365 Day Devotional

DAILY DEVOTIONAL
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Introduction
We at Food for the Hungry strive to end all forms of human poverty by living in
healthy relationship with God and his creation. We’ve created this year-long
devotional to help you nurture and feed your spirit with God’s Word.
We hope you enjoy the thoughts we’ve put together about how you can have a
closer and richer relationship with God! May your year be filled with the blessings
that only God can bring.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses come from the New International Version
(NIV).
© 2016 Food for the Hungry

JAN01 Fresh Beginnings (Start the Year Right)
With the New Year here, everyone is looking for a chance at a fresh beginning.
For some of us, last year was difficult. Losses, serious illnesses, divorces and
financial troubles impact us all. If this was your year to experience some of these
trials, you probably need a new beginning more than ever.
Psalm 77:13 offers a way to get that fresh beginning. It reminds us who is in
charge—the sovereign God of the universe. Additionally, this verse reminds us that
although there are many gods people worship, none is like ours. Our God gave up
Heaven and took on human form so He could relate to us and live as we do. He
knows exactly what it’s like to experience pain, disappointment, frustration and
sadness. The Bible tells us Jesus’ ministry lasted only three years, and in that time,
He mourned over Israel’s lack of faith in Him more than once.
If you need a new beginning this year, pray. Ask God to help you deal with the
pain of the past so you can start over. That could mean focusing on good
memories of a lost loved one or seeking counseling to deal with a deep hurt. It
might mean reaching out to your doctors after your cancer goes into remission and
asking them how to deal with your new normal. Whatever you need, remember that
God is beside you and will help you find it. In His sovereignty, He knows what will
help you most. Seek His direction throughout the year. No matter what the paths
look like, you can navigate them better with faith.
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as

good as our God?
—Pslam 77:13

JAN02 God of Hope
Hope is a familiar word for Christians, but most of us don’t know exactly what
it means. Sometimes we equate hope with wishful thinking, as in “I hope I get
May the God of the job I applied for” or “I hope I get married someday.” In this verse, Paul
hope fill you with wants to remind us that hope is more than wishing for what we want. We’re
meant to overflow with hope, as the Holy Spirit gives it to us.
all joy and peace
as you trust in him, What does to overflow with hope mean? Not all circumstances are hopeful,
so that you may and not all situations end in a hopeful manner. There’s a clue in the first part of
this verse. Paul tells the Romans that he prays that the God of hope also fills
overflow with hope them with peace and joy. These are fruits of the Spirit available to every
by the power of Christian. If you don’t feel peace or joy in your current situation, ask God for
an extra measure. Peace and joy will often naturally lead to hope.
the Holy Spirit.
Remember that hope isn’t happiness. Cancer treatments, painful divorces and
—Romans 15:13 other such situations are never happy. However, you can find hope in the
midst of them. Hope comes from knowing who your God is and what He can
do. God promises to bring good out of all situations for those who love Him.
Additionally, He promises comfort to broken or hurting people many times in
the Bible. Ask God to remind you who He is and what He can do in your
situation. You may not receive the answers you thought you wanted, but often
God shows us a better solution – one we weren’t expecting. Place your hope
in the person of God and the path He will show you.

JAN03 My Hope Is in God
As Christians, we know the Holy Spirit can make us overflow with hope. We’re
meant to share that hope with others. However, knowing exactly how to do
But now, Lord, that can be difficult. Most of us regularly encounter people who seem to have
what do I look for? no hope. Some of them may not be Christians, so they don’t know the God
we worship or the joy He longs to give them. Yet some of these people may
My hope is in you. be Christians. They’re simply bogged down in difficult circumstances or
struggling with inner conflicts, such as depression or mental illness.
—Psalm 39:7
When you encounter someone who needs hope, you can and should ask God
to show you specifically what that person needs to hear or see from you. For
example, a single mom with two kids may get hope from someone offering to
babysit so she can spend time with friends. However, prayer is only the first
step in sharing hope. Here are a few other ways to spread hope this month:
• W rite a n enco urag ing not e or lett er. Highlight specific traits
you love in a person, such as generosity, humor or a talent in a
specific area.
• Go to the p erso n a nd a sk w hat they need to ta lk a bo ut.
No matter how difficult the topic, listen and show empathy.
• As w ith the b ab ysitting exa mp le, a sk the p erso n if you
ca n fill a p hysic al need. This could include cooking a meal,
fixing something in their house or walking a pet.
• Invit e the p erson ou t. Some of the people who most need hope
are fully or partially housebound because of age or disabilities. They
may feel unnoticed. Ask what their favorite activity or place to go is,
and participate with them.
• L aug h. Proverbs says a cheerful heart is good medicine. Maybe the
person you’re thinking of needs to focus on lighthearted things for a
while. Bring him or her some light reading or a DVD of a Christian
comedian. Share funny memories or go to a funny movie together.

JAN04 God Is Love
“God is love” is a familiar axiom among Christians. It’s one of the first lessons
we learn in Sunday school classes meant for the smallest children. But what
Whoever does not does this mean, and how can we imitate God’s love? Today’s verse tells us
love does not know that if you don’t love, you don’t truly know God. Does this mean if you don’t
feel loving toward everyone all the time, you aren’t really a Christian?
God, because
God is love. Actually, this verse means something much different. It reminds us that God is
love. We usually talk about love as something we have or feel toward a
—1 John 4:8 person, place or thing. Yet God in His perfection takes love to a whole new
level. He embodies love in the deepest way possible, toward everyone at all
times. He can love a devout nun or missionary with great passion, but He
extends that same depth and passion to the mass murderer who doesn’t know
Him or care who He is.
How can this be? Our finite minds will probably never comprehend this.
However, that’s why John encourages us to love and tells us that those who
don’t love don’t know God. He isn’t saying you have to feel warm and fuzzy
toward everyone all the time or love with deep passion you can’t always feel.
If you could do that, you would be God.
This verse simply tells us to imitate the love God has for us—to love as
unconditionally as possible and show love in as many ways as we can. That
looks different for every person and situation, but if you reach out to God and
ask to be filled with His love, He will teach you how.

JAN05 Your Heart Condition
If you’ve ever looked into a calm body of water, you’ve probably seen your
As water reflects face there. Water can give us physical reflections, but as today’s verse says,
we need to look deeper to see the reflections of our hearts. If you spend your
the face, so one’s life looking at and meditating on negative things, it’s likely your heart is bitter.
life reflects the If you spend your life looking for opportunities to give and share, you’re
cultivating generosity.
heart.
God loves a generous heart, as many familiar Bible stories and verses prove.
—Proverbs 27:19 However, a generous heart must be cultivated early. If you want to develop
generous hearts in your kids this year, here are a few ideas your whole family
can use:
Donate often. For kids, this usually means donating old toys and books. After
Christmas is a great time to do so. Make sure everything is in good condition.
Adults, set an example and donate your own possessions.
Choose a family charity project. You might sponsor a child through a service
such as Compassion International or collect items for Operation Christmas
Child shoeboxes throughout the year.
Practice small instances of generosity. Encourage siblings to split that last

cookie or take turns choosing the DVD on movie night. Offer to help your
spouse with household tasks or make their favorite meal.
Teach young children the importance of taking turns. Part of being generous is
knowing you can’t always be first and that you must wait patiently for your
chance at an activity.
Visit people who need it. One of the best ways to be generous is giving
someone your time. This could mean visiting a grandparent in a nursing home
or a neighbor whose family lives far away.
Encourage pet care, especially playing and stroking. Generosity extends to

those who can’t speak for themselves or tell us what they want, and for young
children, pets can be a good example.

JAN06 You Bring God Joy
Did you know you bring God joy? Many people, even Christians, doubt this or
claim it isn’t true. Unfortunately, even in the church, myth persists that God is a
For the Lord takes cosmic cop. Many Christians think He barely tolerates them, allowing them
delight in His into Heaven because of Jesus’ sacrifice but waiting to punish their mistakes
and failures on Earth. God’s true heart toward you is a heart of deep love and
people; He crowns pride.
the humble with
victory. It’s true that God can’t tolerate sin and expects us to repent and turn away
from it. However, a plethora of Bible verses, including today’s, show us a
different picture of God than we might be used to. God delights in you. You
—Psalm 149:4 make Him smile. He created you, and He looks on you with joy and pride.
When you do sin or fail, He doesn’t take pleasure in your pain. He says,
“Come back to me. We’ll handle this together.” A pastor once said that if God
had a refrigerator, all our pictures would be on it.
Knowing you’re God’s beloved child and that you bring Him joy will bring
more joy to your life, too. Your circumstances may not be the best, but
knowing God is rooting for you in the midst of them can make them easier to
handle. Additionally, you’ll be eager to share God’s joy with others. You may
find yourself doing more kind and generous deeds throughout the year or
praising God more. If you need a reminder of how God thinks of you, pray to
be shown His joy. Then revel in it, because that will bring Him the most joy of
all.

JAN07 Finding God’s Joy in Your Life
Today’s verse overflows with joy. You can almost hear the angels and the
saints praising God in Heaven, reminding Him how worthy He is of our honor
You are worthy, and love. Reading verses like this often fills us with joy and inspires us to look
our Lord and God for God’s presence around us. God rejoices when we take such delight in His
word.
to receive glory
and honor and However, sometimes finding joy is difficult or impossible, no matter what verses
power, for you we read. Since our world is filled with sin, it often feels like a dim and hopeless
place. Christians aren’t immune to a lack of joy, particularly if circumstances
created all things, don’t lend themselves to it.
and by your will At one time or another, we’ll all find ourselves in serious situations that seem to
they were created lack God’s joy. This could be an unsaved loved one whose behavior is
and have their destructive, a devastating diagnosis, a miscarriage, a disability or any number
of other circumstances. However, God wants us to cling to Him in these times
being. and find His joy. Here are a few ways to experience this:
—Revalation 4:11 • W orship . Most people equate worship with singing, which you can
do. Yet you can use any other talent, such as writing, cooking or
painting to worship God. Hebrews talk about bringing a sacrifice of
praise to Him. Do so, and meditate on joyful verses as you do.
• Rea ch ou t. Find a trusted friend or clergy member to share your
burdens and offer to share those of others. Help someone in a
physical way—write a letter or give a hug.
• Get som e fresh a ir. Sometimes joy can be hard to find if you’re
cooped up inside. Take a walk or a drive and notice the beauty of
God’s creation.
• Sp end tim e w ith fa mil y a nd frien ds, doing lighthearted
activities. Isolation brings loneliness, but socializing can increase joy.

JAN08 God Is Our Peace
Peace is a well-known fruit of the Spirit, but many Christians struggle to find it
in everyday life. When most people think of peace, they think of a warm, calm
For He Himself is feeling in the chest or a feeling that trouble can’t touch them. They equate
our peace. lack of feelings with a lack of peace.
—Ephesians In today’s verse, Paul reminds us our peace is a person, not a feeling. Christ
himself is our peace. In other words, no matter how chaotic life seems,
2:14a focusing on Christ will help us find peace again. We may not feel it, but it will
be there.
How can you make Christ your peace? Start by studying verses like today’s or
the stories of biblical characters such as Mary, who trusted the Lord despite
questions about their circumstances. You can also assess how chaotic your life
truly is. Although you can’t control all circumstances, you can and should
control others. For example, if you spend your entire day on the phone or
computer or with the television on, unplugging for a while can help to quiet
your life. If you’re overloaded with commitments, take a step back. Pray, asking
God to show you what He wants you to do and what activities you should let
go.
If circumstances are beyond your control, find small ways to inject peace into
your daily life. Read the Bible or a Christian novel during chemo treatments.
Listen to soothing music or meditations on the way to court proceedings. If
family life has you stressed, ask a spouse or friend to take over chores or kid-
related duties so you can have time to decompress. Finally, remember to pray
often, seeking the source of your peace and sharing needs and praise.

JAN09 Enjoy God’s Peace
Jesus made sure to speak to His disciples about peace, so He clearly wanted
us to experience it, too. In fact, references to peace are all over the New
Peace I leave with Testament. It’s even included as one of the first three fruits of the Spirit.
you; my peace I However, Jesus knew peace would be hard to find. He tells us not to have
troubled hearts or be afraid, which acknowledges these conditions exist.
give you. I do not
give to you as the These days, not letting your heart be troubled might seem impossible.
world gives. Do not Watching the news for 30 minutes is enough to depress the most optimistic
soul. However, it’s possible to find and hang onto peace despite all that. If
let your hearts be you’re having trouble staying peaceful right now, there are a few things you
troubled, and do can do to help yourself:
not be afraid. • M ed ita te on w hat is g ood . Philippians 4:8 specifically tells us to

think of what is true, noble, right and pure. This doesn’t mean ignoring
—John 14:27 what’s going on in the world, but it does mean reminding ourselves
who God is and that He is in control. Memorize scripture or fill your
mind with uplifting messages of Christian books and music.
• Get q uiet. Turn off the TV and computer, and follow Jesus’
example of going into a private room and closing the door to pray or
read your Bible.
• U se you r ta lents a nd p assions to w orship Go d a nd serve
ot hers. Focusing on what you’re good at and how it helps God’s
kingdom can bring you peace, as can serving others and making a
difference, no matter how small.

JAN10 God Is Truth
We live in a relativist world. Many people have their own religion or
philosophy, and each claims that his or hers is the one that holds truth. At the
Jesus answered, “I same time, our world’s pervasive attitude is, “If it’s true for you, fine; but it’s not
am the way, the true for me.” How can we be sure our God, Jesus Christ, really is truth in the
face of such an open, uncommitted attitude toward faith?
truth, and the life.
No one comes to Jesus knew we would face this challenge, so He is explicit in how He
the Father except addresses it. In today’s verse, He states without ambiguity that He is our way,
truth and life. Everything He tells us is true, and He is the only way to gain
through me. If you both eternal life and a fulfilled life on Earth. He doesn’t leave room for
really know me, addition or subtraction or say, “I am true as long as you believe it.” No—He is
the full embodiment of truth.
you will know my
Father as well. Other religions or philosophies may have versions of the truths the Bible gives
us. For example, most other religious founders or leaders tell us to love our
From now on you neighbor, forgive enemies, respect creation and do charitable deeds. However,
do know Him and Jesus makes it clear that only His truth is complete. Through Him, we can know
and see God, and as we get to know Him, we will understand more of His
have seen Him.” words.
—John 14:6-7 Truth is difficult to pin down at times, especially with so many voices claiming
to have it. If you’re unsure God is truth or if you’re a Christian but struggling
with a particular truth in the Bible, turn to the source of truth. Ask Him to open
your eyes, and use your new knowledge to spread God’s truth and share the
life He wants to give.

The Courage to Be Truthful
JAN11 God wants us to speak the truth, but sometimes speaking it requires much
more courage than we anticipated. Esther knew this firsthand. As queen of
When this is done, Persia, she had to hide her Jewish heritage, especially after King Xerxes’ evil
Prime Minister, Haman, decreed that the Jews of Persia should be annihilated.
I will go to the
king, even though it Esther had one chance to save her people, but it meant revealing her greatest
secret. Moreover, if she went to King Xerxes without an invitation, He could kill
is against the law. her on the spot.
And if I perish, I
Hopefully, few of us will be asked to give up our lives for the sake of truth, but
perish. we may be asked to face frightening circumstances. In many cases, Christians
who told the truth about their God or stuck by the truth of their morals have
—Esther 4:16b lost jobs, families, possessions or prestige. In several foreign countries around
the world, Christians are being beheaded, burned or tortured for their faith.
Standing up for truth might cost you a deep and important friendship or a
financial opportunity you or your family needs. The truth may be the most
difficult words you speak in those situations.
If you’ve been called to speak the truth today, don’t hesitate. Ask God to
reassure you of His plan and fill your heart with courage. Then speak the
words He gives you, whether they’re meant for a family member or a large
group of strangers. It may be difficult and result in negative consequences, but
like Esther, you’ll be rewarded. Your message will be heard, and perhaps you
will plant seeds in people who need to listen and respond.

JAN12 God Is Patient
Most people, even Christians, don’t think of God as particularly patient. They
think of Him as loving but ready to dispense wrath at a moment’s notice. Most
To those who were Christians might even say they wouldn’t blame God for impatience,
disobedient long considering the state of today’s world. Sin runs rampant, and surely a holy
God can only tolerate so much.
ago when God
waited patiently in Today’s verse indicates that God is infinitely more patient than people think or
the days of Noah could hope to be themselves. Peter describes God waiting patiently in the
days of Noah while the ark was being built for more people to repent and be
while the ark was saved from coming destruction. Elsewhere, Peter specifically describes God as
being built. In it, patient and says He doesn’t want anyone to perish.
only a few people, God grieves when people don’t listen to His warnings and grieves more when
eight in all, were they perish because they failed to listen. Sometimes physical perishing doesn’t
come right away—in fact, this is rare. God knows eternal punishment is so
saved through awful, so devastating, that He will wait as long as He likes for as many people
water. as possible to come to Him. He will be incredibly patient with those who
doubt, question or outright reject Him, giving them chance after chance to see
—1 Peter 3:20 His truth. Only as a last resort does God condemn anyone.
Endeavoring to show His patience is the best way for us to show people who
God truly is. Don’t give up on people who need God, even if they’re willful
and destructive toward themselves and others. Continue to show patience and
love, and let God draw people toward Himself.

JAN13 Teaching Your Child Patience
Someone once said to be careful about praying for patience, because you’ll
get what you ask for—in the form of situations that test the patience you
A hot-tempered already have. In all seriousness, patience is often one of the most difficult fruits
person must pay of the Spirit to cultivate. We want what we want the moment we ask for it,
and we aren’t about to tolerate people who try our patience. This is especially
the penalty; rescue true for young children. Children naturally expect the world to revolve around
them and you will them, so they must learn patience and the lessons must be repeated often.
have to do it How you teach patience will depend heavily on your child. Some children’s
again. temperaments allow them to be more patient than others. If your child is
already competing with siblings or other family members for attention, he or
—Proverbs 19:19 she might show more patience than is typical for someone his or her age.
However, a few key tips can help you teach this virtue to any child in almost
any situation:
• Set a n exa mp le. If you’re always yelling in traffic or tapping your

foot in line, your child will learn that waiting is a bad thing. Take a
deep breath and focus on other things.
• W a tch you r ow n tem per. We all have relatives, coworkers or

friends who drive us crazy, but your child shouldn’t learn that the
solution is to badmouth them. If you must vent, do so away from the
kids. Teach your child to walk away from someone who makes them
angry or say something like, “Please don’t call me names.”
• Take child ren to p lac es they na tura lly ha ve to w ait, a nd

tea ch them to co pe. Use things like books, coloring or games, or
talk to them about their days.
• U se “wh en-then” p hra ses. For example, on a long car ride, say,
“We’ll be at Grandma’s after six songs.”

JAN14 God Is Kind
Christians sometimes struggle with how to interpret this verse. If God is kind,
why would He cut off any of His people? Actually, in this verse, Paul is
Consider therefore speaking to Israel. Specifically, His words are directed at Gentile Christians
the kindness and who believe that Jewish “branches” of their spiritual family tree were cut off so
they could be grafted in—that God no longer accepts Jewish Christians.
sternness of God:
Sternness to those In truth, God accepts every person who turns to Him and inclines to the truth.
who fell, but Your background, past sins, family life and other external factors don’t matter
to God. Additionally, the Bible promises He will love you with everlasting love
kindness to you, and kindness. He does expect you to continue in His kindness—that is, abide
provided that you in and obey Him. However, God’s motive is to be kind, not to cut people off
from Him at will.
continue in His
kindness. Should Christians worry about losing their salvation or being cut off from
God? This verse would seem to indicate so, but again that would be a
Otherwise, you misinterpretation. Here, Paul seems to apply cutting off to those who do not
also will be cut off. abide in God—those who claim to know him but probably did not to begin
with. The Bible tells us true Christians will show their fruit, and that you don’t
—Romans 11:22 have to work to produce fruit. If the Spirit is inside you, you and others will be
able to tell. If you don’t feel the Spirit working, ask God to show you. In His
kindness, He will help you see and become a stronger, more confident
Christian over time.

JAN15 Teaching Your Child Kindness
As parents, we all want our children to be kind. It sometimes seems kindness
would be an easy virtue to teach, but children learn through repetition. They also
So in everything, tend to be self-centered, not because they’re mean, but because their worlds are
do to others what still so small. Instilling kindness in your kids will take patience, repetition and
plenty of relatable lessons.
you would have
them do to you. Today’s verse is a good place to start. It’s easy for children to understand and
memorize, and relate back to their worlds. For example, you could say to your
child, “Would you want someone at preschool to take your toys without asking?
—Matthew 7:12a You need to ask first.” Pairing the instruction with this type of question will teach
your children empathy and get them to think critically at an age-appropriate
level.
If you need more tips and object lessons, you might consider doing a few of
these with your kids:
• Take the q uestion a bo ve to the next level w ith rol e-

p laying . Use a situation your child or his teacher might have told you
about.
• Disco urag e using un kin d w ords . Make it a house rule that name-
calling, swearing and other unkind words will have a consequence.
• C at ch you r child b eing kind , a nd p ra ise her. Say something

like, “I’m proud of you for sharing with Beth today. Did that feel good?”
• Rea d sto ries, including Bible stories, in which kind and patient
characters are rewarded.
• Do kind a cts a s a fa mil y. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal

shelter, or donate toys and books to charity.
• Perform sm al l a cts of kind ness. For your spouse, relatives and

children, you can do things such as helping with chores, caring for a pet
or doing a favorite activity as part of family time.

JAN16 Listen for God’s Gentle Whisper
When reading the Bible, we often run across stories of God’s incredible
miracles, especially in the Old Testament. Stories such as Moses’ encounter
After the with the burning bush, Elijah calling down fire from Heaven, and the parting of
earthquake came a the Red Sea are crucial to the Bible. Yet they can also give us an incorrect
view of God and His miracles if studied on their own without context.
fire, but the Lord
was not in the fire. Many people, especially new Christians, expect God’s presence to be big and
And after the fire obvious at all times. They can see God in widely reported miracles, such as the
healing of terminal cancer or the birth of healthy triplets to a woman who was
came a gentle told she’d never conceive. However, focusing on these can make it harder to
whisper. hear how God usually speaks – in a gentle whisper.
Just like an earthly parent, God doesn’t like to shout to get our attention.
—1 Kings 19:12 Tuning in to His whispers shows Him we can hear Him and will listen to what
He says. Gentle whispers won’t be obvious at first, particularly if you’re a new
Christian. With practice though, you’ll hear them. They often come in the form
of a Bible verse you’ve read before, but that has a greater impact than usual.
Sometimes they come as a nudge to do or pray about something specific.
Sometimes, God uses other people to tell us something we need to hear. At
other times, a change in circumstance might let you know God is quietly
speaking. For example, a job opportunity in your city that comes just before
you move might be God’s way of telling you to stay.
Miracles are an important part of God’s work, and we should never stop
looking for them. However, His whispers are what will guide us the most in our
journeys.

JAN17 Learning to Have a Gentle Spirit
Kindness and gentleness are listed as fruits of the Spirit in Galatians. Are they
the same thing? What does it mean to have a gentle spirit? This verse lets us
To slander no one, know gentleness is a fruit all its own, and that a gentle spirit can and must be
be peaceable and cultivated.
considerate, and Some Christians believe having a gentle spirit means being overly meek and
always be gentle never standing up for yourself. Although meekness is sometimes a synonym for
toward everyone. gentleness, having a gentle spirit doesn’t mean accepting abuse or never
letting yourself be heard. Titus indicates that gentleness of spirit is considerate
toward everyone, puts others first and avoids slander or gossip.
—Titus 3:2b
This is often more difficult to do than it seems. Putting others first goes against
everything the world tells us to do, and gossip or slander can be as natural as
breathing—especially if the other person has wronged you. As with many
other fruits of the Spirit, developing gentleness requires transcending human
nature, which is impossible without God. If you want to cultivate gentleness,
study verses like today’s. Ask for direction from God, as well as trusted people
like a clergy member. Show gentleness to family and friends, and work your
way up to strangers or even those you don’t necessarily like. God will reward
your faithfulness.
What if people are already taking advantage of your gentleness and abusing
you? Remember that tolerating abuse isn’t the same as being a gentle person.
If the situation is severe, get out as quickly as possible. Seek help from the
appropriate agency, such as Social Services. You can also seek help from
family, friends and clergy. You may need counseling to learn how to deal with
your abuser and approach him or her with gentleness. Take your time, and
seek God’s guidance in handling this situation.

JAN18 God Is Self-Controlled
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit we often teach our children because we
don’t want them to be spoiled. However, as adults, we often rationalize our
Like a city whose own lack of this fruit. “I’m an adult,” we say. “I should be able to do, say and
walls are broken have what I want without worrying about displeasing God.”
through is a person This line of thinking is wrong and dangerous. God expects adults to please
who lacks self- Him just like children—perhaps more so, since adults are more mature and
control. understand His commands better than children would. Additionally, going
through life without any self-control often leads to destruction, which breaks
God’s heart and damages your relationship with Him.
—Proverbs 25:28
Will God’s heart be broken if you have a glass of wine or an extra dessert or
if you treat yourself to a shopping spree? No. The key to self-control is
knowing what comes first in the Word—self. Self-control is about considering
factors other than your wants and needs. It’s about knowing your own limits
and staying healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. One glass of wine
might be okay, but you need to be able to stop there rather than drinking an
entire bottle. Desserts are delicious but can lead to obesity if they become a
staple in your diet. Shopping for pleasure is fun, but confusing must-have items
with what you actually need often leads to debt.
How can you practice self-control without letting denial cross into legalism?
First, know your weak areas and deal with those. If you’re a shopper, set and
stick to a budget with help from a spouse or other accountability partner when
necessary. If you tend to stay up late watching TV, gradually limit screen time
until you don’t need it. Accountability will keep you on track. Memorize verses
like today’s, and ask God to increase your desire for self-control.

JAN19 God Gave Us a Spirit of Self-Control
We hear a lot about self-discipline these days. Writers of diet books and
fitness plans tout self-discipline as a way to lose weight and attain the perfect
For the Spirit God body. Parents are encouraged to teach kids self-discipline so they can
gave us does not succeed in school, athletics and other activities. People advise each other to
use self-discipline to curb spending habits.
make us timid, but
gives us power, But trying to master self-discipline on our own leads to disaster. Hyper-
love, and self- focusing on self-discipline can cause legalism, or a tendency to exaggerate our
own righteous deeds and not show mercy toward those who are struggling. It
discipline. can also cause an emotional backlash, since constantly denying ourselves the
things God approves of makes us miserable, bitter and prone to taking out our
—2 Timothy 1:7 feelings on others. We must rely on God to give us true, balanced self-
discipline.
Most Christians are familiar with the concept of relying on God but struggle
with how to do it. Does relying on God mean sitting back and waiting for Him
to fix all our self-control problems? No. Actually, relying on God means being
honest. Tell Him where you are struggling and how self-discipline makes you
feel. Ask Him for a greater desire for discipline and to see discipline God’s
way, not as a punishment but as a way to grow.
Start new disciplines slowly, and give yourself grace if you mess up. God
wants you to succeed in building all fruits of the Spirit, including self-discipline.
If you rely on Him, success will be yours. Your body and mind may never be
perfect, but you’ll be in a better place than you were when you began.

JAN20 Suffering Isn’t Permanent
Today’s verse is one Christians like to pull out when suffering comes, along
with Romans 8:28, which promises that all things work together for the good
I consider that our of those who love God. These verses are true and valuable.
present sufferings
If you or someone you love is suffering, what do you most need to hear?
are not worth Perhaps one of the most common responses is, “I need to hear this suffering
comparing with the will end.” Today’s verse indicates suffering is not permanent. In fact, Paul
glory that will be promises here that suffering leads to glory. He’s not referring to our own glory,
but the glory of Christ.
revealed in us.
As Paul writes earlier in Romans, suffering makes us more like Christ, imbuing
—Romans 8:18 us with His patience, gentleness, kindness and other wonderful fruits. Our
world is fallen, so suffering is a given. Yet, when we return to Heaven to be
with Christ, we’ll see its ultimate positive results.
Of course, future glory in Heaven can feel like cold comfort when suffering is
happening. Unfortunately, God doesn’t promise to fix all our suffering when
we want it fixed or give us the solutions we expected. He does, however,
promise to rescue the brokenhearted. He promises to comfort us with an ease
beyond what people can give and to make us strong through our suffering.
If you’re suffering, open your heart to God. Tell Him how you feel, even if
you’re angry, frustrated or doubt He is real. Ask Him to make Himself real to
you and show you some things that can make your suffering easier. Having a
serious illness can impact all areas of your life, but focusing on favorite
activities and positive meditations can help. Hold onto the truth of who God is
and what He can do for you. Your suffering will begin to seem easier.

JAN21 Taking a Risk in Faith
John 3 is probably best known as the chapter where Jesus tells us that God
sent Him to save the world (John 3:16-17). Most Christians know these
Now there was a verses but forget to whom Jesus spoke them. Today, let’s look more closely at
Pharisee, a man Jesus’ student Nicodemus.
Nicodemus who Nicodemus was a Pharisee—a highly religious teacher who was well-
was a member of respected in most Jewish circles. He would have been wealthy and sought out
the Jewish ruling as a wise man. Additionally, Nicodemus was one of the most important people
in his synagogue. Coming to Jesus and admitting He was from God could
council. He came have gotten Nicodemus excommunicated. He stood to lose everythingand so
to Jesus at night he came to Jesus at night for answers to his questions.
and said, “Rabbi, Some people might scoff at Nicodemus for sneaking to see Jesus at night.
we know that you Didn’t he know following Jesus was more important than any synagogue seat
or material wealth? The truth is that Nicodemus didn’t know. He had to find
are a teacher who out for himself and was willing to take that risk. Moreover, his risk was
has come from rewarded. He acknowledged Jesus was from God, got to know Himand went
away fulfilled.
God. For no one
could perform the Many prospective Christians take similar risks today. Christianity is illegal in
signs you are doing several countriesand becoming a Christian can mean death. At the least, it
can mean loss of jobs, property and children as well as long-term
if God were not imprisonment. Because of these penalties, millions of Christians meet
with him.” underground and must hide their faith in public. Still, they take the risk.
When was the last time you took a risk in faith? Maybe you won’t face death
—John 3:1-2 or prison, but you could lose a friend, a job or respect and connections you
need. If that’s the case, follow Nicodemus’ example. Ask Jesus for boldnessand
then follow His lead—24 hours a day.

JAN22 Don’t Give Up
Many of today’s Americans are in dire straits. The widow described here knew
what that felt like. Creditors were going to seize her two sons as slaves, and
Elisha said, “Go she couldn’t stop them. She had only a tiny bit of oil to her name. Why would
around and ask all Elisha ask her for empty jars? Prophet or not, didn’t he know he was being
foolish? Why didn’t he just give her oil, or food or money to pay her debt?
your neighbors for
empty jars. Don’t The widow’s trust seems strange, but notice what happened after she retrieved
ask for just a few. all those jars. She “kept pouring,” over and over. Her little bit suddenly became
more than she needed—enough to sell to pay her impossible debt.
Then go inside and
shut the door We often find ourselves in situations similar to this widow’s. Physically, mentally
or emotionally, we’ll be depleted. We’ll be tempted to give up and let life take
behind you and more than it’s already sapped from us. You might be there right now. You
your sons. Pour oil might think you can’t stand one more chemo treatment, one more fight with
your destructive loved one, or one more night wondering where your next
into all the jars, paycheck is coming from. You might even be tempted to take your own life.
and as each is
In these circumstances, dredging up trust can feel impossible. Ask God to help
filled, put it to one you find a tiny measure of your own oil: trust. Use your talents one more time.
side”… She left him Reach out to one more person who needs help. Make a phone call and ask for
and shut the door help yourself. God will find a way to use what you have and reward your faith.
behind her and her

sons. They brought
the jars to her and
she kept pouring.
—2 Kings 4:3-5

JAN23 Just Ask
We don’t know this woman’s name. Many Bible translations simply call her “the
woman with a blood disease” or “a sick woman.” People likely knew her this
And a woman was way, too. They probably knew her name, but thought of her disease first. Some
there who had probably forgot her name as years went by, seeing but not acknowledging her.
Ancient Jewish law declared the woman unclean, so she couldn’t worship at
been subject to the temple or associate with others.
bleeding for twelve
years, but no one The woman was probably depressed and a little bitter. Maybe she felt God
had given up on her or feared she’d committed a serious sin that couldn’t be
could heal her. She forgiven. She’d spent all she had on doctors and treatments, and still she bled.
came up behind In light of that, it must’ve taken immense courage to approach Jesus. Notice
she doesn’t interact with Him—she simply touches His cloak and tries to drop
Him and touched out of sight.
the edge of His Jesus noticed her, but not to call her unclean or accuse her of disrupting Him.
cloak, and Instead, He instantly heals her without turning around. Then He does
immediately her something the woman must’ve found more incredible. He calls her “daughter”
and tells her to go in peace because she’s well. How long had it been since
bleeding someone called this woman “daughter”? Who last acknowledged her
stopped… Then existence, much less claimed such a close tie? Jesus did what doctors couldn’t.
He said to her, Yes, He healed her blood disease—but He also touched her soul.
“Daughter, your Jesus still heals people physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes we
faith has healed must wait until Heaven for complete physical or emotional healing. Yet spiritual
healing that goes soul-deep is instantaneous. If you need it today, ask. Jesus
you. Go in peace.” will acknowledge you as His son or daughter and give it. All it takes is one
small touch.
—Luke 8:43-44,
48

JAN24 Your Story Can Help Others
This story highlights one of Jesus’ more dramatic healings. The man described
in Luke 8:26-39 had not only one demon, but a legion of them. They identify
The man from themselves to Jesus this way, stating “because we are many.” This man is
whom the demons described as living among the tombs, isolated and chained. He’s tormented
constantly, so much that he breaks free and terrifies those around him. The
had gone out tombs would’ve been an appropriate place for him to live because, to the
begged to go with people of Jesus’ Israel, this man probably received no more thought or
Him, but Jesus sent consideration than a corpse.
him away, saying, The man’s reaction to Jesus’ healing is understandable. Of course, he would
“Return home and want to show gratitude to the Person who changed his life. The most obvious
way was to follow Him as a disciple. Jesus, though, says something that sounds
tell how much God strange. He tells the man to go back home.
has done for you.” Sometimes, we have the same reaction. We meet Jesus for the first time or
So the man went have a fresh encounter with Him. We want to show our love and gratitude, so
away and told all we seek something big to do in return. Maybe we want to become long-term
foreign missionaries or sell everything we own to start a non-profit for the
over town how homeless or addicts. Jesus does call some people to minister this way. Yet for
much Jesus had many of us, He has another request. He simply wants us to tell how much God
has done for us.
done for him.
Maybe Jesus has asked you to tell your story, and maybe you’re hesitant. You
—Luke 8:38-39 might say, “My testimony is boring” or “God did more for John or forgave Beth
for more.” Don’t give in to these thoughts. Jesus gives everyone a unique story,
and they all point to Him. Let yours help someone find Him today.

JAN25 Waiting on God
It is said God has three answers for prayer: “no,” “yes,” and “wait.” “Wait” can
be the hardest answer of all, especially because it sometimes means standing
Now Sarai, by for years or even decades. Sarai, later called Sarah, knew how this felt.
Abraham’s wife, God had promised Abraham she would bear a child so a nation could be built
through her line. Decades passed, though, and Sarah still didn’t get pregnant.
had borne no Menopause came and went, and she lost hope. After all, she hadn’t heard
children. But she God’s promise like Abraham did. Could her husband be mistaken?
had an Egyptian In her doubt, Sarah did what many of us do in similar situations. She
slave named concluded she needed to “help” God. In Sarah’s time, it wasn’t unusual for a
Hagar; so she said childless woman to give her husband a handmaid. The handmaid’s children
would be born on the wife’s knees and raised as adopted sons and heirs.
to Abraham, “The Sarah followed her customs and persuaded Abraham to sleep with Hagar,
Lord has kept me thinking the promise might come through her child. Maybe both God and
Abraham were mistaken, or maybe God didn’t mean “biological child.”
from having
children. Go, sleep The rest of Genesis 16 explains Hagar did have a son, Ishmael. However,
strife ensued between Sarah and Hagar and between Ishmael and Isaac.
with my slave; Centuries later, war raged between Judaism and Islam—the two nations
perhaps I can build Abraham’s sons fathered. God did give Sarah the promised son, but we’re left
a family through to wonder: would things have been easier if she waited for His timing?
her.” Waiting for an answered prayer is often difficult and painful. God
understands, and He wants us to express our longing. Sometimes He will set us
—Genesis 16:1-2 on a path that will eventually lead to answers. However, Sarah’s story cautions
against “helping” God or following what makes sense without peace in our
hearts. It’s much better to seek God and handle waiting periods as He wants
us to.

JAN26 The Servant’s Heart
Then he prayed, Rebekah is a somewhat minor character in Genesis. Most people remember
her as Isaac’s wife and as a deceiver. Indeed, Rebekah did deceive Isaac
“Lord God… May many years later, manipulating his lack of sight so her favorite son Jacob
it be that when I would get his father’s blessing rather than Esau (Genesis 27). However, let’s
look at another portrait of Rebekah today.
say to a young
woman, ‘Please let Abraham had sent his servant to find the perfect wife for Isaac, and the
down your jar that I servant responded well. He asked God for guidance with a specific request.
The woman he would choose would have to offer him a drink, and she would
may have a drink,’ have to water all his camels.
and she says,
This was neither an easy nor safe task. In ancient Israel, wells were often
‘Drink, and I’ll water located underground at the foot of slippery, steep stairs cut into stone.
your camels, too – Moreover, carrying several heavy jars of water as Rebekah did here would
let her be the one exhaust anyone, let alone a young woman. Yet Rebekah offered without
hesitation. In doing so, she showed three key traits of a godly woman. She had
you have chosen compassion on a servant who was likely tired, dirty and thirsty from long
for your servant travels. She showed generosity, offering to complete a difficult task over and
over for a stranger. Finally, she asked nothing for herself in return, emulating
Isaac…” Before he the attitude of a true servant.
had finished,
Rebekah came Sometimes God will ask us to do things that feel as hard as carrying water
jars up steep stairs again and again. Sometimes serving others, whether they’re
out… “Drink, my strangers or those we love, will be difficult. Rebekah’s story can inspire us to
lord…I’ll draw do it and show the world the generous God we have.
water for your

camels, too.”
—Genesis 24:12-
19a

JAN27 God’s Justice
“It’s not fair!” We say this a lot as kids, whether it’s about our sibling getting a
bigger cookie than we did or our teacher giving us a lower grade than we feel
And the Lord said, we deserve. When we grow older, we may not say the words anymore, but we
“… And will not still feel injustice.
God bring about In fact, the discriminations adults encounter are usually bigger and more
justice for His painful than childhood unfairness. A beloved parent or grandparent dies of
chosen ones, who cancer. A baby is born with a disability. An innocent person is killed, or
financial problems result in foreclosure. These things can happen for a number
cry out to Him day of reasons, but often, it’s no one’s fault. Injustice is a product of sin in the
and night? I tell world, but that doesn’t lessen the pain.
you, He will see Through the persistent widow, Jesus offers a solution to the pain of injustice.
that they get Don’t bottle it up or lash out in anger. Instead, turn to God. Pour out your
feelings—sadness, anger, confusion and whatever else they may be. God
justice, and promises to hear and comfort you, holding you close like a beloved child.
quickly.” Unlike the unrighteous judge in Jesus’ parable, God won’t consider you a
bother or only answer your request to avoid repercussions. The truth is He
—Luke 18:6-8 empathizes with you.
In this parable, Jesus also promises God will see you get justice – “and
quickly.” Keep in mind that His timing is not ours; it may seem slow or
nonexistent. However, God keeps all His promises. You can count on Him to
deal with your adversary and help you understand why the injustice occurred.
In the meantime, keep praying and asking Him for what you need. Don’t give
up; He will honor your faith and persistence.

JAN28 Radical Obedience
When most of us think of Jesus’ birth, we think of Mary. We know her as the
mother of Jesus, a woman who is called “blessed among women.” Yet we often
I am the Lord’s don’t think of Mary in terms of her sacrifice.
servant. May your
When the angel of the Lord visited Mary, she was already engaged to Joseph.
word to me be If she agreed to bear Jesus, her pregnancy would show in a matter of months
fulfilled. and everyone would believe she’d broken her betrothal vows. Joseph would
surely divorce her, and she could well be stoned to death under Jewish law.
—Luke 1:38 Her life would be ruined and probably taken from her.
Despite this, Mary didn’t question the angel or voice any worries she had.
Instead, she simply asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” When the
angel explained the Holy Spirit would come upon her and make the pregnancy
possible, Mary trusted his word. Not only that, she immediately responded: “I
am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Only one woman was ever chosen to carry and mother God’s Son, but God
asks us to make sacrifices or do things we think are impossible every day.
Sometimes His requests carry risks for us. We might be laughed at or lose
something or someone important to us, like a job or a spouse. Yet God
promises that His servants’ obedience will be rewarded many times in the Bible
and that He’ll be with us through trials.
Will you follow Mary’s example and obey God in a new, maybe radical way
today?

JAN29 Treating Others With Respect
Have you ever known someone who makes you think, “That person could never
be a Christian?” Perhaps you yourself have been that person. Maybe you’ve
“Who are you, said or done things in your past you think are so terrible that God could never
Lord?” Saul asked. forgive and accept you.
“I am Jesus, whom Saul could relate to that. He called himself the “worst of sinners,” and he
probably ranked high on ancient Christians’ lists. Acts tell us Saul regularly
you are arrested, tortured and killed innocent Christians. As a highly trained Pharisee,
persecuting,” He he believed he was doing God’s work—that God applauded what he did.
Saul was even present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
replied. “Now get According to Acts 7, he stood in the background the entire time, doing
up and go into the nothing as witnesses laid their coats at his feet in tacit approval. Surely, Saul
could never become a Christian.
city and you will be
told what you must Isn’t it amazing that the Bible says this is exactly what happened? In fact, Saul
do…” Immediately, had a dramatic conversion. He became blind for three days, perhaps because
God used physical blindness to highlight his spiritual condition. After those
something like three days, though, the scales fell from Saul’s eyes—literally. God gave him a
scales fell from new name. From then on, Saul the persecutor became Paul. Paul went on to
worship Christ more fervently and boldly than almost any other biblical figure.
Saul’s eyes…He He also wrote several of our Bible’s books and ultimately died for Christ.
got up and was
As difficult as it may be, don’t give up on the person you think could never
baptized. embrace Christ. Pray for him or her, and continue offering a chance at faith. If
you think you’re the one beyond God’s reach, don’t give up on yourself. Cry
—Acts 9:5-6, 18 out to Him, and tell Him you want to believe. He will be there, and He will
open your eyes.
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JAN30 Trust God
In this passage, Joseph uses two words that, when put together, can become
two of the most hopeful in the Bible. It’s tempting to glance over the phrase
But Joseph said, “but God,” or ignore it altogether. After all, we know God can turn bad
“Don’t be afraid… experiences around for good, right? We know He can do the impossible. Most
of us have heard stories like Joseph’s several times, maybe even all our lives.
You intended to Yet do we truly understand what “but God” means? Do we believe He can
harm me, but God make good come out of horrible circumstances?
intended it for Joseph knew something about horrible circumstances. His own brothers sold
good, to him into slavery in a foreign land. He was jailed for a crime he didn’t commit.
accomplish what is Surely he wondered where God was. What happened to all the grand dreams
He sent him? Was Joseph supposed to die forgotten in prison?
now being done,
the saving of many God said “no.” In fact, He made Joseph successful in all he did so that he
became second in command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers came to
lives.” Egypt, he had every right to punish or kill them. Instead, Joseph reassured his
kin they were forgiven and that God used what they had done for good.
—Genesis 50:19-
20 It’s easy to agree with this truth when we see it in Joseph’s story because we
already know the ending. But what about our own situations? It can be
difficult—heart-wrenching—to trust God with our own circumstances. Maybe
you’re facing foreclosure. Maybe the spouse you loved just walked out or
cheated. Maybe you’ve been handed a devastating diagnosis or lost a loved
person or pet. Can anything good come out of this?
God promises it can (Romans 8:28). He also vows to comfort us and give us
wisdom if we ask. Tell Him how you feel, and ask Him to show you His plans.
If you can’t see past the circumstances, ask Him to help you. He will do it and
will rejoice with you when you see His good intentions.
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JAN31 The Sword of the Spirit
In the last part of Ephesians 6, Paul discusses the armor of God. He gives
names and functions to each piece and extols Christians to wear them at all
Take the … sword times, so they can stand strong. The last part of the armor though, is a sword.
of the Spirit, which The sword represents the Word, or the Bible, and is our only defensive weapon
against Satan.
is the Word of
God. Most Christians understand the Bible is important, but some of them have
trouble proving it in their lives. Some don’t even read the Bible regularly. As
—Ephesians 6:17 someone once said, this is the equivalent of standing in front of a snake with
an unloaded gun and shouting, “Bang, bang!” You’ll make noise, but the snake
won’t budge and will likely bite you. Without a scriptural foundation, you may
be okay for a while, but you’ll be vulnerable to attack.
Of course, making time for Bible reading and study can be difficult in our busy
world. If you find Scripture study hard, boring, or time-consuming, try these tips
to find joy and knowledge in it:
• U se a Bibl e you un dersta nd. Too many Christians get bogged

down because they try to study using a Bible that employs archaic
language.
• C hoo se a Bibl e stu dy you ’d like to a ttend . Studying
Scripture with other Christians gives you fresh perspectives. Focusing
on particular topics also makes Bible reading seem less daunting.
• M ake real ist ic g oa ls for you rsel f, such as reading the Psalms
in 3-4 months or the whole Bible in a year. Reward yourself as you
make progress.
• M emo rize a nd q uot e verses , both favorites and less familiar
ones. Setting them to a tune or rhythm can help.
• Sha ke up d evo tiona l tim e. Have it at a coffee shop or go out in
nature instead of closed in a bedroom.

FEB01 The New Creation
The start of a new month often brings hope, but for some of us, each new month
feels like an extension of the old one, with the same burdensome problems as
before. Those problems could be any number of things. Maybe you started the new
year determined to lose 10 pounds, only to find you’ve lost two in the past four
weeks or, worse yet, none at all. You may have resolved to give up a destructive
habit like smoking, drinking or gambling, but instead you find yourself lighting up,
pouring a drink or sitting at a card table.
Paul’s encouragement from 1 Corinthians is meant to give us a much-needed shot

of hope. Jesus Christ does not look at us and see failures, endlessly spinning our
wheels. In fact, Scripture tells Christ, along with the angels in Heaven, to rejoice.
Moreover, when we do fail, He is there to pick us up and say, “That’s okay. Let’s
try again, together.”
Together is the key. You cannot and will not change the negative or destructive
parts of your life without Christ’s help. He is willing and eager to give it, but He will
never force His help on you. If you have failed to change after months, or even
years, of trying, you might feel like giving up and hiding from Christ’s keen eyes.
Resist the temptation to hide and come to Him instead.
In your prayers, tell Him how hard you have tried and how difficult it is to make
permanent change. Ask what He wants you to do; maybe you need wise counsel,
an accountability partner or a new approach to your goal. With Him at your side,
you can enjoy life as a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new

creation has come: The old is gone, the
new is here!
—1 Corinthians 5:17

FEB02 Thanks Be to God
Many people believe that once you become a Christian, the desire to sin
naturally disappears or that temptation to commit sin will only rarely trouble
Wretched man you. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Jesus warned in Matthew, our
that I am! Who will spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak. Perhaps we expect daily struggles, but
what happens if you have one specific sin you can’t seem to shake?
rescue me from this
body that is subject This happens to more Christians than you might think. Some come to the faith
to death? Thanks with serious addictions, whether to drugs, alcohol, sex or food. Others have
less obvious sins that are just as dangerous, such as a tendency to blow up in
be to God, who anger when frustrated. Still others develop small issues over time— “just one
delivers me through time” becomes a craving for sinful behavior. Most Christians will try to solve
the problem on their own, usually through legalistic behavior, and end up
Jesus Christ our miserable.
Lord! Paul understood this trouble well. In Romans 7, he explains that he constantly
—Romans 7:24- does what he knows is wrong, even though he strives not to. He cries out for
rescue, just as we should. If you have a longstanding addiction or other form
25 of sin you can’t get rid of, drawing close to God is your best hope.
However, drawing close to God does not simply mean reading the Bible,
praying more and participating in more church activities. In fact, that strategy
often turns into checking things off a list. God never meant for you to battle a
sinful nature alone. Some people need counseling, church support or simply a
plan of action, written down, to hold themselves accountable. Finally, go to
your prayer closet for some self-inspection.

FEB03 Dwell in Unity
Jesus made it clear that He wants believers to dwell together in unity and live
peacefully with all people. While that should be the Christian ideal, different
Some time later, Paul personalities, opinions and priorities get in the way, as they did in today’s
said to Barnabas, passage. Paul and Barnabas had been dear friends – in fact, Barnabas was
“Let us go back and the first disciple to accept Paul after his dramatic conversion. They may have
retained that close friendship after this passage, but the verses tell us they
visit the believers … parted company, deciding not to work with each other any longer.
and see how they are
Sometimes in life, we will be led to part company with a friend or even a
doing.” Barnabas family member we love. Determining if it is time to do so can be hard, so you
wanted to take John, must pray diligently and seek guidance from the Bible and from other trusted
also called Mark, people. If you’re still not sure, ask yourself these questions:
with them, but Paul • Do es this p erso n b uild m e up or tea r m e d ow n? Friendships

don’t exist to stroke egos, but if this person continually discourages
did not think it wise you, consciously or not, he or she may not be good for you.
… because he had • Is this p erso n ta king a dva nta ge of m e? Some people will try
deserted them in to feed off you, overburdening you with their needs or expecting you
Pamphylia and had to solve all their problems. You are a friend, not a therapist or a
pastor.
not continued with
them in the work. • Is d est ructive b eh avior involved ? If your friend is continually
and unrepentantly sinning, or trying to draw you into bad behavior
They had such a patterns, you need to get away quickly.
sharp disagreement • C an this p erso n “ag ree to d isa g ree”? If your friend is always
that they parted right, can’t listen and can’t be held accountable, he or she may
company. become a stumbling block for you.
—Acts 15:46-39

FEB04 In Our Image, In Our Likeness
When most Christians tell the salvation story, they start around Genesis 3, the
chapter in which Adam and Eve sinned and caused the fall of humanity. That’s
Then God said, not a bad place to begin witnessing; after all, it is true that we are all sinners
“Let us make and in need of a savior. The unfortunate truth is that starting with sin may
mean losing listeners.
mankind in our
image, in our Jefferson Bethke, author of Jesus > Religion and It’s Not What You Think,
likeness.” explained it this way: Approaching non-Christians and telling them right away
that they are horrible and have no hope often drives them away. Though that’s
not what we mean to say, it’s often how others interpret the message. In most
—Genesis 1:26 cases, we would be better off pointing non-Christians to Genesis 1.
In Genesis 1, we see the vast complexity and beauty of creation. We see the
tenderness and thought that God put into each of His creations, especially
man and woman. Of the thousands of creatures on Earth, we are the only
ones made in God’s image. Focus on that for a minute. We are made in God’s
image, and because God is wholly good, that means we were made as wholly
good creations, too.
Sin did damage the nature of man and fracture our perfect relationship with
God. Non-Christians and Christians alike need to know this to appreciate
Jesus’ sacrifice fully. However, God never looks at us and sees damaged
people. He sees us as beautiful, good, original creations, each one unique and
with a purpose in His kingdom. That’s the message we all need to hear, every
day.

FEB05 Questioning and Trusting God
The Bible is a precious and holy book, but some passages can be troubling for
the modern Christian. Today’s passage is one of these. After the initial attack
Then Joshua, on Ai, Achan coveted several of the city’s possessions. Against the Lord’s
together with all command, he took them, causing Israel’s sound defeat in Ai and the loss of
several soldiers. Because of his sin, Achan was stoned.
Israel, took Achan,
son of Zerah … If the passage stopped there, it might not be as troublesome. Our world tells
and all that he us that sinners should pay the consequences of their actions. Yet, we are told
that Achan’s family was killed with him and all his possessions were burned.
had, to the valley We may question how this is fair. Does it show that God is vengeful, eager to
of Achor. … Then wipe out anyone who breaks the smallest commandment?
all Israel stoned The simple answer to the last question is “no.” Studying this passage is a great
him, and after they exercise in learning to trust God when we don’t understand what He does or
why. The Bible doesn’t tell us why Achan’s family suffered with him. However,
had stoned the the passage does give us an example of the innocent suffering for the guilty—
rest, they burned just as Christ did for us. There is hope here and a hidden gem of God’s mercy.
them. God is neither vengeful nor petty. Everything He does leads us closer to Him.
If His actions seem harsh or hard to understand, He allows us to ask questions.
—Joshua 7:24 & Actually, God encourages questions. He knows the world around us doesn’t
25b think the way He does, nor does it teach us to trust Him. Sometimes, the only
answer we will get when we ask hard questions is, “Trust me.” Yet, if we
continue in the faith, studying His word and seeking Him in prayer, we will
build up trust and learn more about God’s true character of love.

FEB06 The Least in My Family
God gives us plenty of characters to relate to in the Bible, especially the Old
Testament. Gideon is perhaps one of the most relatable. Here, God has called
“Pardon me, Lord,” him to save Israel from the Midianites, but he has an understandable, common
Gideon replied, reaction. Gideon focuses on his weaknesses and asks God how he could be
used for such a task as saving his whole nation.
“but how can I
save Israel? My Most of us aren’t called to save nations, but we all have “Gideon moments”
clan is the weakest from time to time. The world tells us our weaknesses are bad and that they
make us lesser people. Therefore, when God wants to use us, we tend to focus
in Manasseh, and I on our weaknesses and put ourselves down. We say things like, “How can I
am the least in my teach elementary kids, Lord? I’m too shy.” “Lord, how can I raise a baby? I
have a disability.” “Lord, why are you asking me to donate food to the food
family.” The Lord bank when I can barely feed my family?”
answered, “I will be God understands these concerns and does not condemn us for them. How
with you, and you could He, when He made us as we are? God gives us those weaknesses, or
will strike down all places us in particularly hard situations, so we can learn to lean on Him more.
As we learn to rely on Him, we gain the strength to do the divinely appointed
the Midianites, tasks He has given us. Better than that, we’re often more successful than we
leaving none alive.” imagined we could be.
—Judges 6:15 Gideon certainly was strong enough—as God promised, he and just 300 men
struck down the Midianites and saved Israel. If you are facing a monumental
task today, take heart from Gideon’s story. Go to God with your weaknesses
and let Him make you strong, for you are a warrior in His eyes.

FEB07 Praise the Lord
The biblical story of Leah is often overlooked. She’s usually talked about in
conjunction with her beautiful sister Rachel, the one Jacob loved even though
She conceived he was married to both women. She is known for having “weak eyes” and
again, and when being party to Laban’s deception of Jacob.
she gave birth to a It’s easy to read Genesis 29 and assume Leah got a raw deal or that she
son, she said, “This should be held up as an example of what not to be. Today’s verse, though,
time I will praise gives us great insight into who Leah really was.
the Lord.” So she God did see Leah and have compassion for her. He understood her longing
named him Judah. for love, and so He allowed her to have children. Pay attention to what Leah
named these children. Her oldest, Reuben, she named because “The Lord has
seen my misery.” Likewise, she gave Simeon and Levi names that mean “the
—Genesis 29:35 Lord hears” and “attached,” hoping that Jacob would hear and understand her
desire for love, or at least become attached to her. Leah was a desperate
woman, and it’s hard not to pity her.
However, Leah did not wallow in pity. Notice what she says in today’s verse
after birthing her fourth son. “This time I will praise the Lord.” The Bible doesn’t
say she gave up on Jacob’s love, but she does show great strength here. Leah
is determined to be thankful for what she has and give credit to God.
Therefore, she names her fourth son Judah, or “praise.”
Praising God when we don’t feel like it, or when circumstances are hard, can
be one of the most difficult and painful things about being a Christian. Yet
when we choose to praise Him, God will be pleased.

FEB08 Justified
If you’ve been a Christian a long time, you’re probably familiar with the
parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. You may even roll your eyes in
But the tax disgust when you read the Pharisee’s prayer— “Thank you that I am not like
collector … would these evildoers. …” By the time the Pharisee starts listing all his good deeds,
you might be ready to throttle him. Doesn’t he know how self-righteous he is?
not even look up to Doesn’t he know that God is more pleased with people like the tax collector?
heaven, but beat
his breast and said, These are natural reactions, but maybe we ought to slow down before
berating the Pharisee too much. Most Christians try to be as humble, kind, and
“God, have mercy generous as possible. Most of us also acknowledge our sins, because they are
on me, a sinner.” I what we count on Jesus to save us from. That said, we all have self-righteous
moments, don’t we? It’s easy to look at the “tax collectors” in our lives and
tell you that this think, “Okay, I sin, but at least I don’t do that.”
man, rather than This parable reminds us that no one sin is greater than the other in Jesus’ eyes,
the other, went and sometimes sin can masquerade as goodness or religion. Jesus also tells this
home justified parable to remind us that the person who is honest about his or her faults and
approaches God with a contrite heart is the one who goes home forgiven. The
before God. good news is, anyone can be this person. Even if you were a “Pharisee” before
meeting Christ or have self-righteous tendencies, you can always ask for
—Luke 18:13b- mercy. Better than that, God is always ready to give it.
14

FEB09 The Kingdom of God
“Enter the kingdom of God as a little child” and “Have childlike faith” are
popular phrases among Christians, but what do they mean? These phrases
People were also are so much a part of Christianity that many Christians, especially adults,
bringing babies to have forgotten why they are important. Does Jesus mean we should
Jesus for him to place perpetually act like children? Does He mean we shouldn’t think, speak and
reason like adults, or make adult decisions?
his hands on them.
When the disciples No. In fact, Paul talks about putting away childish things later in the New
Testament. However, neither Paul nor Jesus said to lose the capacity for
saw this, they rebuked childlike faith. Here, childlike faith means putting absolute trust in God—
them. But Jesus called trust to take care of us, trust to do what’s best for us, and trust to give us
the children to him and the good things He promises.
said, “Let the little This level of trust is not unlike what a young child has for a parent. When a
children come to me, little kid looks at Mommy or Daddy, they don’t see a big, powerful adult
and do not hinder who’s smarter and stronger than they are. Though Mommy and Daddy
represent these things, to children they are loving, caring figures who make
them, for the kingdom their world safe.
of God belongs to
Adults usually don’t come to Jesus with this kind of attitude. We think He’s
such as these. Truly I too busy solving wars, world hunger and other global-scale problems to
tell you, anyone who bother taking us on His lap and nurturing us. We might even think He’s more
will not receive the eager to punish us than treat us like precious children. Yet, as 1 John says,
precious children is exactly what we are. Jesus wants us to come to Him
kingdom of God like a every day. He is never too busy, and His heart is always open to His
little child will never children.
enter it.”
—Luke 18:15-17

FEB10 Inquire of God
Reading horoscopes and following astrology is a popular pastime, even among
Christians. Many Christians say, “I don’t take this seriously; it’s just for fun.”
When someone Indeed, it might be difficult to find a true Christian who actually plans his or
tells you to consult her day according to astrological charts, psychic predictions or tarot readings.
However, today’s verse reminds us these activities are not “just for fun.” They
mediums and are both sinful and dangerous.
spiritualists, who
whisper and mutter, Many Christians might consider this harsh, or say that the Old Testament
takes too hard a line against people whose beliefs are different. However, in
should not a telling Isaiah this, God’s goal was not to be intolerant. Instead, He was
people inquire of warning Isaiah that it’s unwise to trust anyone who relies on anything other
than God. In today’s verse, mediums and people like them are described as
their God? Why “whispering and muttering,” not engaging in real communication. God goes on
consult the dead to ask why anyone would consult the dead on behalf of the living, when the
dead no longer have anything to do with what goes on in our world.
on behalf of the
living? Not knowing the future is sometimes scary, and it can be tempting to go to a
psychic or have your cards read “just this once.” Resist this temptation—run
—Isaiah 8:19 from it if you have to. It can lead to occult activities, and more importantly, it
hurts God’s heart. God is all-knowing and the definition of love and wisdom.
He wants us to inquire of Him about the future, as well as the past and
present. His words are not predictions; they are always true and spoken with
your best interest at heart.

FEB11 Dealing With Anger Issues
Anger is probably the toughest emotion to control. How can we obey the instructions
of today’s verse and set an example for our kids when listening carefully and thinking
Everyone should be before speaking doesn’t come naturally? Here are some ways to do so in your own life
quick to listen, slow and show your children how to do it, too.
to speak, and slow • Set a n exa mp le. If your kids see you raging over little things, they’ll learn
to become angry. this is a proper response.
• Know you r trig gers. Understand what sets you off and work on dealing
—James 1:19 with it.
• W a tch you r m out h. Avoid cursing or using slurs when angry. If you do,
apologize immediately if your kids hear you.
• C onfron t the real p ro bl em. Are you really angry at the situation or
person, or is something else bothering you?
• If your words or actions hurt someone, b e w illing to a pol og ize and ask
forgiveness
• Avoid p erp et ua lly a ngry p eo pl e. Try responding positively. If that
doesn’t work, walk away.
• Jou rnal a bo ut w hat m akes you a ngry. Often, writing down your
feelings diffuses them.
• Desig nat e “safe p eo pl e” to ta lk to a bo ut ang er. For a child, this
could be a parent, teacher, Sunday school leader or pastor.
• St ud y w hat “rig hteo us a nger” m eans. Teach yourself and your children
situations when it’s okay to be angry.
• C ont ro l you r a ctions. Never allow yourself or your child to hit or hurt
another person or a pet in anger
• W a tch ca ffein e a nd junk foo d. They can release hormones that can
play havoc with emotions.
• Sl eep w ell. Angry outbursts often happen when we’re tired or cranky.
• Teach child ren g ood w ays to express a nger. These can include
writing down letters, going to a protest or boycotting a product.
• Exercise regu la rl y. It clears your head and releases endorphins.
• Designate a “chill-out area.” Visit this place when the need to cool down
comes, and teach your children to do the same.
• Pra y. God listens better than anyone else does, and He can help you find
lasting solutions.

FEB12 Do
Sometimes, listening to sermons and reading what the Bible says is the easy
part. Implementing what the Bible says, on the other hand, can be much more
Do not merely challenging.
listen to the word
Some readers interpret this verse to mean that if you memorize Scripture, you
and so deceive will always be able to do what the Bible says, because you will have its words
yourselves. Do in your brain permanently. Memorizing Scripture is, in fact, a great way to
what it says. become a “doer of the Word,” but don’t let your efforts stop there. Actions
speak louder than words, especially to non-Christians. If you aren’t sure how to
Anyone who listens become a doer of the Word, these tips may help:
to the word but • Ask you rsel f, Go d a nd ot hers w hat you r g ift s a re.
does not do what Understanding your spiritual gifts can point you to specific tasks. Is
your gift teaching? Ask to lead or co-facilitate a Bible study. Is it
it says is like serving? Maybe the church kitchen staff needs help preparing the
someone who looks potluck dinner for next month.
at his face in a • Alw a ys b e read y to g ive. This doesn’t have to mean money to
charities like Food for the Hungry; you could donate clothing and
mirror and, after possessions to charities like Goodwill. Is there a talent you could give
looking at himself, to help your church family?
goes away and • Be a n enco urag er. Give the people around you specific praise
immediately forgets (e.g., “You did a great job on that project; I admire your skill with
finances.”)
what he looks like. • Branc h ou t in you r d evo tiona l tim e. Find a Bible study that
captures your interest, use an audio Bible or play praise music while
—James 1:22-24 praying.
• Pra ctice forg iveness for tho se w ho w rong you . If the
situation is ongoing or serious, seek help from a pastor, counselor,
trusted family member or friend.

FEB13 Wisdom, Patience
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, but it is one of the hardest ones to cultivate.
Christians are taught to love others, and on most days, we like to think we
A person’s wisdom do a pretty good job. However, most of us also have one or two people in
yields patience; it is our lives who try our patience like no one else can.
to one’s glory to Difficult people can take many forms. For some, it’s the fellow church
overlook an member who perpetually complains and criticizes. Sometimes it’s the
offense. grandparent or elderly neighbor who seems fixated on how horrible the
world is today. Sometimes it’s the child in your life who constantly throws
tantrums or sulks, no matter what you do. Unfortunately, over time, these
—Proverbs 19:11 offenses toward us build until we can’t look at them without seeing a list of
wrongdoings and shortcomings.
Today’s verse challenges us to go against human nature and forgive those

offenses. In fact, the Word specifically states it is “to our glory” to overlook
them. In other words, the more patient we are, the more Christ-like we
become. The more Christ-like we become, the more we share in His glory on
Earth and eventually in Heaven. Overlooking offenses is difficult, especially if
the person needles you over and over. Yet, it is not impossible if you use the
tools at your disposal.
• Pra y. Do it silently and quickly the minute the difficult person in
your life starts needling you again. Pray specifically for patience,
love and a change in both your hearts when you have more time.
• Remind you rsel f a nd the ot her p erso n of his or her
g ood tra its. This will help take your focus from offenses.
• Ask the p erso n if he or she ha s a p ra yer need. Sometimes
difficult people act as they do because life isn’t going well.

FEB14 A Selfless Love (The Story of Ruth and
Naomi)
But Ruth replied, February often brings love to mind, especially on Valentine’s Day. Today, let’s
“Where you go I examine one of the most poignant stories of selfless love in the Bible. The story
of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi is probably familiar, but it bears close
will go, and where examination.
you stay I will stay. Many Christians aren’t fully aware of what Ruth was asking to do in this verse.
Your people will be Ruth was a young widow and a Moabite woman. If she returned to Israel with
my people and Naomi, she would know no one and be totally alone except for her mother-in-
law, who the chapter also tells us was already bitter because of her own
your God will be widowhood and the deaths of her sons.
my God.”
Worse, Ruth would be considered a foreigner and an outsider because the
—Ruth 1:16 Moabites worshiped different gods. One of these gods was Chemosh, a
destroyer god and “abomination to Israel,” who required child sacrifice. Ruth
could be shunned just for association with this god, never mind whether she
actively practiced his rites.
Despite all this, Ruth chose to go to Israel with Naomi. The story doesn’t spell
it out, but we can infer she had a deep, sacrificial love for her mother-in-law.
Ruth proved this love with her promise to make Israel her people and their
God hers, embracing a whole new way of life and religion. Her strength,
courage and good heart have been lauded for centuries.
Most of us will not be asked to travel to a new nation to show sacrificial love.
Yet we can all show it in small ways on Valentine’s Day and every day. Ask
God how He would have you show love today.

FEB15 Praying for Our Leaders
In today’s verse, Paul tells us that all leaders, from national to local, need our
prayers. Prayer may not change their decisions or hearts, but it does please God,
I urge, then, first of who is our ultimate leader and ruler.
all, that petitions,
Praying for leaders can be a daunting task, since they have so many duties and
prayers, affect so many people. These things to pray over leaders can help you gain a new
intercession and perspective on them and what they do.
thanksgiving be • Pra y for their m inds. Leaders have tons of things to think – pray for
made for all their clarity and focus in decision-making.
people—for kings • Pra y for their feet, that your leaders will be safe wherever they go.
Pra y for their a rms, that they will be strong enough to hold burdens
and all those in
•
and gentle enough to reach out to people around them.
authority, that we • Pra y for their sou ls. Ask that non-Christian leaders come to know
may live peaceful •

Jesus, and that Christian ones remain strong in faith.
Pra y for their heal th, that all your leaders remain active, vital and able
and quiet lives in to complete the tasks before them.
all godliness and • Pra y for their fa mil ies. Leaders sacrifice time with their spouses,
children and other family members to serve you every day.
holiness. This is • Pra y for their co wo rkers. Leaders need patience, especially when
good, and pleases confronted with personalities, priorities or policies they don’t agree with.
God our savior. • Pra y for lea ders’ sp eech, that it will be gracious, truthful and
meaningful.
—1 Timothy 2:1-3 • Pra y a ga inst op pression , that anyone under an oppressive leader will
find strength and hope in God and that the leader’s heart will be changed.
• Pra y a ga inst d isa g reements, that disagreements between leaders
and their people can happen without rage, violence or slander.
• Pra y for impa rtial it y, that all leaders will be impartial, showing no
favoritism.
• Pra y for hum ilit y, that your leaders will be humble enough to admit and
try to rectify mistakes.
• Pra y for p ea ce in your country, that your leaders won’t have to face
the devastation of war.

FEB16 The Story of Martha
Martha is another biblical character who often gets a bad reputation. Most
retellings of her story skim over this verse and go straight to the part everyone
As Jesus and His remembers—Martha being worried and distracted because of all the
disciples were on preparations involved in having Jesus visit. People often think of Martha as
shrewish, demanding Jesus make Mary help her.
their way, He
came to a village Martha’s character goes much deeper than that, though. Focus on the last
where a woman part of today’s verse. Martha opened her home to Jesus. She was the house
owner, and as such, it was her responsibility to show hospitality. Furthermore,
named Martha her actions show she knew who Jesus was and loved Him dearly. Thus, she put
opened her home her best efforts into preparing the house for Him and cooking a delicious meal.
Yes, Martha was easily worried and distracted, but she was also a hard
to him. worker with a generous heart who gave her best effort to everything she did.
—Luke 10:38 Like Martha, we can sometimes feel as if our character is being summed up
into one or two words, or that we’re being judged because of one incident
where we didn’t act our best. We might even feel, as some Christians do, that
Jesus loves us less because of it—that He openly favors the “Marys” of our
world.
If you are more a “Martha” than a “Mary,” embrace this truth today. God
made you to serve diligently and give generously, and He does not love you
any less for being worried and distracted at times. Furthermore, He doesn’t
love others any less because of their faults or judge their entire character
based on one incident. Jesus sees and loves the whole person, just as we
should.

FEB17 Thoughts and Focus
Part of being a Christian involves watching and sometimes changing the things
we think about and the way we think about them. This doesn’t mean policing
Finally, brothers, our thoughts nonstop. Rather, it means focusing on the things that today’s
whatever is true, verse says we should. At times, this simple call can be quite difficult. Our world
is full of negative events, hard-hearted people and actions that are neither
whatever is noble, lovely nor praiseworthy. How can we realistically keep our thoughts positive
whatever is right, and pleasing to God while still dealing effectively with life?
whatever is pure, Sometimes, the answer can be as simple as refocusing your thoughts. For
whatever is lovely, example, if you find your thoughts racing with worry as you lie in bed at night,
whatever is try praying or repeating favorite Scriptures silently to calm down. If the first
thought you have when you see a certain coworker is negative, send up a
admirable—if quick, general prayer for that person, and continue to pray throughout the day
anything is as he or she comes to mind.
excellent or Many Christians, however, deal with ongoing negative or sinful thoughts in one
praiseworthy, think or two particular areas. If you were addicted to pornography before
accepting Christ, you may still have lustful thoughts or the desire to visit
about such things. certain websites. If you are living with a chronic disease or disability, you may
continually struggle with the thought that your life matters less than everyone
—Philippians 4:8 else’s life.
In the case of ongoing thoughts, accountability and counseling may help. Fall
back on certain calming activities when these thoughts arise. Try journaling,
turning on praise music, going for a walk or watching an uplifting movie or TV
show. As time progresses, you will be more able to focus on praiseworthy
things.

FEB18 Work and Commitment
The Christian life is often compared to a marathon, training for the Olympics,
or some other difficult athletic challenge. In fact, Paul talks often about
[I am] confident of fighting the good fight and racing to win the eternal prize of Heaven and
this, that He who Jesus’ approval. Everyone’s race looks different, but they all can seem long and
arduous at times. That’s why today’s promise is so vital.
began a good
work in you will Have you ever started a project with great intentions, especially around the
carry it on to beginning of the year, but forgot to finish it? Maybe you promised yourself
you’d finally write that novel, or maybe you wanted to make your own
completion until the bookcases for a private study. For whatever reason though, many of these
day of Christ Jesus. projects tend to be forgotten in a short time. Then they lie around the house
unfinished.
—Philippians 1:6 Jesus is not at all like us in this regard. He never starts something He doesn’t
finish, and this is especially true of people. From the time you are born, Jesus
uses people and events to draw you toward Him. Once you become a
Christian, He works inside you so you become more like Him. He doesn’t stop
until He is satisfied with the results and knows you have embraced the person
He made you to be.
If your road to completion in anything, especially spiritual matters, seems long

today, express that to Jesus. Ask Him to help you trust in His timing and
process and to show you His love. You will see progress, and you will know
who and what you were created to be. That progress will lead you on a
journey where God uses you to further His kingdom every day.

FEB19 Gratification
We live in a society of instant gratification. No matter how much we try to
control or hide it, we want what we want, and we want it right now. Perhaps
Jacob replied, “First no one knew this better than Esau. In this famous Genesis passage, we see
sell me your him selling his birthright and blessing for a simple bowl of stew.
birthright.”
It’s easy to read this story and scoff at Esau, telling ourselves how stupid he
“Look, I am about to was and that we’d never do something like that. Truthfully, most of us probably
wouldn’t sign away our families, careers, faith or other vital parts of our lives
die,” Esau said. for a meal. Still, how many times do we give in to the temptation of cheap
“What good is the thrills and instant gratification on a daily basis? We’ve had a hard day at
birthright to me?” But work, so we binge-watch a TV show instead of helping a spouse with chores.
Jacob said, “Swear We want something sugary or fattening, so we eat that instead of the healthy
foods our body needs. We buy our children toys whenever they ask, because
to me first” So he we feel guilty about leaving them with babysitters while we work.
swore an oath to him,
selling his birthright to If we insist on instant gratification all the time, we will end up physically,
emotionally and spiritually miserable, and potentially set a bad example for our
Jacob. children and other, less-experienced Christians. Today, ask yourself if you often
give in to the pull of instant gratification and if so, in what areas. What
Then Jacob gave triggers your lapses in judgment in these areas? Once you know, ask God to
Esau some bread show you how to change. Write down a plan or some realistic goals, and ask
and some lentil stew. for accountability from a family member or friend.
He ate and drank,

and then got up and
left. So Esau
despised his birthright.
—Genesis
25:25:31-34

FEB20 Social Justice
Social justice is a hot topic among many Christians, as we debate what it
means in a modern context. Some Christians accuse others of not caring for
Do not go over the poor and needy enough, focusing too much on social issues such as gay
your vineyard a marriage, abortion and fiscal responsibility. Christians in this group, in turn,
accuse their fellow believers of not being discerning enough, not being fair to
second time or pick life inside the womb, and contributing to the decline of values by accepting
up the grapes that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyles. Whatever Christian
have fallen. Leave camp you fall into, neither of these attitudes reflect true social justice.
them for the poor What then, is true social justice? Today’s verses give us a clue. God simply
and the foreigner. I says to leave part of what you have for the poor and the foreigner, which
today could mean anyone who is less fortunate than you. God does not
am the Lord your specify whether this person is a Democrat or Republican, what his or her
God. orientation is, or whether he or she is a vegetarian, abstains from alcohol, or
eats only kosher food. In several other verses throughout the Bible, Jesus
indicates that our primary responsibility to needy people is kindness and
—Leviticus 19:9- generosity.
10
Additionally, God expects our generous hearts to be sincere and as open as
possible. This verse uses the word “leave” in the context of giving to the poor
and needy. In other words, letting them have their share. It does not, however,
mean that poor people should get only what we do not want. When you
donate to charity, be sure you’re giving possessions in good condition. Give
out of the best of what you have, and you will be rewarded.

FEB21 Doubt and Belief
When most Christians read the story surrounding today’s verse, they do it with
the goal of teaching listeners not to be a “doubting Thomas.” A close reading
But [Thomas] said of the text, however, reveals Jesus did not condemn Thomas’ doubts. He simply
to them, “Unless I asked him to stop doubting and believe. Thomas was blessed for his belief,
and his name is still popular among Christians today. He shares it with such
see the nail marks paragons as philosopher Thomas Aquinas.
in His hands and
put my finger If the point of Thomas’ story isn’t, “Don’t be like this person,” then what is it?
Jesus’ willingness to let Thomas see physical evidence of His crucifixion, as well
where the nails as His admonition not to be afraid, can show us the answer.
were, and put my Christians are asked to accept many things on faith—that Jesus was a real
hand into His side, person, that He died and rose again, and that He is present in everyday life.
I will not believe.” Sometimes though, we need evidence of Him that we can see and touch.
Sometimes we condemn non-Christians because they ask for evidence like this,
—John 20:24b forgetting that at one time we had no more faith than they do.
Remember that every person is different, so every potential Christian is

different. Some will gladly accept your testimony on faith alone. Others, like
Thomas, are of a more practical and intellectual bent. They will want practical
evidence.
You can’t physically show them Jesus’ scars, but you can and should tell them
what He has done in your life. If you have physical evidence that aligns with
any of your stories, show this as well. If you allow people to see, they are more
likely to believe and rejoice.

FEB22 Andrew’s Gifts
When Christians are asked to name Jesus’ disciples, Simon (also known as
Peter) is probably the first they choose. Afterward, they might name disciples
The first thing Matthew, James or John. Andrew is rarely in the top five or even top 10 list of
Andrew did was to familiar disciples. Even in the Bible, Andrew is commonly referred to as “Simon
Peter’s brother,” almost as if he were an extension of his name.
find his brother
Simon and tell him, Perhaps you sometimes feel like Andrew might have felt when compared to
“We have found Simon. Maybe you’re a devoted Christian, but someone else in your family,
friend group or church always seems to outshine you. Maybe you love
the Messiah” (that attending Bible study but rarely speak because the extroverts in the room
is the Christ). And always seem to voice your thoughts before you can.
he brought him to This can get discouraging, but focus on one key thing about Andrew. Today’s
Jesus. verses tell us that Andrew, not Peter, was the first in his family to believe and
follow Jesus. Andrew actually brought Peter to Jesus; without his brother, Peter
—John 1:41-42 may not have become the disciple he’s known as today.
If you are more like Andrew than Peter, rejoice in your unique personality and
gifts. You may not have the flashiest testimony, but you may have the depth of
faith someone needs to believe in Jesus. Even if others forget what you’ve
done or don’t acknowledge you as often as you’d like, Jesus remembers.
Moreover, He is pleased with you just as you are. Keep doing what He calls
you to do, and don’t try to fit into someone else’s mold. Yours is perfect.

FEB23 Dieting
Does God care about what we eat? Today’s verses seem to indicate He
does. Many Christians, and one author in particular, have used these verses as
At the end of the the foundation for a diet called the Daniel Plan, which is heavy on vegetables,
10 days, they water and other healthy foods. Healthy foods are a crucial part of a fulfilling
lifestyle, and they can improve our physical, emotional and spiritual outlook.
looked healthier Yet, studying Daniel 1 will reveal that God had more on His mind than what is
and better on our plates.
nourished than any Before this interaction with a Babylonian palace guard, Daniel and his three
of the young men friends were offered rich local food the royals ate. Even though the Bible
who ate the royal doesn’t tell us what these foods were, they were probably a great temptation
to young men who, it seems, were raised on plenty of vegetables. Yet, all four
food. So the guard of these young men freely offered to give up this royal treatment to be tested
took away their with healthier, but less appealing foods. At the end of 10 days, they were
actually healthier than the other captives with them.
choice food and
the wine they were Can you relate to Daniel? Have you ever been offered something “rich” or
“royal” that, while not sinful, would not be healthy for you? It could be food—
to drink and gave perhaps you’ve just committed to a diet, and after a few weeks, your friends
them vegetables implore you to eat a meal of fried foods and sweets with them. It could be
instead. extra time off from work; your boss approves, but you know you should really
come in to help a coworker who’s trying to care for a baby.
—Daniel 1:15-16 No matter what, the test can be extremely hard. When facing a test like this,
pray and seek wise counsel. Weigh the pros and cons, and ask yourself how
you’ll feel later.

FEB24 God’s Honor Roll
Being a Christian is perhaps the best decision you can make. Eternal life is
guaranteed, and blessings in this life are promised to those who obey God.
A scroll of That being said, being a Christian is fraught with hardship. Most Christians
remembrance was face myriad temptations, whether they’re small or huge. It’s easy to become
worn down from refusing or running from temptation. This is especially true if
written in His Satan confronts you with the same temptation over and over, which he will do
presence to attack you.
concerning those Today’s verse offers renewed hope and an extra dose of spiritual strength.
who feared the Some pastors and writers refer to this scroll of remembrance as “God’s honor
Lord and honored roll.” This phrase doesn’t mean God plays favorites. He adores all His children
and wants to bless them all, but particular strength in the face of adversity
His name. does warrant extra attention.
—Malachi 3:16 In James, we are told that even enduring Christians will receive a special
crown in Heaven to commemorate their faith. Being on this honor roll is a bit
like being on the dean’s list—not a necessity for recognition, but a reward for
special effort.
The good news is that to God, every effort is “special effort.” All who are
called will be on a scroll of remembrance in Heaven one day. Some may have
bigger crowns and more rewards than others, but we will all be praised. That
said, if you want to increase your rewards, ask God how to do so. Ask Him for
pure motives and a sincere heart, as well as the strength to stand up under
adversity. He will answer with an immediate, absolute “yes.”

FEB25 Sacrifice
Sometimes, God will ask us to sacrifice someone or something that is dear to
us in order to grow our faith. This doesn’t always mean the person dies or
Then his sister that we never see the person or thing again. However, it often signals a
asked Pharaoh’s painful separation. This was certainly the case for Jocheved. This young
Hebrew mother knew she had to save her baby, Moses, from being killed
daughter, “Shall I because of Pharaoh’s edict against Hebrew baby boys. She knew saving her
go and get one of baby would mean giving him up.
the Hebrew Almost as if adding insult to injury, God ordained that Pharaoh’s daughter
women to nurse would find Moses and he would be raised as an Egyptian prince. Remember
the baby for you?” though, that God is not cruel or selfish. He understands exactly what He’s
doing when He asks his children for sacrifices. He knows what it costs them
“Yes, go,” she and shares in their pain. Because of this, He sometimes allows a gift along
answered. So the with the sacrifice.
girl went and got For Jocheved, that gift was becoming Moses’ wet nurse. It wasn’t the same
the baby’s mother. as raising the baby herself, but she would be an integral part of his life. She
would be present to watch him grow up and to tell him of the wondrous
—Exodus 2:7-8 works of the Israelites’ God.
If you have been asked to sacrifice a beloved person, pet or other part of
your life, let Jocheved’s story give you hope. God will not always give back
or wholly replace what you have lost. Whether He does depends on what is
best for you in the long run. However, He always rewards sacrifice in some
way. He may send you a gift related to your sacrifice, or He may point you
toward something better that you never imagined. Express your emotions and
pain, but then praise Him for the opportunity to grow, and look for the gift.

FEB26 Following Your Heart
“Follow your heart” is a popular phrase in today’s culture, especially when it
comes to romance. People are urged to follow their hearts when making all
The heart is kinds of choices, but today’s verse cautions against it. According to
deceitful above all Jeremiah, the heart easily and constantly lies to us. Some translations call
the heart “desperately wicked” as well.
things and beyond
cure. Who can This may seem harsh, but the human heart is inclined toward sin and wrong
understand it? decisions. That’s why we must ask Jesus to change our hearts, not our
behavior. When He convicts us of something we need to change, our first
instinct is often to try modifying our behavior as much as possible. For
—Jeremiah 17:9 example, if convicted of a tendency toward anger, you may make up your
mind to be as peaceful and calm as possible. That’s fine, but it will likely
backfire. You’ll end up bottling your emotions until you explode over a trivial
matter, and the guilt cycle will begin all over again.
Throughout Jeremiah, God uses the Old Testament prophet to teach us that
heart changes are better and more permanent than behavioral
modifications. What’s the difference? Behavioral changes work from the
outside in and depend on human strength. Heart changes come from the
inside and are dependent on God’s strength.
Has God convicted you of something in your heart that needs to change?
Today is a great day to repent, acknowledge your need and ask for help.
Acknowledge that behavior changes don’t last and often leave you in worse
shape than before. Then trust God to heal your heart, which will ultimately
show in your actions.

FEB27 (Subtle) Disobedience
Christians, and even most non-Christians, recognize Satan as a tempter and
a liar. However, Satan is also crafty. As today’s verse proves, rarely does he
[The serpent] said try to make us disobey God outright. Christians are particularly vulnerable
to the woman, “Did to this trick because Satan knows they already believe in and love God.
Instead of trying to push them into disobedience, he tends to wrap its
God really say, tentacles around them slowly.
‘You must not eat
from any tree in Eve was the first such person to get caught in those tentacles, and it all
started with one simple question. “Did God really say … ?” Satan often
the garden?’” does not want us to dispute what God says; he wants us to question
whether God truly meant what He said, or meant it the way we know He
—Genesis 3:1b did.
This sort of deception pops up all the time, especially among the faithful.
Many people, even some claiming to be Christian, twist Scripture to mean
what they think it should, sometimes innocently and sometimes with malicious
intent. As a result, people get hurt and some walk away from Christianity
altogether.
If you suspect someone is twisting Scripture, or if Satan is attacking you by

twisting Scripture in your own mind, cry out to God immediately. Ask Him,
“What did you really say?” Study Scripture diligently and ask for
discernment.
If a certain question proves hard for you, go to a pastor or Sunday school

leader you trust. Memorize Scripture so you can arm yourself and say, “I am
confident that God said this about X situation, and His words are true.”
Satan cannot speak anything but lies. God, on the other hand, is truth
personified and will always stand with you.

FEB28 First Love
Jesus speaks today’s verse to the church in Ephesus. It seems like a simple
message, but what does He mean? Just a few verses before, He praises the
Yet I hold this Ephesus church for its perseverance, good deeds and discernment. Why,
against you: you then, does He admonish the members here—and why does He say they’ve
forsaken their first love? Shouldn’t Ephesus’ deeds prove this church loves
have forsaken the Jesus?
love you had at
first. The answer to this question is a bit complicated, but it’s simpler than it
looks. Jesus does expect His people to bear fruit and is pleased when we
do. Throughout the Bible, though, Jesus (as well as the writers He inspired)
—Revelation 2:4 warns us that works aren’t enough to advance our faith. We must focus on
the Person of Christ. Unlike other religions, Christianity isn’t about what we
do for God. It’s about what God has done and continues to do for us.
Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He spoke to Ephesus. The church
members had plenty of evidence that they loved Him, but their focus
strayed. Maybe the members were so caught up in activity and religion that
they forgot to appreciate who Jesus is. Maybe you’re experiencing
something similar as you struggle to be the perfect Christian.
Jesus urges you to stop striving so hard. Instead, go back to “the love you
had at first.” Ask yourself when you last prayed and thanked Jesus for some
of His specific traits or anything specific He has done for you. If it’s been a
while, do so now. Ask Jesus to restore your first love and the joy of your
salvation.

MAR01 Spring Cleaning for the Soul
As March begins, many of us look forward to spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is
sometimes difficult, but always brings relief. As we air out our houses, get rid of
clutter and dust or vacuum, we often sense that winter’s heaviness has been
lifted from our homes, bodies and hearts. Somehow, when spring cleaning is
done, every part of our lives feels much less cluttered. We can then focus on
important goals and personal growth.
Our souls can benefit from spring cleaning, too. The soul’s version looks much
different from the physical one but is even more important than cleaning our
homes. This March, take time to consider the areas where your soul might need
cleaning. Has cold weather kept you inside, depending on television and movies
for entertainment? Have you given in to the temptation to sleep in instead of
attending church? Maybe you’ve gotten bored with Bible reading.
No matter what, don’t get overwhelmed at the prospect of spring cleaning. Pray
and meditate to determine how God wants you to handle each area. Ask Him if
you can tackle something with baby steps or if He wants you to completely
change something right away. If this area has needed cleansing for a long time,
you might benefit from accountability partners in a Sunday school class or Bible
study group. Be willing to make the effort, and enjoy the positive changes you
reap.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind.
—Romans 12:2

MAR02 Learning to Wait on God
Waiting often feels like the hardest thing we’re asked to do. It makes us feel
anxious and impatient because while we’re waiting, we don’t feel like we’re
Wait for the Lord; doing anything truly productive. Since waiting periods can be long, they can
be strong and take drain our hope. We can give up on the idea that the event we’re anticipating
will ever happen.
heart, and wait for
the Lord. Many people in the Bible knew exactly how waiting felt. Sarah and Abraham
waited decades to have a child; both were elderly when it finally happened.
—Psalm 27:14 The Israelites waited generations to be delivered from slavery in Egypt. Israel’s
judges waited, seemingly in vain, for an end to Canaanite oppression.
Christians continue to wait for Jesus’ second coming.
Perhaps you, too, have waited a long time for God to answer your prayers or
give you direction. You might feel foolish for waiting, especially if the people in
your life have been telling you to get up and do something. Of course,
sometimes God asks us to take steps to get what we want. You should always
ask Him if there are specific things you should do during your waiting period.
However, if God does not show you anything, be as patient as possible. Keep
waiting for Him and don’t let others dissuade you. Find people who will
encourage and strengthen you in your waiting, and seek new ways to draw
closer to God during this time. That could mean worshipping in a new way,
starting a new Bible translation, or taking up a new ministry. Your waiting will
be rewarded; don’t give up.

MAR03 Noah’s Courageous Act of Obedience
The story of Noah’s ark is a familiar one. In fact, most of us focus our
attention on the ark without giving much of it to Noah. Noah only appears in
God saw how a small section of Genesis, but he is one of the most important and
corrupt the earth courageous figures in the Bible.
had become, for all Genesis 7 tells us that Noah was six hundred years old when God fulfilled His
the people on earth promise to destroy the earth. Before then, he spent years building the ark. The
had corrupted their Bible doesn’t explicitly say so, but we can infer that Noah’s contemporaries
wondered what he was doing. Many people probably laughed at him and
ways. So God said called him foolish. They probably scoffed at the idea that God would really
to Noah … “I am destroy the earth. After all, He had tolerated their wickedness for decades—
surely going to perhaps centuries. He’d have no reason to destroy them now after all those
generations.
destroy both them
and the earth. So Noah had every reason not to obey God. He didn’t see immediate fulfillment
make for yourself an of what God said, and the evidence before him indicated he was a fool. Most
Christians have felt this way at some time in their spiritual walks. God has
ark of cypress promised them something or asked them to do something, yet their obedience
wood; make rooms only seems to bring trouble.
in it and coat it with If you’re experiencing something like this now, study Noah’s example. He
pitch inside and obeyed God despite evidence. Twice, we’re told he did “all that the Lord
out.” commanded him,” not missing a single detail. Because of his commitment, he
and his family were saved, and Noah was remembered as an important
—Genesis 6:12- biblical figure. It may be slow in coming, but your obedience will be rewarded.
15

MAR04 The Value of Diligence
Work is part of life. It’s so normal that most of us do it without thinking much.
Tasks must be completed so homes and businesses can run smoothly.
But as for you, be Sometimes, though, our work can seem especially hard—even oppressive. Our
strong and do not workloads don’t get any smaller. Our houses never seem clean enough, our
children and spouses never seem content enough, and our ministries often feel
give up, for your more like burdens than blessings.
work will be
rewarded. King Asa of 2 Chronicles could probably identify with the strain of hard work.
He became king of Israel at a time when the nation had been “without the
true God, without a priest, and without the law.” Instead, idols and pagan
—2 Chronicles practices replaced God, and Israel found itself crushed and oppressed. The
15:7 Bible tells us Asa made many significant reforms, but he was possibly
overwhelmed at the scope of them. He probably became discouraged at what
they entailed; 2 Chronicles 15 reveals he had to depose his own grandmother
from her position as queen mother because she worshipped Asherah.
You may not be dealing with idol worship at work or in your home, but your
tasks may seem as huge and impossible as Asa’s. If that’s the case, give
yourself permission to rest. Pray about your work, asking God which tasks are
important and which can be delegated. Additionally, ask God for new joy in
your work. Once you’ve had quality rest, return to your tasks with a new heart
and new strength. You’ll complete tasks more effectively. You’ll also see
yourself and others grow and change for the better.

MAR05 What Are Your Idols?
In ancient Israel, it was not uncommon for people to make literal idols. These
were often statues of wood, stone or metal representing gods and goddesses
Therefore, watch of the day. Baal, Asherah and similar deities were especially popular, since
yourselves very they were associated with fertility and prosperity. God knew the idols were
part of the surrounding culture, but in His love and holy jealousy, He forbade
carefully, so that Israel to worship them or have anything to do with them.
you do not
become corrupt Today, it’s rare to see an actual idol in anyone’s home or church. In fact, some
Christians assume they’re safe from idolatry if they don’t sacrifice to statues or
and make for participate in other religions’ worship. Actually, idolatry is far more insidious
yourselves an idol, now than it was in ancient Israel. Today’s idols can be almost anything. You
can make an idol of your career, money, family, hobbies, or possessions. The
an image of any Bible explains many times how serious idolatry is, so you must avoid it.
shape. But how do you know when something you enjoy or need has become an idol?
You’ll likely feel a check in your spirit. Ask God to show you where it comes
—Deuteronomy from and how to handle it. You might also notice a deeper than normal
4:15b-16a emotional connection to the idol. Ask yourself how you would react if you lost
it. If you can’t imagine living a fulfilling life without that person or thing, you
may have an idol in your heart.
Fortunately, idolatry is forgivable and repairable. Once you know an idol

exists, repent of your attitude. Ask God how to stop idolizing anything but Him
and where the root of your idolatry lies. For example, if you idolize family
members because you fear something bad will happen to them, place them in
God’s hands. Ask for deeper trust in His ability to care for your family.

MAR06 Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Hunger and thirst are two of the most basic human needs—two that demand
to be fulfilled several times daily. If you’ve ever gone without food or water for
Blessed are those a time, you know how miserable it can feel. Your stomach growls and twists.
who hunger and Your throat feels dry. Talking takes too much energy, so you don’t use your
voice. If you remain hungry and thirsty for a significant period, you may
thirst for become malnourished. Your body may become distended, your lips dry, and
righteousness, for your hair and nails brittle.
they will be filled. Most of us would never allow our bodies to deteriorate on this level. However,
many of us (even Christians) don’t fulfill our needs for righteousness the way
—Matthew 5:6 we do our needs for food and drink. Over time, we stop craving God. Instead,
we fill our minds and lives with empty entertainment and negativity. We avoid
church, ministry and Christians because they make us thirsty. We don’t know
how to be filled again. We become prone to gossiping, criticizing, complaining
and judging.
If you’re hungry or thirsty physically, reach out for food and drink. The same is
true for righteousness. If you experience symptoms of a lack of righteousness,
ask Jesus to fill you. Determine why you have gone so long without feeding
your soul. If it’s sin, don’t hide from God. Confess and receive His mercy. If
you’re bored with prayer and Bible reading, shake up your routine. Seek
Christian friends who will feed their souls with you and make sure you stay
satisfied. Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts and activities.

MAR07 Filling Physical Needs
James, Jesus’ brother and a devout believer, had no problem stepping on
Christians’ toes to share his message. Today’s verse is a perfect example. It
If one of you says challenges Christians on a pressing issue within the church and our personal
to them, “Go in circles. We often commit to praying for others. We wish them peace and
blessings. Yet we aren’t as attentive as we could be to physical needs. In some
peace; keep warm cases, Christians become so concerned about others’ souls that they
and well fed,” but completely ignore tangible needs.
does nothing about This is a sin, but an easy one to fall into. Jesus speaks often about Heaven, hell
their physical and eternal life in the Gospels. Heaven is such a wonderful hope for Christians
needs, what good and hell is so horrific that we should be concerned about others’ salvation. If
the person you share the Gospel with is impoverished, sick or hurting, though,
is it? he or she is far less likely to hear and respond to your message.
—James 2:16 When ministering to someone, balance your response to his or her physical and
spiritual needs. Whenever possible, meet the physical needs first. If you know
your neighbor’s kids need warm coats for school, supply them from a charity,
local store or your own closet. When visiting a sick friend in the hospital, ask
what you can do to help him or her feel better. Maybe you can bring a
favorite food, read to them or help them shower or bathe. Once you meet
physical needs, you can offer to pray or open a conversation about God. The
person will probably be more receptive, and both of you will walk away
blessed.

MAR08 Powerful Women of the Bible
Being a Christian woman can sometimes feel like a difficult job. In today’s verse, women
are encouraged to be reverent, loving, pure, productive, self-controlled and kind. It
Likewise, teach the almost seems as though biblical women were expected to be perfect and that today’s
older women to be are still held to that impossible expectation.
reverent in the way
God does not expect any of us, men or women, to be sinless. He knows we are human,
they live, not to be and so He gives us plenty of grace and mercy. God also knows we’re capable of being
slanderers or kind, self-controlled, reverent and powerful, so He gives us examples to follow.
addicted to much
wine, but to teach Women especially should seek out these examples and ask God for help emulating
them. Knowing about the influential women in the Bible can increase faith, diligence and
what is good. Then many other virtues. It can also help women feel more confident and able to complete
they can urge the the tasks God sets before them. This month, commit to studying and imitating some of
younger women to these individuals.
love their husbands • M ary. Declare you are the Lord’s servant, obeying what He asks you to do
and children, to be despite risks.
self-controlled and • Anna . Pray diligently, “asking, seeking, and knocking.” Rejoice when He
answers your prayers.
pure, to be busy at
home, to be kind, • Est her. Stand up for those in your life who can’t speak for themselves. Ally
yourself with those who need you—even if it seems frightening.
and to be subject to
their husbands, so • Sa rah. Wait patiently for God to answer your prayers and show you
direction.
that no one will
Ru th. Nurture your family and spouse with compassion and unconditional
malign the word of •
love.
God.
• M artha . Work diligently at your tasks, and don’t be afraid to ask the Lord
—Titus 2:3-5 and others for help when you need it.
• Deb orah. Solve problems using Godly wisdom, and hold yourself
accountable in your spiritual life.

MAR09 Love Your Enemies
This is one of Jesus’ most pointed commands. Unfortunately, it’s also one that
gets ignored frequently, especially among Christians. Most Christians agree
But I tell you, love that loving an enemy is hard—perhaps too hard for Jesus to truly expect of us.
your enemies and We assume that if Jesus knew how trying our enemies were, He wouldn’t ask
us to love them. Although we might try to love our enemies, we’re often
pray for those who stumped as to how that can be done.
persecute you, that
The truth is, Jesus does know each of our enemies. Furthermore, He knows
you may be exactly what they’ve done to us. He understands our pain, anger and fear
children of your where enemies are concerned because He has been through it. He was
Father in Heaven. crucified despite being sinless. For our sins and our forgiveness, He endured
one of the most painful and humiliating deaths humanity has ever conceived.
Despite that, He forgave those who crucified Him. He explicitly asked for God
—Matthew 5:44- to forgive them while hanging on the cross.
45
It’s easy to say if Jesus can do that, we should be able to love those who
wrong us. We aren’t Jesus, and some of those wrongs are very serious—
physical and verbal abuse, molestation, accusations of crimes we didn’t commit
and more. However, we can find the ability to love our enemies in some small
ways.
• Pra yin g for lo ve. If you have no love for your enemy, ask God to
give you His.
• Perform ing sm al l g es tures. You don’t have to trust this enemy,
but if it’s safe to do so, send him or her an encouraging letter or small
gift.
• Tal king thro ug h the p ro bl em. Again, if it’s safe, approach your
enemy and ask what you can do to restore your relationship or find
some form of peace.

MAR10 A Man of Unclean Lips
When the prophet Isaiah said he was a man of unclean lips, he wasn’t just
talking about a propensity to say a four-letter word now and then. In today’s
“Woe to me!” I verse, he tells God he lives among a people of unclean lips and has become
cried. “I am ruined! one of them. He’s referring to ancient Israel, a nation that had fallen away
from God and turned to idol worship and all forms of wickedness. We can
For I am a man of infer this included their language. They probably gossiped, slandered, lied,
unclean lips, and I criticized and complained.
live among a How many of us are guilty of the same sins? We often don’t think of them as
people of unclean sins, because we often don’t think before we speak. We figure words can’t
lips, and my eyes truly hurt anyone—but they can and do. Wicked language of any kind also
breaks God’s heart and leaves our lips and hearts unclean. Worse, once you
have seen the King, form a habit of using unclean lips, it’s difficult to break.
the Lord Almighty.” God gives us hope for this issue, though. As soon as Isaiah lamented his
unclean lips, God touched his mouth with a burning coal. This allowed Isaiah
—Isaiah 6:5 to speak the words God gave him and worship more effectively.
You don’t need to burn your lips every time you say something you shouldn’t.
However, you should confess it to God and ask Him to make your words more
gracious and pleasing to Him. You can also practice speaking with clean lips
in many ways.
• Find at least one positive thing to say to each person you encounter
every day.
• Begin your prayers by praising God for specific things He has done.
• Sing and listen to uplifting songs. Read uplifting texts.

• Practice deep breathing and Scripture meditation.
• Seek out entertainment that lacks foul language.

• Resist the urge to gossip about others.

MAR11 God Does Know
At first glance, this verse seems too nonchalant for the situation. God was
“concerned about” the Israelites at this time, but they had already been in
God heard their slavery almost 400 years. Many Christians, even veteran Bible readers, might
groaning, and He look at this verse and think, “Why was God only concerned at this point? Why
does God often not respond to us until it is too late, or almost too late, to
remembered His change our situations?”
covenant with
This, like a plethora of other Bible verses, is one of the most frustrating to
Abraham, with digest. Knowing exactly what the words mean can make it easier. Here,
Isaac, and with “concerned about” denotes deep compassion and omniscient knowledge.
Jacob. So God When people use this phrase, they often mean, “I’m worried but may or may
not do anything about it.” When God uses the same phrase, He means, “This
looked on the is of great concern to Me, and I will act on behalf of this person or people.”
Israelites and was The question still remains—why didn’t God act sooner? We can’t answer this,
concerned about but we can draw strength from who we know God is. He is the embodiment
them. of love. He sees and knows all, and He acts in ways that are best for us. If He
seems to delay, it’s not because He wants His people to stay enslaved or
—Exodus 2:24- oppressed. It may be because He wants us to grow or because He is

preparing certain people for acts of obedience, as He prepared Moses to
25 deliver the Israelites.
You may be in a difficult situation right now and wondering why God doesn’t
deliver you right away, especially if you’ve prayed about it a long time. Never
give up asking for deliverance; ask more persistently. God sees and is
concerned about you, and He will never forget you.

MAR12 Resist the Devil
Submitting to God and resisting the devil sounds easy. As Christians, we align
ourselves with God and want to be close to Him, right? Perhaps in theory, but
Submit yourselves in everyday life, temptation is harder to resist than we bargain for. Most of us
then, to God. avoid what we consider “big” sins like drug addiction, pornography, murder
and stealing. Yet what about worry, complaining, laziness and other small
Resist the devil and temptations that creep into our lives unannounced?
he will flee from
Satan knows exactly which buttons to push to make each Christian sin. He will
you. take advantage of their emotions and coping mechanisms, as well. For
example, if you binge eat when upset, Satan might whisper, “One brownie is
—James 4:7 not a binge. You deserve this. You need to feel better.”
When faced with such lies, many of which are twisted truths, you may wonder
how to resist. Prayer is always your first line of defense. Cry out to God,
naming the temptation in front of you and telling Him why this one in
particular is hard. Physically get away if you can; if you can’t, try to refocus
your thoughts. A temptation to binge eat could be refocused into, “I will feel
better and healthier if I resist.”
If you struggle often with the same types of temptations, write them down. Try
to determine what lie is at the root of each temptation. For instance, do you
judge others out of fear that they’re also judging you? Once you find the lie,
replace it with biblical truth. For example, you might memorize verses about
your identity in Christ and His love for you.

MAR13 Sacrifice of Praise
In ancient Israel, before Christ’s birth, people would offer animal sacrifices at
the local temples to atone for their sins. God often asked for unblemished
Through Jesus, lambs, innocent animals who did not deserve to be sacrificed, to emphasize
therefore, let us the seriousness of sin and the need for forgiveness.
continually offer to These sacrifices were painful for the people and animals involved, but praise
God a sacrifice of isn’t generally associated with pain. Why, then, does the author of Hebrews
praise—the fruit of talk about a sacrifice of praise? Most Christians associate this verse with what
they should do in times when they don’t feel like praising God. Indeed, a
lips that openly “sacrifice of praise” can be your effort to praise and worship God when your
profess His name. emotions want to do the opposite. When you sincerely praise God in the midst
of sadness, confusion or anger, He sees and rewards it. Additionally, these
sacrifices of praise will help you grow spiritually as your faith in God’s
—Hebrews 13:15 goodness becomes stronger.
Another way to look at a sacrifice of praise is as a freewill offering. The

Israelites often made these to God in praise for His deeds or in thanks for
favor He had shown them. You can do the same in your own time with God.
Sing hymns or praise songs, or dance in praise. Write a story, poem or psalm
that glorifies God and extols what He’s done for you as well as His wonderful
traits. Go to a favorite outdoor place, and thank God for His creations. No
matter what your sacrifice looks like, it will please God.

MAR14 Response to the Fire
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego gives us a fantastic look at
how to respond to persecution and the different fires in our lives. In today’s
Shadrach, Meshach, passage, these three men were about to be burned in a literal fire. They
and Abednego replied express unwavering faith in God to deliver them, and it is true that He can
to him, “King deliver His people from trials. Notice, though, how the last sentence begins: “If
he does not.” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego make clear that they will
Nebuchadnezzar, we trust and obey God even if they die in the blazing furnace.
do not need to defend
ourselves before you in Sometimes, God will deliver us from trials the way we want Him to. Other
times, He will choose another path. Bible study leader and speaker Beth
this matter. If we are Moore explains it this way: when faced with trials, God will always deliver us
thrown into the blazing in one of three ways.
furnace, the God we • Ou t of the fire. God will spare us completely from the trial before
serve is able to deliver us. An example would be getting a tumor diagnosis only to discover
us from it, and He will it’s benign.
deliver us from Your • Throug h the fire. God will allow us to survive our trial but requires
Majesty’s hand. But we go through it. Example: being delivered from a bad financial
situation only after filing bankruptcy and losing your home.
even if He does not,
we want you to know, • By the fire. God uses the fire, which can be any fatal experience,
to bring us home.
Your Majesty, that we
will not serve your gods Of course, the first option is always the one we want, but God may have
or worship the image of incredible plans through the second option or may seek to end terrible
suffering through the third. Seek His will for your trials, and trust Him no matter
gold you have set up.” which option He chooses for you.
—Daniel 3:1618

MAR15 Beauty for Ashes
March 15 will mark the anniversary of the live action version of Disney’s
Cinderella premiere in theaters. We’re all familiar with the story; it’s a favorite
He has sent among legions of children and adults. Additionally, as some Bible scholars have
me…to proclaim found, the story of Cinderella contains many elements that can be tied to
Christianity.
the year of the
Lord’s favor…to The way Cinderella dresses is one of these elements. Throughout most of her
comfort all who story, she is a servant, compelled to dress in ragged clothing. Her work,
especially cleaning the fireplace, makes her dirty with ashes and cinders. Many
mourn…to bestow scholars have equated this with Cinderella’s mourning for her dead parents.
on them a crown They also compare it to biblical mourning, in which the grieving would wear
sackcloth and ashes in public.
of beauty instead
of ashes. However, Cinderella’s story has a hopeful ending. Her rags are exchanged for
a beautiful ball gown, and later, a pristine wedding dress as she marries her
—Isaiah 61:1b-3 prince. Today’s verses indicate that Christians have a similar hope. God knows
that because of our sins and trials, we often live covered in figurative ashes.
That’s why He sent Jesus to exchange those ashes for beauty—not only
physically, but the beauty of grace, mercy and clean, new lives. We are the
bride of Christ, and He sees us as spotless and pure. As Christians, we often
don’t take advantage of this. We see ourselves as unworthy, but God wants
us to revel in the fact that we are royalty in Him.
The next time you pick up Cinderella to read or watch with your children (or
even by yourself), remember these verses. Meditate on your beauty in God’s
eyes, and rejoice in it.

MAR16 Hope and a Future
Today’s verse is a popular one in Christian culture. Most Christians cling to it
in times when they need hope, citing it as a reason their future will be good
“For I know the and prosperous. This isn’t wrong; God wants us to have hope and anticipate
plans I have for our future. However, like many verses, this can easily be taken out of context.
you,” declares the It’s important to know where Jeremiah 29:11 comes from. It is part of a letter
Lord, “plans to Jeremiah wrote to the Israelite exiles, whom Babylon had taken into captivity.
prosper you and Jeremiah wrote this letter to encourage His people, assuring them God knew
their plight and would bless them again. However, this would only happen
not to harm you, after seventy years of captivity in Babylon, the consequence God had set for
plans to give you Israel’s unrepentant sinning.
hope and a future.” Our lives sometimes work the same way. Not every difficult circumstance is a
consequence of sin. In fact, most can be chalked up to the fact we live in a
—Jeremiah 29:11 fallen world. Yet sometimes God allows difficult circumstances to go on longer
than we would like so we can grow in Him, learning to love and trust Him
more. We shouldn’t interpret Jeremiah 29:11 and similar verses as evidence
that God always wants us to be happy, rich and without trouble.
Instead, we should interpret verses like today’s as what they are: evidence of
God’s heart toward us. He does not want to harm His followers. He wants to
bless us as much as possible, beyond what we can imagine. To obtain such
blessings, we must draw close to Him and obey Him every day.

MAR17 The Real Story of St. Patrick
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, with a shamrock as his symbol, but
that’s the extent of what most Christians know about him—except that he
For those who are reportedly drove snakes from Ireland. The real St. Patrick was much more
led by the Spirit of complex.
God are the Patrick was not Irish by birth. He was born in Britain and taken to Ireland as a
children of God. slave when Irish pirates raided his hometown. At the time, Ireland was made up
primarily of Druids and pagans. Patrick, though, converted to Christianity.
—Romans 8:14 During captivity, he wrote his memoir: The Confession.
Patrick was held captive until he was 20 years old, but through visions and
dreams from God, he was prompted to study for the priesthood and return to
Ireland. In one such vision, Patrick saw a man named Victorious who gave him
one of the many letters he carried. The letter’s heading read “The Voice of the
Irish.” As Patrick read the letter, he heard the people of Ireland pleading for
him to come and “walk among [them].”
Patrick arrived in March of 433 and converted many Irish people. One legend
claims he converted the chieftain of a Druidic tribe who tried to kill him. He
also built churches across Ireland. Patrick is known for converting entire Irish
kingdoms to Christianity, often using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. He is
also known for preaching and working miracles. His saint’s day, March 17,
461, was also the date of his death. He is well known in the Catholic Church
(and some Protestant denominations) for the Lorica of St. Patrick.

MAR18 Unconditional Love
Unconditional love is a concept many Christians are familiar with, but it’s
difficult to enact. Perhaps this is because we come across so few examples in
If I speak in the our own lives. Although we may have the most stable and loving families in the
tongues of men world, our society conditions us to absorb the message that as children, we’re
loved based on good behavior. As adults, we learn we’re loved or favored
and angels, but do based on our performance at work or school or what we do for others.
not have love, I am
only a resounding Jesus is the epitome of unconditional love. He first showed this when He gave
up Heaven to come to Earth in human form and again in His death on the
gong or a clanging cross. Today, His gentle whispers and involvement in believers’ lives show
cymbal. unconditional love every day. However, most Christians still struggle with the
idea that Jesus’ love is permanent and unchanging. They would never admit
this, but they secretly believe Jesus will only love and favor them based on
—1 Corinthians what they do for Him.
13:1
It is impossible to fully understand the depth of Jesus’ love for us, but if we can
grasp just a bit of it, we’ll have an easier time showing unconditional love to
ourselves and others. Practice this in your daily life. When you make a mistake,
don’t beat yourself up. Say, “Okay, now I know better and can try again.”
Make the effort to notice positive traits in people difficult to love. Ask that
God would pour His love on you so you can emulate Him better in everything
you do.

MAR19 True Fasting
Lent will be drawing to a close soon, but Catholics and many Protestants may
still be fasting in preparation for Easter. In ancient Israel, fasting usually meant
Is this not the kind giving up food. Today, many Christians still fast this way, but you can give up
of fasting I have other things. It’s common, for example, to forego sweets, television and other
pleasures during Lent.
chosen, to loose
the chains of While most of us try to enter Lent with a humble and expectant attitude, some
injustice … to set of us use it as a way to monitor our behavior. This isn’t wrong in itself, but too
much focus on behavioral modification can lead to self-righteousness and self-
the oppressed free focus. That is, fasting the wrong things can make you focus on what you’re
… to share your missing rather than on what God can show you through the act.
food with the This may be why God gave today’s message to Isaiah. Again, He doesn’t
hungry and provide condemn traditional fasting. Instead, he rebukes Israel for dwelling so much on
outward signs of religion that they forget their fellow man. God exhorts His
the poor wanderer people, both ancient Israel and contemporary society, that true fasting isn’t
with shelter? about what we give up for our own benefit. Rather, it’s about the sacrifices we
make to show God’s love to others.
—Isaiah 58:6-7a Think about how you can participate in true fasting this month. Maybe it
involves volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen or opening your home to
someone who needs a place to stay. You can raise awareness of a social
issue, such as human trafficking, in the effort to end oppression. Whatever you
choose, your sacrifice of time and resources will be counted as a true fast.

MAR20 Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar—
second only to Christmas and Easter. It celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into
They took palm Jerusalem, the last time people would praise Him or show any belief in Him
branches and went before the trial and crucifixion.
out to meet Him, Knowing this, most Christians go into Palm Sunday with understandably mixed
shouting, emotions. They’re excited because Easter is approaching but can’t help feeling
“Hosanna! Blessed somber since Good Friday is on the horizon. It can also be difficult to
determine how to approach Palm Sunday. Should you celebrate, or should you
is he who comes in focus on the more serious aspects of the day?
the name of the Both are correct approaches. On Palm Sunday, take your cue from the people
Lord! Blessed is the of Jerusalem. Praise Jesus for what He has done and who He is in and outside
king of Israel!” of church. You and your family can put on praise music, make crafts (such as
palm branches and palm crosses) or write down your praises. To add to the
—John 12:13 symbolism, consider writing praises on paper palm leaves and using them as
Easter décor.
Your praise can and should also incorporate the somber part of the day.
Meditate on Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. If you don’t know much about
crucifixion, read up on it and share with your family (be cognizant of
appropriateness for young children). This can help you fully appreciate Jesus’
sacrifice. In the same way, meditation on the resurrection can remind you of
the hope He brought to ancient Israel, the hope He gives today’s Christians,
and the anticipation of His second coming.

MAR21 Stewardship of the Environment
The Bible clearly states that man and woman are the only creations made in
God’s image. However, today’s verse indicates that His other creations are
The Lord God also important. Before sin entered the world, Adam was placed in the beautiful
took the man and Garden of Eden and charged with its care. Although God could have made
the garden self-sustaining, He allowed Adam to tend and enjoy it.
put him in the
Garden of Eden to God wants us to do the same thing with our environment. Some Christians
work it and take aren’t fully aware of this. They reason that because the Bible also says the
earth will pass away one day, they can treat it as they wish. This reasoning
care of it. actually dishonors God because it doesn’t respect His original plan. God
doesn’t want us to worship His creation, but He expects us to be good
—Genesis 2:15 stewards of it.
Today, pray and thank God for the many beautiful and useful things He has
created. It may help to take a walk in nature and focus prayers on what you
observe. After that, think about how you can be a good steward of the
creation around you. This could be anything from recycling and saving energy
to tending your own garden. You could also consider joining a group that
cleans up local parks or green spaces, raises awareness of animal welfare or
teaches people how to grow their own food. While participating in these
activities, remember God’s original plan for nature. Thank Him that you get to
enjoy its beauty and bounty.

MAR22 Living Water
Have you ever thought about how much water you use? Over 50 percent of
the human body is made up of water, making it essential for life. That’s why
Jesus answered, physicians encourage us to drink so much of it: to replenish the fluids we lose
“Everyone who going through everyday activities. Of all the drinks from which we can choose,
water is the only one that quenches our thirst for significant periods. Juices,
drinks this water sodas and other drinks taste good but leave us thirstier than we were before
will be thirsty again, drinking.
but whoever drinks Water is also an essential substance for animals, plants and the earth in
the water I give general. It’s the first thing God created after the heavens, and a plethora of
them will never Bible verses mention it, including today’s. Of course, in this verse, Jesus was
referring to spiritual water. He calls Himself living water because He is the
thirst. Indeed, the provider of eternal life and because belief in Him will quench our inner thirst
water I give them for love, success, appreciation and confidence. However, physical water is just
as important to God.
will become in
them a spring of Without a steady supply of clean physical water, you can’t live. That’s why it’s
crucial to appreciate the water around you and be a good steward of it.
water welling up to Today, meditate on water when you use it. You can start with this verse and
eternal life.” search for other biblical references to water. You’ll find several stories of how
water helped people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
—John 4:13-14 Thank God for His provision of water and all it does for you. Make water an
essential part of your prayers and devotional time today. Drink it, or hold your
devotional time near a brook or pond. In addition, find ways to show
appreciation for water today. Turn off faucets when they aren’t in use. Filter
your water to ensure it’s clean, and share some with friends and neighbors.

MAR23 Don’t Look Back
Lot’s wife is a minor biblical character, usually remembered only for her final
sin against God. Her direct disobedience cost her everything, and it only took
But Lot’s wife a tragic moment for her to lose her life and family. Today, let’s look beyond
looked back, and that final moment to discover what drove Lot’s wife to disobedience and what
we can learn from her.
she became a pillar
of salt. God hasn’t turned people into salt statues since then, but He warns strongly
against continued disobedience. Moreover, disobedience isn’t always what we
—Genesis 19:26 think it is. As Christians, we strive to avoid obvious sins such as those listed in
the Ten Commandments or those explored at length in Bible stories. However,
we often let ourselves get away with what we deem small, insignificant sins.
Lot’s wife fell into this trap. God asked Lot and his family not to look back as
they fled Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife probably intended to obey, but
possibly figured one quick look back could do no harm. She may have built a
good life in her home, feared for friends and family members or simply been
afraid of what awaited her in a new land. We can sympathize with her
reasons, but whatever they were, they drove her to sin.
We often have the same problems—especially when it comes to looking back.

God admonishes us to focus on what’s ahead rather than behind, in both the
Old and New Testaments. That’s because He knows looking back too much
can lead us into insidious sins such as worry, fear and fretting. We won’t
become literal pillars of salt, but as we do these things, we’ll become
paralyzed, unable to worship and serve God effectively.
God wants better for His children. If you’re struggling with looking back or any
of the sins it can lead to, be honest with Him today. Ask Him to help you look
forward again.

MAR24 The Lord Is My Shepherd
Psalm 23 is one of the most famous passages of the entire Bible. Christians
turn to it for comfort, peace and refreshment. It’s often quoted at funerals to
The Lord is my help the grieving focus on the fact that their loved ones are at peace. It’s
shepherd, I lack been made into song arrangements that choirs and praise teams sing in
churches all over the world.
nothing … he
refreshes my soul. But what does it mean that the Lord is our shepherd? Why did David choose
to compare God to this particular type of person? It might have been
—Psalm 23:1 & because David, himself, was a shepherd, but there’s deeper meaning here.
Read today’s verse again, and think about what a shepherd actually does. He
3b or she watches over a flock of sheep, sitting quietly with them all day. The
shepherd makes sure the sheep are comfortable and protected, often putting
him or herself in harm’s way to shield them from predators.
The shepherd also leads, guides and directs the sheep. He or she makes sure
the sheep stay on a prescribed path, and when they don’t, uses a crook to
nudge them back, sometimes forcefully. When a sheep strays, the shepherd will
go after it, and if the sheep is wounded, the shepherd will carry it home in his
or her arms.
God does all this for us and more because we’re His sheep. He knows we’re
fragile and prone to stray, so He’s as gentle and firm with us as necessary to
keep us on the right path. We should praise Him for this, because it’s a
remarkably unique quality. Today, read the whole 23rd Psalm again. As you
do, meditate on and thank God for His role as the good shepherd.

MAR25 Good Friday
It seems strange to call a day Good Friday, doesn’t it? That day marks one of
the most tragic days in Christian history: when Jesus was crucified. It’s tragic
Carrying His own on many levels. First, a sinless person was crucified for all the sins of humanity.
cross, He went out Secondly, His death was the most painful and shameful first-century Israel and
Rome could ever devise. Finally, because our holy God can’t look at sin, Jesus
to the Place of the was forsaken in the last moments of His human life.
Skull (which is
called Golgotha). How could anything good come out of this? That was surely the question on
the disciples’ and other believers’ minds that day. It’s often a question for
There they crucified today’s Christians, too, even though we know the end of the crucifixion story.
Him. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are meant to bring us hope. Often, though,
we can’t help feeling stuck in the dark parts of our circumstances. It’s easy to
focus on them and wonder how God can redeem what we’re experiencing.
—John 19:17b-
18a Be aware that there is an appropriate time to mourn. Solomon, who wrote
Ecclesiastes, tells us so. Jesus’ disciples may have turned to those words for
comfort after He was placed in the tomb. If you’re in a period of mourning,
give yourself that time; it’s normal and healthy.
However, don’t forget to give God a chance to redeem what you think is lost.
Three days from the events of today’s verse, God redeemed the horror of
Jesus’ death in a glorious way. In His time, He’ll do the same for your situation.
Ask Him for deeper trust and faith as you wait. Try to go about life as
normally as possible, and find small joyous moments. Above all, keep your eyes
on the “Easter Sunday” that will come when the day is over. Once it arrives,
you may be able to look back and see that your Friday was truly good.

MAR26 Name Change
Today’s verse comes at the end of the famous scene where Jacob wrestled
with God. Some Christians read this story and wonder why Jacob bothered
Then the man said, struggling with the Almighty. After all, God would automatically win. He could
“Your name will no have subdued Jacob with little effort. Yet He chose to wrestle with Jacob,
perhaps because He knew this child needed to struggle against Him more
longer be Jacob, than any other.
but Israel, because
you have struggled Jacob certainly knew what it was like to struggle at this point in his life. His
mother Rebekah favored him, but his father Isaac preferred Esau. For a son
with God and with (and a younger one at that), this had to be particularly difficult. The Bible
humans and have reveals Jacob also paid harsh consequences after he participated in Rebekah’s
deception. He got the birthright and blessing that should have gone to Esau,
overcome.” but he had to flee his homeland because Esau wanted to kill him. In so doing,
Jacob lost everyone and everything dear to him.
—Genesis 32:28
Perhaps most significantly, Jacob wrestled with his own sin. His name means
“he grasps the heel” or “he deceives.” Jacob was given this name because
when he was born, he came out grasping Esau’s heel. Yet he also lived up to
the figurative meaning of his name. Earlier in today’s passage, the angel of the
Lord asked Jacob for his name. When Jacob replies, the angel knows what the
name means. He knows Jacob is essentially saying, “My name is Deceiver.”
Maybe this is why God gives Jacob a new name at the end of this account.
He doesn’t want Jacob to focus on sins or regrets. Instead, the new name
Israel communicates that God sees Jacob’s strength and triumph. Additionally,
it communicates an expectation that Jacob will function in strength from this
point forward.
You might feel like Jacob today. Your name may not be tied to a specific sin,
but maybe struggles and regret weigh you down. If so, you might not be able
to change your name—but you can ask God to change how you see yourself.
Ask Him to reveal your strengths and show you how they can honor Him.

MAR27 Easter Sunday
Easter is the most joyous occasion on the Christian calendar. It marks the day
Jesus fulfilled His promise and rose from the tomb after dying for our sins. He’s
Jesus said to her, “I the only God to conquer death. Moreover, He’s the only God to lower himself
am the resurrection to human status and die for His people. These actions are so wonderful and
incredible that they’ve inspired millions of people to become Christians and
and the life. The commit their lives to Jesus.
one who believes in
me will live, even If you’re a Christian, you have every reason to rejoice. Your Savior is waiting
for you in Heaven and will return for you one day. When He does, you’ll have
though they die; eternal life. Pain and sorrow will be things of the past, and you’ll live in perfect
and whoever lives communion with God as He intended before sin entered the world.
by believing in me But what if you aren’t sure you’re a Christian? You aren’t alone. Plenty of
will never die.” Christians find they need assurance in their lifetimes. It’s vital to be certain of
your salvation because so much is at stake. Feeling uncertain can be
frightening and lonely. If you’ve ever been in this position, you’ve probably
—John 11:25- heard people tell you to trust God with your salvation. This can be difficult to
26a do, though, when one considers that, ultimately, God is the one who knows
who’s saved.
If you’re struggling with assurance, don’t settle for pat answers. Instead, use
Easter Sunday as an opportunity to reaffirm your standing with God and
renew your joy. Find verses that speak to assurance of salvation, like today’s.
Ask God to give you peace about where you stand. When He does, rejoice
that you’re His.

MAR28 Secrets Entrusted to Servants
Today’s verse highlights Jesus’ first miracle, changing water to wine at the
wedding in Cana. When most people read this story, they focus on the
He did not realize miracle, skimming over small details like this one. Yet God often hides
where it had come important information for His children to discover. Today’s verse is a prime
example.
from, though the
servants who had Read it again, and focus on who does and doesn’t have information. The
drawn the water master doesn’t know where the water to provide the new wine has come from.
He knows Jesus has provided the wine because he can see Him performing
knew. the miracle. Yet the master of the house doesn’t know Jesus requested the
water. Only the servants who had drawn the water know this.
—John 2:9b
Why is that significant? A careful reading shows us at least two reasons. First
and perhaps most obvious, servants aren’t often trusted with exclusive
knowledge. They’re seen as quiet workers, not confidants. In asking the
servants to draw water He uses for the miracle, Jesus takes them into His inner
circle—if only for a moment.
Secondly, Jesus’ choice shows these servants were both faithful and
trustworthy. They could have revealed their part in the miracle and out of
pride, but they didn’t. Instead, they were content to do as asked and enjoy
Jesus’ miracle with everyone else.
These servants provide a remarkable example for Christians. We’re Christ’s

servants, and as such, we’re privileged to know what our Master is doing.
However, we won’t always get the credit we feel we deserve or the significant
positions other people are afforded. When this happens, it can be tempting to
become prideful or bitter. This story encourages us to remain faithful, patient
and trustworthy instead, so we can reap great rewards later.

MAR29 Zacchaeus’ Determination
Most Christian kids grow up with the story of Zacchaeus. Your Sunday school
teacher may have taught you a song about this “wee little man” to drive home
He wanted to see the point. The classic Sunday school lesson focuses on the fact that although
who Jesus was, but Zacchaeus was a tax collector and sinner, Jesus chose fellowship at his house.
Therefore, Zacchaeus was inspired to make restitution to the people he had
because he was wronged and seek forgiveness for his sins.
short he could not
see over the The fact that he was short usually gets glossed over. However, God never
puts a detail in the Bible without a reason. In this story, Luke makes sure to tell
crowd. So he ran us Zacchaeus was short. Additionally, we can infer he was much shorter than
ahead and climbed average for a man, since he had to climb a tree to see over crowds. Why did
Luke focus on this detail? Perhaps it was to show us an imitable quality in
a sycamore-fig tree Zacchaeus: his determination.
to see him, since The Bible doesn’t tell us if Zacchaeus knew who Jesus was at this point. We
Jesus was coming don’t know if he knew Jesus was the Son of God or even about His previous
that way. healings and miracles. Still, Zacchaeus was determined to see this man. He
was so determined, in fact, that he climbed one of the tallest trees in existence
—Luke 19:3-4 for a better view. This was risky and dangerous, but Zacchaeus decided
seeing Jesus was worth it.
When was the last time you took a risk to attain something you really wanted?
More to the point, when was the last time you tried to get close to God? The
hazard doesn’t have to involve climbing a tree or something physical. It can be
as simple as reading your Bible at work or as complicated as going on a
mission trip to the developing world. If God directs you through, He’ll see and
reward your determination and risk.

MAR30 What Does It Mean to Be Foolish?
April Fool’s Day is a fun time when we enjoy playing pranks on each other.
However, in today’s verse and throughout the Bible, God makes clear that
The way of fools actually being foolish is a terrible thing. Fools are described as hating
seems right to discipline, being a disgrace to those around them, and displeasing God.
them, but the wise Of course, no one wants to be described this way, but it can be hard to
listen to advice. determine what being foolish looks like in our world. For example, you might
wonder if God would consider you a fool for sinning occasionally, or if you are
—Proverbs 12:15 foolish for not holding the same convictions other Christians do (for example,
never drinking vs. having one glass of wine with dinner).
When considering whether you are foolish, the key is to look at your life and
spiritual walk as a whole. A foolish person will not repent of sin and will
consistently make bad decisions, without true intent to change. Ask yourself if
you are guilty of these or any of the following:
• Not being teachable

• Focusing on sharing your own opinion rather than listening
• Consistently gossiping and slandering others
• Justifying and not apologizing for wrong choices
• Dragging others into sinful behavior
• Consistently allowing emotions to control your actions
If you have engaged in foolish behavior, you can repent and change. Tell God
you know what you are doing is wrong, and ask Him to help you become
wiser. He will be pleased with your choice, and you will see good results if you
continue working and do not give up.

MAR31 Avoiding the Comparison Trap
Christians are told not to compare themselves to others. In fact, to do so is
sinful, because we are effectively saying God’s creation and His choices for us
Each one should are not good enough. Yet, the comparison trap is one we all fall into.
test their own Sometimes envy motivates it—we want the job, the house, the car, or the job
our neighbors have. Sometimes it’s a matter of low self-esteem—we think the
actions. Then they person next to us is more beautiful, smarter or more spiritual than we are. If we
can take pride in could just be more like that person, we would be happy and God would like us
themselves alone, better.
without comparing The truth is, no matter how you feel and what you can or cannot do, God
themselves to cannot love you anymore than He already does. He also can’t love you any
less. He knows you are human and have flaws. While He wants you to improve
someone else. upon these, He wants you to do so with His help, and not because you’re
trying to imitate another person. In fact, Paul tells us the only person we should
—Galatians 6:4 imitate is Christ.
Take some time today to ask yourself how much comparing you do. You
probably make comparison statements more than you realize. Pray to
determine what motivates these statements and attitudes, and ask God how
to kick the comparison habit. Search for verses that affirm your identity in
Christ as a perfect heir, a beloved child of God, and someone worth dying for.
Remind yourself of the things you do well, and look for opportunities to do
them. Finally, ask yourself how you can encourage others. There are probably
people out there who compare themselves to you, and you can show them
how special they are to God as well.

The Meaning of Grace
APR01 Grace. It’s such a beautiful word. When we hear “grace,” we think of fluid
dancers or beautiful deer in a forest, or royalty moving through crowds,
showing generosity. We also think of virtue and favor. In fact, Grace is a
popular girls’ name, especially among Christians.
However, what does grace truly mean in the sense of today’s verse? As
Christians, we know about God’s grace and we mention it all the time—“By
the grace of God, we got there safely” or, “By the grace of God, my cancer
was healed.” Yet often, we don’t reap all the benefits of grace that we could.
Some people say grace is unmerited favor or not getting what we deserve. To
take this a step further, grace means receiving the good things we don’t
deserve. Jesus was the living symbol of grace when He died for us—we
deserved to be crucified, not Him. He continues to show us His grace today.
Sometimes grace is connected to our human nature, like the way God
continues to love us and bless us even when He knows we will sin. Sometimes
His grace is an unexpected blessing, like the encouraging phone call you get
when you’re sad or the paycheck bonus you received just when your child
outgrew his school shoes. Grace can even be “tough love,” such as the gentle
but firm scolding you receive from a Christian friend who sees you hurting
others with your words and actions.
For the law was given through Moses; grace

and truth came through Jesus Christ.
—John 1:17

APR02 Sin Gives Birth to Death
Many Christians find today’s verse confusing and even a bit scary. They
wonder if it means all their desires are sinful or if someday God will strike them
Then desire, after it down because of their sin. Actually, today’s verse means neither of those
has conceived, things. James meant it as a cautionary tale about how sin progresses.
gives birth to sin, Notice that James starts out talking about desire. Desire in itself is not usually
and sin, when it is sinful. We all desire certain things, and many of them—such as love, family,
full grown, gives health and careers—are good and natural. The problem occurs when Satan,
as he likes to do, twists those desires so they prey on our pride. The desire for
birth to death. love is good, but it is not good to say, “I deserve love, so I’m going to have an
affair.” The desire for health is good, but not if you starve yourself at the
—James 1:15 expense of your body’s needs.
However, twisted desire does not always immediately lead to the worst
consequences of sin. How can you know when your desire is giving birth to sin
and stop it from giving birth to mental, spiritual and even physical death? The
key is to recognize prideful, sin-driven tendencies before they start.
Perhaps your desire for a career has become desperate because you can’t
find a job. If you’ve found yourself slipping money out of a spouse’s wallet or if
you are badmouthing job candidates so they won’t get the position you want,
your desire has birthed sin. If you’ve committed to an exercise regimen and are
skipping school, work or church to work out, that’s newly birthed sin as well.
Run from temptation and straight to God. Tell Him what you’re doing and ask
for help fixing it. An accountability partner or counselor may help.

APR03 Deborah’s Leadership
Deborah was the only female judge in all Israel, and many scholars have
wondered why God chose her without appointing other female judges. Some
[Deborah] sent for Christians read Deborah’s story and conclude that women are rarely called to
Barak … and said lead or should not lead at all. Others assume that Deborah was chosen to
lead only because the men around her were weak; if they had not been, God
to him, “The Lord, would not have called on her.
the God of Israel,
commands you: In reality, God chose Deborah on purpose, not as an alternative or substitute.
He gave her tremendous gifts, including the ability to prophesy, and blessed
Go, take with you her leadership. All Christians, especially women, can and should look to her as
ten thousand men an example. Deborah lived in a time when it was indeed rare for women to
lead or be prophets, and so she was probably frightened or confused when
… I will lead Sisera God spoke to her. She probably doubted her abilities and might have asked
… to the Kishon God to choose someone else. Still, she consistently trusted God, obeyed His
commands, and delivered His messages to others.
River and give him
into your hands.” Maybe you can relate to Deborah today, whether you are a man or a woman.
Leadership is difficult, and you may not feel ready. However, if God has
—Judges 4:67 chosen you, it’s because you have the abilities necessary, and He knows you
will obey His commands. Ask Him to teach you how to lead, and then follow
Him in all your decisions. You may not save a nation as Deborah did, but you
will win the respect of the people under your supervision. You will also help
your family, your company and others around you accomplish great things.

APR04 Stem the Flow
Despite what today’s verse looks like, it’s not a warning against drinking dirty
water. The water is a metaphor for how we speak and how we live our lives.
Drink water from It’s an admonition to mind our own business and be careful what we share
your own cistern, with others, even fellow believers.
running water from Christian author Karen Ehman recently wrote a book titled Keep it Shut: What
your own well. to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All. Though geared
Should your springs toward women, the book has something to say to everyone. Whether we mean
to or not, most of us talk too much at some point. We gossip about people or
overflow in the tear them down with negative words before we know what we’re doing. We
streets, your share intimate details of our lives with people who, though friendly, probably
should not know them yet, if at all. Once you say the words, they’re about as
streams of water in easy to get back as spilled water into a cup.
the public squares? This doesn’t mean to stop talking or sharing, but it does mean to consider
whether our words are uplifting and meaningful, or whether we need to share
—Proverbs 5:15- certain details with certain people. If you aren’t sure whether to say something,
16 it’s probably best left unsaid. If you haven’t known someone long, resist the
urge to tell your life story, even if that person is a Christian. If what you are
going to say is negative or would hurt the person it refers to, keep your mouth
shut. That will stem the flow of negativity that is common to our world. Make
your own tongue a pleasant cistern from which others can drink.

APR05 Caring for Your Temple
Most Christians think of honoring God as a spiritual pursuit. When asked to
name things that honor God, they might bring up going to church, reading
Do you not know their Bibles, participating in charitable activities or avoiding certain sins.
that your bodies However, you can and should honor God with your body as well. It’s true that
your body will pass away one day, but in the meantime, God has given it to
are temples of the you to use. He wants you to use it well and keep it healthy.
Holy Spirit, who is
in you, whom you How do you honor God with your body? Again, most Christians are familiar
with some basics such as eating healthy food and exercising. God approves of
have received from these, but remember He’s concerned about your whole body—limbs, muscles,
God? You are not heart, brain and more. He wants you to treat each part as well as you can
every day. Here are several key ways to honor God with your body.
your own; you were • Get enou gh sleep . Sleep refreshes you so you can enjoy God’s
bought with a world and do what He calls you to do.
price. Therefore, • W ork ha rd , b ut ta ke b rea ks oft en . Do all things in moderation.
honor God with • Exercise to feel a nd lo ok heal thy, not to attain someone else’s
your bodies. attractiveness standard.
• Ea t heal thy. Indulge in treats occasionally, but do not rely on them
—1 Corinthians for sustenance.
6:19-20 • Keep you rsel f sexua ll y p ure. Wait for marriage if you are
single. If you have already been active, make a new purity
commitment with your partner.
• F il l you r m ind w ith the thing s Go d a pp ro ves of. Avoid

entertainment that revolves around sinful behavior.
• W hen you d o g et sick, fol low d octo rs’ ord ers. Let medicine,
rest, and good food get you healthy again.

APR06 Passing Through the Valley
“Baka” is a Hebrew word meaning “toil” or “tears.” Christians often use these
words in connection with their “valleys” or periods in their lives involving
Blessed are those difficult circumstances. Perhaps that’s why the writer of today’s Psalm talked
whose strength is in about sojourners of God making a valley of tears a place of springs – a cool
and refreshing oasis.
you, whose hearts
are set on No Christian likes the idea of going through valleys. In fact, we plan ahead as
pilgrimage; as they much as we can to avoid them. Unfortunately, valleys and trials often come
before we can do anything, and they are part of our journey with Christ. Some
pass through the trials, such as cancer, a death in our family, or the loss of our home, are not
Valley of Baka, ones we can fix. Often, God allows us to walk through a time of tears in order
to help us grow and learn.
they make it a
place of springs. Of course, God understands this isn’t easy. Making a valley “a place of
springs” does not mean acting happy when you don’t feel it or pretending
—Psalm 84:5-6 trials don’t exist. Instead, it means leaning on God and letting Him carry you
when you spiritually can’t keep walking. It means searching for His peace and
rejoicing as you find it. Those who do this, God promises, are blessed.
Are you or someone you know going through a Valley of Baka today? It may
seem small and insignificant to you, but every valley is a place of growth and
blessing for God. Ask Him what He wants to show you, and request the
strength and courage you need to see it and learn.

APR07 When Life Isn’t Fair
Job’s story is one of the most famous and complex in the Bible. Many
Christians read this verse and wonder what God was thinking—why He let
The Lord said to Satan torment one of His most faithful saints. They may also wonder if this is a
Satan, “Very well prerequisite for other humans. Does God treat us like cosmic playthings, letting
Satan take control whenever he wants?
then, everything
[Job] has is in your Fortunately, the answer is a resounding “no.” God loves His children and never
power, but on the lets anything happen to them that He did not permit first. Remember, Satan
had to ask God’s permission to test Job, and God could have easily said no.
man himself do not The question, then, becomes why He said yes. For the modern Christian, the
lay a finger.” question might be where God is when unfair things happen.
Most of us won’t lose everything as Job did, but we will all go through unfair
—Job 1:12 circumstances. Some of us will endure divorce even though we thought our
marriages were strong. Some of us will watch our children get sick or struggle
with disabilities. Some will fight to stay above the poverty line while others
remain rich and comfortable but don’t show charity.
When this happens, cry out to God as Job did. Ask if this circumstance is a
test. If so, what you can learn from it. If the circumstance is not a test, but
rather a natural consequence of our fallen world, ask for the courage to
handle it. No matter what, request an extra measure of God’s mercy and love.
He will freely and gladly give it to you.

APR08 Jonah’s Anger
When we think of God’s compassion, we normally don’t put anger in the same
thought—unless we’re reading about Jonah. Jonah has an interesting reaction
But the Lord said to God’s ultimate compassion for Nineveh. Instead of thanking God for
… “And should I sparing the city, Jonah is angry at God’s compassion. In his mind, Nineveh had
no right to a second chance. Every inch of it should have been wiped out.
not have concern
for the great city of We don’t know why Jonah felt so angry toward Nineveh. Some scholars
Nineveh, in which speculate it was because the people of Nineveh had hurt his own people or
even his family. It may also be that Nineveh’s sins so shocked and appalled
there are more Jonah that he thought they were unforgivable. No matter His reason though,
than a hundred God sternly responded to Jonah’s attitude. There were thousands of people
there, God says, as well as animals who didn’t know what sin was. Shouldn’t
twenty thousand He, a merciful God, decide what to do with them?
people, who If we’re honest, we’ll all probably admit we have a Nineveh or two in our
cannot tell their lives—it could be the nasty coworker who’s always trying to undermine you in
right hand from front of the boss. It could be the parent who abused you in childhood, the
friend who betrayed you, the spouse who cheated on you or the church whose
their left—and also hypocritical actions broke your heart. No matter who they are or what they
many animals?” did, a part of you doesn’t want them forgiven. In your mind, these people
should get what they deserve.
—Jonah 4:10a, Through today’s verse, God warns us to be careful. Even if you are not guilty
11 of Nineveh-like sins, you are still deserving of wrath. It is only through God’s
mercy and grace that you were spared. Remember that, and work up the
courage to spare someone today, even if only in your mind.

APR09 No Fishing Allowed!
A pastor once said that when God forgives and saves you, He tosses all your
sins into a deep sea and posts a sign: No Fishing Allowed! Tongue in cheek
As far as the east though that description may be, it’s apt for almost all Christians. That is, we
is from the west, so know we’ve been forgiven. We know we are saved from sin and death and
that God will never leave us. We know He chooses to remember our sins no
far has He more. Still, we’re always picking up our mental fishing poles and dragging up
removed our those old, smelly sins as if they were fresh fish.
transgressions from This is a sin in itself, because it communicates that Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t
us. enough. Why do we still do it? Often, the answer lies in perspective. We know
God sees us as righteous, but the tough reality is that we have to deal with
—Psalm 103:12 our human selves every day. We can’t choose not to remember. Sometimes our
sins smack us in the face. Even worse, sometimes other people bring up past
sins to make us feel guilty.
Maybe you’ve gone fishing lately, but you want to stop. First, get alone with
God and ask Him to show you that you are forgiven, once and for all. Pray
openly about how those sins made you feel. Ask Him to help you remember
only what is important—that you were rescued from them. If others constantly
bring up your past, set boundaries. Explain that their reminders are making
change hard, and you would appreciate more support. It may be necessary to
get those people out of your life for a while. In that case, you may need a
pastor or counselor’s help. Whatever you decide to do, remember one rule: No
fishing!

APR10 Planning and Trusting
“Trust the Lord.” Christians often say this to each other and to nonbelievers,
and they are right to do so. God asks us to trust Him, because He is the only
The horse is made one with ultimate control over our lives and because He loves us so much.
ready for the day However, some Christians believe that trust means you should not plan or
prepare for the circumstances that arise in daily life. This is incorrect and can
of battle, but be dangerous if taken too far.
victory rests with
the Lord. God does want us to give Him control, but He also gave us minds capable of
anticipating what is coming and planning accordingly. If you know a
performance review is approaching, you should do your best work and prepare
—Proverbs 21:31 intelligent questions for your supervisor. If you want to move out of your
parents’ house, start saving money early.
Of course, there are many circumstances where we don’t have any control or
influence. This is where true trust in God kicks in. When you’ve studied as much
as you can for a test, it is up to God to provide calmness of spirit and
accurate recall. If you’ve searched for a new job for weeks or months with no
success, turn to prayer and relinquish your job to God.
The important thing is to strike a balance between expecting God to do what

you can do yourself and planning realistically. It can take time to find this
balance, so pray about it and seek help from accountability partners. God will
reward your trust and guide you through His plans.

APR11 Power for Everyone
What do you think of when you hear “power of the Holy Spirit?” Most
Christians think of the Holy Spirit’s power as some nebulous force that existed
But you will receive in the early church but is not needed or relevant now. This couldn’t be further
power when the from the truth. In fact, the Holy Spirit is relevant for every era and generation,
and His power is not elusive.
Holy Spirit comes
on you; and you When Jesus came, He made God’s power available to anyone who sincerely
will be my sought Him. No matter your ancestry, past sins or current trials, you can
access the power of the Holy Spirit, and it will positively influence your life.
witnesses in The Holy Spirit helps us understand our unique spiritual gifts and encourages
Jerusalem, and in us to share those gifts with the church as a whole.
all Judea and The power of the Holy Spirit will look different for everyone. You may not
Samaria, and to speak in tongues or have miraculous abilities, but the Holy Spirit will still be
there. You may feel Him when it becomes easy to witness to a friend. You may
the ends of the sense Him telling you to give money or food to a homeless person, or filling
earth. your church during a service.
—Acts 1:8 If you aren’t sure how to recognize Him, ask Him to open your spiritual eyes.
God is only too eager to give you His power and courage. Over time, you will
learn to recognize and respond to the Spirit’s presence. This will empower you
spiritually and draw nonbelievers’ attention to you, so they may ask to know
more about your God.

APR12 Watch the Signs
Today’s verse comes from a controversial passage; some Bible translations
don’t even have it as part of the book. Perhaps that is because most
In my name they Christians don’t know how to read it. Some denominations exist that take
will drive out these signs literally. Just because there are differing interpretations of a
Scripture, though, doesn’t mean we should undervalue its significance.
demons … they will
pick up snakes with At times, Jesus spoke figuratively to His disciples, and this could be one of
their hands; and those times. There is a theory that the snakes and poison discussed in Mark
16 refer to sin and the dangers of a fallen world. A Christian who is able to
when they drink “handle a snake” may be someone who can be exposed to sin regularly—such
deadly poison, it as gossip on the job—and not be affected. The “poison” may refer to
everyday encounters with sin, such as when a Christian college student is
will not hurt them required to read material that glorifies sinful behavior. We all face
at all. metaphorical snakes and poisons in our lives, and we must pray that God
keeps us strong enough not to be hurt by them.
—Mark 16:17- No matter how you interpret this passage, be careful when you face
18b frightening situations. Do not put yourself in danger in God’s name, and do
not “test” God to see how much sin you can handle. Instead, pray and study
the Bible when the “poison” comes to you. Jesus will give you as much immunity
as you need for the situation, and you will triumph. This verse explains the
incredible power Christians have in the face of adversity—power you should
know is yours as a child of Christ.

APR13 The Lion of Judah
If you grew up in church, you’re probably used to hearing about “Jesus, meek
and mild.” You may have sung songs that described Him this way or seen
Then one of the pictures of a smiling, bearded Jesus wearing white robes in Sunday school.
elders said to me, Your early spiritual curriculum probably focused on Jesus’ mercy—His healings,
His holding of little children and His gentle leadership.
“Do not weep!
See, the Lion of Jesus is gentle and merciful, but we sometimes focus so much on His mildness
the tribe of Judah, that we forget about His power. As C.S. Lewis said of Aslan, the Christ-like
Lion in The Chronicles of Narnia, Jesus is good, but not “safe.” He is a Lion,
the Root of David, capable of the greatest power and might. People, angels and demons all
has triumphed”. tremble at His feet, and His actions and words shock and amaze all who
come in contact with them. Jesus is able to command everyone and everything
on Earth in a way no other leader could.
—Revelation 5:5a
Take time to get to know Jesus as a Lion today, especially if you feel
powerless. Call on His courage and strength to fill you as you go about life or
face difficult circumstances. Ask Him to stand up for you when you cannot do
it yourself and to protect you from people and things that want to hurt you.
An earthly lion is a predator, but Jesus protects His lambs from becoming the
world’s prey. As Susan and Lucy did in the Narnia books, climb up onto Jesus,
hold onto Him and experience the glory of His might for yourself.

APR14 Little, But Mighty
Today’s verse was written to one of the seven churches, the church in
Philadelphia. The Philadelphian church is one of the only two for which Jesus
I know that you had only praise (Smyrna is the other). At first, this might seem confusing. Jesus
have little strength, says Philadelphia has “little strength,” so it would make sense for Him to
criticize some of what they were doing or not doing. However, He promises
but you have kept them open doors “that no one can shut” and to make their persecutors “come
my word and not and fall at [their] feet.”
denied my name. What did the church of Philadelphia do to merit such praise and promises?
Jesus says they kept His word and did not deny Him. As simple as that sounds,
—Revelation 3:8b it was probably highly difficult for the congregation. Revelation was written in
a time of intense persecution. Thousands of Christians were tortured and killed
for their beliefs. It would have been easy for a small church like the
Philadelphian one to backslide or even disband. Still, these congregants
remained strong and trusted Jesus for their needs.
You may not endure the persecution Philadelphia faced, but you have likely
related to their congregation’s plight. Maybe God has called you to do
something, but you feel too small in spirit to accomplish it. Maybe people
around you ridicule your faith, and it’s difficult for you to endure. If you are in
these or similar circumstances, turn to the church of Philadelphia for
encouragement. Ask Jesus to give you strength and open new doors for you.
Your efforts will be rewarded greatly.

APR15 Lydia’s Faithfulness
This passage is the only place in the Bible where Lydia is mentioned. Other
than her hometown, Thyatira, and her occupation, we know nothing about her.
One of those Why, then, did Luke, the writer of Acts, choose to mention her? Many scholars
listening was a believe it was because she was one of Paul’s first converts—perhaps his very
first. However, there is more to learn about Lydia if we look at her more
woman from the closely.
city of Thyatira
named Lydia, a When learning about Lydia, zero-in on her occupation. She was a dealer in
purple cloth. Purple cloth was a rarity in ancient Israel. Only royalty and the
dealer in purple upper echelons of the upper class could afford or wear it. In addition, the
cloth. … The Lord indigo dye used to make purple cloth was rare in itself. Producing purple was
a long and arduous process that involved working in suffocating, odorous
opened her heart dyeing sheds.
to respond to The Bible tells us that Lydia dealt in purple cloth, meaning not only that she
Paul’s message. made it, but also that she sold it for money. This signals she was a wealthy
woman and a merchant, which in turn signals that she was a rare
—Acts 16:14 businesswoman in what was very much a man’s world. She would have every
reason to believe she did not need God—she had already risen far in her
world and attained respect women only dreamed of. Yet, the Bible calls her a
worshipper with an open heart.
Lydia was not only rich in material possessions, but also rich in her heart.
Despite, or perhaps because of, her material blessings, she knew God
mattered most and was willing to be His follower even though it might have
cost her dearly. Perhaps her faithfulness is why Luke gives her special mention.
Meditate on Lydia today, asking God to grant you her richness in heart.

APR16 True Submission
Today’s verse is one of the most controversial and misused in the entire Bible.
Nonbelievers often use it as proof that Paul oppressed women and God approved.
Wives, submit to Some use it as a tool to make women submit to spiritual abuse, and some Christians
eschew the verse altogether.
your own husbands
as you do to the God made women with the same care as men, and He expects them to be treated with
dignity and respect. Jesus made clear that women are neither sexual objects, nor lesser
Lord. people to be abused. In fact, some of His most faithful followers, including Mary
Magdalene and Joanna, were women.
—Ephesians 5:22 What, then, should modern women do with this verse? First, they should be confident in
the fact that it does not excuse abuse. However, they should also seek to embrace a
biblical view of submission. This includes:
• Listening to the husband and respecting his opinion
• Keeping disagreements private
• Allowing the husband to function as the home’s spiritual leader (i.e., leading
family devotional time, leading family in prayer)
• Allowing husbands to care for and provide for their families
• Respecting the husband and building him up
• Giving the husband his conjugal rights, as he gives the wife hers
Additionally, both women and men should read and meditate the rest of Ephesians 5,
where men are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church. If men do
this well, women should be able to submit with joy, without feeling trampled. If you and
your partner struggle with this, seek godly counsel and pray to strengthen your
marriage.

APR17 Anna’s Patience
Many times in the Bible, God says He has a purpose for everyone. Sometimes
though, do you feel like He forgot yours? Anna may have felt that way. Luke
There was also a tells us she was married for just seven years before her husband died, leaving
prophet, Anna. … her a widow for more than 80 years. At a time when the value of women was
connected to marriage and children, Anna may have felt worthless. She may
She never left the have wondered if God had “shelved” her. Despite this, we are told she
temple but worshipped God constantly, never even leaving the temple.
worshipped night Anna’s extraordinary patience and faithfulness was rewarded when Mary and
and day. … Joseph brought Jesus to the temple. All that time praying, fasting and
Coming up to worshipping gave this prophetess plenty of time to talk to God about the
coming Messiah who would deliver Israel. The Bible explains many people
them at that very expected the Messiah to be an earthly king who would deliver them from the
moment, she gave Romans. Perhaps Anna understood better than anyone else that the new
kingdom would be spiritual, and this Messiah would deliver His people from
thanks to God and sin, the enemy within. If Anna hadn’t been so diligent, she wouldn’t have been
spoke about the able to share her prophecies about Jesus with everyone when they needed
them most.
child to all who
were looking Perhaps you are in a situation similar to Anna’s. You see everyone fulfilling
their purposes and wonder what yours is, or think you are somehow “less”
forward to the because your purpose is not as glamorous or appreciated as others’. Take
redemption of comfort from Anna today, and rejoice in the opportunity to learn at Jesus’ feet.
Jerusalem. You will be called on to share what you know, and when that happens, God
will reward your patience and diligence.
—Luke 2:36a-38

APR18 Generational Blessings
All people want to leave a legacy—something good they will be remembered
for when they are gone. In biblical times, and often today, much of that legacy
Know therefore is wrapped up in our children. Even if you don’t have biological children, you
that the Lord your can and will leave legacies to adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren or
nieces and nephews. Some of that legacy may be physical, such as talents
God is God; He is and characteristics you pass down. Some may be emotional, such as your
the faithful God, mannerisms. The most important part of your legacy though, will be spiritual.
keeping His God makes clear in the Old Testament that He blesses the generations who
covenant of love to love Him but curses those who curse Him. Because of Jesus’ new covenant,
a thousand this no longer means that children can be punished for their parents’ sins.
However, it means that sin, if allowed to go on for generations, can make it
generations of harder for children to accept, worship and love God. Thus, it can be hard for
those who love those children to reap divine blessing.
Him and keep His Today, ask yourself what you are doing to leave spiritual blessings for the next
commandments. generation. This could involve teaching children to read Scripture, pray or
guiding them down the path of righteousness. It could involve exposing them
—Deuteronomy to Christian entertainment, teaching them about missionaries or teaching them
how godly values play out in the modern world. Every time you see a
7:9 teachable moment, use it so the young people in your life will understand who
God is.
If there is generational sin in your family, you can be the one to break the
cycle. Identify the sin—abuse, alcoholism, gambling, drug addiction—and call
it what it is. Then, with the help of godly counsel, make a commitment to take
steps that remove the sin from your lifestyle.

APR19 Respect for Elders
Today’s senior citizens live much different lives than those in biblical times. In
ancient Israel, elderly parents and grandparents often lived under the same
Gray hair is a roof as adult children and grandchildren. Because they lived so much longer
crown of splendor; than people do today, older people were considered walking examples of
wisdom. They were respected as family leaders and diligently cared for. They
it is attained in the were consulted often, and their opinions held plenty of weight.
way of
righteousness. Compare that to the way seniors are often treated today. They are seen as
irrelevant because their generation has passed. They are often placed in low-
income housing or nursing facilities away from their families. Some elderly
—Proverbs 16:31 people who do live with families are not treated as vital members of the circle.
Certainly, this is not the case all the time. Many senior citizens are loved and
cherished. However, it is rare that their gray hair and years of hard-won
wisdom are treated as crowns of glory.
Solomon may have thought about these situations when he wrote today’s
proverb. Here, he admonishes readers to go beyond “respecting their elders.”
In describing gray hair as a crown of splendor, Solomon indicates that the
aged, no matter their physical and mental condition, are to be revered. Even if
they cannot share their experiences, these are to be learned from. They are to
be cared for and loved, and to participate in family activities as much as
possible.
If you have a senior citizen in your life, such as an aging parent or a

grandparent, visit them today. If you can’t, call or email to say how much they
mean to you. Ask them about their lives and what they want you to know, and
truly listen. Your efforts will be rewarded when you attain your own gray
crown.

APR20 A Living Bible
A pastor once said that as Christians, we should live our lives carefully
because we may be the only Bible some people ever read. St. Francis of Assisi
You show that you said, “Preach the gospel … use words if necessary.” While it is good for all
are a letter from people to read Scripture, our lives should be the first example nonbelievers
turn to when exploring the Christian life. If others see us acting the way we
Christ, the result of say Jesus would have us act, they will be more likely to embrace the Gospel.
our ministry, written
not with ink but Of course, this is easier said than done at times. We are human, so we are
bound to do something sinful now and then. Additionally, many nonbelievers
with the Spirit of are hostile toward Christians and use every mistake we make as proof that we
the living God, not are not what we say we are. It is best not to listen to every angry word we
hear, but the Bible teaches self-examination is a good thing.
on tablets of stone
but on tablets of Periodically during your prayer and devotional time, ask God to show you
areas where your Christian walk could improve. This does not mean
human hearts. questioning your salvation or engaging in legalism. It simply means opening
yourself to the possibility of new growth. If God does show you an area to
—2 Corinthians work on, ask Him what your first steps should be. For instance, if negativity is
3:3 an issue, ask God to teach you to say positive things to others. If you spend
too freely, ask God to help you make a conscious effort to save or tithe.
No Christian will ever be perfect on Earth, but we do have the opportunity to

be living Bibles. Our actions can make Scripture come alive for others. As
Christianity becomes more relatable, more people will be eager to learn about
and worship our God.

APR21 The Right Rules
Paul addressed today’s verse to the church in Colosse. This church sincerely
loved Jesus but had gotten caught up in the strictures of religion. One verse
These rules, which earlier, Paul describes their anxious pursuit of perfection. They submitted to
have to do with human rules that taught, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These
rules applied to everything they did and were apparently choking the life from
things that are all their worship. Paul was trying to explain that the rules were killing their
destined to perish worship.
with use, are based Rules are generally good things. After all, God gave us the Ten
on merely human Commandments so that we would know how to treat Him and others. Jesus
commands and teaches us to love Him and love our neighbor. However, many Christians often
add to these with the manmade rules of their denominations or personal
teachings. preferences. Recognize what are matters of faith and what are matters of
church doctrine, because the two may be different.
—Colossians 2:22
Personal conviction is a matter between the individual and God and should
never be judged. Be careful though, that you and the Christians around you
do not place human rules or routines where God ought to be. If your church is
holding you to unbiblical or abusive standards, get out as soon as possible. If
you yourself struggle with legalism, pray to recognize it and seek godly counsel
so you know what is of God and what you are clinging to for your own
religious satisfaction. As you replace legalism with trust and grace, you will feel
freer, and your worship of God will be deeper and more authentic.

APR22 The Passover Blood
This month, Jews will celebrate Passover. Today, many Christian
denominations—especially Messianic Jewish ones—hold Passover Seders and
The blood will be a ceremonies to show their solidarity with the Jewish people. No matter what
sign for you on the denomination you come from, Passover is a time to celebrate liberation.
houses where you The Israelites celebrated their first Passover in recognition of their physical
are, and when I freedom from slavery in Egypt. They also celebrated that God spared them
see the blood I will and their children from the plagues visited on Egypt, particularly the tenth
plague, which prescribed the death of all Egypt’s firstborn. For today’s Jews
pass over you. No and Christians, Passover is a remembrance of physical freedom but can also
destructive plague celebrate emotional and spiritual liberation.
will touch you Although you may be a veteran Christian, you may have been in slavery to sin.
when I strike Egypt. Jesus liberates us from that slavery, but you have probably felt enslaved to
something in your life. It might be a difficult job, a tense family situation, a
—Exodus 12:13 serious illness or something else. Sometimes, you will literally be freed from
these things. Your addiction may fall away, your illness may go into remission
or your family member may apologize for hurting you.
However, what if liberation does not seem possible or simply will not happen
on Earth? Passover can still be a time of celebration for you. Instead of
focusing on physical, earthly problems, focus on the freedom Christ gives you.
Ask that He would teach you to walk and act as a free person, filled with His
peace, love and other fruits of the Spirit. Do not give up hope for physical
deliverance, but leave it in His hands as you increase your trust in Him. Above
all, let the Passover remind you of His sacrifice, which He made so you could
be free indeed from the most evil slave master of all.

APR23 You Can Win Against Goliath
The story of David and Goliath is familiar to anyone who grew up in church.
It’s one of the first stories told in Sunday school. The message is familiar—no
David said to Saul, matter how big your adversary, you can win with God on your side. Yet as we
“Let no one lose grow up, that story seems harder to believe, almost like a fairytale or a myth
about Greek or Roman heroes.
heart on account
of this Philistine. God never puts a story in the Bible without a reason, and He never specifies
Your servant will that certain narratives are only for children. When God inspired the writer of 1
Samuel, He knew we would all face Goliaths in our lives. Sometimes they are
go and fight him.” people—an unfair boss, a school bully or another kind of adversary.
Sometimes they are the places we are afraid to go or the circumstances we
—1 Samuel are afraid to face, like a new city, a disability, a sickness or simply a new
chapter in life. These adversaries are different “sizes,” but sometimes they all
17:32 feel too big to defeat. Like David, we sometimes look at them and feel all we
have to fight with is a few small pebbles.
If you’re facing a Goliath, run back to this familiar Sunday school story today.
Tell God the truth—you don’t feel like David and you’re afraid to fight. God
is truth, so He responds well to it. He will give you the inner strength you need.
He will also equip you with the right weapons, whether those are the right
words, the right career move or the right decision at a crossroads. Your
adversary will shrink, and you will be able to handle it. Once you have, you
can claim another victory and praise God.

APR24 Like Sheep
Sheep are thought of as friendly, cuddly animals. If you have a baby or young
child, you might have painted lambs on the walls of the nursery. Bible story
We all, like sheep, pictures often show Jesus or David lovingly tending sheep. These images can
have gone astray, make Christians forget that sheep are also notoriously stubborn and somewhat
dumb. They stray even after the shepherd has corrected them. When one goes
each of us has somewhere dangerous, others follow, even if they can see the peril ahead.
turned to his own Sometimes, the shepherd has to break a sheep’s legs to bring it back to the
way; and the Lord fold.
has laid on Him Few of us end up with broken legs when we sin, but we are quite similar to
the iniquity of us sheep. We don’t always rebel openly, but we tend to want control and our
own way. We think we know what is best for ourselves, so we sometimes make
all. decisions without consulting God. We assume we can’t get hurt, so we do
things we know are harmful. As a result, God has to yank us back to the path.
—Isaiah 53:6 In fact, He offered His life, the ultimate sacrificial lamb, so our sin would not
end in death.
What kind of sheep are you today? Are you following behind the Shepherd, or
are you being stubborn and seeking control? Perhaps you’re a new Christian,
a lamb in need of guidance. No matter what your position is, don’t be afraid
to come back to the Shepherd, even if you have strayed. Repent of sin if it
exists, and seek His guidance more. As time progresses, you will be more likely
to follow closely than to stray.

APR25 Running a Good Race
If you’ve ever participated in a marathon, race or other athletic event, you
know how taxing it can be. For those of us who are not athletically inclined,
Do you not know our weekly workouts can be a commitment in themselves. Some of us have
that in a race, all other “races,” such as finishing a college degree, raising children or completing
a stint in the military. No matter what the race looks like, it can require plenty
the runners run, but of stamina and get tiring. Sometimes you might wonder if running is even
only one gets the worth it.
prize? Run in such In today’s verse, Paul assures us that every race is worth it and encourages us
a way as to get to run in a way that makes us worthy of the prize. When Paul wrote this verse,
the prize. scholars speculate he was subtly jabbing Nero, who would award himself
medals in athletic games just because he was emperor. However, he was also
talking about the self-discipline of life as a Christian and encouraging all
—1 Corinthians believers to do their physical and spiritual jobs well.
9:24
You may not receive medals for raising your children, completing your degree
or living life well in the face of cancer, lupus or a physical disability. God,
however, will know what you’ve done and be pleased. The Bible says He
awards crowns of victory to all believers at their judgment, and that a “cloud
of witnesses” cheers us on in Heaven each day.
If you are physically, emotionally or spiritually tired today, take a break. Ask
God to remind you of the witnesses cheering you on and of the people behind
you in the Christian race. Those people are counting on you to lead them.
Pray to be shown how to do that. Above all, keep the end in mind, because it
will be great.

APR26 God and Inclusion
At first glance, it seems the Bible has little to say about disabilities. Jesus
healed many disabled people, but with the exception of blind Bartemeus, they
Do not curse the are not named, nor are they seen after their healings. The Bible also uses
deaf or put a terminology that many modern disabled people and their advocates consider
offensive, such as “crippled,” “lame,” or “dumb” (in reference to those who
stumbling block in cannot speak). The Bible’s writers did not mean to offend. This was simply how
front of the blind, disability was viewed in their day. Does that mean that God sees people with
but fear your God. disabilities as lesser beings?
I am the Lord. Today’s verse tells us no. In fact, it indicates God deals harshly with those who
mistreat or exclude people based on disability. He specifically references
—Leviticus 19:14 causing the blind to fall and cursing the deaf, pointing out that this is taking
cruel advantage of these people. We can infer God feels the same way about
other disabilities—that those who have them should be loved and respected
as equals.
Most Christians and churches try to do this as best they can, but their
members with disabilities still sometimes feel segregated. Often, this is because
disabilities make people uncomfortable, or they aren’t sure how to interact.
Keep today’s verse in mind next time you encounter a person with a disability.
Speak directly to him or her, even if the person can’t speak back. Show
interest in their lives, and communicate that they are valuable to you and to
God. When the opportunity presents itself, find ways for people with
disabilities to participate in your activities. Instead of causing these people to
stumble, you will be helping them live a full and rich life.

APR27 Caring for Animals
These days, there is plenty of conversation and controversy surrounding
animals. Many people make a distinction between animal welfare and animal
The righteous care rights, stating that since animals cannot reason as humans do, they do not
for the needs of have rights. Others are passionate about animal rights. Some refuse to
consume meat or all animal products such as milk and eggs. Some eschew
their animals, but wearing leather or fur. Some people have many pets and treat them as
the kindest acts of children.
the wicked are The Bible doesn’t say much explicitly about how to treat animals, but today’s
cruel. verse gives us a clue. God calls people who care for animals “righteous,”
indicating that He considers animal cruelty sinful. Elsewhere in the Bible, He
—Proverbs 12:10 carefully creates all animals. In the Gospels, Jesus tells the Pharisees that a
righteous man will pull his donkey from a well on the Sabbath; therefore,
people should be able to seek healing on the Sabbath as well.
God does not tell us to treat animals the same as humans. Actually, this would
dishonor our position as the only creations made in God’s image. In some
cases, it can cross into animal worship, which God makes clear is wrong in
Exodus 32, the story of the golden calf, and elsewhere. No person or animal
should ever be put in God’s place.
That said, God does expect us to be good stewards of the animals we have
been given, pets and otherwise. If we do choose to eat and use animal
products, we are to do so out of necessity, not sport. We are to respect and
be compassionate toward the animals in our care and make sure their needs
are met.
If you have a pet or simply love animals, spend time with them today. Thank
God for these unique creations and the roles they play in our lives.

APR28 He Will Sanctify You
“Sanctification” is one of those complicated “church words” that can confuse
new Christians, and even those of us who have believed for many years. Being
May God Himself, sanctified means that we are perfectly righteous in God’s sight, although we
the God of peace, are still working out our salvation and growing spiritually on Earth.
sanctify you through The concept of sanctification can make being a Christian seem like a great
and through. … The deal of work. In fact, some Christians take sanctification to mean that they
one who calls you is must become as close to perfect as possible, constantly policing and modifying
their behavior. In reality, this is not a fulfilling Christian life. It can lead to
faithful, and He will mental and spiritual exhaustion, frustration with self and resentment toward
do it. God.
Perhaps this is why Paul ends 1 Thessalonians on the note that he does. Paul
—1 Thessalonians cared for all the churches he visited, and he surely wanted all of their
5:23a, 24 congregants to grow to be righteous Christians. Still, he must have known that
to do so, the people of Thessalonica—and all other churches—would need
plenty of God’s peace. Therefore, in today’s verse, Paul reminds the
Thessalonians that God ultimately sanctifies the believer. Our efforts to
change our behavior do not make us righteous. Rather, God does as He
changes our hearts. As our hearts become tender toward God, we become
more willing and able to express our faith.
If sanctification feels like work today, do not lose heart. Instead, ask yourself if
you are trying too hard or focusing too much on your own efforts. If yes, tell
God how you feel, and how difficult it can be to stop relying on yourself. Ask
Him to show you how your heart has changed and direct you to opportunities
to find joy in Him.

APR29 Complete Deliverance
Mary Magdalene is a famous biblical figure, but not a well-known one. She
appears only a handful of times throughout the Gospels, and most Christians
When Jesus rose aren’t sure about her true history. Many Bible scholars say she was a
early on the first prostitute, equating her with the “sinful woman” who wiped Jesus’ feet with her
hair in Luke. Whether this is true or not, we do know Mary Magdalene fought
day of the week, demonic oppression most of her life. This could have been literal demonic
He appeared first possession, or it may have been what we know today as psychosis. In either
to Mary case, Mary is described as having seven demons Jesus drove out.
Magdalene, out of Seven is a significant biblical number. It’s the number of completion and comes
whom He had up often in the Old and New Testaments. For example, Naaman washed in
the Jordan River seven times to be cured of leprosy. There are seven seals in
driven seven Revelation. Some scholars believe Mary Magdalene’s seven demons are a
demons. mark of completion, too. In other words, Mary was completely oppressed.
Outside of Jesus, there was no hope for her.
—Mark 16:9 However, Jesus drove out all seven of Mary Magdalene’s demons effortlessly.
We don’t see her healing, but we are told she became one of His most
devoted followers. Perhaps this was because she knew, deep in her soul, the
joy of complete deliverance. She placed every ounce of hope in Jesus,
knowing that with Him, she was free of oppression forever.
Oppression is very real and comes in many forms. It may be a sin you can’t
conquer or a lie you believe about yourself. Whatever it is, take heart that
Jesus can and will deliver you. Then, like Mary Magdalene, follow Him as
closely as possible.

APR30 The Value of Rest
Rest and relaxation always sound good in theory. When we actually try to rest,
we sometimes find ourselves unable to do it. We get preoccupied thinking
Six days you shall about the work we should be doing, or we find chores and activities to fill up
labor, but on the what feels like wasted time. Sometimes, we try to justify this with Scripture,
citing verses about the virtue of diligence.
seventh day you
shall rest; even God wants us to be diligent, but He also knows there is a time and place for
during the planting everything, as it says in Ecclesiastes. He wants us to do the work set out for us
but take time to rest as well. Rest is vital to our physical, mental and spiritual
and harvest season health. It helps our bodies recuperate, so when the relaxation period is over,
you must rest. we will feel energized. It also helps us focus on taking care of our brains and
our hearts.
—Exodus 34:21 This month, you may be struggling to find time to rest, or you may be tempted
to use time meant for relaxation to do other things. Pray, asking God to
reassure you that it’s okay not to be busy. Read verses such as today’s or read
from Matthew, where Jesus discusses His light and easy burdens. Then focus
on recreation and relaxation. You don’t have to sleep, although a long nap
may be beneficial. Do your favorite quiet activities, such as reading or
watching an uplifting movie. Spend quality time with family and friends or
lengthen your devotional time. When the time comes to work again, you’ll find
you are more than ready.

Vashti’s Courage
MAY01 Queen Vashti is only mentioned in one chapter of the entire Bible. After this, King
Xerxes dethroned her and cast her aside. Despite this, let’s not gloss over her
courage. The king’s seven eunuchs made Vashti out to be a willful and disobedient
queen. They convinced the king that her actions would corrupt all the women of
Persia. However, most Bible scholars suggest this was not her motive at all.
We can’t be sure why Vashti refused to come before the king. Some scholars
speculate it was because he wanted her to parade naked in front of the court,
wearing nothing except her crown. Others say she refused to be objectified or that
Xerxes’ drunkenness and revelry angered her. Whatever the reason, Vashti made a
gutsy choice here. She placed her own dignity, modesty and self-respect before a
royal command. She risked being killed immediately.
Few of us will ever be faced with the kind of choice Vashti made. We should also
keep in mind that God does not want us to disobey authority whenever we feel like
it. Sometimes, a person in authority may ask us to do something we know goes
against God. In those cases, we are free to respectfully disobey. If you ever find
yourself in such a position, remember Vashti and ask God for strength like hers.
Your choice may end badly. You may lose a job, a friend or a coveted position in
an activity or ministry. Yet, if your motives are good, God will be pleased and will
honor your decision. You may not see how right away, but rest assured that He has
good plans for you.
… when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he

commanded the seven eunuchs who served him … to
bring before him Queen Vashti… Queen Vashti
refused to come.
–Esther 1:10-12a

MAY02 Righteous Anger
Everyone gets angry. It is a human emotion and in itself, not sinful. These
verses point out that it is what we do with anger that makes it sinful or not.
In your anger, do When we choose to let anger control us, we are more likely to sin with our
not sin: Do not let words or actions.
the sun go down However, what about righteous anger? This term is often used in Christian
while you are still circles but is unfamiliar to many people. Simply put, righteous anger is
hating or becoming angry at the things that anger God. For example, you
angry, and do not could experience righteous anger at a person who abuses a child or an
give the devil a animal or someone who takes advantage of the disabled or elderly. You’re
might experience it when you become angry at what terrorists do to
foothold. innocent persons across the world or when you react to news of murder or
rape.
—Ephesians 4:26-
27 God understands our anger in all situations, but He wants us to express it
in constructive ways, especially when it is righteous. Whenever you are
angry, think as carefully as you can about the best way to express it. God
might lead you to write a letter to someone in power about your grievances
or participate in a protest. He may ask you to stand up for an abused or
marginalized person. You may simply be led to pray for the situation and
the people in it, that their hearts will turn toward God.
Whatever you are led to do, do it faithfully. Let God help you deal with
your anger and be ready when it’s time to let the anger go. Once you’ve
worked through the emotion, you’ll be better able to do the next thing God
has in store for you and show compassion to the people you encounter.

MAY03 Hallelujah!
Did you know “hallelujah” is the only word that’s the same in every
language across the world? Perhaps God planned it this way so anyone
Hallelujah! For our who wanted to praise Him, no matter their national origin, could do so
Lord God Almighty with all brothers and sisters in Christ at any time.
reigns. Let us We know we are meant to praise God, and He is worthy of our praise
rejoice and be glad and worship. However, how often do we truly consider how much our
and give Him praise means to Him? He doesn’t need it; God is God all by Himself and
is fully aware of His power and accomplishments. Yet He chooses to
glory! request and require our praise, not because He has a big ego but because
He loves us. God sees how much joy it gives us to praise Him and how it
—Revelation can lift us up in trying circumstances.
19:6-7 You may not feel comfortable shouting “hallelujah,” and that’s okay. Your
hallelujahs can be as quiet as whispers. They don’t even require words.
God gave each Christian unique gifts and talents that they can turn into
worship. If you are a dancer, dance in praise. If you are a writer, write
your own psalm or create a story or poem with God at the center. Labor
such as washing dishes or doing janitorial work is a form of praise if done
with a glad heart.
What about the times you don’t feel like praising? Be honest; tell God
your heart doesn’t have a “hallelujah” in it right now. Then, ask Him for the
strength to focus on praiseworthy things, such as the death and
resurrection of Christ or the beautiful creation around you. No matter
what form it takes or what language you are speaking, God knows how to
interpret your praise. It is always “hallelujah” to Him.

MAY04 The Importance of Prayer
In the U.S., the National Day of Prayer is a time when Christians and other
faithful people go to their churches or sacred sites to pray or take time to pray
Rejoice always. Pray while going about daily tasks. That day isn’t more special than any other day.
continually. Give God hears and answers prayer all the time. Today, let’s focus on why it’s so
important to pray.
thanks in all
circumstances; for In verse 17 of today’s passage, Paul tells the Thessalonians to pray
this is God’s will for continually. Some translations say, “Pray without ceasing.” Did he mean, spend
copious amounts of time in a closed room on your knees? You can do this if
you in Jesus Christ. led, but praying without ceasing is much easier if you do it in frequent small
increments throughout your day. Your prayers don’t need to be long or
—1 Thessalonians eloquent. They can be only a few words. If you are learning to pray without
ceasing, or need a guide, consider the following prompts:
5:16-18
• Pra y on a sm al l to la rge sca le. Start with needs in your
hometown or region, then your state, your country, and finally the
world. Pray for the Fruits of the Spirit to be present in every Christian
and for nonbelievers to know Christ.
• Pra y for the p eo pl e you see eac h d ay. These can include
your coworkers and boss to the coffee barista or janitor. Ask names if
you don’t know them, so you can pray for them by name.
• Pra y a bo ut you r sp iritu al g ift s. Ask God what they are and for
opportunities to use them.
• Pra y for lea ders, that local, state, country and world leaderswill
make wise decisions.
• Pra y for g rea ter lo ve of God and people around the world.

MAY05 A Time of Sifting
These verses are probably familiar. They take place during the Last Supper,
when Jesus warns Peter of his impending denial. When most Christians read
Simon, Simon, them, they focus on how Peter must have felt upon hearing this news. Yet,
Satan has asked to most of us skim over an important part of this story—that Satan had asked to
sift Peter, and Jesus had already prayed for this precious disciple.
sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed Sometimes, Satan will want to sift us as He did Peter. There are several
for you, Simon, that reasons for a metaphorical sifting. It might happen because you’ve been
sinning habitually and God wants to bring you back into a right relationship. It
your faith may not may be that God will use a sifting time to help you grow and prepare you for
fail. And when you a new assignment in Him. Sometimes, sifting happens because Satan sees you
as a threat to his work.
have turned back,
strengthen your No matter what the reason, take heart in knowing that Jesus is never surprised.
He never allows Satan to do anything He didn’t approve first, and He will
brothers. never let Satan harm you beyond what you can bear. Be encouraged, also,
because Jesus prays for you when sifting time comes. He wants you to
—Luke 22:31-32 triumph, and in His strength, you will. If you sense sifting is coming or that you
are already in the midst of it, ask Him to show it to you. Then ask for more of
Jesus’ prayers. When Jesus prays, all the saints and angels in Heaven join Him.
You have a huge crowd of supporters on your side.

MAY06 Waiting Tables for Christ
At first glance, it might seem the disciples were a bit arrogant in today’s
verses. Some people read these verses and wonder if the apostles thought
So the Twelve waiting on tables and other menial tasks were too good for them. In reality, it
gathered all the seems the disciples were expressing their concern for how both tasks—serving
people and preaching the Word of God—would get done. The verses
disciples together indicate they chose only those “full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” like Stephen,
and said, “It would to complete the task of serving overlooked people like widows.
not be right for us It’s human nature to eschew these tasks in favor of ones that will put us in the
to neglect the spotlight. It’s also tempting to be angry or frustrated when we are relegated to
ministry of the serving food, stacking chairs or cleaning up after others rather than, say,
singing special music or leading Bible study.
Word of God in
order to wait on God has a place for all work, whether it’s showy or behind the scenes. He also
doesn’t want Christians who perform behind-the-scenes tasks to feel inferior to
tables.”… They others. In fact, the work nobody sees is often the most important of all. For
chose Stephen, a example, a special church dinner won’t go over well if enough food isn’t
cooked and served. No one wants to drop off his or her children in a dirty or
man full of faith understaffed church nursery.
and the Holy Spirit.
If you have been led to “wait tables” in your church, at work or as part of a
—Acts 6:2, 5a ministry that you serve, accept your assignment. Ask God to help you do it
cheerfully and diligently. If others are acting superior toward you, pray they will
see your work’s value and show more compassion. Above all, remember you
are working for the Lord, and He is pleased and proud of what you are doing
for His kingdom.

MAY07 Well-Seasoned Conversation
The Bible tells us to speak graciously, but that is often more difficult than it
looks. Gossip or hurtful words often slip out when we don’t mean them to or
Let your because we’re upset with someone else. Many Christians struggle with cursing
conversation be or other language that tears others down instead of building them up. Perhaps
this is why so many verses, including today’s, admonish us to speak with grace
always full of and truth.
grace, seasoned
with salt, so that What does it mean to have grace-filled conversations that are “seasoned with
salt?” Here, salt is a metaphor for the truth of Christ. It hearkens back to Jesus
you may know how charging His disciples to be salt and light on Earth. If your conversation is
to answer “seasoned” yet gracious, you will not use Christ as a tool to bludgeon others
verbally. Instead, you will speak the truth in love.
everyone.
Gracious conversation also means making sure your words are as positive as
—Colossians 4:6 possible. Instead of gossiping about a coworker you don’t like, make the effort
to compliment something about him or her. Instead of flinging hurtful words at
a spouse when they make you angry, take time to cool off, and then be willing
to apologize and work out the problem. If you must share a painful truth with
someone, do so gently, and make clear you have the other person’s best
interests in mind.
What if God leads you to have a seasoned, gracious conversation with

someone whose faith is different from yours? This may be one of the hardest
things you are asked to do, but God will give you the power. Approach the
person kindly and ask him or her for their story. Why do they believe as they
do? Why are these beliefs important to them? Work to find common ground
as you prepare to introduce the other person to Jesus.

MAY08 Mother’s Day
During the month of May, we honor our mothers. God is the Father of us all,
but He also gave us mothers to nurture and instruct us in a different way than
She speaks with fathers do. Mothers are the parents who physically grow children inside them.
wisdom, and A mother is the first person a child sees and bonds to when he or she is born.
If cultivated carefully, the relationship between a mother and child will become
faithful instruction is one of the strongest and most important in the lives of both parties.
on her tongue. She
watches over the There are many ways to honor your mother this month. You might take her out
for a favorite meal or complete chores for her so she can rest. You might buy
affairs of her her gifts or take her on a special outing to a movie, concert, or some other
household and activity. If you need fresh ideas, try a few of these:
does not eat the • Write a poem or an acrostic using the word MOTHER, expressing
love and appreciation.
bread of idleness. • Gather some favorite photos of yourself and your mother, and put
—Proverbs 31:26- them in a scrapbook or slide show.
27 • Make a card featuring Mom’s favorite Bible verses.

• Make a “favor coupon book.” Your mom can cash in different
coupons at any time.
• Offer your mom a massage or spa day, or simply a big hug.
What if your mother is not alive or you had a difficult relationship? Pour out
your pain to God. He knows the grief of losing someone precious to Him and
will comfort you. Honor your mother in the best ways you know how, such as
visiting a grave or speaking positive words. If necessary, seek help and godly
counsel, and give your mother all the love you can.

MAY09 Justice and Honor
We all probably know at least one person who is arrogant and craves honor
and power, like Haman. This person may be morally bankrupt and out to hurt
Now Haman those who do the right thing, and yet they receive and expect praise and
thought to himself, special privileges from the people in charge. Whether this person is a
“Who is there that coworker, a teacher, an activity leader or someone else, dealing with them can
be extremely frustrating.
the king would
rather honor than In this passage, God reminds us there will be honor and justice for those who
honor Him and do what is right. Haman was a conniving and manipulative
me?” So he person. He even manipulated King Xerxes into agreeing to exterminate the
answered. … “Have Jewish nation because of petty anger at Mordecai. However, Haman was
them bring up a ultimately not the one the king delighted to honor. That privilege went to
Mordecai, who not only saved King Xerxes’ life, but also expected no
royal robe the king recognition in return.
has worn and a
horse the king has Mordecai is a great example for Christians to follow. If you receive an
opportunity like his, don’t boast about it or demand recognition. Instead, do
ridden. … Let them what you are asked or led to do quietly, because you know it is right. Wait for
robe the man the recognition to be offered or for someone else to bring up your good work.
king delights to If a person like Haman is getting honor and privileges he or she doesn’t
honor, and lead him deserve, or you are being treated unjustly at their hands, remember this story.
on the horse Eventually, Mordecai was paraded through the streets like royalty, while
Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai. You may not be
through the city treated like royalty, and your adversary probably won’t be killed. However,
streets.” God will honor your commitment and see your tormentor is made to answer.
—Esther 6:6a-9b

MAY10 A Hiding Place
Athaliah is remembered in history as one of Israel’s most wicked queens. She
was so anxious to be crowned queen that she was willing to kill all the royal
But Jehosheba, the princes—her own grandchildren. This put Joash, the rightful heir to the throne,
daughter of King in grave danger. Fortunately, his Aunt Jehosheba also is remembered, for her
Jehoram and sister of courage and compassion in hiding Joash and his nurse for six years.
Ahaziah, took Joash Like Joash, all Christians will need a hiding place at some point. Many
son of Ahaziah and Christians, such as the ones under siege from some terrorist groups, need
physical hiding places to keep from being killed. Sometimes. hiding places also
stole him away from protect us from physically, verbally or mentally abusive people, or from
the royal princes, who dangerous situations such as natural disasters.
were about to be Many times though, we find ourselves in need of an emotional or spiritual
murdered. She put hiding place. This can happen at any time for a variety of reasons. Maybe you
him and his nurse in a or a family member is seriously ill and needs healing or provisions for medical
bedroom to hide them costs. Maybe you are a veteran seeking refuge from mental and physical
trauma. Perhaps your job has become overwhelming or someone you work with
from Athaliah; so he is trying to sabotage you.
was not killed. He
In all these cases and a plethora of others, God offers Himself as our ultimate
remained hidden with hiding place. In the New Testament, Jesus expresses how much He wants to
his nurse at the take Israel under His wings as a mother hen does to her chicks. He feels the
temple of the Lord for same about us. Many Bible verses speak of God’s ability to protect, nurture
and comfort us. If you need a hiding place today, seek God first. If your hiding
six years while place needs to be physical, reach out to family and trusted friends who will
Athaliah ruled the help you find one and protect you from people and things who would try to
land. hurt you.
—2 Kings 11:2-3

MAY11 No Stain Too Deep
Paul has plenty of negative descriptors for himself in today’s verse, and it’s not
likely any Christians in his era would contradict him. Paul was guilty of all the
Even though I was things he says he is, and he says he “acted in ignorance.” Essentially, he calls
once a blasphemer himself stupid for persecuting and killing Christians.
and a persecutor To the human eye, Paul does not look like the kind of person Jesus would use
and a violent man, to spread the Gospel and further His kingdom. Yet, Paul was the exact person
I was shown mercy He chose, despite Paul’s past. Paul’s story can offer hope to any Christian who
has a particularly sinful past, as well as one who doesn’t but feels he or she
because I acted in can’t be used by God for whatever reason.
ignorance and Bible teacher Lisa Harper describes Paul’s history with Christians as a “stain”
unbelief. on his resume. She goes on to say we all have these, whether they are
significant sins, small ones or simply embarrassing moments or things we don’t
—1 Timothy 1:13 like about ourselves. Any of these can make us feel disqualified. Again and
again, God chooses people who seem the least qualified to do His work. He
lifts them up, shows them the depth of His love, and equips them to do what
they thought they could not.
Today, think about the “stains” or disqualifications on your spiritual resume.

Bring them before God and tell Him how they impact you. Then be still and
listen as He reassures you of His love and your potential. He will use
everything on your resume—the stains and the accomplishments—to grow
you into the person He wants you to be.

MAY12 Not Left as Orphans
Orphans are popular characters in literature and movies. From Little Orphan
Annie to Harry Potter, it seems that many major protagonists of the stories we
I will not leave you loved as children are orphans. Characters in adult stories fit this description,
as orphans; I will too. Orphan status is a device writers often use to force their characters to be
smarter, stronger and more courageous.
come to you.
However, being an orphan in real life is nowhere near as romanticized or
—John 14:18 adventurous as it is in stories. Furthermore, everyone has felt like an orphan at
some point, even if they have living parents. You can feel like an orphan if you
don’t have many friends nearby, if no one seems to understand your situation,
or if any family member is absent or has died. Orphan status is one of the
loneliest and frustrating in the world.
It’s no coincidence that Jesus reassures His disciples and us that we won’t be
left as orphans. We can’t see Him or physically interact with Him, just as the
disciples couldn’t once He ascended to Heaven. Jesus was prepared for this,
and so He sent the Holy Spirit. This third member of the Trinity nurtures and
guides us like an inner parent. He comforts us when we’re lonely or sad, and
He clears our minds when we’re confused.
Today, if you’re in a situation that makes you feel like an orphan, meditate on
this verse. Thank God for choosing to live in you through the Holy Spirit, and
ask for an outpouring of that Spirit on your daily life. You may be physically
alone sometimes, but God is always with you.

MAY13 Given What to Say
Christians around the world are regularly arrested, imprisoned, tortured and
killed for their faith. To own a Bible is illegal in at least 51 countries. The Voice
But when they of the Martyrs recently published a book titled I Am N, the collected
arrest you, do not testimonies of persecuted Christians across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Today’s verse is likely dear to those believers.
worry about what
to say or how to In the West, it is unlikely any of us will be arrested for our faith, let alone killed.
say it. At that time However, Jesus never inspired anything to be put in the Bible without a reason.
He knew His disciples would face this challenge and that other Christians
you will be given would too, for centuries. Jesus also knew that persecution doesn’t have to take
what to say, for it the form of imprisonment and torture.
will not be you American Christians are more likely to experience verbal or psychological
speaking, but the persecution. They may be falsely accused or lose their jobs for living out their
faith. They may face verbal abuse that can turn into physical aggression or
Spirit of your violence.
Father speaking Today’s verse applies to all forms of persecution. Jesus wants to assure us that
through you. we need not be worried about challenges to our faith. He promises to give us
what to say and do when we need it, as well as the strength and grace to
—Matthew endure. Persecution is not right, and if you can seek justice, you should do so.
10:19-20 However, do not be afraid to submit to persecution as Jesus did. Jesus sees
your suffering and empathizes—He did no less when crucified. He is proud of
your stand and will honor it.

MAY14 Doing the Impossible With God
Daniel is one of the Old Testament figures who scholars speculate
experienced the Holy Spirit before Christ’s ministry. Certainly, today’s verse
There is a man in indicates his intelligence went beyond being smart or perceptive. He was able
your kingdom who to discern and interpret things the most educated Babylonians could not.
Twice before the events of today’s passage, he had interpreted the dreams of
has the spirit of the Nebuchadnezzar without being told beforehand what those dreams were.
holy gods in him. In
the time of your Few of us will be asked to interpret dreams or show a supernatural level of
knowledge. If you are a Christian, however, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. The
father, he was Holy Spirit can, whenever He chooses, use your gifts in ways you never
found to have thought possible. Through Him, you may be able to do what you thought you
couldn’t before.
insight and
intelligence and Additionally, God gives His children measures of virtues like wisdom, diligence,
faith and charity. Again, He may not lead you to use them in supernatural
wisdom like that of ways, but you may find yourself drawn to expressing one or two virtues over
the gods. others. Study the Christian virtues so you’ll be familiar with them, and ask God
to show you which ones are strongest in your life. Then use them to further His
—Daniel 5:11a work. For example, if your virtue is charity, you can give, monetarily and
otherwise, to causes in need. If your virtue is diligence, set an example to
people in your workplace by finishing assignments on time or offering to help a
coworker who is ill. The more you look for the Holy Spirit in your life, the more
He will reveal Himself to you, and the stronger your faith will grow.

MAY15 Pentecost
This month marks the beginning of Pentecost, or the end of the 40-day period
between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Some Christian denominations are
When the day of more familiar with this holiday than others are, but it remains an important one
Pentecost came, they on the Christian calendar because it signals the coming of the Holy Spirit.
were all together in The Holy Spirit enables believers to be blessed with specific spiritual gifts, all
one place. Suddenly a as individual as the believer. He does much more than that, though. Christians
sound like the blowing can rejoice on Pentecost and every day because the presence of the Holy
Spirit means God actively lives inside and guides them.
of a violent wind came
from Heaven and filled This was not always the case for those who believed in Yahweh, as God is
the whole house where called in the Old Testament. Back then, some believers, such as David and
Daniel, were said to have the Holy Spirit, but His presence was much rarer.
they were sitting. They The only people who are referenced this way are those who God chose for a
saw what seemed to specific mission or, in the case of David, saw as “a [person] after His own
be tongues of fire that heart.”
separated and came Jesus wanted to be accessible to all of us, to restore the perfect relationship
to rest on each of sin destroyed. This is why He returned to Heaven rather than staying on Earth
indefinitely. In His wisdom, He knew we would need Him with us every minute
them. All of them were of every day to live the life He called us to live. Furthermore, Jesus allows the
filled with the Holy Holy Spirit to speak to each Christian in unique ways. The Spirit might lead
Spirit and began to one person to become a full-time missionary, for example, and another to be
His witness to neighbors and local people.
speak in other tongues
as the Spirit enabled Thank God for the never-ending presence of the Holy Spirit for you and for
them. everyone today. Ask Him to lead you through His Spirit and give you the
grace to obey.
—Acts 2:1-4

MAY16 Be Utterly Amazed
Today’s verse comes from the book of Habakkuk, a minor prophet with a big
problem. He wrote his book during one of the most chaotic times in Israel,
Look at the nations when sin ran rampant and the wicked seemed to prosper, never being
and watch, and be punished for their evil deeds. Naturally, Habakkuk turned to God and asked
why this was happening. Did God ever intend to stop it? Would there be
utterly amazed. For justice for Israel’s faithful?
I am going to do
something in your God’s answer not only gave Habakkuk hope, it can impart hope to us as well.
Although He does not always exact justice the way we would like, He does
days that you enact it, and blesses those who obey Him. Writer Jennifer Rothschild puts it
would not believe this way—God is not fair, as humans think of fairness. Yet He is perfectly just.
If He allows something “unfair,” He does it because He can see the big
even if you were picture. He knows how every event fits into His plan even when we do not.
told. Today’s verse can also bring hope to people in situations that look hopeless.
—Habakkuk 1:5 Maybe you were in remission from cancer or MS, but the disease has returned
multiple times. Maybe you have a disability keeping you from getting a job or
living the independent life you want. Perhaps you’re a woman longing for a
baby, but have been unable to conceive for months or years. God doesn’t
promise to answer our prayers or questions exactly as we want. However, He
does promise we will be “amazed” at what He does—so amazed we wouldn’t
believe it if we knew ahead of time.
Perhaps sinful people around you are prospering or your situation seems
hopeless. Meditate on this verse, and thank God in advance for His amazing
plans.

MAY17 Avoiding Complaining
Here, as in other Bible verses, God cautions His people against complaining.
Yet, how easy is it to complain? If we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves
The Lord said to grumbling and complaining about everything from our jobs to how our kids
Moses and Aaron, behave to the food we eat or the traffic we have to sit in. Over time,
complaining can wear on our nerves and annoy the people around us, pushing
“How long will this them away. It also displeases God.
wicked community
grumble against God will not “smite” you or punish you for complaining. Because of Jesus’
sacrifice, all sin, including this one, is covered. Complaining is still a sin, and
Me?” one to watch out for. Before you complain, think about whether what you are
saying is legitimate. That is, are you upset about something that would upset
—Numbers God, such as the abuse of an innocent person or wanton destruction of the
environment? Or are you instead upset at a temporary situation? If the latter
14:26-27a is true, pray about it and make an effort to meditate on positive things instead.
Of course, everyday situations can get on our nerves, too. God doesn’t expect
us never to voice what we don’t like. The key is in how we do it. For example,
instead of snapping at your children for being too loud, find a place for them
to burn their energy and be loud. Instead of griping about a coworker who is
lazy, ask him or her if you can help with certain tasks. Whenever possible, turn
your complaints into positive comments or find a workable solution for them.

MAY18 The Good Samaritan
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a familiar Sunday school story. Most
Christians who’ve grown up in church have heard it several times and try to
But a Samaritan, take Jesus’ lesson about loving one’s neighbor to heart, no matter who that
as he traveled, neighbor is. It’s common to skim over the identity of the one who showed
neighborly mercy in the first place.
came where the
man was; and Jesus’ main audience for this parable was Jewish. Most Jews in His time
when he saw him, disliked or outright hated Samaritans. They were considered ethnically inferior
or “half-breeds” because they had intermarried with Israelites against God’s
he took pity on command. Therefore, they were not allowed to enter the temple or worship as
him. the Jews did. This makes the identity of the one who showed mercy on the
robbed man all the more significant.
—Luke 10:33 Look again at the scripture before today’s verse. Jesus points out a priest and
a Levite saw the injured man and walked away, ignoring him. Jesus doesn’t
explain why. Perhaps these men were hard-hearted or simply didn’t want to
get involved. Perhaps they were in a hurry or thought helping the man was not
part of God’s agenda. The key is that these were two of Israel’s religious
leaders. They, not the Samaritan, would be the ones expected to stop and
show mercy.
Christians can learn much from today’s verse. Namely, do not be quick to
judge unbelievers as unable to show mercy and other virtues. Sometimes,
nonbelievers think to do things Christians don’t. Today, pray about the
nonbelievers you regularly encounter. Ask God to show you how you can
cooperate with them to serve others and show God’s love.

MAY19 Son of My Right Hand
Names are often significant in the Bible. Most Bibles have footnotes explaining
what certain names mean, and those names often greatly influence the
As she breathed individual’s life. That influence increases and becomes more positive when God
her last—for she chooses to change someone’s name. For example, He changed Benjamin’s
father’s name from Jacob, which can mean “deceiver,” to Israel, which means,
was dying—she “May God prevail.”
named her son Perhaps because of his own name change, Jacob steps in to change his
Ben-Oni. But his youngest son’s name in today’s verse. His mother Rachel named him Ben-Oni,
father named him which means “son of my trouble.” Most likely, she was referring to her difficult
childbirth. Maybe, though, Jacob thought seriously about the name and
Benjamin. predicted such a moniker would have negative consequences. Thus, he chose
Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand,” for this last son of his favorite wife.
—Genesis 35:18
In this passage, Jacob acts much like our heavenly Father. Not many of us
change our names, but we often feel as if our sin or trouble influences who we
are. If we allow troubles to define us, negative consequences will follow. We
will be rendered ineffective as Christians and may waver in our faith.
God wants us to remember we are sons and daughters of His right hand. In
biblical times, the right hand was the place of honor, which we all occupy as
co-heirs with Jesus Christ. If you are struggling with sin or other negative
events in your life, lift up your troubles to God. Tell Him how much they affect
you and ask to be lifted up. God will faithfully remind you of your place of
honor so you can go out with confidence and do His will with full knowledge
that your Father loves you.

MAY20 Who’s Your Daddy?
As co-heirs with Christ, we are heavenly royalty. On Earth, we are able to
walk and act with grace, dignity and confidence because we are God’s
But you are a special possession. Despite this, the everyday grind and troubling
chosen people, a circumstances that go with being human can make us forget our true status.
The most devout Christian can struggle with his or her identity as chosen and
royal priesthood … perfect in God’s eyes.
God’s special
possession, that For every Christian, there are different reasons for this struggle. You might
have sin in your past that makes you wonder why God would choose you.
you may declare Maybe your struggles come from an abusive home where you were treated as
the praises of Him anything but a special possession. Insecurities related to body image,
academic hardships or handicaps might be at the root of your identity crisis.
who called you out
of darkness into Whatever those roots are, God is ready to help you dig them up and dispose
of them. He is used to identity crises, even among His chosen children,
His wonderful light. because He made us human. He knows in a fallen world, it’s tough to
remember who we are meant to be. That’s why He offers verses like today’s,
—1 Peter 2:9 among many others, to tell us how much He loves us. His Word also gives us
plenty of true stories about people who didn’t think they mattered to God, but
were used mightily.
If your identity in Christ is a sticking point, ask God to show you the truth
behind what He says about you today. Remind yourself who your heavenly
Father is and what He can do. If He says you are worthy and chosen, no one
and nothing can contradict Him. Walk in confidence as a royal child because
your Father is the King of Kings.

MAY21 True Beauty
These days, the media is full of advice to men and women on how to look and
feel more beautiful. Makeup and perfume counters overflow at department
Charm is stores. Diets, gym machines and body wraps all promise a perfectly
deceptive, and proportioned, impossibly thin body. Mannequins are draped with trendy
fashions that promise to make anyone look young, confident and glamorous.
beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who In itself, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel beautiful. Losing weight to
fears the Lord is to be healthy or putting on makeup to enhance one’s best features isn’t sinful.
Today’s verse cautions that a dependence on these things makes them
be praised. harmful. A man or woman can look and act charming but be hateful and
manipulative on the inside. Someone may maintain physical beauty for a while,
—Proverbs 31:30 but age and time will make it fade. God wants us to take care of our temples,
but the pursuit of physical perfection is not the Christian’s ultimate goal.
Today’s verse reminds us the true way to be beautiful is to fear the Lord. In
other words, put God first in your life. Spend regular time with Him, praying
and studying the Bible, and seek what He wants you to know each day. Love
yourself and your neighbor, and do things to show His love, such as helping
someone with a task or serving in a ministry you enjoy.
Perhaps you regularly struggle with your body image and physical appearance.
Find out why, seeking godly counsel from trusted friends or a counselor. Eat
well, exercise in moderation and dress in stylish yet tasteful ways. However,
remember your confidence comes from the God who resides in you, who loves
you unconditionally.

MAY22 Philip and the Ethiopian
Philip is one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, but this is the only passage that spotlights
him specifically. Still, it is an important one from which Christians can glean
“Do you much. It is often cited as a passage that explains a good way to witness to
understand what others.
you are reading?” There are at least three valuable lessons in today’s passage. First, let’s zero-in
Philip asked. on who was with Philip and the Ethiopian—or rather, who was not. Philip was
simply walking along the road when he encountered the Ethiopian and shared
“How can I unless Jesus with him one-on-one. Some Christians may believe the best way to
witness is to a group of people. However, if your comfort zone is just a few, or
someone explains it even one person, that’s absolutely okay. Sharing Christ one-on-one may give
to me?” So he you time to develop deeper relationships with people, too.
invited Philip to Secondly, notice Philip wanted to know if the Ethiopian understood what he
come up and sit was reading. Often, nonbelievers will be curious about Jesus but may not
with him. understand everything about what we believe. When witnessing, ask others
what they know and what they think about it. If they get something wrong,
don’t jump to correct it immediately. Instead, explain patiently.
—Acts 8:30-31
Finally, remember witnessing opportunities can happen any time. Philip
probably wasn’t expecting to encounter someone in need of Christ. Don’t wait
for a church service or another opportunity where the Gospel might “naturally”
be shared. Get to know people and their stories. Express your beliefs in
everyday conversation, without pressing for a decision right away. The more
genuine and open you are, the more attracted to your faith others will be.

MAY23 Ananias and Sapphira
This is one of the Bible’s most troubling stories. Mst Christians skim over or
ignore it because they don’t know what to do with it. They worry Ananias and
With his wife’s full Sapphira’s story suggests sin will cause God to strike them dead or otherwise
knowledge, he kept severely punish them. Because of the new covenant, God does not discipline
Christians out of His wrath, but there must be a particular reason this story
back part of the was kept in the canon.
money for himself,
but brought the Scholars suggest the story is significant because of Ananias and Sapphira’s
specific sin. As Peter implies, the problem is not that they kept back money
rest and put it at from the sale of their property. In verse 4, he points out that the money was
the apostles’ feet. already theirs before the land was sold. The issue is that they lied to the
apostles and, by extension, the Holy Spirit.
Then Peter said,
“Ananias, how is it This, however, brings up another question. How can God be lied to if He
already knows everything? Scholars speculate this is part of why He allowed
that Satan has so the couple’s deaths. After all, if God already knows everything, He knows
filled your heart when He is being lied to. He also abhors sin and hypocrisy, two activities
Ananias and Sapphira engaged in with full knowledge. That knowledge may
that you have lied suggest unrepentance, which adds to the seriousness of their crime.
to the Holy Spirit
What can Christians learn from this story? Again, the lesson is not that God
and kept back will strike dead anyone who sins. Rather, the lesson is to avoid hypocrisy
some of the money because it is lying to ourselves and God. The story also cautions us to repent
you received for when we sin, understand the seriousness of the sin and avoid it in the future.
the land?”
—Acts 5:2-3

MAY24 Come out of Hiding
Today’s verse is one of the most oft-quoted parts of Genesis 3. The chapter
explains the entrance of sin into the world and the downfall of humanity. Be
He answered, “I careful not to rush past the dialogue between Adam and God. God seeks
heard you in the Adam out in the Garden of Eden to spend time with him, but Adam’s sin has
made him afraid of God.
garden, and I was
afraid because I How awful must Adam have felt at that moment? We know up to then he and
was naked, so I Eve enjoyed a perfect relationship with their Creator. It’s joyous to picture the
three of them walking and talking in Eden together, and it’s amazing to think
hid.” these first two people had full access to God every day. They could talk to
Him about anything and ask any question. Yet their sin shattered that
—Genesis 3:10 intimacy, partially because it made them afraid to approach God.
Often, we do the same thing. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we

know, unlike Adam and Eve, our sins are already forgiven. There is nothing we
can do that would make God love us any less or turn away from us. Still, we
hide from Him when we sin. This isn’t physical hiding. God’s eyes are
everywhere. Our hiding may look like avoiding prayer or Bible study, not going
to church or simply putting thoughts of God from our minds because of our
shame.
God does not want us to drown in shame. He wants to cover our shame with
forgiveness, as He covered Adam and Eve with the first clothing. Whenever
you sin, run straight to God instead of away from him. Repent and enjoy
forgiveness.

MAY25 Miriam the Prophetess
When most people think of Miriam, they think of the young girl who helped
save her baby brother Moses, keeping watch over his basket as it floated
Then Miriam the down the Nile. They may also think of her as the one who brought Moses’
prophet, Aaron’s biological mother to Pharaoh’s daughter as a nurse for Moses. Not many
people know she was Israel’s first prophetess.
sister, took a
timbrel in her hand As a prophetess, Miriam would have enjoyed a deep and intimate relationship
and all the women with God. Some Bible scholars and writers of biblical fiction suggest God
showed Miriam dreams and visions. Some of these may have been of the 10
followed her with plagues unleashed on Egypt before the exodus. Whatever her function as a
timbrels and prophetess, Miriam was considered a leader in Israel. Here, she leads the
women in celebration of the Hebrews’ new freedom, singing and dancing to
dancing. the Lord.
—Exodus 15:26 Miriam’s story and place in Israel is significant for today’s Christians, especially
women. Your church and denomination may have different views on how and
when women can lead. However, nothing in the Bible suggests God never
wants women to be leaders. He has called on them for centuries, and they
have gladly fulfilled their duties to Him. Miriam is only one such woman.
Others such as Deborah and Esther are other popular examples.
If you are a woman who feels called to a leadership role, you might
experience anxiety and uncertainty. If you are a man, and a woman in your life
has expressed leadership potential, you may feel uncertain as well. Let
Miriam’s story quiet your anxiety and uncertainty. Pray about what your
leadership role should be and how you should enact it. Finally, never be afraid
to praise the Lord for His gift to you.

MAY26 Treasures in Heaven
All of us can name what our earthly treasures are. For some of us, our
treasures include a spouse or children. Others consider pets as special
But store up for treasures. Still others make treasures of their careers, money or hobbies. There
yourselves treasures is nothing wrong with having and enjoying these things. That is often why God
gives them to us. Yet today’s verse indicates there is a better place to store up
in Heaven, where treasures: Heaven.
moths and vermin
do not destroy, What do heavenly treasures look like? Parts of today’s passage give us a clue.
Heaven’s treasures cannot be stolen or destroyed. They won’t wear out with
and where thieves use, and we won’t get tired of them and eventually put them in a garage sale
do not break in or send them to Goodwill. Heavenly treasures are permanent, and their value
only increases with time. Therefore, we must look for them and cultivate them.
and steal. For
where your A heavenly treasure is generally not something you can hold, touch or
experience with your senses. Rather, it’s often what you do in response to
treasure is, there Christ’s living in you. For example, your praise and worship time with God is a
your heart will be heavenly treasure. You cultivate heavenly treasure when you visit a
grandparent in a nursing home, care lovingly for children, spouses and pets, or
also. stand up for those who can’t do so themselves.
—Matthew Additionally, other earthly treasures can become heavenly ones if we are good
16:19-21 stewards of them. Let’s say one of your hobbies is reading. If you continually
read books that glorify sin and hatred, you are not glorifying God, and that
would not be a heavenly treasure. If instead you read uplifting books and
share the joy of reading with others, perhaps by offering reading tutoring, you
have cultivated a treasure. Ask God to show you how to cultivate those
treasures today.

MAY27 The Victor’s Crown
Persecution of Christians has been rampant in almost all nations throughout
the centuries. Roman emperors burned thousands of Christians or fed them to
Be faithful, even to lions for refusing to treat the emperors as gods. Christians who spoke against
the point of death, dictatorial regimes such as Hitler’s were tortured and killed. Today, Christians
across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and some parts of Europe flee their homes
and I will give you to avoid persecution. Yet all these people are assured of a victor’s crown in
life as your victor’s Heaven because they have endured and remained faithful to Christ.
crown. Christians in protected areas can be assured of victor’s crowns as well, though
our persecution may look different from what is leveled against believers in
—Revelation 2:10 other lands. When you hear of persecuted Christians, do not feel guilty or
assume your faith is weaker than theirs. Remember, every time you stand for
Jesus despite what others say, you are proving faithful.
Proving faithful looks different for each individual. Consider what being faithful
means to you, and how God is calling you to separate yourself from the world
around you. Despite the consequences, be strong in your beliefs and stand by
them, even if the world disagrees with you. We are called to be in the world,
but not a part of it.
When persecution wears you down, remember a great reward is in store for
you. In addition, remember who wears the original victor’s crown. A popular
praise chorus names Jesus as the wearer and tells us He is the ultimate
overcomer. Turn to Him and request strength. He will gladly give it.

MAY28 Poor but Blessed
Christians who go on mission trips to impoverished places often report the
believers they meet there are some of the most grateful and joyful in the world.
Blessed are the They marvel at this, since those believers have so little. Some of our brothers
poor in spirit, for and sisters around the world live in abject poverty on pennies per day.
Sanitation, satisfying meals and adequate clothing may be foreign concepts.
theirs is the
kingdom of Some Western Christians think of this and feel guilty or bitter. They assume
Heaven. Jesus chastises them for having more than poor people, or that He naturally
loves and blesses the poor more. Today’s verse offers a different perspective
on poverty. When Jesus spoke of the poor in spirit, He wasn’t only talking
—Matthew 5:3 about material things, although some of His audience might have been
impoverished. He was talking about the state of the spirit.
To be “poor in spirit” means to understand, no matter how much or how little

you have, material possessions are not what make you important to God.
Money and things may help you reach your goals in this world, but they mean
nothing in Heaven. What does mean something is your ability to abide in and
obey the Lord. Love, joy, patience and other fruits of the Spirit are what make
you rich in Christ.
If you are comfortable from an earthly standpoint, don’t feel guilty or assume
you must be poor to be blessed. Instead, thank God for your abundance and
seek opportunities to share it. Learn about impoverished Christians around the
world. Pray for them, and when you hear of their joy, do your best to emulate
it in your own life. You may grow poorer materially, but your spirit will be rich.

MAY29 Memorial Day
Gideon probably didn’t feel like a mighty warrior when the angel of the Lord
appeared and told him he was going to lead Israel in defeating the Midianites.
When the angel of Today, we don’t face Midianites, but enemies are still present at home and
the Lord appeared abroad. As the Israelites relied on Gideon and his men, we rely on our troops
to keep us safe from those enemies. Countless numbers of them have died
to Gideon, he said, protecting us, and we celebrate their lives this month.
“The Lord is with
you, mighty Today, many of our veterans are expected to be mighty warriors, but it’s likely
they don’t feel that way all the time. Statistics tell us thousands, perhaps
warrior.” millions, of veterans deal with post traumatic stress disorder. Others have
sustained permanent disabilities or deformities. They have lost limbs, hearing or
—Judges 6:12 eyesight, or their faces have been burned or shot through. Every day, these
men and women fight to stay alive.
As Christians, we should pray for the troops who protect us. There are many
ways to support them and make them feel like the warriors they are. Consider
writing an encouraging letter to a soldier or sending cards to troops on
holidays like Memorial Day. Volunteer at a local VFW organization or
veterans’ hospital. Donate to organizations that provide wounded veterans
with the services and modifications they need.
If you are a Christian serving in the military, take heart from the story of
Gideon and other warriors such as David. Read and meditate on these stories.
When you feel fear or anxiety, express it to God, and ask Him for courage
and strength. Respect the authority of your commanding officers and treat
fellow soldiers with dignity and respect. Finally, always remember you are
God’s warrior.

MAY30 Covenant Friendship
David and Jonathan are a wonderful example of friendship. In today’s world,
friendships can change almost as quickly as they are formed. A teenage girl or
And Jonathan boy’s best friend today may be his or her worst enemy tomorrow. A coworker
made a covenant you thought you could trust might betray you. You might get offended at
something an online friend says and decide to block him or her. This is not the
with David kind of friendship God designed. His desire is for Christians to form lasting
because he loved and covenantal friendships.
him as himself. Jonathan’s friendship with David was so strong because he “loved David as
himself.” The Bible tells us how Jonathan took great personal risk to keep his
—1 Samuel 18:3 father Saul from killing David. It points out many times how the two were as
close as brothers. In fact, long after David became king, he sought out living
members of Jonathan’s household to show them honor, perhaps to repay
Jonathan for his unwavering loyalty.
Your friends probably won’t have the opportunity to save you from being
killed. You also probably won’t feel as close to every friend as David did to
Jonathan. However, you can seek out covenantal friendships and cultivate
them. Look for friends who share your beliefs and values and will help you
grow in faith. Seek people who have the same interests so you can build
common ground.
Additionally, remember that covenantal friendship is meant to last. In other

words, don’t turn your back on a friend if he or she offends you. Instead, work
out the issue together. If your friend is engaging in sinful behavior, pray
diligently and speak to him or her in love. Love this person as yourself, and
allow yourself to be loved in return.

MAY31 The Importance of Fellow Believers
Aquila and Priscilla are minor biblical characters, but they were clearly
important in Paul’s faith journey. One of the things that bonded the three so
After this, Paul left strongly was their mutual occupation of tent making. Like Christians today,
Athens and went Paul, Priscilla and Aquila probably bonded over the common joys and struggles
of their occupation. They might have shared tricks of the trade or asked each
to Corinth. There other’s advice on physical as well as spiritual matters.
he met a Jew
named Aquila, a Christians today should endeavor to find like-minded people at work, school
and wherever they go. This does not mean shunning unbelievers. It simply
native of Pontus, means building a support system with which they can share their deepest
and his wife beliefs, questions and experiences. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes about the
value of having such a circle, because “a cord of three strands is not easily
Priscilla … and broken.” The value of like-minded friends is extolled in many other passages,
because he was a too.
tentmaker as they A network of fellow believers is absolutely vital to your spiritual journey.
were, he stayed Believers who try to go solo are often vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and are
more likely to become overwhelmed with circumstances. As the Bible points
and worked with out, the purpose of Christian friendship is to bear one another’s burdens while
them. sharing each other’s joys.
—Acts 18:2-3b If you don’t have a network of believers in your life, reach out to find one.
Start in your church, or if you don’t have one, pray about where God would
have you attend. Offer to start a voluntary Bible study or Christian book club
at work or school to attract other believers. Recreational sports teams are also
good ways to form networks. As you find like-minded people, rejoice in your
shared faith together.

JUN01 God Is Able and Willing
“Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” That’s quite a promise, isn’t it? Of
course, we know intellectually God can do anything and everything. He is God,
far more equipped and able to do anything people can. Yet, verses like this one
continually amaze us. Maybe it’s because sometimes we pray for God to do
something but don’t really expect an answer. Maybe it’s because while we know
God is able to do what we ask, we wonder if He is willing.
This is a question all Christians face at one time or another. They pray constantly,
but their circumstances don’t change. Instead, they continue to struggle for
physical and emotional survival. Maybe you’ve been there. Your circumstance
might be a church without a pastor, a grim diagnosis, a prodigal child, or
something equally as daunting. No matter what it is, you may wonder why God
doesn’t answer your cries if He is able to do so.
God’s sovereignty plays a big role in dealing with this question and the promise of
today’s verse. That is, God is able to do anything but in His love, He allows
Himself to do what is best for us. Like any good parent, He sometimes withholds
what we want because He can see a bigger and better picture.
If God seems slow in answering your pleas for help, tell Him how you feel; He
wants your honesty. Then ask Him to show you the depth of His sovereignty and
love. He’ll give you the strength to deal with what you must. What seems like a
tangled mass of threads will eventually become a beautiful tapestry of your faith
journey.
Now to Him who is able to do

immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to His power that is at
work within us, to Him be glory…
—Ephesians 3:20-21

JUN02 The Alabaster Jar
The woman of Bethany, sometimes called Mary, is mentioned in all four
Gospels. Here, she’s pictured pouring her perfume over Jesus’ head. In Luke, it
When Jesus was in is said she poured it over His feet and wiped them with her hair and her tears.
Bethany…a There is debate about this woman. Some scholars say she is Mary Magdalene,
while others say she is Mary of Bethany, whose brother Lazarus Jesus raised
woman came to from the dead. Still others claim she is a sinful woman or prostitute whom Jesus
him with an had forgiven.
alabaster jar of No matter who this woman was, she did a beautiful thing for Jesus, as He says
very expensive a few verses later. She was willing to approach Jesus and interact with Him in
perfume, which she an intimate way, one most people of her day would’ve found scandalous. She
was also willing to sacrifice her expensive perfume, sometimes called “pure
poured on His nard,” in a selfless act. Likely, she saved for that perfume for many weeks, even
head as He was months, and had set it aside for the most special of occasions.
reclining at the Of course, not everyone appreciated the woman of Bethany’s gift. All four
table. Gospels record someone—Judas Iscariot or a Pharisee—becoming indignant
at the “waste” of perfume. Sometimes, this happens to today’s Christians. We
—Matthew 26:6 use our gifts in ways that God shows us, but that other believers and
nonbelievers don’t understand. We may be called wasteful or foolish. However,
that shouldn’t stop us from using our gifts.
Today, think about what is in your alabaster jar. In other words, what is your
most precious talent or gift? What is it you love to do, that brings you your
greatest joy? Think about it, and ask God for the opportunity to pour it out
freely for Him. When you do, you will have done a beautiful thing.

JUN03 Working for the Lord
Most Christians are familiar with the idea that they work primarily for the Lord,
no matter what their actual occupation is. However, it can be difficult to
Whatever you do, determine what that means in daily life. How, exactly, do you show you are
work at it with all working for the Lord when you have a human employer and are working in
earthly circumstances?
your heart, as
working for the Today’s verse gives us an important clue. Paul admonished the Colossians to
Lord, not for work at whatever they did with all their hearts. He wanted them to find
passion and joy in their work, and give everything their best effort. Of course,
human masters. this is easier to do on some days than it is on other days. Christians have times
when they dislike their jobs, just like anyone else. They find aspects of work
—Colossians frustrating, such as a backbiting workplace culture or a boss who seems to
expect too much.
3:23a
If this describes your workplace or if you’re struggling to find joy in your work,
take heart. The Lord knows you are human and will strengthen you to do what
you need to do. Although your work situation may not be ideal, there are still
ways for you to set a good example and show your commitment to Jesus. A
few of these ways are by:
• Sho w co mp ass io n w herever you ca n. Help a coworker with a
difficult project or take over for one who is sick.
• Ab sta in from w orkpl ac e g ossip. Endeavor to say positive
things about everyone.
• Sho w g ra titu de. Say “thank you” as often as possible.
• Be d il igent . Meet your deadlines, come to work on time, and keep

your workspace neat.
• Ask for help w hen you need it. We all need help on occasion,
as when doing something we haven’t tried before or when our plates
are overloaded.

JUN04 Patience in Affliction
In today’s verse, “affliction” does not mean everyday trouble, like a washing
machine that won’t work or a traffic jam on the freeway. Here, Paul is referring
Be joyful in hope, to ongoing and severe physical and emotional affliction, the kind that can
patient in affliction, wear a Christian down over time like coffee and wine wearing down tooth
enamel.
faithful in prayer.
This type of affliction has been described as feeling pressed or crushed, almost
—Romans 12:12 claustrophobic. It might be the way you feel when your spouse of 20 years
suddenly decides to separate or cheats on you. You might feel this way when
faced with the news your baby has a severe disability or when someone you
love with all your heart dies. It’s not a pleasant feeling, and it’s not one that
will let up anytime soon.
Arguably, Paul knew this type of affliction better than most believers. He
describes many physical torments he endured for Christ’s sake, such as being
whipped, beaten with rods, stoned and shipwrecked. He also describes
emotional torment via his “thorn in the flesh,” which never went away despite
fervent prayers. Perhaps Paul is the most qualified to tell us to be patient in
affliction. Yet, how do we do it?
Patience of any kind isn’t easy, especially the kind cultivated during affliction.
It must be possible to cultivate this patience, though, or God wouldn’t have
inspired Paul to write about it. If you are in a season of affliction, pray about
how to remain patient and joyful while it runs its course. Some key ways to do
so include:
• Rea ch ou t to ot hers. Find a support group or ask for godly
counsel from a pastor or friend.
• Take ca re of you rsel f p hysic al ly. Eat right, exercise and get
enough sleep.
• St ay g ro und ed in the Bible and prayer.

JUN05 Taste the Lord’s Goodness
“God is great, God is good.” It’s one of the first lessons we learn in Sunday
school. Perhaps you made this into a prayer you said over food. All over the
Taste and see that Bible, we are told the Lord is good and His love endures forever. However,
the Lord is good; today’s verse is one that attaches verbs to that goodness.
blessed is the one As another devotional writer put it, “taste” and “see” are experience words.
who takes refuge in They refer to two of our five senses, arguably two of the strongest ones we
Him. have. What we see and taste often stays in our minds longer than what we
touch, smell or hear, because the eyes and the tongue are such complex
organs. Perhaps God designed them that way so when He invited us to taste
—Psalm 34:8 and see His goodness, we would know how deep He wished the experience to
be.
Yet, how do you taste and see goodness? Goodness is an abstract concept;
you can’t eat it or examine it like a piece of artwork. More importantly, we are
talking about this God’s goodness. How can we see His goodness when we
cannot see Him?
God gives us many ways to experience who He is and see He is good. His
Word is one. Reading the Bible reveals God’s will for His people, as well as
His all-encompassing, sacrificial love. Prayer and fellowship are other ways to
experience God’s goodness. Communicating directly with God or talking
about Him with fellow believers brings you closer to Him.
Outside of prayer and the Bible, here are a few more ways to experience
God’s goodness:
• Journal: Write letters to God.

• Read an uplifting book.
• Go on a hike and thank God for His creations.
• Exercise to honor God with your body.
• Sing praise songs to God.

JUN06 Spiritually Ill
You know when you are becoming physically ill. Your symptoms may vary from
illness to illness, but some remain consistent. You feel tired or rundown. Your
On hearing this, body aches. You don’t feel like doing your normal activities, and everything
Jesus said, “It is not seems to take much more effort than it usually does.
the healthy who When we become physically ill, we know how to remedy it. A lingering sickness
need a doctor, but often signals we need to see a doctor, a professional who can diagnose our
the sick. For I have specific problems and give us the tools we need to get well. However, what
does it mean to be spiritually ill? How can we diagnose spiritual illness and
not come to call what medicines do we need to eradicate it?
the righteous, but Like physical sickness, spiritual disease looks different for every person. A non-
sinners.” Christian may show chronic and obvious symptoms, such as outright disdain
for God, an unusually short temper, or a tendency to speak hurtful or
—Matthew 9:12 unedifying words. In contrast, a spiritually ill Christian may be better at hiding
his or her symptoms. He or she may go through the motions in terms of Bible
& 13b reading, prayer and church, but seem numb or disengaged. He or she could
also participate in ongoing secret sin.
The good news is that no matter your belief status, Jesus has the cure for all
forms of spiritual illness. For the nonbeliever, the cure is admitting sin,
confessing it and turning to Him for a changed life. For the believer, the cure
may involve repentance or a request for a deeper, more vibrant spiritual life. In
addition to prayer, godly counsel may be needed. Draw strength from the
truth that you can get well.

JUN07 Never Forgotten
Today’s verse is short, but it packs an emotional punch. By the time we reach
the end of Genesis 40, Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son who had received God’s
The chief promise through many dreams, has already been in prison for years. He didn’t
cupbearer, commit the crime for which he was incarcerated and although God had
granted him favor with the prison guard, he surely longed for his freedom. How
however, did not awful it must have felt to hope for that freedom after helping the chief
remember Joseph; cupbearer, only to gradually realize he’d been forgotten.
he forgot him. Have you ever felt God has forgotten you, as Joseph did? Most Christians
can name at least one experience where they felt forgotten. Although the
—Genesis 40:23 circumstances may be different, the feeling and struggle is not. Being forgotten
makes you feel empty, unwanted and alone. You might wonder if God has
abandoned you, too busy dealing with wars, world hunger and terrible
diseases to concern Himself with your problems.
While it’s human to wonder about this and to feel forgotten, God doesn’t
forget any of His children for an instant. Many Bible passages talk about God
remembering someone, but in that context, remembering means choosing the
exactly right time to act. It doesn’t mean God suddenly recalls someone He
pushed to the back of His mind while taking care of someone else.
If you feel forgotten today, ask God to remember you. Tell Him you feel alone
and ask Him to be with you in a new way, one you can experience in the
depths of your soul. Even if He doesn’t change things right away, He will be
with you and will remember you. Like Joseph, your trial will end and you will
triumph.

JUN08 Wings Like Eagles
June is graduation season, and today’s verse is a popular one for graduates.
Adults often present Isaiah 40:31 to high school and college graduates to
But those who communicate the hope that these young people will soar in life. However,
hope in the Lord soaring takes much more effort than the connotation of the word implies. To
soar, you have to be strong enough to fly—that is, learn new skills, practice
will renew their them and become adept at them. These skills could be physical, emotional or
strength. They will spiritual.
soar on wings like Most learning processes are difficult, and they will leave you weary. If you
eagles; they will run overdo certain things, you might even feel faint. This is an unfortunate side
and not grow effect of being human in a fallen world. However, today’s verse promises that
if you focus on God, He will let you soar in ways you never anticipated. Fixing
weary, they will your eyes on Jesus, as Hebrews puts it, gives you strength to do what you
walk and not be never imagined you could do.
faint. What is it you need strength to do today? Where and how do you most need
to soar? Perhaps you’re a student working your way through tough finals to
—Isaiah 40:31 graduate. Maybe your doctor has said you’re close to remission but the
thought of another arduous treatment makes you feel faint. Soaring could be
as simple as making the effort to get a strong-willed child dressed for
preschool or day camp today.
Getting up the strength to fly is the hardest part for any bird. They have to be
pushed from the nest and flounder on unsteady wings for a few minutes. Like
birds, people are unsteady, too. You won’t always feel like soaring. However,
when you feel yourself falling, God will give you the push you need. Pray to
feel His gentle push today and His fatherly voice cheering you on.

JUN09 Naomi’s Bitterness
When most Christians read the story of Ruth, they focus on the titular
character. They glean important lessons, such as how to show unconditional
“Don’t call me kindness or how to wait patiently for the partner God has for them. However,
Naomi,” she told most Christians glance over Naomi’s role in the story, especially the first
chapter of Ruth.
them. “Call me
Mara, because the As today’s verse says, Naomi was bitter when she returned to Bethlehem from
Almighty has made Moab. She had plenty of reasons to be. Her husband and sons had died,
leaving no one to provide for her. As a widow, she was impoverished and
my life very bitter.” would be considered one of the lowest members of ancient society. Her only
company was a foreign daughter-in-law who worshipped different gods and
—Ruth 1:20 did not know Israel’s customs. Naomi had also had a physically difficult
journey.
To reflect how she felt, Naomi changed her name from a word meaning
pleasant to one meaning bitter. We aren’t sure how long she stayed bitter, but
can infer it took her a while to feel like Naomi again.
Have you ever known a bitter person like Naomi? Have you ever been that
person? Christians are not exempt. Bitterness can creep into our souls before
we know it’s there. In fact, Christians may be more vulnerable to bitterness,
because we are supposed to have joy, love and peace as evidence of Jesus in
our lives. That’s why it’s so important to recognize and deal with bitterness
when we see it.
When you feel bitterness creeping in, identify its source. Find a safe place to
express your feelings, through prayer or to a godly friend or family member.
Ask God to hold you and to replace your bitterness with joy.

JUN10 Angels Everywhere
Most Christians are familiar with angels as a concept but aren’t sure how they
fit into the Bible or their overall faith experience. Some denominations, such as
Are not all angels Catholicism, emphasize the role of angels in Christians’ lives. Others glance
ministering spirits over angels or ignore them altogether. Some Christians see angels as mystical
beings and worry that acknowledging their work could turn into worship.
sent to serve those
who will inherit The Bible does warn against worshipping angels or giving them more credit
salvation? than they deserve. In fact, the Bible teaches Christians will judge angels in
Heaven. However, we shouldn’t discount angels and the roles they can play in
our lives. In today’s verse, angels are described as ministering spirits. Angels
—Hebrews 1:14 from God are created to watch over us and help draw us closer to Him.
The Bible doesn’t have as much information on angels as we would like. Most
Christians want to know more about angels, because there aren’t specifics in
the Bible, or because they are struggling to understand God and find angels
easier to comprehend. Wanting to know more about angels is fine, but always
remember that Jesus is your intercessor. Although He may not reveal
everything you want to know about God or Heaven, He can show you what
you need to know when you need it most.
Most of us like the idea of a guardian angel or a host of angels fighting for us
when Satan deigns to attack. Today, thank God for creating angels and for
what they do in your life, even when you cannot see it. At the same time, thank
Him for sending you Jesus, an intercessor who sent those angels for you.

JUN11 Under His Wings
The Bible uses several animal, plant and occupation images to get its message
across to readers. Jesus often told parables based on common occupations of
He will cover you the day, such as shepherding, to express how He wanted His followers to live
with His feathers, and interact with each other. In today’s verse, God is indirectly compared to a
bird giving refuge to its chicks.
and under His
wings you shall find When a mother hen or goose wants to protect her young, she opens her wings
refuge. and immediately gathers them all to her. The chicks form a tight-knit group,
and the mother is able to hide them from predators, weather and other
dangers under her wings. God has a more impressive “wingspan” than any
—Psalm 91:4 mother bird, big enough to cover every person in the world. He longs for us to
find refuge under His divine wings.
Many Christians struggle to see God as a refuge. They’ve grown up with the
image of a demanding and angry God who swiftly punishes people who
disobey. Other Christians reject God’s refuge because they want to be
independent. They feel like they can and should do everything themselves.
These attitudes may work for a while, but they eventually will wear you down.
You will come up against an obstacle you cannot surmount. When that
happens, God will be there. However, He won’t be waiting to say, “I told you
so.” He will have His arms open, ready to enfold you and give you the refuge
you need. If you need refuge today, run to those arms through prayer.
Meditate on today’s verse and thank God for His compassion.

JUN12 No Other Messiah
It might seem odd for John the Baptist to ask this question. He was the
forerunner of Jesus and had preached repentance before Jesus did. More
When John, who importantly, John had gone about crying, “Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!” He
was in prison, fully believed Jesus was the Messiah and wasn’t afraid to express it. Why,
then, would he question Jesus now?
heard about the
deeds of the As with today’s Christians, John’s circumstances had much to do with his
Messiah, he sent questioning. He had been thrown into prison for standing up to Heroditas,
daughter of Herod. In biblical times, prisons were far from the fairly
his disciples to ask comfortable cells we think of now. The worst were holes in the ground, where
Him, “Are you the prisoners were chained to walls. They were fed minimally, and many became
sick and died. John must have known there was little chance he would ever see
one who is to freedom again.
come, or should we Some Bible scholars speculate John was disappointed in God, and by
expect someone extension, Jesus. He may have wondered, “If serving the promised Messiah
else?” looks like this, what am I doing?” He may have asked himself, “If Jesus is the
Messiah, why doesn’t He free me?”
—Matthew 11:2- We don’t know why Jesus chose not to free John. We do know, though, that
3 He was faithful. He knew His friend was suffering greatly and wanted to
reassure him. Right after the disciples report John’s questioning, Jesus reminds
them of who He is and what He can do. He isn’t angry with John. He says no
one born of men and women is greater than John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11).
Has God allowed something that disappointed you today? Ask Him about it,
and ask Him to remind you who He is. He will answer, as He answered John.

JUN13 God’s Timetable
God’s timing is not ours. It’s a well-known truth among Christians and a
popular answer Christians give to nonbelievers and each other when things
“Lord,” Martha said are not progressing as we’d like them to. Unfortunately, sometimes the popular
to Jesus, “if you answer does not make sense to us. This was certainly the case for Mary and
Martha, whose brother Lazarus was dead for four days before Jesus reached
had been here, my their home.
brother would not
Martha has a natural reaction when Jesus arrives. You could easily read anger
have died. But I into her statement: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” If
know that even not anger, there was definitely anguish in her words—deep sorrow with an
now God will give undercurrent of confusion as to why Jesus, who had healed so many others
before, didn’t heal Lazarus before he died.
you whatever you
ask.” In Martha’s estimation, Jesus arrived too late. The mourners were already at
the house. Lazarus had been in the grave for four days, his body already
—John 11:21 decomposing. She might have wondered why Jesus would bother to show up
now, when an opportunity to perform a miraculous healing was gone.
In today’s passage, Jesus proves He can do much more than people give Him
credit for, and that His timing is perfect. Because He arrived after Lazarus’
death, Jesus was able to raise him from the dead. This proved Jesus had
ultimate power over death, and cemented His standing as the Son of God.
Perhaps the miracle of Lazarus had a hand in helping people believe in Jesus’
own resurrection a while later.
If God’s timing seems slow, or if you think He’s too late to do something, ask
what He might be doing while you wait. Consider how His timing can help you
grow, and ask Him to give you discernment.

JUN14 A Discerning Heart
Solomon went down in history as the earth’s wisest king. Whether or not they
are from the Judeo-Christian tradition, most people can cite examples of
So give your Solomon’s wisdom, such as when he decided between two women claiming to
servant a be the same baby’s mother. It’s important to remember, Solomon did not get
his wisdom from being naturally smart or studying hard. His wisdom is directly
discerning heart to from God.
govern your people
and to distinguish Solomon’s request pleased the Lord, as all requests for wisdom do. Wisdom
isn’t a fruit of the Spirit, but it is part of God’s will for us as believers. In
between right and Matthew, Jesus says believers should be “wise as serpents [and] harmless as
wrong. For who is doves,” indicating He wants us to be able to judge right and wrong with His
guidance. All Christians obtain greater wisdom as they grow spiritually. Some
able to govern this Christians have the spiritual gift of discernment, which lets them distinguish
great people of “spirits,” or the true motives of people.
yours? Even if you do not have the gift of discernment, you can and should seek
greater wisdom. Reading the Bible is a great way to start. Any time a moral or
—1 Kings 3:9 ethical question arises, look to see what the Bible says about it. If the Bible
does not give a direct answer, pray, asking for the ability to distinguish what
you should do.
You can gain wisdom from many other sources as well, but be careful which
ones you choose. For example, you might be a science teacher required to
teach your students about evolution. Read up on both evolution and creation,
seeking discerning authors who represent both sides of the equation fairly. No
matter what dilemmas you face, always seek to be wise in handling them.

JUN15 The Truth About Singleness
Singleness is often looked upon with pity, skepticism or outright scorn in many
of today’s churches. Often without meaning to, married believers send singles
Now to the the message that because they aren’t married, there is something wrong with
unmarried and the them. Sometimes believers cite Paul as the ultimate example of singleness,
telling single believers they have a special “gift of singleness” and are to
widows I say: It is remain single forever. While this is meant as encouragement, it often leaves the
good for them to single believer feeling sad and alone.
stay unmarried, as I Paul’s lifelong single status seems to indicate that some believers are meant to
do. But if they stay single. However, this is rarer than most churches make it out to be. Focus
cannot control on the latter part of today’s verse—“it is better to marry than to burn with
passion.” God created us with a need for relationships. For most people, that
themselves, they means marriage. If you have been single for a long time yet want to be
should marry, for it married, put the “gift of singleness” out of your mind. That is not likely your gift.
is better to marry However, a longing to be married doesn’t mean single Christians should
than to burn with constantly seek human relationships. It is better for Christian singles to bring
their desire to God, pray diligently and use their single time wisely. If you are a
passion. single Christian, ask God how He wants you to use your time without a
spouse. He may lead you to a new ministry. He may ask you to participate in
—1 Corinthians mission work or to give yourself a needed mental and emotional rest.
7:8-9 If you are single today, don’t give up hope for a spouse. At the same time,
embrace your singleness and find lasting hope in God.

JUN16 What Is Heaven Like?
Perhaps one of the biggest questions Christians have is, “What is Heaven
like?” We know Heaven exists—we are promised eternal life there through
However, as it is Jesus Christ. Whenever an elderly believer prepares to die, it’s common for him
written, “What no or her to talk about the hope of Heaven and what it will be like. Revelation
does provide some descriptions, but they aren’t as specific as most Christians
eye has seen, what want them to be.
no ear has heard,
and what no Today, curiosity about Heaven is stronger than ever among Christians and
non-Christians alike. Books such as Heaven is for Real and Miracles from
human mind has Heaven are snatched from bookstore shelves, and people fill theaters to see
conceived, the movies based on these stories. Some Heaven stories are hoaxes, which can
cause people to doubt Heaven’s existence and the promise of eternal life.
things God has
prepared for those In today’s verse and many other passages, God promises that Heaven is
indeed real. Unlike modern books, the Bible doesn’t have detailed accounts of
who love Him.” the experiences of people who went there and came back to tell about it.
However, the Bible emphasizes the promise of Heaven again and again. As
—1 Corinthians Jesus says in John regarding His Father’s house, “If it were not so, I would not
2:9 have told you.”
Whenever you are curious about Heaven, go back to the Bible. Start in
Revelation 21 and 22, which give us physical descriptions of the heavenly city
and New Jerusalem, such as gates made of pearls and buildings made of
jewels. Remember most of all, however, that Heaven will be more than a
physical location. It is a place where God rewards those who love Him, with
greater rewards and greater joy than we could ever conceive.

JUN17 Washed Clean by God
After a day of hard work or a long, sweaty workout, nothing feels better than
a hot, cleansing bath. When our bodies are clean, we naturally feel better
Cleanse me with about ourselves. We are able to enjoy ourselves more and focus on any tasks
hyssop, and I will we need to do. In fact, teachers in any school will tell you children learn best
when they are well rested, well fed and clean.
be clean. Wash
me, and I will be As God’s children, we learn best when we are spiritually clean. In other words,
whiter than snow. we are able to focus on God and communicate with Him more effectively
when we have a clear conscience and a pure heart. We are also able to enjoy
His presence more and want to be connected to Him. Unfortunately, sin often
—Psalm 51:7 gets in the way, dirtying our spirits.
Perhaps no one knew this better than King David did. He was “a man after
God’s own heart,” but he wrote Psalm 51 after committing a grievous sin. He
had had an adulterous affair and had his mistress’ husband murdered. If
anyone needed his spirit washed clean, David qualified. In a great example for
modern believers, David sought God and asked for cleansing.
As hard as we might try, we cannot spiritually cleanse ourselves. Efforts to do

so often lead to legalism, which gives birth to misery. Misery can actually
tempt us to sin more, making the problem worse. Instead, we need to ask God
to cleanse our hearts. God will not be angry or disappointed. He knows we
sin, and He waits eagerly for us to repent. Once we do, He will gladly wash us
clean so we can enjoy His presence again.

JUN18 Father’s Day
We celebrate Father’s Day in June. Many pastors pull out the parable of the
prodigal son on Father’s Day. It’s one of Jesus’ most famous parables, and one
But while he was pastors use to encourage nonbelievers to turn to the God who loves them.
still a long way off, This is definitely a correct use of the parable. However, often the focus is on
the son instead of the father.
his father saw him
and was filled with When most Christians read the prodigal son’s story, they tend to glance over
compassion for him; the father’s role. They know the father forgives his son and throws a
celebration for him. Yet, they don’t stop to think about how long the father
he ran to his son, had waited. The Bible doesn’t specify a time frame, but we can infer this father
threw his arms loved his son. He may have watched for him to come home every day, for
hours on end.
around him, and
kissed him. Bible scholars point out that when the son does come home, the father runs to
greet him. This is no casual homecoming. It is an emotional embrace from an
—Luke 15:20b eager parent who thought he’d never see his child again. In early Jewish
culture, it would have been undignified for the father to run, but he did not
care.
God is like that with us. Believers or not, we are all His prodigal children.
Some of us simply have more prodigal moments than others. Every day, we
have a choice to stay at God’s side spiritually or go off and do what we want.
Too often, we choose the latter. Yet God doesn’t turn away from us. Instead,
He runs to us, welcoming us back. If you need to be welcomed back today,
remember this parable and come home.

JUN19 You Are His Beautiful Poem
No one obtains salvation through works. As Paul says earlier in Ephesians, it is
by grace alone we are saved. We also don’t have to work to stay saved.
For we are God’s However, God does prepare us for certain works He wants us to do while on
handiwork, created Earth. These works further the heavenly kingdom and let everyone know who
God is.
in Christ Jesus to
do good works, Some Christians seem to know what works they are meant for right away. For
which God example, you might know a man in your church who is gifted at cooking. It
seems he can take the most random ingredients in the church fridge and make
prepared in something delicious in minutes. You might know a woman who works as a
advance for us to nurse or doctor. Her hands seem to bring healing with the simplest touches.
do. When faced with these examples, it can be hard to discern what your gifts are
and what good works God has prepared for you. Some Christians figure God
—Ephesians 2:10 has sidelined them because they can’t think of any works worth doing for Him.
They see themselves as God’s divine exception to Ephesians 2:10.
The truth is that God doesn’t make that kind of exception. Every believer is His
handiwork. In Greek, this word is translated poema, which looks like the word
“poem.” You are more than a random person. You are God’s beautiful poem,
and He has a place and a mission for you. It might not be as showy or
glamorous as someone else’s mission, but it is yours, designed especially for
you.
Today, ask God to remind you of your beauty as His workmanship. Ask for the
ability to see yourself through His eyes, and ask Him to show you what good
works He has for you. They can be as big as going on a mission trip or as
small as calling a neighbor to say hello, but they are there.

JUN20 Words for an Election Year
In election years, believers and nonbelievers alike are anxious about who will
be elected, what he or she will do in office, and what will happen to our
I the Lord do not country and world as a result. It’s not uncommon to hear some believers
change. So you, predict that if X or Y candidate is elected, the end of the world will soon
follow.
the descendants of
Jacob, are not Christians can and should take comfort in knowing Jesus did not tie the
destroyed. Second Coming to the leadership of a certain president or king. Although He

warns the state of the world will be dismal before His return, He doesn’t give
many specifics. We don’t know what to expect from which person, group or
—Malachi 3:6 country. We don’t know the effects certain events will have, or how long we
have on Earth.
What we do know is the truth of Malachi 3:6 and many other verses like it.
The Lord does not change. He is not a political candidate, trying to win votes
with persuasive words. His words have already been spoken and they will
stand forever. Furthermore, He will protect His people. As believers, we will die
because we are human. Some of us might even be tortured or die for our faith.
Yet because of God, we will not be destroyed.
If an election has you worried today, turn off the news. Disconnect from the
internet and put down the newspaper. Instead, pick up your Bible and
meditate on verses that speak of the constancy and unconditional love of
God. Rest in the knowledge that no matter who is elected, God is on His
throne.

JUN21 Sing a New Song
The Psalms have plenty to say about singing to the Lord. King David, who
wrote many psalms, was a musician and singer, so it would make sense for him
Sing to the Lord a to mention singing to God often. A classic worship song says, “I will
new song; sing to celebrate/sing to the Lord a new song.” Yet, what does it mean to sing a new
song to the Lord? What was the old one, and why should singing a new one
the Lord, all the make us celebrate?
earth.
Psalm 96 itself doesn’t give an answer, but the Bible as a whole does.
—Psalm 96:1 Throughout the Bible, God’s people were put in positions where if they sang at
all, it was likely a song of mourning. The enslaved Israelites in Egypt and the
Jews taken captive to Babylon are only two of many examples. Their songs, or
the way they lived their lives, were likely dirges, reflections of hopelessness.
Therefore, singing a new song to the Lord probably reflects a change not only
of circumstances, but also of heart. Singing a new song indicates we’ve
remembered God’s love for us, and trust everything He does comes from that
love. When we sing a new song, we do want to celebrate because God has
renewed our joy in who He is and who we are in Him.
Perhaps you need to sing a new song today. If so, start by acknowledging the
difficulties that have contributed to your old song. Journal them, pray about
them or talk them through with family, friends or a counselor. Then meditate on
verses, books or other outlets that remind you of the joy God wants to give
you. If so moved, you can write your own psalm or song and speak it in prayer,
or sing it.

JUN22 Godly Discipline
“Spare the rod, spoil the child” is a familiar axiom among parents, especially
Judeo-Christians. Many Christian parents use this verse as justification for
Whoever spares spanking their children or otherwise disciplining them physically. There is plenty
the rod hates their of debate about whether physical discipline is okay and what constitutes
abuse. However, this verse makes clear that a parent who loves his or her
children, but the child will discipline that child.
one who loves their
children is careful Discipline may be a sign of love, but most parents are at least a bit unsure
about how to enact it. If you examine the word “discipline,” you will find the
to discipline them. word “disciple,” as in Jesus’ disciples. In Jesus’ day and today, a disciple was
one who sat under a particular rabbi, or teacher, to learn from them. They
—Proverbs 13:24 were discipled, or disciplined, until they knew how to obey their teacher’s
instructions and live by his teachings.
From this, we can conclude true discipline is teaching. It is not done in anger,
as punishment is done. The goal of true biblical discipline is not abuse or
control, or breaking the will of a child. Instead, it is to teach the child what is
right and wrong, and why. A disciplined child is one who has had a good
teacher. A self-disciplined Christian is one who has learned from God’s
teachings and does his or her best to follow them.
If you are struggling with discipline today, whether it involves yourself or your
child, think about the messages you are sending. When your child does
something wrong, do you react angrily? When you don’t do something you
should, do you berate yourself? If so, ask God to show you what true
discipline means, and how to do it gently and fairly.

JUN23 Behind the Mask
Have you ever known a Christian trouble doesn’t seem to touch? Someone
who seems happy and optimistic all the time and who overflows with joy no
Even in laughter, matter the circumstances? Some Christians are given the spiritual gift of joy or
the heart may faith. It is easy for them to trust that God will work everything out for their
good and the good of others. However, never make the mistake of thinking a
ache, and rejoicing fellow believer doesn’t feel all the emotions you feel.
may end in grief.
Some believers do, in fact, hide behind masks. For these people, joy doesn’t
—Proverbs 14:13 come from a spiritual gift. It’s manufactured, produced to keep others from
knowing what’s truly going on inside. There are many reasons believers hide
behind a mask of plastic happiness. Some do it because they were raised to
cover emotion. Others hide because they assume not being happy or joyous
means that they don’t have enough faith. They assume if they show sadness or
anger, they will somehow let down God and He will be disappointed in them.
God wants to reassure us that we never have to put on an act. While joy is a
fruit of the Spirit and evidence of faith, it should never be manufactured or
used to cover real feelings. Let today’s verse give you permission to feel what
you need to. If it is unsafe for you to express true emotions in one environment,
get to one where you can as quickly as possible. Lean on friends and family
who understand that even though your mouth is smiling, your heart may ache.

JUN24 The Truth About Vengeance
Revenge is a popular literary theme, in the Bible and a plethora of other
books. It has been called one of the oldest motives for crime in the world.
Do not take When someone has wronged us, it certainly feels good to think about getting
revenge my dear even, although we may not do so. Sometimes, when people do have the
opportunity to get revenge, they take it. It might be easy to envy those people,
friends, but leave but the Bible cautions us not to.
room for God’s
wrath, for it is Sometimes Christians use, “Vengeance is mine” as a pat answer. They don’t
want to deal with the fact that a fellow believer is angry enough to take
written: “It is mine revenge, so they try to smooth the emotion away quickly. A better response
to avenge, I will would be to acknowledge how the angry person feels. Let him or her talk
through the wrong that was done, even if you are anxious or don’t agree with
repay,” says the how things were handled.
Lord. Remind a fellow believer or yourself of this verse, not in the context of God
—Romans 12:19 pouring wrath on someone, but in the context of Him showing perfect justice.
Human justice is often flawed. That’s where we get the concept of revenge in
the first place. God’s justice, though, is always right. He may not enact it the
way we want Him to, but He will enact it both for our good and for the other
person’s.
If there is something you feel should be avenged in your life today, meditate
on Romans 12:19. Ask God to give you a new measure of trust in His justice,
and ask Him if He wants you to do something specific with your feelings. For
example, maybe He wants you to reconcile with the other person. Pray and
seek His guidance, and let your desire for vengeance cool.

JUN25 The Value of Women
Some people, nonbelievers and Christians alike, wonder if God approves of
oppressing women. They cite teachings such as a wife’s submission to her
But for Adam no husband, and the husband as the head of the household, to support this idea.
suitable helper was They also cite the fact that for centuries, women have not had equal standing
and are still struggling to obtain it in some societies.
found. … Then the
Lord made a Many Bible passages show that God loves and values women. However, this
woman from the rib is the first, found in the earliest part of the Bible. God could have chosen any
helper for Adam, such as an animal, a tree or another man. Yet, He chose to
He had taken out make woman, a whole new creation. Many Christian writers such as John and
of the man, and he Stasi Eldridge posit that God made Eve, the woman, last, because she was
the best thing He ever made.
brought her to the
man. While God doesn’t call Eve His best creation, He is clear about how He
wants women to be treated. Over and over in the Bible, God uses women for
His good works. Esther, Ruth, Mary and Deborah are only four of several
—Genesis 2:20 & examples. He listens to the prayers of women, as He did for Hannah and
22 Rachel, who could not have children. He defends women in His commands to
care for widows.
Throughout history, women have been a valuable part of God’s creation, and
they continue to be so. If you are a woman who feels unheard, be encouraged
that God wants you to have a place in His kingdom and will stand up for you,
through other people or divine intervention.

JUN26 Remembering the Persecuted
Millions of Christians are persecuted for their faith every day. According to
Christianity Today magazine, there are at least 51 countries in which
Who shall separate Christianity is illegal. Several other countries are considered “closed” to various
us from the love of degrees—that is, Christianity is legal or tolerated, but Christians cannot speak
freely of their faith, meet in public or do other activities Western Christians
Christ? Shall take for granted.
trouble or hardship
or persecution, or With the rise of brutal terrorist groups and publication of books such as I Am
N, Westerners’ awareness of Christian persecution around the world has
famine or improved. Increasingly, churches are speaking out about this issue, and
nakedness, or Christians are forming groups to pray for and otherwise reach out to the
persecuted. The efforts are wonderful, but they might leave the individual
danger or sword? Christian wondering what he or she can do to help.
—Romans 8:35 If you want to help persecuted Christians, you are not alone. Your desire
shows you are ready to help, and you can do so on your own or in a group. A
few ways to help persecuted Christians around the world include:
• Pra yer. This is probably the easiest yet most effective thing you can
do. You can do it anywhere, at any time of day. If you desire, you
can go to a website like Voice of the Martyrs to learn the prayer
needs of specific countries or groups.
• Sp eaking . Ask your pastor for the opportunity to share stories of
persecuted Christians with your church. Share news stories through
social media or create a private Facebook group to discuss these
stories.
• M issio ns. If you’ve never been to a closed country, make sure you
have proper training first. Pray diligently before, during and after your
trip.

JUN27 No Condemnation
The first chapter of Romans begins with a much-needed message of hope. For
Jews and Christians in Paul’s era, condemnation was probably a daily
Therefore, there is occurrence. Religious groups like the Pharisees and Sadducees constantly
now no burdened their followers with laws impossible to keep, yet condemned them for
not keeping every single law. Considering that the Torah alone contains 613
condemnation for separate laws, obedience was a full-time job at which no one, not even the
those who are in most righteous Pharisee, could succeed.
Christ Jesus. Today’s Christians don’t have actual Pharisees in their lives, but many deal
with people who act like the Pharisees of ancient Israel. These people judge
—Romans 8:1 others regularly and hold others to higher standards than they hold themselves.
Modern Pharisees also make excuses for their own sins and tend to blame sin
for everything, even things that happen because of a fallen world, such as
disease.
Attitudes like this often lead to legalism, or a form of religion in which believers
try in their own strength to be perfect. Some believers do this out of fear for
their salvation. Others do it because they want to feel better than someone
else, perhaps a person who hurt them. As Paul himself could attest, legalism is
a miserable way to live. It often results in anger, bitterness and, in cases like
Paul’s, the delusion that sinful attitudes are godly.
How good it is to have this verse, which promises absolutely no condemnation

for those who are in Christ. If you are a believer, your past, present and future
sins are already forgiven. You do not stand condemned, and so you need not
condemn yourself or anyone else. Ask God to show you the truth of your
freedom and celebrate it today.

JUN28 Jesus Loves the Little Ones
If you grew up in Sunday school, you’re probably familiar with the song, “Jesus
Loves the Little Children.” One of the first Bible stories you were taught was
If anyone causes probably the one about Jesus blessing children even though the disciples were
one of these little indignant and tried to keep the children from bothering Him. Pastors routinely
refer to their congregations as God’s children. Yet, just how highly does Jesus
ones—those who value children, and whom does He consider a child?
believe in me—to
Today’s verse can answer both questions well. Jesus values children highly—so
stumble, it would highly He will show His full anger in defending them. Bible teacher Beth Moore
be better for them writes about this in her study Breaking Free. She offers hope to readers who
to have a large have experienced child abuse, molestation or any other crime, big or small,
committed against children. Moore points to Jesus as the ultimate defender of
millstone hung the world’s innocents and invites readers to cast childhood burdens on Him.
around their neck However, you don’t have to be a minor for Jesus to consider you a child.
and to be drowned Focus on how He qualifies “little ones”—“those who believe in me.” Anyone
in the depths of the who is a believer in Christ is also His child. As such, believers have the
privilege of considering Jesus Daddy. He unconditionally loves, protects,
sea. defends and teaches His children, whether they are physically kids or not.
—Matthew 18:6 As an adult, you might feel too old to be considered a child, even God’s child.
It might seem like an inordinately long time since you called Jesus Daddy or
considered Him a benevolent Papa God. Let yourself be little again today.
Climb into His lap and speak to Him as a beloved Daddy. He will be glad you
did.

JUN29 Death of an Unsaved Loved One
For Christians, death is not only the end of earthly life, but also the beginning
of eternal life. Most Christians draw hope from the promise of Heaven and
Blessed are those eternal life, even in the throes of deep grief. However, what if you have lost a
who mourn, for loved one who was unsaved or know someone who died unsaved? Many
Christians wonder if there is comfort or grace in the death of the unsaved and
they shall be if yes, where to find it.
comforted.
The first part of finding comfort in such a death involves acknowledging the
—Matthew 5:4 truth of the Bible and the truth of how you feel. If a loved one dies unsaved,
the implication is Christians will not see them again in eternity. The Bible also
implies Heaven is a place where we will not mourn or weep. Therefore, it can
be inferred we won’t miss our unsaved loved ones.
Most Christians have a hard time wrapping their minds around these truths.
They are difficult, perhaps offensive. How, we wonder, could we go to Heaven
and never miss someone who isn’t there, nor think about him or her again? If
this thought makes you sad or angry, it’s healthy to acknowledge that. Let
God see all your feelings, including the unpleasant ones. He knows them
anyway, but He wants to hear them from you.
However, remember that one day you will understand the destiny of your
unsaved loved one, as well as your own and why they had to be different.
Until that time, pour out your heart as much as you need. Ask God to remind
you of His goodness, His perfect love and justice. Trust that when you can’t
understand eternity, He does and will one day reveal everything to you.

JUN30 New Seasons
Summer begins a fresh season. Maybe newness is on your mind. You’ll notice
buds in your garden, cherish baby animals, welcome warm weather and
There is a time for embrace several other changes. New growth will bud and flourish in summer
everything, and a and prepare to go dormant in autumn. Eventually, it will die off in winter so
next spring can bring more rejuvenation.
season for every
activity under the Some people look at this cycle of seasons and feel sad or discouraged. They
heavens. want things to stay as they are for longer so they can hold on to favorite
memories or special parts of each season. These feelings are natural. They
reflect the setting of eternity in everyone’s heart. We sometimes rebel against
—Ecclesiastes 3:1, time because deep down, we know good things aren’t supposed to end.
NIV
Yet today’s verse tells us that as long as we’re on Earth, we’ll experience time.
Moreover, there’s a time for every purpose. You can allow this verse (and the
chapter it comes from) to encourage you. If you’re in the midst of a difficult
season, focus on the promise that it’ll eventually end to make room for a new
one. If you’re in a good season, don’t fear that difficult ones may be coming.
Instead, enjoy what you have now. Try to look at difficult seasons as
opportunities for growth and change.
Finally, remember that God is with you in every season. He created the
physical seasons and oversees the emotional and spiritual ones in our lives.
Always allow Him to guide you through each of yours.

JUL01 God’s Sheltering Canopy
Summer brings some of the most extreme weather on the calendar. One day it
might be blisteringly hot, and another day might offer a severe storm filled with
torrential rain and high winds. These ups and downs wear on our bodies and minds
after a while, and we seek shelter in our homes, where the climate is easier to
control.
Like extreme heat and rain, emotional and mental turmoil can make us run for
shelter. A difficult work project, a recent loss, or financial problems might make you
feel oppressed, as if you were stuck in a never-ending heat wave. A relentless series
of small issues might add up to a big emotional storm. When things like this happen,
physical and emotional shelter is needed.
In today’s verse, God promises to give us His shelter. His emotional, mental and
spiritual canopy won’t stop all storms, but it will give us a safe place when they
come. God’s canopy provides adequate cover for every problem, no matter how
big or small.
If you are facing a storm today, run to that canopy. Go to a private place, shut the
door and pray. Ask for an extra measure of peace and do things to facilitate it,
such as listening to calming music or soaking in the tub. Meditate on verses or
devotionals that focus on fruits of the Spirit, particularly peace, self-control and joy.
Throughout the storm, periodically take this time for yourself. It will make facing the
extreme weather in your emotional and spiritual life much easier.
It will be a shelter and shade from the heat

of the day, and a refuge and hiding place
from the storm and rain.
—Isaiah 4:6

JUL02 Prayer for Discipline
In today’s verse, Jeremiah prays for God’s discipline. At first glance, this seems
like a dangerous prayer, because we often equate “discipline” with
Discipline me, Lord, “punishment.” Our parents or guardians may have used the terms
but only in due interchangeably or made well-meant discipline feel like anger-driven
punishment.
measure—not in
your anger, or you When reading Jeremiah 10:24 and similar verses, it’s crucial to remember
will reduce me to there’s a difference. Anger tends to drive punishment—the punisher takes out
his or her feelings on the punished. When this happens, the one being punished
nothing. probably learns a lesson. However, guilt, sadness and resentment may follow.
—Jeremiah 10:24 In contrast, “discipline” comes from a root word meaning “to teach.” Like
punishment, discipline may be painful, but the goal is to teach the one being
disciplined how to do right the next time. This—not punishment—is God’s
ultimate goal for us. He can and does punish, but only those who wholly reject
Him and only as a last resort.
None of us grew up with perfect parents or guardians, but God is the perfect
Father. He knows we need discipline because we are prone to disobey. He
also knows the kinds of discipline that will get through to each of us.
Therefore, God tailors our discipline not so we feel punished, but so we can
learn from the experience.
Do not be afraid of God’s discipline. Instead, recall how wise and merciful He
is. Ask Him to teach you His ways and correct you when you sin. The answer
to this prayer may not be pleasant, but you will learn from it and grow closer
to your heavenly Father.

JUL03 Open Spiritual Eyes
Have you ever tried to complete a task while you were only half-awake? The
results are often not beneficial. You might trip and fall, stumble or miss
Open my eyes that important details in class or at work. As we go to school, work or indulge in
I may see our hobbies, it’s crucial to keep our physical eyes open at all times. That way,
we ensure that we miss nothing. We protect ourselves from getting hurt or
wonderful things in making mistakes.
your law.
God gives us spiritual eyes for the same purpose. They are there to guide us
—Psalm 119:18 through His Word and show us how to live strong Christian lives. However,
many Christians stumble through their spiritual lives as if half awake. They
know the basics of the Bible, so they become complacent about what it says.
They rush through prayers to get to other tasks or miss opportunities to serve
others.
The good news is that you can open spiritual eyes any time, just like physical
ones. Today, ask God if you’re “sleeping” in any spiritual areas. When He
answers, ask Him to revive you and open your eyes. Then respond with clear
vision. Read a Bible passage you haven’t seen in a while, and record what it
says to you. Change your prayer time with music, audiobooks or a nature
walk. Participate in a new ministry.
Once your eyes are open again, ask the Holy Spirit to keep them open.
Search for ways God speaks in your everyday world. Evidence of Him might
be a coworker covering for you when you’re sick or your child drawing you a
special picture. When you find these times, rejoice because God lets you see
them.

JUL04 True Freedom
Today is Independence Day. Every year on this day, we celebrate our freedom
as a nation and as individuals. Recognizing and appreciating our freedom is
“I have the right to important, because it came at a high price. Because courageous people were
do anything,” you willing to stand up to tyranny and start a new nation, modern Americans have
rights and liberties they might not have otherwise. Our country is unique,
say—but not because it’s one of the few countries where everyone can worship, work and
everything is live as they like, without fear.
beneficial. “I have However, with freedom comes responsibility. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians
the right to do 6:12, just because you have the right to do anything doesn’t always mean you
anything”—but I should. Today, many Americans need to remember this truth. Sometimes
consciously and sometimes not, we abuse our rights and freedoms. We
will not be disrespect our fellow people, engage in sin and don’t live the lives God has
mastered by called us to live.
anything. What life is that, though? What’s true freedom? The Bible teaches that true
freedom doesn’t come from physical independence. It comes from knowing we
—1 Corinthians belong to Christ and serve Him first. Some people believe serving Christ will
6:12 make them slaves instead of free. However, Christ’s service is a regimen of
love, honesty and acceptance. In Christ, you’ll be freer than you’ve ever been.
This Independence Day, rejoice in physical freedom. However, be cognizant of

any spiritual yokes that keep you from feeling free inside. If you have these,
ask Christ to lift them and replace them with His yoke of true independence.
Request discernment, and then you’ll know how to embrace your freedoms
without abusing them, as well as how to love God and others.

JUL05 Family Faith
Paul’s protégé Timothy did not have to come from a strong faith background.
In fact, it would have been easy for him to be confused about which faith to
I am reminded of follow. Timothy’s mother was Jewish and his father was Greek, so Timothy
your sincere faith, grew up hearing about two separate belief systems. Despite this, Paul
indicates Timothy was grounded in Jesus Christ.
which first lived in
your grandmother Paul credits Timothy’s family for this strong faith. Apparently, Lois and Eunice
Lois and your were diligent in teaching Timothy who Christ was from an early age. By the
time Paul met Timothy, he was ready to be mentored. He learned well,
mother Eunice and, eventually becoming Paul’s trusted ministry partner. Paul even dedicates two
I am persuaded, New Testament letters to him, asking Timothy to be by his side in the last days
of his life.
now lives in you
also. Any child can become like Timothy if his or her family shows the same
dedication as Lois and Eunice. Additionally, you don’t have to be a “super
—2 Timothy 1:5 Christian” to help the children in your life grow spiritually strong. Simply show
them who Jesus is in your words and actions. Read and discuss Bible stories
with them. Teach them to pray by doing it together as a family. Tell your
children about the character of God, and give examples of how He is present
in their everyday lives.
What if you’re a new Christian or your family doesn’t have faith as a legacy?
Rejoice, because you can be the one to start a new era. Your branch of the
family can be the first to fully embrace Jesus and raise faithful children,
grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Seek mentors to help you and press on—
you’ll be rewarded.

JUL06 Unconditional Love
Some people call 1 Corinthians 13 the Love Chapter. Most pastors read it at
weddings because it’s such a strong, comprehensive example of how to love
Love is patient, another person. Yet even the kindest and most well-meaning Christians find
love is kind. … It is the Love Chapter a challenge. They wonder if it’s possible to embody
not proud; it does everything these verses say love is.
not dishonor others. If keeping the tenets of 1 Corinthians 13 seems impossible and unrealistic,
It is not easily that’s because it is. Our human nature doesn’t allow us to love perfectly all the
time. Despite our best efforts, we aren’t always kind or patient. We hold
angered; it keeps grudges against others and act out of pride instead of considering what’s best
no record of for someone else. Trying to achieve perfect love as a human can lead to
feelings of failure, guilt and discouragement.
wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil, The good news is that it isn’t up to us to embody perfect, unconditional love.
Only God can do it 100 percent of the time, and He offers us His strength so
but rejoices with we can do it, too. As a believer, you experience God’s unconditional love
the truth. every day. When you sin, He doesn’t keep score; He patiently wipes away the
mistake and encourages you to do right next time. He’s unfailingly kind, He
—1 Corinthians won’t shame or dishonor you and He teaches you truth so you can rejoice in it.
13:4-6 Meditating on God’s unconditional love for you makes it easier and more
pleasant to love others, including those who aren’t easy to love. Today, think
about a person who needs to know God’s love through you. Thank God for
that love, meditate on it and ask for strength to love others as He loves you.
Then find the person you thought of, and show him or her love as God leads.

JUL07 God Feeds Us
We need food to survive. Hunger is one of the most unpleasant feelings a
person can experience. Although it’s fairly easy to obtain food in America,
To them I was like dealing with hunger until you can eat is a challenge. Hunger saps energy and
one who lifts a little concentration. It makes you easily irritated. If hunger goes unchecked, it leads
to severe physical and emotional symptoms such as depression, hopelessness,
child to the cheek, muscle atrophy and infections.
and I bent down to
feed them. In today’s verse, Israel was hungry and showing symptoms of long-term
spiritual malnutrition. The nation had turned away from God, worshipping idols
for decades, maybe centuries. Throughout Hosea, God compares Israel to an
—Hosea 11:4b unrepentant prostitute, cheating on Him with other gods. He accuses Israelites
of doing detestable acts such as burning their children at false gods’ altars.
Countless warnings did nothing to make Israel repent.
Despite their sin, God never lost His love for Israel. His motives are clear in
Hosea 11:4. God knows His people are suffering, starving for Him. He wants
to lift them up to His cheeks, like a daddy lifting a toddler, and feed them
what they need. Unlike physical food, God’s supply never runs out. He has
enough for everyone at any time and aches to share it at His table.
Today, you might be spiritually malnourished. You probably don’t bow to wood
and stone like Israel. However, you may have idols in your life. These idols give
you a false sense of spiritual nutrition. They aren’t healthy or sustaining food. If
you are malnourished, you’ll know it. You might find yourself more prone to
anger or depression, or you may avoid church, prayer or Bible study.
During prayer time, tell God you’re hungry for Him. Ask Him to help you “eat”
what’s spiritually healthy. He’ll lift you up and serve you a full plate.

JUL08 Embracing Strangers
Every day, we all encounter strangers. They could be the people with whom
you share public transit, the coworker you haven’t yet met or the person at the
Dear friend, you next lunch table. A stranger could be someone you recognize but are hesitant
are faithful in what to talk to because you feel you have nothing in common.
you are doing for It’s natural to feel hesitant around people we don’t know. In fact, most of us
the brothers and grew up hearing, “Don’t talk to strangers.” As we grow older however, a
sisters, even though stranger often becomes a new person to whom we can reach out. In today’s
verse, John extols Christians who embraced new believers in their church—
they are strangers even though these people were unfamiliar.
to you. You don’t have to approach every new person to reach out effectively. Start
with one person, perhaps the visitor who sits alone at church or the classmate
—3 John 5 who’s struggling with certain parts of the material. Offer a kind word or a
service, such as help studying or working on an assignment. Ask the other
person about him or herself. Ask about enjoyable activities and thoughts about
your church, school or workplace. As you get to know one person, expand the
friendship and include other new people.
If a stranger is a nonbeliever and you want to tell him or her about Jesus,
strike up a friendship. Don’t try to explain the Gospel in your first meeting, but
bring up faith naturally. Ask what he or she thinks about God, suffering, good
and evil, Jesus and other common faith issues. If a nonbeliever has a physical
need you can meet, don’t hesitate. Serving him or her physically will open the
door to Gospel-centered discussions.

JUL09 In the Beginning
The very first verse in the Bible is one many Christians gloss over because it’s
so familiar. From the time we enter Sunday school we learn that one of God’s
In the beginning crucial roles is that of Creator. After all, if God had not created the heavens
God created the and Earth, we wouldn’t have a planet on which to live.
heavens and the When was the last time you stopped to think about what this actually means?
earth. Earth is a huge planet, and it’s part of a vast solar system made up of eight
more planets, dozens of moons and countless galaxies. We have seven huge
—Genesis 1:1 continents, five major oceans and the most diverse geography anywhere. For
God to make everything, He would have to be more creative than even the
best artist, carpenter or writer alive. He would have to be a Master Creator
like no other.
Furthermore, God could have stopped at creating the heavens and Earth. He
didn’t have to create people. We’ve proven again and again our ability to
cause Him pain. In Genesis 6, God goes so far as to say He regrets creating
humans. Still, He chose to make us and call us His masterpieces. We’re the
only creations made in God’s image. We’re the only creations given souls
meant to live with Him for eternity.
Genesis 1:1 is an easy verse to skip or skim, but it’s worth meditating on.
Perhaps more than any other, this verse gives us a glimpse into both the
abilities and heart of God. His heart is to create, mold, teach and love. He did
this from the beginning, lovingly crafting a place we could live and enjoy
communion with Him. Thank Him today.

JUL10 You Are Worth It
An old L’Oréal ad campaign encouraged people to use their shampoo and
conditioner, “because you’re worth it,” meaning, worth the effort it takes to
Don’t be afraid; cultivate healthy hair. Today, “you’re worth it” echoes from ads for things like
you are worth decadent chocolate, telling us we’re worthy of treating ourselves. However,
these messages compete with subtle lies that tell us we aren’t worth anything.
more than many If we aren’t good-looking, thin, smart or athletic, we’re worth less than we
sparrows. would be otherwise.
—Luke 12:7b The church gets in on this at times. Through words and actions, Christians tell
each other they’re only worth God’s time if they’re perfect. A full-time
missionary in Africa is considered more worthy than the church member who
serves coffee on Sundays and has never left the United States. The woman in
a fancy dress is considered more approachable than the single mom who wore
a T-shirt and jeans to church.
God doesn’t want any of His people to feel worthless. That’s why He created
so many of us but didn’t make any two people the same. It’s why we read so
many stories of Jesus reaching out to marginalized people—shepherds,
prostitutes, the sick and the disabled. He wanted us to know that we’re all
worth His crucifixion.
In today’s verse, Jesus reminds the audience that people could sell sparrows
for pennies in their culture. In other words, sparrows weren’t worth much
monetarily or otherwise. If a sparrow fell and died, no one really noticed. In
contrast, Jesus promises that the Father sees when each sparrow falls—and
cares about each one. Jesus also tells us each of us is worth more than many
sparrows.
Today, thank God for counting you worthy of sacrificing His Son. Ask Him to
remind you of your worth and help you rejoice in it. Then go out and show
others they’re worth it to Him too.

JUL11 Combating Worry
Jesus’ question reminds us how futile worry is. Most Christians believe worry is
sinful, because it reflects a lack of trust in God. Yet worrying is a difficult habit to
Can any one of break. Most of us do it without thinking, and it’s easy to worry about many things
you by worrying at once. Additionally, we sometimes think if we don’t worry about someone or
something, it means we don’t care.
add a single hour
to your life? Be careful not to confuse worry with genuine concern. Jesus doesn’t say, “Don’t be
concerned about your loved ones or neighbors.” Many Bible passages encourage
—Matthew 6:27 us to show compassion to others, speak truth to them in love and carry each
other’s burdens. All these attitudes further God’s kingdom and lift up other people.
Worry, on the other hand, accomplishes nothing. Constantly thinking about

negative things that might happen wastes energy you could be using to affect
change. Excessive worry can lead to physical and emotional symptoms, such as
anxiety attacks.
Some people are natural worriers; if you’re one, there are ways to deal with it. The
next time you catch yourself worrying endlessly, try these tips:
• Pray specifically, aloud if possible.
• Do something physical related to your worry. Are you worried about a

tough work assignment? Email your supervisor with questions.
• List three to five things you are grateful for or that bring you joy.
• Sing a praise song, hymn or other positive song. Good lyrics leave no
room for worries.
• If you have full-blown anxiety, seek help from a Christian counselor.
• Go outside. Fresh air helps remind us how big the world is and how God
looks after it all.

JUL12 Unable but Chosen
God loves to use people who are unlikely choices. Almost every heroic figure
in the Bible was an unlikely one for ancient Israel. God often chose youngest
But they were children over firstborns, women over men, the childless over the fertile and the
childless because disabled over the able-bodied. This was not to make certain groups feel like
lesser people, but to prove no one escaped His notice or love.
Elizabeth was not
able to conceive, Elizabeth is yet another example. Although she and her husband, Zechariah,
and they were were both old, the Bible is careful to tell us she wasn’t able to conceive. Bible
teacher Beth Moore says Elizabeth is described in terms of what she does not
both very old. have: children. This is a terrible burden for any woman, but more so in
Elizabeth’s culture. Ancient people often considered Israelite women who
—Luke 1:7 couldn’t conceive cursed, or at least overlooked, by God.
Perhaps you can commiserate with Elizabeth right now. Maybe it seems like no
one notices your talents, focusing instead on the one thing you can’t do that
they value. Perhaps the stigma of an illness or disability makes others assume
you can’t do the activities they can. Other situations can make you feel lesser
and “unable” as well—financial problems, a divorce, infertility or an abusive
past to name a few.
God had already done many miracles through barren women like Hannah,
Sarah and Rebecca. He saw Elizabeth’s longing. Instead of saying, “I will leave
her unable,” He chose her.
God may not make you able to do everything you want. At the same time, He
won’t leave you feeling cast aside because of inabilities. If you open yourself
to Him, God will choose you to accomplish what no one else can.

JUL13 Achieving Contentment
Christians often talk about contentment, but no one seems to know exactly
how to live it. Often, this is because most people don’t know what real
I have learned the contentment means. Does it mean never trying to better our lives? Does it
secret of being mean accepting abuse or other untenable circumstances? Does it mean never
having or expressing an opinion?
content in any and
every situation, The answer to all these questions should be “no.” Jesus wants His followers to
whether well fed or be kind, gentle and patient, yet He never meant we should be doormats. If
there are ways to escape abuse or other dangerous situations, take them. If
hungry, whether you have the opportunity to further your education, get a better job through
living in plenty or in moving or have another child, you’re free to take that, too. Reaching out for
more or better doesn’t mean you lack contentment.
want.
Real discontent comes from finding negative aspects of every situation no
—Philippians matter how good it is. It comes from putting people down instead of building
4:12b them up, and focusing so much on bettering yourself or your situation that you
lose sight of what God has for you right now. True discontent is rooted in your
attitude, not your desires themselves.
As one pastor said, the tent of discontent isn’t a pleasant place to live, and
you’ll know if you’re living there. You’ll catch yourself complaining about
everything, being unusually short-tempered or withdrawing from people and
activities you love. If these symptoms are severe, a pastor or Christian
counselor can help. Here are a few other ways to practice daily contentment:
• Write down at least one thing each day that makes you feel
gratitude.
• Give your time and resources to others; it shows you how much you
have.
• Do enjoyable activities to increase your positive attitude.

JUL14 Listening to God
Many Bible passages, including today’s, talk about listening to God’s voice.
When Christians face dilemmas, they tell each other to ask God for direction
My sheep listen to and listen to Him. However, God doesn’t speak audibly as often as He did in
my voice; I know the Old Testament, so it can be hard to know if you’re hearing from Him or
not.
them, and they
follow me. People often describe God’s voice as a “still, small voice” that nudges you in a
particular direction. Some people compare it to a conscience, showing you the
—John 10:27 difference between right and wrong, but it’s more than that. God’s voice not
only alerts you to sin, but gives you the opportunity to influence His kingdom.
God’s voice might compel you to invite someone to church, say something
encouraging, make a purchase or go on a mission trip. Sometimes, the voice
will remind you to spend time with God in prayer and Bible study.
Like most undertakings, listening to and hearing God takes practice. Start by
building quiet reflection into prayer time. Instead of your prayer needs, focus
on what you think God is teaching you. Go over attributes of God, such as
His power, grace or healing nature. As you read a Bible passage, ask God
what He wants you to learn.
Also, look for opportunities to do what God says, even if you don’t hear
anything specific. God might not tell you specifically which charity should get
your time or money. However, because the Bible extols charity, you can be
confident your decision to invest in a reputable one is in line with His will.

JUL15 Abundant Life
Some translations render this verse as, “I have come that they may have life …
more abundantly.” However, what does it mean to live an abundant life?
I have come that Some people assume it means a prosperous life on Earth, filled with money,
they may have life, possessions and security. Others think today’s verse talks only about the
promises of life in Heaven for believers.
and have it to the
full. Actually, both interpretations are flawed. God never promised we’d have easy,
secure lives all the time. In reality, the Bible talks often about suffering—
—John 10:10 especially for Christians. Yet, neither did God say our lives would be miserable
outside of Heaven. An abundant life lived God’s way is one that honors Him.
Any believer can have an abundant life; it’s there for the asking.
Perhaps you’d like your life to be abundant but aren’t sure how to make it
happen. Consider why your life doesn’t feel abundant. It may be because of a
physical need, such as a financial problem or the need to lose or gain weight.
You might have an emotional struggle, like an estranged family member.
You can change some of these things over time, while you must leave other
things entirely in God’s hands. Either way, you should pray diligently about
them. If the obstacle keeping you from abundance is something you can
change, work on it. For instance, consider going back to school if a lack of
education keeps you from a job you want. If you can’t change the situation,
ask God for an extra measure of strength, gratefulness and joy. He will show
you where abundance already exists and how to make it grow.

JUL16 The One God
Our verse today is a prayer called the Shema, prayed in Jewish synagogues
and in some Christian churches. It’s simple but contains one of the most
Hear, O Israel, the important and profound truths of Christianity. The Lord is our God, and the
Lord our God, the Lord is one. He’s the Alpha and Omega, the only God worthy of worship.
Lord is one. In every generation, there are people and things that keep us from seeing God
as the only one like Him. In ancient Israel, literal idols carved from raw
—Deuteronomy materials were often the problem. These idols represented gods whose
6:4 religions required worship the true God found detestable. It included sexual
orgies, human sacrifices and self-mutilation.
Today, these forms of idol worship are rarer. Modern people, including
Christians, can fall into the trap of worshipping careers, possessions, money
and prestige. Sometimes our family, home and security can become idols. God
never said any of these things are sinful, but they become so when they take
His place.
Since it’s so easy to slip into idolatry, pray often about whether you’re putting
God first. If God shows you an idol, don’t beat yourself up. Avail yourself of
His grace and seek to replace the idol with the One God. This may take time,
and you may have to dethrone the same idol many times. However, God will
always be patient in helping you. You’ll never defeat idols alone. Each time
you do, you’ll find God more worthy of worship, so it’ll be harder to turn to
idols.

JUL17 Power in the Blood
Christianity places much emphasis on Jesus’ blood. This emphasis can turn off
nonbelievers and even some believers, who would prefer to focus on God’s
This is my blood of love. God is the ultimate picture of love and mercy, but we can’t discount the
the covenant, importance of Jesus’ blood and sacrifice.
which is poured out Sacrifice is a huge biblical theme. The Old Testament covenant, for example,
for many for the required animal bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins. Leviticus and Numbers
forgiveness of sins. discuss laws based on tenets such as “an eye for an eye.” Large parts of the
Old Testament concern the conquest of Canaan, a bloody endeavor indeed.
Unfortunately, this type of bloodshed meant constant loss of life.
—Matthew
26:28b When God the Father planned Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He intended it to
be the last blood sacrifice for sin. Hebrews describes it as “once and for all,”
meant for every person on Earth. Those who accept Christ are covered
symbolically with His blood—guaranteed eternal life and earthly benefits of
salvation because of His sacrifice.
Bloodshed is never easy to think about or pleasant to discuss. However, Jesus’

blood and death are unique because they offer eternal hope. Unlike many
examples of violence today, Jesus’ blood wasn’t spilled senselessly. As an old
hymn says, “When He was on the cross, [you] were on His mind.” Better,
because Jesus is God, His death wasn’t forever. He rose again, making His
sacrifice the only one of its kind.
When you’re tired of violence and bloodshed, switch your focus to the one
instance of bloodshed that offers hope. Thank Jesus for the blood spilled for
you. Then celebrate it, sharing the message of His blood with others.

JUL18 Why (Not) Me?
The Bible tells us Job never sinned in what he said, despite the arduous tests
God bestowed upon him. However, Job felt sadness, anger and hopelessness
He replied, “You at his plight like any other person. Scripture says he was in so much pain from
are talking like a boils that he scraped himself with broken pottery. At one point, Job wished he
had never been born.
foolish woman.
Shall we accept Since our world is fallen, many Christians will face intense testing like Job.
good from God, Maybe you’re one of those Christians. Your test could be a cancer
diagnosis—for your 5-year-old child. It could be homelessness, intense
and not trouble?” persecution at school or work, or false accusations. A natural disaster or the
killing of a loved one might test you. These aren’t average spiritual tests, and
—Job 2:10 they’re likely to leave you asking, “Why me?”
Perhaps a better question, though, is “Why not me?” In the midst of a test, it
can be difficult to believe God can use your circumstances for anything good,
but He can. Often, the people tested the most find that God had an
incredible plan and testimony in mind for them. You won’t know what your
testimony is right away. It may take months or years to discover what it is, and
after you find out, you might still say, “Lord, I don’t want it!”
Remember, though, that the human mind is finite. We see only what we can
make sense of, but God sees the big picture. Your recovery from a natural
disaster might encourage others who are struggling on a smaller scale. Your
child’s cancer diagnosis may put you in contact with the best and most
understanding friends you’ve ever had. False accusations might stir a new
passion for godly justice in you.
When terrible circumstances come, it’s okay to ask God why. After that, ask
why not. Ask Him to show you how to handle your situation with His grace.

JUL19 Searching for Wisdom
Millions (perhaps billions) of subjects exist for us to study. These branch out
into billions of careers at which we can become experts. The only One we’ll
Indeed, if you cry never completely understand no matter how hard we try is God. We’ll never
out for insight … know everything possible about Him because, unlike God, humans are limited.
and search for it as That said, God wants us to know Him as intimately as we can. He withholds
hidden treasure, then some knowledge, because it is “too lofty for [us],” but He invites us to gain
you will understand wisdom regarding His ways. Today’s verse tells us how to do it: diligently, as if
searching for the most valuable treasure in the world.
the fear of the Lord
and find the Although some people use “wisdom” and “knowledge” interchangeably, don’t
confuse the two. Knowledge refers to facts we can grasp with the human
knowledge of God. mind, or truths boiled down to their essence. You have knowledge of God if
you know He is love, or if you know He can perform miracles. Knowledge is a
—Proverbs 2:3-5 step toward wisdom, but it only provides the basics.
Wisdom regarding God’s ways and true understanding of God must be

cultivated over time. Again, you’ll never fully understand God but will achieve
a level of understanding. This will help you love and trust Him more, and it
provides the next step toward wisdom. Wisdom is the application of your
knowledge and understanding. You prove you’re wise when you know, accept
and enact God’s ways in a given situation.
At any point on your spiritual journey, you glean new knowledge,

understanding and wisdom. You may stay in the “knowledge” phase for a long
time regarding a specific characteristic of God or a spiritual question. Don’t
rush this process. Instead, continue seeking and asking for wisdom, and enjoy
the journey.

JUL20 Wounds From a Friend
It’s human nature to embrace what we want to hear. We’d all rather accept a
positive comment than criticism. Criticism may be constructive, but when we
Wounds from a hear it, we get defensive. Although we might not admit it, the idea we are
friend can be wrong about something wounds our pride.
trusted, but an Proverbs 27:6 reminds us that wounded pride can be a good thing if the
enemy multiplies wounds are inflicted with love. It also reminds us where this type of wound
kisses. often comes from: a true friend. This verse’s writer makes a clear distinction
between friends who tell us what we want to hear versus those who express
what we need to hear. Those who consistently stroke our egos are not friends,
—Proverbs 27:6 but enemies.
No one likes constant criticism, so it’s easy to say this characterization is harsh.
Don’t be quick to dismiss it, though. Although flattery and kindly worded
untruths feel good at first, they’ll harm you in the end. Eventually, you’ll learn
the truth, and by then it may come from someone who wants to use the truth
to tear you down. Worse, by then your heart may be too hardened toward
that particular issue for you to want to change.
When a friend tells you the truth about a wrong you’ve committed, it’ll hurt at
first. You might defend yourself and believe you’re right. However, if you ask
God for discernment, He may have something valuable to show you. Listening
to kindly meant words that hurt can make you a stronger, more grounded
believer.
Is there someone in your life you need to listen to today? What’s he or she
trying to say? Go to this person, and be open to his or her words.

JUL21 The Prince on a White Horse
Many people loved fairytales growing up, and we knew when the prince rode
in on the white horse, the day was about to be saved. Whether you dreamed
I looked, and there of being the heroic prince or the princess meeting her dashing hero, you
before me was a unconsciously recognized the white horse and conqueror as a sign of hope
and victory.
white horse! Its
rider held a bow As adults, we still wait for a victor on a powerful steed, although we may not
and was given a admit it. Some Bible teachers theorize it’s because we know deep down our
earthly lives aren’t the end. We know there’s something more, something better,
crown, and he rode waiting for us. Yet, we can’t attain it on our own because, as with fairy tales,
out as a conqueror evil forces block our way. We need a victor to go before us.
bent on conquest. Revelation paints Jesus in this role, the perfect victor/savior. Unlike a fairytale
prince, He’s real. He saves everyone, not just the beautiful or outwardly
—Revelation 6:2 deserving. There’s no chance He’ll fail in His mission; He’ll rescue us all. We’ll
attain victory and the better life awaiting us. We’ll live that life first as earthly
believers, called to live abundantly. Then we’ll join our Savior in Heaven.
You might have given up on fairy tales long ago. Maybe real life was harsh
toward you, or you simply grew out of your belief in shining knights, dashing
princes and lovely princesses. Fairytales are fantasy, but they’re a shadow of a
glorious reality. You do have a Prince, and He’s coming for you. In the
meantime, He guides you through life using the Holy Spirit.
Pray and thank God for being your Prince today. Ask Him to show you your
worth and rescue you, either through a prayer for salvation or one for renewed
strength and grace. Rejoice in your position as a treasure He fights for.

JUL22 Far Above Rubies
The ruby is July’s birthstone—and a valuable stone at that. The Bible often
compares the ruby favorably with other stones, citing its high price and
A wife of noble preciousness. The ruby is often associated with royalty, leadership and
character who can achievement.
find? She is worth Perhaps the writer of Proverbs 31 had this symbolism in mind when he
far more than described a wife of noble character. Indeed, a godly woman is worth far more
rubies. than any jewel in existence—but so is a godly man. While most Christians
associate Proverbs 31 with women, its verses apply to all believers. We should
all cultivate hearts and souls worth far more than rubies, diamonds or any
—Proverbs 31:10 other precious possession.
Of course, such cultivation isn’t possible on our own strength. We can try but
will end up emotionally and spiritually exhausted. We must remember that it’s
up to God to craft us into His jewels. Our job is cooperation: a listening heart,
willingness to obey His direction and willingness to trust Him.
How do you know when you’re developing a character worth more than
rubies? Several inner signs will tell you, including:
• You ha ve a g rea ter d esire for Go d’s W ord : studying,

memorizing, and applying it, and sharing what you learn.
• You enjoy a rich p ra yer life: you’ll easily come to God with
every need.
• You d esire to un dersta nd Go d’s w ill for you r life: you’ll

wait patiently for His calling and go where He leads you.
• You feel g rea ter co mp ass io n for ot hers: a deeper desire to

encourage and serve your fellow man and share the Gospel and your
testimony.
• You w ant to trus t Go d: you’ll be quicker to put adverse

circumstances in His hands.

JUL23 Cultivating Heavenly-Mindedness
Pearls are highly unique stones. They’re the only stones that are purely organic and
the only ones whose quality can be determined without a jeweler’s loupe. Many
Again, the kingdom people associate pearls with purity, modesty and of course, Heaven. Jesus makes
of Heaven is like a the same comparison in today’s verse.
merchant looking Jesus’ parables were often confusing to His listeners, but He’s always clear about
for fine pearls. the kingdom of Heaven. He describes it as the ultimate goal for believers,
When he found cautioning them to build up heavenly treasures instead of focusing on earthly gain.
Throughout the New Testament, other authors drive home this truth. For example,
one of great value, Paul reminds us that although Heaven is unseen, it’s eternal and worthy of our
he went away and constant attention.
sold everything he Most Christians want to be heavenly minded, yet find the prospect daunting. Some
had and bought it. wonder if focusing on Heaven means neglecting one’s earthly life or looking
forward to death. While believers do feel “homesick” for Heaven, constantly
—Matthew focusing on death doesn’t lead to heavenly mindedness. It’s also not necessary to
shut out life on Earth.
13:45-46
Heavenly-minded Christians have several key traits. First, they know that
cultivating an eternal perspective takes time. Even longtime believers will never
have this perspective all the time on Earth. However, heavenly minded Christians
seek God every day, asking Him to teach them more about His will, which
ultimately includes Heaven.
Maintaining an eternal perspective also means remembering earthly circumstances

are temporary. Difficult circumstances are a natural part of living in a fallen world.
Similarly, joyous circumstances become more so when we recall that earthly
happiness is only a shadow of the joy we’ll live out in Heaven.
Ask God to help you become more heavenly minded today. Seek to treat Heaven
as a pearl of great price in your life.

JUL24 Parents’ Day
This month we celebrate Parents’ Day. After celebrating Mother’s and Father’s
Days, this month we honor our parents as a unit. We acknowledge that they
Listen, my son, to raised us together and that they both helped us become who we are as
your father’s adults. Parents’ Day also honors adoptive parents and parental figures such as
instruction and do grandparents, aunts, uncles and foster parents who have positively impacted
millions of lives.
not forsake your
mother’s teaching. The Bible is clear on how we’re supposed to treat our parents; they deserve
our respect and honor. “Honor your father and mother” is the fifth
They are a garland commandment, the first after four that tell us how to relate to God. As Paul
to grace your head points out, it’s the first commandment with a promise. Honoring our parents
guarantees our lives will be longer because we’ll respect and use the wisdom
and a chain to they gave us.
adorn your neck. What if your parent was absent or abusive? You can still find ways to honor
—Proverbs 1:8-9 him or her. The first is forgiveness; this is a long process and may require help
from a counselor. Additionally, pray for absent or abusive parents. Ask God to
draw them toward Him and change their hearts. If it’s safe to do so, consider
making efforts to rekindle a relationship. Seek guidance from the Lord and
godly friends when doing this.
Make a special effort to reach out to your parents or parental figures. Call to
thank them for what they’ve done for you, or write a letter or email. Invite them
to dinner or a favorite activity. Ask what advice they’d give now that you’re an
adult. Then use their advice just as you did as a child.

JUL25 The Great Deceiver
Satan glories in all sin, from murder to adultery to thievery. However, today’s
verse suggests he takes special delight in lying. Lying is “his native language.”
When he lies, he He’s incapable of speaking truth or edifying anyone. Deception, it could be
speaks his native argued, which Satan fuels, is the root of all sin at one point or another.
language, for he is Some Bible scholars take this argument further, explaining many lies are
a liar and the twisted truths or perversions of what God calls good. For example, the desire
father of lies. for love is a godly one. However, if that desire leads to adultery, you’ve
believed a lie that says you deserve love at any cost and must take it yourself.
The desire to give your family a prosperous life is good. However, if you steal
—John 8:44 to facilitate it, you believe the lie that you can only prosper at others’ expense.
Of course, not all of Satan’s lies are this obvious. He loves to deceive
Christians in subtler ways, such as making them feel unworthy of God’s love or
telling them that they aren’t saved. These lies are some of the hardest to
overcome, because they aren’t tied to a particular, physical sin. They grow
deep roots, sometimes in the span of years or decades. For example, someone
abused as a child may struggle for years to trust God’s love as an adult.
Taking stock of your words and actions can help you identify any lies Satan
uses against you. If you consistently sin in a certain way or tell yourself
negative things, a particular lie is probably the cause. Ask God and others to
help you identify the lie and its origin. Once you know, seek godly counsel and
methods to rid yourself of it for good.

JUL26 This Little Light
People who grew up going to Sunday school are probably familiar with “This
Little Light of Mine.” Church members across the nation sing this song,
Neither do people especially in Sunday school classrooms. It’s an early lesson on believers’ status
light a lamp and as light to the world. It also encourages us not to hide our lights. Instead,
we’re to speak boldly about Jesus, His death, resurrection and the way He
put it under a influences our everyday lives.
bowl. Instead, they
put it on its stand, However, being bold for Christ is more difficult than it looks. Today, American
believers are often ridiculed or persecuted, called intolerant, hateful and old-
and it gives light to fashioned. Others plant doubts in us, saying the Bible is irrelevant or doesn’t
everyone in the mean what we think it means. Although physical persecution is rarer in the
United States than in some countries, it does happen. All this is enough to
house. wear down the hardiest Christian, making him or her want to extinguish the
inner light and hide from the world.
—Matthew 5:15
Jesus understands how we feel and wants to comfort us when sharing Him is
hard. Yet, He encourages us to stay strong and keep sharing. This doesn’t
have to be obvious; you aren’t required to share the Gospel the moment you
meet a nonbeliever. It can be as simple as offering a helping hand or kind
word. Sharing Jesus might mean acknowledging people you don’t generally
notice or sacrificing your time to help with a ministry.
If your light is burning low today, pray. Tell God you need some “oil” for your
lamp. Bible study, praise music, meditation and physical rest all help with this.
Once your light is rejuvenated, go out to share it again.

JUL27 Becoming Malleable in God’s Hands
Most Christians know the analogy of God as the potter and ourselves as clay.
It’s a popular one, because clay is such a moldable substance. If you’ve ever
But the pot he was seen kids playing with Play-Doh, you know they can make it into almost
shaping from the anything. In their hands, a shapeless blob becomes something that captures
their imagination and serves great purposes in pretend play.
clay was marred in
his hands; so the Sometimes, though, clay becomes hard. When this happens, molding is difficult.
potter formed it Potters often deal with broken clay, which they must moisturize and re-shape
into new vessels. Christians are similar. We don’t always let God mold us as
into another pot, He’d like. Sometimes, He allows tests to make us more moldable or even break
shaping it as us so He can start from scratch.
seemed best to It’s important to remember that God takes no pleasure in allowing
him. circumstances that break His people’s hearts. When we hurt, He hurts, and He
comforts us. Some people say that God never wastes a hurt. If He allows
—Jeremiah 18:4 something to re-shape you, it’s because He has a better plan than you can
see right now. Sometimes you need to “re-moisturize,” soaking in His Word
and character before refocusing on the tasks He gives you.
Finally, remember that you’re clay, not the potter. You don’t choose what kind
of vessel you’ll be. God gives us talents and spiritual gifts that help determine
this, but ultimately your destiny is His decision. If you’re having trouble trusting
it, tell Him. Ask Him to make you malleable and teachable so your spirit can
grow. He’ll make you a beautiful vessel.

JUL28 He Is Why We Exist
Since ancient times, there has been much debate on how we got here and
why we exist. Some people believe humans were a cosmic accident. Others
For in Him we live believe there’s no true reality—only illusions. Still others understand God
and move and created us and loves us, but not that He’s the reason we exist.
have our being. Everyone is vulnerable to this line of thinking, even and perhaps especially
Christians. That is, ministries, Bible studies, mission trips and other forms of
—Acts 17:28 service often distract us. We do all this to please God but forget He doesn’t
need us to do anything for Him. He created us as human beings—not “human
doings.” Our primary purpose is to find joy in Him and get to know Him.
In our busy world, it’s hard to figure out how to do this. Does it mean shutting
yourself in your room and praying 10 hours a day? Does it mean quitting your
job in favor of a long-term missionary assignment or moving to a monastery?
God has certainly led people to do these things, but they aren’t generally His
choice for modern Christians.
Today, “living and moving and having your being” in Christ means
acknowledging Him in every facet of your life. It means being diligent and
having a good attitude at school or work. It means teaching your kids to be
godly, reaching out to others and spending plenty of quiet time alone with
God.
Getting to know God can take any form you like. Some people go to a quiet
room to complete Bible studies; others prefer to worship God through dancing
and singing. Still others write their own poems and psalms. Whatever form you
choose, always remember your root purpose: finding joy in God, who created
you.

JUL29 Women and the Word
It’s important for men and women to know and live the Word of God.
However, in today’s verse, Jeremiah specifically speaks to women. Bible
Now, you women; scholars speculate there are several reasons for this. One might be because
hear the word of Jeremiah’s culture didn’t consider women worthy to study God’s Word.
Perhaps he was encouraging them to receive the Word and take an active
the Lord; open role in sharing it with others. Another reason might be because of women’s
your ears to the domain over child rearing. Although men were created to be spiritual leaders,
words of His women nurtured children and first exposed them to God.
mouth. Whatever Jeremiah’s reasons, his words are vital for today’s women. Modern
Christian women have more physical and spiritual freedoms than ancient
—Jeremiah 9:20 Israel’s women ever dreamed of. They lead Sunday school classes and Bible
studies; some denominations allow women to preach. Additionally, today’s
women participate in thousands of ministries outside the church. Their mission
field could be their workplace or their home, a clinic or a classroom, a police
station or a fire station.
With all this freedom comes busyness. Many women are so overwhelmed with
godly responsibilities that they forget to absorb His Word and character.
That’s why it’s crucial for everyone, but women in particular, to learn to
balance activities and commitments. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” It frees more
time for you to hear and learn from God.
If you’re a woman who feels overwhelmed with all your freedoms and
responsibilities, meditate on today’s verse. Your primary responsibility is
listening to God, not so you can get marching orders, but so you can enjoy
Him. Today, give yourself permission for some valuable time with Him.

JUL30 Forgiving Ourselves
Some pastors and teachers teach this psalm as 3-2-1 so their listeners will
remember it. Indeed, it’s one of the verses most worth remembering in Psalms.
Blessed is he Forgiveness is a basic tenet of Christianity and the most valuable thing Jesus
whose offers us. His forgiveness encompasses every sin from our past, present and
future. It frees us as no human forgiveness can.
transgressions are
forgiven, whose sins While this concept is familiar, most of us struggle to forgive ourselves. After all,
are covered. we’re the ones who have to wake up and look at ourselves every day. We
know ourselves well, including our flaws, sins and checkered pasts. Even the
most grounded Christian with the best background can struggle with self-
—Psalm 32:1 loathing and a lack of forgiveness.
Pastors often quote the verse where Jesus tells us He won’t forgive us if we
don’t forgive others. They usually use the verse as a springboard to talk about
avoiding grudges. They sometimes forget, though, that we are all part of
“others.” If we can’t forgive ourselves, we miss the depth of Jesus’ forgiveness.
We sacrifice the opportunity to walk in freedom and extend love to others
because we don’t see past our own mistakes and problems.
As you read this, you might be struggling to forgive yourself for something. It
might be a “small” but persistent sin, such as being short-tempered and critical
toward your spouse or kids. You might have darker sins in your past such as
addiction, sexual sin or a prison term. Any of these can cause self-loathing, but
you can break the cycle. Today, determine to forgive yourself. Forgive yourself
even if you don’t feel it. In time and with God’s help, your emotions will catch
up.

JUL31 Christmas in July
July’s arrival signals our calendar is more than halfway to Christmas. Many
people celebrate what they call Half-Mas with “Christmas in July.” Networks
Today in the town like Hallmark play Christmas movies, and keepsake ornaments appear on store
of David a Savior shelves. Some people host Christmas or winter-themed parties to take their
minds off summer heat, humidity and bugs. In a struggling economy, many
has been born to retailers often put out their Christmas decorations much earlier than normal.
you; He is the
Messiah, the Lord. While a Christmas in July party is fun, you don’t need decorations and carols
to celebrate every day of the year. Sometimes all you need is a timely
reminder such as today’s verse. Most Christians are so used to hearing about
—Luke 2:11 Jesus’ time on Earth that they don’t stop to think about His humanity. Jesus
was fully human. Like all of us, He started life as a helpless baby. He gave up
Heaven to be born in cramped, smelly conditions—for us.
Outside the Christmas season, Christians often skim over Jesus’ birth. We want
to jump straight to the crucifixion and resurrection, which we consider the most
important parts of the story. However, Jesus, the best Author in the world,
never skimps on details. Since His birth was included in the Bible, it must be
crucial.
The Bible doesn’t give us many details on Jesus’ babyhood or childhood. Yet
what’s there reminds us of a powerful truth. None of us can accomplish our
adult tasks unless we’re born, and we aren’t born without God’s hand. Today,
meditate on Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world. Then meditate on
yours. Thank Jesus that He was born and allowed your birth. Celebrate
Christmas in July and all the time.

AUG01 Conquering Our Fear
We frequently hear, “Don’t worry, God is watching over us.” It can be difficult to
11
be strong and courageous in lieu of today’s ongoing tragedies, massacres and
public strife. No matter how many times we tell ourselves the Lord is with us,
sometimes we need to hear it from God Himself to truly have faith.
Twice in this chapter and once from Moses, Joshua hears the phrase, “Be strong
and courageous.” The tools of the enemy, the tools of Satan, work to bring fear,
terror and discouragement into Joshua’s life. Just as Satan made Joshua forget
God’s omnipotence, he can make Christians forget that God is with us wherever
we go.
Terror is a tough battle to fight. Faith in God enables us to be evil’s worst

nightmare—invincible soldiers on the battlefield. It takes faith in God to fight
against the evil and frightening things going on in our world. Every one of us must
respond to fear and discouragement with open, spiritual eyes. Not only are our
peers telling us not to fear, God Himself tells us every day. All things work together
in God’s power for the good. What we perceive as losses are steps forward—
battles lost to win the war.
Today, open your eyes and see what good the Lord has given you. See past the
difficulties in your life and focus on the positive. See with eyes of faith. Turn off the
news, go to a quiet place and reflect with God. He has everything under control,
even when we feel lost and in despair. Just as Joshua did, we need to let go of our
fear and listen when God tells us He is with us.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and

courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be
with you wherever you go.
—Joshua 1:9

AUG02 Manna From Heaven
Today’s verse references God’s testing of Israel. God sent the Israelites into
the wilderness without food, until the sixteenth day of the second month of the
He humbled you, journey, when He feeds them. They were left to their own devices for one
causing you to whole month, and they nearly starved. Through hardship, the Israelites realized
hunger and then that they needed the Lord to survive. The wilderness was God’s way of testing
what was in their hearts, not of making them suffer.
feeding you with
manna, which God, of course, knew what was in their hearts, but the people of Israel didn’t.
God needed to show Israel how proud and faithless they were through a
neither you nor humbling experience. He could easily have fed them sooner, but He waited
your fathers had until they suffered from hunger to teach them an important lesson. Throughout
the Bible, we learn that our life should focus on God’s will, not our own.
known, to teach
you that man does Christians often foolishly believe we can take care of ourselves and depend on
our own resources to survive. God puts us through hardships, through our own
not live on bread wilderness experiences, not to make us suffer but to test what’s in our hearts.
alone but on every The wilderness is meant to remind us that we depend on God for life and for
all things—immediately, entirely and absolutely. God humbles us with suffering
word that comes to remind us that we must depend on His word alone.
from the mouth of
the Lord. If you’re going through your own wilderness experience today, take faith in the
knowledge that it’s God’s way of sustaining you. It can be difficult to
cheerfully serve and trust in the Lord during a tough time, but this is exactly
—Deuteronomy what will end days of starvation. God will give you a miraculous supply of
8:3 food for the soul the moment you humble yourself and look to Him for
sustenance.

AUG03 Equal in God’s Eyes
In this verse, Paul claims that race, social class and gender are abolished when
we come together in Christ. Paul’s audience at the time in the Greco-Roman
There is neither Jew world would have looked around them and observed that this isn’t true, expect
nor Gentile, neither in Utopia. These three social structures did and do exist, at least physically.
This verse continues the conversation that all Christians are “sons of God.”
slave nor free, nor When standing before God, we’re all equal.
is there male and
female, for you are Paul is commenting on the fact that no outward form can secure the blessings
of the Lord, and that Christ doesn’t put one person on a pedestal above
all one in Christ another. In baptism, we profess to be Christ’s disciples—a new birth that
Jesus. saves all in the same way. While many Christians accept this as the truth, it
can be difficult to think this way in our daily lives. Social structures do exist in
—Galatians 3:28 our world, although modern society is taking steps to abolish them.
Distinctions of race, class and gender are at odds with true Christianity. While
we may see barriers that separate us, God doesn’t. As Christians, we must see
others the way God does and do our best to erase the lines drawn in the
sand. Paul teaches that everyone becomes Christians in the same terms, with
religious privileges on the same level. God shows no special favor to one over
the other in the matter of salvation.
It can be difficult for us to see people through God’s eyes. For some of us, it
will remain an ongoing struggle. Today, make an effort to take Paul’s words
seriously. Christian fellowship bonds us all together and lifts us up equally. The
Gospel breaks down walls of separation and crosses all boundaries.

AUG04 The Power to Do Good
St. Paul declares his joy in the refreshment of “the bowels” of the saints. In
Matthew 11:28, the Lord promises to refresh all that “travail and are heavy
For we have great laden.” In today’s verse, “refreshed” is the keyword. Through Christ, the hearts
joy and consolation of the saints are refreshed—or given relief and rest. The term “brother” is given
to Philemon here to emphasize feelings of affection and friendship. Through
in your love, Philemon’s works of charity, the saints found relief from distress.
because the
bowels of the Just as Food for the Hungry brings relief and “refreshment” to the hearts of
those living in poverty, driven from their homes or suffering hunger, Philemon’s
saints are refreshed charitable actions are a source of immense joy. We can impart joy to others
by you, brother. and thus to the Lord through charity, spreading the love of God through our
actions. Philemon’s actions gave great joy to the saints, who had no need for
his comforts. In the same way, God cherishes our good deeds even though He
—Philemon 1:7 doesn’t need them Himself.
Throughout your life, refresh the hearts, bodies and minds of those who need
your help. Your charitable actions will spread joy and strengthen your bond
with the Lord. Do these acts cheerfully and spread comfort to others—even to
those who don’t need your charity. Take today’s verse as a reminder that
Christ does notice our actions.
Offer your assistance to those who need it. You have the power to refresh
others with your actions, just as the Lord refreshes you through Christian
fellowship. Be like Christ in your acts of charity, and know that you’re giving
joy and consolation to the Lord through your love.

AUG05 John’s Promise
Despite what it may sound like, today’s verse isn’t about wheat and chaff. The
Bible often gives metaphors regarding “chaff” as a symbol of the wicked,
His winnowing fork ungodly and evil of the world. Luke 3:17 is a metaphor in which the
is in his hand to oppressors, the false-hearted and the selfish of the world will be separated
from the rest (the “wheat”) and destroyed. While this may sound harsh, the
clear his threshing metaphor is meant to speak to the antagonism between good and evil—
floor and to gather between the followers and enemies of Christ.
the wheat into his John the Baptist says that he isn’t Christ, but he confirms that a long-promised
barn, but he will Messiah comes and that He will baptize the people with the “Holy Ghost and
burn up the chaff with fire” (Luke 3:16). While John can baptize the people with water, he
humbly assures them that he can’t purify and cleanse the people as the
with unquenchable Messiah can. Christ can baptize the people, purifying their hearts as fire clears
fire. out the chaff from the threshing floor.
—Luke 3:17 This verse isn’t meant as a threat, but as a reminder that God alone has the
power to absolve our sins and remove our guilt—just as He has the power to
destroy His enemies. “Unquenchable fire” is the Holy Ghost, working in the
souls of Christians like a fire to purge them of their sins and corruptions. As a
believer, the fire of the Holy Spirit lives in you.
When you’ve sinned against Christ, go to Him and ask for repentance. Christ
will gather the good in you, the wheat, into His barn and burn the rest with the
fire of the Holy Spirit. God alone has the power to absolve you of sin. Pray for
forgiveness, and He’ll cleanse you as completely as fire clears chaff in a barn.

AUG06 Redeeming Rain
In many regions, July and August are marked with powerful thunderstorms and
heavy rains. Instead of seeing rain as a sign of darkness and depression, this
You heavens verse shows us that rain is meant to cleanse and nurture. Throughout the Bible,
above, rain down rain and floods are symbols of wonderful cleansing: the flood that isolated
my righteousness; Noah on the arc, the rain and wind that slammed against the house on the
rock in Matthew 7, and the rain the Lord sent to the wicked in Samuel 12,
let the clouds among others. Rain is a symbol of God’s mightiness, as He is the only one with
shower it down. Let the power to make rain and thunder.
the earth open Rain has multiple meanings throughout the Bible. In many verses, it’s proof of
wide, let salvation God’s awesome power. Rain can cause awesome strife and flooding, but it’s
also what enables the earth to grow, giving us food to eat. Rain is a symbol of
spring up, let salvation and righteousness, as God has created it. The Lord commands
righteousness blessings to descend upon His people, and Christians should willingly and
gratefully receive them.
flourish with it; I,
the Lord, have Without rain, the earth can’t flourish. It droops and dies. When showers
descend on the earth, they bring forth fruit and plants. Christians should see
created it. rainstorms as a revival of righteousness, just as it revives the earth. Let the
earth become fruitful in producing salvation from heavenly rain.
—Isaiah 45:8
If you’re feeling down in this rainy season, take heart in the knowledge that
God has created it. Just as rain is a metaphor for righteousness and salvation
in Isaiah 45:8, let the rain be a constant reminder of the Lord’s presence in
your life. Enjoy life-giving rain, and let righteousness spring up in you like
shoots from the ground.

AUG07 Suffering Is Our Armor
Today’s devotional is in honor of our veterans wounded in combat. Let’s
recognize those who suffered for our freedom. Just as Jesus suffered in His
Therefore, since body to cleanse the world of sin, combat-wounded veterans suffered on
Christ suffered in civilians’ behalf. Today’s verse doesn’t only refer to Jesus’ death on the cross,
but to His entire life.
His body, arm
yourselves also with The life Jesus knew on Earth brought many pains. He lived a higher life than
the same attitude, men, but His higher life was the source of the bitterness He suffered. Jesus’ life
is the pattern through which all Christians should live. Peter hints at the conflict
because whoever between our personal defenselessness and the unyielding armor that Christ
suffers in the body gives to us. When we take on the mind of Christ, we can live according to the
will of God and renounce the sins of men.
is done with sin.
Today’s verse is about arming yourself with the attitude of Christ. It can be
—1 Peter 4:1 difficult to make sense of a great physical pain or loss and reconcile it with the
image of a loving, caring God. You may be tempted to blame God for earthly
suffering. However, this verse teaches disciples of Christ to suffer evils as
armor of proof against your enemies. If a man overcomes fear of torture or
death through Christ, no weaker temptation will come close.
If you’ve suffered a terrible pain or loss in your life or know someone who has,
take heart in the fact that this pain of the flesh will be rewarded in Heaven.
Thank our Purple Heart veterans, today and every day, for their suffering for
our freedom, and know that it’s all part of God’s larger plan.

AUG08 God’s Abundant Blessings
The highest glory any one of us can strive to aspire to is to be “loved in God”
and “kept for Jesus Christ.” Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, calls Christians to
To those who have higher and better things than those who reject Christ. God’s mercy is a
been called, who fountain of all the good we can ever hope for: a living well of mercy, peace
and love. Today’s verse reminds us that walking with Christ is the way to
are loved in God obtain God’s love and mercy.
the Father and
kept for Jesus Christians’ lives can be full of these three things in abundance. Both weak and
strong believers in God can enjoy the three most important blessings in the
Christ: mercy, world. Mercy pardons our sins, peace gives us acceptance with our fellow men
peace and love be and in our own consciences and love is the vehicle through which all things are
possible. Christ multiplies these things within His believers.
yours in
abundance. God gives His loving grace to us freely each day. He casts His love over all
of us and wants us to feel the fullness of His joy. Look at things God has
—Jude 1:1-2 created on Earth: the grass under our feet and the stars in the sky. God has a
purpose for each and every one of His creations, including you. In our darkest
times, we can call upon the Lord for mercy, peace and love.
If you’re feeling lost, call on God for the blessings He freely gives you. We
often get too caught up in our daily lives and struggles to feel the mercy,
peace and love that’s our right by Jesus Christ. It’s ours in abundance,
whenever we ask for it. Take time today to focus on the good things God has
given us, and appreciate the endless blessings we have through our faith in
Him.

AUG09 Trusting God
In John 2:5, Mary tells the servants to obey Jesus’ commands, even if they do
so without understanding His ultimate plan. The servants filled the pots with
His mother said to water, failing to understand how it would help their situation. Jesus had a plan
the servants, “Do all along and miraculously turned the water into wine. Today’s verse reminds us
to trust in God’s plans. Even if we don’t see the reason behind His commands,
whatever we must have faith that He knows what’s best for us.
He tells you.” The Lord may have reasons for things in your life beyond what you can
possibly imagine. The Bible teaches us to always have faith in the ways of the
—John 2:5 Lord and to trust that He knows what’s best for us. As Christians, we know this
to be true. As humans, it can be difficult to “blindly” trust in what God has in
store for us. However, we must humble ourselves and follow His guidance
without question.
Don’t question the reasonableness of God’s commands. If you feel your life is
spinning out of control, remind yourself that it’s all happening for a reason.
Even if you can’t foresee the meaning behind your daily trials and triumphs,
know in your heart that God wouldn’t lead you astray. We must invite Christ
through prayer, and do as He pleases. When you pray for something and
don’t get the result you want, realize that this is for a reason.
In all things, God is in control. We must not question God’s methods, even
when we can’t fathom the reason behind certain events in our lives. It can be
difficult to cope with difficult times and believe it’s for the best. But we have to
have faith that God will turn our water into wine if we trust in Him.

AUG10 Prayer in Times of Plenty
Today’s verse isn’t about praising God when we need Him the most, but rather
when we feel we’re doing fine on our own. When things are going well in our
Is anyone among lives, we tend to become complacent. We may pray less or sing praise with
you in trouble? Let less active intentions. We often make the mistake of only rendering our hearts
to God when something bad happens or when we need guidance. Instead,
them pray. Is give your heart to God even when things are going well.
anyone happy? Let
them sing songs of We can all use a little reminder that God desires to be a part of every aspect
of our lives. While it’s true that He’s there for us in our times of need, He’s also
praise. there for us in times of plenty. The best time to consult with and praise God is
when we believe we have our lives under control. This is the ideal opportunity
—James 5:13 to thank God for His blessings and hear more clearly the word of the Lord.
It’s God’s will that we pray continually—not every now and then when we’re
crying out for help. Through success and achievement, we may become more
comfortable in our lives and seek God less and less. When this happens, we
close ourselves to the words of God. Instead of becoming remiss with your
prayers in times of plenty, turn to God more often, with peace of mind, clarity
and openness to hear Him.
If everything is going well in your life right now, take a moment to thank God
and ask for His words. In your rational state of mind, you’ll hear more clearly
from God to guide your steps with purpose. Honor God this day with a heart-
felt communion, regardless of your circumstances. Keep in constant
communication with the Lord, in times of poverty and of plenty.

AUG11 Life-Giving Prayer
Psalms offer many words of advice to Christians that we can use in times of
That person is like strife. In today’s global atmosphere of hardship, uncertainty and fear, we need
the Word of God more than ever. Today’s verse reminds us that those who
a tree planted by don’t walk with the wicked or sit in the company of mockers are blessed by
streams of water, God and will be fruitful and prosperous.
which yields its fruit If we delight in the Word of the Lord during these hard times, meditating on
in season and His law day and night, we become like the tree in Psalm 1:1-3. This psalm
offers blessings to those who trust in the Lord, even during difficult times.
whose leaf does Today’s world gives us many things to think about: technology, politics, wars…
not wither— things that distract us and demand our attention. We’re so tired at the end of
the day because our leaves have withered.
whatever they do
prospers. We can find strength and comfort in the Word of God. When we tune out the
sights and sounds of the physical world around us and meditate on Christ,
—Psalm 1:1-3 we’ll find rejuvenation and happiness, like a well-watered tree. We can bear
fruit and remain strong in the face of adversity. Focusing on Christ is the only
way to center your thoughts and live through the teachings of the Lord.
Consider making a Psalm a day part of your daily devotion. This will let you
see the blessings of God, delight in His word and drown out the distractions
around you. Take time alone to meditate on a Psalm, and give your undivided
attention to Christ. Through focused prayer, we can enjoy fruitful, prosperous
lives.

AUG12 Teaching the Ten Commandments
Children give us a world of opportunity—to grow ourselves as Christians and teach
the Word of the Lord to the next generation. The Lord asks us to take His Ten
Impress them on Commandments into our hearts, teaching them to our children and speaking of them
your children. Talk frequently. Those who love the Lord must do everything in their power to engage
their children with Him and pass this affection from generation to generation.
about them when
you sit at home Today’s children may not be as willing to hear the Word of the Lord as previous
and when you walk generations. Children have much more opportunity for distraction and entertainment.
We must be diligent in impressing the Commandments onto our children in a way
along the road, that will make their meanings clear.
when you lie down Today’s verse reminds us that the Lord wants us to instill His lessons on our children
and when you get at all times, preserving Christianity in your family. If you’re at a loss as to how to
up. teach the Ten Commandments to your children, try these tips:
—Deuteronomy • Da ily remind ers. Mention one Commandment every day, as a life lesson
or just as a reminder, until your children know them by heart.
6:6-7
• Set a n exa mp le. Obey the Ten Commandments in your own daily life,
and your children will follow your example.
• Arts a nd cra fts. Turn learning the Commandments into a fun activity.
This is a great memorization tool and makes learning about the Word of
God engaging.
• Rel ate them to to da y. The Ten Commandments may seem irrelevant to

today’s children. Make sure they understand the everlasting power of
God’s rules by relating them to your children’s everyday lives.
Not every commandment will be appropriate for every age—it may be difficult to
explain some to young children. As your kids grow, their ears will be more ready to
hear these lessons.

AUG13 Listening Fairly
Many times throughout our lives, we argue and point the finger of blame at
others. Confiding in our friends and telling our side of the story may feel like
In a lawsuit the first we’re just looking for an open ear to hear our case. However, when the
to speak seems defense cross-examines us, a different story is often told. Today’s verse
teaches us to listen to all sides of a story instead of jumping to conclusions
right, until someone and to keep an open mind and heart.
comes forward and
cross-examines. In many cases, when one person tells a story of how he or she was wronged,
the other person comes forward with an entirely different story. In other cases,
both parties tell the same story, but the reason for the wrongdoing paints a
—Proverbs 18:17 different picture in the listeners’ minds. For example, say a storeowner tells the
story of a woman who came into his store and stole a bag of apples. To the
listener, this seems like an obvious crime. However, if the woman explains how
the storeowner overcharges her for basic goods, the listener might be more
sympathetic.
Think about a time in your life where you failed to listen to both sides of story.
It may be hearing about an argument between your children or deciding the
fate of an employee under review. Big or small, it’s important to listen to all
sides of a situation. It’s easy to assume you’re right about something, but the
truth may surprise you. Listen to your neighbors (and your enemies) to
appreciate both sides of every story.

AUG14 Blessed Are the Meek
The Bible gives us plenty of guidelines for how to be better Christians, if we’re
open to hearing them. Today’s verse is a popular one from Matthew, which
But when you give tells us to keep our giving a secret. In this verse, the left hand represents our
to the needy, do baser instincts of self-praise and self-promotion. The right hand represents the
higher element in all of us—the part of us that seeks acts of true charity.
not let your left
hand know what “True charity” is an act of kindness that doesn’t come from a place of
your right hand is selfishness but instead from a place of purer intentions. The Lord warns us
against outward displays of our goodness and holiness, and He praises those
doing, so that your who perform acts of charity without shouting them out to the public. In other
giving may be in words, the Lord is telling us that giving in “secret” is more praiseworthy than
giving just to reap a reward.
secret.
Today, it can be difficult to keep our good deeds to ourselves. It’s tempting to
—Matthew 6:3-4 publicize our acts of charity through viral internet videos or status updates
praising ourselves for our good deeds. The competition to be a “better”
Christian than our neighbors is exactly what the Lord warns us against in
Matthew 6:3-4. This attitude doesn’t grant us favor in the eyes of the Lord, no
matter how charitable we are.
Next time you give to a nonprofit like Food for the Hungry or perform a good
deed, consider not telling anyone. Keep your donation completely anonymous.
Don’t even tell your family. Reap the rewards of doing a truly selfless deed.
Know that God sees everything you do, whether other people do or not. Your
award won’t be here on Earth, but instead in Heaven.

AUG15 Putting Out Fires
It’s all too easy to get caught up in an argument and say things we don’t
mean. When tempers flare, we can speak harsh words we can’t take back.
A gentle answer Harsh words hurt the ones we love, and they facilitate a harsh response—
turns away wrath, escalating an argument that may never have gotten so out of hand with a
gentle response. Today’s verse reminds us to speak not out of anger, but from
but a harsh word our hearts, even in times of trouble.
stirs up anger.
A gentle answer has more power than we realize. In the worst of times, it can
—Proverbs 15:1 be nearly impossible to reply to someone else’s scathing tones in loving, gentle
tones of our own. However, this is the only way to defuse a situation and put
out a fire before it consumes us. Be the bigger person and end a pointless
argument by replying in mild, yielding answers. A gentle reply is water on the
flames, while harsh words are kindling.
Throughout the Bible, we often see the damage harsh words cause. Examples
include the words of Jephthah to the Ephraimites, the Ephraimites to the
Gileadites and Nabal to David’s servants. In every case, rough answers stir up
anger and negative consequences. Harsh words often feel like accusations or
a means of cutting your opponent down. Mild words, on the other hand, stir
feelings of compassion instead of resentment.
The takeaway from this devotional is to endeavor to soften the matter for the
sake of tranquility. These wise words from Proverbs are easier said than done.
Remind yourself of this devotional any time you get into a heated argument
with a loved one. Probe the source of the problem with kind, gentle responses
instead of fighting fire with fire. Sharp, contemptuous words will only make a
situation worse.

AUG16 Speaking Like Christ
In the Bible, God states repeatedly that the meek will inherit the earth. A
person who is God-fearing, righteous and slow to anger who contemplates His
The heart of the words before speaking will have a much more peaceful life than those who
righteous weighs its “gush evil.” Today’s verse gives us a lesson on thinking and acting more
righteously through our words.
answers, but the
mouth of the A wise person doesn’t say everything on his or her mind without thinking of the
wicked gushes evil. consequences. Instead, the righteous understand the process of cultivating
small thoughts. The more power and attention you give to the wicked, the
more they grow. Eventually, their negative thoughts will turn into actions,
—Proverbs 15:28 leading to temptation and sin. Those who speak all the negative or evil
thoughts in their minds spread wickedness throughout the world.
Have you ever been in a conversation where a person is extremely quick to

spout judgment and negativity? Proverbs 15:28 teaches us to listen more and
speak less. The more you listen to others, the more you can learn. It’s
impossible to learn if you’re doing all the talking. Thinking bad thoughts in itself
isn’t necessarily a sin. We all have moments where we fall prey to the negative
thoughts within our minds. However, acting on these thoughts is where the line
is drawn.
Nobody is perfect. There are everyday frustrations in every person’s mind—it’s

what makes us human. However, you can lessen the negative feelings in your
heart through prayer. Today, choose to actively reject the evils others may be
speaking around you and the evils you may be tempted to speak yourself.
When temptation rears it’s ugly head, be ready with a prayer instead. Smile
and say something nice—or say nothing at all and turn the other direction.

AUG17 You Are Justified
We’ve all enjoyed times when our beliefs or actions are justified. Whether a
statistic supporting our beliefs comes out or someone else takes our side,
Therefore, since we feeling justified can bring a sense of peace and righteousness. Justification can
have been justified be the saving grace we need to feel confident in our beliefs. Justification
brings peace, and faith brings justification. Today’s verse implies that through
through faith, we the mediation of Jesus, Christians secure a state of grace through faith.
have peace with
God through our The crucifixion of Jesus assures us a never-ending, justifying love. His death
was for our offenses, and His rising from the dead was for our justification. The
Lord Jesus Christ idea of justification through Christ means we have the right to look forward to
a glorious future. Reconciliation with God gives us a blissful sense of serenity,
—Romans 5:1 composure and peace. No matter what we encounter throughout our lives, our
faith enables us to look forward to the future.
It’s important to note that Paul includes himself in his statement. He puts
himself in the same class as the people he is exhorting as an example for us to
do the same. Today, we must embrace the justification of the Lord from a
place of humbleness and equality. While our faith gives us serenity, we must
remember to use this advantage to help others, not to ridicule or talk down to
people.
Take today’s devotional as an excuse to relax and find peace in your faith.
The happy effects of justification through faith reconcile us, and the grace of
God gives us power. When we become true believers, we undergo a blessed
change and enjoy peace through the absolution of sin. Enjoy justification
through your faith today—as a pardoned sinner and beloved child of Christ.

AUG18 Do Good Works
You are God’s handiwork. Take a moment and let that sink in. Too often, we
dismiss ourselves as weak, inferior or less-than. In a competitive world, it’s easy
For we are God’s to feel useless or unimportant. Never forget the remarkable truth of what we
handiwork, created are. We are first, foremost and forever the work of God’s hands. His presence
shines in everything we do. He created us to do good in our time on Earth and
in Christ Jesus to to be Christ-like in our actions.
do good works,
which God If doing good works feels like a tall order to fill, it’s because it is. God expects
a lot from us, but He also knows how much we can bear. We can’t be ideal
prepared in disciples at all times, no matter how hard we try. God understands this and
advance for us to wants us to do our best. We work downwards from salvation because we
already have it. We don’t work up toward salvation. The “good works” we do
do. are the consequence of salvation, not the cause.
—Ephesians 2:10 Our thoughts form the basis of our behaviors. Thus, we must begin our good
works starting with our own minds, focusing our thoughts on the truths of
Scripture. We receive new life to do everything that is “lovely and of good
report,” in the words of the Apostle Paul. Take today’s verse as a reminder that
God created us in His image and expects us to honor Him through good
works.
If you don’t know where to begin to do good works, start with a local
nonprofit organization. Nonprofits work to feed the hungry, cloth the naked
and uplift those in desperate need of assistance. Take pride in being God’s
handiwork, and show Him your devotion by doing the good things He created
you to do.

AUG19 You Are the Light of the World
This verse is popular, especially for use in hymns and Christian music. However,
many people don’t fully understand its meaning. The metaphor of light versus
You are the light of darkness crops up often in Scripture to portray Christ’s goodness and
the world. A town leadership. If Christ is our light shining through the darkness, and He made us
in His image, isn’t it logical that we should be a light for others?
built on a hill
cannot be hidden. Today’s verse is an important metaphor for our purpose here on Earth. We
must strive to be like the “town built on a hill”—shining brightly for all to see. If
—Matthew 5:14 we don’t hide our light, but make it so clear and resplendent as not to be
missed, we fulfill God’s wishes. In times of trouble, you may not feel like the
light of the world. But to God, we are each beacons with the power to shed
light on dark places.
Christ refers to us as enlightening in contrast to sin, darkness and ignorance.

Sin’s corruptive power can’t overtake a light that twinkles merrily on a hillside,
but it can corrupt those who hide their lights. He doesn’t refer to us as the
light of the Earth for a reason—our light goes beyond the limitations of this
Earth and into the realm of the entire solar system. God’s faith in us is that
great.
Never forget that you are the light of the world. Remind yourself of this truth
by listing 10 positive things about yourself today. It’s easy to hide your light
and believe falsehoods about yourself. It’s not as easy to embrace your good
qualities and see yourself through Christ’s eyes: a town that can’t be hidden.

AUG20 Nobody Is Perfect
One of the most essential things to learn as a Christian is that we’re all
sinners. Romans 3:23 and 3:10 tell us that no one is righteous except for
For all have sinned God. Nobody on Earth can come close to the glory of God—and He doesn’t
and fall short of expect us too. God sent Jesus down to Earth to save us from our sins. He
recognizes the baser human instincts we all have to sin and has room in His
the glory of God. heart to forgive.
—Romans 3:23 In today’s verse, the fact of a universal experience is portrayed both positively
and negatively. That all have sinned is a positive assertion, but “falling short” is
negative. This verse is meant to show us that we all have human hearts and
universal sinfulness, and we’ll never attain the glory of God. Instead of seeing
this as a bad thing, we need to accept this as a truth and proof of God’s
almightiness.
Once we accept that we’re all sinners, we can begin to live more full lives in
Christ. We must recognize that God doesn’t compare us with others, but with
Himself—and we’ll always fall short. Comparing ourselves to others will only
distract us from our true purpose and harden our hearts against our neighbors.
If you’re someone who often compares yourself to people you know, give
yourself a much-needed break from scrutiny today. We’re all sinners, without
exception. The Lord expects us to make mistakes and repent for our sins. He
doesn’t expect His disciples to be perfect or godlike, but to exist on Earth as
flawed beings. Go a little easier on yourself today. Know that when God
forgives, He forgives completely.

AUG21 Active Worship
Today’s verse comes from a heated conversation between Jesus, the scribes
and the Pharisees. These religious leaders believed they were saved because
Why is my of their royal bloodline and because of the traditions they followed. They
language not clear mistakenly believed their traditions made God their Father, when in reality they
had lost the true meaning of relying on God. Jesus says this verse to them to
to you? Because show them the importance of true worship.
you are unable to
hear what I say. Many people today believe the same thing as the Pharisees did. Many
Christians are raised to attend church regularly, read the Bible and observe
religious holidays—yet they don’t have a personal relationship with God. While
—John 8:43 these religious traditions help Christians express their love for the Lord and
become closer with Him, they aren’t what make a person a child of God.
For Jesus’ language to be clear to you, you must receive Him and believe in
Him. You must actively engage your mind and heart with the Lord, not just
your physical person. A childhood steeped in religion is certainly a positive
thing, but one can’t simply go through the motions without truly having faith. In
the Pharisees’ case, if God had been their father, they would have understood
Jesus’ meaning. Similarly, we can only understand God’s meaning if we
embrace Him fully.
Each day, make an effort to hear and understand what God tells you. Don’t
let the monotony of everyday life dull your spirituality. No one can have a
relationship with God on your behalf. Take charge of your own relationship
with Christ, and go beyond the daily tasks you’ve been brought up to do. Find
and define your own love of God.

AUG22 Lay Down Your Burdens
We all feel overcome with our personal burdens sometimes. Bearing the
hardships of our emotional, physical and financial battles can prove too great
Come to me, all for even the strongest of God’s children. Today’s verse offers us a beacon of
you who are weary hope: a promise of rest at the feet of the Lord. The “weary and burdened”
encompasses every form of human sorrow and sin. God gives what no one
and burdened, and else can: total, absolute rest from our burdens.
I will give you rest.
The burden of sin is perhaps the worst weight we can take on. Guilt can take
—Matthew 11:28 a toll on you and make everything else around you appear dull. Instead of
suffering under the weight of our sin, go to God and lay it at His feet. Jesus
can look into our lives and see the innermost depths of our hearts. He sees the
toils we suffer and the sorrows that weigh on us every day. The only way to
lighten our load and remove our sins is to confide in the Lord.
How do we allow God to take our burdens off our shoulders? The answer is
through prayer. Asking God to remove your troubles is the only way to find
rest at His feet. If something is weighing on your mind today, give it up to
God. Say a simple prayer such as, “Let thy will, not my will, be done.” This
prayer serves as a reminder that we aren’t in control, even if we think we are.
Allow God to work in your life, and find relief in the fact that He alone can
remove our burdens.

AUG23 Jesus’ Promise to Us
Dealing with the death of a loved one is a terrible hardship. As Christians, we
can find a sense of comfort and closure in the promise Jesus gives to us:
Blessed are the everlasting life in Heaven.
dead who die in
Revelation 14:13 proclaims a blessing on those who die in the Lord. The
the Lord from now blessing promises a happy union with Him, rest from earthly toils, and rewards
on… They will rest for their faith and labors of love. This verse can go great lengths to console
from their labor, for mourners after a death, as it promises it’s not farewell forever. Many times
throughout the Scripture, God promises us a life after death. We can take
their deeds will heart in the knowledge that our loved ones’ good works weren’t in vain and
follow them. that they live happily alongside the Lord.
Although we may lose our earthly possessions when we die, the Lord assures
—Revelation us that we don’t lose our good deeds. This verse reminds us that our lives
14:13 aren’t about how much wealth we can acquire but about the legacy we
create through our actions. The Bible tells us that those who give only to be
honored by others have reaped their full reward on Earth, but those who give
in secret will find their reward in Heaven.
If you’ve lost a loved one recently, know without a shadow of a doubt that the
Lord embraced him or her with love. Say a prayer for your loved ones, that the
Lord may recognize the good works of their lifetime and reward them in His
Kingdom: “Give [Name] eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on
him/her forever.”

AUG24 Judging Others
Contrary to what many non-believers think, the Bible doesn’t teach Christians
to judge thy neighbor or take on a “holier than thou” attitude. Rather than
There is only one tearing our neighbors down for their misdeeds and sins, we should focus on
Lawgiver and our own shortcomings. Just as John 8:7 tells those without sin to cast the first
stone on sinners, James 4:12 reminds us that nobody is perfect. Our purpose
Judge, the one who on Earth isn’t to compete with our neighbors, but to let God be the Almighty
is able to save and Judge.
destroy. But you— The ultimate source of law is God. All judgment is delegated by Him, not the
who are you to people of the Earth. While our nation’s laws are necessary to keep the peace,
judge your they’re only placeholders for the real thing: the laws of Christ. It isn’t our duty
to judge others, as we can’t carry out their “sentence.” There are many verses
neighbor? in the Bible that tell us not to judge others, but this verse is especially poignant
because of its powerful verbiage.
—James 4:12
This verse intentionally uses the words “save” and “destroy” to remind us that
the Lord is all-powerful. The contradicting thoughts of annihilation and safety
serve as a lesson in God’s omnipotence. No judge on Earth has the power to
see into men’s consciences or save or destroy men’s souls (or their lives, for
that matter). If we aren’t the one Lawgiver or Judge, why do we waste our
time judging others?
While it’s human nature to compare yourself to others, try to resist the urge to
make judgments. Condemning your fellow people makes you appear like a
false god—the last thing the Lord wants from you. Every time you notice
yourself judging others, bring to mind one thing about yourself that’s flawed. A
little humbleness goes a long way.

AUG25 Jesus’ Many Names
The Bible gives over 200 names to Jesus: Christ, Son of God, Lamb of God,
Messiah, Emmanuel, King of Kings… the list goes on. Today’s verse is the
For to us a child is announcement of Jesus’ birth where we’re given four of His many names. The
born, to us a son is more we understand about each of His names, the better we can get to know
who Jesus really is.
given… And he will
be called Some interpretations take these four names as four elements of the same
Wonderful name. Jesus is one being, with many different elements. His different names
don’t symbolize different people or different personalities. Since it was
Counselor, Mighty customary for people of this time to call children by a name that meant
God, Everlasting something, we can infer that each name suggests a different quality of Christ.
Father, Prince of “Wonderful Counselor” takes on a few different meanings. It can mean “a
Peace. wonder of a Counselor,” “one who counsels wonderful things,” or “wonderful in
counsel.” This name embodies the wisdom of the future Messiah. “Mighty God”
—Isaiah 9:6 is significant in that it means an absolute deity. “Everlasting Father” or the
Father of Eternity, purposefully uses the word “Father” to represent Jesus’ love
and protection. “Prince of Peace” represents the Prophet clinging to the idea
that Jesus represents peace, not war.
Why does Jesus have so many names? It’s not to confuse us. Each name the
Scripture gives to Jesus represents a different one of His purposes: what He
did in His short time on Earth and what He’s doing now. Recognizing the many
names of Jesus helps us understand Him and grow closer to Him as Christians.
Use one, two or many of His names during prayer, depending on your need.

AUG26 Alcohol in the Bible
Many Christians today ponder the subject of alcohol. Those who enjoy
drinking often use Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine as reasoning for its
Wine is a mocker appropriateness, while others reference the damages and “evils” of alcohol to
and beer a use against it. Alcohol has broken homes and marriages, and its use is
connected to significant health problems and death. Understanding what the
brawler; whoever is Bible says about alcohol can help us grow as Christians.
led astray by them
is not wise. People still debate if the said “wine” in the Bible even represents an alcoholic
beverage. Many believe it’s just a juice made of grapes from the vineyard. The
Bible states that drunkards won’t inherit the kingdom of God and that
—Proverbs 20:1 moderation is key to life (1 Corinthians 6:10). Even dining to the point of
gluttony is a sin. However, the Bible also states that sin is in the heart of man,
and not in any object (Matthew 15:19). If drinking feels sinful to you, it
becomes a sin for you. The alcohol itself isn’t the sin, therefore, but a means to
sin.
Not everyone will find alcohol a stumbling block to their faith. For those who
do, stop. For those who don’t, be considerate of others for whom alcohol
represents danger.
The main takeaway from today’s verse is that God didn’t put us here to judge
others. The Lord is the only Judge. Loving thy neighbor regardless of their sins
is a timeless lesson that our Lord wants us to understand. Offer up a prayer
today for those with alcohol troubles so that they may find peace in God and
practice moderation.

AUG27 Hezekiah’s Words
After King Solomon’s death, Israel was divided into two kingdoms. King Ahaz,
a ruthless and wicked king, cut the articles from the temple in two, set up
My sons, do not be idolatrous altars and offered his children as sacrifices. King Ahaz’s actions
negligent now, for brought the wrath of the Lord down on the people. Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah,
became king and followed the Lord. Today’s verse reflects Hezekiah’s words
the Lord has to his people once they worshiped the one true God again.
chosen you to
stand before him Too often, we’re negligent in our worship of the Lord. Modern Christians in
today’s world have a lot on their plates. The world demands more of us than in
and serve him, to the past, expecting us to do more, better, faster. In an atmosphere of constant
minister before him motion, it can be difficult to spend the necessary time on our God. One small
step away can lead to more and more steps, until we find ourselves far away
and to burn from the Lord’s teachings.
incense. Regardless of how often we attend church, pray and read the Bible, we may
—2 Chronicles be guilty of being negligent Christians. It’s easy to get engrossed in sins or
distractions, becoming like the Israelites under King Ahaz. However, we must
29:11 actively resist this temptation and offer our hearts to Christ through genuine
worship.
If you find yourself getting farther away from God, seize the day to make a
change. Repent your sins, ask for forgiveness and serve the Lord in every way
you can. Know that God has chosen you for His own, and take heart in the
mercy of a God who will always take you back into His arms.

AUG28 What Would Jesus Do?
Time and time again, modern society sees celebrities and fantasizes about how
great our own lives would be if that were to magically happen to us. Fame,
Wealth attracts fortune, beauty, glamour—these things have one common denominator: friends.
many friends, but Proverbs 19:4 teaches us an important lesson about money.
even the closest The more money and recognition you have, the more other people want to be
friend of the poor around you, talk to you and do things with you. To a selfish person, the idea of
person deserts many people loving him or her can bring on feelings and behaviors of greed.
Thus, they build relationships based on selfishness. People want to be around
them. those with immense wealth because of the possibility that something great will
happen to themselves. Perhaps they can win favors from these people or
—Proverbs 19:4 become popular themselves. Sadly, the wealthy tend to have more “friends”
than the poor, even if these friends aren’t real.
On the other end of the spectrum is the poor person. The homeless, poor and
impoverished have historically been ignored—or even shunned—by most, even
if they have the purest of hearts. Most people believe they have nothing to
gain from a homeless man, and they avoid contact altogether. Even if you
don’t consciously realize this, it happens every day.
Next time you see someone on the streets or begging for change, remember
to be like Jesus. The Lord loves us equally, whether we live lavishly or on the
sidewalk. Jesus loves us even when we’re the man or woman in the gutter with
nothing to offer. He’ll always be our friend and ally, just as we should be to
those in need.

AUG29 You Are New in Christ
To be with Christ means to be united with him in faith and by baptism. In such
a case, Christians are born again—born as a new creation. Today’s verse
And now what are reflects on the idea that we’re new in Christ’s eyes upon baptism, completely
you waiting for? washed of our old lives and old sins. Paul, who had known the power of Christ
to transform a life, wrote this verse with confidence, to tell others of the
Get up, be incredible restorative power of the Holy Spirit.
baptized and wash
your sins away, It may feel like reformation is a rare occurrence in the 21st century. It feels as
though everyone is stuck in their ways and that true change may never
calling on his name. happen—especially on a national or global scale. It’s easy to forget the
overwhelming power of the Lord to revolutionize lives, abolish old habits and
—Acts 22:16 open people’s eyes to change. We must find faith in the idea of “new creation”
by siding with Christ.
If any man be in Christ, he or she is rendered a new creature. This doesn’t

mean the evils of a past life will cease to tempt you. If you follow God as a
means of escaping alcoholism, for example, old scars will still exist. The
consequences of your actions will remain with you. However, walking with
Christ changes the center of your existence, giving you a new love that expels
old ones.
If you want to feel new again, consider revitalizing your walk with Christ
through daily devotionals, more focused prayer and another baptism. If you’re
a new Christian who has yet to be baptized, understand that being in Christ
makes you a brand new creation. Today, embrace “out with the old, in with the
new,” and see what God has in store for your new life.

AUG30 Money’s False Promise
Today’s verse is about the decision to choose righteousness instead of injustice
regardless of the returns we will get. Truly righteous people understand that
Better a little with money isn’t more important than doing the right thing. The potential for
righteousness than personal gains should never get in the way of God. Unfortunately, many
people spend their entire lives in the pursuit of fortune and fame.
much gain with
injustice. For every Christian, God should be the most important thing in life. Spending
our resources and energy chasing money not only makes us guilty of sins of
—Proverbs 16:8 greed, but it also breaks the Commandment of worshiping a false God.
Choosing money over God is the same as paying worship to a false idol—a
sin none of us wants to be guilty of.
When you pray, God is there for you. Everyone in the Christian fellowship can
dip into the well of riches that God has for us, whenever we want. When
monetary needs arise, God is there to help us in ways we can’t foresee. We
should never ask for more than what’s required for a happy, simple life.
Recognizing that there are far more valuable things than money can open the
doors for a carefree, righteous life.
Being close to God has nothing to do with how much money you have. In fact,
the Bible states that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24). Take
today’s devotional as a reminder to let go of your financial troubles. It’s always
better to gain a little and be on God’s side than to gain a lot and be on the
side of the wicked and unjust.

AUG31 The Widow’s Offering
Today’s verse is an excerpt from the well-known Bible story of the widow’s
offering. In this parable, Jesus watches a crowd give money into the temple
They all gave out treasury. Many rich people donated large amounts, but a poor widow came
of their wealth; but and only deposited two “mites,” something near the value of pennies. Jesus
said to His disciples that the widow had given more to the treasure than all
she, out of her the others.
poverty, put in
everything—all she It’s easy to feel more pious than our neighbors when we put more in the
collection box than those sitting on the pew next to us or when we donate
had to live on. more generously to a community bake sale. Whatever the situation, it’s
important to keep in mind that the Lord doesn’t judge us on how much we
—Mark 12:44 give. Rather, He makes His judgments on what the donation meant to us
individually.
The widow clearly gave much less money than other people. But since she
gave every cent she had to the Treasury, and the others donated mere
portions of their large estates, her donation was worth more in Jesus’ eyes.
Jesus saw the situation differently than the disciples who were also watching.
The wealthy patrons made sure to jingle the coins and make a show of their
large donations, but the poor widow made a humble gift. Hers was the one
worth mentioning.
Today’s verse isn’t to say that the rich are automatically less pious than the
poor. It’s meant as a lesson in humbleness and sacrifice. Having a giving heart
is more important than the amount we give. Become a more cheerful giver,
and do as much as you can in the spirit of true generosity.

SEP01 Starting September With Hope
The beginning of a new month offers us a fresh start. It gives us the chance to
make new promises, both to ourselves and our heavenly Father. Each time we
move to a new chapter in our lives, we must carry hope along with us and be
confident that our future is secure. But it’s just as important that we choose the
right target for this hope.
David was one of the greatest kings in the Bible. He led Israel to growth and
prosperity, enjoying both necessities and luxuries along the way. But things were
not easy for him. Saul wanted him dead. Rival nations wanted his country. His
close associates wanted his throne. Psalm 31 was born from an attempted mutiny,
as David was crying to God to help him. He knew the Lord had put him in his
position for a reason, and he hoped God would protect him. David leaned on his
faith, knowing he would continue to trust God, no matter the outcome.
With the current state of our nation, it’s easy to want to put our hope in other
things—whether it’s in a new job, political leader or ourselves. To face September
with the best mindset, however, our hope must be placed in God. Know that
regardless of the issues you’re facing, He can rescue you. There are no financial
burdens too large and no emotional scars too deep. Today, be strong, take heart
and face this new month with the knowledge that there is a divine plan just for
you.
Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord

preserves those who are true to him, but the proud
he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all
you who hope in the Lord.
—Psalm 31:23-24

SEP02 Facing Each Day with Humility
Our world is one of constant competition. People race to have the newest
technology, the best house and the most impressive job. We aspire to be
Has he shown you, better than our neighbors, better than our friends and family. We chase
O mortal, what is possessions and envy the accomplishments we see from others. Jealousy fuels
pride; pride pushes us farther away from our brothers and sisters in Christ. This
good. And what makes it harder to reach out to sinners—harder to spread the Gospel and
does the Lord show people the true love of Jesus.
require of you? To This is why the Lord teaches us to be humble. In Micah, God is angry with the
act justly and to Israelites for their lack of honesty and justice. He led them safely from Egypt
love mercy and to with prosperity in mind, and yet they turned their backs on Him. You see, Israel
became preoccupied by the things that did not matter—temporary pleasures.
walk humbly with They abandoned their humility.
your God.
When we are born again through Jesus Christ, our lives are no longer about
—Micah 6:7-8 us. In exchange for eternity, we pledge our lives to the service of the Lord.
When we become boastful and proud of our earthly possessions and
accomplishments, we’re putting them above God. His love and His grace far
surpass anything of this world, and they should be the things for which we are
most grateful. Today, take time to be thankful for what you have been given
instead of being boastful. Do not compare your life to others; signs of wealth
do not show richness of spirit. Instead, offer love and compassion as you walk
each day.

SEP03 Making Every Moment Count
Hunters often use decoys to attract their game. Some set up fake deer and
use antler rattling to simulate the sounds of a battle. The dominant deer will
Be very careful, quickly come to investigate the potential threat. After all, he has a group of
then, how you females to protect if he is to create a new generation.
live—not as unwise Once he sees the decoy, the buck will begin showing signs of dominance. He’ll
but as wise, making stomp his hooves and snort. He’ll puff out his chest and hold his head high,
the most of every showing off the size of his antlers. Unfortunately for the deer, this does two
things: it wastes precious energy and puts him in danger.
opportunity,
because the days Sometimes, as Christians, we live our lives like this buck. Insignificant matters
(that sometimes aren’t even real) make us upset. We lash out with emotion
are evil. Therefore and sometimes even say or do things we regret. Likewise, reacting to little
do not be foolish, situations can put us in danger of damaging our testimony or pushing people
away from Christ.
but understand
what the Lord’s will Instead of reacting to little issues, save your energy for the ones that matter.
Instead of spending 15 minutes arguing over a social media post, check in
is. with a relative or friend and pray with him or her. Today, pray for guidance
and discernment for situations like these. Spend each moment that you can
—Ephesians 5:15- making a difference.
17 Concern yourself with the issues that God wants you to and leave the rest to
someone else. The time the Lord has given us here on Earth is short. To use it
unwisely is to be ungrateful for the gift of the sun rising and the moon setting.
Embrace each morning with renewed hope and faith in Christ.

SEP04 We All Need Rest
In the modern day, we deal with a lot of stress. There’s always pressure
coming from somewhere, whether it’s work, school, family or friends.
Come to me, all Sometimes, it’s easy to stay strong and persevere. In other situations, we’re
you who are weary only wearing ourselves out. It’s important to take the time to regather our
and burdened, and thoughts when we are burdened.
I will give you rest. Unfortunately, many people choose to bottle up their feelings instead. In this
Take my yoke modern age, we have a habit of pushing ourselves too far. A lot of the time
we’re under the impression that working harder will put us ahead—and it
upon you and learn might. But what good is being ahead at work if you’ve left your family behind?
from me, for I am If you’re not balancing your own needs and that of your family, you’re simply
driving yourself into the ground.
gentle and humble
in heart, and you Today is a great opportunity for you to lean on the Father and refresh
yourself. In this verse, the Lord was addressing the nation of Israel. These
will find rest for people were downtrodden—worn thin by the demands of the Pharisees and
your souls. For my left with little energy to continue. If you’re feeling the same, do what God
yoke is easy and instructed: go to Him. Reach out to our Father in prayer and ask for a revival
of mind and body.
my burden is light.
Today, try to clear your schedule of any non-essential tasks. Surround yourself
—Matthew with positivity. Spend extra time talking with God, and worry not for the past,
present or future. The world tires us with troubles, but the Lord promises rest.
11:28-30 And our heavenly Father never breaks his promises.

SEP05 A Labor of Love
Labor Day is a holiday designed to celebrate a time when people came
together to make working environments better for all. We use this occasion to
take a break from our toil and appreciate everything we have earned through
For it is by grace it. One thing we cannot earn just so happens to be the greatest gift this life
you have been has to offer: Salvation.
saved, through The privilege of going to Heaven is not something people can earn on their
faith—and this is own. It doesn’t matter how many good works you’ve completed or what the
not from yourselves, church thinks of you. The price of our sins is death. It always has been, and it
always will be. Jesus sacrificing His perfect life is the only thing that could
it is the gift of leverage such a heavy sentence. We do not, and cannot, deserve grace—yet
God— not by we can gain it.
works, so that no It is good to honor the workers of our country. Through our struggles to make
one can boast. a living, we face a lot of challenges. But we should also take the opportunity
to give Jesus the recognition He deserves. Can you imagine trying to redeem
—Ephesians 2:6-9 yourself for all of your transgressions without His sacrifice? Each slip of the
tongue or hateful thought would have to be accounted for. Frankly, it would
be impossible, no matter how dedicated of a worker you are, to deserve
salvation.
Today, remember that we serve a greater purpose than ourselves. This means
that the things we’re working toward pale in comparison to the King of the
Universe. Give appreciation to the nation’s people (including yourself), but
save the glory for God.

SEP06 Goodwill, Not Gossip
Psychologically, people are compelled to try to feel better about themselves.
Unfortunately, the most common way to do this is to put others down. That
No rotten talk may seem like an easy thing to avoid, but slander can be very sneaky. More
should come from importantly, it can be dangerously comfortable.
your mouth, but One of the biggest problems with gossip is that we like to label it as
only what is good something else. “Letting off steam” or “voicing our concerns” are two ways we
for the building up cover up the truth. Sometimes we’ll give unnecessary information during prayer
requests or by “telling it like it is.” Giving it a title that seems more acceptable,
of someone in however, is nothing but an invitation for trouble.
need, in order to Throughout the Bible, there are nearly 15 different mentions of gossip. None
give grace to those of them are positive. Gossip is generally listed alongside sins we tend to see as
who hear. more serious, such as greed and murder. And yet we continue to spread tales
and tear each other down. Remember that when someone gossips it is
—Ephesians 4:29 detrimental to his or her spirit, too.
Whenever you’re talking with other people today, stop and think before you
speak. Ask if the information pertains to you at all or if you’re simply sharing it
to make conversation. Even if it’s a matter that you’re involved in personally,
consider how it could change the other person’s view of someone else. Be
cautious in what you say, and turn to a positive topic instead when you have
the urge to gossip. The best way to build a kingdom in Christ is to build up
each other and exemplify His perfect love.

SEP07 Staying Strong With Forgiveness
Forgiving someone else can be difficult, especially when they have harmed you
personally and your feelings are hurt. It seems, however, that the more you
Then Peter came have to forgive someone, the more miserable it makes you. So how can we
to Jesus and asked, expect to keep absolving hurtful or malicious behavior? We must think like
“Lord, how many Jesus.
times shall I forgive As you can see, even the disciples struggled with forgiveness sometimes.
my brother when Humans are emotionally-charged creatures, and whenever our feelings are
hurt, it can be difficult to let go. In fact, it can even seem unfair to us. We’re
he sins against me? left suffering with anger or pain, and in most cases, the one who hurt us walks
Up to seven away without a second thought. In truth, withholding forgiveness is a form of
revenge … but it only hurts us.
times?” Jesus
answered, “I tell Holding onto negative feelings takes up room in our hearts, room that could
be occupied by the love of Jesus. If you remain bitter for too long, the sour
you, not seven feelings can spoil positive emotions, like an infection of blame and resentment.
times, but seventy- When you consider our purpose, however, it may be easier to let those
negative emotions go.
seven times.
If you’ve been born again, you’ve chosen to give your life to Christ and live it,
—Matthew to the best of your abilities, just like He did. And Jesus, above all, forgives. He
18:21-22 sacrificed His life for things that people like us hadn’t even done yet. And even
when we stray today, He offers us exoneration. If we want to show His grace,
we must do our best to live it. Today, let go of any ill feelings you have. Free
yourself of your grudges and make room for love.

SEP08 Patient and Persistent Prayer
The Bible offers guidance and persistence in your prayers. It may seem as
though asking for the same thing repeatedly is a sign that we don’t trust God
Lord, you are the or perhaps that we’re not satisfied with the answers He’s given us. In truth, it is
God who saves this consistent presentation of requests that pleases the Lord and could make
it more likely that our requests be granted.
me; day and night
I cry out to you. Luke 11:5-13 discusses a parable of two friends. One man keeps knocking on
May my prayer another’s door, asking repeatedly for bread. In the story, the homeowner gives
the other man bread because he kept asking. The verse also says that those
come before you; who seek are the ones who will receive.
turn your ear to my Other portions of the Bible show the power of persistent prayer, rather than
cry. telling about it. Paul pled three times before he was answered. David regularly
addresses the same requests throughout the book of Psalms. Jesus himself
—Psalm 88:1 prayed multiple times before His crucifixion, each time asking the same thing.
Taking our pleas to God delights Him. It may be hard for some people to
understand that, since for humans it can be irritating when someone asks for
something again and again without respite. From the Lord’s point of view,
however, things are different. Each time we present a request, we’re
acknowledging that it is only by His power that it can be done. We’re
affirming His magnitude, but also our own faith—both of which are beautiful
things. Today, do not give up on your requests because they are yet
unanswered. Instead pray diligently, and always give glory to God.

SEP09 Separating Our Conscience From the Holy
Spirit
This is how we Some Christians have been taught that their conscience and the Holy Spirit
know that we are one and the same. Whenever they are uncertain about an activity, they
believe it’s a translation of God’s concerns about it. This is because the Holy
belong to the truth Spirit certainly does speak to us if we will listen, guiding us with gentle nudges
and how we set and warnings. But our consciences have not been replaced by the Spirit of
God.
our hearts at rest in
his presence: If our As born-again Christians, we change on a spiritual level, but our flesh is still
hearts condemn us, alive and active. The conscience, despite how divine it may feel, is still a piece
of the flesh. As we know, the flesh is naturally set against the Spirit. It is
we know that God developed in a world of sin, over time, through input from other people, and it
is greater than our does not go away after we receive the gift of grace.
hearts, and he As a remnant of your old self, the conscience will still be functioning as your
knows everything. inner voice, but it may be based on a sinful version of yourself instead of the
new you made in Jesus. Sometimes it may be right, but we cannot rely solely
on our conscience. Instead, we must turn to Lord for guidance. When we pray
—John 3:19-20 for wisdom over an activity or subject, He will give us the answer that truly
matters – the one from His commands.
Today, take time to consider if you’ve been following your conscience blindly.
Remember that the flesh and the spirit, like water and oil, are not made to mix.
Ask our heavenly Father to guide you in your pursuits and show you answers
to your questions. His response may even surprise you.

SEP10 Everyday Faith
For many people, it’s comfortable to separate their lives into compartments.
We divide our week accordingly, and in the process, we may use different
These aspects of ourselves and our personality to match with the occasion. As a
commandments Christian, this can be a mistake.
that I give you We’re all guilty of making small blunders, such as letting our thoughts wander
today are to be on during a sermon. “What am I going to have for lunch when I leave?” is an all
your hearts. too common thought. Thinking of our next meal is only human, but it’s also
taking away from time that belongs to the Father. Unfortunately, sometimes
Impress them on the hour-long visit on Sunday morning is the only time God takes precedence.
your children. Talk Everyday faith is something that is very important to have. By constantly
about them when placing our emphasis on God, we’ll be able to expand and modify our faith to
you sit at home new levels. In addition, this light to the world may be the only example of
God’s love that some people will see. As Christians, we want to expand the
and when you walk Kingdom of our Father and teach others about the true meaning of love. That
along the road, is certainly hard to do if you don’t show the touch of the Spirit in your
everyday life.
when you lie down
and when you get Today, pray for immersion from the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re at school, work
up. or home, use the same attitude and joy you have on Sunday morning and let
others see the light that shines from you; it is the everyday faith that builds us
up the strongest. Be a beacon of light every day of the week, not just on
—Deuteronomy Sunday.
6:6-7

SEP11 The Cycles of Life and Death
Today marks the anniversary of one of the worst, most devastating events in
the history of our nation. Although not a federally recognized holiday, Patriot
A time to tear Day is devoted to honoring the nearly 3,000 men and women who were lost
apart and a time in the 9/11 terror attacks.
to sew together; A The assault rocked our nation to its core, sending waves of confusion,
time to be silent vulnerability, shock and finally anger through the citizens of America. Terrorism,
and a time to which had once been a distant issue for other countries, arrived on our
doorstep. Since that day, the very core of our beliefs has changed. From
speak. A time to security in airports to international relations, we’ll never be the same.
love and a time to Anytime we’re faced with a tragedy, especially one of such magnitude, it’s
hate; A time for easy to lose sight of the truth. We let our emotions guide us and find ourselves
war and a time for in pain, discouraged and entirely overwhelmed. Although it is difficult, we must
remember that God is always good. He is in control through every moment, no
peace. matter how terrible it is. Someday, we will inhabit Heaven and never
experience a negative feeling again. For now, we must hold tight to the Lord.
—Ecclesiastes 3:7-
8 Today, take time to pray in remembrance. In your time of prayer, trade anger
for love, as Christ asks us to do. Honor those who have fallen and those who
serve to protect our nation every day. Pray for safety, for peace and most of
all, for love. Also remember to give glory to God because even in the darkest
of times He is, has been, and will always be the source of our light.

SEP12 How to Pray
If you’re wondering how God wants us to pray, you’re not alone. Even the
disciples asked Jesus to teach them so they could best communicate with God.
One day Jesus Perhaps it does not come naturally to us because we are impure beings or
was praying in a maybe we are overwhelmed at the glory of God. Either way, we must learn to
reach out to God through prayer.
certain place.
When he finished, Elijah, the apostle Paul, and Jesus all give examples and directions on how to
one of his disciples pray. Prayer should be close to us always. King David and Daniel both spoke
to God three times per day: in the morning, at noon and the evening. Paul said
said to him, “Lord, to pray “without ceasing.” We must remember to come to the Father daily, and
teach us to pray, not only when things are difficult.
just as John taught It may be easier to consider prayer a state of being rather than a separate
his disciples.” activity. With praise for others, we are exalting and engaging in a kind of
prayer. When we lift our voice in song, we are praying. And when we close the
—Luke 11:1 door to our prayer closets, our prayer becomes more personal.
During that time alone, focus less on how long that prayer should be and more
on what you need to say. Jesus spent the entire night praying when He was
choosing disciples, but many other examples contain only a handful of words.
Pray until the burden on your heart has been given to God.
Other people are hesitant about what to pray for. God wants to build a
relationship with us, so pray for everything. He will never tire of hearing from
you. Today, find some quiet time and simply talk to God. When your heart and
spirit are in the right place, there’s no wrong way to pray.

SEP13 Facing Hard Choices
Life is full of decisions. Every single day, we face a barrage of choices: what
we should eat, how to use our time, whether to work out or watch television.
But Daniel resolved Years of making these small, regular decisions form habits. We don’t often give
not to defile himself them much thought, and if they were founded on Godly guidance, there’s no
reason to worry.
with the royal food
and wine, and he If they are poor decisions, however, they can come together to create very
asked the chief terrible habits. What began as eating out on weekends, for example, can lead
us to do so every day and potentially develop an unhealthy lifestyle. But if
official for such a small choice can snowball and affect our entire bodies and wellbeing,
permission not to what about the larger issues we sometimes face?
defile himself this We are bound to stumble across these big selections. Will we cheat on our
way. spouse? On our taxes? Will we fall into a cycle of telling lies? No matter
which options you face, you can turn to God for guidance and wisdom.
—Daniel 1:8 Our heavenly Father is very pleased when we pray to Him, and asking for help
when making choices further shows our devotion and acceptance of the fact
that we can do nothing without Him. Asking God directly should always be
the first step when you’re making an important decision.
Turning to the Word is also essential. The Bible can show us examples and
give us guidance through all situations, no matter the gravity. Today, take time
to examine your habits, both new and old. Search your heart and ask our
Father for wisdom to face the decisions of each new day.

SEP14 Leading by Example
The greatest teacher this world has ever known is Jesus Christ. He
demonstrated miracles and insurmountable wisdom to His followers and even
Now that I, your non-believers. One of the things that made Him such an effective guide was
Lord and Teacher, His willingness to lead by example.
have washed your In the verse above, Jesus had just finished washing His disciples’ feet, offering
feet, you also the ultimate example of being a servant. Even Judas, who would betray Him
should wash one multiple times, was treated with the same humble favor. In that age, it was
usually only the lowest of servants who did such a thing. And yet the Son of
another’s feet. I God demonstrated love for one another by doing it anyway.
have set you an As a Christian, it is more important that you show your faith than simply tell
example that you about it. Going to church on Sundays but being foul to your coworkers is
should do as I certainly not a way to display the love of Christ. People will base their
opinions instead on your actions. When you are trying to reach out to others
have done for you. and expand the kingdom of God, it’s important that your impression is a good
one.
—John 13:14-16
Lots of people can recite Bible verses and information about God, but you’ll
be most successful as a servant of the Lord if you can interpret that Word into
action that others can see. Do not simply talk about love, but live it every day.
Reach out unto others, no matter their background or situation. Today, ask
God to show you how to provide a good example—how you can show the
world your love of Christ instead of just telling about it.

SEP15 When Honesty Is Difficult
Many people say that they want an “honest opinion,” but how many are
actually prepared to accept it if the feedback is different from what they
Therefore each of wanted? How many times do we hold in our feelings around our loved ones so
you must put off we do not hurt them? When you’re facing difficult truths, it can be hard to
offer true honesty.
falsehood and
speak truthfully to Knowing how to be kind is crucial to being honesty. Christ doesn’t condone
your neighbor, for hateful words, even if the one saying it is simply purporting to be telling the
truth. When you are faced with a situation that requires a painful truth, ask
we are all members Christ to guide your words.
of one body. These truths can be about ourselves or about other people. When it’s an
internal matter, we’re reluctant to admit that we’re in the wrong. It’s also hard
—Ephesians 4:25 to apologize sometimes, and many instances will expose us to disapproval or
anger from another person. If the truths are centered on someone else, we
often want to hold them back so the other person does not become upset.
Honesty can be tough sometimes, but it’s also essential.
Bottling up our true feelings is not beneficial to anyone. The longer we allow
others to live under a guise of our emotions, the harder it is to explain the
truth. Likewise, the more we cover for our own transgressions, the more
comfortable it becomes to simply let it continue.
Being honest is like removing a bandage. It may hurt briefly, but it opens up
for healing and new growth. Today, pray for the strength to be honest with
yourself and others. Offer the truth to your friends and family and
acknowledge your own failures. True, Christ-like, unconditional love begins by
caring enough to always share the truth.

SEP16 Not Knowing All of the Answers
Many Christians will avoid potentially difficult interactions because they are
afraid of being asked questions they cannot answer. As humans, it is natural to
Trust in the Lord fear the feeling of rejection and potential embarrassment that might come
with all your heart along with such an occurrence. As Christians, however, we do not have to be
afraid.
and lean not on
your own There is no way our minds can comprehend the true vastness and power of
understanding; in God. He created the entire universe, from the largest galaxies down to the
tiniest functions within our cells. Because God knows the heart and mind of
all your ways every person on Earth, people will sometimes expect His followers to have an
submit to him, and abundance of answers, too. This is not always the case.
he will make your We cannot memorize every detail of the Word or of our heavenly Father—but
paths straight. we’re not expected to. Our entire Christian lives are filled with growth and
development. So how do we face difficult questions? With a bit of preparation
—Proverbs 3:5-6 and a smile.
Instead of trying to commit the entire Bible to memory, be prepared to dive in

for answers. If someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, tell
them that. “I’m not sure. That’s a great question, actually. Let’s look it up
together.” In one moment, you have admitted your imperfection, turned to God
for guidance through the Word and invited someone else to share it with you.
Today, realize that it’s okay that you don’t have all the answers. But don’t
forget you can pray for guidance at any time, and that the Bible is always
ready to show you the way.

SEP17 Visitors to This World
When we visit family or friends, we act according to their family rules and
culture, respecting their home and property. We respect and honor those who
We are foreigners host us. We enjoy our time together and are often left feeling a bit sad and
and strangers in empty when we leave. This translates well to our lives as Christians.
your sight, as were Our existence here on Earth is purely temporary. It is not our home but simply
all our ancestors. somewhere that we are visiting. Our flesh will end and our spirits will return to
Our days on earth God one day in Heaven. Often, however, we forget that our purpose is higher
than the world. We strive for earthly accomplishments, reaching the peak of
are like a shadow, our careers or collecting the most valuable possessions. All of these actions are
without hope. performed in search of fulfillment for our lives, but none of them can compare
to our true purpose.
—1 Chronicles As Christians, we need to focus on the impression our visit leaves behind, not
29:15 on furthering ourselves in the games of this world. We are the example of
Christ and what you show can alter people’s vision and opinion of God. To
make the most of your visit, remain humble. Keep a servant’s heart and offer
yourself to the needs of others. Leave an impression of love and kindness and
the people of the world will long for you once you’re gone. In fact, they may
choose to come with us and find the Kingdom of God through salvation.
Today, remember that the tribulations and triumphs of this world are only
temporary and that your home in Heaven is being prepared.

SEP18 Wearing Armor
Every day of our lives, we are at war. Fear and doubt are our adversaries, and
when we give them too much power, they can damage our relationship with
He put on God. So how do we protect ourselves from damage and find the strength to
righteousness as his push through even the toughest of situations? We put on the full armor of
God.
breastplate, and
the helmet of In biblical times, the Roman army was a force to be reckoned with. They were
salvation on his well trained in the details of combat and self-defense. They were also heavily
equipped. Spears and swords helped them cut through their enemies. The
head; he put on combination of metal and hide that they wrapped themselves in kept them
the garments of safe from harm and made them truly formidable. In the same way, we can
push through the most difficult periods of our lives when we don the Armor of
vengeance and God.
wrapped himself in There are several items mentioned in this passage, including a belt, breastplate,
zeal as in a cloak. footwear, shield, helmet and sword. Each one serves a different purpose and
relates to an aspect of Christianity. The only offensive weapon, for example, is
—Isaiah 59:17 the sword of the Word of God. It is described as living and powerful beyond
any other weapon. Whereas the Roman soldiers would cut through their
enemies, we can slice through the lies of this world.
With the complete armor, we are protected from the anxieties and oppressions
of the world, but we’re also able to go further than that and attack his plans.
Each time we don our outfit in Christ and spread the Gospel, the tides of
battle turn a little more in our favor… even though the winner has already
been decided. Today, remember to cloak yourself in the strength of the Word
and the power of Christianity.

SEP19 “Charging” for Christ
In today’s world, we depend on the power of technology for almost everything.
Our cellphones put an immeasurable amount of data directly at our fingertips.
For this reason I We can call out to our friends and family and even get directions on the go.
kneel before the As impressive as these functions are, however, they are nothing without a
Father, from whom battery that is charged.
every family in Electricity is required to power most of our appliances and gadgets. Without
heaven and on it, they lose all of their value and do nothing but take up space. Likewise, we
Christians must take care to charge ourselves spiritually to make sure we can
earth derives its work for the Lord.
name. I pray that There are several ways we can restore the energy within ourselves through the
out of his glorious Spirit. For one, we can take time to reconnect with the people we love and
riches he may depend on. God never intended for us to do things alone and as the body of
Christ, we depend on each other to function and reach out. As David says in
strengthen you with Proverbs, like iron sharpens iron, so we sharpen one another (27:17). Don’t be
power through his afraid to turn to brothers and sisters of the Lord for advice and
encouragement.
Spirit in your inner
being. It’s also important to pay attention to your health. Proper diet, exercise and
sleep cycles will give you more vigor and refresh your passion. Take time to
—Ephesians 3:14- rest yourself mentally and emotionally, too, and you’ll be much better prepared
to take on the challenges of the world. Today, give yourself the opportunity to
16 recharge. Closely examine how you’re feeling and nurture your needs
accordingly.

SEP20 Envisioning Heaven
No one on Earth is certain what Heaven is like, but there’s no denying that it’s
a thrilling and wonderful place. The verses that describe it can only hint at the
At once I was in the glory that’s in store for us. This place is not only where God dwells (Psalm
Spirit, and there 33:13), but where Christ is today (Acts 1:11), and where Christians will go
before me was a when they die.
throne in heaven Although we can’t hope to truly comprehend the glory of such a place, we can
with someone sitting examine the scriptures and get some vague ideas about what it will look like.
In Revelation, we read that the very streets are paved with gold. Walls are
on it. And the one created from jewels and the gates themselves are crafted from pearl. Since it
who sat there had is a city built by God and not man, we can also imagine how absolutely
perfect it would be. Envision a city with no crime. No pollution or potholes or
the appearance of trash in the street. Because we only know of the tarnished cities that humans
jasper and ruby. A build, it’s almost impossible to imagine the pristine condition of Heaven.
rainbow that shone Even more important than the physical appearance is how our lives will be
like an emerald once we’re admitted. There will never again be reason for tears or suffering.
After all, in a perfect world, there is no pain. We will not have to deal with
encircled the throne. sorrow or regret. We’ll also be free from all the physical agony this life can
bring us. No cancer or heart attacks or Alzheimer’s disease. Only happiness
—Revelation 4:2-3 and the love of Christ.
Today, take some time to think about what Heaven has waiting for us. Spend
moments in prayer and allow yourself to get excited about what your future
holds when you enter the Kingdom of the Lord. Consider how you can share
that eagerness with those around you, too.

SEP21 The Truth of Peace
Peace is a familiar subject for Christians. It is important to be as kind and
forgiving to one another as possible.
Peace I leave with
you; my peace I Over and over again in the Bible, we’re taught the importance of embracing
peace. We’re taught to forgive seventy times seven and to turn the other
give you. I do not cheek. The important thing to remember is that our purpose on Earth is no
give to you as the longer our own. Even when someone has angered us or wronged us, we should
world gives. Do not be willing to forgive them because it is what Jesus would do. Our venture as
Christians is to become as much like Christ as possible, and that includes
let your hearts be letting go of ill will.
troubled and do However, the Bible also recognizes that it is not always going to happen.
not be afraid. Romans 12:18 says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone.” Sometimes people simply will not allow you to be
—John 14:27 peaceful. For a Christian, this holiday should honor the times that you can let
go.
Today, pray for the areas of the world that are torn by violence and for the
negative feelings about others that you experience in your own life. Remember
that God wants us to carry this mentality into other aspects of our lives.

SEP22 Being Salt to the World
As Christians, our lives are meant to enhance and provide meaning for our
time on Earth. Before salvation, we can be likened to a piece of dirt or gain of
You are the salt of sand. We were lost amongst countless others and did not have an effect on
the earth. But if the the things around us. After rebirth, we are called salt of the earth because we
change things for the better.
salt loses its
saltiness, how can Salt is highly versatile, another reason why we are compared to it. It is used
it be made salty for preservations of meats but also to give flavor and a new desire to use to
all sorts of foods. Just as your steak or potato would be very bland and hard
again? It is no to eat without salt, so this world would be intolerable without the positive
longer good for influence of Jesus and His followers.
anything, except to In this verse, Jesus talks about how useless salt would be without its flavor. It
be thrown out and would be practically indistinguishable from sand and only good to be walked
on. The analogy is clear: when we lose our passion and energy for Christ,
trampled underfoot. we’re barely any different from how we were before we were saved.
—Matthew 5:13 Today, think about how you can provide a positive impression for people you
know or for the community. Can you minister to them by inviting them to
church or perhaps by volunteering somewhere? As Christians, we bring zest to
the world around us, a world that is often covered in darkness and despair.
When we are energized through Christ, those around us can see it and joy is
spread tenfold.

SEP23 Building Trust With Consistency
To be considered trustworthy is one of the highest praises a person can
receive. All relationships, whether with business partners, friends, family or
Simply let your romantic interests, are built on a foundation of trust. The reason we value trust
“Yes” be “Yes,” and so much is that it is not immediately given. Under certain circumstances, a
connection may begin with a bit of a head start (such as meeting through
your “No,” “No”; mutual friends), but even this can only go so far. There comes a point when
anything beyond any progression toward trust must be earned.
this comes from the Even once it is established, trust is not guaranteed. It is durable, yes, but a
evil one. single moment of betrayal can cause it all to crumble. One mistake is all it
takes. After trust is betrayed, it can take an immense amount of time and
—Matthew 5:37 effort to rebuild. In some cases, there is no recovering from broken trust.
That is why it is so important to stand by your word and your decisions,

especially as a Christian. We’re called to lead lives like Jesus, and that
certainly doesn’t involve telling lies or betraying those who count on us. To
make it easier to support your own decisions, make sure you give prayer in
every question. Choose based on what God wants you to do, especially if it’s
contradicting your own feelings.
Today, remember that trust is more precious than gold or silver. It cannot be
bought, only earned with time and dedication. God always keeps His word,
and if we wish to be like Him and bring people to Christ, then we must do the
same.

SEP24 A Personal Solar System
Our solar system is dependent on the sun. Because of the sun’s gravity, the
planets stay in orbit, circling around it dutifully without wavering. The sun also
“For my thoughts provides the light and heat we need to sustain life. There is a very specific
are not your order of the planets, but the sun will never move from the center. Likewise, our
thoughts, neither personal solar system must put God as the center and the sun.
are your ways my In our spiritual version of the solar system, the planets can be compared to
ways,” declares the different aspects of our lives. One planet could be how we use our time.
Other planets might symbolize relationships and spending habits. After all, it’s
Lord. “As the often said that the way people distribute their money shows their priorities, at
heavens are higher least in part. Of course there are necessities to pay for, but in principle it is
fairly accurate.
than the earth, so
are my ways higher Though God wants us to enjoy our time on Earth, it’s important to remember
that we cannot take our houses or cars or jewelry with us. Too much care for
than your ways material elements will merely skew your priorities. A life after salvation is a life
and my thoughts that has been wholly dedicated to Jesus and ministering to others. Clinging to
the ways of the world will upset the balance of your life.
than your
thoughts.” Today, examine the way your solar system is set up. Are your ‘planets’ orbiting
dutifully around God, as they should? Or are they breaking paths and forming
—Isaiah 55:8-9 clusters within themselves? If you find there are some organizational issues,
take the time to pray for guidance and assistance getting them back on track.

SEP25 A Home Made of Rock
When you’re preparing to build a home, the most important thing is having a
proper location. The ground cannot be too soft or your dwelling will sink into
The Lord is my the ground. If there is too much water, you’ll have issues with mold and other
rock, my fortress damage. Without the right foundation, you might not even be able to build a
house. Even if you do manage to construct it, it’s very likely to fail and
and my deliverer; crumble.
my God is my
rock, in whom I Building up your life is the same way. You must have a strong, dependable
base through Jesus Christ or you simply put yourself at risk for failure down the
take refuge, my road. To create this base, it’s vital you have an intimate and evolving
shield and the horn relationship with God. It’s not enough to pray occasionally or only during times
in trouble. You must develop closeness.
of my salvation, my
stronghold. Once your foundation is established through your personal connection with the
Lord, it’s important to also build your walls correctly. You must do more than
—Psalm 18:2 simply pray. As Christians, we should always want to see others enter the
Kingdom of God. Live for Him with your actions as well as your words and
you’ll be able to demonstrate the true definition of love and what it means to
be a Christian.
With a reliable foundation and walls, the roof is included. We’re always
covered by grace, no matter which mistakes we make in our lives. That means
everything you have inside is kept safe and dry. Today, take a look at the
spiritual house you inhabit. Is it made to last, or are some renovations due?

SEP26 Patience Is a Virtue
Patience is something that can be hard to learn just by reading about it. It’s
easy in concept, but putting it into practice can prove very difficult for some
For this very people. Even when you’re inherently good with it, lots of practice is still
reason, make every required for mastery. Like most things, even gifts of the spirit, we must the
effort to add to practice patience as part of our daily lives.
your faith It’s worth mentioning again that this passage puts special and specific
goodness; and to emphasis on “without murmuring.” You see, patience isn’t simply about being
able to wait for something. It’s about holding tight for as long as it takes
goodness, without complaint. This lack of protest is important because it’s a
knowledge; and to demonstration of faith. As Christians, we are taught to rely on God for all of
our needs. When we’re showing patience, we’re saying “I know you will take
knowledge, self- care of this, Lord, and I will wait.” It is the duty and joy of a Christian to
control; and to self- submit to God’s divine will, so despite the difficulty, we must practice patience
and positivity in our speech and attitude.
control,
perseverance; and We are not at liberty to make decisions for, or demand action from, God. It
should give us some comfort to know that His timing is perfect. Christian
to perseverance, patience involves asking with faith and sincerity and knowing we will continue
godliness; and to to devote our lives to Christ no matter what the end result of our request is.
godliness, mutual Today, remember to be patient about the things that you’re after and know
that nothing is guaranteed except for the love of God.
affection; and to
mutual affection,
love.
—2 Peter 1:5-7

SEP27 Asking for Help
There are many different crises and hard situations we face, sometimes on a
daily basis. We experience job losses, relationship problems, health issues,
Hear my prayer, family disagreements and so much more. Although many people feel like asking
Lord; let my cry for for help is a sign of weakness, it’s important to remember that we always have
people to turn to.
help come to you.
Do not hide your The first direction you should always turn when you need help is towards God.
face from me when He wants nothing more than to build relationships with us and to continue to
demonstrate His insurmountable love. As a Christian, you should turn to prayer
I am in distress. when you are facing a difficult situation. Do not forget, however, that you
should be reaching for God every day, and not just when there is an issue.
—Psalm 102:1-2 Closeness helps to build faith and make the toughest circumstances easier to
weather.
Another way to find the support of our heavenly Father is through reading the
Bible. His Word is a living tool that is designed to offer direction and
guidance. There are many lessons to be had, and spending time within the
pages is a marvelous way to overcome tribulations while also strengthening
your faith.
Of course, there is a support network of others, too. Friends, family members

and brothers and sisters of Christ are resources that should never be
downplayed. Sometimes, God will use interaction between His children to help
one another and build closer bonds.
Today, do not be afraid to ask for help. No one can do it all alone, and our
heavenly Father does not expect you to. There is no shame in reaching out to
others.

SEP28 Action of Faith
One of the most important parts of being a Christian is our personal
relationship with God. We’re instructed to pray diligently and spend time
We continually studying the Bible. Each day we should reach out to our Father and work on
remember, before making our relationship more personal and intimate. No matter how strong we
our God and are as Christians within our hearts and spirits, we’re also called to put our faith
into action.
Father, your work
produced by faith, Christians are the body of Christ. We are left here on Earth in His place so we
can minister to the lost and help spread the messages of Jesus’s sacrifice and
your labor the hope for salvation. It’s impossible to do that, however, without putting
prompted by love, some effort into the world around you.
and your Ministering to others can be fun and very rewarding. To begin reaching out,
endurance inspired however, we cannot be ashamed. Anyone who works with you or knows you in
the neighborhood should be able to tell that you’re a Christian. Many people
by hope in our hide it in fear of some sort of backlash. No human reaction, however, can
Lord Jesus Christ. compare to that of Jesus. In Matthew 10:33, Christ reminds us “But whoever
disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
—1 Thessalonians Volunteering and donating are fantastic ways to serve, but there are plenty of
1:3 other ways, as well. Today, ask someone you know if you can pray for them,
for any reason. Show the world that you are in no way ashamed, and that you
want to help others. Don’t just have theoretical faith but have faith in action.

SEP29 Dealing With Rejection
Everyone has dreams and ambitions. While we should put our main focus on
following Christ, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing to pursue goals of our
For we did not own—especially if they can somehow help your ministry. For example, lots of
follow cleverly Christians dream about publishing a book. Unfortunately, lots of these people
devised stories are also misguided. They think that if God is the focus of their story then He
will help them get published. Since we can’t know the future of the will of
when we told you God, we can’t discern the truth of such a situation.
about the coming It’s important to understand that God and man are two very different things.
of our Lord Jesus God is the epitome of love, perfection and fairness, and obviously the two are
Christ in power, naturally at odds. People, on the other hand, are imperfect. You must
remember that rejection from man is a very different thing than rejection from
but we were God.
eyewitnesses of his Just because some stranger at the helm of a company doesn’t think your
majesty. material is worth publishing, it does not mean that’s true. Your value is not
determined by man. It is determined by our heavenly Father, and He values
—2 Peter 1:16 you enough that He sent His Son to die for us. That kind of love is greater
than any earthly accomplishment.
Still, rejection stings. It is unpleasant to bear and will often discourage people
from trying again. If you’re dealing with rejection, pray about the path God
wants you to take. Sometimes it only takes a bit more perseverance to get the
results you want. Other times, projects are better left alone. Today, take the
time to ask the Lord for guidance and strength to deal with whatever the
future holds.

SEP30 Leaving Fear Behind
Experiencing fear is, unfortunately, part of the human experience. There are
small discomforts and paralyzing terrors and everything in between. Whether
There is no fear in or not we will face fear is not determined by our association with Christ. How
love. But perfect we react to it and overcome it, however, is.
love drives out fear, Fear can be paralyzing. It can make us miserable, creating chaos and pain.
because fear has Unfortunately, it can be destructive for many. These feelings begin as small
to do with thoughts or notions and quickly bloom into intense feelings that bring an
undesired reaction. Sometimes the reaction is acting out foolishly and
punishment. The damaging our reputation. Sometimes it’s avoiding opportunities to make a
one who fears is difference for the Lord. Either way, we should be aware of the power of fear
and work toward not letting it separate us from Christ.
not made perfect
in love. No matter how severe your fears are, they can be overcome. The same God
who hung the stars gave His Son to die for you, and with that kind of power
—1 John 4:18 anything is possible. The first step to conquering your apprehension is turning
to the Lord in prayer. Build a relationship with Him and study his Word. Learn
of His devotion to you, and you’ll know you never have to face your fears
alone. He will carry them for you.
Don’t be afraid to ask a Christian friend for help. The network of brothers and
sisters in Christ is your best resource aside from prayers and time meditating in
the Word. They will be able to offer advice, but you’ll also have the chance to
expand your relationship with them and grow together under God.
Today, cast your fears on God and no longer be a prisoner to fear.

OCT01 We Are Not Citizens of the Earth
It’s no secret that this planet is beautiful. We travel all across the world to see
new views from the highest peaks and tallest cities. We reach out into the depths
of the sea and the forest to find answers about the Earth and what it has to
offer. The magnificence of this planet is nothing compared to the Kingdom of
God. As Christians, Heaven is our home and our future—not this world of man.
A citizen is a legally recognized subject of a state or nation. Citizens can be

native or naturalized. Once we are saved, we lose our citizenship to this world.
Our souls are born again into the Kingdom of Jesus. Even though we keep our
temporary residency, we’re not at home here. It can be easy to lose sight of our
destiny and become wrapped up in this world, but our futures are better than the
greatest earthly glories.
It can be sad to think that we’re living in a world where we don’t belong, but
there’s a bit of Heaven inside each of us. When we lean on the Lord, we
experience a sense of peace and love unlike anything that man can offer. This
sensation is a preview of eternity in the presence of the Father.
Do not become discouraged by life’s troubles. Work and bills are necessary, but
they are not forever. We have peace and glory before us, once we finally make
it to our spiritual home.all.
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their

stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind
is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in
Heaven.
—Philippians 3:19-20

OCT02 Spiritual Battles Within Ourselves
We live in a supremely troubled time. There is murder, rape, hatred for one
another and disregard for the law. Many Christians think the nation is spiraling
Let the peace of out of control. Unfortunately, as we spend more time in the world, it becomes
Christ rule in your easier for these corruptions to influence our thinking and behaviors. We can
take a closer look and see that most of the evils we deal with come from
hearts … problems within our own hearts.
—Colossians 3:15 There is a natural, dark tendency that comes with the flesh. Human nature is
sinful, selfish and vile, and though our souls have been re-created, we still are
vulnerable to societal pressure. We’re steered by feelings of greed, anger and
jealousy. We instinctively try to compete with the world, even though we are
given eternity. It’s easy to fall into these habits, but it’s also easy to recover
from them.
As Christians, we must (as the verse says) let Christ rule within our hearts. Our
duty is to love and accept those around us—even when we feel jealousy
toward them—even when they’ve hurt our feelings or we disagree with their
opinions. To find peace in this world, you have to allow Jesus to steer your
thoughts and emotions in the right direction.
Today, be a spiritual victor through battles within yourself. Make sure that
loving others is your top priority and pray for guidance over anything that is
bothering you. There are lots of challenges to face in this world, but when we
place our faith in the Father, we always will be in His care.

OCT03 God Knows the Truth in Your Heart
It can be very frustrating to clean a dog. First, you spend money on grooming
supplies, such as shampoos and specialized brushes. Then you’ve got to get
His eyes are on the Fido into the shower or washtub. This can be an exercise in itself if Fido is
ways of mortals; he large. Once he or she is restrained, you’re still faced with bathing, rinsing,
sees their every drying and brushing them before your work is done. The worst part, though, is
when you open the back door and your dog sails right into the first mud
step. There is no puddle or pile of dirt he can find. Why do dogs do this? Because it’s in their
deep shadow, no nature.
utter darkness, Dogs love smelly things and rolling around outside. It simply is a part of their
where evildoers species. Likewise, people will revert to their true natures at the earliest
convenience. It doesn’t matter if you clean up every Sunday and take your
can hide. God has spot in the front row. What matters are the true feelings within your heart. Our
no need to entire nature is rerouted when we’re born again through Jesus Christ. Our
souls yearn for more interaction with God and to be more like Him. The flesh,
examine people on the other hand, wants nothing more than to return to the ways of the world.
further, that they
It can be easy to revert to our old selves, but it is not good. The only way to
should come reach others is to follow Christ to the best of our abilities and let his guidance
before him for make those big changes in our lives. Look at your nature. Would someone who
judgment. met you on Friday night know you were a Christian? What about your
coworkers? People will take notice of the true feelings in your heart, so make
sure that they are pulling you in the right direction.
—Job 34:19-22

OCT04 Fighting Through Discouragement
Life can be discouraging. There’s no simpler way to put it. There are countless
things that can let us down every single day. Some of them are minor, such as
I remain confident missing a favorite food item at the grocery store. Other events can take a
of this: I will see the serious toll on our self-esteem and mental state. This kind of incident could be
anything from not getting the job you wanted to having a miscarriage. No
goodness of the matter what this world throws at you, God is there through discouragement.
Lord in the land of
the living. Wait for It’s especially important for Christians to resist feeling disheartened. You’re less
likely to reach out to others for Christ when you’re disappointed. This poses an
the Lord; be strong issue, since we’re the hands and feet that are meant to minister to the world.
and take heart. This is in addition to the fact that God does not want us to feel sad.
Being discouraged also can leave your faith feeling a bit strained. It’s easy to
—Psalm 27:13- think that God isn’t listening when things don’t go your way. It’s important to
14 remember, though, that He always has a plan for us. What may be a painful
“no” at the time likely is a blessing in disguise. We have to trust in the future
and understand that our Father knows best. Discouragement, essentially, is the
opposite of faith.
Today, do not dwell on the events that feel like lost opportunities. Instead,
think about the wonderful things God has in store for you. Whenever He shuts
a window, He certainly will open a door.

OCT05 City in the Clouds? Where Is Heaven?
You must be fully prepared when moving to a new home. You have to know
your new address and how to get there from your current home. It would be
But small is the impossible to arrive safely if you didn’t know the location of your new house,
gate and narrow but that’s precisely what Christians deal with when considering their future in
Heaven.
the road that leads
to life, and only a Believers face the question every day: “Where is Heaven?” Some people point
few find it. to Scripture, like Psalm 48:2. In previous versions of the Bible, it has been
translated with the phrase, “the joy of the whole Earth is … on the sides of the
north.” Could this be a sign about Heaven’s location? Possibly. The Word
—Matthew 7:14 doesn’t specify exactly where this Kingdom lies. Many Christians also argue
whether or not Heaven is a physical location in the world. Enoch and Elijah,
for example, ascended in literal bodies to a new place that’s no less real than
your own hometown. It’s exciting to think about what Heaven has in store for
us—even if we’re not certain about the specifics.
Regardless of where it is, the city is full of God’s glory. Jesus has gone to
prepare it for us and ready all the wonders mentioned in the Scripture. We’ll
have understanding and knowledge beyond our current comprehension. We’ll
become closer to Christ than ever before and live without sorrow, pain or
regret. Today, remember to thank Jesus for the home that you’re inheriting in
the afterlife. He gave his life on the cross so that we could become citizens of
this utopia … wherever it may be.

OCT06 God Is the Only Way to Thrive
Anyone who has gardened or owned houseplants knows that there is a big
difference between surviving and thriving. It takes a combination of sunlight,
To them God has water, proper soil and nutrients for the plants to grow strong. They’re able to
chosen to make get by on much less, but you won’t see the same amount of flowers, leaves,
etc. We Christians are just like these plants, in the sense that we require
known among the special nourishment through God to flourish.
gentiles the glorious
riches of this The soil into which you’re planted is your faith. It serves as a reliable and
stable foundation upon which the rest you build the rest of your life. To keep
mystery, which is this soil moist and conducive to life, you’ve got to add water, or in this case,
Christ in you, the prayer. Speaking to God refreshes and satisfies us. Without routine contact
with the Lord, you’ll begin to wither.
hope of glory.
The Word of God serves as the nutrients in the soil. Reading your Bible adds
—Colossians 1:27 strength and allows you to absorb important information. The sunshine
represents the love of God. It is omnipresent (even when we can’t see it for
the clouds). His love gives you the energy you need to get through the
toughest times in life.
Today, make sure that you have everything you need to bloom. If the Spirit
tells you that you need more time in prayer or reading your Bible, spend a few
minutes today catching up. We have to take proper care of ourselves if we
want to thrive. The only way to do that is through a healthy relationship with
Christ.

OCT07 Finding Joy Even Through Pain
There will be several points in our lives where we feel sorrow. It is an
unfortunate reality and a side effect of the sinful world in which we live. No
When I called, you one is exempt from this emotion, and there are several instances in the Bible
answered me; you where such sadness is mentioned. When Lazarus died, for example, Mary and
Martha were very upset. Before Jesus came to them, they were suffering on
greatly their own. The shortest verse in the Bible mentions the sorrow that Christ
emboldened me. himself felt. It says, “Jesus wept” at the tomb of Lazarus. He felt their pain.
—Psalm 138:3 There never has been a promise that our Christian lives would be exempt from
pain and sorrow. Instead, the promise is that we shall not bear it alone. Jesus
feels compassion greater than we can comprehend, and when we are
saddened, He feels great sympathy for us. Remember to lean on this
relationship in times of tribulation. The son of God lives within you, and His
strength is always there to guide you. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll find
that there is a specific and very strong joy to be found. There is unconditional
love for each of us, even during the toughest times in life.
Today, take the time to find the joy that lies within your heart. Whatever you’re
dealing with is only temporary, no matter how badly it may hurt now. Instead,
lean on your relationship with Christ and the knowledge that you’re destined
for a kingdom where you’ll never experience sadness or hurt again.

OCT08 The God of Everlasting Love
There is one aspect of God that appears over and over in the Bible. It is His
most dominant attribute and the reason that Jesus was sent to pay for our
The Lord appeared sins: love. Love is a common theme throughout a huge portion of the stories
to us in the past, that the Word teaches us. In fact, the New International Version mentions the
word an astonishing 551 times.
[a] saying: “I have
loved you with an There are many different types of love mentioned throughout the Bible. We
everlasting love; I see affection between parents and children, spouses, siblings, even strangers.
None of these human emotions can compare, however, to the love that God
have drawn you has for us. It is more pure than we could ever imagine. His love is far beyond
with unfailing the realms of our comprehension. Even when we’re feeling his affection
through our blessings and experiences, it’s only a tiny sample of what is in
kindness.” store for us.
—Jeremiah 31:3 The circumstances in your life will always change. Sometimes they’re for the
better, and sometimes they’re difficult. No matter what you’re dealing with or
facing, remember that God’s love is unchanging. We can rely on the feeling of
acceptance and support in every endeavor. His love endures through all our
mistakes and shortcomings.
Today, take the time to thank our heavenly Father for his love; without it, we
would have no future. The wages of sin are death, but He cares so much that
He sacrificed His son, the purest lamb, just for you. Remember that He is there
for you regardless of the situation, and that He will never waver or change.

OCT09 Our Daily Bread, the Bread of Life
Jesus compares Himself to bread in several instances. While He was on Earth,
bread was vital for survival. Many poorer families didn’t have access to meats
Jesus said to them, or an abundance of vegetables. Ground flour was easy to store and work
“Very truly I tell with, and so it was a staple for every meal. It was especially important for
you, it is not Moses children, because they require more food to grow at a healthy rate.
who has given you In this chapter, Jesus performs a miracle by feeding 5,000 people with only
the bread from two fish and two loaves of bread. There was so much food, in fact, that much
of it was left over. This feat is one of the most astounding in the Bible and is a
Heaven, but it is perfect example of the power of God. Beyond the immediate effect of this
my Father who miracle is the importance of its symbolism. Bread represents spiritual life and
nourishment throughout Scripture.
gives you the true
bread from Humans have a natural hunger for something beyond themselves. We’re
innately drawn to God, and nothing less than his peace can satisfy our
Heaven. For the yearning. In this way, Jesus is the bread of our spirits. It is only through daily
bread of God is servings of his grace that we can be wholly satisfied. Our hunger will grow
without nourishment in prayer and reading our Bible.
the bread that
comes down from Today, take time to feed your spirit. Give glory to God by setting aside a few
Heaven and gives minutes to pray and come closer to Him. Devote some time to the Word, too,
since it is a staple for our souls. When you nourish yourself properly, your spirit
life to the world.” will grow strong in the Lord.
—John 6:32-33

OCT10 Turning From Prejudice
It is human nature to be more critical of others than we are of ourselves.
Psychologists have proved that we blame outside circumstances for our own
Do not judge or shortcomings, but attribute the same mistakes to personal ineptitude when
you too will be seen in our peers. Just because it is easy to judge someone, doesn’t mean that
we should do it.
judged. For in the
same way you To be prejudiced means to form an “estimate of others without knowing the
judge others, you facts.” Unfortunately, that is easier than ever in this digital age. Many of us
see stories all over social media and believe them without hesitation. We form
will be judged, and opinions about others in seconds, often without taking the time to consider
with the measure their point of view or whether we’re seeing the full story.
you use, it will be Being prejudiced can be a very serious flaw for a Christian. Jesus loves us all
measured to you. equally. He does not see a person’s sins as greater than yours. We must learn
to care for one another and leave the judgment up to God, in order to be like
—Matthew 7:1-2 Christ and spread the Gospel. It is not our place to condemn the shortcomings
of our peers; we are meant only to love them.
Today, focus on ridding yourself of your prejudices. Do not value people

based on their political beliefs, sexual orientation, occupation, or hobbies. Their
past mistakes and personal choices are between them and God, and we
should trust that He will sort out everything accordingly. Focus instead on the
fact that they are another creation of our Father and that we should love
them as He does.

OCT11 Recognizing Love, Part 1
The divorce rate in our country is astonishingly high. Thousands of couples,
especially those who are young, end up divorced because they enter marriage
not knowing the true meaning of love. Our world is full of sinful things that
Love is patient, movies and television portray as love, and some may base their own lives on
love is kind. these outlets. People learn that sleeping together before marriage is not only is
acceptable, but normal. They see romanticized abuse or harmful habits, such
—1 Corinthians as possessiveness and anger. It seems that many people have lost sight of the
true definition of love and have filled in the gaps with things they see in the
13:4 world.
This chapter is quoted very often, but not many people take the time to fully
understand it. We begin this miniseries by breaking down a couple of the
aspects listed in this famous verse. First, love is patient. It is taking the time to
get to know one another without trying to rush toward physical pleasure. It
also means that we should be slow to anger with the ones we care for.
Everyone makes mistakes, and we must remember our feelings for them even
when we are frustrated. Love is kind. When you are in love, you feel the urge
to help one another, with no regard for your personal gain.
Today, evaluate the love in your relationships. Is patience and kindness shown
on both sides? If not, spend time praying today for guidance and approach
your significant other, too. Even if you’ve fallen away from these qualities,
working together through God can help restore and improve the love you
show one another.

In today’s installment on recognizing love, we’re going to look at more of the
outline laid out in 1 Corinthians to teach us about the kind of love that the
It does not envy, it Lord wants us to have with others. It is written that love does not envy. This is
does not boast, it is especially important for Christians. When we let envy into our hearts, it is
showing God that we are not satisfied with what He has given us. Being
not proud. It does jealous of the other person in your relationship can be very damaging, too. We
not dishonor others are made to support one another, not to compare our possessions. The
… affection that draws us together should not be based on material things.
Similarly, you should not brag to the ones for whom you care. Love does not
—1 Corinthians boast and it will not show pride. When we draw attention to ourselves, we are
13:4-5 stealing glory from God. As Christians, our lives are not just ours anymore, and
should be used to spread the Gospel and give credit to our Father. Being
prideful places your own value above the Lord’s and can foster ill feelings in
your significant other.
Love does not dishonor others. Each soul on Earth has value to God, and it is
not our place to discount that worth. When you are having a disagreement,
you should not slander your significant other, even to friends. This is especially
true if you are husband and wife. Marriage is a holy union that bonds two
souls together. If you cannot depend on your spouse to honor you, who will?
Today, show love to your other half. Ask God to remove envy and pride from
your heart and always remember to value and honor one another.

This installment in Recognizing Love is particularly relevant for today. The
culture of instant gratification and selfishness in which we live opens the door
… It is not self- for self-serving and petty behaviors. True love, however, is not self-seeking. In
seeking, it is not fact, it is considerate and altruistic. We should be willing to make sacrifices for
our loved ones at the cost of our personal agendas.
easily angered, it
keeps no record of Love is not easily angered. Human nature is grossly flawed, and it’s very easy
wrongs. to become frustrated with one another. God tells us to protect our spouse and
be compassionate. The more quickly we become angry, the more likely it is
that we will dishonor or hurt our significant other.
—1 Corinthians
13:5 Perhaps the most pertinent part of this section is that love keeps no record of
wrongs. It is our instinct to keep count of any time our spouse hurts our
feelings or does wrong by us. Rather than letting go of our building grudge, we
throw these instances at our spouses during arguments or when we’re trying to
get our way. A reaction like this is very frustrating and likely will lead to strong
negative feelings. This is even more important for Christians, because the entire
premise of our faith is love and forgiveness. If you’re keeping a record of
wrongs, you’re going against what Jesus taught us and the reason He died.
Today, let go of any transgressions you might be holding onto. Let them fall
into the past, and remember instead how much you care for your spouse. Pray
that God will open your heart for selfless means and that He will help you
keep anger out of your relationship.

The last installment in Recognizing Love finishes this incredibly popular section
of Scripture to help us understand the love that God intends for us. A healthy,
Love does not godly relationship will not delight in evil. This can be anything from explicit
delight in evil but music to lying. It’s a broad statement, but it shows that love is something the
Lord created for us, and that it is a good thing when it is real.
rejoices with the
truth. It always Love also rejoices in the truth. This could mean simple and worldly truths, but
protects, always also refers to the truth about Jesus being the son of God. A foundation in faith
is important for a successful Christian relationship. You should spend ample
trusts, always time praying and studying the Word together. When God becomes the focus
hopes, always of your relationship, you’re able to experience a pure love between one
another and with the Lord.
perseveres.
Love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Most of the time, it’s easier (and
—1 Corinthians cheaper) simply to replace a broken item than to try to fix it. Unfortunately,
13:5 this attitude about possessions translates into many people’s relationships. It’s
easy to be intimidated by the effort that it takes to maintain and repair a
healthy love. We’re often inclined to turn away and find something new, but
this is not what God wants. He will give us trials that we are capable of
handling—with his assistance. Just as His love never fails, our own affection
should not give up so easily.
Today, examine your love. Does it meet the requirements of the past four days
or could it use some work? Ask the Lord for guidance and support, but don’t
forget to communicate with your spouse. Persevere, protect and you will
prosper.

OCT15 Everyone Sins
The Bible teaches us that man is inherently impure. We are tainted both by the
sin of our hearts and the world in which that we live. Because of this, we do
For we maintain not deserve a place in Heaven. In Romans 3:23, Paul the apostle noted, “All
that a person is have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Even non-Christian sources
have documented the wicked ways of the human race. The ancient Greeks, for
justified by faith example, recognized our shortcomings when Aristotle wrote that there was “no
apart from the good in mankind.” Our tarnished nature can be traced back to a single
works of the law. mistake in the Garden of Eden and the first example of the devil’s trickery.
Once Adam and Eve ate the apple, they were removed from the Garden. At
—Romans 3:28 the same time, they fell from God’s grace. From that moment forward, it
should have been impossible for people to earn a place in Heaven. An eternal
home still is unobtainable without the help of Jesus Christ. The only reason that
he had to sacrifice his perfect life was so imperfect beings like us could earn
grace. As Christians know, it is only through accepting his oblation that we
become destined for eternity.
Still, many people in the church seem to think that our deeds increase our
favor with the Lord. They don’t. We could never perform enough service to
undo our own sins. It is important to reach out and contribute within our
communities, but it is not enough.
Today, make sure you’re not neglecting your personal relationship with God
through your deeds. Our first priority must be loving and serving Him. Helping
others is a great thing to do, but only if your motivations are for His glory and
not your own.

OCT16 Being Peacekeepers
This world and the world of Heaven are incompatible. Yes, our God created
Earth, but it has become tainted with sin. Conflicts rage across nations and
In peace I will lie within them. This country is arguably more divided now that it has ever been.
down and sleep, The downward trend of Christianity is likely to blame. As more people turn
away from the Lord, they make room for hatred and intolerance to tear us
for you alone, Lord, apart.
make me dwell in
safety. As a Christian, part of your duty is to be peaceful (though complacent) with
your fellow man. Even when you strongly disagreeing with someone, you
should be able to respect their difference in opinion and realize that God
—Psalm 4:8 loves them just as much as He loves you. We are the hands and feet of his
mission, so it is important that we represent the glory of Christ in all that we
do. That is why remaining peaceful is crucial whenever possible.
But how can we find peace with one another when their opinions or beliefs
are so different from ours? Only God can help with that. We must realize that
we were in disagreement with Him before we were saved. Humans are
cloaked in sin and He is righteous perfection. And yet, Jesus loved us enough
to sacrifice His life so we could have an eternity that we do not deserve. That
is the peaceful attitude that we must try to adopt in order to make a
difference in the world.
Today, make peace with God. Reach out to Him and ask Him to purify your
thoughts and your heart so that you may help others. After all, the only way to
keep the peace is to know it intimately.

OCT17 Persevering Through Temptation
We face temptation in our world every single day. There are instances as small
as eating an extra cookie and ones as large as committing adultery. Some
When tempted, no people believe that they should be exempt from such desires once they are
one should say, born again, but God never promised that we would be without temptation.
“God is tempting Even Jesus had to deal with such impulses during His time on Earth. The Bible
says that He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—and yet He did not
me.” For God sin.”
cannot be tempted We can’t expect to be as sinless as Jesus was. It simply is not possible for the
by evil, nor does he flesh to change its desires. However, we can spend more time within our
tempt anyone; but hearts and minds to train for victory over these urges. One of the best ways to
prepare to face these challenges is by reading the Bible. It outlines countless
each person is situations and decisions a Christian should make. Studying God’s will can help
tempted when they you remember what He would want and make the correct decisions.
are dragged away Prayer also is vital to resisting temptation. We strengthen the bond between us
by their own evil when we speak to Jesus. He will offer you guidance for your decisions. Plus,
the more frequently you communicate with Him, the more natural it will be to
desire and enticed. consider His will in your actions. Forming intimacy with God is training.
—James 1:13-14 Today, try to call out for help whenever you are feeling tempted. Pause before
you make a decision and think about what the Word of God says you should
do. In most cases, your spirit will know even before you ask. What’s more,
every victory over desire feels so much better than succumbing to the urge
ever could.

OCT18 Loneliness Hurts, But We Are Never Alone
Loneliness is one of the greatest issues people face today. It is a sharp and
cold blade into our emotions and it goes against our very nature. Feeling
My soul yearns, alone is the leading cause of suicide in our nation, and suicide is the third
even faints, for the highest killer among students in the United States. Loneliness ranges in severity
for different people, but it is not something to be taken lightly.
courts of the Lord;
my heart and my We deal with several different kinds of loneliness. Most people envision
flesh cry out for the solitude when you talk about being alone, but there are other descriptions. If
you’re dealing with an emotional or physical burden that is not affecting others
living God. around you, you’re experiencing the loneliness of suffering. Depression and loss
can lead to a loneliness of sorrow. Guilt, judgment and fear all can create
—Psalm 84:2 their own particular feelings of being alone.
No matter what type (or types) of loneliness you’re dealing with, remember
that it is just an illusion made by the devil. We are never truly alone. Our
Father is beside us every moment regardless of how painful it may be. As
born-again Christians, our souls do not simply belong to us anymore. Christ
becomes a part of us, and we pledge our lives to His service and teachings. It
may be difficult to keep in mind sometimes, but you are never alone.
Today, have faith in the presence of God and know that He is by your side.
Talk to Him about your feelings and the isolation that is gripping your heart.
He will listen, and He will guide you. He will even carry you.

OCT19 Purity of the Heart
Everyone wants to be happy. The pursuit of peace and contentment is
responsible for countless wars, dollars and journeys. Humans will go to the
Blessed are the ends of the earth while searching for a sense of fulfillment. Unless these efforts
pure in heart, for involve God, they are in vain.
they will see God. Our souls need the presence of God. We’re incomplete without His grace. The
feeling of emptiness and longing will persist as long as we are without Him.
—Matthew 5:8 The only way for us to experience true happiness in this world is by purifying
our hearts and placing our relationships with Christ at the top of our priorities.
Altering our priorities this way frees us from one of the strongest emotions:
envy. Christ completes our lives and fills the emptiness for which we try to
compensate with material possessions. After these chains are broken, we no
longer feel jealousy for things of the world.
When we allow Jesus to take control of our lives, it will affect more than just
our personal feelings. When we feel the peace and grace of God, we’ll be
able to offer that same love to our fellow man. Other people will be able to
see the peace within your heart that comes from a relationship with the Lord.
Today, refocus your pursuits on the things that matter. Ask God to help you
eliminate the unnecessary desires from your heart to make room for His
purposes. Purify yourself from worldly wishes and you’ll be able to reach more
people with the beauty of the Gospel.

OCT20 The Dangers of Complacency
Jesus said that society would be permissive before He returns, just as in the
days of Noah. The world in which we live is flooded in immorality unlike
I know your deeds, anything we’ve seen in centuries. Society has become wildly hedonistic and
that you are vile. Many believe that what we are seeing is human nature running rampant
neither cold nor without the interference from and reliance on God.
hot. I wish you One reason the conditions of the world have gotten so bad is because
were either one or Christians have become complacent. We would rather sit by and watch the
demise of our fellow man than get our hands dirty or risk upsetting them. This
the other! So, attitude is the complete opposite of what Jesus taught us.
because you are The church functions as the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out into the
lukewarm—neither world to do His work and minister to the world around us. We must remain
hot nor cold—I am enthusiastic and passionate if we wish to contribute properly to God and save
others. In Romans 12:11 it says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
about to spit you spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
out of my mouth. Complacency also is dangerous, because we’re putting our personal comfort
—Revelation above the will of God. Ministering may not always be easy or fun, but He
never promised that it would be. The purpose that we serve is far greater than
3:14-15 any of our own emotions.
Today, ask God how you can be zealous for Him. If you feel compelled to
reach out and offer advice or to stand up for your faith, then do so. Do not
sink into a sea of complacency.

OCT21 The Satisfaction of Righteousness
People need food, so God provides rain and sunshine. Grass and grain begin
to grow and are then made into food for livestock or ground into flour. We
And my God will cook the flour and meat to make our meals and satisfy our hunger. People also
meet all your needs crave love and acceptance. Again, God provides the means to fulfill our
needs. He connects two hearts with affection and they are drawn together in
according to the marriage to form a unified soul that is born of love.
riches of his glory
in Christ Jesus. All of our needs will be satisfied once we give our lives to God. After all, if He
ensures that even the tiniest sparrows are taken care of, imagine the lengths
He will go to for the children made in His image.
—Philippians 4:19
There is satisfaction guaranteed for all who choose to follow Christ. Things
may not always be easy, but no disciple will be left unprepared for the future.
The stories of the Bible fill our hunger for knowledge. The need for friendship
and acceptance is met through fellowship with others. When you choose a
path of righteousness, God will plan for every aspect of your journey.
It’s important to remember that this adventure will not be a smooth one. Jesus
never said that we wouldn’t suffer, only that we would be strong enough to
endure and that we wouldn’t have to go through it alone.
Today, find peace in the fact that your future is paid for. Stop worrying and
trust that all of your needs will be met at the right time. That is the satisfaction
of righteousness.

OCT22 Growing in Faith by Experience
When you’re trying to learn a new skill, where do you begin? Most people will
begin with some form of research. The first step to horseback riding, for
My ears had heard example, may be to read a book about being around horses and becoming
of you, but now my comfortable with them. All the notes in the world may not fully prepare you to
step into the stall of a 2,000-pound Clydesdale that is more than 7 feet tall.
eyes have seen Reading is helpful in many situations, but offers no comparison to the benefits
you. of experience. Our journey with Christ is the same.
—Job 4:5 Reading the Bible is very important for building a relationship with God, but
we still need to experience Him in other ways. It is not enough to do research
through the Word if you are not pursuing personal intimacy. Spending time in
prayer is another part of Christianity that you can’t neglect. It helps you to
gain meaningful guidance about your life and how to live it in accordance with
God’s will. Going to church also provides valuable background and
knowledge to enhance your faith. Simply attending services is not enough to
be saved, but services are fantastic tools to help you learn about the word of
God.
Having experience with the Lord is also vital when you’re trying to minister to
other people. When you have your own testimonies, your statements will be
much more powerful. As you spend more time growing in your faith, God will
give you the stories you need to spread the Gospel.

OCT23 The Purest Joy
What makes you joyful? Do you enjoy completing accomplishments at work?
What about spending time with your friends and family? Or perhaps you feel
Go, eat your food cheerful when you’re working on your hobbies? Many things in life bring us
with gladness, and happiness and contentment, but they all pale in comparison to the truest form
drink your wine of joy—a relationship with God.
with a joyful heart, We can find happiness in the world, but it is only in passing. In relation to
for God has eternity, our lives are little more than a flash in the pan. When people and
activities of the flesh fail you, you can (and should) turn to Jesus.
already approved
what you do. Jesus is the opposite of sadness. He is the destroyer of discouragement and
mender of broken hearts. He alone is able to repair the damage that this
—Ecclesiastes 9:7 world does to us and make us whole again. His love offers the greatest feeling
of joy that we can experience.
If you need more joy in your life, turning to God is the only way to achieve it.
Whether you’re suffering from depression and anxiety or simply feeling a bit
stuck, Jesus has the solution. Coming to know Him and to rely on Him allows
you to dispel worry about the future or regret for the past, while feeling a
peace that transcends our very comprehension.
Today, allow yourself to be joyful. The debt of your sins is paid, and as a
Christian, you have secured a perfect future in eternity. Let go of your worldly
desires and focus on the fact that God loved you enough to sacrifice His son
to save you.

OCT24 Fixing Boredom in Christianity
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing our youth? Sex? Drugs?
Sociologists say that boredom is the greatest problem. A lack of purpose leads
We do not want people to making poor decisions—many times, just because they can.
you to become
lazy, but to imitate The infamous Hampton Beach Riots of 1964, for example, shook New
Hampshire. There were hundreds of arrests and injuries, plus property damage
those who through and social upheaval. A large portion of those involved offered a rather
faith and patience unsettling answer when asked why they did it: “Just for the hell of it.”
inherit what has Being bored means not having a purpose or meaning for your time and
been promised. actions. As a Christian, bored is the last thing we should be. The creator of the
universe sacrificed His son to save you, because He dearly loves you. He has
—Hebrews 6:12 orchestrated an intricate plan just for you, and you have a divine purpose. If
you’re feeling bored, it means you’re wasting the potential that He knows you
have.
Fixing Christian boredom begins with prayer and supplication. You need to ask
God to show you your purpose and the direction He wants you to go in to
serve Him best. A good way to freshen your resolve is by abstaining or fasting.
Even this small sacrifice for God can help you get back on track and
reorganize your priorities. Spend time in the word. Oftentimes, Christ will use
the Bible to speak to us and change our situations.
Today, ask yourself if you’re feeling bored with your Christianity. If the answer
is yes, then it may be time to rearrange your life. There is a way that you can
use your idle time to help God—you just have to find it.

OCT25 Learning About the Savior of the World
When you want to learn more about God, it’s only natural that you turn to the
Bible. It is, after all, the most extensive collection of information available
They said to the about the creation and development of the universe. The Bible moves from the
woman, “We no beginning of the universe to the end of the world as we know it—and
longer believe just everything in between.
because of what Did you know that other sources mention the savior of the world? The Roman
you said; now we historian Tacitus, for example, mentioned Jesus Christ. He corroborates books
in the New Testament on elements of Jesus’ death. These four accurate pieces
have heard for of knowledge include the Latin word Christus (used to refer to Jesus and often
ourselves, and we mistakenly taken as a name instead of a title), the beginning of the Christian
movement, Jesus’ execution by a Roman governor, and time of his death
know that this man (during Pilate’s governorship).
really is the Savior Another strong piece of historical evidence comes from Josephus, who was a
of the world.” Jewish priest. You can find indirect mentions of Jesus in both of his great
works. In Jewish antiquities, however, there are two direct references. Josephus
—John 4:42 says, “the brother of Jesus-who-is-called-Messiah,” to identify Christ’s brother,
James.
These two examples are, perhaps, the most prominent, but the world is riddled
with secular historical evidence about the existence of Jesus Christ, the son of
God. If you’re dealing with any sensations of doubt, simply look at the
information available to ease your uncertainty. Today, take heart knowing that
our savior was and is a real person.

OCT26 How Christians Should Love
Love is a beautiful thing. It is a wonderful sensation and the very foundation of
our relationship with Jesus. The word itself is mentioned more than 500 times
This is my throughout the Bible, so we know how important it is.
command: Love
There are a few guidelines for how Christians should love one another. The
each other. most important thing to remember is that our purpose is to be like Christ. His
love for us was so great that He endured incredible torture and sacrificed His
—John 15:17 own life to save ours. Our human emotions can never compare to this perfect
form of love, but when we love through our relationship with God, it offers the
same transcendental peace.
God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we have done or said, He still

believes we are perfect and worth saving. He also desires a personal
relationship with each of us. To love as a Christian, you should always accept
and appreciate those are around you. It doesn’t matter whether they are total
strangers or our children. We are commanded to care for them as He does.
It can be difficult to care for others who have differing opinions or to whom
we cannot relate, but it is crucial that we do so. After all, didn’t the Lord still
love us in our sinfulness? He is the epitome of grace and glory, and we are
machinations of sin and filth. If He can love us so wholly, we can pass
tolerance and affection on to our neighbors.
Today, tell someone that you love him. Take time to consider where they are
coming from and what they are going through. And remember, Jesus sees each
of us with the same incredible worth.

OCT27 Walking With Christ
Walking is a wonderful activity. There are health benefits that come from
moving your body—your muscles grow stronger and you burn calories and fat.
Blessed are those As you travel, you’ll also experience new sights, smells and sounds. It is a useful
who hunger and way to detoxify you from the overabundance of technology that we see.
thirst for When you start walking with friends, those benefits are increased even more.
That’s why it’s so important that we spend time walking with Christ.
righteousness, for
they will be filled. There is no more thrilling feeling than knowing that the creator of the universe
wants to know you personally. How exciting that the God, who hung the stars,
desires your attention and love. Walking with Christ is something we should do
—Matthew 5:6 throughout our Christian lives, and it has all sorts of benefits. Our faith is like
the strengthening muscles—it builds through use and personal experiences
with the grace of the Lord. We lose “fat,” which in this case is worldly desires
and thoughts that hold us back. The new scenery that we see represents the
testimony that we will uncover and develop for God.
The most important part is the fact that we’re growing closer to Jesus. The
more time we spend in prayer and living in His word, the better we will know
Him. When He is more involved in our lives, it’ll be easier to make the right
decisions and have faith that our futures are taken care of.
Today, go on a stroll with God. If it’s been a while, that’s okay. He

appreciates every step that we take toward Him, and walking close to His
side is the best way to change your entire life.

OCT28 You Are God’s Harvest
Fall brings dropping temperatures, vibrantly colored leaves and a sudden
overwhelming presence of pumpkins. This is when farmers gather the fruits of
The land yields its their labors and value the results of their work. They take these vegetables
harvest; God, our from the ground and feed families across the nation. In many ways, you, too,
are a product of harvest.
God, blesses us.
Vegetables grow from the ground. Likewise, humans come from a filthy world
—Psalm 67:6 of sin and pain. We’re brought up from the bottom of the natural order. On
our own, we could never hope to do more than return to the earth, potentially
leaving behind another generation of crops.
Jesus comes to us when we are ready, bringing us to grace. He “harvests us”

from our surroundings and provides a new destiny far greater than anything
we could have achieved without Him. But first, He must wash us clean. Just as
potatoes have to be scrubbed of their grime, our souls must be renewed in His
grace and glory before we can be used. This is our salvation, as we are reborn
through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Our salvation prepares us, and then God’s harvest moves on to help the
world. We can “feed” others the word and spread the good news. Today, ask
yourself if you’re ready to be used, or if you need to be washed clean again.
The Lord is always willing to freshen and make use of His crops—in this case,
His children.

OCT29 Fighting a Beaten Foe
People like to place bets. Humans love to take a chance on gaining something
just for being right, whether it’s horseracing or UFC fights. The biggest battle
For the word of in the world is “rigged,” so to speak. We know that choosing Jesus is choosing
God is alive and the winning team.
active. Sharper To overcome the devil, we must recognize that he is God’s enemy and that
than any double- God has already defeated him. The Father sent His son as a living sacrifice
edged sword, it for our salvation. Although the crucifixion of Christ may have seemed like a
win for the devil, Christ’s resurrection provided us the ultimate victory. When
penetrates even to our Lord bowed His head and said, “It is finished,” our triumph over Satan was
dividing soul and complete. Ultimately, we have won the war.
spirit, joints and This reassurance should help us as we face the daily battles, the temptations
marrow; it judges and struggles. The devil seeks to steal our joy, to discourage us, to cause us to
question our faith. As Christians, we must resist Satan. The Bible says he will
the thoughts and flee from us if we do. And how do we resist this enemy? Our weapon is God’s
attitudes of the word. When the devil tempted Christ, Jesus’ response was to wield scripture
like a “sword.” That is why it is important to study and memorize God’s word.
heart.
Today, take the time to celebrate that your fate is already won. We can have
—Hebrews 4:12 triumph over the devil, simply by believing in Jesus and accepting Him as our
savior. After all, everyone likes an easy bet.

OCT30 The Compatibility Between Religion and
Science
He changes times For some reason, many people believe that there is no way to strike a balance
and seasons; he between science and religion. Christians fear that science is trying to disprove
the existence of a creator. Scientists assert that no mind could be behind the
deposes kings and processes of this world. In reality, this isn’t true at all. Science is a way to show
raises up others. the complexities of God’s design and how His beautiful world works.
He gives wisdom The first disagreement between science and religion may have been due to
to the wise and Galileo. He’s credited as the father of modern science, and in the 1600s, he
knowledge to the determined that Earth revolved around the sun (not the other way around, as
most people believed at the time). There was a ripple of discomfort and
discerning. He disbelief among the religious leaders. If we were God’s most prized creation,
reveals deep and how could we only be a part of a larger solar system? Further, how could they
explain the way the sun and the moon rise and set in the sky?
hidden things; he
knows what lies in Eventually, everyone reconciled. Galileo’s evidence proved that he was
correct. Religious leaders learned to use the new information as a means of
darkness, and light explanation, instead of resisting it. Since that time, we’ve seen again and
dwells with him. again that science and religion are highly compatible. You can understand the
way that God designed the human body and how He built this delicately
—Daniel 2:22-23 balanced planet, just for us.
Today, take some time to reflect on the way that our heavenly Father has
engineered this world. He has given consideration to every detail, from the
scales on a butterfly’s wings to the waves of the ocean. Truly, we live in a
world of miracles.

OCT31 Spooky Things and Spider Webs
Halloween is a time when the nation focuses on everything scary. People dress
up like all manner of supernatural entities, from werewolves to demons and all
For we are God’s creatures in between. It can be an uncomfortable time of the year for many
handiwork, created Christians, especially since some people take things too far or seem to worship
the dark side of life. There are two things to remember, though: We are not
in Christ Jesus to alone, and God is always working.
do good works,
which God Even on the darkest of nights, Christ is with us. Things can become
overwhelming and even terrifying in life, but there’s no reason to fear. The
prepared in worst parts of life will pass, just as everyone removes their costumes after
advance for us to Halloween
do. Many people are afraid of spiders, but they’re still another creation from the
mind of God. They can be pretty unnerving, but they’re actually beneficial.
—Ephesians 2:10 They trap other, harmful insects such as mosquitoes so that we don’t have to
deal with as many of them. One of the most interesting aspects of spiders is
their ability to create a web. Spiders are small, but they can create surprisingly
large and intricate structures – with the help of our Father. This serves as a
reminder that no matter how many people are against us or how small we may
feel, we can accomplish great things.
This Halloween, take the time to recognize the darkness and scariness. If we’re
never exposed to the worst parts of life, we can’t fully appreciate the
wonderful things that Heaven holds in store for us.

NOV01 The Daily Work for Christians
When learning a new skill or habit, it takes a bit of work before you’re able to
implement it fully. Whatever the switch is, you must consciously decide to make it.
Research shows that it takes anywhere from 21 to 66 days before the new action
is fully habitual. Despite what some people think, this information holds true in our
spiritual lives.
You see, some people think being a Christian involves a spiritual experience (a
conversion), and then it’s done. The truth is that yes, the people are saved, but they
are not reaching their full potential. There is much more to Christianity than that; it
is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
New Christians are like babies. They must be fed on the simple things of the Bible
to grow in their faith, and they must learn to “walk” in Christian life. Like an infant,
they will stumble, fall and make mistakes, but they should never stop growing. Sadly,
many remain spiritual babes all their lives.
To mature as a Christian, you must study God’s Word. We are all commissioned to
share the Gospel with others, but how can we do so if we don’t know the Bible?
When we know the Scripture, we can defend against those who doubt or question
our faith.
In addition to studying, we must also pray. Prayer is an important building block in

the life of a Christian. Pray about everything and for everyone. Pray without
ceasing. Today, make sure you spend enough time practicing these good habits to
grow in your faith.
… Being confident of this, that he who

began a good work in you will carry it on
to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6

NOV02 Relying on His Presence
What is the greatest trademark of a reliable friend? Sound advice? Similar
interests? People actually place the highest value on a friend who is always
there for them. This reliability is harder to come by in this increasingly selfish
I want to know society. However, there is one relationship that we can always count on for
Christ—yes, to love, support and presence: our connection to Jesus Christ.
know the power of In this world, it’s easy for us to let our balance between world and spirit slip a
his resurrection and little … especially when things are going well. Many Christians turn to God for
participation in his help in their hour of need but neglect to praise Him throughout the mediocre
and high points as well. This, however, does not sit well with the nature of our
sufferings, souls. We depend on the presence of Jesus to guide us and support us, and so
becoming like him we must lean on Him in our everyday lives.
in his death… Fortunately, this is rather easy once we put effort toward drawing closer to
Him. His presence is always within us and around us. Even through the smallest
—Philippians 3:10 actions and circumstances, the Lord does not leave us alone. He desires
nothing more than to form a bond with each of us. When we spend time
reading the Word and praying to God, we are actually strengthening a
friendship that no worldly connection can hold a candle to.
Today, take time to notice the constant presence of God. Know that He loves
you more than you can fathom, and He will always be by your side, ready to
offer guidance and support to His children.

NOV03 God Is Sufficient
We live in a culture of more. We’re trained from an early age not to be
satisfied with anything we have. The media and our social interactions
For in him all things repeatedly tell us that we’re simply not good enough. It tells us, instead, that
were created: our stomachs should be flatter and our teeth whiter. We should have perfect
things in Heaven hair to match our perfect fashion sense. We’re not validated unless we have
sprawling homes and a garage full of vehicles to show off.
and on Earth,
visible and invisible, But none of this is true.
whether thrones or The world will always look for ways to steal our joy and confidence. It will
powers or rulers or overwhelm us with goals that are simply unobtainable. We’ll constantly be
compared to other people … and it’s all okay. The world is wicked, and there
authorities; all is no hope to save it. But with a personal relationship with Christ, you’ll find
things have been that the requirements of the world are not important.
created through Our souls are designed to need Jesus. He’s the final piece of the puzzle—one
him and for him. that cannot be replaced by anything else. When you know God, you know the
purest and most powerful joy that man can feel. You also come to know that
—Colossians 1:16 He is more than sufficient. There is no need to compete in the ways of the
world when your heart is full of acceptance and perfect love.
Today, take time to re-prioritize your life. Are you wasting energy chasing the
dreams of this world? It’s the nature of the flesh to do so, but when you focus
on your spirit, you’ll see that you already have everything you need.

NOV04 Enjoying Your Christian Life
For some reason, many people associate the Christian life with boredom. They
believe that a life after salvation is one without fun or enjoyment, but that’s not
May the God of the case at all. God is the creator of fun, and He wants His children to have a
hope fill you with good time while they’re part of this world.
all joy and peace One of the best ways for us to enjoy ourselves is through fellowship activities.
as you trust in him, Many Christian groups take normally secular recreations, like zip-lining and
so that you may paintball, and show others how much more enjoyable these activities can be
with the peace of God within your heart. They also use these ventures to grow
overflow with hope closer together and create a more affectionate community.
by the power of There’s a reason why it’s important to have fun as a Christian: People learn by
the Holy Spirit. watching us. This is especially true of young children. If your kids or neighbors
see you dragging yourself to church but excitedly planning for the weekend,
—Romans 15:13 they’ll think your salvation doesn’t mean as much to you as worldly things.
They’ll often adopt the same attitude themselves.
We are the hands and feet of Christ, and so we’re called to do His work in
the world. For some people, you may be the only example of Christianity they
ever see. The task of ministering to them is much harder, however, if our
actions teach them something different from what we say.
Today, take time to enjoy yourself. Let the peace of God fill your heart and be
seen by everyone around you. After all, being a Christian doesn’t mean you
have an aversion to fun.

NOV05 All Our Suffering Is Fleeting
God never promised that our Christian lives would be without suffering. In
fact, the Word says the opposite and uses verses like James 1:2-3 to prepare
Consider it pure us for the fact that there will be pain. Some people think it’s not fair that they
joy, my brothers still have to deal with hurt and discomfort, but these emotions are important
tools for strengthening your faith.
and sisters,
whenever you face Belief and trust that is untested is also unproven. If God does not watch for
trials of many kinds, our reactions during the stormy times, how does He know we will turn to Him?
He also uses tribulations to test our response once the suffering has passed.
because you know After all, how can we minister to a lost and dying world if we don’t have our
that the testing of own experience needing faith?
your faith produces There will be dark times, even for Christians. Sometimes it will seem like the
perseverance. trials never end or that we will never recover from the strain. It’s important to
remember that this isn’t true. All our pain in this world is only temporary. God
—James 1:2-3 will likely fix your situation and restore the balance in your life. Even if He
doesn’t, however, you’re still destined for an eternity without pain or sadness.
Our earthly lives are brief in comparison to eternity … just a quick flash in the
pan.
Today, find peace knowing your trials are only temporary. No matter how hard
they may seem, they will pass. And in the meantime, they serve as fantastic
practice to improve your testimony and demonstrate a living Christian example
for those around you.

NOV06 Abundant Life
God wants His children to be happy. He wants to see us prosper and be filled
with joy. If it were not so, would He have sent His son to our wicked world as
The thief comes a sacrifice for our sins? Of course not. Our heavenly Father made this plan so
only to steal and we could spend the rest of eternity by His side in a perfect world without pain.
kill and destroy; I Jesus did not only come to prepare us for our future beyond the world,
have come that however. He died upon the cross so that we could also have life now – and
they may have life, have it abundantly. Christ was the greatest teacher that humanity has ever
seen, and He gave us lessons to help every single day. Jesus taught us how to
and have it to the have practical faith instead of simply following the patterns of religion. He
full. brought the information we need to deal with the largest of issues and
celebrate our happiest days.
—John 10:10 Some Christians mistakenly believe, however, that “abundant life” means a
surplus of money or worldly possessions. It is true that some of us will
experience better financial situations, but it is not what Jesus had in mind.
Instead, God promises spiritual abundance for us. Our salvation gives us
access to the greatest feelings of love, acceptance and peace that humans
can feel. Only a relationship with the Lord will fill the empty spaces in our lives,
because that’s precisely how God designed our hearts to work.
Today, remember to thank God. Thank Him for loving you enough to send His
son to be slain. Thank Him for making it possible for us to have this abundant
spiritual life. Thank Him for the supreme love only He can offer.

NOV07 Hesitating in Darkness
If you get up in the middle of the night, it can be hard to find your way.
Humans don’t see very well in darkness, and as a result, we hesitate. Even
In him was life, and though we’re familiar with the layout of our homes, we still stumble through it
that life was the without the presence of light. Nowadays, many people use their cellphone
flashlights to illuminate their paths.
light of all mankind.
The light shines in This is true on a much grander scale as well. Our world is one of terrible
the darkness, and darkness and sin. We see corruption and hatred every single day. In fact, it
seems like the darkness of the Earth is getting even stronger. The planet is
the darkness has plagued by pollution, hunger, war and death. In an environment like this, it’s no
not overcome it. wonder people hesitate, stumble and fall. We can’t tell where we’re going or
how far we are from our destination.
—John 1:4-5 The only way to see through such turbulent times is by the light of God. He
alone is able to light up our paths and make sense of the shadows that plague
us. When we turn to Him and ask for guidance, we’ll soon have illumination all
our own.
Just like our cellphones, we should keep God at the ready. If every Christian
took Jesus everywhere they went, can you imagine how much light we could
cast into this world? You could stop hesitating in the darkness and show the
way for others when they see the love of Christ through you.
Today, make sure you have the light of God on hand in this dark world. Pray
and ask Him for guidance and to show you the safest path through our planet
of corruption.

NOV08 Preparation for the Soul
To bake a cake, you must have the right ingredients. You must combine them
correctly, putt the batter in the pan and place it in the oven. If you’re any less
Create in me a prepared than that, you’re likely to have a mess on your hands instead of a
pure heart, O dessert. Likewise, we must ready ourselves for the guidance of God before we
can lead successful Christian lives.
God, and renew a
steadfast spirit Many religious people teach ways of grace to people who are not equipped
within me. to change. What does that mean? It doesn’t matter how much time you spend
reading the Bible if you don’t have a pure heart as a platform to accept the
benefits. Jesus does not provide salvation to those who haven’t accepted Him
—Psalm 51:10 as their Savior and allowed Him to come into their souls.
Similarly, the church can teach about purifying motives, actions and desires for
the rest of eternity, but deceitful hearts cannot be changed. When we accept
Jesus, we allow our old selves to die. It’s vital that we let go of these portions
so we can make room for renewal in Christ. Only after we have the proper
equipment (a purified heart and soul) can we truly take advantage of His
teachings and grace. Once we do this, we’re able to begin reaching out and
ministering to this lost and dying world.
Today, ask yourself if you’re full prepared to broadcast grace. If you’re not
sure, spend some time talking about it with God. It may be the perfect
opportunity for you to re-cleanse your heart and freshen the priorities for your
life.

NOV09 Having a Spiritual Security System
One of the most effective ways to protect your business or home is to install
an electronic security system. A setup like this provides monitoring for a huge
Lord, you alone are number of problems, from carbon monoxide poisoning to burglary.
my portion and my
In reality, our physical being is not the only aspect under attack. Most assaults
cup; you make my actually come from the spiritual realm, as the devil tries to hurt us and steal our
lot secure. joy. If you would buy protection for your home, why not invest in some security
for the most important aspect of your existence – your soul?
—Psalm 16:5
Building a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to prepare yourself
for the attacks that the enemy is guaranteed to make. This level of intimacy
with the Lord is often enough to scare off the devil, and in essence eliminate a
huge portion of your problems. Even when the attacks can’t be prevented,
having God on hand and close by is the healthiest and most effective way to
get through a hard time.
Your spiritual security system should also include a support network, just as
home monitoring services can contact authorities. Other Christians can help
guide you through whatever struggles you face. Depression, pain, guilt, anxiety
… none of these is a match for the love and glory of God and His children.
Today, evaluate your security system. Are you protected from attacks by the
devil? If he does strike at you, do you have the proper support group and
intimacy with God to get through it? After all, there’s no greater investment
than your soul.

NOV10 Seeing Satan’s Work
“The god of this age…” sounds quite ominous, doesn’t it? When God cast
Satan from Heaven, he took hold in the world. His purpose is only to hurt us
The god of this and try to lead us astray, even hide us from the love of Christ. Unfortunately,
age has blinded he’s rather successful at his job, and we can see his work throughout our
world.
the minds of
unbelievers, so that The entertainment business is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. Yes, there
they cannot see have been non-harmful and even Christian platforms, but this is not the case
the majority of the time. Graphic novels are teaching that sex before marriage
the light of the is both permissible and favorable. Movies and television glorify violence and
Gospel that disobedience. They show lying as a normal part of life. Music brags on the
power of drugs or alcohol to have a good time.
displays the glory
of Christ, who is Political and educational leaders have also been set up in line with the devil’s
plan. Sin is becoming more and more permissible … even celebrated in many
the image of God. cases. Some professors or other teachers try to nullify or disprove God’s
enduring Word. … And that only scratches the surface.
—2 Corinthians
4:4 These works of Satan are most harmful to the minds of the young, especially if
they do not have family or friends who are Christians. Teenagers are wildly
impressionable by nature, but without access to the love of God, they will fall
deeper and deeper into the ways of sin.
Today, pray that God will protect your mind and the minds of your loved ones
from this sinful assault. Ask Jesus to help you eliminate Satan’s work in your
own life so you may live better and more easily reach out to others.

NOV11 The Costs of Living
For everything in this world, there is a cost. Even when we are born-again
Christians and protected by God, we should not expect things to be easy. He
Put on the full never told us that triumph was guaranteed, but made sure we have the
armor of God, so teachings we need to endure whatever life throws at us. Our right to practice
that you can take religion in God’s name is protected by the sacrifices of thousands of former
and current members of the military.
your stand against
the devil’s schemes. Today is Veteran’s Day, a day to honor and remember those who helped
cover the cost of our opportunity and freedom. Many soldiers have given their
For our struggle is lives to keep this country safe, just as Jesus sacrificed His for the security of
not against flesh our spiritual future. Without the brave legions of souls before us, you might not
be reading this devotional today.
and blood, but
against the rulers, The terror attacks of 9/11 cost us more than any tragedy in decades. When
the planes hit the World Trade Center towers, more than 2,000 innocent lives
against the were taken. This blatant assault cost us peace of mind, a sense of security that
authorities, against we have yet to regain. You see the changes in airports and border patrols as
fear continues to drive us to extreme preventive measures.
the powers of this
dark world, and No matter how high the cost of our lives, Jesus is there to support us through
against the spiritual the good and the bad times. Today, spend time honoring the veterans who
have served this country. Pray that God will protect our men and women of
forces of evil in the service, and thank Him for keeping us under His wing throughout such trials.
heavenly realms.
—Ephesians 6:11-
12

NOV12 Triumph and Personal Handicaps
Dealing with a physical or mental illness can be very difficult, especially for a
Christian. We often feel that it’s unfair for us to suffer through a problem like
Jesus replied, “You that when we’re under the protection of God. It is even more disappointing
do not realize now when we pray for healing but God does not grant our request. Sometimes
though, we simply have to accept the cards we are dealt. As terrible as they
what I am doing, can be, afflictions of the flesh are not the worst things that can happen to us.
but later you will
understand.” Attacks on the soul are the most painful and most dangerous, and they can
cause the worst end result. The devil will try to make us doubt our God and
turn us from Him in retaliation. Sometimes Satan uses physical and mental
—John 13:7 illnesses to attack the soul, but in many cases, this backfires.
Even with handicaps, people are capable of great things – especially when
they have the creator of the universe at their side. Handel composed The
Messiah with only one side of his body working. His right arm was paralyzed.
The famous author CS Lewis battled depression and still managed to write
one of the most successful young adult series of all time. We don’t have to be
free from affliction, but rather we should learn how to triumph in it.
Today, remember that God is with you throughout your problems. He knows
exactly what you’re feeling, but He also knows the plans He has for you. Try
changing your perspective on your illnesses. Instead of “look what I’m dealing
with,” show everyone “look what I have accomplished with Christ, despite my
ailments.”

NOV13 God IS Love
God is the epitome of love. Some people think love is only part of His nature,
but in reality it is the very foundation of His existence and our relationship with
Whoever does not Him. Consider the sacrifice that was made when Jesus came to Earth. The
love does not know Father sent His only son to death, just so we might live. The son came without
a moment’s hesitation and carried out His purpose. He endured immeasurable
God, because pain and embarrassment just to save the souls of sinners like us.
God is love.
At any moment, He could have called down a legion of angels to take Him
—1 John 4:8 from the cross and wipe out His persecutors … but He didn’t. He hung beside
those two thieves until His last breath faded in His lungs. Only pure love could
compel Him to sacrifice His perfect life to grant eternity to sinners like us.
Because God IS love, God gives love. He covers all who come to Him with
His grace and gives abundant life. However, our human nature sometimes
misconstrues the meaning of love. People are frequently under the impression
that loving someone means doing everything for them or perhaps going to
incredible lengths to prevent their discomfort. God’s love is much purer than
that; God’s love is fair. It is created in justice and righteousness and not the
selfish ways of man.
He did not promise that our lives would be perfect, but instead that we would
be perfectly loved.
Today, take time to realize just how loved you are. Always know that Jesus
cares enough to die for you, despite your mistakes and shortcomings.

NOV14 The Beauty of Trust
Trust can be a hard thing to come by. Humans are selfish by nature, so you
must earn the right to be relied upon. Still, even the ones we learn to trust can
Whoever gives betray us in an instant if they choose. To trust is to give someone else power
heed to instruction over you willingly. It usually only takes one bad experience for us to shut other
people out on a grand scale, simply because being betrayed hurts so much. A
prospers, and single person can taint our view of our friends and family and rob us of the
blessed is the one ability to trust anyone else, at least for a while.
who trusts in the People are inherently flawed because of the sinful world we live in. A great
Lord. way to become more trustworthy to others is to build a personal relationship
with God. He will guide your heart about keeping information safe and secure.
—Proverbs 16:20 Prayer and time in the Scripture, for example, can help you resist the
temptation to gossip. But still, even with the assistance of the Lord, humans are
not perfect. So is there anyone you can truly trust?
Yes: God. He will never betray us. Unlike people, there are no selfish purposes
for the Lord to serve. It’s actually quite the opposite. We are His children, and
He is the very embodiment of love. To break our trust would go against the
very fundamentals of His existence.
Today, even though others may hurt or betray you, know that you can always
trust in the Lord. He is eternal, omniscient and devoted to each of His children.

NOV15 Feeling Compassion
Most Christians find it easy to love God. Once you are saved, you are certain
He has a purpose for you. We feel Him tugging at our hearts and helping to
Dear friends, let us guide our decisions along the right paths. We sing His praises and come
love one another, together in large groups just to give Him glory. Our entire culture as a church
for love comes is based on honoring our heavenly Father. While it is wonderful and necessary
for us to care for God this way, it is not our only obligation.
from God.
Everyone who None of us are worthy of the glory of God. We are all sinners, and we fall
short of our potential every day. Despite that, Jesus overlooked our
loves has been shortcomings and sacrificed His life to save us. He knew every person has
born of God and potential and every person deserves compassion. The entire mission of
Christianity is to be more Christ-like to bring people to the Gospel. Love is the
knows God. … very foundation of the Lord and if we don’t extend it to others, we are not
And he has given correctly doing our job.
us this command: There are all sorts of events and tragedies across the globe that call for
Anyone who loves sympathy. We should always have compassion for fellow man. This is
especially true for those who have views that oppose our own. We cannot win
God must also people to the kingdom of God by pushing them away; we must draw them
love their brother nearer with love and understanding.
and sister. Today, take time to pray that God will give you greater compassion. Ask Him
to let you see other people of the world as He does – imperfect, but made in
—1 John 4:7,21 his image and deserving of love.

NOV16 God Is More Than Our Savior
We know there is no way for man to earn a place in Heaven on his own. We
are simply born unclean and unworthy, and the conditions of this world serve
to push us further and further into sin. Through Jesus Christ, however, we are
… One God and granted a spot in a perfect eternity. This is the fundamental basis of
Father of all, who Christianity, of course, but there is so much more to our God.
is over all and All Christians should know about the Holy Trinity. There is the Father, who is
through all and in the creator of our universe. The son is Jesus, who died so we may have
all. salvation. The Holy Spirit is the force that works upon our hearts both before
and after we give our lives to Christ. The Father, son and Holy Spirit are all
separate platforms, but they are a part of the same God.
—Ephesians 4:6
Each interacts with our life in a different way and time. Together they meet all
our spiritual needs and give us the highest sense of fulfillment. But God is also
meant to be a friend – someone whom we can build a close relationship with
and confide in. He is a guide who shows us the right path, even when it is too
dark to see ourselves. He is a protector who fights against the advances of
Satan and his attempts to cause us pain. He is a teacher whom we can model
our lives around. He is all these things, but He is more. He is love and
knowledge and compassion beyond our very comprehension.
Today, ask yourself how many of these aspects of our Lord that you see.
Remember that He can provide everything you need for spiritual fulfillment.

NOV17 A Chance to Become New
Imagine that you’re sketching out a picture using a pen. You’ve not been
working long when you make a mistake and leave an unsightly black mark
Therefore, if across the page. You could write over it and try to hide the error, but there is
anyone is in Christ, no way to remove the ink. Instead of working around it, you simply crumple up
the page and start over.
the new creation
has come: The old Sometimes, we could use a fresh start in life, too. A perfect example of this
has gone, the new new beginning is when we become saved through Jesus Christ. We are made
fresh and new, with all our past transgressions behind us. He takes out the
is here! impurities and places the Holy Spirit within us so we will always have the
presence of God. Each of us has a chance to begin a brand new life with
—2 Corinthians divine purposes, instead of merely drifting through a lost and sinful world.
5:17 Even if you’re already a Christian, Jesus is always ready to provide renewal.
Our flesh remains tainted, although our spirits are cleansed. There are still daily
battles against temptations and other impure thoughts. It can be easy for us to
slip and fall. Fortunately, God is there for us no matter what our past deeds
include. No acts of man can gain entry to Heaven, and none can take away
our salvation. The Lord sustains and refreshes us, so long as we believe.
Today, ask yourself if you could use another clean page. If you’ve fallen short
of the glory of God, let that fact stay behind you and focus on making this
day a new beginning, where your first pursuit is a relationship with Christ.

NOV18 Handmade Treasures
When you visit county fairs or auctions, do you notice the value people place
on handmade things? Items like quilts and paintings are much more desirable
The Spirit of God than articles that are mass produced. Production lines can actually be very
has made me; the efficient and successful, but there is something sentimental about owning an
object created by the hands of another person.
breath of the
Almighty gives me Do you know that you have the same wonderful value? You are fearfully and
life. wonderfully made, directly by the hands of God. Even though there are 7
billion people on the planet, there is no one quite like you. It can be easy to
think of ourselves as insignificant, because the world is so large, but we are
—Job 33:4 precious to Him.
Throughout the Bible, God tells us repeatedly of our worth. In Matthew, we

see that He is acutely aware of every sparrow, and He ensures that each one
is cared for. We’re also told that each of us is far more valuable than many of
the little birds and, therefore, taken better care of.
The maker of the universe knows precisely how many hairs are on your head.
He knows your thoughts and dreams (perhaps even better than you know
them). If you struggle with your sense of self-worth, know that you are nothing
short of a treasure in God’s eyes.
Today, take a moment to appreciate your own value. The struggles of life
make it easy to forget just how important you are. You are unique, priceless
and deserving of happiness.

NOV19 Listening to Our Conscience
God never puts us in situations that we are not prepared to handle (at least
with some assistance from Him). He offers the right knowledge and spiritual
Now this is our tools to rise up to our challenges, as any good teacher should. As a Christian,
boast: Our God gives us a special guiding hand to help steer our daily decisions in the
conscience testifies right direction. This inner sense of balance is our conscience.
that we have Conscience is defined as “an inner feeling or voice viewed as a guide to
conducted rightness or wrongness.” Everyone has one, and it is programmed differently,
depending on the way we’re raised and what we are exposed to. Humans are
ourselves in the sinful by nature, and the world around us can increase this. Reading literature,
world, and watching movies, and listening to music can all affect our natural conscience
(for better or for worse).
especially in our
relations with you, This inner compass changes, however, once we accept the grace of God. He
imparts a piece of the Holy Spirit onto us, and it modifies our conscience for
with integrity and the better. For the first time, can stop and consider how each situation will
godly sincerity. We affect our new lives in Christ. We get to experience a living influence from
God in everyday life.
have done so,
relying not on It’s important for Christians to listen to their consciences. This little voice can
worldly wisdom but help you avoid potentially disastrous situations by putting the will of God first.
Today, make sure you pay attention to that guiding feeling in your heart.
on God’s grace. Remember that God speaks to us in gentle nudges, and your conscience is
one of His favorite tools.
—2 Corinthians
1:12

NOV20 He Hears Our Cries
There’s an expression people have quoted from the depths of the sea to the
far reaches of outer space for years. It originally comes from the
The righteous cry extraterrestrial monster movie, Alien. The work is strongly fictional, of course,
out, and the Lord but the hero says something that rings very true in the real world: “In space, no
one can hear you scream.”
hears them; he
delivers them from Of course, most of us will never visit the depths of the ocean or the far
all their troubles. reaches of outer space, but it’s still just as unnerving. The idea that we could
be so grossly isolated and unable to call for help threatens our need for
companionship and safety. No matter how unsettling the phrase may be, it’s
—Psalm 34:17 not true.
Our God is always with us. It doesn’t matter if we’re sent into orbit or sitting
on our living room couch, His ears catch our prayers in each and every
situation. Jesus went to incredible lengths to secure our place alongside Him in
eternity and He will not abandon or forsake us under any circumstance.
Feeling alone can be scary. You can be truly isolated or feeling emotionally
secluded, but you don’t have to deal with those feelings alone. When you
need support and guidance, our heavenly Father is only a word away.
Today, take heart in the fact that you have a constant companion. It doesn’t
matter what you’re going through or where your travels take you, our loving
God always makes time for His children and does all He can to keep us safe.

NOV21 A World Driven by Pleasure
The laws of physics determine there must be an energy source to produce
motion. Your car, for example, must have electricity or gasoline to travel. Your
body needs proper nourishment before you can move around. Gunpowder and
Dear friends, I urge a fuse propel a cannonball. The world we inhabit is no different. To feed this
you, as foreigners spiraling, downward motion of our society, something must be driving the
change.
and exiles, to
abstain from sinful Our world is one that is fueled by pleasure. People abandon their consciences
desires, which for the now every day. Instead of fighting for a spot alongside God in eternity,
they throw away their own value for sexual sins or the physical and emotional
wage war against high offered by drugs and alcohol. It seems we can no longer see the
your soul. repercussions of our actions, and instead we make decisions based on the
sensations of the current moment.
—1 Peter 2:11 This kind of world can be very dangerous to inhabit. Even Christians are not
exempt from the temptation and influence that society offers. Indeed, the devil
makes it easy to fall into routine and neglect our duties to God. Fortunately,
Jesus can help us fight through this world driven by pleasure.
When we’re reborn as new creatures in God, He fills a portion of our hearts
that was previously empty. Humans try many things to fill that hole, such as
drinking or casual sex, but nothing works. This longing is designed only for God
and it presses us to get closer to Him with each day. Only when we close this
gap are we relieved of our worldly temptations and fueled by love.
Today, see what is driving you. Is God your source of fuel, or are you trying to
use other things to find happiness? If so, ask Jesus to renew your heart and
mind for His purposes.

NOV22 Building a Home That Will Last, Part 1
There are three basic needs that must be met for our flesh to survive. We
require food, water and shelter. These homes are an important part of keeping
So this is what the us safe, and are the only way we can survive spread across all regions of the
Sovereign Lord Earth. We know the right materials and techniques must be used if we’re to
says: “See, I lay a have homes that are sturdy and worth living in. The same is true for our
spiritual homes: Without a proper foundation and structure, they are likely to
stone in Zion, a crumble.
tested stone, a When building a home, the first step is to prepare the foundation. You must
precious clear away the rocks and trees to reach the level ground. Then, the surface
cornerstone for a must be tightly packed to support the weight of the structure. This is the same
concept Jesus uses to cleanse our souls when we are born again. He clears
sure foundation; away the broken feelings and impure thoughts to dig down to our bare souls.
the one who relies Then He washes our souls clean and prepares them to hold grace.
on it will never be After all the preparation, the foundation is laid. In homes, this structure is
stricken with panic. usually concrete or cinder blocks – strong materials that do not rot or yield to
other forces. In our spiritual lives, the foundation is the Holy Spirit. It enters our
—Isaiah 28:17 hearts and creates a new desire for holiness. On this, we build the rest of our
soul.
Today, check the condition of your spiritual foundation. Are there weeds and
rocks trying to overshadow it? If so, clear away what is unnecessary, so your
basis in God can stand strong.

NOV23 Building a Home That Will Last, Part 2
Once your foundation is established through the Holy Spirit, what is the next
step in building your spiritual home? You must frame your walls. This is a very
You have been a important step for the final look and strength of a house, and it is vital for your
refuge for the poor, spirit as well. Literal homes use wooden boards, but you need to shape
a refuge for the yourself by reading the Scripture.
needy in their The Bible provides a living word to help us grow. It changes each time we
distress; a shelter read it, calling out to us in different ways and offering constant guidance. The
more you learn about God’s teaching and the history of Jesus, the easier it is
from the storm and for you to stay strong in your faith. When choosing a frame for a physical
a shade from the house, you want to select materials that will last. Likewise, it’s crucial that you
remain diligent and spend time in the Bible to keep your spiritual substructure
heat. For the from deteriorating.
breath of the After the walls comes the roof. For a Christian, we should cover our lives in
ruthless is like a prayer. We’re instructed multiple times throughout the Bible to pray about
storm driving everything and to do so without ceasing. When your life is formed under the
cover of prayer, it is infinitely easier to keep out the weather, or impure
against a wall… thoughts and behaviors.
—Isaiah 25:4 Finally, the walls and interior must be finished. We do this by building our
testimony and offering an atmosphere of acceptance and love. You see, our
spiritual abodes are not only meant to protect us, but also to draw other
people to the grace of God when they experience that safety firsthand.
Today, check your frame, roof and walls. Each of them must work with the
others and be maintained through an active relationship with Christ.

NOV24 Giving Thanks
This month is a wonderful time to give glory to God! On Thanksgiving, we
celebrate our gratefulness, and there is no one more deserving of praise than
our Lord. Even though we are grossly undeserving, He made it possible for us
Let us come before to enjoy eternal life alongside Him in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross
him with should take precedence on this day, but there are so many more things for
which to be thankful.
thanksgiving and
extol him with We should sing the praises of our Father because He is always with us. He
music and song. guides us, even in the smallest decisions, looking out for our happiness and
well-being. He makes sure we are never alone, whether we’re feeling isolated
For the Lord is the physically or emotionally. Our Father created an entire suit of armor for us so
great God, the we may face our challenges without fear. Truly, we are blessed beyond belief
and loved beyond comprehension.
great King above
all gods. And still, there is more for which to be thankful. Although things are not always
easy, we do not have to worry about the future when we are children of God.
—Psalm 95:2-3 In addition to the spiritual preparations, He meets our other needs as well.
There are miracles every single day, and He uses them to ensure His followers
have the food and necessities to keep them safe.
We can give praise for our future, too. Once we leave this world, we’ll have a
permanent home in the Kingdom of God. We’ll live in mansions and be free
from pain and sorrow.
This month, give thanks! There are countless reasons why God deserves our
gratitude and love, and Thanksgiving Day is a fantastic time to praise Him.

NOV25 Greed and Possessions
SALE! During the holiday season, many people throw their manners and
caution to the wind in favor of savings … savings on possessions they likely
Whoever loves don’t need. It is a day fueled by greed and selfishness. There is nothing wrong
money never has with searching for a bargain, of course, but we must be extra careful to show
restraint on this day.
enough; whoever
loves wealth is Each year, sales are getting earlier and earlier. Greed is poisoning the holiday
never satisfied with devoted to gratefulness.
their income. This If you’re considering going to these sales, take time to pray to God first. Ask
too is meaningless. Him what He wants you to do with that time. How will you influence your
family if you forsake time with them in search of lower prices? This is especially
important to consider when you have young children, since they are so easily
—Ecclesiastes impressionable. Even our smallest actions can influence them in big ways, and
5:10 as a Christian, Thanksgiving should be properly honored.
An alternative is to do your shopping online. You can avoid the angry crowds
and long lines while spending more time at home with your family and friends.
You can even complete your purchases quickly and quietly—the rest of your
family doesn’t have to know you “went shopping.”
Today, carefully consider the effect your actions have on others. If you choose
to join the shopping crowds, do so responsibly and with grace.

NOV26 Trusting What We Do Not Understand
The word “mystery” is used quite often in the Bible. The Apostle Paul, in fact,
used it 21 times, just in his Epistles. It makes such a frequent appearance in
My message and the word of God for a simple reason: Many of the Lord’s methods and ways
my preaching were are far beyond human comprehension. Sometimes we can look to science for
not with wise and an explanation on His machinations, but other times we are left to wonder.
persuasive words, For some people, it’s hard to trust things they cannot understand. In fact,
but with a humans have an instinctive fear of the unknown and the surprises it can offer.
Just think about the number of stories and movies written to speculate the
demonstration of things that live within the ocean or up in space. Even the Bible mentions
the Spirit’s power, monsters of the sea, such as Leviathan. We always assume the worst about
what we cannot see or wrap our minds around.
so that your faith
might not rest on Faith works in an opposite manner. We are instructed time and time again to
put our trust in God and His ways, even though they are beyond us. This is a
human wisdom, but broad direction, and it applies to many aspects of Christian life (such as the
on God’s power. creation of the universe). More often than not, what is least understood is an
unfortunate circumstance. Car accidents, cancer and emotional injuries are
—1 Corinthians experiences we don’t want to endure and we often question why we need to.
These same events are part of a specific plan, however, and no matter how
2:5 painful they are, we are not at liberty to question. We can’t fully comprehend
His workings.
Today, just trust in God. Let your faith be the guide and hold fast to his
promises, even when you’re hurting.

NOV27 Why We Should Be Happy for Tribulations
Have you ever experienced true darkness? Not emotional darkness, but
absolute lack of light? When you compare the inside of a cave, for example,
Not only so, but to a starless night, you see the how light “regular darkness” truly is.
we[c] also glory in
our sufferings, The same is true for our spiritual lives. Unless we experience sadness, pain and
disappointment, we will never appreciate what Heaven has in store for us.
because we know When God gives us tribulations, He isn’t trying to hurt us. He is preparing us
that suffering for the future. Each time we come through a trial, we are stronger emotionally,
and we are stronger through our faith. When we know from experience that
produces God will deliver us from our problems, it’s easier to face the bigger issues with
perseverance; an even greater sense of confidence in His promises.
perseverance, It’s almost impossible to be thankful for pain and suffering, illness and death.
character; and Truly, it goes against the nature of our flesh and the workings of the world. But
when you are a Christian, every trial can be an exercise in your commitment to
character, hope. your faith. Each new test only shows that the Lord has incredible plans for you.
And hope does not Remember, to launch an arrow forward, you must first pull it back.
put us to shame, Today, rejoice in the tribulations that our Father has given you. He is testing
because God’s you because you are worthy, and because He must give you the strength and
love has been experience to fight your future battles. Pain is uncomfortable, but it is only
temporary. Our encounters and resilience through God is forever.
poured out into our
hearts through the
Holy Spirit, who
has been given to
us.
—Romans 5:3-5

NOV28 The Son of God and Man
We are taught consistently that this world and the world of God are
incompatible. The Earth is a place of sin and evil, and the Lord is the epitome
But Jesus remained of love and perfection. So how is it that Jesus was the son of God and the
silent and gave no son of man? That’s precisely what makes His sacrifice for us so special.
answer. Again the Jesus was born of a virgin chosen by God, bringing Him into this world in the
high priest asked most perfect way possible as a man. Since He was conceived through Mary
him, “Are you the only, His conception was also divine. He is the only one to ever be born of
both worlds. Adam and Eve were created from the dust of the Earth, and the
Messiah, the Son angels were made in Heaven. Christ’s unique life was the only one equipped
of the Blessed to be of man, but also completely without sin.
One?” There will come a time (or many times) in a Christian’s life when they will be
asked, “What think ye of Christ?” It’s important that we are prepared to
“I am,” said Jesus. answer, but also that we believe what we say.
“And you will see Christians, by definition, believe Christ was the true, living son of God and
the Son of Man man. They know He was born to this Earth and that He led a life completely
sitting at the right without sin (although not without temptation). They also know He is still alive,
preparing a place for us in Heaven so we can join Him and the Father after
hand of the Mighty death.
One and coming
Today, ask yourself what you truly think of Christ. Do your beliefs line up with
on the clouds of what the Bible tells us? Are you ready to share your thoughts with others?
heaven.”
—Mark 14:62-63

NOV29 The Desire to Live
Within each of us is an inherent will to live. Our flesh is programmed to put
self-preservation first in all things. Likewise, the soul has a desire to continue
For here we do not on. That is why even when people are worn thin from aches and pains in their
have an enduring old age, they are still not tired of living. God designed us with this desire for a
simple reason: He wants the same thing.
city, but we are
looking for the city We are His children, and just as any good father should, He desires to know
that is to come. us and spend time with us. Salvation and grace are the most wonderful gifts
we can receive, because they give us the chance for our souls to carry on
forever in the presence of God.
—Hebrews 13:14
The reach of our desire is huge. No other creatures want such a thing, and yet
we will go to the ends of the Earth in search of something to supplement the
emptiness we are born with. But there is a reason this demand is so great
within us: Nothing but the love of God can satisfy it.
Even with abundant possessions or money, we are not full. Drugs and alcohol
offer some a temporary bliss, but it is not enough. Our desire to live and live
fully is a brilliant orchestration of the Lord that ensures we cannot be
completely happy without Him.
Today, rejoice in your desires and seek the one who can fulfill them. Know that
your will to live indefinitely will be granted, so long as you believe in the
miracle of Jesus.

NOV30 The Remedy to Guilt
Guilt. It’s an ugly word that describes an even uglier feeling. The emotion is
defined as “the state of having done a wrong or committed an offense,” and it
With it he touched can be such a powerful adversary to happiness.
my mouth and said,
Oftentimes our guilt is misplaced. The devil uses our vulnerability to tear us
“See, this has apart and fill us with doubt. Once it’s inside, we tend to hide the guilt from
touched your lips; others. It weighs us down, eats at our happiness and even our zest for life. In
your guilt is taken some cases, people are so overwhelmed with the suffering, they choose to end
their own lives rather than continue to push through.
away and your sin
atoned for.” Whether it is deserved or not, guilt is a dangerous emotion. It can fester over
time and completely change the way we think. Christians, especially, should be
cautious about it. When we suffer through guilt, we’re in essence denying
—Isaiah 6:7 Jesus’ sacrifice. He died on the cross to forgive all our wrongdoings. Holding
onto a specific mistake or choice means you’re trying to make it greater than
His death. But no sin is greater than the price He paid.
Focusing on guilt also steals the glory from God. The energy we use to feel
sorry could be used instead to minister to those around us and offer the Lord
the praises He deserves. He is much greater than any of our sins.
Today, remedy your guilt by strengthening your bond with God. Spend time in
the Scripture and learn about the people whom Jesus chose. None of them
was without shortcomings and sins and he does not expect us to be either.
Accept the grace that is offered, and don’t waste another minute in the past.

DEC01 Our Giving God
It feels good to give something to another person, doesn’t it? There’s a
satisfaction that lights up our souls when we do right by others. This affinity to give
to others is something that comes with a rebirth in Christ, and the reason is simple.
Our God is a giving God, and we are called to be more like Him.
There is no force that is more generous than our Father. First, He gave us life by
creating Adam from the dust. Then He gave us the Earth itself, allowing Adam free
reign of the Garden of Eden and the food that grew within. When He realized
that the first man was lonely, He gave Adam a companion, Eve, designed just for
him.
God has a long history of simply giving to us, but the most important gift is His
Son, Jesus. Can you imagine loving someone so much that you would send your
only child to die for him or her? Our heavenly Father feels that way about us, and
He made that sacrifice so that we could live with Him for eternity.
This month is a wonderful time to practice the art of generosity. There are many
families less fortunate than your own. Taking the time to reach out to them can
change their entire holiday season. Today, give something away to someone else.
It doesn’t matter if it’s something as small as a compliment or as large as a car.
Go forth and give with love in Jesus’ name.
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and
gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love
and faithfulness.”
—Exodus 34:6

DEC02 Finding Peace in the Busy Season
December is one of the most wonderful months of the year, but it’s also one of
the most hectic. Sales are popping up everywhere. People are scrambling to
The Lord gives finish their gift shopping and to make plans for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
strength to his The roads and sky are bustling with families traveling to be with one another.
It’s a jovial sort of chaos, but it’s chaos nonetheless.
people; the Lord
blesses his people It can be easy to get wrapped up in the seasonal pandemonium, but we
with peace. should still take time to speak with God. After all, Jesus’ birth is the true reason
for the season. It’s a great opportunity for us to spread generosity and
goodwill to our fellow man, but we’re still called to honor our Savior.
—Psalm 29:11
The great thing about our relationship with God is that He’s always with us. At
any moment, we can reach out to Him and ask some clarity and calm in our
lives. Even if it’s only a few minutes in prayer, the Lord can settle the mayhem
in our hearts and minds. All that we must do is surrender to Him and allow Him
the power to make changes within us. It’s especially important to take a step
back and reprioritize in busy times like these.
Today, take the time to create some calm in your life. Reach out to God and
ask Him to pass a soothing hand over your mind and heart. There’s nothing
wrong with getting things done, but our priorities are clear as Christians: we
need to continuously make time for our relationship with God and His
purposes.

DEC03 A Cure for Everything (Turn to God With
Troubles of All Sizes)
The Lord is good, Many video games have health potions that the players can use. These
a refuge in times of magical little bottles instantly heal injuries, cure poisoning and more.
Characters often keep a stock of them on hand and take a few gulps when
trouble; He cares needed. This kind of medicine is steeped in fiction, of course, but wouldn’t it be
for those who trust nice if there were an equivalent to treat the problems of human nature in the
real world?
in him…
Of course, that would be incredible. But what if this magical medicine was
—Nahum 1:7 even stronger than that? Take a moment to imagine a cure for racism or
greed. Picture a remedy that could end violence and anger with one swallow.
Consider how this same incredible substance could toss drug addiction into
the past. It’s almost impossible to comprehend the implications that such a
cure would have. Most incredible is the fact that such a cure exists—and we
all have immediate access to it.
The Holy Spirit is ready to come into our hearts and make things new. A dose
of grace is all it takes to flush the negative emotions and actions from our
souls. Frequent dosing will keep the illnesses of our hearts from coming back. If
everyone accepted this treatment, the world would be a new and wondrous
place.
Today, take a dose of the cure if you need it. We all stumble at some point,
and it’s easy to fall into negative behaviors and un-Christian mindsets. Luckily,
it’s just as easy to self-medicate through a relationship with God.

DEC04 Putting Your Hope in the Right Place
In this life, we hope for many things. Even when our souls have been purified in
the Lord, our flesh has a natural desire to further itself in this world. We spend
Why, my soul, are lots of time wishing for things that may be temporarily beneficial to us but
you downcast? don’t actually matter in the end. Job promotions, buying a new car, a bonus at
work, winning the lottery… all dreams that just about everyone hopes for.
Why so disturbed When we dump our energy into such daydreams, however, we’re wasting force
within me? Put that could be better used elsewhere.
your hope in God, As a Christian, there’s only one place that we need to direct our hope: God.
for I will yet praise He has promised to take care of us and to see us prosper, and that’s all we
him, my Savior and need. When we daydream about things that could happen in our future, we’re
essentially telling God that we know more about what we need than He
my God. does—and that’s never true.
—Psalm 42:5 There’s nothing wrong with looking for opportunities, so long as you do so in
moderation and don’t let such pursuits take priority over your faith. Pray often
for guidance in any pursuit, but, more importantly, trust that God will take care
of your future and give you everything you need.
Today, remember to keep your hope in a prosperous place. Everything of this

world will fade, but God’s love and glory lasts forever. It’s only through Him
that we can have eternal life, and serving His will should always be our top
priority.

DEC05 Experiencing Joy Across Realms
In our world, it seems that we’re not allowed to be proud of our relationship
with God. People love to celebrate the secular in grand and disproportionate
Shout aloud and ways. For example, we often throw monumental birthday parties when our
sing for joy, people children turn 16, and yet we offer no formal celebration if they become saved
through Jesus? If you do choose to advertise your religion more strongly,
of Zion, for great is people are quick to call you an “extremist” and say that you’re taking things
the Holy One of “too far.”
Israel among you. What an unfortunate reality to deal with. Nothing on this planet can compare
to the glory of God, and yet we’re at risk of being ostracized by family, friends
—Isaiah 12:6 and colleagues if we take our salvation “too seriously.” This shouldn’t be too
surprising, however. Our world is full of evil and sin. Satan uses this to his
advantage. He tries to force ill feelings on us about sharing our faith with
others. After all, the more people that we recruit for Christ, the fewer he gets
to keep for himself.
You should never be afraid to fully display your faith, even when those around
you do not agree with it. At the very least, your dedication to Jesus will be
recognized. In some cases, seeing another person support Christ so
passionately will spark curiosity in nonbelievers and encourage them to start
asking questions.
Today, don’t be afraid to show your joy across realms. The grace of God that
makes your spirit happy can be praised in the flesh too. Show the world your
favor for Christ and He will show his favor for you in front of the Father.

DEC06 Making Time for God
The one thing that all Christians have in common is their belief in God. Even
when opinions and backgrounds may differ, they come together through the
Blessed is the one Father. Unfortunately, there’s something else that many of them have in
who always common: a claim that they don’t have time for God.
trembles before If you ask a Christian how often he or she reads the Bible or prays, you might
God, but whoever not get a straight answer. “When I can” is an answer that many people fall
hardens their heart back on. This is usually followed by “I’m just so busy with work” or a similar
excuse. We get so wrapped up in everyday life that we allow the world to
falls into trouble. start pushing us away from Christ.
—Proverbs 28:14 It’s dangerous to not make time for God. You see, anything we do when we
should be praying and reading the Bible is something we’re putting ahead of
the Lord. Even though it’s almost always unintentional, we’re still setting up
idols.
As a Christian, you must make time for God. Research shows that you need to
do something 21 to 66 days in a row for it to become habit. So that’s what
you’ve got to do with your time for Jesus. Dedicate a few minutes to prayer
and Bible study each day. Even if you start out with 10 or 15 minutes, it’s an
important first step. Stick with it until it’s a natural thing for you to have time
for God.
Today, make time for Him. The next time that you’re absently scrolling through
Facebook or lost in the TV, stop entertaining yourself with the world and reach
out for the Father instead.

DEC07 The Truest Justice
Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket? Many people have. Citations for
speeding are common. When these tickets bring us to court, however, a
When justice is significant portion end up being thrown out. Usually the judge simply feels
done, it brings joy generous or thinks the speed violation is too small. We rejoice when something
like this happens to us, but the truth is that it’s inconsistent with justice. No
to the righteous but matter how small the infraction, we owe something when we sin by breaking a
terror to evildoers. law. Someone (whether it’s us or another person) must pay the price.
—Psalm 21:15 Unfortunately, many people think that relaxing in the context of justice is
showing love. Parents, for example, will let their kid do just about anything
because they don’t want to hurt the child’s feelings by disciplining him or her.
Although their hearts are in the right place, this can be a dangerous notion. If
a child is taught that there are no consequences to breaking the rules, then
why should he or she follow them in the first place?
God is an example of true justice. Each time that we sin, we deserve death.
Although He loves us more than we can comprehend, God is just enough that
He will follow through our punishment and give us what we deserve. However,
Jesus came down and paid our fine, in essence. He covered our mistakes by
giving His own perfect life, and when we choose to give our lives to Him we
can escape the price of our sins in a fair and honest way.
Today, give thanks to our just God. Know that He will always rule with a firm
but gentle hand.

DEC08 Overcoming Racial Tension
There’s no question that we still face racial tension in our nation. Often, it’s
blown far out of proportion by the media, but it’s important to know that there
Hatred stirs up are some real instances of this problem. We Christians should never practice
conflict, but love racial ideas, and we should do what we can to diffuse them when they come
from other people.
covers over all
wrongs. Being racist goes against the Bible. Jesus didn’t come and die on the cross to
save only a certain group of people. He gave His life so that anyone who
—Proverbs 10:12 believes can have eternal life. He loves each and every one of us. No one
person can gain more favor in His eyes than another. God doesn’t play
favorites either, and He doesn’t care about our skin color or accent. Why
should He, when He is the one who created our differences?
To combat racial tension, we must first remove it from our own hearts. We
have to accept the fact that we are the same in God’s eyes and that His
grace is designed to fit anyone. Once we purify our own beliefs, we can begin
ministering to others through love. Even the smallest acts of kindness can go a
long way.
Today, make sure your heart is clean of any racist feelings. Give those
emotions over to God, and let Him fill the space with love and acceptance
instead. Also, take the time today to love someone who is a different race. It
could be something as simple as a smile in passing or something more powerful
like praying together. Reach out into the world with an open heart and open
arms.

DEC09 The Age Limits of Grace
For some reason, many Christians seem to think there’s an age limit to grace.
Perhaps they feel like the young cannot comprehend the weight of their
Don’t let anyone decisions or that the elderly have wasted their lives. God’s salvation is not
look down on you designed just for one group of people. It is made to be accessible for anyone
and everyone that desires it. In John 3:16, the Bible tells us, “For God so loved
because you are the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
young, but set an shall not perish but have eternal life.”
example for the Usually, our concerns about age do come from honest intentions, especially
believers in speech, with children. We want to make sure they fully grasp the magnitude of their
in conduct, in love, decisions and how they will change their lives. If anything, we should be
encouraging to the younger generations who seek salvation. The sooner they
in faith and in come to God, the more time in their lives they’ll have to offer to His cause.
purity. Children can provide a lifetime of service for the Lord.
—1 Timothy 4:12 Ultimately though, it doesn’t matter what we think. God loves each and every
one of us equally, and is just as thrilled for every new soul that joins Him. It
doesn’t matter to Him if they’re a child at vacation Bible school or a senior on
their deathbed.
Today, remember not to place age limits (or any other kind of limit) on grace.
It is designed to reach across all situations and people. He brought salvation
to us as a perfect opportunity for our imperfect lives.

DEC10 Why Some Are Lost
Something that nonbelievers question often is how a righteous and merciful
God could allow anyone to remain lost. After all, isn’t He supposed to be all-
“In a surge of loving and fair? The answer is yes. And it’s because of these traits that some
anger I hid my of His children remain lost to the world.
face from you for a God gave us free will so that we would be able to come to Him by choice. If
moment, but with we served Him without another option, it would just be slavery (and that is the
everlasting last thing that He wants). He loves us enough that He sacrificed His son for
us, but also so much that He would rather see us walk away than to hold us
kindness, I will have against our will.
compassion on This isn’t to say that He has not done everything in His power to prevent us
you,” says the Lord from turning the other cheek. He sent His son to teach us how we should
your Redeemer. behave and treat one another. He crafted the Bible to function as our daily
guide and offer instructions on being saved. He has made the way clear. We
—Isaiah 54:8 must only follow.
One reason why humans have a hard time understanding God’s actions is that
we cannot fully comprehend His nature. He is holy above all else, and cannot
tolerate when sin is in His presence. Even though He cares for us so greatly,
He cannot turn against the foundation of His being. He is also just. For the
same reason, He cannot forgive us of our sins if we do not ask. Jesus
accepted our debt on the cross, but we must give out lives to Him to receive
this charity.
Today, say a prayer for those who are lost that they make the decision to
come to God. Because following Him by choice is the only way.

DEC11 The Power of His Hearing (How God Can
Process More Than Our Most Advanced
This is the Technology)
confidence we What’s the most powerful piece of technology you own? For a lot of us, the
have in answer is our cell phone. It’s able to make calls while texting, surfing the
approaching God: internet or even browsing Facebook. There’s no secret that our intelligence is
becoming more and more advanced every day. But even the strongest devices
that if we ask have their limits.
anything according Conference calling is when several people are part of a single phone call. It’s
to his will, he hears a wonderful substitute for in-person meetings, especially when large distances
us. separate those involved. There is a limit, however, to how many people can
participate. On our cell phones, the number is quite low. Usually about five or
—1 John 5:14 six total lines can join in a single call. Any more than that and the device or
the network won’t be able to handle the amount of data.
With that in mind, it is almost impossible to imagine the listening and

processing power (so to speak) that God has. He has the capacity to hear, to
understand and to respond to the prayers of every single person on Earth. Our
technology is incredible, yes, but instead of a handful of conversations, He can
manage billions! And in 6,500 different languages! Truly, the power of God is
beyond our wildest imagination.
Today, give praise to our powerful Savior. Know that every prayer you utter is
heard and understood by the creator of our galaxy. It is hard to comprehend,
but His abilities serve as a reminder of the greatness of the One we serve.

DEC12 “Why Me?”
This month, we have already discussed how our righteous God can allow His
children to remain lost. Another question that believers and non-believers ask
Praise be to the is, “Why do we (especially those who have given our love to Christ) suffer?”
God and Father of Some people feel as though a fair and loving Lord would never allow for a
our Lord Jesus world full of such pain, particularly for His followers.
Christ, the Father The biggest thing to understand is that this world is not of God. Yes, He
of compassion and designed it and formed it to keep us alive, but the foundation of the planet is
different from Him. The world is ravaged by sin and evil, and it has been since
the God of all Adam and Eve partook in the forbidden fruit. Our heavenly Father, on the
comfort, who other hand, is the epitome of holiness and righteousness. The misfortunes of
the world are not necessarily His will, but a side effect of the tarnished planet
comforts us in all that we call home.
our troubles, so God also allows His children to suffer to make us stronger. He gives us what
that we can we can deal with (with His assistance, of course), and each time we triumph,
comfort those in it’s experience under our belts. We cannot hope to know the details of His
plans for us, but we do know that previous victories prime us to overcome
any trouble with more in the future and to share our testimonies with others.
the comfort we
ourselves receive Today, do not worry about your suffering. Any pain on this Earth is only
temporary, and God does not wish to hurt us. Once we accept His son as our
from God. Savior, we have a future in eternity without another ounce of suffering or
discomfort.
—2 Corinthians
1:3-4

DEC13 A Finished Work
There’s something satisfying about completing a project, isn’t there? We get to
wrap up our hard work and take a look at our finished accomplishment.
When he had Usually there’s a weight lifted from our shoulders too. Depending on the size
received the drink, of our task, sometimes we even use the opportunity to celebrate. However, the
most important project that the world has faced has already been completed.
Jesus said, “It is
finished.” With that, As Jesus hung suffering on the cross, He told us that His work was done.
he bowed his head Those words were the last to leave His lips before He died for our sins. You
see, His entire life was a project. He had to grow up from a young boy, face
and gave up his temptations and live an entire life without sin. The hardest part of His
spirit. assignment, however, came at the end. He was betrayed by His own followers
before being tortured and left to die. He fought against the grip of death, but
ultimately, He knew that His purpose had been served and so released His
—John 19:30 spirit so that His flesh could die.
The completion of his work is the single most important thing in our lives.
Without it, we would not be eligible for eternal life. However, that doesn’t
mean that all projects are meant to be finished. God’s work in our hearts is
something that never ceases. He must purify and guide us every single day as
the tarnish of the world tries to take hold of our minds. Since this work is never
done, Jesus will never cease building us up and refining our spirit.
Today, give thanks to God for all our projects. Rejoice in the finished ones, like
Jesus’ sacrifice, but also those assignments that take constant care. Know that
the Lord will never leave a project undone, and so never forsake a child of His.

DEC14 To Our Neighbors
What is your definition of a good neighbor? Is it someone who lets you
borrow his lawnmower? A friend across the street who greets you as you
The second is this: come home? Maybe you simply want someone quiet who keeps to herself.
“Love your Every person has a different ideal type of neighbor, but Christians should
always be the number-one selection.
neighbor as
yourself.” There is The world is full of prejudices, especially against Christianity. Non-believers
no commandment seem to have a poor view of us and the way we act. It is not entirely our fault,
but we are partially to blame. For some reason, we have a tendency to
greater than these. congregate amongst ourselves only. When Jesus walked the earth He visited
the hurt and the sick. The people that we would probably consider “trash”
—Mark 12:31 were the ones that He knew needed Him the most. God doesn’t discriminate
with His love, but unfortunately, we fall short sometimes.
To be a good neighbor, we must be good to our neighbors. God calls us to

always offer a listening ear to them. We should love them greatly, no matter
how different they may be than us. We should treat them as family, because
we are all children of the Lord. That can seem like a pretty big task and in
truth, it’s impossible to do on our own. We have to first love God before we
can love one another in the way that He intended.
Today, ask God to show you the ways of a good neighbor. Pray that He
would open your heart to their pleas and that you’ll be equipped to set aside
any differences. And remember, neighbors are not just people who live in
proximity to us. They are also all the souls that we encounter at work and
passing down the street.

DEC15 Stability and Steadfastness
Have you ever missed a step or stumbled going down the stairs? It’s a very
scary feeling. Your heart usually jumps right into your throat. Your hands and
He will be the sure legs will move wildly, instinctively, as you try to regain your balance.
foundation for your Sometimes, you cannot recover from the mishap and end up falling down
entirely. Just the same, there are instances in life that leave us scrambling to
times, a rich store keep our footing.
of salvation and
wisdom and There are many events that can throw us off balance. It could be a car wreck,
sudden medical expense or storm damage to your house. Other problems
knowledge; the make us stumble even harder, like a death in the family or going through a
fear of the Lord is divorce. The whole world is an unstable surface just waiting to make us falter.
the key to this What if you could always have someone there to catch you when you take a
treasure. misstep? How much more likely would you be to keep your footing when you
stagger if there was an extended hand waiting to grab you? For Christians,
—Isaiah 33:6 this isn’t a daydream. It’s a reality.
No matter how rough things gets, the Lord is always there to catch us. If we
stumble, He’ll take us in His arms and keep us upright. If we fall, He’ll pick us
up off the ground and set us back on our feet. He’ll even tend to the cuts and
scrapes we might have from crashing to the floor.
Today, don’t be afraid if you stumble. Jesus is always there to catch us and
even the worst events of this world are only temporary. His love and grace is
forever.

DEC16 A Throne Built from Grace (Compare the
Materials That Man Uses)
Let us then What do you picture when you hear the word “throne”? Of course, you see a
approach God’s grand chair, but, in your mind’s eye, what is it made out of? The oldest throne
room that we have discovered comes from Turkey. It was made of adobe,
throne of grace which is a building material created from mixing earth and organic material.
with confidence, so
Throughout history, man has used a variety of other elements to build these
that we may grand seats. Wood was common for centuries, often covered in gold leaf and
receive mercy and cushioned with velvet and jewels. As technology advanced, skilled blacksmiths
find grace to help carved thrones out of metal. They were intricately forged and heavy and made
to withstand the test of time and to show the grandeur of the leader who sat
us in our time of on it.
need. Even the most beautiful of man’s creations, however, cannot compare to the
throne that is in Heaven. We do not know for certain what it looks like, only
—Hebrews 4:16 that the scene is more incredible than anything we can comprehend. But the
throne itself… what is it made of?
Until we join the Lord in Heaven, we won’t know for sure. What we do know,
however, is that regardless of the physical material, the throne of God is made
of grace. It is carved from love, justice and righteousness like our world has
never seen. It is nothing but holy, nothing but pure and powerful. And thanks
to the generous Lord who sits upon it, we Christians will get to experience it
one day.
Today, remember that even the least glorious of God’s possessions is better
than the greatest of this world. However blessed you are now, it’s merely a
sample of what’s to come.

DEC17 Dust to Dust (Possessions Mean Nothing)
What is your most prized possession? Some people are most proud of their
cars. Others like to show off their houses. Cell phones, computers and
Do not store up for collections of all sorts earn important places in our hearts. Placing this kind of
yourselves treasures emphasis on your possessions, however, is a poor decision.
on earth, where Any time we praise something more than our relationship with God, that thing
moths and vermin becomes an idol. Even though the Lord is righteous and loving, He is also
destroy, and where jealous with His children. The worldly items that we cling to the hardest are the
ones that are most likely to be lost as a result of His ire. We are even warned
thieves break in in the Ten Commandments not to make idols for ourselves.
and steal. Loving our material things is a waste of time too. The hours that we spend
washing that car or redecorating that house are fine in moderation. After all,
—Matthew 6:19 we still are inhabitants of this planet, even if it is only temporary. It is when we
become obsessed with such actions and give them priority over our Christian
lives that trouble starts. At that point, we’re taking time we could be using for
God and throwing it into the things of the world.
Today, do not let your focus be wasted on things of man. Everything that you
own, including your body, was raised from the dust of the earth; and that is
where these things shall return. Instead, place your emphasis on spiritual
treasures. Build a relationship with God and reach out in His name—and then
you shall find true riches.

DEC18 Bringing our Problems to God
Talking to figures of authority can be quite nerve-wracking. Usually it’s
someone like a boss or a principal—someone who has direct jurisdiction over
Cast your cares on you and who is entitled to make decisions to change your life. This sort of
the Lord and he power makes them seem intimidating, but it also changes the way that we
interact with them. Many times, we’ll hide details or even blatantly lie to them
will sustain you; he because we fear repercussions. Ironically, God is the one with the most power
will never let the and is still the one that we should trust the most and be the most willing to
righteous be communicate with.
shaken. You see, there is nothing that we cannot come to God with. He orchestrates
the entire universe, but He also cares for every feather on a sparrow. No
—Psalm 55:22 problem is too big or too small to reach for His help. There’s also nothing that
we can do to make Him lose favor with us. He is the very definition of love,
and He cares more about His children than anything else. So long as we
believe in Him and in the sacrifice of His son Jesus, no deeds of the world can
cause Him to stop loving us.
The Lord already knows our most intimate dreams and thoughts. He is fully
aware of the situation, so there’s no need to drum up an explanation when we
are talking to Him. He knows every side and every detail, even before it plays
out in our lives.
Today, don’t be afraid to talk to the “boss.” He wants a relationship with you.
He’s always willing to hear your problems and to help you solve them.

DEC19 Truth Is Not Always Pleasant
When we think of God, we should think of everything good. Everlasting love
and far-reaching grace are just two of His countless qualities. Even our
Yet a time is pictures of Heaven are filled with perfection. Many of us imagine fields of
coming and has flowers and mansions of marble and gold. It’s no wonder why we associate
God with all things pleasant. However, the things that are best for us are not
now come when always easiest.
the true worshipers
will worship the Tearing off a bandage hurts. The adhesive tears out our hairs (and even some
skin, depending on the chemicals used). However, the wound beneath is able
Father in the Spirit to breath better once the Band-Aid is off. The same is often true for the truth
and in truth, for that God gives us: it’s greatly beneficial, but not pleasant to endure.
they are the kind of This kind of truth comes in many forms, but most often, He works through our
worshipers the conscience. We have to be still and listen hard to catch such a gentle and
quiet voice. Because of this, He knows that we are giving Him our full
Father seeks. attention just to hear it. However, the softness of this guidance compels many
people to ignore it—particularly when it comes to relationships and other
—John 4:21 temptations of the world.
Today, take time to listen for the truth, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
The Lord will always have your best interest at heart. It doesn’t matter if you
understand His reasoning or not—you need to obey God. Ask Him to provide
you with veracity and to open your heart so that you may make the right
decisions in His name.

DEC20 The Definition of Idolatry
This month, we’ve talked a lot about idolatry. That’s because this time of year
is far busier than usual and is often driven by desires for material things. The
You shall not make combination of these two factors creates a great opportunity for idols to find
for yourself an their way into our lives.
image in the form Before we can avoid idolatry, we have to understand what it is. It is having
of anything in anything that comes between you and God. It doesn’t matter if it’s your family,
heaven above or career or favorite TV show—there is no justifying its importance, because
nothing matters more than your relationship with God and His Son Jesus.
on the earth
beneath or in the When you elevate something of the world ahead of your relationship with our
Savior, it’s a slap in the face to Him. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we would
waters below. not be held responsible for our sins. He completely resisted temptation for
more than 30 years so that His blood would be wholly innocent. Then He
—Exodus 20:4 endured unimaginable torture. He was whipped and beaten—disgraced in
front of the entire city—and yet He did not protest. He fought his way to
Golgotha where He hung in the sun until His last breath faded away. Nothing
that this world can offer has such value.
Today, remember to enter this holiday week with your priorities set straight.
Give all of your love to Jesus first, and He shall purify it and return it to your
family. Be thankful for the gifts that you receive, but know that they will return
to dust in the end. Celebrate our Savior’s birthday by making sure there are no
idols competing with Him for glory.

DEC21 Dealing With a Storm of Anxieties
Worry is simply a part of human nature. Once our souls are purified through
Christ, the flesh still remains anxious. It is understandable, since our world has
I sought the Lord, pressured us immensely. This modern life is full of one worry after another,
and he answered without ceasing. Sometimes the fears are personal, but sometimes they are for
our nation. Even beyond that, we fear for the condition and safety of the
me; he delivered world. Through this storm of anxiety, there’s only one shelter that will work.
me from all my
fears. God promises that He will give us peace when we need it. We are told over
and over again that He has an intricate plan for us and that our futures are
secure. The Bible also instructs us not to worry and gives us the only other
—Psalm 34:4 option that Christians should consider: turning to God. We should never try to
find peace in the ways of the world, because this world is not made for peace.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It can be hard to let go of our worries, but this
is a guarantee that they’ll be taken care of.
Today, don’t be afraid of the storm. It does not matter how many problems
you are facing or how big each of your fears is. Our Savior can calm the
raging seas of our anxieties, but He can also walk on water. Lean on Him, and
He will not let you drown.

DEC22 Setting Goals
We see many social media posts including the word “goals.” It began as a silly
trend among the younger generation, but now millions of people are
So we make it our comparing their lives to one another to set these goals. Most of them are
goal to please him, harmless and show respectable aims for the future, such as owning a dog or
decorating your first house. Setting goals for this world is a good way to keep
whether we are at us motivated, but we have much bigger objectives too.
home in the body
or away from it. As a Christian, our number one goal is to love Jesus. We are meant to follow
in His footsteps and become an outlet for his works. When we give Him our
full attention and love, we’re able to purify our hearts and souls and become a
—2 Corinthians new creation in His name. We can achieve this goal through time in the
5:9 Scripture and by praying frequently and passionately. Each moment with Him
makes us closer to God.
Another Christian goal is to love one another. This can only be accomplished
with help from Christ. We must experience His great love and acceptance
before we will be properly equipped to offer that same affection to other
people. When we know Him intimately, He will work through us to touch this
lost and dying world.
Today, think about your goals in Christ. If you don’t have any, it’s time to
create some. If you do, ask yourself if you’re meeting your own expectations.
Could you be working harder to grow in your Christian life? Remember, the
only way to reach your goals is through diligence and hard work.

DEC23 The Greatest Giver
What’s the most precious thing that anyone has ever given you? If you’re
married, it may be your wedding ring. It could be a family heirloom that has
He who did not been passed down for generations or something as simple as your favorite
spare his own Son, stuffed animal. In our lives, we experience a lot of wonderful presents from
wonderful people. But there’s one giver who is greater than all the rest.
but gave him up
for us all—how will Our means limit the value of our gifts. Sometimes, cost is the barrier that
he not also, along prevents us from offering the best presents. Other times, we may not know
someone well enough to choose the right item. Sometimes, we run out of
with him, graciously shopping time or aren’t close to any good stores. There are countless reasons
give us all things? why we cannot give perfectly, even when we’re trying. That’s okay though,
because there’s one who can give superbly every time.
—Romans 8:32 God knows exactly what’s best for us when we call upon Him. In fact, He
knows even better than we do what will benefit us in the long run. His power
and grace are limitless and eternal, and ready for us to embrace. He hears us
when we pray and will grant us blessings greater than we could even imagine.
Trusting in Him is trusting in a future where we are provided for and endlessly
loved.
Today, remember that you don’t have to be the greatest giver, because you
are guided and protected by one beyond our comprehension. During this
holiday season, abundantly give the gift of prayer. Our Father knows what
every soul needs.

DEC24 A Miracle Birth
It’s always hard to sleep when something big is coming the next day, isn’t it?
Our minds wind up with excitement and end up spreading tension throughout
This is how the our entire bodies. We toss and turn and usually don’t get any rest at all. But
birth of Jesus the even the biggest events of this world are still entirely insignificant in
comparison to what God can do. Can you imagine the excitement that must
Messiah came have been flowing through Heaven the day before Christ was born?
about…
Angels must have been chattering amongst themselves happily, perhaps
—Matthew 1:18 leaning to get a view of Mary and Joseph’s journey. The Father and Holy
Spirit were probably busy finishing the final preparations, like ensuring that
there would be room in the stable. The mansions and streets of gold must have
been electrified with anticipation for this special birth.
Jesus was conceived unlike anyone before or since. He was created as the
Son of God, but also the Son of Man. His mother, Mary, was a virgin at the
time of His birth. She was like a young lamb, pure and innocent of the sins of
the world. Because of this, she could give birth to a divine child… one who
was human enough to pay for the sins of mankind yet holy enough to rise from
the dead. This incredible orchestration was God’s most wonderful gift to us.
On this Christmas Eve, give praise! Tomorrow marks the day when our Savior
was born and the course of the entire world was changed forever.

DEC25 Digging for the Meaning of “Merry
Christmas”
- Christmas - “Merry Christmas.” It’s a phrase that has been uttered countless times this month—
and especially today. We use it as an expression to wish others well. The word itself
is defined as “cheerful and lively,” and it only makes sense that it is what we should
want for our friends and family on this holy day. Did you know, though, that the word
comes from even greater meaning?
The word “merry” can be related to another word: “gallant.” These two terms share a
similar Anglo-Saxon heritage. They were related to a much grander scale than simply
to be happy. “Great” and “mighty” are derived from the same line. So what does this
mean? Are we not supposed to enjoy ourselves on Christmas?
Of course we should rejoice! This was the day that the Savior was born—the day
that led to His death on the cross so that sinful humans could enjoy a seat in
eternity. Today is definitely a day for joy, but it’s also a day of grand truth. Jesus was
the physical embodiment of God, and this is the day when He debuted in our world,
thus proving the promise of God. This occasion is nothing short of great. It is
incredible, beyond our very comprehension.
Today, tell your friends and family “Merry Christmas.” Tell them that today is a day
of greatness—a day for joy, love and hope. Tell them that Jesus loves them and that
through Him, all things are possible. Even everlasting life.
On coming to the house, they saw the child

with his mother Mary, and they bowed
down and worshiped him.
—Matthew 2:11

DEC26 What’s in a Gift?
Lots of people see the gifts as the entire reason for this season, but this is far
from the truth. We know, of course, that our focus should be on Jesus. That is
not to say, however, that the practice of gift-giving is bad. It is actually a
There are different great way for us to show our friends and family members that we care about
kinds of gifts, but them. Sometimes, it can even be a way to minister to the lost with feelings of
kindness. The gifts that we give, however, must be carefully chosen.
the same Spirit
distributes them. It is a delicate balance to find as a Christian. We want to present our loved
ones with something that they will enjoy, but we also do not want to put too
—1 Corinthians much emphasis on material possessions; after all, even the most luxurious gift
of this world can’t last. When choosing a gift, it’s important to meet with God
12:4 in prayer about it.
Look for something that’s an expression of love. One of the most common
ways that Christians give to one another is by making homemade items.
Sometimes, it’s something edible—like cookies or jam. The present could also
be something crafted, like a hand-painted sign or custom coffee table. Works
like this are sentimental and do a wonderful job at conveying your feelings.
They’re also usually less expensive, which leaves more money to be spread
around other ministries, like buying presents for the less fortunate.
Today, be thankful for the gifts that you have received, whatever they may be.
Also, do not stop giving just because Christmas has passed—the world can
benefit from generosity every day.

DEC27 The Bricks of a Broken Home
All across this nation, there are broken homes. This crumbling of families and
relationships is one of our greatest social issues. It could even be argued as
He will wipe every the base from which other societal problems have arisen. It’s something that
tear from their we have dealt with increasingly, but it seems as though most people are simply
willing to accept the statistics as the “new norm.”
eyes. There will be
no more death or Our homes are where we develop the foundation of our beings and
mourning or crying personality. When we’re raised in the glory of Christ, we know His word and
will. When we’re raised among sin and hatred, however, it becomes second
or pain, for the old nature to us. Children see divorce, fighting, cursing and drinking—and they
order of things has assume that it happens in every family. They adapt to such habits quickly, and
before long, those habits are deeply ingrained in the child’s attitude. Once
passed away. they’re grown, these damaged and misled adults go out into the world and
further spread the evil ways of the world.
—Revelation 21:4
The only way to fight against this plague of divorce and unhealthy
relationships is to turn to God. We must study His word and pray together if
we want to learn the errors of our ways. It’s necessary that we put Him first,
even in our marriage, so that He can show us the right direction. Broken
homes make broken lives, but God is the healer of all things. It is with these
new bricks in faith that the walls of your relationships may be repaired.
Today, check on the condition of your own home. Are your priorities in order?
Do you set a good example for your loved ones? If you answer no, turn to the
Lord for help quickly. He can heal the damage before it’s too late.

DEC28 A World of Requirements
The world is absolutely full of requirements. In most cases, we have to earn a
high enough GPA in high school to get into college. From there, we must work
If you declare with for our degree and present that diploma to get a job. Sometimes even that’s
your mouth, “Jesus not enough. Businesses will ask for experience or special skills too. And that’s
just the tip of the iceberg.
is Lord,” and
believe in your We need the right credit score to buy a house or a car. You’re required to get
heart that God a driver’s license to be on the road, or a permit to hunt and fish. There are
even restrictions for how short you can be to ride roller coasters! Everything, it
raised him from the seems, has a long list of “musts” before you can take part. The exception to
dead, you will be that rule, however, is with your salvation.
saved. For it is with To make it to Heaven, there are only two things we must do: believe in Jesus
your heart that you as our Lord and Son of God who was raised from the dead, and profess our
faith to others. It’s almost ironic that earning eternal life (which we can never
believe and are hope to deserve) is so freely given to those who take God into their hearts.
justified, and it is Isn’t it amazing how wonderfully blessed we are?
with your mouth Today, don’t worry about the requirements of the world. It can seem pretty
that you profess intimidating to try to make headway, but God will always provide for you. If
your faith and are you meet the requirements of salvation, your eternal future is guaranteed and
all else becomes insignificant.
saved.
—Romans 10:9-
10

DEC29 Our Instruction Manual
Any time you buy a new appliance or gadget, it comes with an instruction
manual. It’s a good thing too, especially when it’s a piece of technology that
Listen to advice you’re unfamiliar with. Once you review the directions in the book, you’ll be
and accept ready to use your new device much more smoothly. In the same way, God
prepared the Bible for His children so that they may be ready to function in
discipline, and at the world.
the end you will be
counted among the It’s important to spend time reading the Bible, especially if you’re a new
Christian. This is the best way to learn not only about God’s expectations for
wise. you, but also how He wants you to achieve them. Reading some Scripture
every morning, for example, gives you a fresh boost of instruction to prepare
—Proverbs 19:20 you for the day.
The Bible also functions as a troubleshooting guide. We can learn a lot by

simply reading through it, but there are specific verses we can turn to when a
problem in our lives needs fixing. Going over the Word can give you strength,
put your mind at ease, take away fear for the future and so much more. There
isn’t a single trouble for your soul that can’t be treated by referring to the
Word of God.
Today, refer to your instruction manual. Whether you need special guidance or
just a daily touch-up, there’s no better place to find what you’re looking for
than the Bible itself. Read through it, pray about it and let it work through your
heart and out into the world around you.

DEC30 Preparing for a New Year, Part 1
It’s almost time to embrace the new year. As we get older, each new year
seems to go by faster than the one before. Surely this one has held its fair
You were taught, share of trials and triumphs for you and your family, but now it’s coming to a
with regard to your close. The best way to prepare yourself for a new year is to mimic the process
that God completed during your salvation. First, you must discard the old and
former way of life, cleanse your soul. Then, you can make room for the new blessings.
to put off your old
self, which is being Ready yourself on this day. Search your heart and identify all the negative
feelings hiding within. Find the hatred or guilt or anger that has built up, and
corrupted by its give it all to God. Ask Him to relieve you of it so that the space in your heart
deceitful desires; to can be filled with something greater. You should also seek to forgive anyone
who has wronged you, no matter how painful it may be. If we are to be like
be made new in Christ, we must forgive as He does.
the attitude of your This is also a good time to realize that the past is the past. There are
minds …. important lessons that can stick with us, especially if they help to build your
testimony, but many of the happenings of this year should be let go. We
—Ephesians 4:22- cannot make room for new memories if we are not willing to part with the old.
23 Today, complete this first step of preparation so that tomorrow, on New
Year’s Eve, you can be ready to start the new year fresh.

DEC31 Preparing for a New Year, Part 2
Today is the last day of December and this year. Yesterday, we worked to
eliminate the turmoil from this year that had latched onto our hearts. After all,
…and to put on you must clear a garden before you can plant it. Now, we are going to focus
the new self, on planting the seeds of God into our hearts so that this new year can be
fruitful in the spirit.
created to be like
God in true The first thing to do is to pray to God. Ask Him to refresh the Holy Spirit
righteousness and within you and make your spirit and mind ready for His purposes. Tell Him to
take control over your life and to provide you with guidance today, tomorrow
holiness. and for the entirety of the next year.
Next, you must spend time in the Word. The best way for us to grow spiritually
—Ephesians 4:24 is to study the Bible. We find instruction, hope and problem solving throughout
all chapters of the Book. In fact, God uses this to speak to us more often than
any other platform. Make an effort to spend a few minutes reading His Word
today, and it will soon become a habit that you can use every day.
Today, be ready to take on this new year! Know that God will be with you
every step of the way, and that each time you ask, He will refresh you and
cleanse your soul. It is impossible for our flesh to turn away from thoughts and
temptations of the world, but if you run to Him, He will wipe them away as
often as you need. So go into the new year remembering that you are a new
creature in salvation and face the world with hope and faith.

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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© 2016 Food for the Hungry

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Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as

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Practice small instances of generosity. Encourage siblings to split that last

Encourage pet care, especially playing and stroking. Generosity extends to

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1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | 403-998-3100 | www.fh.org

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not be afraid. • M ed ita te on w hat is g ood . Philippians 4:8 specifically tells us to

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• Set a n exa mp le. If you’re always yelling in traffic or tapping your

• W a tch you r ow n tem per. We all have relatives, coworkers or

• Take child ren to p lac es they na tura lly ha ve to w ait, a nd

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1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | 403-998-3100 | www.fh.org

• Take the q uestion a bo ve to the next level w ith rol e-

• C at ch you r child b eing kind , a nd p ra ise her. Say something

• Do kind a cts a s a fa mil y. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal

• Perform sm al l a cts of kind ness. For your spouse, relatives and

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1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | 403-998-3100 | www.fh.org

1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | 403-998-3100 | www.fh.org

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behind her and her

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Him, but Jesus sent consideration than a corpse.

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water for your

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• U se a Bibl e you un dersta nd. Too many Christians get bogged

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Paul’s encouragement from 1 Corinthians is meant to give us a much-needed shot

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new

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with them, but Paul • Do es this p erso n b uild m e up or tea r m e d ow n? Friendships

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