Thundering Voices

Read Revelations 19-22

Revelations 19:5 says, "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great."  When we see injustice and pain in the world, we wonder why God doesn’t do something about it.  When our lives are in crisis, we plead with the Lord to deliver us and can’t understand what takes Him so long to answer our pleas.

If God is so powerful, why don’t we see more of that power?  If God is the ruler of the universe, why is there so much chaos?

It’s because of God’s grace and mercy that He doesn’t cut loose.  If He showed all of Himself to us, like John saw in Revelations, we’d be scared to death.  You’d better believe we’d be obedient and righteous in the face of all that terror.  But God doesn’t want to scare us into relationship with Him—He wants us to love Him.

The Lamb Shall Overcome

Read Revelations 16-18

 

Revelations 17:14 says, "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."  We wish we could see what the future holds for us.  We want to know what we’ll be doing in 10 years, 5 years, even this time next year.  We especially want to look into the future when we have to make a life-altering decision, because we’d like to be able to see what impact might be made by each of our choices, to make sure we choose the best outcome.

When we’re in the middle of a crises, we’d especially like to look ahead and find out how long we have to endure until we come out of it.  And we’d like to make sure all is going to be well.

Prophecy tells us that a battle is ahead.  It foreshadows how terrible things are going to get.  But God promises He is going to win in the end.  No matter what comes we can be assured: the Lord is going to be victorious.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 19-22

Taking It With You

Read Revelations 13-15

Revelations 14:13 says, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."  Money is useful and convenient, but it’s not eternal.  Not only can we “not take it with us” when we die, we can hardly hold on to it on earth.  Even the rich can have financial difficulties bad enough to lose everything.

When we want to be remembered after we’re gone, we have to find another way.  We try to build things that will last or try to accomplish something remarkable that will get us a mention in history books.  No matter how hard we try, we can’t guarantee we will be remembered.

But when we pour our lives into others’ and when we do what is right and what the Lord commands us to do, those works follow us.  Even when we’re gone the people who love us will remember what we did for them.  Those remembrances are the only things we can take with us.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 16-18

He Shall Reign

Read Revelations 10-12

Revelations 11:15 says, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."  I love all the renditions of the Hallelujah Chorus from the Silent Monk edition to the Flash Mob Mall edition.  One can’t help but sing along, even if only in the mind.

The song sweeps us up in the joy and excitement of the words and music.  Without a director to tell us that we can’t, we find ourselves singing all the parts—soprano, alto, tenor, bass.  If somebody is singing, we’re singing, too.

The words are prophetic—taken from this verse.  All of the kingdoms of this world—whether countries or fortunes—will be taken over by God at the end.  All problems will be fixed, all issues resolved, when the Lord reigns at last.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 13-15

Every Need Met

Read Revelations 7-9

Revelations 7:17 says, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  What if we didn’t have to stop what we were doing to eat?  What if we didn’t have to worry about staying hydrated because we never got thirsty?  What if we were never disappointed or hurt and no one else was either, so we were never moved to tears?

That’s what Heaven is—a place where there are no needs and no fears.  It’s a place where everything you might ever want is already there.

As we suffer here, we can know that God has planned a place where there is no suffering.  As we struggle, we can know that God has prepared a place where there is rest and peace and we will be free from struggles.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 10-12

Awesome Lamb

Read Revelations 4-6

Revelations 5:13 says, "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."  We think about what heaven will be like and look like when we get there—the pearly gates, the streets of gold.  We think about all the people we know who are already there and how wonderful it will be to see them again.

We think about all the people we never met and don’t know but can’t wait to meet, like Moses and David, and how exciting it will be to hear their stories firsthand from them.  We think about the crowns and mansions that await us.

But when we finally see God face to face, we probably won’t even think about anything else.  We will be so mesmerized by His glory and majesty that we can’t even imagine, we won’t have eyes for anyone or anything else but Him.  Seeing Him will be our ultimate reward.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 7-9

Knocking

Read Revelations 1-3

Revelations 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."  When someone says let’s get together, we don’t know if they really want to get together, or whether that’s their way of ending the conversation on a friendly note.  So when we try to set a real future meeting, we find out how sincere they were.

If they can’t make our first suggestion, we offer a second.  We can keep proposing date after date after date, but most of us recognize that after the third no we should quit.  We give up.  But when we’re the ones saying no and we really mean to connect, we know they’re going to give up after the third try, so we participate in the choosing, letting the others know we mean business.

Jesus doesn’t give up on us.  He waits and knocks on the door of our hearts and lives, waiting patiently for us to let Him in.  Once we do, He offers us complete and intimate relationship with Him, no matter how long we made Him wait.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 4-6

Keep Yourself

Read 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Jude 1:21 says, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."  Once we’ve found the Lord, you’d think we’d never want to return to those old things we left behind.  But habits are hard to break and we have to make a conscious effort to stop.  Every day we have to decide to say no to the evil things we are trying to weed out of our lives.

When things get tough, we seek comfort in the familiar and again find ourselves slipping into the very things God delivered us out of.  We have to start all over again.

But if we can learn to seek good habits, we have something to turn to.  God knows how hard it is to stomp out evil without having something in its place.  He provides all we need in love and mercy when we turn to Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 1-3

Cleansed From All Unrighteousness

Read 1 John 1-5

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  This is one of the most wonderful verses in the Bible—this promise that God will always forgive and will forgive all.  Sometimes we can get so caught up in wrong doing, we wonder if we’ll ever get out.  Sin is a trap that we need help to escape from.

We can’t get this kind of deal from anywhere else.  People we love and have hurt can forgive us wholeheartedly, but they can’t help but be changed by the experience we’ve put them through.

No matter how far down we’ve fallen, no matter how long we’ve been estranged from our Heavenly Father, there is forgiveness awaiting us.  He won’t condemn us and He doesn’t make us clean ourselves up first.  All He requires is our repentance.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Keep Growing

Read 2 Peter 1-3

2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."  It can be discouraging to never reach a point where we don’t have something to learn.  Electronic gadgets, scientific discoveries, new theories about any number of things keep popping up all around us.  We have to make an effort to keep up with everything.

Learning exercises our minds.  Staying current exercises our organizational skills as we find time to read newspapers or follow the directions on our latest contraption.

We exercise ourselves spiritually when we seek to be more like Jesus.  There is always room to grow in grace and always more to discover about the Lord, no matter how many years we’ve been at it.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 John 1-5

Suffer for Doing

Read 1 Peter 1-5

1 Peter 3:17 says, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."  At first, I couldn’t figure out where Peter got such a notion.  Who wants to be punished at all, let alone for doing something good?  If you’re going to be accused and convicted anyway, shouldn’t you at least have had the satisfaction of knowing you’re guilty?

But those who make sure they are always doing what they should, to the best of their knowledge, can know they did what was right.  If there is any justice in the world, they know they will be exonerated.  And if there isn’t justice, those who know them, their real friends, will know the truth.

Most of all, it’s important to do what’s right to stay in right relationship with God.  No matter what we’re accused of, no matter what happens to us, God can make things right.  He is capable of getting us out of even the most impossible situations.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Peter 1-3

Swift and Slow

Read James 1-5

James 1:19 says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"  James says we should be quick to hear.  God wants us to be ready to hear His word, but also to be ready to listen to each other.  Sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen to him.

Then we shouldn’t be too quick to open our mouths.  We don’t always like what we hear and want to protest, complain, or argue.  If we think first, we might realize we’re ready to argue because we didn’t fully understand in the first place.  We should even hold off being too quick to give out advice.  If someone is confiding in us, if we let them finish, they might solve their own problems, rather than arguing over why the wise advice we’ve given them won’t work in their circumstances.

Lastly, James recommends we be slow to wrath.  Instead of letting our emotions take over, if we can reason through something that has irritated us, we might be able to dispel the anger so we can act rationally.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Peter 1-5

Offering and Faith

Read Hebrews 10-13

Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,"  Abraham believed God’s promise, but tried to help Him out with Hagar.  Once Isaac was born, he saw what God was capable of.  It must have been doubly hard to sacrifice Isaac—because he loved his son and because this would mean the death of the fulfillment of God’s promise.

It doesn’t matter that Isaac didn’t die—that Abraham didn’t have to kill him.  He offered him to God wholeheartedly.  He was poised to carry the deed through.

It’s hard enough waiting for God to answer our prayers.  When He does, I can’t imagine having to give up the fulfillment.  It must seem like you’re going backwards and may feel like you’re slapping God in the face since the answer was from Him.  But when we’re sure what God is asking of us, we can step out in faith and do whatever it is, no matter how illogical it might seem.  We can be certain God knows what He is doing.

Tomorrow’s reading: James 1-5

Only Once

Read Hebrews 7-9

Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  When God set up His covenant with Israel, there were all kinds of things they had to do to keep themselves in right relationship with the Lord.  Some things took place often, sometimes once a year, sometimes several priests contributed and sometimes only the High Priest dared to come before the throne of God on behalf of the people.

They had to keep up these rituals and keep them exactly as God gave them or face God’s wrath.  They stayed in uncertainty, never quite sure everything was right between them and God—what if the priest missed or messed up something?

Then Jesus came.  He only had to come once, die once, rise from the dead once.  We can accept what He did for us, knowing it was everything God demanded, knowing it’s good enough to make us and keep us in right relationship with our Father.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 10-13

Boldly Before the Throne

Read Hebrews 4-6

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  There was this new director who announced he had an open door policy—anyone could come talk to him anytime about anything that was on their minds about the company.  He soon learned to close his door and set up availability hours because he spent so much time being interrupted by the couple hundred employees at the company taking him at his word, he was not able to get any other work done.

We soon learn there are good times and bad times to approach our parents, our teachers, our pastors, our bosses, even our peers and children.  We also realize we have to set boundaries around our own time and accessibility for peace and productivity.

But God doesn’t have our limitations.  We can come to him any time, any where and in any state.  We can cry out when we can’t even form real words to express our anguish.  He listens to us and He is always there when we need Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 7-9

Man or Angel?

Read Hebrews 1-3

Hebrews 2:16 says, "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham."  What if Jesus had come in the form of an angel instead of a man?  For one thing, He would have spared Himself the agony of others’ disbelief.  Everyone recorded who saw angels, singular or plural, were frightened or at least impressed.  No one would have dared question Him, so He would have been spared the disrespect He so often got, especially from the Pharisees.

It seems like it would have been much better for Him.  Everyone would have listened to Him—everyone would have believed Him.  But it wouldn’t have been better for us.

Because Jesus came in human form, He suffered like we suffer.  He experienced hunger, exhaustion, and love just like we do.  He was human so He could pay our penalty for our sins and we could have eternal life. He didn’t choose to be an angel to make His time on earth better.   He chose to be human for our sakes.

Tomorrow’s reading: Read Hebrews 4-6

Not Our Doing

Read Titus 1-3, Philemon 1

Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"  Being good all the time is exhausting.  We get our behavior right and our attitude is bad.  We get our attitude right and our thoughts are wrong.  We get your thoughts under control and our behavior is called into question.  We can’t seem to get the hang of perfection.

Fortunately, God knows our imperfections.  He knows we are going to fail to meet His standards.

That’s why He sent Jesus to die for our sins.  We declare ourselves righteous, not because we’ve done anything to deserve the title, but because God’s mercy has made us so when we accept Him and His gift of salvation.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 1-3

First Taste

Read 2 Timothy 1-4

2 Timothy 2:6 says, "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits."  Whenever I make my Christmas cookies to send to my family, I always make sure to have enough so I can sample them before anyone else.  That way, if I’ve made a terrible mistake and they’re awful, I can make more, this time the right way.  Perhaps fruit wouldn’t fall into the same category—it’s unlikely that something would go wrong with the whole harvest of them, as long as they’re ripe.

But any time we do something we are planning on sending out, we want to make sure it’s as good as we can make it.  Whether it’s a gift or a product, our reputations are on the line.

We want to offer God our best efforts.  Even if He knows our weaknesses, our failings, and our worst, we want to be able to give Him the gift of doing what we know will please Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1

Live Like the Rich

Read 1 Timothy 4-6

1 Timothy 6:18 says, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"  Popular philosophy says if you act like you’re rich, you will get rich.  That concept is not as new as it seems.

Paul told Timothy to make sure the rich didn’t just trust in their riches or give only of their money.  He wanted them to get out there and do good works, take a hands on approach.

This is certainly a way we can act like the rich do without going over our budgets.  We can reach out to others in need and help in our churches and communities whenever and wherever we can.  We can be rich in those things that matter, like helping others, no matter how empty our bank accounts may be.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Timothy 1-4

Christ, Our Mediator

Read 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"  It’s a good thing we don’t have to depend on anyone but Jesus for access to the Father.  Anyone else wouldn’t be reliable, even if their intentions were good.  If we had to depend on a leader, we might not be able to meet their price or requirements—we wouldn’t be rich enough or good enough.

If we had to depend on family, we might have a falling out with the very one who was between us and God.  Or we might not have family at all, at least not blood relations.  Those who make their own families by getting close to the people around them would be out of luck and never be able to get through to God.

So God made sure there was only one way to Him—His Son, Jesus.  Jesus loved us so much He died for our sins, so we know we can always approach God’s throne through Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Timothy 4-6

Lead By Example

Read 2 Thessalonians 1-3

2 Thessalonians 3:9 says, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."  When we’re kids we long for the day when we’ll be grown and nobody can tell us what to do.  As employees we dream of the day when we have our own business and can be the kind of boss we wish we had.  In our neighborhoods and churches, we wish someone would ask us for a list of people we’d rather not be around.

No matter what situation we find ourselves in, the people we deal with can drive us crazy.  If only we had the power to make others behave as we think they should.  If only people would listen to us, we could straighten them out.

Nobody wants to be told what to do.  Even when someone asks you what you think they should do, if you tell them truthfully, they’ll argue with you about what you’ve recommended.  But we can be examples of what we believe.  We can continue to do what we think is right and let others be influenced by how we treat them.  Change is hard,  not impossible, but people have to be motivated in themselves to change.  We’ll provide the working model.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Timothy 1-3

Constant Rejoicing

Read 1 Thessalonians 1-5

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Rejoice evermore."  He’s kidding, right?  With all the things that are going on in this world—the injustice, the suffering, the wars—Paul doesn’t really expect us to be happy about it, does he?

We can see remembering to rejoice when there is something to celebrate.  Instead of going from one request to the next, to the one after that, and so on, we can stop and thank the Lord for what He has already done, for the requests He has already answered.  But then, shouldn’t we get back into the trenches of spiritual warfare and keep petitioning God for answers and for relief?

Of course we should.  But that doesn’t have anything to do with rejoicing.  We can keep our blessings in mind and be thankful for those things God has done for us and continues to do for us.  Our constant rejoicing is for who God is, what He has done, and for our relationship with Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Hearty Labor

Read Colossians 1-4

Colossians 3:23 says, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"  It’s hard to get excited about cleaning the garage.  It’s not easy to be enthusiastic about scrubbing the floor.  There is little to motivate one to get happy over laundry.  Some things you can look forward to doing and others you only do when there is no other choice.

But if you are cleaning the garage because you’re going to have a partying there, it’s not such a trial.  If you’re scrubbing the floor because a baby is going to be visiting, you’ve got something to look forward to.  If you’re doing laundry because your favorite outfit is dirty and you want to wear it, you’re motivated to finish.

No matter how mundane the chores we need to do are, we can find ways to do our work cheerfully.  When we can’t find a good reason in the natural, there is always the Lord to please.  We can always work willingly, even heartily when we are doing a job as unto God.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

Ask With Thanksgiving

Read Philippians 1-4

Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  There’s a debate about praying for something.  Do you keep asking until you receive it or does that show a lack of faith?  Do you ask only once and then move on or does that show arrogance?

Does God want us to keep asking like the woman with the unjust judge who finally gave in to get some relief from her?  Is God already sending the answer but being hampered like the angel who was on his way to Daniel, but got waylaid by the devil?

God knows what we need before we even ask.  We don’t have to take the responsibility for asking, like a clerk might be responsible for ordering when supplies are low, so the company doesn’t run out of something.  But God wants to hear from us.  He wants us to know He is the supplier of our needs.  So we can ask and give thanks and know God hears and answers us.

Tomorrow’s reading: Colossians 1-4

Kindly Tenderhearted Forgiveness

Read Ephesians 4-6

Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Children are naturally tenderhearted and forgiving.  We teach them to be kind to others and they readily take it up.

But as we get older life happens to us and we toughen up in order to endure.  Our survival depends on our strength and we can begin to see everyone else as our potential enemy, especially those who hurt us.

But God wants us to relearn those childlike lessons and stay tenderhearted.  We have to choose to forgive others and keep on forgiving.  We have to be vigilantly kind or we can risk becoming bitter.  The Lord knows we won’t be happy if we don’t practice kindly tenderhearted forgiveness.

Tomorrow’s reading: Philippians 1-4

Inner Man Strength

Read Ephesians 1-3

Ephesians 3:16 says, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"  We can exercise and lift weights to strengthen our bodies, but how to strengthen our inner selves isn’t as obvious.  We spend our whole lives developing on the inside while our outsides become more feeble.

The problems we go through help make us stronger.  The hurts we endure help us grow.  The worst situations in our lives bring about the most maturity.

It isn’t only through experience that we learn.  Reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Bible increases our understanding of life and the Lord.  Through prayer, the Holy Spirit can strengthen our inner man, keeping us at peace with God, no matter what we face.

Tomorrow’s reading: Ephesians 4-6

Prove Yourself

Read Galatians 4-6

Galatians 6:4 says, "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."  There are those who seem to excel in everything they attempt.  Everything they try, everything they learn, everything they do they end up being the best.

It can be discouraging for everyone else.  No matter how good we get, someone is better.  No matter how hard we try, we can never be as good.

Even if we’re discouraged, we still have to keep at it.  We’ll get better as we practice.  God doesn’t require that we be THE best, just that we do OUR best.

Tomorrow’s reading: Ephesians 1-3

There is More

Read Galatians 1-3

Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."  When things get you down, it’s nice to remember that there is more to life than what’s going on right now.  It’s good to know that there is a reason why disappointments must happen.  It’s comforting to know that God has a purpose even for the worst that we go through.

We keep in mind that God loves us and wants what’s best for us.  When we ask for His will to be done in our lives, He might close the only door we have so we are open to a new direction.

It may feel like punishment at times, but God is in control.  When we crucify ourselves with Christ, we continue to live in this world, but we have an advantage.  Christ lives in us and we live by faith.

Tomorrow’s reading: Galatians 4-6

Be Perfect

Read 2 Corinthians 10-13

2 Corinthians 13:11 says, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."  Paul says be perfect.  Maybe he thought he could be, but I’m guessing it was probably as laughable to the Corinthians as it is to us now.  The other things on his list are at least doable.  Surely he wouldn’t want them insisting they were perfect when they weren’t, just so they could believe they were in compliance!

It’s a good thing to strive for, anyway.  The only problem is, once you conquer one bad habit or once you get one sin under submission, you see how many bad habits you still have to go or how many sins still stand in the way.  It’s discouraging.

But we can’t let ourselves stay discouraged.  We can taken a deep breath and look again to our heavenly Father to guide us to the next path.  He can remove sin, He can strengthen us to break bad habits, He can help us get one step closer to perfection, one step closer to being more like Jesus.

Tomorrow’s reading: Galatians 1-3

Diversify

Read 2 Corinthians 7-9

2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  Investors tells to diversify our investments and not to pin our hopes on just one account in case it takes a downturn.  Specialty store owners never offer just one thing for sale, no matter how specialized they are.  Even clothing will have the same item in different colors and sizes.

We learn to be kind to everyone, not just the people closest to us.  We reach out to all our neighbors, not just the one on the other side of our fence.  We interact with all our coworkers, not just the one who sits next to us.  Even when we buy servings made just for one, we tend to buy more than one of them.

The Lord knows that it’s best for us to spread a wide net, to be inclusive, to sow bountifully.  When we concentrate on just one thing, we are too devastated if that one thing fails or disappoints us or leaves us.  But our lives are richer when we open our arms wide.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Faith vs. Sight

Read 2 Corinthians 4-6

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"  This verse is an aside from Paul—he just mentioned this in with the rest of his point.  But this principle is at the foundation of our whole being.

We don’t realize how many things we have to take on faith—it’s part of our everyday lives and we don’t think about it or question it.  We have faith that our loved ones continue to exist, even when we don’t see them.  We have faith—sometimes misplaced—in our vehicles, our appliances, our furniture, our modern conveniences.  We trust that things haven’t fallen apart just because we’re not using them right now.

God’s promises are even more trustworthy.  Just because something seems impossible, doesn’t mean it is, if God has said it.  We can walk confidently by faith and not worry about what is in our sight.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 7-9

Taking On Offenses

Read 2 Corinthians 1-3

2 Corinthians 2:10 says, "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;"  Bill Gothard called it the taking on of offenses.  It’s when we become angry with someone who hurt someone we love.  They didn’t hurt us, they hurt our loved one.

The problem is, when the person who was hurt forgives, we may not be able to forgive as easily.  We continue to be outraged on behalf of someone who has been able to put the incident behind them.

We feel it’s a matter of loyalty to our loved one—how can we not side with them against the world?  But we will suffer unless we learn how to forgive people who hurt us via third party.  The Lord requires it of us and He’ll give us the strength to forgive and keep on forgiving so we can keep our minds, our hearts, and our souls in peace.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 4-6

Through a Glass Darkly

Read 1 Corinthians 13-16

1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."  Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and seen a person standing in the corner of your bedroom?  You hardly dare move, lest he discover you’re awake.  Then you notice he’s not moving either, or making any noise.  You summon your courage and turn the light on.  In the corner where you were sure you saw an intruder, you see your bookcase, or a stack of clothes, or something else absolutely harmless and familiar.

Your eyes were playing tricks on you with the help of shadows, poor lighting, and your imagination.  You were scared by something that wasn’t even there, something not real.  Once you knew the truth, you weren’t scared any more.

We can get ourselves worked up by the things we read in scripture.  When we’re trying to understand God and what He wants from us, it can get confusing.  Our minds are finite and the Lord is infinite.  He will reveal Himself to us in ways we can understand.  One day, we’ll know the answers to all the questions we have, but meanwhile, all God requires from us is to receive Jesus as our Savior and follow Him step by step in ways He clearly shows us.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 1-3

No Hierarchy

Read 1 Corinthians 10-12

1 Corinthians 12:28 says, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."  This verse sounds like Paul has set up a hierarchy of gifts.  Some are more important than others, so they’re mentioned first.  Some gifts are so unimportant they were not even mentioned.

Looking at this verse again, it’s not a hierarchy, it’s a history line.  Apostles had to come first, prophets next, then teachers, in order to spread the gospel.  In order to tell somebody about Jesus, you have to know Him first.

Just like all parts of our human bodies work together, all of us are part of the church body and can work together, no matter what our gift is.  Preachers aren’t needed if there’s no one to preach to.  No one will want to come to church if there is no one who keeps it clean and keeps things in order.  No matter how unseen our part is, we’re necessary.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Corinthians 13-16

Use What You’ve Got

Read 1 Corinthians 7-9

1 Corinthians 7:20 says, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called."  When we’re kids we imagine all we’ll be able to accomplish when we’re teenagers, or in college, or grown.  When we’re single we imagine all we’ll be able to accomplish when we’re married and have someone to do things with.  When we’re trying to lose weight, we imagine all we’ll be able to accomplish when we’re slim.  We will be better and do more once we reach whatever milestone is ahead.

We forget that we don’t need to wait to become all God wants us to be.  He can use us now whatever and wherever we are.  We don’t have to wait until we’ve become spiritually mature.  When we let God use us here and now, He will guide our growth as He uses us to bring honor to Him.

We don’t have to attend classes or get a certificate to be ready for God to work through us.  He loves us as we are and will allow us to be part of showing Him to others.  All we have to be is willing.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Corinthians 10-12

All Things Lawful

Read 1 Corinthians 4-6

1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."  When we’re looking to identify fellow Christ followers, we look at those things they do and don’t do.  When we see people who act in the same ways we’re familiar with, we think we’ve found like-minded Christians.

We can get so caught up in the dos and don’ts of Christianity, we can forget that it’s not actions and activities that define us, it’s what we’ve allowed the Lord to do in our hearts that makes us Christians.

Paul reminds us of our tremendous freedom in Christ.  Since what we are on the inside is what motivates us on the outside, we don’t need to confine ourselves or others.  When we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, we won’t be in danger of being under the control of anything else.

Tomorrow’s reading: I Corinthians 7-9

The Foundation

Read 1 Corinthians 1-3

1 Corinthians 3:10 says, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."  We are the product of everything we’ve done, of everything we’ve seen and heard, and of everyone we’ve met.  Every day we change in increments so small it takes long periods of time to notice any difference.  And it’s usually someone who hasn’t seen us in a long time who notices the change.

Our lives affect the lives of everyone around us, too.  Family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, even strangers are just the slightest bit different for having come into contact with us today.  We can focus on bringing out the best in others around us by doing our best and being our best.  We can form habits of kindness and gentleness so when we’re having a bad day those habits become automatic preventing us from hurting someone who was counting on us that day.

God gives us the best starting place.  When we build our foundation on Him and let Him use those things that influence us to mold us to be what He wants us to be, we’ll be in the best position to have a good effect on the people around us.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Corinthians 4-6

Get Up and Get Going

Read Romans 13-16

Romans 13:12 says, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."  When it’s hard to get out of bed on a work day morning, I promise myself that I’ll sleep in on the weekend.  But then when the weekend comes and the daylight surrounds me, it seems too wasteful the lie in bed when there’s so much to do.

We have light bulbs and electricity so we don’t need to wait for daylight to be able to see well.  Still, there’s something about sunshine and day time that energizes us and doesn’t happen at night, no matter how well lit our area is.

God encourages us to work for His kingdom while we have his light shining on us, in us, and through us.  When we open our hearts to Him, He will energize us to accomplish whatever He has given us to do.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Corinthians 1-3

Reality Check

Read Romans 10-12

Romans 12:3 says, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."  Even though we get older, we haven’t aged in our minds.  There is a certain age we think ourselves to be at, no matter what the calendar, birth certificates, and mirrors say.

Our physical limitations surprise us.  We’re frozen much younger in time, where people of our ages in our imaginations would easily have more stamina and energy and could do whatever it is we thought we could do.

Spiritually we can get better as we age.  Our faith builds on God's work in our lives and the older we get, the higher the pile of things God has done for us.  We may have to be realistic physically and others around us will remind us of how great we aren’t, if we’re not careful, but we can aim as high as we please for grace, for faith, and for God’s work in our lives.

 

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 13-16

Doing and Not Doing

Read Romans 7-9

Romans 7:15 says, "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."  I’m glad Paul had the same problems we do.  We know what we should do and we know what we shouldn’t do.  Then we turn around and do what we shouldn’t do and fail to do what we should do.

You’d think we’d be kept too busy doing what we know we should do to have time to get ourselves into trouble doing things we shouldn’t do.  The things we should do are time consuming enough not to leave us time or energy to do things we shouldn’t do, but we manage somehow.

We need to rely on the Lord every day to give us the strength to first do what we should do.  He’ll help us make those right decisions and stick to them.

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 10-12

Undeserving

Read Romans 4-6

Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  We can understand when parents make sacrifices for their children or when people make sacrifices for their friends.  That kind of love makes sense.

But if someone were to make a sacrifice for a guilty stranger, we would declare that person crazy.  Imagine someone pleading guilty to a crime they didn’t commit so that the stranger they saw commit the crime wouldn’t have to take the punishment.  How would the stranger ever learn not to do wrong if there were no consequences for what he did?  Or how safe would society be if all criminals were let off the hook by strangers taking their consequences for them?

It doesn’t work in society, but that’s the plan God set up for us.  We are guilty.  We deserve to die in our sins, but Jesus died in our stead, so we can have eternal life.  We don’t deserve it and we don’t have to wait until we feel we’ve earned it.  All we have to do is receive it.

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 7-9

The Power of Salvation

Read Romans 1-3

Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  We try so hard not to be offensive.  We know others have their own beliefs and their own ways of doing things.  We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or make anyone uncomfortable.

But God is the God of power.  If we’re too restrained, we’re not giving others a chance to get in on salvation.  If we don’t speak up, how will others know what we know?  If we don’t take our turns to present the Gospel, how will others know the choices they have?

We can be bold without being obnoxious.  We can be gracious without being ashamed.  We can let everyone know that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins and rose from the dead so we can have eternal life.

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 4-6

Who To Believe?

Read Acts 25-28

Acts 27:11 says, "Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul."  Paul was a prophet and God told him the things he told others.  He warned them of the disaster that was head of them.  But they had experts who told them differently and that’s who they believed.

Sure enough, Paul was right.  A storm came up and they lost the ship.  It isn’t easy to know what we should believe.  Experts tell us conflicting things, so who’s right and who’s wrong and how do we tell?

Fortunately, we have yet another Source to look to when we need answers or direction.  The Lord can guide us and our decisions when we seek answers from Him.  He’ll guide us right.

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 1-3

Knowing Your Rights

Read Acts 22-24

Acts 22:25 says, "And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?"  Usually we read how the early Christians suffered for their stand in Christ, but this time, Paul did more than just take the punishment.  He challenged those in authority over his rights.

Once he did that, he was shuffled around, giving his testimony wherever he went.  He knew his rights in the Lord and also in the natural.  He didn’t just allow his accusers to get away with persecuting him for no reason.

When we lay down our lives for the Lord, we can be smart about it.  Sometimes you just have to take what’s coming, but not always.  Sometimes it’s right to stand up for ourselves.

Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 25-28

Knowing the Future

Read Acts 19-21

Acts 20:24 says, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."  Paul said he didn’t know exactly what was going to happen to him, except that it was going to be a lot of hardship and suffering.  He declared none of that rattled him.

We’re ready to go to almost any lengths to find out what’s going to happen to us in the future.  We read the newspaper to find out what economists and other experts say about what next year, or the next several years will be like.  We seek out anyone who might have a word from the Lord for us about what tomorrow holds.

We’re looking for hope and for predictions of prosperity, health, and peace.  Those are the things we want to hear.  If we knew for certain how hard things might get for us, we’d be too depressed and discouraged to face it.  That’s why we put our future in God’s hands.  He knows what all our tomorrows will bring and He will give us the strength to face whatever lies ahead.

Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 22-24

Our Source

Read Acts 16-18

Acts 17:28 says, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."  When everything in our lives is falling apart and we have no control to stop it, or even slow it down, it’s a relief to remember that nothing surprises God.  He has our backs, He knows all about what’s going on, and He’ll get us through it.

When depression and discouragement come on us and we have no reason to be down, God understands our moods and emotions.  He’ll give us ways to find light in our darkness.

When we are content and thankful for our blessings, we know Who we have to thank.  God enjoys our delight and loves seeing us happy.  God is there all the time, whether we’re up or down.  He strengthens us and upholds us.  He makes life worth living.

Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 19-21

Joy No Matter What

Read Acts 13-15

Acts 13:52 says, "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."  Despite everything that happened to them, despite the fact that so many didn’t believe them, despite the fact that the leaders rose against them, the disciples had joy.  They had to shake the dust off their feet against the city where they were preaching when they left because the people rejected them, but they were still filled with the Holy Spirit.

They didn’t let their circumstances dictate how they felt.  They didn’t let public opinion determine their outlook.  They maintained their joy.

We can look beyond our circumstances and not let things around us get us down.  We can maintain our joy because of the Holy Spirit and keep our eyes and our trust in God no matter what’s going on around us.

Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 16-18