Proverbs 6:6-8

God is a masterful Creator. He has integrated many of His principles into the fabric of nature so we can learn about Him by observing His handiwork (Psalm 19:1-6). If you desire wisdom, look outdoors for His lessons.

Of course, the outdoors sometimes comes inside. If you have ever battled ants in your kitchen or pantry, wisdom probably isn’t the first trait you’d attribute to them—you would likely choose a description more like determination. But to the lazy person, God points out these tiny creatures as an example of wise living. Simply consider how many characteristics of the ant would be smart for people to adopt: preparation, cooperation, perseverance, diligence, unity, and the list goes on. So, interacting with righteous men isn’t the only way to acquire wisdom. God also wants us to observe the lowly ant, which He designed to work in community.

There’s much to learn from the created world. Our quest for wisdom is to be rooted in Scripture and covered in prayer. But don’t overlook the many lessons unfolding right outside the front door. Ask God for eyes that truly see (Mark 8:18). Then take every chance to grow in understanding so your capacity to live by His principles will be strengthened.

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

The apostle Paul often wrote about perseverance. If anyone demonstrated endurance, it was Paul. He urged believers not to tire of following Christ, even when persecuted. He’d been beaten, stoned, whipped, driven out of town, shipwrecked, reviled, and abandoned. Despite having a thousand reasons to be disheartened, he knew his obedience to God wasn’t in vain.

Consider the awesome harvest that resulted from the apostle’s faithfulness. The gospel spread across the Roman Empire, and the early church grew far beyond the Jewish world. What’s more, the seeds Paul planted by writing his epistles have resulted in billions of lives being transformed. And to think that any strength or insight we draw from these letters is fruit of the hardships he endured!

Do you realize how impactful your life is? Don’t be deceived by Satan’s lie that your suffering or obedience will amount to nothing. Your faithfulness to God never goes to waste. Paul didn’t know the extent of the fruit God would produce through his steadfast obedience. Neither can you gauge how the Lord will use you. So don’t lose heart. Keep your focus on eternal things, not the hardships of this life.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Think about everything that contributed to your salvation story. It’s probably not possible to count all the spiritual seeds God used to draw you to the Savior. And most likely, some of the people who sowed them never saw the outcome.  

It’s important to recognize the value and cumulative effect of how others have worked to expand the kingdom. When we do, we then realize our own opportunity: We can sow spiritual seeds in the lives of friends, coworkers, children, grandchildren, and even strangers. God uses what we plant and leads others to spread further seed or water the ground, but He alone causes the growth.  

When you display Christlike qualities and sow truth into others’ lives, God feeds their spirit, changes their heart, enlarges their spiritual understanding, and increases their desire to live for Him. Whether or not you ever see the results, the Lord is using you to accomplish His will.

God is interested in more than the big things His children do for Him. He also sees all the small ways believers try to influence others for Christ. He values quiet manifestations of the fruit of His Spirit, for which no credit or praise is expected. Your love, kindness, patience, gentleness, and self-control are seeds that impact others.

Mark 16:15-16

Paul described the church as “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The truth it guards, however, cannot stay within its four walls but must be proclaimed to an unbelieving world. Jesus considered this so important that His last words to the apostles were, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).

Do you understand how important it is that we obey this command? Many institutions do the important work of feeding the hungry and helping the needy. But the church has the additional, unique calling to share the gospel of Christ. It is the single most important message anyone can hear—God uses the good news of salvation to rescue people from eternal condemnation and transfer them into His kingdom.

The gospel is relevant to every age, need, and season of life. It contains simple truths that the youngest or most uneducated can understand, and it’s superior to all other philosophies and religions. Our message is absolutely sure, with eternal truths that need no correction or alteration. What’s more, it reveals the only path that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you examine the message that your life and words proclaim. Only the gospel of Christ saves.

Genesis 16:1-16

Abraham is someone from whom we can learn valuable lessons. Over the course of his life, his faith grew. He came to understand how important trusting God is—and how costly impatience can be.

Abraham learned the hard way that manipulating circumstances can bring heartache. When he and his wife tried to help God out, the immediate result was jealousy, anger, and family strife. There was also a long-term consequence: a bloody conflict that still rages today between the descendants of Hagar’s son Ishmael and Sarah’s son Isaac.

The Lord promised Abraham and Sarah a baby, but they ended up waiting for the fulfillment until childbearing was humanly impossible. When Isaac was finally conceived and born, all the glory went to God.     

Have you considered that delays in your life can also glorify God? Or are you trying to help Him out in an attempt to get what you want more quickly? Waiting is difficult, but it’s the only way we learn patience, which is precious to the Lord. When you experience a delay, use it as an opportunity to build your trust in God and your confidence in His wisdom and perfect plan.

Genesis 22:1-24

Yesterday we learned about the importance of trusting God’s plan. But sometimes obeying Him isn’t easy. Whenever you face a difficult call, remember Abraham. In today’s passage, he was given one of the greatest tests recorded in the Bible, yet he obeyed willingly and promptly. His response teaches important lessons about yielding to God.

Sometimes obedience collides with human reason. The covenant God set up with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:7) would pass down to Isaac, the child of promise (Gal. 4:28). Yet now the Lord was telling Abraham to sacrifice the boy.

Obedience always requires trust in God. Abraham obeyed because he trusted the Lord to fulfill the promise even if that meant his child would be raised from the dead (Heb. 11:17-19). He told his servants, “I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you,” indicating they’d both return (Gen. 22:5).

Obedience leaves the outcome to God. Abraham fully expected the Lord to preserve Isaac in order to keep His promise. But it was unexpected that God would provide a ram as a substitute sacrifice (vv. 12-14).

The Lord tests us in order to increase our obedience and faith in Him. Will you count God as trustworthy and yield to Him, or will you rely on your own imperfect human reasoning?

Isaiah 57:15

Prayer is a crucial discipline for believers’ spiritual growth. In fact, it’s difficult to mature in Christ without it, because prayer is how we communicate with God and thereby develop a relationship with Him. Furthermore, praying is an act of spiritual worship that brings Him honor.

When we pray to our heavenly Father, we’re acknowledging Him as “the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy” (Isaiah 57:15). He alone deserves glory, and we ascribe honor to Him when we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Think of this as maintaining a God-ward attitude throughout the day while seeking His wise governance over every detail of our life.

When we approach God, our motives and the condition of our heart are important. The Lord dwells both in “a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). Approaching prayer as a means to get our way doesn’t honor God, nor does it produce petitions that He will answer. Instead, come to the Lord in prayer with a humble, repentant attitude of worship.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Pointing out “inconsistencies” has long been a popular pastime among critics of the Bible. Tragically, even some people in influential Christian positions hold the opinion that portions of Scripture aren’t inspired by God. Of course, these critics cannot agree upon which sections are inaccurate. Some would erase a phrase here and there, while others would toss out entire books.

This leaves Christians confused about the authority of Scripture, as they wonder which expert is most credible. I have the answer to that: Trust God as the final authority. The Sovereign of the universe had no trouble keeping Scripture pure. Reading the Bible as a whole document reveals that each part is consistent with every other. God allowed for writers’ differences in viewpoint, background, and vocabulary, which at times can give the appearance of discrepancy. But further study always reveals how the various parts fit together.

It’s critical for believers to trust in the inerrancy of the Scriptures. A flawed book could never tell us how to be saved because it would only be the product of man’s hand. But the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. His Spirit did the writing, no matter whose hand penned the message.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Forgiving people who’ve wronged us is a tough command to follow. We naturally want to lash out at those who hurt us. Instead of releasing the offense, we replay the mistreatment, relive the pain, and stoke the anger. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t do that with us? We’re never more like Christ than when we forgive.  

First Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter, but did you know that the descriptions of love in verse 5 also relate to forgiveness?

Love does not seek its own benefit. When we’ve been wronged, we want our rights, but God’s love seeks what’s best for the other person.

Love is not provoked. It’s to our glory if we overlook wrongdoing rather than respond with irritation or anger (Proverbs 19:11). “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8), but rage and resentment add to the problem.  

Love does not keep an account of a wrong suffered. Keeping a list of grudges kills relationships, but forgiveness brings healing and possible restoration.  

People at times will wrong us. But if we’re yielded to the Holy Spirit, we can have a peaceful, loving heart that’s not preoccupied with our rights, easily provoked, or burdened with grudges.

1 Corinthians 13:8-11

What keeps you from loving others? Paul penned a beautiful description of biblical love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) and then concluded, “When I became a man, I did away with childish things” (v. 11). I believe childish thinking is a hidden enemy of loving relationships. When we are young, a mental grid forms in the mind, and we interpret life through it. Over time, that grid changes as some ideas are dropped and others are incorporated.  

The same is true for us spiritually: As we mature, our mental framework should increasingly be shaped by Scripture—and that includes our understanding of love. Childish, self-seeking ideas of love must be replaced with truths about mature love that wants what’s best for others.  

Our relationship with God can also be affected by childish thinking. We may believe that His love is dependent on our performance. Or we could mistakenly assume God is withholding love if He doesn’t fulfill our desires.

What faulty thinking is hindering your ability to love and be loved? By putting away your immature beliefs, you’ll be freed to experience God’s unconditional love and express Christlike love to others.

2 Peter 1:1-11

Some people think of Salvation as a single point in time. And it’s true that the moment trust is placed in Jesus, a person permanently becomes a member of God’s family. But limiting the definition to that single faith decision gives an incomplete picture.  

Salvation includes three parts: 1) justification—the moment our sins are forgiven and Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed to us; 2) sanctification—the process of becoming increasingly righteous in this life; and 3) glorification—the completion of the process, when we’re made perfectly sinless at the resurrection.

It’s a package deal. Those who are justified are being sanctified and will be glorified (Romans 8:29-30). We can’t claim we’re saved if sanctification isn’t happening in our lives. The degree of godliness and fruitfulness varies with each individual, but God has promised to complete the good work He began in our life (Philippians 1:6).

Jesus is our Master because He purchased us from sin with His blood. And Romans 10:9 says we must confess Him as Lord in order to be saved. The question is whether you’re submitting to His process of sanctification. Has your life changed since you first professed Christ? Are you diligently cooperating with the Holy Spirit so that your life reflects Jesus’ image?

1 Peter 2:9-12

Which term describes your Christian life: believer or Christ-follower? A believer can be certain of things without necessarily putting them into practice. But a follower chooses the path of action. What does it look like to follow Jesus?

1. First, we must trust Him (John 14:1) because we will not follow someone we don’t trust. Trust develops as we abide in Him and discover the beauty of His character, His love, and His plan.

2. Secondly, we must obey Him (John 14:15). A true follower of Jesus will combine trust with obedience, endeavoring to say “Yes, I will” when it’s difficult, “Yes, I will” when it’s unpopular, and “Yes, I will” even when it may cause us heartache.

3. Lastly, we must serve Him. God doesn’t want His children to be mere observers but to be active participants in His work. We are called to use our spiritual gifts and do our part as the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27-28).

Jesus provided the perfect example: He trusted His Father completely, obeyed Him sacrificially (Phil. 2:8), and lived a life of service (Matt. 20:28). We are called to emulate our Lord and Savior. In what area do you need help? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a trusting, obedient spirit.

Matthew 25:14-30

The choices that believers make should align with God’s will—and finances are no exception. Our heavenly Father has provided us with resources and expects us to manage them wisely. The Bible helps us understand His perspective and offers guidance in setting financial goals.

Not everyone is able to plan years and years into the future. Sometimes there are seasons we can look ahead only a month or two. But even when finances are tight, the Lord wants us to plan for the future. Otherwise, shortsighted thinking can lead to high credit card debt, overdue bills, and inadequate savings.

Then there are those of us who already have a financial plan—say, for college education, medical savings, or retirement—and are adhering to it. In this situation, the temptation can be to become overly protective of what we have. Luke 12:16-20 tells of a rich man who built bigger barns for storage instead of sharing what he had—and the Lord called him a fool. We certainly don’t want to be foolish in God’s eyes.

Whether we have little or much, seeking God’s priorities for our spending, saving, and giving will help us use His money wisely. Imagine what can be accomplished when we follow His instructions for handling finances and invest our resources in His kingdom work

Proverbs 9:7-12

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Initially, however, the connection may not be clear, and we may wonder, How can fearing God make us wise?

First, let’s look at what the expression means. “To fear God” conveys awesome reverence for Him. And that mindset moves us to acknowledge the Lord as the sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth, submit to His will, and walk in obedience.

Those who commit themselves to living for God’s purposes will gain greater understanding of Him. The Holy Spirit will enable them to see circumstances and people from His divine perspective. This kind of wisdom reaches beyond human perception and gives us discernment to make decisions that fit into the Lord’s plans for our life.

What is your attitude toward the Lord? If you truly revere Him, you will listen for His directions and heed His warnings. A desire to honor and please Him will motivate you to turn from evil and seek to live in obedience. And the result will be wisdom beyond human understanding.

James 3:13-18

Yesterday we discussed how, in all of our choices, we either sow to the flesh or sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8). We plant seeds that affect what kind of person we’re growing into and the level of impact our life will have for the Lord.

The “flesh” is the part of us that wants to live and act independently of God. We all must deal with the strong pull of this attitude; it doesn’t simply vanish when we’re saved. However, the Holy Spirit ensures that we’re not enslaved to the flesh. He begins to change us so we can live according to the truth. The choices we make contribute to the process of transformation, and when they’re in alignment with the Spirit’s work, they plant good seed that results in even more new growth.

When you’re sowing to the Spirit, you’re accepting God’s truth into your mind and heart. The fruit of the Spirit grows naturally from this seed of godly truth and influences every aspect of your life. When you feed your spirit with the things of God, you’re going to become stronger, more Christlike, and full of His life in your thoughts and actions.

Are you feeding your spirit or the part of you that wants to act independently of God? Choose to sow seeds that build you up, letting streams of living water flow from you to nourish others (John 7:37-39).

James 2:14-26

We know that salvation is by God’s grace through faith-—not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). So some Christians might assume that our deeds are of no importance. But that’s not true. While good works cannot save us, they’re a steady companion of faith after salvation.   

In fact, as James tells us, faith without the evidence of good works is “dead” (2:17). That’s because genuine faith always expresses itself through action. And when good deeds flow from our trust in the Lord, we will see He’s working through us to benefit others and also in us, drawing us closer to Himself. In this way, genuine faith is revealed through godly conduct—both in deeds that others observe and in things we do that go unnoticed.

We were created in Christ Jesus for good works that God ordained for us to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). He uses us to encourage and strengthen one another, provide for the needy, and share the good news of salvation with those in spiritual darkness. If our life looked no different than before our profession of faith, we would have no assurance that our faith was authentic. Are good works evidence of your transformed life, both to others and to you yourself?

Romans 12:9-13

God sends opportunities every day to positively impact lives around you. Your “service” may simply be an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a kind act. But in other situations, helping someone may involve the sacrifice of long periods of time away from your regular routine or giving generously of your resources. Whether serving in large or small ways, when God’s love flows through you, you’ll be able to unselfishly adjust your schedule or budget and not count the cost.

No matter what you do, your service should always be done “in Jesus’ name.” This means it is motivated by love, done in harmony with God’s revealed will and in submission to His authority. And as today’s passage urges, we are to be “fervent in spirit” as we serve the Lord and “not lagging behind in diligence” (Rom. 12:11). To live out your faith in this way requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s power. Only by yielding to His control can your work produce real spiritual fruit.

As ambassadors of Christ, we must serve with humility so that God receives the glory He deserves. Whatever success we experience belongs to the Lord, whose Spirit is working through us. Pray for Him to make you alert to the service opportunities He places before you.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

In the kitchen sits a full cookie jar, and 6-year-old Todd is determined to have one. When his mom walks in, she finds him—one arm still in the jar—chewing fast. The first words out of his mouth are, “I’m sorry.” He obviously regrets being caught and is unhappy about the punishment that may follow, but he’s probably not remorseful for eating the cookies.

Believers sometimes approach confession and repentance the same way. Sorrow usually accompanies admission of guilt, and feelings of shame and remorse are labeled as repentance. Yet too often our repentance is shallow. We’re sad over the consequences of our actions and upset that we’ve failed to live up to our own standards of good behavior. But genuine repentance goes deeper than self-reproach; it involves a sense of grief over having wronged God by sinning against Him.

Our desire should be to please our heavenly Father, not grieve Him. So genuine repentance leads us to forsake the sin and practice obedience. When we humble ourselves and truly repent, the Holy Spirit pours His power and strength into our life. Then we are enabled to turn from that sin in order to walk in obedience to our Lord.  

1 John 1:5-10

As we mature spiritually and gain wisdom from Scripture, we should recognize that confession, repentance, and obedience are necessary tools for maintaining an intimate relationship with God. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, the right response is to quickly confess the wrong to God and turn away from it so we won’t continue to grieve our Father.

Confession means agreeing with God that our transgression is wrong and violates His will. Sin impacts our fellowship with the Lord, and until we confess it to Him, we cannot receive the cleansing He offers. But when we do, He’s faithful to forgive us.

Yet confession is incomplete unless we also repent—that is, turn away from sin through the power of the Holy Spirit and turn to the Lord in obedience. Sadly, true repentance is increasingly neglected as our society rejects all shame and encourages tolerance of sin.

Don’t believe the world’s lies. See your sin as God sees it, and let your heart be grieved. To keep your life pure before Him, use all the tools He’s given—confession, repentance, and obedience.

Ephesians 1:1-14

Imagine an elderly couple living in a dilapidated farmhouse. They can barely afford a few groceries and the medications they need. There isn’t even enough money to keep the heat on all winter. Shortly after they both die, a huge deposit of oil is discovered on the old homestead. All their years of poverty were lived out sitting on top of untapped wealth.

Sadly, many Christians go through life like that elderly couple. They’ve distilled Christianity down to its most basic parts: God saved me, and someday I’ll go to heaven. Spiritually poor Christians fail to tap into the reservoir of God’s grace that’s available right now. There’s no reason to wait until heaven to start enjoying the riches of His favor, which He’s already lavishing on us.

True riches are not measured by your bank account but by the abundance of God’s grace. You’ve received Christ’s righteousness, forgiveness of sins, adoption as God’s child, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, and an eternal inheritance. As a joint heir with Christ, you have access to God’s riches, which include unspeakable joy, unconditional love, and peace beyond understanding. Don’t wait until heaven; tap into these divine blessings every day of your life, beginning today.   

James 1:17-18

God’s character is misunderstood and distorted by the world, but even believers can have the wrong perception of Him. Some see our loving Father as authoritarian, harsh, or stingy, but every good gift we have comes from Him.   

God has freely given us forgiveness, redemption, righteousness, providential care, adoption into His family, and a glorious inheritance in heaven. It’s all ours at salvation, yet there is a misguided notion among some believers that the Lord’s grace to us varies according to our behavior or level of spiritual maturity.

But this can’t be true, because the Lord never changes. His boundless, unmerited favor is lavished on all His children whether they’re aware of it or not. And spiritual growth will broaden their capacity to recognize and enjoy it.

Our heavenly Father is not tightfisted. He opens His hand wide to pour out grace upon us. Instead of sampling meager bites of His Word, we ought to devour whole “meals” every day. Follow the psalmist’s advice: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

Romans 8:1-17

Of the three members of the Trinity, perhaps the most overlooked is the Holy Spirit. Yet He’s co-equal with the Father and the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and participated in creation (Genesis 1:2; Genesis 1:26). Today, He plays a critical role in the salvation, spiritual growth, and empowerment of believers.  

At the moment of salvation, God’s Spirit comes to permanently dwell within each new believer. His presence within us isn’t something we have to earn or acquire; it’s a gift to every child of God. His work is to transform us into the image of Christ, give us understanding of Scripture, convict us when we sin, empower us to overcome temptation and walk in obedience to God, and guide us throughout life. When we yield to His leadership, we’ll receive all the benefits of His work within us.

Are you experiencing the fullness of the Spirit? Though we’re never promised happy circumstances throughout life, the Holy Spirit can produce joy and contentment within us, even in trying situations. If you’re lacking in this area, pray for sensitivity and responsiveness to the Spirit’s instruction and leadership.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

God has a plan for every believer’s life, and He’s provided talents, abilities, and circumstances to fit with these individualized goals (Eph. 2:10). But God’s purposes for us can be fulfilled only as we depend on the Holy Spirit. Too often we try to tackle life by ourselves. For a while, we may succeed, but in the long run, self-reliance fails.

We cannot accomplish God’s plan our way and in our own power. It simply won’t work. In fact, being adequate in ourselves actually hinders us from doing what the Lord desires and stifles our spiritual growth. If we persist in arrogant self-reliance, we may have to experience failure so we’ll realize how weak we truly are. God lovingly breaks our pride by showing us that we’re inadequate without Him. Only by His strength and direction are we able to succeed.

Have you surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s control by acknowledging your weakness and recognizing His power, omniscience, and wisdom? The Lord doesn’t call you to live the Christian life in your own strength, which is a human impossibility. Rather, He wants you to yield control and let Him live His life through you.

Numbers 22:15-35

A whistle gets our attention quickly, wouldn’t you agree? It’s used to control unruly behavior, signal the start or finish of an event, or interrupt action. Have you ever considered that God has a “whistle”? It’s not one we hear with our ears, but it’s effective in getting our attention and redirecting our life.

In today’s passage, God used a donkey as His “whistle” to redirect Balaam, but the man was oblivious until his animal spoke. Although you won’t hear a talking donkey, God still has His ways of getting your attention.

Sometimes He uses a restless spirit or some vague dissatisfaction with one’s life. At other times, it may be a Scripture passage or something a person says that causes us to pause. God’s “whistles” come in many forms—illness, financial reversals, tragedies, disappointments, loss, difficulties, or failures.  

Whatever situation the Lord uses, our response should be to quickly seek Him in prayer. He deserves our undivided attention, but too often we get preoccupied with our circumstances and fail to recognize them for what they are. The next time the Lord interrupts your life in any way, let the situation prompt you to turn to Him and seek His guidance.

2 Chronicles 20:1-4

What does it take for the Lord to get your attention? In times of great crisis, fear, tragedy, or sickness, do your eyes and thoughts lift heavenward to seek God’s help and wisdom?  

Those who already have a habit of seeking the Lord’s direction know how to respond when emergencies arise. That’s what we see in King Jehoshaphat’s reign. The Lord was with him because he followed the example of King David by obeying and seeking to honor God. So when a dangerous situation arose, Jehoshaphat’s first response was to fast and pray for His help.

Is seeking the Lord’s will the habit of your life, or does He have to use harsher means to get your attention? Through the Scriptures, He instructs and teaches us the way we should go—as long as we’re paying attention. But if we’re stubborn “like the horse or like the mule” (Psalm 32:8-9), God’s ways of reaching us may be more painful.

The Lord has much to say and wants us to train ourselves to stay attuned to Him. Don’t let the busyness and distractions of life keep you from connecting with Him every day through His Word and prayer.

2 Timothy 2:20-22

Do you feel special, or does a sense of insignificance hang over you like a cloud? The good news is that every believer is special in the Lord’s eyes, and He’s set you apart for Himself. Since you now belong to Him, you’re not here on this earth to live as you please. You exist to bring glory and honor to Him by becoming more and more like His Son in your character, conduct, and conversation. It’s not a matter of following a list of rules, but of Christ living His life through you.

The Bible calls this sanctification. It’s the process whereby the Lord continually transforms us through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. It’s not that we’ll become sinless, but the more we fill our minds with His Word and yield to the Spirit’s leadership, the more victorious we’ll be over sin. As our old attitudes and habits are replaced with godly ones, we’ll become useful servants in the household of God.

Being special to the Lord has nothing to do with what kind of work you do or how intelligent or successful you are. Rather, it’s based on whose you are.

Philippians 1:12-18

It is clear from today’s passage that Paul was no stranger to conflict—even conflict caused by members of the church. Some people were upset that he preached to the Gentiles rather than exclusively to Jews. They also didn’t like the fact that he taught salvation by grace and not law. And some people were teaching the message with a very different motivation from the apostle’s.

Notice how Paul responded: He was positive. The tenor of his letter is one of encouragement and resolve. He did not lash out at his critics; he did not defend himself. He defended the gospel, but he did so in love and without harshness. Paul was happy that the name and good news of Jesus Christ were being preached, regardless of whether the motive was sincerity or envy. He was so concerned for the souls of others that he responded out of selflessness rather than selfishness.

What’s amazing is that Paul wrote this encouraging letter during his confinement in a Roman jail, and the prison guards learned about the gospel from him. Your words and behavior can likewise reflect Christ to unbelievers you encounter. May God help you stay the course as Paul did—even when your situation may involve controversy and criticism.

Ephesians 4:30-32

All of us have, at some point, been hurt by someone we love and trust. When that happens, we have a choice: to wallow in self-pity and anger or to forgive.

Forgiveness means giving up both the resentment you may have and the desire to retaliate. Doing so involves three important steps.

1. Surrender the general attitude of resentment. That is, make a decision not to languish in your pain. This can be hard! Many people almost seem to enjoy a mindset of self-pity or martyrdom. But you can choose a different posture and move past your suffering.

2. Give up specific feelings of resentment toward an individual. It is important to let go of the anger that was brought on by hurtful actions—and to try to restore the broken relationship.

3. Lay down all claims to retribution. You cannot forgive someone with your words while secretly wishing him or her harm. True forgiveness seeks the other person’s good, not punishment.

Forgiveness says, “Though you hurt me, I choose to pardon you. I won’t dwell on this, nor will I allow it to destroy my life or attitude. I won’t spend one minute plotting revenge. You are God’s precious child.” Truly forgiving another person is difficult, but the rewards are worth it.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Yesterday we discussed forgiveness and how to incorporate it into our relationships. Now, let’s look at its opposite.

Unforgiveness is the deliberate decision not to let go of resentment toward someone else or of your rights to get even. Unfortunately, this attitude is common. Both outside and inside the church, people seem to enjoy nursing a grudge. They broadcast their hurt and focus their energy on retribution. What a waste!

In Hebrews 12:14-15, we see a warning against the “root of bitterness” that springs up and causes trouble. Bitterness may start with a simple grievance because of a person’s actions, but then that little seed of resentment begins to grow. And what happens at the root impacts everything else: If love and peace are your foundation, then you will produce loving and peaceful fruit. If unforgiveness is your foundation, you’ll find a crop of anger, malice, hostility, and bitterness. The sooner you deal with it, the less that bitter fruit will spoil your life.

How can we accomplish God’s will while harboring an unforgiving spirit? How can we grow in Christ when we willfully let bitterness erode our heart? Uproot the unforgiveness in your life today, and offer the Lord your finest crop of spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

1 Samuel 27:1-7

David was tired of being chased. After years of running from King Saul and with no indication that things would change, David began to despair. Though God had promised to prosper him, his trust faltered. Isn’t that how we feel sometimes? We know that God has promised good things for those who wait on Him and that every promise of His is “yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20), but our faith, like David’s, wavers.

Israel’s future king assessed his options and chose the “best” one—to form an alliance with the godless Philistines. By moving from faith to human reasoning, David stepped out of the Lord’s will and joined with the enemies of God’s people. In doing so, he compromised the very thing to which he had committed himself—being Israel’s leader.

Fortunately, when you hit bottom as David did, there is a way back. Focusing on the Lord can lead you out of discouragement and into His presence. Confess your lack of faith, receive God’s forgiveness, and pledge to follow Him. Next, strengthen yourself in the Lord: Recall His past faithfulness, reflect upon His power, and remember His promises. Finally, resolve to trust God for the future, and ask His Holy Spirit for help. Won’t you walk upon the road that leads upward to the Father?

John 14:15-24

It’s easy to say we love God, but are you showing by your deeds that you love Him? The old adage is true: Actions speak louder than words.

The measure of our love is obedience to God’s commands and principles. In fact, Jesus stressed that very point three times in today’s Bible passage (vv. 15, 21, 23). This wasn’t a new concept for the disciples either. They would have been familiar with the scriptural connection between love and obedience (Nehemiah 1:5; Daniel 9:4). In fact, God has always emphasized that the way to show our devotion is by doing what He says (Deuteronomy 8:11; Deut.10:12; Deuteronomy 13:3-4).

Halfhearted commitment can look pretty good to others, but God knows the difference. A preacher could preach a thousand sermons without loving God. And as believers, we may lift hands in worship, support missions, and say the right words. But unless we’re following the commands from God’s Word, the most we’re showing Him is lukewarm affection. Works prove nothing. Loving the Lord means obeying Him.

We are wise, therefore, to follow the Lord’s instructions to Joshua—that is, to meditate on Scripture day and night (Joshua 1:8). Reading from the Bible daily helps us know how to obey—that is the only way to stay faithful and show the Father our love.

Psalm 119:105-112

No matter how busy life gets, we make time for what’s important to us. And of course, the wisest thing to do is to prioritize the things God values—such as reading His Word.  

Here’s a little exercise that can help you realize there’s time in your day for Scripture. Photocopy the book of Philippians, cut it into sections, and tape it over the columns of your newspaper. All it will take up is three columns. The point is, if we take the time to read our favorite parts of the newspaper or scan the headlines on the internet, we can—in the same amount of time—read the entire book of Philippians.

So why not start there? Open your Bible to Philippians and ask the Lord to speak to you. As you read, pray over words that the Holy Spirit draws to your attention, and listen for whatever the Lord wants to say to you.

Praying through a book elevates spiritual life to a new level. You’ll find yourself wanting to progress past an elementary understanding of the faith. What’s more, you’ll increasingly want to be obedient to what you’re reading, because you’ll be falling deeper in love with the book’s Author.

It’s true that the Lord loves all people and that He adopts believers as His sons and daughters. But even richer blessings await those who keep His commands (John 14:21), because they will understand more about God and His ways.

Psalm 37:4-7

What is your greatest desire? We often read today’s passage and assume that it means God will give us whatever we want. It’s not uncommon for someone to talk about a prayer request and then add, “God promised to give me the desires of my heart.” But in context, that scripture reveals the Lord’s principle for purifying our desires and issues a call for devotion to Him. To delight in the Lord means to take pleasure in discovering more about Him and in following Him. As we do, the Holy Spirit aligns our heart’s desires with His, which positions us to experience His blessings.

When we commit our way to God, we allow our thoughts, goals, and lifestyle to be shaped by His will and the things He loves. In other words, we acknowledge His right to determine whether our longing fits His plan. If we rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, we can rely on Him to work out circumstances, even when the desire He’s given us seems impossible. When He is our first love, our heart becomes focused on making His glory known with our life.

God wants to give us our heart’s desires in His time, when we’re aligned with His will. As we learn to enjoy Him for who He is, our self-focused wants are replaced by His perfect will and purpose for us.

Romans 5:6-11

What emotions do you feel when you hear the word sin? Perhaps embarrassment, discomfort, or even shame? Well, there’s a reason why. We weren’t meant for sin or the negative consequences that come with it.

Sin—or hamartia in Greek, meaning “to miss the mark”—separates us from our heavenly Father. The perfect union and harmony that Adam and Eve shared with Him in the garden was lost the moment sin entered the picture.           

Today, many millennia after that painful breach occurred, we still sense something vital is missing. Countless people spend their whole life trying to fill that void. However, only God’s love and presence can adequately address the ache it causes. And that’s why Jesus came—“to give His life as a ransom for many,” rescue us from the power of sin and death, and reunite us with the One who loves us beyond all measure (Matthew 20:28).

If you’ve trusted in Jesus, you can rejoice because sin has already been defeated by His atoning sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24). And if you haven’t yet made that decision, know that He’s waiting for you to open the door (Revelation 3:20-22).

Galatians 5:13-25

Yesterday, we discussed the uncomfortable topic of sin and how, thankfully, Christ came to liberate us. But what impact should that fact have on our everyday life? How should we live in light of the freedom we’ve been given?

The apostle Paul offers a compelling answer in today’s Scripture reading. He says our liberty isn’t intended for us alone but is meant to be shared with the world. We do that by serving others in love, thereby fulfilling what Christ called the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:35-40).

Acting out of love eliminates the inclination to judge those around us—or in Paul’s words, “bite and devour one another” (Gal. 5:15). A harsh, critical attitude doesn’t represent our freedom well. There’s nothing compelling about us if we act just like people who have never experienced the all-surpassing love of Christ.

Instead, we must “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16) and exhibit the fruit produced in us when we follow Him faithfully. Our “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (vv. 22-23) are like a beacon in the dark, and others will feel drawn to its light.

Lamentations 3:22-26

We often think of God’s goodness in terms of tangible blessings, but we shouldn’t feel we’re loved only when our circumstances are positive. In fact, His goodness is often richest in our darkest hour (Isaiah 43:1-2).

One way God expresses goodness is through His mercy. Throughout the Gospels, we see the Lord filled with compassion and ministering to people who are suffering. Consider the demon-possessed man Jesus met in the country of the Gerasenes—he was broken in both mind and body, wandering naked among tombs (Luke 8:26-39). The people there had bound him with chains and shackles, keeping him under guard, not for his well-being but for their own. As far as we know, nobody had tried to ease his suffering.

But that’s precisely what Jesus did. Not only did He cast out the demons; He also clothed the man and spoke with him. We might think the miraculous healing was more than enough, but Jesus wasn’t finished until He returned the man to full humanity by taking care of his physical needs and welcoming him back into the community. That’s what God’s goodness looks like—love without limit (Ephesians 2:4-7).

John 9:1-12

Human beings are designed by God to love stories. That’s why, when we tell others about how God has rescued and changed us, the Holy Spirit begins to work in the hearts of those who have ears to hear. (See Matthew 11:15.)

Consider today’s Scripture passage, which relates the story of the man born blind. Many questioned him about how he received his sight, and he simply shared the facts: “The man who is called Jesus made mud, and spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight” (v. 11).

“Is this not the one who used to sit and beg?” they asked. Some said, “This is he,” but others said, “No, but he is like him” (vv. 8-9, emphasis added). The man’s transformation was so amazing, so impossible by human standards, that observers began to craft their own narrative trying to explain what had happened. The man simply repeated, “I am the one” (v. 9).

Like him, we don’t have to know every answer to every question in order to talk about our Savior; we need only tell what Jesus has done for us. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.