Title: Keep Your Mouth Shut!/Topic: Judging Others

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

Scripture: Job 22:1, 4-10
1 Then Eiphaz the Temanite replied: ...
4 "Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you? 5 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless? 6 You demanded security from your brohers for no reason; you stripped men of their clothing, leaving them naked. 7 You gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from he hungry, 8 though you were a powerful man, owning land - an honored man, living on it. 9 And you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless. 10 That is why snares are all around you, why sudden perils terrify you.

Observations: These "friends" that have come to comfort Job in his troubles are really revealing what is in their hearts now. Although they have known Job to be a good and righteous man, they now charge him with all kinds of wrong-doing and bad motives. Why? They just can't imagine God letting this kind of suffering happen to a man unless he has sinned greatly. It is a scary thought to them that men could not control what happens to them by behaving properly in God's sight. Job must have sinned! Otherwise, something like this could happen to them too, for no reason at all. Unthinkable!

Application: We can still fall into the wrong thinking of Job's friends today. If we see someone being particularly blessed, we assume they must be pleasing God. On the other hand, if we see someone suffering, we point out every weakness we know about in their lives, every bad thing they've ever done and even make negative assumptions about them that we have no way of knowing to be true or false (e.g. a child of a Christian parent grows up and sins horribly and we say they must have been lousy parents that didn't properly teach their children right from wrong, or lived a poor example in front of them). Be careful not to judge others in this way! God may be putting them through a refining fire to simply make them more pure and stronger. Judge not lest you be judged (Matt. 7:1). Better to keep your mouth shut and observe and pray for the person. Let us act righteously toward one another instead of self-righteously.

Prayer: Father, help me to learn from Job that I can't explain why everything happens. There are no simplistic answers to all the troubles and sufferings in the world. Clearly, there is suffering related to sin. But there is also suffering for righteousness sake, suffering to show the glory of God in deliverance, and suffering that comes to us because of the sins of others, as well as suffering that comes to purify us. May I be one that prays for others when they are in times of pain and trouble without judgment. Help the Body of Christ to respond to one another in love as they should. Help me to keep watch with my mouth closed and on my knees for others. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Title: Wrong Focus/ Topic: Heart Condition

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

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

Observation: The people of the town come out to see a man who has terrorized their region with his demonic possession completely transformed. This is obviously an astounding miracle that benefits their community. But as a part of working this miracle, Jesus causes these people to lose a vital source of their financial income; their pigs. It was a large herd, about two thousand, lost because Jesus allowed the legion of demons to go into themand, true to form, the demons destroyed their 'hosts". What is most striking about this passage is the reaction of the people. They were afraid and begged Jesus to leave their region. Why? Weren't they glad to have the demonic man that couldn't be controlled a safe, normal person again? I think they were afraid of a God they couldn't control and who had the power to destroy their financial future. They obviously don't understand the motives of Jesus.

Application: Jesus warns us in the gospels that we cannot love both God and money. The two will compete for our heart and devotion. This story should warn us that if we choose to love money over God, he will leave us alone. When the people begged him to go, he did. I must guard my heart from anything that will draw me away from seeking and following God.

Prayer: Father, help us to know that if we put you first, you will provide everything we need and cause us to be blessed in every way. Seeking money first may get us money wealth but it will come with problems that would do us harm. I want to love you first and foremost, always. I love you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Strong Warning/ Topic: Unity

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

Scripture: Mark 3:22-29
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."
23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. 28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."

Observation: The religious leaders are offended that Jesus has violated the Sabbath by performing miracles and casting demons out of people on that Holy Day. Their response to Jesus' actions is to accuse him of being in collusion with Satan. Jesus explains to them the principle that no kingdom divided against itself can stand. Therefore, if he was casting out demons by satanic power, Satan's kingdom would be destroyed and his end would be be a present reality. Jesus then gives a very stern warning; that if they attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan (that is blspheming the Holy Spirit) they will never be forgiven for that sin!

Application: There are whole ministries today that are dedicated to denigrating other ministries for a lack of what they consider to be doctrinal purity. There are some that go so far as to say that speaking in tongues is of the devil (even though it is clearly taught in the Bible) and that Christians that engage in that practice are deceived by the enemy. In my estimation, those kind of declarations come dangerously close to the sin that Jesus said was unforgivable. The lesson for all of us is that unity in the Body of Christ is extremely important to God (we don't want to weaken the Church's effectiveness by dividing God's kingdom). Related to this, we had better be very careful not to fall into criticism of ministries that don't align with our tastes. There is a balance between watching our life and doctrine closely, studying the scriptures in order to be able to refute those who teach false doctrine in order to lead others astray from the faith (as we are told to do in 1Tim., 2Tim. and Titus by Paul) and being critical of other ministries who do things differently from the way we do. It's not always an easy balancing act, but in light of the seriousness of disunity and defaming something God may be doing, I would rather err on the side of caution and leave the judgment to God.

Prayer: Father, may we concentrate our ire on our true enemy, Satan, and not on each other! Make us one as You, our Lord God, are one. May we truly love one another so that the world may know that Jesus s Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Two Attitudes / Topic: Motivations

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

Scripture: Mark 2:1-7
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Observation: Four friends that love their paralyzed friend will do anything to get to Jesus. They have a receptive attitude. They don't know for sure what will happen but they know getting to Jesus and receiving from him can't be anything but good. Then there are the teachers of the law. These are religious leaders who spend their time studying the scriptures. But they are listening to Jesus not to receive but to critique and parse through his words in order to find something wrong that they can take issue with. This attitude leaves them unable to appreciate the great gift of forgiveness that Jesus gives to the paralytic as well as the miraculous healing that followed.

Application: Why do some people in a church service come away feeling so blessed and close to God and others in the same service have nothing but a cynical or ambivalent attitude toward church? I think some of the answers can be found in the two different attitudes displayed in this story. Coming to Jesus with an expectation that good will happen or coming with a critical spirit goes a long way toward determining what we will receive from the Lord. We must do all we can to avoid a critical spirit both toward God, the preacher and other people in the Body. Harboring any of those negative attitudes will limit our ability to have the Spirit minister to us.

Prayer: Father, reveal our hearts to us. See if there is any wicked way in us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May we always come with an expectant attitude.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Collateral Blessing/ Topic: God's Grace

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

Scripture: Acts 27:21-26
21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

Observation: Paul can't resist an "I told you so" when the ship he's on runs into severe, life-threatening trouble. He had warned them that God told him this would happen if they left their previous harbor. Now they are all despairing of life, with good reason. But an angel had come to Paul to tell him his life would be saved and that God had graciously given him all the lives of those on board ship with him. Instead of collateral damage there will be collateral blessing. Because God is not done with Paul and his ministry, God will protect and save him; and his presence saves all those with him as well.

Application: We are a source of life to those around us in ways we don't even know sometimes. Because God's hand of protection or blessing is on us, those around us often receive "collateral blessing". We need to pray that God will use us to bless others in such a way that it will be a tool we can use to share the gospel with them. When people are sick or going though a hard time, we should offer to pray for them. God will show up to prove to them that He is real. Just imagine how awful this world be with no Christians in it! Self-interest would cause a mean-spirited, caustic, and un-loving environment to rule the day. No thanks!

Prayer: Father, may we who love you see ourselves as the blessing we are in the earth. May we seek to fulfill that purpose and calling by making full use of every opportunity you give us to pray for and to bless others in your Name so that more people will come into the Kingdom and so that even those who don't will have no excuse when they stand before you. Help us to be a witness through good works and through good words.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title:When I Find it Convenient... / Topic: Submission

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

Scripture: Acts 24:25
25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Observation: Felix was feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit under the influence of Paul's persuasive testimony of Jesus. Instead of responding to it by submitting to the Lord, he sent Paul away so that he would have to hear it no more. Felix wanted to be in control. He was interested, but not to the point of wanting to let God into his life. "When I find it convenient..." --- these are the words of a person who wants to be master of his life. He would hear about God only on his terms and on his timetable. Very sad! We don't always get second chances.

Application: Even as believers we can try to put God onto our timetable and listen to him at our own convenience. Our relationship with our Lord will be a weak and anemic one if we do. He wants to be the one in control of us---and we are much better off if we let him be just that! I don't want to respond to my Lord and Father like an unbeliever would. As it says in 2Cor. 6:2, " I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." I need to make sure I'm really allowing him to be Lord of my life by responding to him immediately and not putting him off.

Prayer: Father, I know that for various reasons; laziness, fear, self-centeredness, I have sometimes put you off with a "When I find it convenient" attitude. Forgive me. I have been bought with a price and I really have no right to do that. You have given us a free will with which we can dismiss you, but in the end we suffer for it. I really do want to be instantly submissive to your will and call but my flesh calls me to indulge my own preferences instead. Help me to crucify my sin nature and to fully give myself to you.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Intercessor / Topic:Jesus

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

Scripture: Job 16:19-21
19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.

Observation: The New Testament tells us that Jesus is our intercessor and friend and that he pleads our case before God continually (Heb. 7:24-25). Somehow, way before Jesus came physically to earth, Job understood that this is how God worked on man's behalf. Job was in such intimate relationship with his Creator that he knew things about God that no one else (or at least very few) knew.

Application: This is one of our greatest benefits as believers. Our Friend, Jesus, pleads our case before God whenever we blow it. He also stands before God to refute the accusations that Satan makes against us. We need to trust in our Advocate, coming quickly to him when we sin. He is the only one who can "get us off" of any of he charges brought against us. And like Job, we need to seek his face so that God reveals mysteries to us about his character that we wouldn't know except through revelation.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for pleading our case to our Heavenly Father. I count on you interceding for me. Help me to also take my place in following your example, to intercede for others. I want your will to be done in the lives of all those I love. Deliver us all from deception and reveal the truth to us. And may we also know the full extent of your love for us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Getting Off the Fence/ Topic: Consecration

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

Scripture: Acts 19:17-20
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (emphasis added)

Observation: Consecration involves setting ourselves apart for holy uses only; to dedicate ourselves to be used by God and allowing no polluting influences to dilute our holiness. Here we see an example of what it takes to do that. Verse 18 states that many people who had believed in the Lord continued to be involved in compromising sin. They came and confessed their sin first, then took action to rid themselves of polluting influences. It cost them financially. The value of the scrolls on sorcery that they burned was so significant that it is mentioned in the text. They burned them as an act of consecration, ridding themselves of anything that would cause them to compromise or be drawn aside from the Lord.

Application: As Christians, we need to seriously consider how the lesson from this portion of scripture affects us. Are we consecrating our lives as we should? Do we watch on TV or computer things that compromise our holiness and the purity of our thought life? Do we listen to music or radio that does the same? How much time do we spend in playing computer or game cube games that aren't edifying? Could it be that one of the big reasons so many Christians struggle with having a passion for God and spiritual pursuits is that they allow influences from these different sources in a "mindless" way without thinking about the consequences to their spiritual life? It's easy to justify our habits and activities. But I think we need to prayerfully take stock of our lives and answer these questions honestly, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and respond accordingly. If we don't, we may find ourselves a part of the prohecy that Jesus stated would be the case in the end times that "the love of most will grow cold"(Matt. 24:12). And Jesus is speaking of believers in that verse, not unbelievers.

Prayer: Father, I know I need to take stock of what I'm allowing my mind to think on and what I do with my time. I know I really enjoy some TV shows that are clearly "guilty pleasures". My enjoyment of them doesn't make them harmless to me and I simply can't justify them on any scriptural basis. I need to love you more than I love them and give them up if they have no positive benefit to my life. This will not be easy for me but I pray for your strength to do the right thing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Creating Connection/ Topic: Evangelism

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

Scripture: Acts 18:22-23
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

Observation: This scene is such a great example of evangelism. Paul observes the people of Athens and notices what they are interested in and what they talk about. Then he uses something that they are very familiar with to create a connection with them. He starts with something they understand and then moves them to something new; an introduction to Jesus. He also doesn't castigate them for their idol worship even though the text says he was grieved in his heart over it (see previous verses in the chapter). He is careful not to alienate or offend them so that he will have an opportunity to share Jesus with them.

Application: I need to apply this lesson to myself when it comes to evangelism. Sometimes I think Christians tend to argue about what is wrong about our society and what people are engaged in rather than simply realizing that sinners will sin; it's what they are wired for. I need to look at how I can create a connection with them so I can lead them from what they know to what they don't know--- a relationship with Jesus.

Prayer: Father, help me to make effective connections with others who don't know you so that I may be the light that leads them to you. Make my light bright and attractive. I want to win souls into your kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Truth That Lies/ Topic: Enemy Tactics

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

Scripture: Acts 16:16-18
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

Observation: This slave girl has a demon spirit by which she makes a living predicting the future. She probably wouldn't make a very good living if what she predicted never came true. In fact, evidence of her "truth-telling" prophetic gift is demonstrated by what she shouts out as she follows Paul and those with him. They, indeed, are servants of the Most High God as she says. But her prophetic gift is used to bother them and distract them from effective ministry. Why didn't Paul cast the spirit out of the girl the first day if she was so distracting and bothersome? We're not told, but I think it's logical to assume that Paul was unsure of the source of her prophetic gift precisely because she was telling the truth. We are used to the enemy lying; he is the father of lies. We aren't used to him using the truth as a weapon against us. It can be difficult to discern demonic forces coming against us when they use truth but with motives that are impure.

Application: Prayer, knowledge of the Word and a dependence on the Spirit of God are necessary if we are to tell when the truth is being used in the enemy's hands as a weapon against us. Jesus says in the end times that Satan and his minions will perform signs, wonders and miracles to rival any that Jesus did. He will also deceive people with talk about peace (something that God promises to us). His "prophets" will sound much like God's people. We need to recognize that accuracy in words and even philosophy is not always the same "truth" that sets us free.

Prayer: Father, it can be so difficult for us to know truth from error when it becomes a tactic of the enemy used against us. Teach us to hear you clearly so that we are not deceived. Discernment is one of the gifts we need most in order to win the spiritual battle. Help us Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Even the Godly!/ Topic: Deception

Today’s Reading: Job 9; Job 10; Acts 13; Acts 14

Scripture: Acts 13:50
50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Observation: The Jews were jealous of the popularity of Paul and Barnabas's preaching. So what is their response? They incited persecution against these preachers of the gospel. What is astounding is who the Jews recruited as persecutors; God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city! Wait a minute! How could anyone who feared God persecute His messengers? Couldn't these women discern the truth if they had the fear of the Lord in them? Unfortunately, even godly people can be deceived if they don't have a firm grasp of the truth. Most women back then were illiterate and could not read the Word for themselves. But even today, most believers could be deceived not because they are illiterate, but because they simply don't or won't read the Word. Jesus warned that in the end times the deception of the enemy would be so effective that even the elect might be deceived. (Matthew 24:24)

Application: If I slack off on reading the Word of God, I make myself vulnerable to deception. Anyone who thinks themselves too spiritually mature or too wise to fall prey to the enemy's lies is already deceived! I must never get so arrogant that I feel I can do without daily reading and meditation of the Bible, especially as the return of our Lord gets nearer and nearer.

Prayer: Father, may I never weary of your wonderful Word! So many have given their lives so that I may have it; and so many around the world have only by memorizing it and repeating it to one another. Thank you for this great gift. Through it and through your Spirit keep me from being deceived. Correct me whenever I stray from the truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: His Servants, His Choices/ Topic: God's Will

Today’s Reading: Job 6; Job 7; Job 8; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts 12:1-4, 6-7
1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover... 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Observation: James gets put to death by the civil authorities and Peter gets released by an angel. Why didn't James get delivered like Peter did? Obviously, God had the power to set him free if he had wanted to. Did James have less faith than Peter? Did the church neglect to pray for James? I don't think either of those are the case. In fact, I think one of the reasons the church had a lack of faith that their prayers would be answered for Peter (see the rest of the chapter) is that they had probably prayed for James with no results. The answer as to why James suffered death and Peter was delivered is God is sovereign! He does what he wants with each of those who submit to him. His plan is always good and loving, though not always understandable by us. Hebrews 11:34-36 says, " Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection." Sometimes God calls us to suffer on his account (but he obviously takes that into account when he passes out rewards) and other times he glorifies himself by doing miracles.

Application: I cannot always know or understand God's will. I better not judge anyone else because I got a miracle and they didn't (or vice versa). Romans 14:4 says, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." I must be willing to let God use me as he wills and not worry about how he chooses to use others. I have made myself his servant by choice. Whether I suffer or not, whehter I live or die or not, is his decision. My only job is to seek his face and do what he asks me to do.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I try way too hard to analyze the "whys" of everything. Help me to be concerned with your will for my life and not to compare myself with others, for good or bad. If I'm obedient to what you want me to do, that's all I need to be concerned about.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: An Unlikely Weapon/ Topic: Spiritual Warfare

Today’s Reading: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10; Acts 11

Scripture: Psalm 108:3, 5-9, 12-13
3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.
6 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."
12 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
13 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Observation: There is a progression through this psalm that describes how praise and worship are used as a weapon in spiritual warfare. It starts with David praising God and asking that God let his glory be known in all the earth. Then comes a prayer of supplication asking for the Lord's help in gaining deliverance from the enemies of Israel (v.6). God answers from his sanctuary declaring that his people are his to protect and that he can do whatever he wants with all the nations. God himself promises deliverance to Israel through David's praise, worship and prayer. After God speaks, David declares that they will have victory through God.

Application: Praise and worship are powerful spiritual weapons. We need to realize that when we are in church or in our homes that our worship engages God's activity on our behalf. We need to purpose ourselves to ask him to defeat our enemies while we are engaged in worship and then we need to declare, as David did, that God will give us the victory! Gratitude is the appropriate response to God's actions on our behalf.

Prayer: Father, may we all, as the church, rise up and take the weapon of praise and worship and wield it for all it's worth. May we recognize the power of this weapon (one that's actually fun to use) and combine it with faith so that we may produce much fruit without the interference of our enemies. Thank you for working so powerfully on our behalf. I love you Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Dealing with Hidden Obstacles/ Topic: Growing in God

Today’s Reading: Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

Scripture: Job 3:20-21; 25
20 "Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,
21 to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.

Observation: Job finally cracks a little under the weight of constant, prolonged suffering. He's depressed and longs for death. Who can blame him? I think any human being would feel the same way. The most interesting verse to me in this passage is verse 25 where Job reveals to his friends that what is happening to him is exactly what he has feared and dreaded. The first time I read Job I thought God was rather cruel for using Job as a pawn in a bet with Satan. Job had to suffer just so God could prove to Satan that there was at least one person on earth who would worship him even without receiving any blessings. But this verse (and later ones) reveal that God allows troubles and pressure to reveal deeply hidden obstacles in us that need to be removed. The Word tells us that perfect love casts out fear. The suffering Job was going through revealed his fears. God wants us to be free from fear (except for the fear of the Lord) and awareness is a key step in gaining freedom.

Application: I need to track down fear in my life and then focus on the love of God for me so that He can help cast it out of me. I want my thought life to be centered on God, not any fear of any kind. When troubles come I need to seek God and let Him reveal to me the deep hidden negatives in my life so that I may become more and more free and confident in the Spirit.

Prayer: Father, I would never invite trouble into my life; I don't like it! But I know that they will come and I know that only as I seek you do they produce something useful and beneficial to me. May I never blame you for trials but seek your face and be changed from glory to glory through every circumstance in life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: "Why Me?"/ Topic: Trust in God

Today’s Reading: Job 1; Job 2; Acts 6; Acts 7

Scripture: Job 2:3-10
3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Observation: Job has lost everything; his wealth, his children, and now his health. He had done nothing to deserve this. God himself declared him to be a blameless and upright man. What is most amazing is Job's response to this overwhelming tragedy. He does not ask God, "Why me? I've done all You asked of me. I've obeyed! WHY ME?" He didn't charge God with being unfair or doing wrong. He simply stated that we should be willing to accept trouble from God as well as good.

Application: I have been guilty of asking God "Why me?" many times in my life. I have thought God was being unfair and I've been unwilling toaccept trouble as well as all the good things He has done for me. Job truly understood the concept that his life was in God's hands and that God was the Divine Potter and he was the clay. God had a total right to do as He pleased with him, just as He does with me. I have willingly given my life to the Lord knowing that Father truly does know what is best for me. When I have any other attitude other than the same one exhibited by Job it is because I'm responding from my flesh and not seeking God to have Him work in me His perfection through whatever trouble is being allowed in my life. God tries us to reveal the dross in our lives and remove it.

Prayer: Father, I want to be faithful, respectful and toally submissive to your will for me. Use everything to build your characterin me. May I demonstrate the total trust in you that Job demonstrated in this passage. Thank you for teaching me from your Word.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: God Has Big Ears / Topic: Responsibility

Today’s Reading: Malachi 3,4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-16
"You have said harsh things against me," says the Lord. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'" Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

Observation: The prophet speaks a rebuke from the Lord to the people of Israel. They have been believing a lie and living under a deception that it does no good to serve God. Then the passage goes on to say that the people discuss the prophet's massage amongst themselves and that God listens to their conversation and pays attention to who fears and honors him as the people speak to each other. After determining who honors him by eavesdropping on their discussion with each other, God causes a list of those who are faithful to him to be written on a scroll of remembrance. Is this where the idea for the song about Santa Claus came from (He's making a list, checking it twice)?

Application: God has big ears. Nothing we say escapes his attention. There are no secrets from him. So we need to ask ourselves if our conversations with other people line up with what we say to God when we're in church worshipping him. Do we say one thing to the Lord but something else to people we are with? These verses also show us that we need to take responsibility for what we hear and what we believe. We have a choice to receive truth or to believe deception. If we truly want to know what the truth about God is, he will reveal it to us and he will unmask deceptive thoughts so that we can reject them if we so choose. He will remember and we will be rewarded or judged according to our choices.

Prayer: Father, put a guard over my heart and my mouth. May the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth always demonstrate that I fear and honor you. Reveal to me any deception that is holding me back from being all you have called and planned for me to be.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Easy Fall/ Topic: Spiritual Disciplines

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Acts 4

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:4-5, 7-9, 11, 23-27
4 Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah, 5 and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests. ...
Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. 8 I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room. 9 I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense. ...11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts....
23 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. 24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. 25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. 27 Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?"

Observation: After repenting and following up with drastic actions and promises to never neglect the house of God or marry foreign women, it doesn't take long for the Israelites to go back on their promises and engage in all their former sins and disobedience. Nehemiah had left for awhile and returns to find the gatekeepers giving rooms in the temple to the enemies of God's people, everyone breaking Sabbath rules and lots of intermarrying with unbelievers. Notice the severe punishment he metes out to some of the men involved in this. Today people get offended if a pastor has the audacity to insinuate himself into their lives to point of suggesting they might have sin in their lives!

Application: Promises to God are a good thing, but in order to keep them we have to have accountability with others and we also need strong leadership. We simply cannot keep strong in the Lord on our own. There are no successful "Lone Rangers" in the Body of Christ. Therefore, I must stay in accountable relationships and submit to the spiritual leadership God places in my life.

Prayer: Father, help me and my brothers and sisters to keep actively pursuing you by engaging in all the spiritual disciplines we need in order to grow strong in you. Help us all to embrace meaningful accountability in our lives as well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Guard Duty/ Topic: Protection

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 11; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Nehemiah 12:25
25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.

Observation: Gatekeepers are mentioned often in the Old Testament. It seems it was an important job. The gatekeepers had to be Levites who were consecrated to God and supported financially by the people. They guarded the gates to the holy city of Jerusalem and they also guarded the entrances to the Temple. Their purpose was to keep out enemies and to guard the tithes and offerings collected as a part of worship. The guards at the Temple were also to protect it from enemies who would want to come in and disrupt or destroy worship there.

Application: We need "guards" at the doors of our churches today too. Our churches are open to unbelievers, but with that openness comes the danger of letting in people who are not seekers but whose intention is to destroy or disrupt the effectiveness and worship of the church. People who are worshipping the devil or who are unwittingly being used by him and who hate the church can come in openly and sow division and confusion. Who are the gatekeepers of our churches today? The leadership has this responsibility (all leadership, not just the pastor) but our churches would be much better off if all believers had their spiritual antennaes tuned in to discern for anything that might be amiss in someone coming in to church. Certainly, we should all at least cover the church in prayer.

Prayer: Father, give us all discerning spirits and wisdom. Remind us to pray for protection for our churches and to guard the unity of the Body zealously.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Sacrifice of a Believer/ Topic: Submission

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-3 & 10:30
1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. ...
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.

Observation: These Israelites really get what being a believer and follower of God is all about. When the Word of God is read to them and they realize the extent to which they and their parents have disobeyed God, they repent in sackcloth and ashes. They fast and confess their sins as well as the sins of their fathers. Then they take really extreme action. They separate themselves from all foreigners, including the foreign wives they had married, along with their children from those marriages. They understood from the Word of God that the marrying of and fellowshipping with unbelievers had been a major cause of their rejection of God. By putting away their loved ones who shared a different faith, they were demonstrating to God their understanding that being a follower of God meant putting His will and opinion above their own. Then they made a promise to never again commit the sin of marrying someone of a different faith.

Application: The essence of following God is submitting to his will even when I don't understand it or agree with it. I put God above myself. If I want to commit myself fully to God, I can't divide my heart by making myself one with a non-believer or a "believer" that does not desire to submit their will to God. My own sin nature gives me enough of a battle without adding to it a person who I love that won't be wanting me to put God first in my life. So the command of the Lord to not marry a non-believer is one I understand, but even the ones I don't understand I must obey because I put God's opinion above mine.

Prayer: Father, my desire is to always put you first in my life. Forgive me for giving in to my sin nature at times and help me Lord to submit to you in all things.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Then and Now / Topic: The Church and Discipleship

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 7; Nehemiah 8; Acts 1

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:3,6,8,12 & Acts 1:14
3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. ...6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. ...8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read....12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Observation: I made some comparisons between the believers practices as a group when they assembled together both past and present: #1 – Ezra read from the Law for 5 -6 hours straight without losing the attention of the audience. They were eager to hear what God had to say in His Word. Today a lot of people get upset if church lasts longer than an hour (and that's including worship too, not just the reading of the Word). #2 – When Ezra led worship after reading the Word, all the people reponded together with enthusiastic, physical, and verbal praise and worship. #3 – The Word was taught and explained so that everyone could understand it. We still do this today in church with the sermon. #4 – They celebrated together with joy because they understood the greatness and goodness of God and because God himself commanded celebration (God likes parties). #5 – They joined together constantly in prayer. Something we don't do much of at all when we meet together as his disciples today.

Application: In both the Old and New Testaments there were certain constants of believers being together. Some of these we do well today and others we need to improve in. I think we need to pray every time we're together, especially as the time of Jesus' return is so much closer today than it was then. We need to develop greater attention spans and a love for hearing the Word of God read. We need to grow in our ability to respond together in worship as a unified expression of praise to God. We need to cultivate the "joy of the Lord" in our midst.

Prayer: Father, help us, your Church, to grow in our love for you as shown in the unity of our expression of worship, our joy in the hearing and learning of your Word and in our praying together to see your kingdom on earth advanced.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Who Can I Count On?/ Topic: Trusting God

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:14 & Psalm 146:3-5
14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Observation: Nehemiah had kept his eyes on the Lord in order to complete the wall around Jerusalem. He had had many enemies try to intimidate and dissuade him. Worst of all, some of his own people, leaders and prophets, had joined forces to cause him to fail. Nehemiah is an example of a person who lived by the advice given in the verses from Psalm 146: "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men who cannot save." He was blessed because he trusted in God and listened to Him.

Application: It doesn't matter if the people around me are friends or foes; if I trust in them, I will never have security. None of them can save me. My enemies don't want to and my friends have no power to. Only the Lord can truly help me in every situation. I need to put my whole trust in him; not in any other person, including myself.

Prayer: Father, help me to be discerning like Nehemiah was. I do want to be discerning about the spirit in which people are coming to me. But ultimately I want to trust only you. You are my Rock, my Redeemer, my Helper, my Protector, my Healer and my Provider. Thank you for all your blessings and roles in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Two Lessons From Nehemiah/ Topic: Community and Preparedness

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 3; Nehemiah 4; Luke 23

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:5
5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.

Observation: Nehemiah has motivated a massive community effort to get the wall of Jerusalem rebuilt. Everyone is joining in the work but he takes time to note that the nobles of Tekoa are working with only half-hearted effort. It bothered him enough to make note of it in the records.

Application: When I am lazy, neglectful, or unenthusiastic in my work it affects others around me and has a negative impact on them. It discourages my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ when I don't participate with delight and full energy in the work of the Lord.

Prayer: Help me Lord to work with enthusiasm and with all my strength so that I will be a positive influence instead of a negative one and so that the work you give us to do can be done better and more effectively.

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:21-23
21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day." 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.

Observation: The enemies of the people had made threats to come upon them while they were rebuilding and kill them. Nehemiah's solution to the threat was that each man was to stay vigilant, they took turns guarding the workers, even at night, and every man stayed prepared for battle, even when doing daily chores like getting water.

Application: We must remember we are constantly in a spiritual battle and keep vigilant at all times. There is never a moment when we can forget this or we become sitting ducks for the enemy. We must also help by "guarding" our brothers and sisters through prayer and by speaking up if we see them falling into the enemy's trap (accountability).

Prayer: Father, help us to remember that our enemy is always looking to attack us when we are unaware. Help us to remember that he seeks to pick off the weak of the flock and let us look out for each other and warn each other when we see him on the prowl. May we build up the wall of our protection through prayer. This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Title: Pray For Each Other/ Topic: Intercession

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

Observation: Peter thinks his faith is firm and solid. He can't imagine ever disowning the Lord. But Satan has a different plan for Peter. Notice that Satan has to ask permission to test Peter with terrible trials. This should be a clue to us that when we are going through a trial or testing of our faith the first thing we should do is turn to the Lord for strength wisdom and encouragement. If Satan can't touch us unless God gives permission, then we turn to Him to get relief and know how to handle it. Jesus has heard the petition of Satan but has prayed for Peter so that his faith won't fail. But didn't his faith fail? He denied Jesus 3 times during the next 24 hours. Jesus even predicted this. So obviously Jesus didn't consider the denials a total failure of Peter's faith; just a momentary one. Because he had prayed, Jesus knew Peter would turn back to him. The prayers Jesus prayed for Peter were crucial. I'm glad Jesus focuses on how we finish our spiritual race and not all the momentary failures in between.

Application: We need to pray for one another so that we can stand against our powerful adversary. The Lord has overcome the evil one, yet his power is still strong. If Peter needed Jesus to intercede on his behalf in order to turn back to God after his testing, it should speak to us of our need to pray for each other so that we may all stand firm in our faith. We need each other. Let's give ourselves to intercession for one another that we may all stand strong, unified in purpose and power.

Prayer: Father, help me to remember my brothers and sisters and to pray for them more vigilantly. Keep my ears open and sensitive to the prompting of your Spirit as to whom might need special prayer at a particular moment. Give us strength to stand strong against the enemy who would like to sift us all like wheat. And thank you for your grace that forgives momentary lapses and looks at how we finish and the direction we are going in the race of life rather than any failures along the way.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Child-Like Faith/ Topic: Trusting God

Today’s Reading: Ezra 9; Ezra 10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Observation: In the New Testament we are told that we cannot come to God unless we do so like a child. Here David says he has stilled and quieted his soul like a "weaned child". What are the characteristics of a weaned child? First, they are through the "baby stage"; they feed themselves and can make choices to obey mom or disobey. But they are still dependent on mom. David says his heart is not proud; he doesn't try to figure everything out. That is another child-like characteristic. He is depending on God to teach him and affirming that his love for God is like that of a young child resing in his mother's arms. What a beautiful picture to teach us how we should be relating ot God.

Application: I don't need to figure everything out. I need to come to Papa God and rest in his love and let him care for me. I need to be teachable, as a young child is.

Prayer: Father, I want to make the choice to do as David did. He recognized it was a choice of his to sit quietly with you and receive instruction or not. He was not an infant who had no decision-making ability and had to simply let his caregivers do what they wanted to him. I know I am in that same position. Teach me to quiet my soul like a weaned child so that I may receive everything you have to give to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Say It and Pray It/ Topic: Commitment

Today’s Reading: Ezra 7; Ezra 8; Luke 20

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-23
21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Observation: Ezra had made a bold claim to the king based on his faith in God. But before taking a long journey carrying lots of gold and silver with no military protection, he had all the people fast and pray so that the boast he made to the king about God's ability to protect would be reality.

Application: We need to make bold declarations based on the truth of God's Word. It encourages others to believe. Sometimes we are afraid to do so because of past experiences where God has not come through as we thought he would. Sometimes we don't make bold declarations because we've never had any experience at all and just doubt that God would act on our behalf. Whatever the reason, we need to grow by making the declarations BUT we need to add in the step that Ezra took; fasting and prayer. Ezra and his crew took 10 days to do nothing but seek God for protection through prayer and fasting. Are we that committed to seeing God do wonders on our behalf? Does demonstrating the blessings and work of God to non-believers in order to help win them to Jesus matter enough for us to take that kind of time to seek God ourselves?

Prayer: Oh Father, we are much too busy if we are too busy to seek you this way. I confess, I am. Forgive me and help me to seek you until you work miracles and wonders on our behalf; not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others also. May we show the world your glory and testify to your great works.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Something New?/ Topic: Judgmentalism

Today’s Reading: Esther 9; Esther 10; Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:35
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Observation: "...people spread their cloaks on the road." Hmmm. Sounds radical. Way out there. That had never been done before! And it wasn't prophesied about like the palm branches were (mentioned in another gospel account of the same story). It's unconventional. Why didn't Jesus stop this new, unconventional worship that had no basis or foundation in the Word of God? It was not a kind of worship prescribed by God! How dare they!

Application: Worship that comes from the heart is apparently accepted by God even if it's new, unconventional and not in the canon of scripture! So, I need to be very careful before judging anything "new" and putting down anyone who engages in it. I don't know everything. I have judged "new" things in the Body of Christ before as being too radical or ridiculous. I need to be very careful about such things. God has more tolerance than I.

Prayer: Father, keep from my self-righteous judgmentalism. Keep me focused on my own walk with you and how I'm doing and not focused on what others are doing. It's to you that they must answer and not to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: What Will Jesus Find?/ Topic: Persevering Prayer

Today’s Reading: Esther 3; Esther 4; Esther 5; Esther 6; Esther 7; Esther 8; Luke 18

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Observation: After a parable that encourages us to pray faithfully until we see the answers come, Jesus asks a poignant question. He wonders if, when he returns, he will find faith on the earth. It's a good question. It's not a question about whether anyone will believe in him; it's a question about whether there will be anyone with faith enough to "pray through" until the answer comes. The question is tied to the point of the parable.

Application: In our day of short attention spans that are getting shorter all the time due to high-speed technologies, we all need to ask ourselves, "Am I losing the desire and ability to spend times of quiet solitude with God? Do I have a desire to keep praying about anything until I see the answer come?". I know I need to personally grow in this area. This is the most difficult of the spiritual disciplines for me. This is God's reminder to me that I need to work on this.

Prayer: Father, I need help! I need not only the discipline but the "want to" to sit at your feet in prayer faithfully. Help me to have perseverance and a listening ear. I want to be one of those who you find to be faithful when you return. I love you Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Mustard Seed Faith/ Topic: Forgiveness

Today’s Reading: Esther 1; Esther 2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture: Luke 17:3b-6
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Observation: I always like it when I read the Bible and I see something new that I've never seen before. These verses I have read many times in my life, but I always thought there was a change of subject between verse 5 and verse 6. There is not. Jesus, teaching about forgiveness, tells the disciples that even if someone sins against them repeatedly, but continues to come in repentance and asks forgiveness, they are to keep forgiving, even if it's seven times in one day. To this the disciples cry out, "Increase our faith!" The next verse says that Jesus replied to their cry that with even a small amount of faith they could uproot a tree and move it into the ocean. I always saw verse 6 as a teaching on miracle-working faith, with no connection to forgiveness. What Jesus is really saying is that it only takes a very small amount of faith to forgive someone for even many offenses.

Application: I have often said that forgiveness is simple but not easy. Apparently, I'm wrong. If it only takes a small amount of faith to forgive, then a small amount should make forgiving easy to do. The ability to easily forgive, then, becomes a measure of how much faith we really have. Although it has become easier for me to forgive over the years, it is still sometimes a struggle for me to do so immediately. The realization of what Jesus is saying here is disturbingly confrontive to me. I thought I had more faith than I apparently do.

Prayer: Father, I know forgiveness is an act of the will and I always obey by telling you I forgive when someone offends me. But your Word also says we must forgive "from the heart", which to me means I have to get the forgiveness down to the seat of my emotions as well. That's harder for me. I want my faith to be at least the size of a mustard seed---I'd like it much bigger than that! Help me Lord. Only by completely relying on you and focusing on how gracious and forgiving you've been to me can I have the small faith needed to forgive from the heart quickly and completely. Forgive my lack of faith. I want to please you Lord!
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Did I pass the Test?/ Topic: Spiritual Maturity

Today’s Reading: Ezra 5; Ezra 6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture: Luke 16:10-12
10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

Observation: Jesus tests people with money. Money is a little thing. The world strives so hard to get it, lusts after it, and will compromise principles to get it. But Jesus says it's a little thing. If we can be trusted with the "little" thing of money, handling it with integrity, then we can be trusted with "true" riches; spiritual truths. The implication in all these verses is that if we don't steward worldly wealth well, God will never give us the true riches of deep spiritual truths. This is one of the reasons why I believe people who don't tithe or who "love" money get stuck spiritually. They plateau in their relationship with God and don't understand why. Money isn't the only test God uses to see if we're ready for more of His power but it is a big stumbling block to many.

Application: I need to make sure I understand that everything in this world belongs to God and I am only a steward of it. If I steward His property well (money and other things too) He will give me "property" (spiritual wealth) of my own. He will also give me more to steward here on earth of all His resources if I prove myself to be responsible with what He is giving me now.

Prayer: Father, I want to be a trustworthy steward who handles all the responsibilities and worldly wealth that you give me well. There have been times in my life when I ran from responsibility thinking that by doing so my life would be more carefree. But as I've matured I realize that handling the things that you give me to do draws me closer to you. The more I depend on you to help me do a great job, the more I get to know you and the more I become like you. That is my joy and my greatest desire.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Father's Love/ Topic: Repentance, Forgiveness and Restoration

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15: 11-13; 17-24; 29-32
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Observation: A son who has rejected his father's values comes and asks for his share of the inheritance he would get when his father dies now, before his father is dead. The father doesn't waste time trying to convince his son not to do this; he simply grants his request and lets his son leave. After foolish and wild living the son comes to his senses and returns to his father with a repentant attitude. The father's joy is overwhelming; he completely accepts his son back and throws a party to celebrate. This shows the father's full forgiveness and acceptance of the son, but there is an interesting part of the story that indicates how the father dealt with the pain of the loss of his son's place in the family. He counted him as dead. He grieved but went on as if he would never see his beloved son again. When his son returned, his joy was that of a father who has received a miracle of a resurrection of a loved one. The other interesting bit of the story deals with the elder son, whose behavior had always been one of obedience to the father. But even though he had the full attention and love of his father while his brother wa gone, he didn't share the father's values at all. He had been with his dad but had not learned to love and forgive as his father did. He had a judgmental and self-righteous, self-absorbed character. The father loved both of his sons. Neither had adopted his morals or character but the younger finally repented and became someone the father could be proud of.

Application: We need to forgive as this father did and be willing to completely restore when those who have sinned against us repent. We also need to avoid the sins of the elder son, who, though obedient, was judgmental and self-absorbed. He missed the full blessing of having such a loving and upright father. He focused only on what the father wasn't doing for him and was unappreciative of having a wonderful parent who loved him completely.

Prayer: Father, I want to gain the full benefit of having such a loving, perfect parent as you. I want to be a "mini-me" of you, totally reflecting your values and character. Thank you for being such a wonderful "daddy" to me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The First Love / Topic: Being a Disciple

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 10; Zechariah 11; Zechariah 12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Observation: These are some of the most harsh words of Jesus. In these strong words Jesus is saying that if we put the most precious relationships we have in this life, or our own desires for our lives, above our love of Him, we cannot be his disciple. That means if our family members make choices to disobey God's clearly spoken will in the Bible, we must stand with God and let our family go, no matter how much we love them. There is nothing more "ripping" to the soul than this. But neither our children, spouses, nor our parents died to purchase our forgiveness of sins and resoration with God, healing, or any other of the multitudinous benefits He has brought to us through the sacrifice of his own life. We also have "hate our own life" in comparison to loving Jesus. Though he gives us the ability to choose what we want, we have to make choices that are in conformity to His will or we are choosing to not be His disciple.

Application: I believe when loved ones make choices against God we have the responsibility to forgive them, pray for them and to show love to them without compromising God's standards or in any way condoning or approving their behavior. This is heart-wrenching because there is almost always an increased emotional distance between us and them. Sometimes it is so severe that there is no fellowship at all. I have personally experienced this kind of pain and I don't believe there is anything more difficult in life to go through than separation from children. When we go through these experiences we need to cling to God and pray for Him to bring the hearts of family members into alignment with His, so there is first of all restoration between them and God, then restoration is possible between them and us as well.

Prayer: Father, I want my heart to be staid upon you. My first concern is my own standing with you. I need to make sure I myself am not compromising your standards or being "hard-hearted" or rebellious in any way. So show me my heart Lord and reveal my blind spots to me. I want to do your will, God, with a humble, correctable heart. I also want to pray for each of my family members, that they will have the same attitude and an ear to hear your voice speaking to them. May they follow you unreservedly. When they don't, help me to stand with you and receive your comfort in my loss.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.