Proverbs 16:1-3

Have you ever chosen a certain path, only to find yourself regretting that decision later? Facing crossroads can at times seem overwhelming, but we have an all-knowing God to guide us. Therefore, we should wisely prepare beforehand for decisions we may have to make quickly.  

Scripture is our primary source for direction and wisdom. If we study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word, He’ll bring truth to our mind at the appropriate time. What’s more, we have His indwelling Spirit to guide us. Christians who try to weigh the pros and cons themselves miss out on the wise counsel of the omniscient One.  

It is also wise to be aware of our mental state as we approach decisions. The acronym H.A.L.T. stands for “hungry, angry, lonely, and tired”—four states in which we’re more likely make poor choices. When considering options, it’s well worth waiting until a more favorable time.

Your choices affect the direction of your life, so carefully consider what the Lord would have you do. Scripture is clear that we perceive dimly (1 Cor. 13:12) but God sees the whole picture. That’s why it’s vital to rely upon His wisdom, truth, and direction in making decisions.

Daniel 1:1-21

Although our circles of influence vary in size, we all have the power to affect others—either for good or for bad. Whether at home, in the church, or in the world, our lives are on display. Many times we aren’t even aware of who is impacted by our words, attitudes, and actions.

Daniel’s convictions, not his environment, determined his behavior. He believed in the absolute truth of the Scriptures and was determined not to defile himself in a pagan culture. His firm stance influenced everyone who came in contact with him—from lowly servants to kings of empires.

Our world offers a multitude of ways to compromise on what we know is right, but if we’ll make up our minds ahead of time, we too can stand firm in our obedience to God. Although unbelievers may mock our values and lifestyle, their respect for us actually diminishes and our witness for Christ is damaged if we waver.

Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor. When the winds of opinion blow and the waves of temptation pound us, we can know with certainty the right way to respond. Your firm stand for what’s right can powerfully influence others.

1 John 4:7-10

Many people simply can’t believe that the Lord loves them. Others think He does, but only when they perform to some imaginary standard of excellence. Why is it so hard for some of us to accept His unconditional love?

One reason is that we have a hard time loving other people without restrictions. The way we show care and acceptance can be shaded by self-interest. Or it might ebb and flow, depending upon the other person’s behavior. The fact that human love can be conditional causes us to wrongly assume that the Lord’s can as well.

A sense of unworthiness is another factor. But whether or not we feel deserving of God’s love, the truth is that no one is worthy of His goodness and mercy. The Father’s love has nothing to do with our merit; it is based solely on His grace, Jesus’ work of redemption on our behalf, and our secure position in Christ. To consider yourself beyond the reach of grace is to trample on the Son’s sufficient sacrifice and the Father’s generous gift.

Like so much of the Christian life, accepting God’s love is a matter of faith. Even when you can’t feel it, believe it.

Exodus 2:11-25

Whenever challenges arise, there are two ways to respond—God’s way or our way. In today’s passage, we see what happened when Moses took matters into his own hands. Although his motives were pure—namely, the relief of his peoples’ suffering—his method was wrong. Moses ...

• Focused on the difficulty instead of the Lord. How often have you and I done the very same thing? If the unfairness or pain of a situation grabs our attention, we can lose sight of our all-powerful God.

• Relied on his own strength and understanding. When a problem confronts us, the most natural response is to do whatever we can to make it right. Our way may seem so logical at the time, but it won’t accomplish God’s purposes.

• Acted impulsively instead of waiting on the Lord. If a situation seems urgent, fixing the problem as fast as possible easily becomes our top priority.

At some point, we’ve acted similarly and suffered the consequences of self-reliance. But God didn’t reject Moses or cancel His plans for the man. Instead, the Lord refined his character through trials and gave him another chance. Don’t you think our loving Father will do the same for us?

Exodus 3:1-22

In the face of difficulty, how quickly do you shift your focus to God and seek to know His way through the situation? When we choose to trust and submit to the Lord’s path, He’ll do amazing things in and through us.

Moses is a good example. After unsuccessfully trying to rescue the Israelites by his own strength, he fled and spent 40 years in the wilderness. In that time, his pride, self-reliance, and self-will were broken. Humbled, he was now someone God could use to accomplish the slaves’ deliverance from Egypt.

Through Moses, the Lord demonstrated what great things He could do through one yielded, dependent person:

•  God rescued His people without a strong army, an insurrection, or a long, drawn-out war. All it took was the display of His mighty power.

• He proved the superiority of His way by sending more than two million slaves out of bondage with their captors’ riches (Ex. 3:21-22).

• He received all the glory by proving that He alone is the God of heaven and earth.

Our past failures never hamper God’s ability to use us. In fact, our weakness is what makes us useful and shows that all the glory is His.

Philippians 2:5-8

Our culture is inclined to enjoy temporary pleasures while disregarding what God says is the price of transgression (Rom. 6:23). Even believers—especially those who have known Jesus a long time—can tend to forget what their sin cost Him. But it’s important to remember that for our sake, Jesus suffered ...

•  Physical pain. In the hours leading to His crucifixion, the Lord was mocked, beaten, and humiliated. After being forced to carry the cross, He was nailed to it and hoisted up to die an excruciating death.

• Man’s sin. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth. But at the cross of Calvary, the Father placed all of mankind’s sins upon Him (2 Cor. 5:21). There, our Savior experienced the fullness of our transgressions, along with all the guilt, shame, and regret.

• Abandonment. In the final hours, Jesus was separated from His Father (Mark 15:34). Our sin was the barrier that kept them apart until the work of atonement was finished (John 19:30).

• Divine judgment. God’s wrath was poured out upon our Lord because of man’s sin. Christ experienced the condemnation we deserved.

Our Savior suffered greatly on our behalf so we might become part of God’s family (John 1:12). Let’s allow the magnitude of His selfless gift to inspire a loving response.

Romans 3:10-12

Some people believe good deeds are like a “get out of hell free” card. But an individual isn’t condemned by God because of things he or she does. Condemnation has to do with the person’s sinful state—in other words, having a nature bent away from the Lord.

We all have a rebellious nature. Observe any two-year-old child who tugs on the lamp cord right after his mom says, “Don’t touch!” His impulse to do what he wants is greater than the desire to please his mother. Not one single person is good enough or wise enough to remain sinless and pleasing before the Lord (Rom. 3:23).

As we saw yesterday, God decreed that sin deserves the death penalty. And His Word makes it clear that only a perfect sacrifice is acceptable for making atonement (Lev. 22:20). So in our sinful state, we are utterly helpless to save ourselves. God, however, so loved us that He sent the solution to our predicament: He gave His perfect Son, Jesus, to offer His own blood in our place. And when we place our faith in Him as our Savior, our spirit is brought to life and our heart undergoes transformation. The moment God saves you, He makes you into a new creature—one with a nature surrendered to Him and His will.

Colossians 1:9-14

The prayer in today’s reading is a powerful model for any believer. The passage teaches how to pray on behalf of others—and those who do will find themselves changed in the process. In verses 9-10 of this letter, Paul and Timothy say they’ve been praying that the believers in Colossae would ...

Be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. One of the major steps toward knowing God’s will is to know His Word, which provides guidance in every imaginable situation. When we pray this, we are asking God to make clear His perfect and precise will for every decision.

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This is a phrase that means making one’s life count for eternity. Whatever we have done in the Spirit—which Scripture compares to refined gold, silver, and precious stones—is worth exponentially more than the “wood, hay, or straw” ashes produced by worldly interests (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Bear fruit in every good work. When Jesus Christ is the center of our life, then our character, conduct, and conversation should bear fruit for His kingdom.

The words of this passage can be prayed for anyone, whether or not the person already knows the Lord. And in making these requests for others, we will want the same kind of growth in our own life.

Luke 24:44-49

Do you remember the book The Little Engine That Could? A small engine keeps repeating the words “I think I can. I think I can.” By using sheer willpower, she pulls an entire train over the mountain. That’s a nice children’s story, but the truth of the Christian life is very different. In the real world, our efforts and determination often fall short. Only by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit can we live a godly life.

In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell within each believer (Luke 24:49). Consider what this means: If you’re a Christian, God is living inside you, available to help throughout life by providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment.

Obedience to Christ is impossible for anyone relying on his or her own strength. For some reason, though, Christians often try to live life by depending on themselves. Defeat and failure are unavoidable without divine power in our life.

Do you recognize your need for God? Begin each day confessing your dependence on Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, and say will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways through you.  

Acts 2:38-39

We all fail. Many of us don’t always live as Scripture teaches—and we miss out on the joy and peace that Jesus promised. The reason? We don’t recognize the need to live in the Spirit, so we try to live each day in our own strength. On Pentecost, God’s Spirit came to indwell believers. He is a gift, blessing us in many ways. Let’s consider some of the work He does. The Holy Spirit ...

• Convicts us of sin so that we can repent (John 16:8).

• Regenerates us. As believers, we’re new beings, alive in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

• Seals us forever as a child of the Almighty (Eph. 1:13).

• Teaches, guides, and empowers us for the rest of our life (John 14:26).

• Gifts and enables us to do the work God has planned for us (Eph. 2:10; for a list of spiritual gifts, see also 1 Cor. 12:1-31).

• Bears fruit through us (Gal. 5:22-23).

As we are obedient to what God calls us to do, we get to watch Him work in mighty ways. All these benefits are available to everyone who follows Jesus, but we can miss out by attempting to live in our own meager strength.

Remember, the Christian life is this: Christ living His life in and through us by the power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Scripture teaches that God hears and answers when we make requests according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). Although our Father is always faithful to guide us in specific situations, He also wants us to know His big goals for us, which are described throughout His Word. Today’s passage from Hebrews 13 is one such example.

With regard to both character and deeds, God’s purpose for believers can be summed up in these two requests from Hebrews 13:21:

• His goal is to “equip [us] in every good thing to do His will.” He wants us to depend fully on Him to accomplish the good works He planned beforehand for us to do (Eph. 2:10). These include righteous living in obedience to His Word as well as fruitful service in His name and to His people.  

• God is “working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.” As the Father shapes us into the image of His Son, He is transforming our character so we’ll have a heart bent toward pleasing Him. Otherwise, all our good works are useless.

When you ask God to accomplish these two things in your life, you can be sure He will.

James 1:5-8

Do you struggle with anxiety, frustration, and fear? Sometimes these feelings arise when we doubt God’s ability to fix a problem or protect us or a loved one. At other times we’re distressed because we question His willingness to handle a situation. Such uncertainties can develop from a lack of knowledge about God’s character, confusion regarding His promises, or a misunderstanding of His plans. That’s why it’s important to fill our mind with the truths of Scripture. Focusing on the Lord’s sufficiency instead of our circumstances gives us hope and strength.

There are many situations that may cause our faith to waver. It could be that our own sin prompts us to question the truth of the Scriptures in order to justify ourselves. Or previous failures might lead to a pessimistic outlook about current and future situations. What’s more, we have an enemy who reminds us of past mistakes and times when our prayers appeared to go unanswered. Satan’s age-old technique of questioning God’s truthfulness can make us wonder whether the Lord is trustworthy.

When doubts surface, confess them to God. Then recall past instances of His faithfulness and meditate on His promises. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into truth so you can stand firm.

Exodus 4:1-13

Most believers experience feelings of doubt at one time or another, and when they do, it affects their ability to receive the Lord’s wisdom. Doubting God means not trusting Him completely—and trust is how the Lord “will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6). God’s wisdom in your life may be clouded if you struggle to believe the following truths:

• God loves you all the time. When we’re “good,” most of us believe God loves us—but how about when we’re disobedient? We must remember that the Lord isn’t like us. His love is rooted in His nature, and He has chosen to lavish it on us (2 Thess. 2:13). That’s why it doesn’t fluctuate with our behavior.  

• God has forgiven you for your disobedience. Even though we sometimes don’t feel forgiven, God promises to forgive us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). Emotions don’t determine truth; God’s Word does.

• God calls you to serve Him. When we doubt this, we’ll make excuses for why we can’t obey, just as Moses did (Ex. 4:10). But God promises to equip us with everything we need (Phil. 4:19) to do the work He has chosen for us (Eph. 2:10).

Do you struggle to believe any of these truths? Take a moment to confess the state of your heart to the Lord, and ask for His wisdom today.

Psalm 63:1-8

The time we spend with God in His Word and prayer has an impact on our daily life. As we focus on the Lord and His power, glory, and favor, our perspective becomes increasingly aligned with His. He becomes greater, and our problems and worries become smaller.

The apostle Paul was certainly mindful of this. In his letter to the Ephesians, he actively prayed for himself and others to receive a greater understanding of God and all He’s provided for His people through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:15-19).

When we begin to see the Lord through enlightened eyes, the whole world—including its stresses and challenges—becomes much clearer, as does our understanding of how to deal with difficulties. As a result, the pressures of life begin to dissipate. Although we cannot escape trouble, we can rest in the peace Jesus promises us (John 16:33).

Our time in meditation provides many personal benefits, but these should not be our only reason for spending time with the Lord. The goal is to know God, draw near to Him in fellowship, and enjoy the blessings that accompany an intimate relationship with Him.

Psalm 51

There are many urgent and practical needs in the world, such as those related to marginalized communities, natural disasters, and struggling families. As a result, prioritizing time with the Lord in His Word and prayer may seem less pressing, but it’s not. Let’s consider reasons for making meditation a daily practice in our life.

The primary reward of meditating on Scripture is personal intimacy with God. Think of a good friend or family member. Your closeness did not simply appear out of nowhere. Rather, it is the result of a long-standing, close-knit relationship of love, trust, and regular interaction. We cannot grow close to God unless we make it a point to spend time with Him.

Meditation also enables us to develop a pure heart. We see this clearly in the repentance of King David in Psalm 51. Because of his close relationship with God, David could not hide from his own sin. In verse 3, he cries, “For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me.”

David’s painful self-awareness led him into reconciliation with the Lord. In the same way, when we allow our relationship with God to permeate the darkest places of our heart, we too can find the strength to repent and receive His amazing forgiveness.

Matthew 28:16-20

When a teacher gives an assignment, responsible students take it seriously. They do what’s required, give their best effort, and complete the work in a timely manner.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave us a commandment—an assignment really—but many Christians are half-hearted about completing the task. Christ told His followers to share the good news about salvation and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey His commands. Some believers dedicate themselves to this work, but others are either too busy or too timid to commit in this way.

The scope of this assignment is global—to all nations. But that doesn’t mean everyone should move to another country. Some believers are called by God to go far from home, but others are called to minister right where they are. The mission field is all around us—in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods.

As Christ’s followers, we have the Holy Spirit residing within us, which means we have His power to fulfill this command. We can’t save anyone, but it’s our responsibility to tell people about the God who can. How will they believe unless they hear (Rom. 10:14)?

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Think about light and darkness and the way they affect your ability to see. In the dark, we have no sense of direction or courage to move forward, but in the light, everything is clear. In a very real sense, this perspective holds true in the spiritual realm as well. Those who dwell in spiritual darkness cannot perceive realities about God.

Thankfully, the Lord has the power to help us discern truth. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). That’s why the phrase “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” is the perfect description of the message of salvation (2 Cor. 4:4). It’s the good news that can transfer someone from spiritual darkness to light (Col. 1:13).

Those who have trusted Jesus as Savior are now “children of light” (Eph. 5:8). God calls each of us to carry the gospel to an unbelieving world that cannot see in the dark. It’s important for our lifestyle to be distinct from the darkness around us. In your daily interactions, are you a light bearer who points the way to Christ?

Matthew 6:25-34

What do you worry about most? Is it your health, family, or maybe finances? Though we believe that our heavenly Father cares for us and His promises are dependable, many of us continue to worry.

We all have responsibilities that demand our attention, but anxiety can act like a corrosive poison that eats away at our trust in God. So, then, what can we do about it?

To start with, we need to grow in both our knowledge of God and obedience to Him. As we become increasingly familiar with Scripture and our Father’s true nature, we’ll be more fully convinced that He cares for every detail of our life. Then, when we make decisions based on this knowledge and obey, our trust in Him will strengthen.

Whenever anxiety starts to creep in, remember who your heavenly Father is and what He has promised. Fill your mind with verses about His character, power, and love. Recite His promises and turn your worries over to Him. Since He’s told you not to be anxious, ignoring this command is actually a form of disobedience. But if you ask Him for help, He will enable you to reject worry and live in peace.

Philippians 4:4-9

We live in a culture inundated with anxiety and fear, where people make a habit of worrying because it provides a false sense of control. But Christians don’t have to give in to these feelings, as we have a Savior who has promised us His peace, “which surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7). Thankfully, there are a couple of practices we can employ to guard against worry.

First, we must be careful about what we allow to fill our mind—listening to the many purveyors of doom and gloom can easily lead to fear, anxiety, or panic. If you become agitated after hearing the news, listening to podcasts, or reading social media, it’s time to take a break. Instead, do what Paul encourages in today’s passage: Think about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).

Another source of worry is materialism. The more we have, the more we fret about what might happen to our possessions and financial security. But Jesus warned against storing up treasure on earth (Matt. 6:19-20). Instead, we should seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and trust Him to provide for our needs (Matt. 6:33). If we’ll put Him first, worry won’t gain a foothold in our lives.

Psalm 145

When difficulties arise, what becomes your main focus—the problem, its impact on you, or its effect on others? When trouble occurred in David’s life, he meditated on the Lord’s sufficiency and His good, pleasing, and perfect will. That focus is evident not only in today’s psalm but in others as well: throughout his life, David poured out his troubles to the Lord and also continually turned his attention back to the Father. The result was strength and hope for his soul.

Because David had a trusting relationship with God, he dealt with trials by anticipating divine help. For example, his impending fight with Goliath brought to mind God’s past and present delivering power (1 Sam. 17:37). In facing King Saul’s murderous threats and advances, David relied on the Lord’s protection as his refuge and fortress (Ps. 18:2). And when grieving over the loss of loved ones, he let God’s presence and comfort fill his heart and mind (1 Sam. 30:3-6).

As was the case with David, our circumstances can also serve as valuable prompts for meditation. God has given us His Word, a wonderful resource where His character, works, and purposes are clearly displayed. When your next difficulty comes, use it as a reminder to meditate on some attribute of the Lord—and draw the strength and hope to sustain you.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Our heavenly Father invites us to come to Him with all our concerns. Even so, there are believers who do not bother communicating with the Lord, except in emergencies. Unfortunately, neglecting prayer is costly because it often results in weariness and discouragement.

Certain situations take an emotional, physical, and spiritual toll on us—we refer to them as “burdens.” These low points can wear us out if we attempt to endure them alone. For one thing, we aren’t built for such loads, so trying to haul them around will deplete us. What’s more, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you” (NIV, emphasis added). There’s no point in both the Father and us carrying that weight, especially when He wants to handle it on our behalf. In God’s design, His strength supports us in our weakness, and He is in fact glorified by this arrangement (2 Cor. 12:9).

As you pray, picture Jesus’ shoulders just above your own—with Him bearing your problems. Even if the burden doesn’t disappear, it will feel noticeably lighter when you hand it over to the Lord. Then, like David, you can say, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden” (Ps. 68:19).

1 Samuel 13:1-14

Pride is a condition that’s common to all mankind. It doesn’t matter our age, ability, social status, or culture—we’re all prone to exhibit aspects of this self-promoting attitude.

As Israel’s first king, Saul was to lead by following God’s instructions under the power of the Holy Spirit. To be successful, he needed to remember two things: Any authority he had came from the Lord, and his responsibilities included executing God’s plan, leading the people by example, and obeying divine commands. But like so many of us today, Saul acted as if he were in charge rather than the Lord. Because of prideful self-reliance, he broke God’s commandment and exercised priestly duties, which were not rightly his.

You may be thinking this doesn’t apply to you since you don’t have a high position. But in reality, you do. As Christians, we’ve been chosen to be God’s people (1 Pet. 2:9), and He has special work for each of us to accomplish (Eph. 2:10). That’s why His Holy Spirit dwells within believers: to guide and empower us for our part in the divine plan.

Do you sometimes think your way is better than God’s? Independence flows from pride, but a humble heart lives in complete reliance upon God.

Psalm 6:1-5

Throughout the world, people are mistreated and traumatized, and many carry deep scars throughout life. Not everyone’s experiences are extreme, but even mild hurts can fester, affecting relationships and self-image. Something as common as betrayal or rejection by friends or family can lead to distorted thinking and negative behaviors.

Unhealed hurts can lead to various symptoms, such as feelings of inferiority, fear of failure or criticism, and oversensitivity. Some people cope by criticizing others in an attempt to make themselves feel better. Others misinterpret innocent comments as personal attacks. Hurt can also overflow as unpredictable anger, as a person who’s been wounded is more likely to lash out at others. Sometimes those with a distorted self-image become loners because they’re overly concerned about others’ opinions of them.   

Now and again we’re bound to experience some of these feelings, but God doesn’t want us to be trapped by the hurts we’ve suffered. Nor does He want us to be so crushed by our experiences that we feel worthless. Those who know the Savior will find comfort, healing, and trust in the Father’s love. Then, painful experiences can make us more like Jesus so we can glorify Him with our responses.

John 5:24-30

Procrastination has serious consequences in many areas of life—especially when it comes to spiritual matters. You see, every person is going to spend eternity somewhere, and the destination is determined by a choice in this lifetime: We each must either accept or reject Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sins. Some people think they can delay this decision until death is near.

Unfortunately, there are several problems with this reasoning. First of all, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have any warning before death. Second, by spending a lifetime rejecting Christ’s offer, you run the risk of developing a hardened heart. Repeatedly saying no to God may result in being unable to say yes when death comes knocking at the door. In fact, you may not even be interested in Christ’s offer anymore. Then you’ll face the terrifying reality of judgment, as you stand before God without a Savior (Heb. 10:26-27).

By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now; you also risk permanent separation from Him for all eternity. Don’t procrastinate! Place your faith in Christ today. Acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him as your Savior and Lord.

1 John 1:5-10

Many Christians find it troubling that they repeatedly deal with certain sins. And they rightly turn to 1 John 1:9 for assurance: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” They’re relieved to know God forgives our sins, and they promise to do better. But some people have misunderstood this verse—they believe our salvation is tied to continual confession.

There’s a big difference between relationship (the unbreakable Father-child bond) and fellowship (our line of communication). Certainly confession plays a vital role in maintaining intimate communication with the Father, but the believer’s standing as His child cannot change. Fellowship with God is interrupted by sin (Ps. 66:18) but restored when we confess and repent. Then we are freed from the emotional bondage of guilt and shame.

As we mature in our faith, the inclination to sin will decrease. But as long as our earthly life continues, we won’t be fully free of fleshly tendencies. Romans 8:1 offers this additional reassurance: “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So, while our sin may have temporal consequences, we can be certain God has fully pardoned us.

Ephesians 4:25-32

Did you know it’s possible to extend forgiveness to another person and yet still cling to resentment? We might say everything is okay, but our unpardoning spirit remains—and it will linger until we emotionally release the other person from the wrong he or she did. Thankfully, there’s a way to truly move on:

• First, assume responsibility for your unforgiving spirit, and choose a change of heart toward the other person. The healing process begins with repentance.

•  Then, release your hold over the debt you feel is owed.

•  Recognize the other person’s violation has exposed an area of weakness in you—namely, your resentment and desire for vengeance.

•  Finally, remember how often God forgives you.

The Lord is grieved to see His children cling to an unforgiving spirit, because emotional debt imprisons us. We become paralyzed by our own distrust, resentment, and insecurity, which only build walls that shut out family and friends. In contrast, God’s goal for us is freedom from bitterness. He wants to see us reconcile with our offender and even show tenderhearted, loving acceptance. We have a calling from God to forgive. Though that can be difficult, it is possible because Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20).

Matthew 18:21-35

When someone repeatedly wrongs us, we often try to draw a line at the number of times we’ll accept apologies. In other situations, we may attempt to categorize which offenses we’ll pardon. But Jesus drew no such lines at the cross. God’s unconditional pardon of our sins means that our forgiveness toward others should likewise have no limitations—even when certain behaviors can’t be allowed to continue.

Another issue is the temptation to hang on to resentment for a time instead of forgiving instantly. But when we cling to unforgiveness—even for a short period—Satan can gain a foothold. If the Father’s will is that we forgive, why should we wait?

Forgiveness is painful and costly—Jesus felt every nail, every thorn. But a truly forgiving spirit knows that good can come from the unfortunate situation. For instance, “good” could take the form of God developing our character or perhaps exposing our weakness to drive us closer to Him.

Realizing God is sovereign makes us more ready to forgive. Let’s trust Jesus to remove any desire for retaliation—and to provide us with the wisdom and strength necessary to act in ways that please Him. And when it comes to forgiveness, let’s approach our offender with the intent of reconciling. That means doing whatever God directs in order to get our relationship right—just as Jesus did for us.

Revelation 5

John’s revelation of heaven’s throne room is a picture of true praise. He describes the place exploding with worship and adoration of Jesus. Those present—the elders and “myriads of myriads” of angels (Rev. 5:11)—are motivated to sing their love of Christ because they know who He is. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5), the only one worthy to judge the earth and bring forth its renewal.

What motivates believers to lift hands and voice in worship—shouldn’t the reason be to praise the Savior for who He is? To do that, we must take the time to know as much as we can about Him. That happens through regular Bible study and prayer that is less self-focused.

Once we glimpse a side of Christ’s character that’s bigger and more amazing than we realized, there will be a yearning to know more. We hunger and thirst for God because only He can truly satisfy (Matt. 5:6).

Praise is part of a cycle: Learn more of God’s character, love Him more deeply, worship and serve Him better, and receive spiritual fulfillment. Amazingly, even as we are satisfied, we crave more of His presence in our life. And so we dig into His Word and continually gain in the Lord.

Psalm 34:1-3

Glorifying God isn’t limited to church. In fact, praise ought to permeate every area of our life. But how is that done?

One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voices. True worship flows from the mouths of believers who are focused on God’s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He’s done, and what He has promised for the future. Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence anywhere.

Our God is also praised when we serve Him. We were created for the purpose of bringing honor and glory to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work—believers’ testimonies are a remarkable and honoring form of praise that magnifies God’s name.

Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He has done for us should be all the motivation we need to praise Him with our life—no matter where we are.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

God’s blessings to us are not meant to end with us. His desire is that they flow to others. This principle applies in all areas of life, including finances. Did you know that our heavenly Father has plans for your money?

The Lord graciously provides for our needs and even our wants. But He also wants us to use our money to achieve His plans. And one of His goals is that we share our resources with others.

Just look at His extravagant promise in verse 8 of today’s passage: “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” Sharing blessings with others will never lead to deprivation. In fact, the Lord promises to increase the harvest of our righteousness and enrich us in everything in response to our generosity. We can never outgive God.

A hoarded blessing won’t ever be enjoyed as richly as a shared one. Using your gift to meet someone else’s need glorifies God by demonstrating His grace at work in your life. Don’t let His generous provisions end with you. Pass them on and discover the joy of a never-ending cycle of blessings.

John 11:1-15

Disappointment is an emotional response to dashed hopes, goals, and desires. Sometimes it’s the result of circumstances beyond our control, but when others are involved, it’s easy to blame them for the situation. We might even lose faith in the person we think let us down.

Martha and Mary could relate. The gospel of John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus (John 11:5). Because of this, they expected He would come immediately after learning that Lazarus was sick. But Jesus didn’t come until after Lazarus had died.  

We’re often like Martha and Mary. We pray for God to intervene in a situation the way that we desire. But if He doesn’t, we’re confused and disappointed in Him. Now, maybe we don’t voice these feelings, but we’ve all felt let down.

Today’s passage reminds us that the Lord has higher purposes than we can perceive. Don’t let your disappointment shape your view of God. Instead, rely on what you know to be true about Him—that His love for you never fails, and He orchestrates all the events in your life for His glory and your ultimate good. When you’re feeling disappointed, the best response is simply to trust Him.

Ephesians 6:1-9

Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to obey Him. But submission doesn’t come naturally to us because we’re all born with a rebellious spirit. We must be taught to obey the Lord, and we begin to understand how to yield through interactions with people in authority over us.

The most common place for learning obedience is the home. Today’s passage tells children to honor and obey their mother and father (Eph. 6:1-2). God planned that our earliest experiences of authority would involve submitting to parents who love and care for us. Through their admonitions and discipline, we learn what it takes to master our rebellious spirit.

At every stage of life, God places us under leaders, whether parents, teachers, coaches, employers, or governing officials (Rom. 13:1-2). Of course, like all of humanity, these people were born into sin, so they’ll make mistakes and sometimes treat us unfairly—but they’re still His instruments. Whether or not we approve of how we’re ruled, people in these roles teach us the value of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.  

We often balk at the idea of answering to someone else. But it helps to realize that the ultimate goal is to obey the Lord—and that God’s commands are for our good (Deut. 10:12-13).

Psalm 119:9-16

Some Christians try to live within God’s will while opening their Bibles only at church. This practice is akin to playing basketball without knowing the rules—it results in a lot of errors and frustration. In order to obey the Lord, you first have to know what He has said.

I once skipped reading God’s Word for a week as a sort of experiment. Over the course of just seven short days, my thinking seemed clouded, my attitude suffered, and I could feel my heart growing cool toward the Lord. That week confirmed Bibles aren’t just for Sundays. Scripture is always necessary because it shines a light on God’s true nature and teaches us His principles and commands. Knowing Him and His ways equips us to make decisions that are pleasing to Him.

Only after reading passages from the Bible can we begin to meditate on those scriptures and let them change us. By keeping our focus on the heavenly Father and His Word, daily meditation helps us transform biblical knowledge into active obedience. As we ponder a passage, the Spirit will use it to teach the right way to live, correct our course when we go astray, and train us to obey biblical commands. And He will not only reveal how to apply truth to our life but will also give us His power to do so.

Matthew 14:22-33

When difficulties arise, are you surprised that the Lord would allow them? Such thinking assumes that being an obedient believer exempts us from problems. Consider today’s passage—the disciples did exactly what Jesus said by getting into the boat and setting sail for the other side. Yet before long, they found themselves battered and tossed about by a powerful storm.

Then there are other believers who automatically assume that if trouble comes, they’re the problem. Even though God does use trials to correct us from time to time, not all difficulties result from our sins and failures. But He can use all situations to mature and conform us to Christ’s likeness.

And that’s what was happening in Matthew 14 with the disciples. Jesus knew what lay ahead, and He was training them for the work He was calling them to do. In this case, the lashing winds created an environment that would help them learn key lessons about trust that would be invaluable for future ministry.

God uses a variety of means to help us become strong, vital servants of Jesus Christ. Instead of keeping our heads bent low against the struggles of life, let’s look up to the Lord and seek His strength and purposes.

Mark 6:45-52

Yesterday we saw what happened when the disciples encountered a storm on the sea. They’d experienced many miraculous moments in their time with the Lord, but when waves battered their boat, it was as if they’d forgotten who He was. Their minds couldn’t recollect what they had witnessed about His power and purposes. Even the appearance of Jesus walking on the water did not bring immediate relief.

When trouble strikes, we too sometimes forget what we know to be true about the Lord. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, God’s faithfulness in earlier situations, and lessons learned in previous crises. Only the present seems real as our minds struggle with fears about the future and our troubled emotions prevent us from thinking clearly.

Reading Scripture is the best way to remember biblical truths, but another helpful tool is a spiritual journal. It’s a place for you to document your pilgrimage with the Lord and specific details of how He’s worked in your personal life. This kind of written record can serve as a map to trace where you’ve been and how God has helped you along the way. Your current trial may be a new one—but you will be encouraged to look back and see God’s faithfulness and unchangeable nature over the years.

Luke 22:54-62

Peter was a man of great faith and bold action, but his brash style sometimes led him to make humiliating mistakes. More than once, he probably felt like a failure rather than a faithful disciple.

I’m sure we can all relate when it comes to falling short of our own expectations. Learning to obey God is a process, and failure is a part of our development as humble servants. When we yield to temptation or rebel against God’s authority, we soon realize that sin has few rewards.

We’d all prefer to grow in our faith without any missteps at all, but we can’t deny that our failures are instructive. They teach us humility, which is an essential character trait for those who follow Jesus. To eliminate pride, it’s important to admit that we can’t do life on our own—we need a God whose ways and purposes are higher than ours.

The Lord doesn’t reward rebellion or wrongdoing, but He blesses those who repent and embrace chastisement as a tool for growth (Prov. 28:13). So make it your goal to be a pliable student in the Lord’s hands, and thank Him for using your failures to benefit you while bringing Him glory.