming and you don't think you
can carry on, looking to Christ and reading of how He endured suffering
will put things in perspective. Christ has the strength to overcome the
suffering of the Cross, and He offers it to you.
Are you faithfully running your race in spite of adversity and
setbacks? Sometimes Christians neglect their time with the Lord during
adversity. They feel distant and question God's presence in their lives.
Friend, God will always be there, ready to help you. Seek refuge in the
Lord's presence, and let Him guide and comfort you today.

IEREM!Ail !2 14 * 2 T!MOT!II' [
 October 28

Conquering Mt. Everest

David said moreover, The LoRD that delivered me out of the paw of
the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the
hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LoRD
be with thee.-I SAMUEL 17:37

n 1924, two climbers were part of an expedition that set out to conquer
I Mount Everest. Somewhere on that gigantic mountain, before they
reached the summit, they were overpowered by the elements and died.
After the failure of the expedition, the rest of the party returned home.
Addressing a meeting in London, one of those who returned described
the ill-fated adventure. He then turned to a huge photograph of Mount
Everest, mounted on the wall behind him.
"Everest," he cried, "we tried to conquer you once, but you
overpowered us. We tried to conquer you a second time, but again you
were too much for us. But, Everest, I want you to know that we are going
to conquer you, for you can't grow any bigger, and we can!"
Every time these climbers faced the difficulty of scaling Mount
Everest, they grew stronger in their knowledge of the mountain and their
ability to conquer it. Even so, every time we as Christians face difficulties
and rely on God, He makes us stronger for the next difficulty.
What made David, a young shepherd boy, so confident and eager
to fight Goliath when even the mightiest of Israel's army cowered in
fear? Previous.challenges David had overcome had prepared him for the
present-day battle he was to face. God had given David the victory over a
lion and bear, and David was confident God would deliver the giant into
his hands as well.
Are you facing a new difficulty? Think of all the trials you have
already come through and how much stronger you are because of them!
Do not become discouraged or quit in the middle of the battle; simply
trust God and rely on Him to help you through.

jEREMIAH IS--17 * 2 TIMOTHY 2 337

October 29

Idle Times
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he
saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to
look upon.-2 SAMUEL II:2

s a young boy, I remember my brother and I being somewhat bored

A on a certain afternoon. I'm sure we had been given some instruction
from our mother (which we chose not to follow), but we found ourselves
in the garage where my dad had stored some church tables. There just
so happened to be some red paint and painting supplies in the garage,
as well! It is not difficult to figure out the solution to this equation: two
boys plus tables plus red paint equals trouble! We decided that the tables
would look much better if they were painted red, so we pulled out the
brushes and painted away. It wasn't until our dad came home that we
realized our idea wasn't so great after all. Our idleness had led us into sin,
and our sin had some serious consequences!
Idleness in the life of a Christian is an open invitation for sin. Bible
commentator Matthew Henry once said, "Standing waters gather filth.
The bed of sloth often proves to be the bed of lust:'
Idleness led to sin in David's life. He should have been off at war, but
since he decided to stay home, he found himself looking for something
to do and ultimately committed adultery.
This is every Christian's battle, not just David's. Idleness is the
devil's playground. When you neglect your duties and slack from your
responsibilities, you will find yourself to be easy prey for the devil.
Have you been idle in some area of your life? Perhaps you have
idled in your Bible reading, prayer time, church attendance, or giving.
Don't let the devil get a foothold in your life through idleness. Commit
to persevering for God and to staying busy for Him.

33R jEREMIAH rR l<) * 2 TIMOTHY 3

 October 30

A True Heart of Repentance

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And
Nathan said unto David, The LoRD also hath put away thy sin; thou
shalt not die.-2 SAMUEL 12:13

P resident Abraham Lincoln once said, "We have been the recipients
of the choicest bounties of heaven .... But we have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace,
and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly
imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were
produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated
with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the
necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to
God who made us. It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the
offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency
and forgiveness:'
As President Lincoln pointed out, repentance involves a turning
from the sin committed and a turning to God Almighty. This was true
in King David's life as well. When he was confronted about his sin with
Bathsheba, David realized the sin he had committed was against God. He
confessed his sin and turned from it. God graciously forgave him when
he repented. Aren't you thankful for God's mercy? First John 1:9 says, "If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
God offers you mercy and grace when you sin, but you must, like
David, experience a change of direction in your life. Many people repent
when they get caught, but they never truly forsake their sin.
What sin is preventing you from having an intimate relationship
with God? Because God is holy and just, He cannot commune with
you if there is sin in your life. Realize your sin, repent and turn from
it, and return to sweet fellowship with God. He is waiting to meet with
you today!

JEREMIAH 20 2I 'lf- 2 TIMOTHY 4 339

October 31

God's Promises
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily
thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LoRD; and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart.-PSALM 37:3-4

heard about a young attorney who was eager to appear successful. He

I had just rented his first office and was finishing getting it set up. When
he heard footsteps coming down the hall, he picked up the phone as if
he were scheduling an appointment, even though he did not yet have
phone service. "Let's set up the deposition for tomorrow at 3 PM and
move around my other appointments for the day."
As the gentleman whose steps the lawyer had heard entered his
office, the young lawyer held the phone away from his ear and said, "Yes,
may I help you?" The man replied, ''I'm with the phone company and I'm
here to hook up your phone for you."
Sometimes we have similar problems with pride and ambition. We
can dream of our own plans for our lives and think of ways to scale the
social or economic ladder. Maybe you've been tempted to pursue your
own ambitions at the cost of God's will. Perhaps you've been tempted
with overtime on Sundays, or a job that would take you away from where
God wants you.
Christian, don't believe the devil's false promises of joy and
fulfillment. While his promises look exciting and fun, they only bring
about hurtful consequences. But God's promises of blessing are sure!
God promises that as you follow Him, He will bless you and give you the
desires of your heart.
Has the devil tempted you to follow your own ambition that would
take you away from God? The only thing Satan can offer is pain and
costly consequences. But Christ offers eternal joy and peace! When the
devil seeks to pull you away from God, remember that God's promises
are greater than whatever the devil may offer.

340 }IREM!AH 22 23 '(to TITUS I

N ovetnber l

Enduring His Chastening

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto
children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint
when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening,
God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father
chasteneth not?-HEBREWS 12:5-7

ne pastor said, "Form the habit of heeding His taps, and you will be
O less likely to receive His raps:' Before God chastises us, He brings
conviction-His "taps" on our hearts. He speaks to us through His Holy
Spirit, urging us to correct sin in our lives.
If we do not heed His taps, but ignore His voice oflove, He is forced
to correct our actions through chastening. God doesn't chasten us because
He wishes to do us harm. God corrects us because He loves us and doesn't
want us to be hurt by sin.
God's chastisement can be compared to a loving parent who has
warned his child not to play in the street. One afternoon he sees his son
bouncing a ball in the middle of the road. To prevent future harm to the
child, this parent will correct his son.
Realizing that God has your best interest at heart will help you to
remain faithful during chastening. Christian, if we quit in the midst of
chastening, we lose the benefit of it! God does have a purpose for the
chastening but He cannot accomplish His purpose if we turn from Him.
Are you experiencing God's chastening? Enduring chastening is
never easy, but it is God's way of correcting our path when we stray from
Him. Realize these times are meant to help you, not hurt you. Rather
than resisting God's chastening or ignoring His leading, spend extra time
listening to His voice. Let God correct your path, and allow Him to draw
you closer to Himself through the chastening.

/EREMIAH 24- 26 * TITUS 2

 November 2

Your Steering Wheel

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
-MATTHEW 21:22

D r. Wilbur Chapman often told of his experience when, as a young

man, he become pastor of a church in Philadelphia. After his first
sermon, an elderly gentleman said to him, "You're pretty young to be
pastor of this church. But you preach the Gospel, and I'm going to help
you all I can. I'm going to pray for you that you may have the Holy Spirit's
power upon you. Two others have covenanted to join with me in prayer
for you." These three men gradually became two hundred who met
before every service to pray. The result was that this church received 1,100
members by conversion in three years, 6oo of whom were men. It was the
fruit of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer!
As Christians, prayer is our way of talking with God. He has made
Himself available to us and has given us the privilege of meeting with
Him each day, but too often we take that privilege for granted. To some,
prayer has become little more than a spare tire, only used in case of
emergencies. When we get in trouble or have no way of fixing things
ourselves, we naturally turn to God.
The devil is subtle in getting us to take control of our own lives.
While God should be in the driver's seat, we tend to seek our own way
in life and move God to the back seat. But without God directing us, we
cannot stay on the straight path!
How is your prayer life? Do you hurriedly pray through a list and
rush off to continue your day? Or do you allow God to have control, to be
the steering wheel of your life? Don't let the devil crowd your life with so
many activities that you take over the driver's seat. Let God have control
of your life by spending time with Him each morning and following His
leading the rest of the day.

jEREMIAH 2.7 29 * TITUS' 343

-r-:ovcmber3

God's Two-edged Sword

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin ....
- I PETER 2:21-22

n China's later Han era, there lived a politician name Yang Zhen, a
I man known for his upright character. After Yang Zhen was made a
provincial governor, one of his earlier patrons, Wang Mi, paid him a visit.
As they talked over old times, Wang Mi brought out a large gold cup and
presented it to Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen refused to accept it, but Wang Mi
persisted, saying, "There's no one here but you and me, so no one will
know." "You say no one will know," Yang Zhen replied, "but that is not
true. Heaven will know, and you and I will know, too." Ashamed, Wang
Mi backed down. Subsequently Yang Zhen's integrity won increasing
recognition, and he rose to a high post in the central government.
We all face temptations from Satan, and none of us are strong
enough on our own to resist the devil. How many times have we tried to
say no only to fall into Satan's trap?
Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted. Jesus Christ was woo/o
God while He was on earth, yet He was also 100% man. He felt hunger
when He was without food and felt the pain of the Cross's nails. When
the devil tempted Him, He felt the pull of sin. Each time He was tempted,
however, Jesus quoted God's Word to refute the devil. And each time He
quoted the Bible, Satan left Him alone.
How are you combating the devil's attacks? Are you prepared for
his temptations? Determine now to memorize at least one Bible verse
a week. Pick verses that deal with a weakness or a temptation you face
often. Write the verse down on a 3X5 card and put it on your bathroom
mirror, refrigerator, or somewhere you will see it. As you build your
arsenal of defense, you will be prepared to answer the devil with God's
two-edged Sword.

344 jEREMIAH 30 31 '((- PHILEMON

 ..
November4

Working behind the Scenes

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-1 PETER 5:7

ewscaster Paul Harvey told a remarkable story of God's providential

N care over thousands of Allied prisoners during World War II, many
of whom were Christians. An American bomber took off from the island
of Guam headed for Kokura, Japan. Because clouds covered the target
area, the sleek B-29 circled for nearly an hour until its fuel supply reached
the danger point. The captain and his crew, frustrated because they were
unable to fulfill their mission, finally decided to go for the secondary
target. Changing course, they found the sky clear. The command was
given, "Bombs away!" and the B-29 headed for its home base.
Some time later an officer received startling information from
military intelligence. Just one week before that bombing mission, the
Japanese had transferred one of their largest concentrations of captured
Americans to the city of Kokura. Upon reading this, the officer exclaimed,
"Thank God for that protecting cloud! If the city hadn't been hidden from
the bomber, it would have been destroyed, and thousands of American
boys would have died."
Just as the pilot couldn't see the prisoners under the cloud, we cannot
always see God's purpose behind the trials or unexpected situations in
which we find ourselves. We must simply trust Him.
Maybe you're like me and try to analyze, reanalyze, plan, and
strategize on how to fix those unexpected situations that come into your
life. But God says, "I have everything in control! Don't worry yourself
about what I bring into your life. Have I not promised to take care
of you?"
What storm clouds have come into your life? Rather than trying
to figure everything out, place the situation in God's hands, and let
Him have full control. After all, you never know when a storm cloud is
protecting you from something else.

JEREMIAH 32 33 '11- HEBREWS I 345

 November 5

World's Greatest Demand

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they
hear without a preacher?-ROMANS IO:I4

arly in his career, Thomas Edison invented a vote-recording machine

E for use in legislative chambers. By moving a switch to the right or left,
an official could vote for or against a proposal without leaving his desk.
The machine would replace the tedious business of marking and counting
ballots. Elated with the prospects, Edison obtained a patent and headed
for Washington.
Eagerly, he demonstrated his machine to the Chairman of
Congressional Committees. This gentleman, while complimenting Edison
on his ingenuity, promptly turned it down. "Filibustering and delay in the
tabulation of votes are often the only means we have for defeating bad or
improper legislation;' he told Edison.
The young inventor was stunned. The invention was good; he knew
it, and the chairman knew it. But it wasn't wanted. Edison later said,
"There and then I made a vow that I would never again invent anything
which was not wanted."
There is one need that everyone has-something that no one can go
without. It may not seem to be needful to those that don't have it, but once
you experience it, it changes your life forever. That need is salvation.
Christ offers salvation through His death on Calvary, but many still
need to hear the salvation message. As Christians, it's our job to tell them
of salvation, to get the word out about God's life-changing gift!
Aren't you thankful someone shared God's gift with you? Let
someone else share in that joy as well! Take time today to share God's
message of hope with someone else. Let them know He cares and has
provided a home in Heaven for whoever will believe in Him. Help supply
the world's greatest demand today.

346 jEREMIAH j4 36 'If- HEBREWS 2

 November 6

People Business
And though I have the gift ofprophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- I CORINTHIANS 13:2

I n the 19sos, marketing whiz Stanley Arnold was asked to come up with
a marketing campaign for Remington Rand. The company was among
the most conservative in America with retired General Douglas MacArthur
as its chairman. Intimidated at first by a company that was so much "a
part of America;' Arnold also found in that phrase the first inspiration for
a campaign.
After thinking about it, he went to a New York broker's office to place
the ultimate odd-lot order: one share of every single stock listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. The order came to over $42,ooo for one share
in each of the 1098 companies listed on the Big Board.
Arnold now took his diversified portfolio to Remington Rand's board
of directors, where he argued passionately for a sweepstakes campaign with
the top prize called ''A Share in America." The conservative old gentlemen
shifted around in their seats and discussed the idea for a while. "But Mr.
Arnold;' said one, "we are not in the securities business; we are in the shaver
business.""! agree that you are not in the securities business:' Arnold replied,
"but I think you also ought to realize that you are not in the shaver business
either. You are in the people business." The company bought the idea.
God's main goal is not for us to build a large church, have the most
activities, or design the nicest bulletin; His focus is on the souls of the
people in our communities. The focus of our lives as Christians should be
to reach out to those who don't know Christ and share with them His gift
of salvation.
How many people do you interact with everyday without sharing
God's gift of life with them? When you view people as God views them,
you will have a burden for their eternal destiny.

jEREMIAH 37 39 * HEBREWS 3 347

November 7

Time for God

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, 0 LoRD; in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.- PSALM 5:3

ancelot Andrewes served as royal chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I and

L later to Kings James I and Charles I. He was fluent in 15 languages, and
when the Hampton Court Conference convened in 1604, he was chosen
as one of the translators of the proposed new English Bible. When the
King James Version was published in 1611, his contribution could be seen
in the Pentateuch and the historical books.
Andrewes was also a devout Christian known for his prayer life. He
was often heard to pray:
"Lord, be Thou within me, to strengthen me; without me, to keep
me; above me, to protect me; beneath me, to uphold me; before me, to
direct me; behind me, to keep me from straying; round about me, to
defend me. Blessed be Thou, 0 Lord, our Father, for ever and ever."
Sir Andrewes recognized the importance of bringing his needs
before God each morning. Before he could serve the king or queen, he
had to be prepared by worshipping God through prayer.
How often do you hurry through prayer only to feel weak or lacking
later in the day? We, too, must spend time worshipping God through
prayer before we are ready to enter the workforce or face our day.
Just as without physical food we grow weary, without spiritual food
we grow weary as well. Skipping your daily time with God robs you of the
spiritual nutrition you need!
Did you spend time worshipping God through prayer this morning?
The devil is on the lookout, just waiting to trip you up. Don't give him
the advantage today by neglecting to pray. No matter how much you have
before you, you can always take time for God.

jEREMIAH 40 42 'iC- HEBREWS 4

 Novernber 8

Follow Directions
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
-MATTHEW 4:19

rofessional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a
P caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt
told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer
yes or no:'
During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had
to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his
knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot.
"What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five-iron?""No, Mr. Bolt;'
the caddy said. "What do you mean, not a five-iron?" Bolt snorted. "Watch
this shot." The caddy rolled his eyes. "No-o-o, Mr. Bolt."
But Bolt hit the ball, and it stopped about two feet from the hole.
He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do
you think about that? You can talk now." "Mr. Bolt;' the caddy said, "that
wasn't your ball."
Following directions is important in life. Whether it's map directions,
procedure directions, or assembly directions, instruction and direction is
a large part of our everyday life.
Directions are meant to help us. Despite what some people think,
we do not have all the answers to life. We need God's direction and help to
keep us heading in the right direction.
Just as the golfer in the story silenced his caddy and ignored his pleas,
sadly many Christians have silenced God by ignoring His direction in
their lives. God wants to help guide us, but He can't if we aren't listening
to Him and obeying Him.
Is God leading you in a specific way? Has He given direction that
you are avoiding? Don't silence Him through disobedience; heed His
direction and follow Him. Remember to always be sensitive to the Lord's
instructions, for when you do, you'll always be a success.

JEREMIAH 43 45 ~ HEBREWS 5 34')

November9

Finding Satisfaction
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow
ofturning.-JAMES I:I7

od has a plan for your life, and it is much greater than you or I
G could possibly imagine. The God that created the heavens and the
earth wants to meet with you today. He wants to bless you and show you
things that you never thought possible. Jesus came that we would have
life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Satan, however, works to
entice us to do that which is evil and thus thwart God's awesome plan
for our lives.
In today's verse we are told "every good and perfect gift is from above."
Every good thing that has ever happened to me can be traced to God. The
word perfect here means complete, wanting nothing. God tells us "I have
a complete package here for you called 'life.' You don't need to dabble in
sin. Just keep yourself in love with Me."
Let me put it simply. Do you love God? Are you completely satisfied
with God, or does it take a little bit of the old life to make you happy? Is
God enough for you? God has given us so much-His Word, His mercies
that endure forever, beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets. God
even gave Himself-dying a criminal's death for the sins of the world. All
He asks from us is that we love Him.
Unfortunately, many Christians today say, "Lord, I really appreciate
all those nice things that You've done, but I'm going to go do my own
thing over here. I'll take a bit of what You have to offer and a bit of what
the world can give me."
Are you looking for satisfaction apart from God? Talk to God about
it. Tell Him that you want to come back to that place where He is all you
need. He wants to be your complete satisfaction.

550 jEREMIAH 46 47 'it- IIEBREWS 6

 November 10

Follow in His Patience

Follow peace with all men .. .-HEBREWS 12:14

od commands us to have peace with everyone, not just the people

G who treat us fairly or who are kind to us. If we were to make our
obedience of God's command oflongsuffering dependent on how others
treated us, we would never show patience! There is much injustice in our
world, and we can be assured we will be treated wrongly. That doesn't
mean we are to ignore God's command and react harshly.
Have you ever said something unkind in the heat of a moment that
you later regretted? Many times, a lack of patience can cause us harm.
Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Patience serves as a protection against
wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the
cold increases it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you
must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will
then be powerless to vex your mind." When we practice patience and
longsuffering even when we are wronged, we are protecting ourselves
from reacting harshly and ruining our testimony.
Consider the patience and longsuffering of Christ. Time and time
again He was tempted, mocked, questioned, and discredited; yet He held
His tongue and suffered with silence. Christ endured the pain and shame
of the Cross silently, even though He did not deserve it.
When others treat you wrongly and you feel the urge to retaliate,
think of what the Lord went through during His earthly ministry. He
was abused, mistreated, and unjustly persecuted. Yet as Isaiah 53:7 says,
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Patience is not easy to practice when others wrong you. When you
feel like reacting harshly, ask the Lord to help you become like Him and
respond with patience and love.

)EREM!AH 48 -49 'It- HEBREWS 7 35]

N oven1ber 11

One Last Chance

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.-MARK I6:I5

oger Simms was hitchhiking his way home after serving overseas in the
R war. Flashing the hitchhiking sign to an oncoming car, he hopped in
when the car stopped. "You're in luck if you're going to Chicago;' the driver
said. "I have a business there. My name is Hanover." Roger, a Christian, felt
a compulsion to witness of Christ to this fifty-ish, apparently successful
businessman, but he kept putting it off, until he realized he was just thirty
minutes from his home. It was now or never. So, Roger cleared his throat
and explained the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he
would like to receive Christ as his Saviour. To Roger's astonishment, the
Cadillac pulled over to the side of the road, and Mr. Hanover bowed his
head and received Christ.
Five years went by, and one day Roger decided to look up Hanover
Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was impossible to see Mr. Hanover
but ushered him into a lovely office where he found himself facing a
keen-eyed woman in her fifties. She extended her hand. "You knew
my husband?"
Roger told how her husband had given him a ride after the war. "Can
you tell me when that was?" asked Mrs. Hanover. "It was May 7, the day I
was discharged from the army." Mrs. Hanover asked, "Was there anything
special about that day?" A bit hesitant he replied, "That day I explained
the Gospel, and he received Christ." Explosive sobs shook her body. "I had
prayed for my husband's salvation for years," she sobbed. "He was in a car
crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home."
Had Roger ignored the Spirit's leading, Mr. Hanover would be
spending eternity without Christ.
Do you ever find yourself ignoring God's leading to witness? Commit
right now to being sensitive to God's leading in the area of witnessing, and
let Him use you to tell others of His love.

352 ]EREM!AH 50 "'" IIEilREWS 8

 November 12

Come Boldly
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what
man shall do unto me.-HEBREWS 13:5-6

T he Bible commands us to seek the Lord with great confidence. When

you accepted Christ as your Saviour, you were accepted into the
family of God and given direct access to your Father anytime!
I noticed that when my children were growing up, none of them
were very bashful when asking me for something. When my children
needed something, whether it was money for a youth activity or help
with homework, they never had a problem walking right into my office
or finding me in the house and asking me.
I once heard of a little girl who went to her teacher, looked her
straight in the eye, and calmly said, "Now Miss Hayes, I don't want to
scare you, but my dad said if my grades don't improve, someone's going
to get a spanking." Just as bold as a child can be, we need to learn to come
respectfully, yet boldly to our Lord. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need."
What do you need today? Do you need help with an unexpected
situation in your life? Or perhaps finances have been tight and you don't
know how to make ends meet. Rather than seeking help from a priest or
some other man, you can go directly to the Lord! He is the source of all
help and offers it willingly to you.
Don't be timid in seeking help from the Lord. He tells us that we can
come boldly to Him. Take time alone today to seek God boldly. Approach
Him just as you would approach a friend. Seek Him with an open heart,
and He will hear and help you today.

jEREMIAH 51 ')2. *' I lEBREWS 9 353

November 13

God's Precious Word

The words of the LoRD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, 0 LoRD, thou shalt preserve
them from this generation for ever.-PSALM 12:6-7

s a high school boy, I lived in South Korea where my family served

A as missionaries for a time. One of the things I greatly anticipated
while living in Korea was receiving care packages from America! These
care packages were a blessing to my family, and, occasionally, we would
even receive Snickers bars and other delectable delights from supporting
churches. When I received my Snickers bars, I would not eat them right
away as my brothers and sister did. No, these were precious to me! I
preserved them in my dresser drawer. I kept them protected and safe.
They were rare-special!
I often wonder if we treat God's Word with the same level of care
as I treated those Snickers bars as a teenage boy. God has promised to
preserve His Word. Yet, do we treasure it?
Throughout history, people have tried many different ways to
destroy God's Word. By banning it, burning it, and torturing those who
owned it, some wanted to make sure that the Bible became obsolete. But
God had a different plan. Many men and women have helped preserve
the Bible by resolutely refusing to compromise. They so valued God's
Word that they were willing to lay down their lives rather than surrender
the Scriptures.
Through people like Wycliffe, Tyndale, and many others, God has
preserved His Word as it has passed down from generation to generation.
We can read it and learn from it just as the Christians of the first century
church did!
Do you recognize the treasure you have in God's Word? Read it,
study it, memorize it, obey it-love it. It is God's gift to you.

LAMENTATIONS I 2 '((- HEBREWS !0:1 18

 N oven1ber 14

How Are You Today?

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another...
-}AMES 5:I6

W e are regularly held accountable in routine aspects of life. By signing

a car lease agreement, for example, we are held accountable by the
car dealership to pay for the car.
We also need accountability in our walk with the Lord. We need
someone to come alongside and help steer us toward Christ. No matter
how much resolve or determination we have, we can get off course
spiritually by one little sin.
I once read these questions an author requested a friend ask him for
regular accountability:
1. How is your relationship with God right now?
2. What have you read in the Bible in the past week?
3· What has God said to you in this reading?
4· Where do you find yourself resisting Him these days?
s. What specific things are you praying for in regard to yourself?
6. How are you doing with your spouse? Kids?
7· If I were to ask your spouse about your state of mind, state of
spirit, state of energy level, what would the response be?
8. Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships
right now?
Are you accountable to someone in your life? If not, find someone!
You need accountability to keep you going forward for God. Look for
someone who is godly and more spiritually mature than you in your
church, and ask them to be your prayer and accountability partner. Give
them free reign to ask you about your walk with God, and don't become
offended when they need to confront you about something! Staying
accountable to another Christian keeps you more accountable to God
and more faithful in your walk with Him.

LAMENTATIONS 3 5 ~t> HEBREWS l0:19- 39 355

November 15

Do Something
And of some have compassion, making a difference:-JUDE 22

hen Rosina Hernandez was in college, she attended an event at

W which one young man was brutally beaten by another. No one
made an attempt to stop the beating. The next day she was struck dumb
to learn that the youth had died. She would never forget the incident or
her responsibility as an inactive bystander.
Some years later, Rosina saw another catastrophe. A car driving in
the rain ahead of her suddenly skidded and plunged into Biscayne Bay.
The car landed nose down in the water with only the tail end showing. In
a moment, a woman appeared on the surface shouting for help for her
husband who was stuck inside.
This time Rosina waited for no one. She plunged into the water, tried
unsuccessfully to open the car door, then pounded on the back window
as other bystanders stood watching. First she screamed, begging for help,
then yelled, telling them there was a man dying in the car.
Two men finally came to help. Together they broke the safety glass
and dragged the man out-just in time. Rosina was elated. She had
promised herself that she would never again fail to do anything she could
to save a human life, and she had made good on her promise.
Rosina learned that good intentions are not enough to achieve
something. True compassion demands action.
None of us wish for others to spend eternity in Hell. But simply
wanting something to happen will not get the job done. You must have an
active part in making it happen. God doesn't command us to hope people
accept Him; He commands us to go tell them.
How will people accept Christ if we are not obedient to Christ's
command to tell them? Yes, it is important to love others and pray for
their salvation, but take an active role in witnessing to them and inviting
them to church. When you have true compassion for someone, you will
do whatever it takes to help them.

356 EZEKIEL I 2. ott- IIEBREWS ll:l 19

 November 16

The Swan or the Crane

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
-MATTHEW 6:19-20

T here is an old legend of a swan and a crane. A beautiful swan alighted

by the banks of the water in which a crane was wading about seeking
snails. For a few moments the crane viewed the swan in stupid wonder
and then inquired:
"Where do you come from?" "I come from Heaven!" replied the
swan. "And where is Heaven?" asked the crane. "Heaven!" said the swan,
"Heaven! Have you never heard of Heaven?" And the beautiful bird went
on to describe the grandeur of the Eternal City. She told of streets of gold;
and the gates and walls made of precious stones; and of the river of life,
pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall be for the
healing of the nations. In eloquent terms the swan sought to describe
the hosts who live in the other world, but without arousing the slightest
interest on the part of the crane.
Finally the crane asked: "Are there any snails there?" "Snails!"
repeated the swan. "No! Of course there are not." "Then," said the crane,
as it continued its search along the slimy banks of the pool, "you can have
your Heaven. I want snails!"
All too often we represent the crane. How many times have we
chosen to live for the mundane, lowly things of this world rather than
seeking heavenly things? Rather than focusing on the snails and successes
of this world, we should be aiming to live for Christ and keep Heaven in
mind. Don't be like the crane who was so focused on pleasing himself
that he couldn't see the wonderful blessings the swan was describing.
Keep your focus on God and living for His glory. Allow God's will to be
your main goal and desire as you live on this temporal earth.

EZEKIEL 3 4 * HEBREWS 11:20- 40 357

November 17

Within Reach
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ...
- 2 PETERI:4

poor old widow, living in the Scottish Highlands, was called upon
A one day by a gentleman who had heard that she was in need. The
old lady complained of her condition, and remarked that her son was in
Australia and doing well.
"But does he do nothing to help you?" inquired the visitor. "No,
nothing;' was the reply. "He writes me regularly once a month, but only
sends me a little picture with his letter." The gentleman asked to see one
of the pictures that she had received, and found each one of them to be
a draft for ten pounds.
This widow had been living in poverty not knowing that help was
within her reach! Sadly, this is the condition of many of God's children.
He has given us many"exceeding great and precious promises" which we
either are ignorant of or fail to appropriate.
When you read a promise in the Bible, do you view it as something
you can have, or as a promise someone more spiritual can attain? Christian,
God has given His promises to each and every one of us. The minute you
were saved, each promise was applied directly to your life! God didn't
promise blessings simply for the "super godly" or more spiritual people.
He's given them to you, His child.
So how do you view God's promises? Have you claimed them in
your own life? It has been said that an open Bible and an open heart
place all God's promises within our reach. You can have victory over sin,
supply for your every need, protection from the devil, and grace for every
trial! Simply claim God's promises and allow Him to bless you!
The next time you come across a promise in God's Word, take time
to underline, highlight, or write it out. Then pray over each promise and
ask God to apply it to your life. Have faith that God will come through
on His promise!

35K EZEKIEL 5 7 *- HEBREWS 12

 November 18

Just Two Oranges

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
-MATTHEW 21:22

hile crossing the Atlantic on an oceanliner, the preacher F. B. Meyer

W was asked to address the first class passengers about "Answered
Prayer:' Later, an agnostic man was asked by his friends, "What did you
think of Dr. Meyer's sermon?" He answered, "I didn't believe a word of
it." That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the fourth class passengers.
Many of those who had heard him in the morning went to the afternoon
service as well. Even the agnostic went to the second service, claiming he
just wanted to hear "what the babbler had to say."
On his way to the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket.
He passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep with
her hands open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in
her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily
eating one of the pieces of fruit. "You seem to be enjoying that orange;'
he remarked with a smile.
"Yes, sir," she replied. "My Father is very good to me. I have been
seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I
suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had
not only sent me one orange but two!"
God has blessed us with so much! And yet, He tells us that if we
have need of anything, we can ask Him in faith and He will provide it
for us!
What do you need right now? God has promised to provide as long
as you ask Him in faith! Take time now to seek God in faith with a pure
heart and let Him miraculously provide for your every need!

EZEKIEL 8-IO '((- HEBREWS 13 359

 November 19

Flight 401
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.- HEBREWS 12:2

A s Flight 401 was approaching the Miami airport on December 29,1972,

a green light identifying that the landing gear is properly locked in
the 'down' position, did not illuminate. Immediately the crew investigated
the light failure and found there was a burned out light bulb. The cockpit
crew worked to change the bulb, leaving the plane on autopilot.
Everyone was so busy examining the light that no one noticed the
plane was losing altitude-until it crashed in a swamp in the Everglades.
Because an entire crew became distracted by a small light bulb, many
passengers and crew were killed.
As we approach the holiday season several little lights will come
into your life. There's shopping for gifts, decorating the house, planning
vacation, baking holiday goodies, attending Christmas programs, and so
on. These activities can draw your attention away from the true meaning
of the season.
Be careful to focus on the birth of our Saviour more than on
presents and fun times. As the weather turns colder and snow begins to
fall, remember the white covering Christ gave you when you were saved.
Thank Him for washing away your sin and letting you begin again! As you
purchase gifts for friends and family, thank God for His gift of salvation
on the Cross. And as you enjoy the glow of the fireplace, remember that
we are to be God's light to this lost world. Make this holiday season a time
you reflect on God's blessings in your life.

360 EZlKJELII 13 """)AMES!

 N oven1ber 20

Sacrificial Rewards
Give, and it shall be given unto you .. .-LUKE 6:38

n the latter part of the 17th century, German preacher August H.

I Francke founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of
Halle. One day when Francke desperately needed funds to carry on
his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for a
ducat-a gold coin. Francke politely but regretfully told her he couldn't
help her. Disheartened, the woman began to weep. Moved by her tears,
Francke went to his room to pray. After seeking God's guidance, he felt
the Holy Spirit wanted him to change his mind. Trusting the Lord to
meet his own needs, he gave her the money.
Two mornings later, he received a letter of thanks from the widow.
She explained that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to
shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day Francke received 12
ducats from a wealthy lady and 2 more from a friend in Sweden. He
thought he had been amply rewarded for helping the widow, but he was
soon informed that the orphanage was to receive soo gold pieces from the
estate of Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg. When he heard this, Francke
wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy widow, he had
been enriched, not impoverished.
Think of all that Jesus, the Son of God, could have had on earth. He
could have had the biggest palace with the stateliest clothing, yet He chose
to roam the deserts in a robe, searching for souls to save. He sacrificed
His time, energy, and everything He had for others.
How often do you sacrifice of yourself for others? When was the
last time you spent time, money, or energy simply to help the needs of
others? So many people are struggling financially today, and although
you may not be able to give them money, simply spending time with
them or showing them you care can help them. So ask yourself this, "For
whom can I sacrifice today?"

EZEKIEL 14 15 'lt- )AMES 2 361

Noven1ber 21

Who Controls Your Life?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.- MATTHEW 6:19-21

sn't it amazing how possessions can control someone's life? Many

I people are driven by the desire to have the latest gadget or the newest
toy. But sadly, those things will not last. Only what's done for Christ and
the treasure we've stored in Heaven will last through eternity.
Take a minute to evaluate your life. Where does your treasure lie? Ask
yourself these questions to determine if materialism is affecting your life:
Do I place a greater priority on time in God's Word than
leisure time?
Do work or hobbies take the place of my weekly
church attendance?
Am I under financial pressure due to overspending?
Do I find myself consumed with the desire to have the
latest gadget?
Am I hesitant to increase my giving to God because of other
debts I owe?
It is easy to find ourselves under the pulls of materialism and envy.
Companies market toward those natural human tendencies! As Christians,
however, we must place God's work before our own desires.
Is God's work important in your life? Then don't allow the pull of this
world to dictate your priorities. Place God first in your life today. Pursuing
God brings more blessings than pursuing blessings. When you place God
first in your life, He promises to give you the desires of your heart.

362 EZEKIEL !6 17 •,C. JAMES 3

 November 22

BeYeKind
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.- EPHESIANS 4:32

wo young men were working their way through a university. When

T their funds got desperately low, they sought to engage the pianist,
Paderewski, for a recital and devote the profits to their school bill. The
great pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of two thousand dollars.
Undaunted, the students proceeded to stage the concert. They worked
hard, only to find the concert raised just sixteen hundred dollars. They
gave the entire sixteen hundred dollars to the great artist, accompanied
with a promissory note for four hundred dollars, explaining that they
would earn and send the money to him at the earliest possible moment.
"No;' replied Paderewski, "that won't do." Tearing the note to shreds,
he returned the money and said, "Now, take out all of your expenses, and
keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me
have the rest."
The years rolled by-years of fortune and destiny. Paderewski
became Premier of Poland. When the devastating war came, he was
striving to feed thousands of starving people in his country. There was
only one man in the world who could help Paderewski and his people.
When thousands of tons of food were sent into Poland for
distribution, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover for
the relief. "That's all right;' was Mr. Hoover's reply. "Besides, you don't
remember it, but you helped me once when I was a college student in
a hole."
In reading the Scriptures, one cannot help but notice Jesus' kindness.
His kindness was not reserved for the scholars, rich, or religious people,
but He displayed kindness to everyone He met.
How often do we rush about neglecting those who need our help?
Choose to live today with kindness, and let others see the kindness of
Christ through you.

EZEKIEL 18 I<) * )AMES 4 363

November 23

Get Better, Not Bitter1

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
-HEBREWS 12:15

W hen Matthew Henry was robbed one night, he refused to become

bitter. Instead he recorded this prayer in his diary: "I thank Thee
first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they
took my purse they did not take my life; third, because although they
took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed,
and not I who robbed:'
Have you ever known someone who lived with anger and bitterness
in their hearts? Maybe they had been wronged or someone had mistreated
them years ago, yet they still held onto the hurt feelings.
Think of how many times the Lord was wronged as He lived on
earth. Yet nowhere in the Bible do we read of Jesus harboring feelings of
bitterness or anger. Rather than holding onto the hurt, He trusted His
Father to take care of the situation.
No matter how long you nurse a grudge, it won't get better. The root
of bitterness is like an infection that spreads from one person to the next.
Often bitter people share their bitterness with others. Before you know it,
many people are feeling hurt and bitter over something that didn't even
happen to them! You cannot harbor bitterness without affecting others.
Have you been wronged? Did someone treat you unfairly or hurt
you in some way? Rather than holding onto that bitterness and feeling
angry, give it to the Lord. Consider how many times Jesus could have
become bitter at those who mistreated Him-but He didn't! He showed
love and forgiveness when others persecuted Him. Ask God to help
you let go of the hurt feelings you still have. And the next time you feel
hurt or bitter, seek the Lord's help in letting go of the bitterness and
forgiving others.

364 EZEKIEL 20 21 'If- )AMES S

 N oven1ber 24

Praise His N arne

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.-1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

once read a story of a Christian singer who was diagnosed with cancer
I of the tongue. Just before the surgery that would remove both the
cancer and his ability to sing, he questioned the doctor," Sir, are you sure
that I will never sing again after this surgery?" The doctor nodded.
The patient asked if he could sit up for a moment. "I've had many
good times singing the praise of God;' he reminisced. "And now you tell
me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of
gratitude and praise to God." And there in the operating room, the man
sang the words of Isaac Watts' hymn: "I'll praise my Maker while I've
breath, and when my voice is lost in death. Praise shall employ my nobler
powers; my days of praise shall ne'er be past, while life, and thought, and
being last, or immortality endures."
We are quick to complain, but slow to praise. When things don't go
as planned-we complain. When some setback has come our way-we
complain. When someone neglects us-we complain. Very rarely do we
stop to consider God's purposes in the events of our lives or to thank
God for what He has given us.
The man in our story was so used to singing God's praises that it
was second nature to him to praise God even in the midst of a storm.
Never forget that even in the midst of trials, God's hand of mercy is on
you. Choose to praise Him even in your darkest hours, for He never
ceases to be good.
List at least ten things for which you can praise God, and spend
time thanking God for the many ways He has blessed you.

EZEKIEL 22 -23 * I PETER I 365

November 25

He's So Good to Me
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.-NAHUM 1:7

orrie Ten Boom was in a concentration camp in Germany with her

C sister during World War II. Years after the war, as she reflected on
God's goodness, she wrote, "Often I have heard people say, 'How good God
is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the
lovely weather!' Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God
was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before
my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when
I was very discouraged. Everything around us was dark, and there was
darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had
forgotten us. 'No, Corrie; said Betsie, 'He has not forgotten us. Remember
His Word: For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy
toward them that fear Him."'
Have you ever praised God's goodness when skies were blue, but
questioned Him when the storm clouds rolled into your life? We easily
praise God when things go well but neglect Him when we find ourselves
in trouble.
We sometimes think the Christian life is a life of relaxation, happiness,
and ease. While there is joy and ease of burdens, God never said the
Christian life would be a breeze. We still face loss, trials, difficulties, and
tough times. It is often when things aren't going exactly as we planned
them, that we think God isn't being good to us. But just the opposite is
true! God always has our best interest at heart! Everything He does is for
our benefit-even trials.
Have you questioned God's goodness during a trial? Don't allow
Satan to take your focus off God and onto difficulties. Never forget that
God has saved you from eternal punishment and has blessed you with so
many things! Remember that God is always good no matter what happens
in your life.

3116 EZEKIEL 24 26 'tt- 1 PETLR 2

 November 26

1 Outof360
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord jesus Christ.- EPHESIANS 5:20

aying my way through Bible college, I remember one company I

P worked for gave every employee a Cornish hen as a Christmas present.
For me, this was an amazing thing that they would purchase hens and
give them to each employee, and the Lord laid it on my heart to write a
thank you note to the president of that company. I wrote a simple note
that said, "You don't know me and I don't know you, but you gave me a
Cornish hen for Christmas and I appreciate it. My family and I enjoyed it
and would like to thank you for your thoughtfulness."
After receiving that note, the president, a multi-millionaire of a large
corporation in Southern California, came to the parts counter where I
worked the swing shift and said, "Are you Paul Chappell?" I answered,
"Yes:' He replied, "Well I'm Bill Shepherd and here's the note you sent to
me in the mail. I just wanted to let you know that out of 360 employees,
you were the only one to say thank you."
We live in an ungrateful society. While as Christians we seek to
center our lives on God and live for Him, sometimes the materialistic
pull of this world can affect us and we forget to be thankful.
God doesn't owe us anything, but He blesses us daily. For the gift
of salvation alone we should praise God each day. But He has given us
so much more. Take a minute now and list what God has given you: a
home, family, health, food, friends, a home in Heaven, His grace, mercy,
forgiveness. The list could continue indefinitely, for God continues
blessing you each day.
When was the last time you thanked the Lord for all He's done for
you? Rather than assuming an "I deserve it" attitude, seek to glorify God
and thank Him for everything good in your life today.

EZEKIEL 27-29 <;Co I PETER 3 367

November 27

What I Don't Need

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion
of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And
not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his
journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous
living-LUKE 15:12-13

n the fifth century, a man named Arenius left Egyptian society in his
I determination to live a holy life. Although he lived simply in the desert,
he often visited the great city of Alexandria. When asked why he spent so
much time browsing through the city's bazaars, he explained that doing
so caused his heart to rejoice at the sight of all the things he didn't need.
Arenius took joy in knowing he did not need the luxuries of Egypt
to be happy. How different the average Christian is today. Most people
walk through a store and become depressed at all they wish they had.
Notice how the prodigal son "took his journey into a far country."
One thing that happens when someone becomes materialistic is he
becomes discontent with his present environment.
Some will change their career five to six times. Whether it's for a
raise in pay, a bigger house, or an easier workload, many people become
dissatisfied with where they are and seek to move on. When the pursuit
of bigger and better possessions and an easier lifestyle is the motivation
behind your career change, beware of the devil's trap of materialism.
The materialistic person has no desire for the Heavenly Father.
When someone is consumed with the idea of getting ahead, they have no
time for church or for spending time with God.
When making life-changing decisions, seek godly counsel from
your pastor, godly authority, and God's Word. While many live to satisfy
their own desires, we are to live to satisfy God's will for our lives. When
you keep Christ as the center of your life and allow Him to reveal His will
for you, you can avoid the trend of materialism.

EZEKIEL jO 32 'If- I PETER 4

 November 28

Eternal Investments
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.-MATTHEW 6:19~21

T here are many myths associated with materialism. It seems that

people believe if you make enough money and invest it wisely, you
will always have enough for a rainy day. But, as can be seen in the stock
market crash of 1929 and in more recent economic struggles, the only
true form of prosperity is found not in the economy or stocks and bonds,
but in the eternal treasure of Heaven.
If there is one thing we learn from the instability and uncertainty
of our world, it is that nothing lasts. Money, possessions, and nobility
are only temporary. Investing in God's Heavenly "bank" and laying up
treasures in Heaven pays dividends beyond measure.
Christ made it clear that the goal of the Christian life is to honor
and glorify God, and anything that gets in the way is to be forsaken. He
knew that wherever we placed our treasure or wealth would show where
our heart is.
In Matthew 6:33 the Lord points out the key to true success, "But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you." Our goal should not be to lay up treasures on
earth and gain material wealth, but to seek Christ and invest our treasure
in His work.
Where do your finances and possessions lie? Do they come between
you and the Lord and keep you from seeking Him? Or are you stewarding
your finances and investing in Heavenly treasures? The Lord is clear on
what our relationship with possessions should be. Make sure that the
devil hasn't brought your possessions between you and God. Keep God
first in your life, and He will provide for your every need!

EZEKIEL 33-34 'if- I PETER 5 369

 Nove1nbcr 29

He's Listening to You

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.- HEBREWS 4:16

T hings looked bleak for the children of George Muller's orphanage in

England. It was breakfast time, and there was no food and no money
in the home's account. A small girl whose father was a close friend of
Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took her hand and said, "Come
and see what our Father will do:'
In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and
empty mugs. Muller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou
art going to give us to eat:' Immediately, they heard a knock at the door.
It was the local baker. "Mr. Muller," he said, "I couldn't sleep last night.
Somehow I felt you had no bread, so I got up at two o'clock and baked
fresh bread." Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His
cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He wanted to give the
children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it. M tiller thanked
him and gave praise to God.
What if George Muller hadn't had time to ask God to provide
for him? What if he was busy calling friends and trying to arrange for
others to provide food for the orphanage? He would have never seen God
provide a miracle!
Even so, how can God provide for you if you never ask Him? God
has the largest supply of resources. He owns whatever it is that you need,
and He desires to give it to you! He wants to help you, but you must
ask Him.
Are you experiencing a trial in your life? Do you have a need?
Friend, you have a God who desires to help you! Rather than trying to
figure things out on your own, look to Him and let Him show Himself
strong by providing for you. After all, He's waiting-listening for you to
call out to Him.

370 EZEKIEL 35 j6 '(~- 2 PETER I

 November 30

Finding Strength in Him

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.- HEBREWS 4:I5

E arly African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in

private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the
thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to
these places became well worn. If one of these believers began to neglect
prayer, the others would kindly remind him, "Brother, the grass grows
on your path!'
While other religions have a deity they worship, Christianity is set
apart in that our God desires to personally spend time with us. He desires
to share His heart with us and provide help for us each day.
We all have infirmities or weaknesses in our lives. We have had
times when we were unable to accomplish something because of our
weakness-whether it be spiritual, emotional, or physical. People turn to
many different sources to find help with weaknesses. Some look to positive
thinking or psychiatry. While these practices may help in some areas, the
only solution or help for spiritual weakness is found in Jesus Christ.
When we are weak, Christ is strong. His strength is made perfect in
our weakness! God has all the strength we need in order to live for Him
and follow His will for our lives. He desires to give us His strength! We
must simply spend time with Him and ask Him for it. How often have
you been so busy you missed your time with God and then had a tough
time living for the Lord that day?
Have you spent time with Christ today? Did you seek His strength
to help you? Don't be discouraged by your weakness, because we all
have weaknesses! Rather than feeling discouraged, look to the Lord for
strength in overcoming your weakness. Spend time with Him right now
and seek His strength as you live for Him today!

EZEKIEL 37 39 'If- 2 PETER 2 371

DECEMBER
(~
Decetnber l

Enjoying an Early Christmas

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of
our salvation. Selah.- PSALM 68:19

hy wait until Christmas morning to enjoy the excitement of opening

W gifts when you and I can begin opening God's gifts today?
God is the giver of unspeakable gifts-that's who He is. He is the
giver of grace when our strength has failed. He is the giver of forgiveness
when our flesh has won. He is the giver of love when our world comes to
an end. He is the giver of strength when our spirit is faint. He is the giver
of the finest gifts of all. Let us look at some specific gifts you and I can
enjoy every day.
God gives thegiftofsupply. During this holiday season, let's remember
that God supplies our needs. Philippians 4:19 says, "But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
God gives the gift ofsecurity. The opposite of security is vulnerability.
Instead of living a life of questioning and wondering "what if;' God is
presenting you and me with a gift of security-a life of peace with Christ
Jesus. John 10:28 says, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
God gives the gift of salvation. Once you and I have trusted Christ as
our personal Saviour, we receive God's gift of salvation. Second Peter 3:9
proves that God wants everyone to have this gift, "The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come
to repentance."
Instead of waiting for the thrill of tearing open presents on
Christmas Day, begin enjoying the thrill of God's gifts. Seek the Lord;
enter His presence; rest in the promises of His provision, His security,
and His salvation.

374 EZEKIEL 40 41 'lfo 2 PETER 3

 December 2

He Came Down to Us
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;- ROMANS 3:23

don't know about you, but coming up short has never been a very
! exciting experience in my life. For example, not long ago I was at a fast
food restaurant with a couple of my children. After placing our order,
I reached into my pocket and was surprised to find three one-dollar
bills. I knew there was a larger bill somewhere in my wallet; so as the
line of frustrated customers grew behind me, I began a frantic search.
It soon became very obvious that there was no money; I had come up
short financially.
Sometimes a student falls short of a needed grade point average,
or a traveler arrives at his airport gate just a little too late. It never feels
good to come up short in any situation! Did you know the commonality
or universal truth of mankind is found in the fact that we all fall short of
God's glory?
You are probably thinking, "Is this what I have to hear about
today-I fall short of God's glory? Merry Christmas to you, too." It is
important for you to understand this truth if you are going to appreciate
the fact that although you fall short, Jesus in His love came down to you.
Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace."
Because we fall short of God's glory, Jesus, God in the flesh, came
down to us. He offers the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of
eternal life as a free gift. Romans 6:23 says, "... the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord." If you have never accepted Jesus Christ,
ask Him to be your Saviour today, and receive the greatest Gift of all this
holiday season. If you have received Jesus as your Saviour, thank Him for
sacrificing Himself for you.

EZl'Kl EL 42 -44 * I jOHN [ 37S

December 3

What Are You Missing?

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and
they shall walk, and not faint.- ISAIAH 40:31

hile walking through the forest one day, a man found a young eagle
W that had fallen out of his nest. He took it home and put it in his
barnyard where it soon learned to eat and behave like the chickens. One
day a naturalist passed by the farm and asked why it was that the king of
all birds should be confined to live in the barnyard with the chickens. The
farmer replied that since he had given it chicken feed and trained it to be
a chicken, it had never learned to fly.
"Still it has the heart of an eagle;' replied the naturalist, "and can
surely be taught to fly:' He lifted the eagle toward the sky. The eagle,
however, was confused. He did not know who he was, and seeing the
chickens eating their food, he jumped down to be with them again.
After several unsuccessful attempts in the barnyard, the naturalist
took the eagle out to a high mountain. There he held the king of the birds
high above him and encouraged him again. The eagle looked around,
down to the earth and up to the sky. Then he began to tremble. Slowly
he stretched his wings, and with a triumphant cry, soared away into
the heavens.
This eagle didn't know what he was missing in the barnyard. He
was willing to scratch for birdseed when he could be flying among the
most revered birds in the animal kingdom.
What is your birdseed today? Is there something in your life that you
are holding on to so tightly that God cannot fill your life with blessings?
Let God have whatever is holding you back. Open your life and your
heart to Him and to His will for your life, and let Him pour His blessings
upon your life today!

EZEKIEL 45 46 o,to l )OliN 2

 December4

The True Light of Christmas

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they
saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young child was.- MATTHEW 2:9

D ecorative Christmas lights are not the true lights of Christmas. The
wise men were guided by a star to the true light-Jesus Christ.
When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, His light remained on earth.
Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path." Second Peter 1:19 says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark
place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."
We still have the true light of Christmas. The light came in swaddling
clothes on the first Christmas; today the light comes through the Bible.
The Bible is a living book. Its truths are just as relevant and needed today
as they were two thousand years ago.
When we read the Bible, the light of the Bible begins its unique
work-removing the darkness in our lives. After reading a portion of
Scripture we may think, "Wow! I really needed that:' or "I never saw that
truth before." Or, we may suddenly close the Bible because it hit a painful
area in our lives, or because it convicted our "stubborn" minds.
When you read the Bible, are you willing to change your mind every
time the Lord convicts your heart? Are you willing to let the light of Jesus
Christ shine through you even if that means changing your thoughts, your
preferences, or your convictions? When we are not willing to change our
minds, it is as if we are saying, "Lord, in that area, I choose darkness:'
God's Word is alive and ready to change your life. The wise men
traveled from afar to seek the light of Christmas. Are you willing to travel
to the Bible on your shelf to seek the true light of Christmas?

EZEKIEL 47 48 * I JOHN 3 377

I DecemberS

A Woman Yielded to God

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those
things which were told her from the Lord.- LUKE 1:45

an you imagine Mary's surprise when she found out that she was
C pregnant with the Son of God? Can you imagine the initial fear
and shock as the announcement from Gabriel reverberated in her mind?
How would she tell Joseph, the man she was espoused to marry, that she
was pregnant by the Holy Ghost? Would he still want to marry her? In
those days, the punishment for an offence against an espousal was great.
Would Joseph understand the situation?
Luke 1:38 gives us insight into the character of Mary and her
yielded spirit towards God and His divine plan: "And Mary said, Behold,
the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the
angel departed from her." To put this in today's vernacular, this was not
a planned pregnancy, and Mary's friends and relatives would probably
counsel her to not go through with the ordeal.
Thankfully, Mary was sensitive to the Lord's will. She was yielded
to Him even in a confusing and difficult circumstance. Because of her
willingness to accept God's plan, she brought forth the Saviour of this
world on that first Christmas morning.
Mary was a living testimony that God is ready to assume full
responsibility for the life that is completely yielded to Him. You may say,
"I just don't know if I should step out by faith and trust God." I believe
Mary was saying, "Lord, I'm going to keep on believing, and I'm going to
leave the results up to You; because if I follow Your Word, You will take
care of me."
The God of Mary is the same God who has promised to supply all of
your needs (Philippians 4:19). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever
(Hebrews 13:8). Will you yield your will to His divine plan? Remember
that God is waiting to bless the life that is wholly yielded to Him.

378 DANIEL I- 2 <cC-- I JOHN 4

 December 6

All I Need Is His Applause

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for
ye serve the Lord Christ.-COLOSSIANS 3:23-24

0 ne man related the advice his grandfather gave him: "There are two
kinds of people-those who do the work and those who take the
credit. Always try to be in the first group; there is less competition there:'
We all like for our work to be recognized. Sometimes we're even
tempted to serve from the wrong motive, pridefully desiring recognition.
Other times we begin our service from the right motive, but become
distracted by others' applause. But for the Christian who loves God
supremely, the greatest reward for labor is not the praise of men; it is the
approval of God.
When you accomplish a task, and someone praises your hard
work, do you find satisfaction with the applause of man? God is not
interested in this type of service. When you sneak into your prayer closet
after everyone has gone to bed and sacrifice sleep in order to know your
Saviour better, God applauds.
Before God tells us to love Him with our strength, He tells us to love
Him with our hearts. "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:s). We
may attract the praise of men, but do our hearts, lives, and service please
God? God doesn't need your abilities; He doesn't need your creativity; He
doesn't need your talents. God desires your whole heart!
What ministry would you fail to serve in if no one would ever
know? In what way can you serve the Lord today that will not be known
by anyone but the One you serve? The service you do for the Lord will be
richly rewarded by Him. He sees, and He applauds.

DANIEL 3-4 * I JOHN 5 379

December 7

Remaining Sensitive
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day
of redemption.- EPHESIANS 4:30

ecember 7, 1941-two American soldiers in Hawaii were assigned

D to keep vigil on the radar screen in 0' ahu at the island's northern
tip. When many dots appeared on the radar screen, the officer in charge
assumed they were incoming American planes and ignored them.
Unfortunately, his assessment was wrong as the 7:48AM attack on Pearl
Harbor proved. Had this officer been more sensitive to the information
he received, he may have been able to help prevent some of the damage
of this infamous attack.
The Holy Spirit convicts us when we sin, but if we do not heed His
warnings, we will fall. When we ignore His warnings, we bring harm to
ourselves. Today we will see three actions that we must avoid when the
Holy Spirit convicts us.
First, we must avoid resisting the Spirit. In Acts 7:51, Stephen
addresses those who were resisting the work of the Holy Spirit, "Ye
stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy
Ghost...." These people resisted the Holy Spirit's guidance and conviction
and were living ungodly lives.
Second, we must avoid quenching the Holy Spirit
(1 Thessalonians 5:19). If I were to yell at or ignore my wife, her spirit
would be quenched. She would probably avoid talking to me until I made
things right. Even so, when we resist or ignore the Holy Spirit's warnings,
He is quenched and will no longer try to help us avoid sin until we make
things right with Him.
Last, we must avoid grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). The
Holy Spirit is a person just as God the Father and God the Son. We grieve
the Holy Spirit when we live ungodly, worldly lives.
Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction in your life? Strive
to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit in your life today.

380 DANIEL<; 7 o~ 2 )OHN

 December 8

The Available God

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full ofgrace and
truth.-}OHN 1:14

L et's look at the humble stable in which Jesus was born for a moment.
Many of the stables were actually limestone caves in the side of a
mountain, and in each cave a feeding trough or manger was filled with
hay for the animals that grazed in the nearby pastures. On that first
Christmas morning, the Messiah was placed into a lowly manger.
I believe this symbolizes the availability of our Saviour. He could
have been born into a beautiful palace where none of us could have
gotten past the front gates. Instead, He chose to be born where anyone
could come to Him. The Lord and Creator of the universe became poor
in order to reach us, the needy ones.
It is interesting that all year long church bells ring, choirs sing,
preachers preach, yet many who need Christ turn away. Then as the
year draws to a close, Christmas offers its wonderful message: He who
resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain,
knew our sorrows, and died for our sins.
Not only is Jesus available, He is also approachable. There were
no guards to keep people away; there was no required payment or
membership. The rugged, hard-working shepherds came to Him, and
later the wealthy and educated wise men came to Him. Anyone-men
and women, young and old, rich and poor-can come to Him because
He is approachable.
To the weary He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden" (Matthew n:28). He tells the thirsty to come to Him and
drink (John 7:38). Have you approached Him today? Have you brought
your needs and your burdens to Him? He is available to all who approach
Him by faith.

DANIEL 8 10 '((-. 3 JOHN 3Ri

He Understands
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
-HEBREWS 4:15-16

hen my son Larry was younger, I took him outside one day to
W teach him how to play basketball. I would shoot and show him
the techniques, then hand him the ball. He struggled to get it to the rim.
Finally after I made a shot, Larry said, "Yeah, it's easy for you up there,
Dad, but you don't know what it's like from down here!"
While I didn't know what it was like to shoot from Larry's level, our
Heavenly Father does know what it is like to experience the difficulties
of life down here on earth. Christ knows the trials we are going through,
and He understands the pressures we feel.
During one twenty-four hour period, Jesus lost a loved one, was
drawn away from having personal time with His Father, faced a needy
multitude of people, and had to rescue His disciples from a storm (see
Matthew 14).
Yet Christ endured these situations and continued about His
Father's business. He didn't get upset or bitter at the circumstances-He
simply obeyed God. When things don't go the way we plan, we too must
trust God and turn to Him for help.
Christ knows what we are going through, and He offers to help us.
We can approach Him boldly with our struggles and pressures because
He has gone through them as well!
Are you going through a trial or difficulty in your life? Christ
understands, and He wants to help you. Take time right now to seek His
help and comfort. Trust Him to strengthen and guide you as you live for
Him today.

382 DANIEL !I 12 '((- )UDE

 December 10

When God Is Silent

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman, made under the law,-GALATIANS 4:4

fter the world endured silence for four hundred years (from the last
A verse of the Old Testament until the birth of John the Baptist was
announced), the most miraculous event in human history took place-
our Saviour was born. God works through silence. Even though we
cannot always trace His every move, He is still working in our lives.
A story has been told of a man who was told by the Lord to push
against a giant boulder with all his might. Day after day he toiled from
sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive
surface of the unmoving rock. Each night the man returned to his cabin
sore and worn out.
After months of pushing with no signs of accomplishment, the man
approached the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in
your service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet,
after all this time, I have not even budged the rock by half a centimeter. I
am failing You."
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, I only asked
you to push against the rock. I did not tell you to move it. You think you
have failed, but look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your
back sinewy and sturdy, your hands are callused from constant pressure,
and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you
have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to
have. You have accomplished all I asked. It is My job to move the rock."
God wants to use you, and He is strengthening you through times of
waiting, solitude, and uncertainty. When God is silent, He is still working.
Remain obedient and open to His will. Even though you cannot always
see Him working, He is! The question is, "Will you remain faithful when
He is silent?"

HOSEA 1--4 '($o REVELATION l 383

December ll

A Season for Receiving

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.-}AMES 1:17

A wife told her husband, "Last night I dreamed you gave me two
hundred dollars to spend on a Christmas wardrobe. Surely you
wouldn't do anything to spoil a dream like that, would you?" "Of course
not;' he replied. "You may keep the two hundred dollars."
Yes, this is the season for giving and receiving, but as this story
illustrates, some people are a little stingy in their giving. I want to tell
you about a very generous Giver. In fact, He gave to us the greatest gift of
all-eternal life. For some people, it is so incredible-so unbelievable-
that they have trouble accepting this gift. One man said, "I was brought
up to believe that you got what you earned ... nothing comes free. The gift
of salvation is incredible to a guy like me:'
John 1 tells how Jesus Christ came to earth, how some people
rejected Him, but how others received Him as their Saviour. Verse 12
says, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name." If this is truly a season for receiving, why don't
you accept this gift and become a son or daughter of God right now?
Maybe you have already received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, but
have you received His Word? James 1:21-22 says, "Wherefore ... receive
with meekness the engrafted word ... But be ye doers of the word, and not
hearers only ...." God commands us in this passage to not only be hearers,
but doers of the Word. Wouldn't receiving God's Word and then obeying
it be a great gift to give back to Jesus Christ this Christmas?
Friend, once you have accepted Jesus Christ and received His Word,
your holidays can truly be a season of rejoicing.

3R4 HOSEA 5 8 '!t- REVELATION 2

 December 12

Keeping Christ in Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee ... To be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife ... And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.-LUKE 2:4-5, 7

n the year 1809, Napoleon was sweeping through Austria, destroying

I all who stood in his way. The world watched as Napoleon worked to
dominate the world. Nobody was concerned about babies. But the world
was overlooking some terribly significant births.
For example, William Gladstone was born that year. He was destined
to become one of England's finest statesmen. That same year, Alfred
Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would
one day greatly affect the literary world in a marked manner.
On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born
in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That same year produced the cries of a
newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky-
Abraham Lincoln.
If there had been news broadcasts at that time, I'm certain these
words would have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped
on an Austrian battlefield today." But history was actually being shaped in
the cradles of England and America. Similarly, everyone thought taxation
was the big news when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled
the biggest news of all-the birth of the Saviour.
During the Christmas season, people often become wrapped up
in the rush of the moment. There are gifts to be bought, dinners to fix,
plans to make, traveling to take place, and decorations to be hung. It is
easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas-the birth of Christ. Don't
involve yourself too much in the hustle and bustle of the season that you
fail to include God. Take time to read the Christmas story (Luke 1-2) often
during tllis season, and tllank God for sending His Son to die for you.

HOSEA 9 II 'II- REVELATION 3 31<5

T December 13

A Taxing Pressure
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
-LUKE 2:5

"ressure comes to all of us-even to those of us who are committed

.. P to following God's will. First Peter 4:12 gives you and me a "heads up"
. regarding life's pressures: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you."
There is something in us that resists pressure, but all pressure is not
bad, nor should it be resisted. Mary and Joseph were under enormous
pressure in the midst of the most beautiful story recorded in the Bible.
They were required to travel to Bethlehem, the city of Joseph's birth, to
pay their taxes. Imagine the pressure on Joseph. He was taking Mary away
from her family and her home at a crucial time in her life, and he had
no concrete promises with which to comfort her family-no promises of
where they would stay, or how the baby would be delivered.
In the midst of pressure, sometimes it seems as if God is not working,
but that is not true. During intensity, God is causing us to mature. He
allows us to go through uncertainty and pressure to strengthen our trust
in Him and our relationship with Him.
Someone once prayed, "When we long for life without difficulties,
remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are
made under pressure." Through pressures come victories. If Joseph
had not been willing to endure the pressures of traveling to Bethlehem,
the Christmas story would be drastically different. God used Joseph to
accomplish part of His plan-the birth of His Son.
What part of God's plan has not been accomplished because we
were not willing to endure the pressure? What jobs have been on hold
because of our lack of trust in God? As you seek strength from the Lord
through pressure, claim 2 Corinthians 12:9, " ... My strength is made perfect
in weakness."

386 HOSEA 12 14 '1fo< REVELATION 4

 December 14

Gifts under the Tree

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.-2 CORINTHIANS 9:I5

'l'ead that over approximately twenty-five to thirty million Americans

l
, , purchase fresh-cut Christmas trees each year. Families all over the
nation are happily preparing their tree for Christmas morning when
bright packages will bring excitement to both children and adults.
But the most significant tree of the Christmas season is not the one
in your family room; it is the tree that was formed into a cross on a lonely
hill just outside of Jerusalem. On that tree, God placed the greatest gift
of all-the Saviour.
God's sacrificial gift brought us into the very presence of God.
Matthew 1:23 says, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring
forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted
is, God with us." The reason the angels and shepherds rejoiced after Jesus'
birth was because they had been in the very presence of God's Son.
I recently heard of a woman who left her husband. The husband
called the police and filed a missing persons report. The police found
her living at a rundown hotel. By this time her husband realized how
badly he had treated his wife. He began to write her many letters. Finally
Christmas came, and he went to visit her. "Won't you please come home?"
he asked. She complied. On the way home, he said, ''I've written you for
months, why did you come home so easily this time?'' Her answer was,
"Those were just letters. This time you came in person:'
The greatest gift ever given was when Jesus came to earth in
person and was crucified on the Cross for our sins. Thank God for His
unspeakable gift. Spend time basking in His presence as you read His
Word. Remember, too, that God's presence is with you always. He will
never leave or forsake you-not even for a second.

JOEL 'If- REVELATION 5 387

December 15

Being Used of God

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto
her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled
at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should
be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found
favour with God.- LUKE 1:27-30

hat made Mary so special? Why was she "highly favored by God"?
W Why did God choose Mary through whom to send His Son to
earth instead of another woman in Israel?
Mary was prepared. It is prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 that Jesus would
be born to a virgin, "Therefore the Lord himselfshall give you a sign; Behold,
a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Mary was morally pure. She had remained chaste and pure
throughout her life. She followed God's laws, allowing God to use her in
a mighty way.
So many times we want to be used of God, but we don't want to
obey His guidelines. We want God to bless our lives, but we refuse to give
our lives to Him. Mary understood that there were rules to be followed
to be used of God, and she obeyed them. Is following our own rules
and "doing our own thing" so important to us that we would forfeit the
blessings that God wants to give us?
Do you want to be used by God? Don't allow your life to be wasted
by not letting Christ use you. What in your life may be holding you back
from being used by God? Remove any hindrances from your life that are
preventing Him from using you. Let God use you to do amazing things
for His glory!

AMOS I 3 * REVELATION 6
 Decen1ber 16

Humility to Humanity
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.- LUKE 2:6-7

ave you ever considered the bleakness of the first Christmas? There
H were no festivities or Christmas dinners or joyful carols. Jesus Christ
did not make a grand entrance into this world; He came in humility. Instead
of being wrapped in the finest materials, He was wrapped in swaddling
clothes. Mary and Joseph found a manger-a trough for animals-where
baby Jesus could sleep. Our King of kings and Lord of lords entered
humanity clothed in humility.
Following in the footsteps of Christ begins with living a life of
humility. Samuel Morse, the famous inventor of the electric telegraph and
originator of Morse Code, was once asked if he ever encountered situations
where he didn't know what to do. Morse responded, "More than once, and
whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God
for light and understanding."
Morse received many honors for the telegraph but felt unworthy: "I
have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior
to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must
reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me."
Samuel Morse responded humbly when praised for his invention.
Humility recognizes that everything we have accomplished is fruit from
what God and others have invested in us. There are no truly "self-made
men;' and one who is humble, like Samuel Morse, acknowledges what he
has received from others.
Jesus Christ " ... humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). Are you willing to clothe
yourself in humility, to find the lowest place and there serve others? This is
humility; this is Christ-likeness.

,\MU~ 4 6 ~fr REVELATION 7 389

-~ December l 7

The Faith of Simeon

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before
the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy
people Israel.- LUKE 2:29-32

A}t~r several years of marriage, a well-known actress attempted to cook

.fl.a Christmas dinner for her family. Before serving the meal, she sat
her husband and son down at the table and said, "If it doesn't look good, I
don't want you to say a thing. Just get up from the table, and we'll go to the
nearest restaurant for dinner." A few moments later when she walked into
the dining room with her turkey, she found her husband and son already
standing with their coats and hats on.
It's amazing how our expectations control our conduct! Luke 2:25-35
records the story of a man whose faith in the coming Messiah changed the
way he lived his life. It tells us about Simeon-a man who was waiting for
the Saviour. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
until He had seen Jesus Christ.
It was a Jewish custom that parents would bring their new baby to
the temple for a time of sacrifice and dedication to God. When Mary and
Joseph, who were rejoicing in the birth of their Son and Saviour, brought
baby Jesus to the temple, they met Simeon. When the old man saw the
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
thy salvation." Simeon was a man of faith; he was patiently waiting for the
Messiah. His expectations were based on God's promise to him.
Simeon had faith that God would keep His promises concerning a
Saviour for the redemption of mankind. Simeon's expectant hope in the
Messiah caused him to live a life of meaning. His outlook determined his
outcome. What are you looking for this Christmas? If you are looking for
the Lord you will never be disappointed!

390 AMOS 7 9 * REVELATION 8

 December 18

God's Miraculous Power

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a
man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called
the Son ofGod.-LUKE 1:34-35

hen the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she was quite surprised.
W Mary was an ordinary Jewish woman, yet now she had been told
that she would bear and give birth to baby Jesus. What a tremendous honor,
yet she was puzzled by how she being a virgin would bear this Child.
The angel explained that Christ was going to be born of the Holy
Spirit, not of man. Although we cannot fully comprehend this, God has
the miraculous power to accomplish the unimaginable. Verse 37 says, "For
with God nothing shall be impossible." Mary believed and said in verse 38,
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Even though Mary didn't understand all that would happen, she trusted
the Lord. She let the Lord have control over the situation and she was
glad to be used of God.
God's promises are proven by His power. When God promises
you something, you can know that He'll come through. Sometimes our
human minds cannot figure out how God will work something out in
our lives, but all we need to know is that God promised it and has the
power to fulfill it. It's not up to us to figure out a plan for God to fulfill His
promises. We simply need to trust Him and let Him show us His power.
Is there an area in your life in which you are failing to trust God and
His ways? Just as God demonstrated His power in Mary's life, He has the
power to fulfill His promises in our lives. Nothing is too hard for God! Give
your worries and problems to Him and trust His miraculous power.

OBADIAH * REVELATION 9 .>'II

l December 19

Be Joyful1
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout
for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be
joyful in thee.-PSALM 5:11

A. _fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted

.lXby Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior
Research. Each person involved in the study was asked to list ten people
he knew best and to label them as happy or unhappy. Then they were to
go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish, using
the following definition of selfishness: "a stable tendency to devote one's
time and resources to one's own interests and welfare-an unwillingness
to inconvenience one's self for others."
In categorizing the results, Rimland found that all of the people
labeled happy were also labeled unselfish. Rimland stated, "The happiest
people are those who help others."
How often are we, as Christians, seen as ungrateful, unhappy
people? We have no cause to be unhappy! God has given us so much
more than we deserve, and for that reason alone, we should rejoice! God
has also promised to provide, protect, and guide us. There's nothing that
should steal our joy when we know God is watching over us.
We can easily get caught up with the busyness and stress of life that
we neglect to be joyful. But God has commanded us in Philippians 4:4,
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." There will be times
when you don't feel like being joyful; even during those times, God says
to rejoice! The easiest way to bring joy to your life is to think of others.
Are you known as a joyful person? Determine today to display joy
in your life. When life gets you down, focus on others and let God restore
joy in your heart.

392 JONAH 'If- REVELATION IO

 December 20

Sustaining Christmas Joy

.. . behold, I bring you good tidings ofgreat joy.. .-LUKE 2:!0

. A ~ip arriving in New York from Rio de Janeiro brought with it a pair
.1:\.of canaries. The birds were both fine singers, both in the quality of
their voices and the range of their notes. Interestingly, the distinguishing
characteristic of these songbirds was that they always sang at night.
The Lord has many such canaries. It is the distinguishing
characteristic of the genuine Christian that in the darkest night of trial,
he is able to sing songs of hope, courage, and victory. Songs in the night
seasons are some of the most effective testimonies ever given.
For many people the Christmas holidays are a time of family
gatherings and happy memories. For others, the holidays bring back
past regrets, unhappy relationships, and loneliness. Yet regardless of your
circumstances, it is possible to rise above the dark nights of trial and
experience sustained joy during Christmas and through the new year.
One way to experience sustained joy is through service. Paul wrote
in Philippians 2:17, "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service
of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." When a Christian turns his
attention from his own problems and focuses on the needs of others, he
experiences true joy.
Another way to experience sustained joy is through witnessing.
The holidays give families a rare opportunity to reunite with loved ones.
What better gift could you give your relatives than the Lord Jesus Christ?
Psalm 126:6 states, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Are you experiencing true joy this holiday season? Remember
that the joy of Christmas outlasts the final present or the last piece of
pie-especially when we invest in the lives of others through serving
and witnessing.

MICAH 1-3 'It- REVELATION II 393

December 21

The Light of Christmas

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying,
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard
these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he
had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he
demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto
him, In Bethlehem ofJudaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And
thou Bethlehem, in the land ofJuda, art not the least among the princes
ofJuda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people
Israel.-MATTHEW 2:I-6

lthough the wise men were following the light of a star, the Bible was
A their true guide, for it was an Old Testament prophecy that predicted
where Christ would be born. Micah 5:2 gives us this Old Testament
prophecy: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
Just as the Bible guided the wise men to Jesus so many years ago, the Bible
will light our path today. Psalm n9:105 says, "Thy word is a lamb unto my
feet, and a light unto my path."
The wise men recognized who Jesus Christ was, and they allowed
His light to guide their paths. Sadly, Herod's heart was darkened to the
Messiah, and he rejected Christ. When the wise men sought the Saviour,
they recognized Him as the King of kings and desired to bring Him
honor and worship.
As you go about your day, remember Jesus Christ. He is waiting
to guide you into His pathway of light this Christmas. Wise men still
seek Him!

394 MICAH 4 ') •J- REVELATION I2

 December 22

They Saw
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.-LUKE 2:17

ave you ever asked yourself, "Why is it so hard for me to tell others
H of my faith? I believe in God, and I want to do His will, but why is
sharing my faith unnatural?"
The answers to these questions are found in the shepherds. After
seeing baby Jesus, the shepherds went back to tend their sheep. They
went back to their routines, but they were forever changed. What was
it that provoked the shepherds to change? What was it that caused them
to make "known abroad the saying which was told them"? The shepherds
"had seen." Their seeing provoked their sharing of the faith.
The shepherds took time to consider all that they were seeing on
that very special night. They saw the angel appear to them. They saw the
heavenly hosts praising God. They saw the babe lying in a manger just
as the angel said. They saw God incarnated and looking like any other
newborn infant. They saw that this night revealed special events that only
meant God was once again at work in Israel after so many years of silence.
They saw!
After a magnificent happening, these shepherds went back to their
usual way of life, and they also went back and told others about the birth
of the Saviour. It came natural to them because they first took time to
see. When you genuinely see a soul tattered and torn, and you watch
as God's Word comforts and molds that soul into a beautiful image of
His Son, you will be more provoked to tell others of Christ. When you
watch a single mom balance all of her responsibilities while nurturing
her children in the admonition of the Lord, you are seeing God's grace
at work.
Observe how God is working in your life, in the life of your family,
your church, and your work. Allow God's working to motivate you to
share your faith-to make known abroad the Lord Jesus Christ.

MICAH 6 7 * REVELATION 13 395

December 23

Christmas Gifts to Jesus

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when
they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh.- MATTHEW 2:II

E" very year our church has a special time when we gather together and
. offer Christmas gifts to Jesus. I think it is important for our families
to realize whose birthday we are truly celebrating.
The wise men knew whose birth they were celebrating. The
Bible says they gave Him gifts of "gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Most
importantly, they gave Him the gift of worship and adoration. Giving
was their way of ascribing worth to Christ the Messiah.
The wise men honored Jesus as the King of kings by giving Him
gold, as Priest by giving Him frankincense, and as Prophet by giving Him
myrrh. All of these gifts are of great value and are associated with wealth
and royalty. The wise men recognized who Jesus was-the Lord and
Saviour of the world.
Luke 16:13 says, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Our wealth or possessions
are so intimately related to ourselves that we cannot give an offering
without giving ourselves. In essence, the wise men were recognizing their
need for a Saviour over their need for money or material possessions.
They were saying, "We choose to serve God over money."
Many people today are so materialistic that they think money
diminishes one's need for God. Just as the wise men recognized Christ's
birth, we should remember the true meaning of Christmas. During this
season, let's be thinking about the wise men's gift of worship. Shouldn't
we take time to give Christ our worship this holiday season?

396 NAHUM 'If- REVELATION 14

 December 24

The Shepherds' Gifts

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath
made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.... And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and
seen, as it was told unto them.-LUKE 2:IS-I6, 20
.,.;-'/~

l{
,..,@t)ugh the shepherds were poor and often the outcasts of society,
i .J.:'''~d though they did not have expensive gifts to give the Messiah
like the gifts of the wise men, there were two gifts the shepherds gave to
baby Jesus.
" ... the shepherds said one to another, Let us go now even unto
Bethlehem ...." The shepherds gave the Lord Jesus the gift of faithfulness.
They said, "Lord, we want to get to where You are as quickly as we can,
and we want to be with You and tell everyone about Your coming." Every
one of us can give the gift of faithfulness. We can be faithful to God's
house in the new year. We can be faithful to read His Word. We can be
faithful to love our families.
The shepherds also gave the gift of praise. "And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told them." A journey that is begun in faith will always
end in praise. The shepherds followed the words of the angel by faith, and
when they arrived at the stable, their faith became sight. This gave them
great joy, and they began to praise God. If you want more for which to
praise God in your life, step out by faith and follow God's Word.
Choose to walk by faith. Trust in God, and give to Him the gift of
praise. As your faith grows and your joy abounds, you will be so thankful
for His presence in your life.

HABAKKUK 'lt- REVELATION I5 397

An Unforgettable Christmas
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: jor he
shall save his people from their sins.- MATTHEW 1:21

T he older I get, the more Christmas seasons I have lived through and
the more memories I have made. Observing the past years, some
Christmas days stand out brightly while others mesh together. As I
think back to what makes my Christmas most memorable, allow me to
encourage you to make this Christmas Day an unforgettable one.
Spend solitary time with the Lord. Before a gift is unwrapped or food
is prepared, give the Lord the first part of your day. Praise Him, worship
Him, and revere Him. Make a list of five ways you can grow spiritually,
and give them to the Lord as a birthday present for Him.
Read the Christmas story and meditate upon God's Word. A
wonderful way to include the entire family is to act out the Christmas
story, or have each family member read verses in Luke chapter two.
Sing songs of praise to the Lord-"Oh Come Let Us Adore Him,"
"Hark the Herold Angels Sing," or "Silent Night, Holy Night." Sing with
your relatives or in your alone time with God.
Be genuinely grateful for gifts. May your heart be filled with sincere
gratitude every time someone expresses their love with a gift. Show your
family and relatives true appreciation for their kindness as you open
presents around the Christmas tree.
Reach out to others. Call a distant loved one or friend. Encourage
someone who has helped you this past year with a phone call. You may
even visit an orphanage or a hospital with your family. Take the Gospel to
those hurting, and share the good news on Christmas Day.
Remember. Remember the miracle that happened so long ago.
Remember the real reason of Christmas-Jesus Christ came to earth to
save His people from their sins.
My prayer is that your Christmas Day be filled with joy and spiritual
replenishment. Merry Christmas!

/t I'll \~l\1 i •r(. ll !:\I I .\TION 1(,

 December 26

He Is Coming Again1
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of
the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his
kingdom there shall be no end.-LUKE 1:31-33

esus was born during a time when the Jews were anticipating a king
J that would bring immediate military deliverance from the oppression
, of the Romans. Yet, our Saviour did not come as they thought He would.
Instead of coming as a mighty king, He came as an innocent baby boy,
born in a manger in Bethlehem. Instead of bringing freedom from the
Romans, He died to give us freedom from our sin.
Although He did not come to set up His kingdom when He came so
long ago, He will one day come again to take all believers to Heaven with
Him. Revelation 19:16 says, "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a
name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
One day Jesus will return and destroy all evil and establish His
kingdom for all eternity. We have hope because we know that all who
believe on His name will reign with Him!
One day there will be no more struggles and heartache. There will
be no more pain and trials. There is hope! One day Christ will take all
those who have trusted in Him to Heaven to live with Him forever. Be
thankful and joyful that Christ came to earth and died on Calvary so we
might live with Him for eternity.
Only those who have accepted Christ's gift of salvation will spend
eternity with Him in Heaven. We need to be diligent in our witness for
Christ to those who have never accepted Christ as their Saviour. The
Lord is coming soon. Who do you need to tell of Christ's free gift of
salvation today?

HAGGAI 'l:t- REVELATION I7 399

December 27

What Wondrous Love1

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull,
which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and
two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
-JOHN I9:I?-I8

story was once told of a little boy whose sister needed a blood
A transfusion. The doctor explained that she had the same disease the
boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was
a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease.
Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the
ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny
hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure,
for my sister." Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room.
Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. When the ordeal
was almost over, Johnny broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?" Only
then did the doctor realize that Johnny had thought giving his blood to his
sister meant giving up his life.
Fortunately, Johnny didn't have to die to save his sister. Each of us,
however, has a condition more serious than Mary's, and it required Jesus
to give not just His blood, but His life.
Even though we sinned and turned our backs on God, He sent His
Son to pay the price that we might live with Him for all eternity. What
motivated Him to give His life for a people who wanted Him to die? Love-a
love that superseded all other emotions. A love so amazing, so divine.
Even so, we should strive to be like Christ by showing those around
us His great love-love for others that goes beyond any feelings of hatred
or hurt, any loss or pain.
Is there someone you are refusing to love? Someone you cannot
forgive? Seek God's help in loving others the way He loved us so many
years ago on that rugged Cross.

400 ZECHARIAH 1-4 '1:1- REVELATION 18

 December 28

Setting Goals
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.- PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

Qc6meone once said, "Opportunities ~re seldom labele~." However,. I

,(?have always felt that every new year 1s a new opportumty to grow m
the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, move forward in life's
journey, and make one's life more eternally meaningful.
Because I believe each new year is a new opportunity for the Lord,
I spend much time in prayer, Bible reading, and goal-setting before each
new year. I trust that you, too, have set some goals and are trusting the
Lord to use you in a greater way!
Sometimes we frame our goals in ways that are almost guaranteed
to fail! For instance, the goal "read the Bible more" isn't nearly as likely
to motivate us to success as the goal "read through the New Testament."
The key to setting goals is to make a specific, big-picture, long-range goal
and then break it into timely steps of action. As you make your goals,
remember the acronym SMART.
Specific
Measurable
Action oriented-not just philosophical
Realistic
Timely
It has been said, "He who aims at nothing hits it every time!" I
would rather try and fail than never try to do the things God lays upon
my heart. Let me encourage you to step out by faith in this new year. Ask
the Lord to lay on your heart those things He wants you to accomplish,
and write them down as goals for the new year.

ZECHARIAH 5-8 ~ REVELATION 19 401

December 29

Your Penguin Suit

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;-2 CoRINTHIANS 4:I7

n December 29, 1987, a Soviet cosmonaut returned to the earth after

0 326 days in orbit. He was in good health, which hasn't always been
the case in record-breaking voyages. Five years earlier, touching down
after 211 days in space, two cosmonauts suffered from dizziness, high
pulse rates, and heart palpitations. They couldn't walk for a week, and
after 30 days, they were still undergoing therapy for atrophied muscles
and weakened hearts.
At zero gravity, the muscles of the body begin to waste away
because there is no resistance. To counteract this, the Soviets invented
the "penguin suit," a running suit laced with elastic bands. It resists
every move the cosmonauts make, forcing them to exert their strength.
Apparently the regimen worked.
We tend to wish for an easy life with no trials or testing, but it takes
difficult times to strengthen our faith. Going through the daily struggles
of the penguin suits saved the astronauts many weeks and months of
pain later. Even so, it is through the trials of life that God perfects us and
grows us so we can serve Him better.
Not every trial God brings into your life is punishment. Not
every tough time or time of difficulty is meant as a way to chasten you.
In fact, most times God uses trials to grow you or make you a better
Christian. He has a plan for your life, and that plan often requires a time
of refining first.
What is your "penguin suit" today? What situation do you struggle
with each day, seemingly without end? God has a purpose in it! He can
use it to prepare you for greater blessings later!
The same God that brought the trial into your life is able to sustain
you through it! Don't get discouraged. Turn to God and trust Him during
this time.

402 :ZECHARIAH 9 -12 <cto REVELATION 20

 December 30

Prioritizing Your Day

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
-LUKE 10:41~42

ere is an example of someone with a busy schedule. Churches need

people like Martha to organize, plan, and get things done. But
Martha was too busy-to the point of losing the blessing of Christ's
presence in her home. Christ had come to fellowship, but she was too
busy for Him.
Sometimes when we are focused on our work so much, we miss
out on the blessings of God. Think about your schedule last week. Was it
crammed full of things to do? I wonder how many times God wanted to
meet with you or who He brought across your path to witness to while
you were too busy to notice Him?
When we are so busy that we miss the blessings and joy of the
Christian life, we have gone beyond what Christ would have us do. God
calls us to serve, but not to the point that our spiritual walk with Him is
suffering. He should be the number one priority in our daily routine.
What do you have to do today? Take the kids to school, finish a big
report at work, pick up some groceries, straighten up the house? Spend
time prioritizing your day. Write down everything you need to get done,
and prioritize it by numbering each item in order of importance. At the
top of the list, write, "Spend time with God." Before you do anything
today, spend time in prayer and Bible reading.
God is not only the most important item on your to-do list, but
your relationship with Him is the most important "item" in your life. No
matter how busy your schedule is each day, take time to be alone with
God first.

ZECHARIAH 13--14 '!1- REVELATION 2! 403

Deccrnbcr 31

Forever Faithful
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his appearing.-2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

onsider December 31 of next year. If the Lord tarries His coming,

C will you be able to look back over the year and say with Paul, "I
have fought a good fight"? Determine now to be faithful to the Lord
throughout this next year, before the new year even dawns.
One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was
the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut,
during which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they
slept. A few days after the tragedy, an extraordinary story was told of one
of the injured soldiers.
Marine Corps Commander Paul X. Kelley visited survivors in
a Frankfurt, Germany hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey
Lee Nashton, who was severely wounded. Nashton had so many tubes
running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a
machine than a man, yet he survived.
As Kelly neared him, Nashton, struggling to move and racked
with pain, motioned for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote two
words "Semper Fi"-the Latin motto of the Marines meaning "forever
faithful." With those two simple words Nash ton spoke for the millions of
Americans who have remained faithful for their country.
As Christians, we should strive to be faithful for Christ until the end
of our lives. As we end this Christmas season and look forward to next
year, remember that God wants us to be faithful to Him until the end. As
people are making resolutions for the new year, commit to remain faithful
to God. Ask Him for the strength to stay faithful to Him throughout the
new year and until His return.

((I{
:-.L\1.\Uil ,,to Rl \ j L \TIC>N 22
INDEXES
c~
 A Daily Word

Title Index
January February
1 A Passion for His Word 1 He Already Paid for It
2 Continuing in Fellowship 2 Stretch Your Faith
3 Continuing in Prayer 3 Faith Displayed
4 His Creation 4 God's Powerful Word
5 Purpose for Living 5 Listen and Receive
6 He Cares 6 Spending Time with Christ
7 Do It Immediately 7 He Sees
8 You Are Invited! 8 Passing the Test
9 Carry the Pots 9 When Little Is Much
10 Our Home in Heaven 10 Fear vs. Faith
11 When Jesus Gave Thanks 11 God's Love in Us
12 He Is Coming Again! 12 God's Love to Us
13 Defining Love 13 God's Love through Us
14 Blessed to Be a Blessing 14 'Til Death Do Us Part
15 Used by God 15 His Soon Return
16 Our Hidden Habit 16 Full of Grace and Truth
17 Anyone Can Come 17 Sanctification
18 A Bitter Spirit 18 Just a Voice
19 Replacing Bitterness 19 Joy and Peace
20 David or Saul? 20 Focusing on Others
21 God's Selection Process 21 Made to Serve
22 In the Midst of Giants 22 Seeing the Purpose
23 One Requirement 23 One-on-One Time
24 Come unto Me 24 Led by the Holy Spirit
25 The Unstrung Bow 25 It's All from God
26 Do You Trust Him? 26 From Fear to Faith
27 Developing God's Goodness 27 Stand in Your Place
28 Search Me, 0 God 28 Hold Your Light High
29 Carried Any Donkeys Lately? 29 Leftovers
30 The Loose Connection
31 The Brightest Light

406
 A Daily Word

March April
1 Our Good Shepherd 1 God Never Changes
2 Follow the Memo 2 Looking Only to God
3 Not by Accident 3 Glorifying God
4 Warning! 4 A Message of Hope
5 How Much Time? 5 A Message of Importance
6 Following Orders 6 A Message of Forgiveness
7 You Need a Relationship 7 A True Disciple
8 Preparing for Battle 8 Forgiven
9 Responding to Scoffers 9 Coming Again
10 The Way of Temptation 10 Living by Faith
11 Restoring Fellowship 11 Choosing to Surrender
12 Standing at a Crossroads 12 Choosing to Identify
13 He Knows the Ending 13 Showing our Faith
14 Fighting Temptation 14 Reading and Remembering
15 Displaying Character 15 False Accusations
16 Cut It Down, and Forget It 16 Receive God's Grace
17 Only God Can Judge Me 17 Grateful for His Blessings
18 The Eagle with No Feathers 18 God's Promise
19 Strength to Stand 19 Compelled
20 Just Be Patient 20 Remaining Faithful
21 Delivering an Urgent Message 21 A Friend's Support
22 Make a Decision 22 A Friend's Protection
23 Not in My Strength 23 A Vision of Faith
24 When You're Discouraged 24 Joy in Christ
25 What Humility! 25 Continuing Joy
26 Father, Forgive Them 26 A Working Testimony
27 He Is Alive 27 Seek the Lord
28 He Has a Plan 28 Someone in Your Corner
29 Your Life's Journey 29 What Is Your Answer?
30 He Was There 30 In Times of Weakness
31 Ring the Bells

407
 May June
1 God's Perfect Word 1 A Neighbor in Need
2 Don't Lose Your Children 2 Don't Give Up
3 Wherever He Leads 3 Didn't You Hear Me?
4 Stay in the Washing Machine 4 Rooted in Christ
5 Trust Your Barometer 5 Pulling the Weeds
6 In the Face of Adversity 6 Having Patience
7 Victory over Sin 7 A Thankful Heart
8 Motivated to Serve 8 Our Catcher
9 Be an Encourager 9 Sacrifice
10 Just Like a Llama 10 Whatever He Says, Do It
11 Reckon Yourself Dead 11 Just Obey Him
12 Choose You This Day 12 He Created It All
13 They're Watching You 13 The Old Blue Suit
14 Honoring Moms 14 Don't Rush!
15 There Is a Purpose 15 A Spirit-filled Christian
16 Never Take Counsel of Fear 16 Reasons for Ingratitude
17 A Tender Heart 17 Watch Your Back!
18 A Revealed Heart 18 Saved to Be Like Him
19 A Refined Heart 19 Just Like the Father
20 Only God Is Great 20 The Invisible Parent
21 A Heart for God Part 1 21 Sitting at His Feet
22 A Heart for God Part 2 22 Keep Your Focus
23 A Heart for God Part 3 23 Forgiveness
24 Victory over the Vines 24 When We Are Weak
25 Creating a Monster 25 The Gospel According to You
26 He Is with You 26 Where's Your Focal Point?
27 Facing Your Critics 27 A Life of Joy
28 Stop to Wash 28 A Resilient Joy
29 God's Proven Methods 29 Showing Our Joy
30 Who Art Thou? 30 I Hear You
31 Parental Protection

40R
 A Daily Word

July August
1 The Greatest Loss 1 The Dead Olive Tree
2 Spiritual Freedom 2 Integrity
3 The Way to Spiritual Freedom 3 Where Is Your Home?
4 Lord, Heal Our Land 4 Walking in Humility
5 Meeting with God 5 God Will Take Care of You
6 Don't Turn Back 6 Why Call Ye Me Lord?
7 Because You've Been Forgiven 7 Don't Forget!
8 Faith and Obedience 8 Fear Not
9 Staying Close 9 And Peter
10 A Joyful Priority 10 He Will Hear
11 The Refiner's Fire 11 Proven for Greater Use
12 Useless? 12 Take It into the World
13 When There Are No Answers 13 Think before You Speak
14 Iron for Gold 14 Failure Is Not Final
15 Come unto Me 15 Blind Leading the Blind
16 A Humble Servant 16 Looking toward Heaven
17 Signs of a Humble Heart 17 Not Many Mighty
18 A Little Bit of Soap 18 Speaking the Language
19 Listen Up 19 Doing What's Right
20 A Christian Leader 20 All Is Well
21 Your Secret Weapon 21 A Parent's Prayers
22 Resisting the Snake 22 How Can I Serve?
23 Stressed Out? 23 God Has Spoken
24 When Facing Adversity 24 A Lighthouse
25 Founded on Truth 25 He Can Still Use You!
26 It's Better Higher Up 26 A Call for Help
27 Is Your Truth Fiction? 27 Keeping Your Focus
28 Judge Not 28 Trusting God's Timetable
29 Don't Be Ashamed 29 Faithfulness in Prayer
30 A Faithful Sower 30 Resting Grace
31 When Facing Criticism 31 Did You Do Your Best?

409
 A Daily Word
September
1 Pay the Price
2 Work the Works
3 You Can't Just Sit There
4 Forgiven and Restored
5 A Labor of Love
6 Keeping the Passion
7 Renewing Biblical Passion
8 How to Serve Christ
9 Everyone Fails Sometime
10 Faith to Pre-Order
11 Nestled in His Arms
12 Pull up the Roots
13 I Need Air!
14 Praise God from the Heart
15 The Pressures of Life
16 Nice Guys Finish Last
17 Stop Thinking about It
18 Danger!
19 What's Your Hurry?
20 Stand Your Ground
21 Personal Revival
22 Reading His Word
23 Clear and Unmistakable
24 Personal Loss
25 Private Time with God
26 Considering Others
27 Overcoming Temptation
28 Take Your Stand
29 Only Six Feet
30 Jesus Christ Is Precious
410
October
1 The Son's Miraculous Power
2 True Faith
3 A Moment of Faith
4 Devoted to Know Him
5 Loving Everyone
6 A Passion to Possess
7 Patience during Trials
8 Influence during Trials
9 The Reason for Trials
10 The Path of Your Trial
11 The Results ofYour Trial
12 Patient and Kind
13 Love Is Not Jealous
14 A Heart That Prioritizes
15 Analyzing Our Priorities
16 The Definition of Faith
17 Showing Our Faith
18 What Do You Have?
19 God's Purpose
20 Day-by-Day Victory
21 Yielded to Him
22 The Peace of God
23 Forgiveness
24 Time, Talents, and Treasure
25 The Expression of Gentleness
26 Lost Keys
27 Focused on the Lord
28 Conquering Mt. Everest
29 Idle Times
30 A True Heart of Repentance
31 God's Promises
 A Daily Word

November December
1 Enduring His Chastening 1 Enjoying an Early Christmas
2 Your Steering Wheel 2 He Came Down to Us
3 God's Two-edged Sword 3 What Are You Missing?
4 Working behind the Scenes 4 The True Light of Christmas
5 World's Greatest Demand 5 A Woman Yielded to God
6 People Business 6 All I Need Is His Applause
7 Time for God 7 Remaining Sensitive
8 Follow Directions 8 The Available God
9 Finding Satisfaction 9 He Understands
10 Follow in His Patience 10 When God Is Silent
11 One Last Chance 11 A Season for Receiving
12 Come Boldly 12 Keeping Christ in Christmas
13 God's Precious Word 13 A Taxing Pressure
14 How Are You Today? 14 Gifts under the Tree
15 Do Something 15 Being Used of God
16 The Swan or the Crane 16 Humility to Humanity
17 Within Reach 17 The Faith of Simeon
18 Just Two Oranges 18 God's Miraculous Power
19 Flight 401 19 Be Joyful!
20 Sacrificial Rewards 20 Sustaining Christmas Joy
21 Who Controls Your Life? 21 The Light of Christmas
22 BeYe Kind 22 They Saw
23 Get Better, Not Bitter! 23 Christmas Gifts to Jesus
24 Praise His Name 24 The Shepherds' Gifts
25 He's So Good to Me 25 An Unforgettable Christmas
26 1 Out of360 26 He Is Coming Again!
27 What I Don't Need 27 What Wondrous Love!
28 Eternal Investments 28 Setting Goals
29 He's Listening to You 29 Your Penguin Suit
30 Finding Strength in Him 30 Prioritizing Your Day
31 Forever Faithful

411
 A Dailv Word
Scripture Index
Genesis
1:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,96
6:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . 93-94, 96
6:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94,96
6:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
22:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
37:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
39:7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
39:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
45:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
45:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
50:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
50:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 81
Exodus
2:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
4:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
4:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
14:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
20:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
24:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
31:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
32:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 109,123
32:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
32:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
34:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Leviticus
13:32-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
20:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
23:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Deuteronomy
3:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
4:29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
6:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
9:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Joshua
1:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
1:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
1:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
412
1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
2:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
24:15 . . . . . . . . . 111, 155,165
Judges
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
7:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
7:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
7:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
8:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
I Samuel
1:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
2:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
3:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
3:11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
7:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
7:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
8:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
13:11-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
16:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
16:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,319
17:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
17:37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
17:38-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
17:43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
17:48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
18:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
20:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
30:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
2Samuel
11:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
11:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
12:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 100, 343
I Kings
18:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
18:22-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
18:36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
19:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
 A Daily Word
19:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
19:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
2Chronicles
7:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
7:14 . . . . . . 221-222,274,285
Nehemiah
8:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
8:14-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
9:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
9:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 302-303
Job
1:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
23:6,10 . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
23:11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
23:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 172
Psalms
5:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
5:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
12:6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
19:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
21:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
23:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
23:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
23:2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
23:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
26:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
27:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . 52, 199
32:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
34:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
34:17-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
37:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
51:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
55:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
57:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
66:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,275
68:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
86:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
95:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
100:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
103:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
105:1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
107:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
108:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
111:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
119:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
119:11 . . . . . . . . . . . 63,303
119:18-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
119:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
119:105 . . . . 226,303,381,398
126:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
126:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 214, 397
127:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
128:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
135:15-17 . . . . . . . . . . . 259
139:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
139:23-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
145:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Proverbs
1:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
2:1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
11:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
12:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
14:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
14:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
16:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
17:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
22:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
24:16 . . . . . . . . . 187, 263, 290
27:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
27:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
31:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Ecclesiastes
1:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Isaiah
6:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
7:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
9:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
26:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
40:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
41:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
45:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
49:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
53:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
55:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
55:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
413
 A Daily Wurd
55:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
58:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
64:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Jeremiah
29:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
29:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Ezekiel
22:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Daniel
1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Micah
5:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Nahum
1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Matthew
1:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
1:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
2:1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
2:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
2:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
4:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
4:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
5:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .148, 294
5:14-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
5:44 . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 136
6:19-20 . . . . . . . 361, 366,373
6:21 . . . . . . . . . 328, 366, 373
6:28-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
6:33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
7:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
7:24-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
10:29-31. . . . . . . . . . . . 254
11:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,385
11:28-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
14:10, 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
14:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
14:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
18:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
21:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 347
23:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
4!4
23:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
25:35-40. . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Mark
7:37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
10:45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
11:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
12:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
15:33-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
15:42-43,46 . . . . . . . . . . 129
16:4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
16:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
16:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
16:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 261, 356
Luke
1 & 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
1:27-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
1:31-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
1:34-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
1:35-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
1:38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
1:45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
2:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
2:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 389-390
2:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
2:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389, 393
2:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
2:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
2:25-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
2:29-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
4:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
4:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
4:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
6:35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
6:36 . . . . . . . . . . . .204, 297
6:38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
6:39-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
6:46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
8:23-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
9:62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
10:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
10:38-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
10:39 . . . . . . . .52, 65, 206, 250
10:40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
10:41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
10:42 . . . . . . . . . . . .240, 407
 A Daily Word
12:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
15:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
16:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
17:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
18:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
22:34 . . . . . . . . . 115,224,336
23:32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
23:33 . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 224
23:35-38. . . . . . . . . . . . 127
23:39-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
23:42-43. . . . . . . . . . . . 125
24:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
24:5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
24:36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
25:16-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
John
1:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
1:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . 75, 385
1:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
1:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
1:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 183
2:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
2:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
2:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 196
2:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,314
2:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
3:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
3:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
3:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4:6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
4:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
5:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
5:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
6:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66-67
6:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
6:9-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
6:26-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6:37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6:47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
7:38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
8:32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
8:34-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
8:44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
9:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
10:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
10:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
10:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
11:41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
13:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
14:2 . . . . . . . 37, 125, 130,252
14:3 . . . . . . . . . . 37, 125, 130
15:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
15: 11 . . . . . . . . . . . 145-146
15:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
16:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
17:1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
17:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
17:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
18:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
19:16-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
19:17-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
19:26-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Acts
1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91-92
2:46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7:51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
9:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
13:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
17:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
18:24-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
20:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
20:35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Romans
1:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
5:3-4 . . . . . . . . . 157,213,300
5:5 . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 157, 300
6:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
6:6-7, 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
6:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
6:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
8:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
8:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
8:28 . . . . 66, 139, 158, 170,269
8:28-29 . . . . . . . . . . 32, 203
415
 !\ Dailv \NurJ
8:37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 202
10:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 044
10:14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 350
12:1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 42, 333
12:2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ••• 203, 333
12:150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 338
12:19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o138, 321
12:150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 338
15:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 078
1 Corinthians
1:26-29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 266
3:9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 247
10:12-13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 238
10:31. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0280, 332
11:1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 264
11:24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 38
13:2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 351
13:4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 325-326
14:26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 326
2 Corinthians
1:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 058
2:11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 202
3:2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 210
4:17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269, 406
4:18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 269
5:14 o 0 0 o 0 0 o 0 o o 0 o 0 0 llO
6:4-60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 320
9:7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 337
9:10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 390
9:15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 391
12:10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 209
Galatians
1:7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 285
1:10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 056
1:12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 124
2:8-90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 220
2:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 334
4:4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 387
4:29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 162
4:30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 384
4:31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 299
4:32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0129,367
5:9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 235
5:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 161
416
5:18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200
5:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 371
5:22-23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 191
6:5-60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 147
6:12 •• 0 • 0 ••••• 0 •••• 97
6:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 049
Ephesians
1:7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 285
1:12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 124
2:8-90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 220
4:29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 162
4:30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 384
4:31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 299
4:32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0129, 367
5:18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200
5:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 371
6:5-6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 147
6:12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 097
6:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 049
Philippians
2:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 146
2:8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 393
2:17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 397
3:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o323, 405
3:14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 405
3:20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 130
4:1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 309
4:4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0212, 396
4:6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 65, 78, 335
4:7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 078,241, 335
4:8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 262
4:13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 57, 112
4:19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0231,378,382
Colossians
1:14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 194
2:6-7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 189
2:7-80 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 190
3:12-15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 046
3:23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0383, 387
3:24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 383
1 Thessalonians
4:16-17 0 0 0 0 •• 0 0 0 0 0 0 074
5:18 0 0 0 0 0 0 138, 192,201,369
 A Daily Word
1 Timothy
6:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
2Timothy
1:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 124
3:16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
4:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Titus
2:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Philemon
10-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Hebrews
4:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4:15 . . . . . . 215,296, 375, 386
4:16 . 30,215,296,357,376,386
11:1, 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
11:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
11:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
11:8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
11:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
11:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
11:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
11:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 165
12:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 134,340
12:2 . . . . . . . . . 134, 340, 364
12:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
12:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
12:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
12:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
12:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 368
13:5 . . . . 43, 179, 209, 256, 357
13:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
13:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
James
1:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
1:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
1:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
1:14-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
1:17 . . . . . . . . . . 84,192,388
1:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
1:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 388
1:22 . . . . . . . . . 195,236, 388
1:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
2:15-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
2:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,225
3:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
4:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
4:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
4:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
5:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
1 Peter
1:18-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
2:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
2:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
4:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
4:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
4:16 . . . . . . . . . 168,241,246
5:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
5:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,349
5:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
5:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
2Peter
1:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
I John
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208, 275
2:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
3:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
4:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4:11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
5:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 177
5:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Jude
22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Revelation
2:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
2:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
19:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
417
 A Daily Word

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 A Daily Word

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420
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAuL CHAPPELL is the senior pastor of Lancaster Baptist

Church and president of West Coast Baptist College in
Lancaster, California. His biblical vision has led the church
to become one of the most dynamic Baptist churches in
the nation. His preaching is heard on Daily in the Word, a
daily radio broadcast heard across America. Dr. Chappell
has four children who are married and serving in
Christian ministry. He has been married to his wife Terrie
for over thirty years, and they have four married children
and eight grandchildren. His children are all serving in
Christian ministry.

You can connect with Dr. Chappell through his blog,

Twitter, and Facebook:
paulchappell.com
twitter.com/paulchappell
face book. com/pastor. paul. chappell
 Rooted in Christ
In this power-packed daily devotional, each
page beckons you to a deeper relationship with
God, helping you discover for yourself the
life-changing power of His unshakable love. As
each brief reading draws you to the Lord, you'll
be equipped to greet each day with bold faith,
confident in God's faithfulness, strength, and
transforming grace. (424 pages, hardback)

A Word to the Wise

In this daily devotional, each page shares a
nugget of wisdom from the book of Proverbs.
Written for the practically-minded Christian,
each reading concludes with a distilled truth
that you can immediately apply to your life.
Let God's wisdom from the book of Proverbs
equip you for the challenges of your daily life.
(424 pages, hardback)

The Burden Bearer

the The allegory in these pages will captivate
Burden your heart, delight your soul, and profoundly
Bearer

•
change your life. Follow the main character-
Carrier-on his journey with the Burden
Bearer, and discover the Christian life and
relationship with Jesus that you were meant
PAUL w. to enjoy! (184 pages, hardback)
CHAPPELL
 Out of Commission
Written for every Christian who desires to
obey the Great Commission of Christ, this
comprehensive volume is motivational and
practical, diagnostic and corrective. Whether
you are new to evangelism or an experienced
soulwinner, Out of Commission will challenge
and equip you to share your faith and more
effectively reach your community for Christ.
(256 pages, hardback)

Stewarding Life
Paul Chappell
This book will take you on a personal
stewarding
stewardship journey, equipping you to live
effectively and biblically. It will challenge
L I FE and equip you to strategically invest your
most valuable resources for God's eternal
purposes. (280 pages, hardback)

Living Beyond Your Capacity

The wonderful Holy Spirit of God desires
to come into your life at salvation and
unfold a daily work of power, grace, and
transformation. He can enable you to live a
supernatural life-a life that exceeds your
human capacity. You can begin discovering
and experiencing the Spirit-filled life today!
Paul Chappell
(2o8 pages, paperback)

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