2 Timothy 4:1-5

It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction today. Whether it’s advertising, political discussions, or the news, we shouldn’t automatically believe everything we hear or read. It’s even more confusing when claims come from a widely accepted authority or charismatic personality.

This problem isn’t new; it was also an issue for the early church. Paul wrote to his friend and protégé Timothy, warning that people were susceptible to following eloquent, compelling speakers. This was true, he said, especially if they were “wanting to have their ears tickled” and to “accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires” (2 Tim. 4:3).

We all want to have our ears “tickled” to a certain degree, and that’s why it’s good to have friends like Paul and Timothy, who reminded each other of the truth. But even more than that, God’s Holy Spirit—whom John calls “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13)—dwells in each believer. And when we yield to the Holy Spirit’s control, He promises to guide us in the right direction.

Outside sources can be helpful for education, but at the end of the day, we should revere God’s Word and Spirit above all else. Build your foundation of truth by spending time with the Lord, and He will not lead you astray.

Hebrews 10:19-23

People come and go, and each season turns into the next; continual change is normal in our life. Thankfully, this is not the case with God, who is “the same yesterday and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can completely depend on the Lord’s steadfastness because He is:

• Omniscient. Our Father knows what is happening for every person at every moment (Proverbs 15:3). His knowledge is complete—no circumstance is hidden from Him; there is no motive or thought process that He does not discern.

• Omnipotent. God has power over all things; nothing is outside His control. No authority in heaven or on earth can thwart His purposes (Job 42:2).

• Omnipresent. There’s no person, place, or thing in all of creation that’s outside of the Lord’s presence (Psalm 139:7-12). All space and time are within His sight.

In addition to these excellent traits, God always speaks the truth (Titus 1:2). We can fully trust the reliability of His Word and His responses to our prayers.

Because God’s character is not affected by time, place, people, or circumstances, He is more trustworthy than even the closest human friend. When our plans have failed and people have disappointed us, He is always there, steady as a rock. For all our days, God is the One we can count on.

Ephesians 2:4-10

Yesterday we discussed God’s character. As Scripture tells us, He is all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, and always truthful. And because of these attributes, we as believers have the assurance every day that God will ...

• Extend His lovingkindness to us. Sending Jesus to die in our place proves His love for us (1 John 4:10), and His unchanging nature means His love never ends (Psalm 100:5).

• Help us accomplish His will. In fact, He promises to provide everything we need to carry out the assignments He gives us (Hebrews 13:21).

• Protect us so we do not have to compromise. Although we are weak on our own, His Holy Spirit gives us the strength to say no to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

• Forgive our sins. He is always ready to receive our confession, forgive us, and restore intimacy with Him (1 John 1:9).

The Lord wants us to live and rest assured that He is for us. After all, He wants to “show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). The next time you’re feeling uncertain, return to these principles and meditate over them—and may you receive God’s peace in return.

1 Samuel 15:10-23

Nowadays, when we come across the word sacrifice, we probably think of giving up our time or resources—not killing an animal on an altar, watching its blood pour out, and smelling its flesh burn. But in the Old Testament, that’s what God required for the Israelites’ atonement. Sacrifice provided a way to purify the spiritual stain of sin and restore a right relationship with God.

You’d think the unpleasantness of burnt offerings would have made people hesitate before sinning so that they’d choose obedience instead. But humans have always wrestled with temptation. Just look at Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:1-24. God created a perfect world, free of sin. And yet He knew we’d make mistakes, so He provided a way for us to be right with Him again—through the gift of sacrifice and His Son. Of course, our Father would prefer we didn’t sin in the first place, but He always forgives us when we come before Him with a “broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:17 NIV). He loves us and wants the best for us—which includes being spiritually healthy, free, and full of joy.

Jesus told the disciples, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Let us love and trust God enough to obey Him, keeping our heart and conscience pure and our connection with Him strong.

Psalm 9:7-10

As far as children can tell, their mom and dad know everything and can do anything. And kids typically don’t question that assumption without reason (for example, if they see a parent mishandle a situation or someone else influences their level of trust). Parents demonstrate reliability by consistently providing shelter, food, and safety—and also by lovingly teaching, comforting, and guiding their sons and daughters. Then the children can sleep in peace, knowing their needs will be met.

Likewise, we know that we can trust our heavenly Father because He has shown Himself trustworthy from the beginning of time. Psalm 119:90 says, “[God’s] faithfulness continues throughout generations.” He has never broken a promise, and His plans for us have always been for our good (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28). What’s more, God understands our weaknesses and never asks us to do anything that He won’t help us accomplish (Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 41:10). We can trust that even in the worst situations, He will be with us (Psalm 46:1).

What does trusting God look like in your life this week? Where can you relinquish control to Him?

Galatians 4:4-7

“My daddy is stronger than your daddy!” “My mom makes the best food in the whole world!” Have you ever noticed little children instinctively trust their mother and father and often speak of them with pride? To an innocent toddler, no one is smarter, prettier, or funnier than his or her parents.

But at some point, things start to change. As children grow up and observe the world around them, the unwavering admiration they once had begins to falter—especially by the teenage years. Then, perceptions of parents can shift, causing indifference and ingratitude. What happened? Teens naturally want to feel independent, which leads to questioning parental views and discovering that Mom and Dad are fallible human beings.

Take a moment to check your heart right now. Jesus said that we should be like little children (Matthew 18:3). Do you adore and admire your heavenly Father? Do you talk to others about Him with the same reverence and joy as when you first believed? If any of that delight has faded, ask Him to help you rediscover it. Then spend time in His Word, watching for His personal encouragement to you.

Genesis 22:9-18

Genesis 18:1-33 tells us about unexpected visitors to Abraham’s tent: Three men appeared out of nowhere, declaring that Sarah would give birth to a son. This announcement—which was surprising enough since it came from strangers—was even more unusual because of Sarah’s advanced age. Before long, however, Abraham and Sarah rejoiced when God kept His promise and gave them Isaac.

A few chapters later, though, God told Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love … and offer him there as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2). The next morning, Abraham woke up to do what God had said. Then, just as he was about to slaughter his beloved child, God provided a ram instead.

It’s not clear how old the boy was when God asked for him to be offered as a sacrifice, but Isaac trusted his earthly father just as Abraham trusted his heavenly Father. They may have had questions or been afraid, but they chose to obey God anyway.

Abraham was ready to give up what was most precious to him—and to do so without grumbling. But why would he be willing to obey when the stakes were so high? Because he truly knew God’s goodness and believed the Lord would bless his obedience, no matter how painful.

You can know God just as intimately, and with just as much confidence in His love. Ask Him to show you the way.

Isaiah 55:1-3

Imagine you’re hungry, with only a few coins in your pocket. It’s enough to buy only some coarse brown bread and a bowl of watery soup. That’ll keep you from starving, but it’s far from satisfying. Now, imagine walking into a beautiful hall where a banquet’s been laid out—tables filled with savory meats, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and delicate desserts of all kinds. But rather than a price list, there’s a sign that reads “Free.” Which would you choose?

That’s the issue at the heart of today’s passage. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” our Father asks, when His abundance is free for the taking (v. 2). But that’s precisely what happens when we reject a relationship with God and pursue temporal things that can never fill us.

In the Pensées, Blaise Pascal discusses this overwhelming yearning and concludes that the “infinite abyss” in us “can be filled only by an infinite and immutable object—that is to say, only by God himself.” Thankfully, the true contentment that comes from being united with God is ours for the taking. All we need to do is say yes.

Luke 22:66-71

The Nicene Creed succinctly describes our Savior’s two natures—human and divine. It reads: “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God … true God from true God ... For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.”

This fact was universally acknowledged by both angels and human beings (Matthew 16:13-17; Luke 1:26-35; John 11:27). Even the demons knew the truth (Luke 4:40-41)! And it’s important for us to understand as well. If we don’t, our faith will remain immature and we can’t “give an account for the hope that is in [us]” (1 Peter 3:15).

As C. S. Lewis said, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse ... But let us not come up with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”

To better understand who Jesus is, spend time in prayer and ask Him to teach you. He’s ready to answer.

John 4:7-30

Ephesians 2:1-2 says that before salvation, we all are spiritually dead. But when a person places faith in Christ, he or she becomes a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Nowhere is this more evident than in the life of the woman at the well, recorded for us in today’s passage.

Before Jesus came to Sychar, the Samaritan woman’s life was challenging, to say the least. She was not fully welcome in her community, as evidenced by the fact she was going to draw water during the hottest part of the day, long after others had done so. It’s easy to imagine her walking with her head down and eyes averted, hoping to get what she needed without calling attention to herself.

However, she and Jesus spoke directly—a surprising departure from cultural norms of the time—and what He revealed changed everything. After learning of the living water Christ offered, she no longer ran away from others. Instead, she went right to them to share the amazing news (vv. 28-30). What a transformation! Salvation came to her in a moment when she least expected it, and the same can be true for people in our day.

1 Corinthians 12:4-26

We know we’re supposed to serve others, but some of us just don’t know how. Or maybe we don’t feel we have the right qualities to make a difference in someone else’s life. Yet the Lord has gifted each of us in unique ways, with a purpose in mind.

Today’s passage explains this idea by using the human body as an illustration: Each person has gifts and purposes that make the entire system function well. Every part is crucial, even though some may be less noticeable than others. Paul writes, “The parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greatest honor … so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another” (vv. 22-23, 25).

One person who took this communal perspective to heart was Peter. In a letter, he defined himself as “a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). He was no longer a man motivated by self-interest. Once He followed Jesus, he saw himself as a servant of God. We, too, are called to serve the King of Kings—with whatever abilities we are given, whether it’s teaching, sweeping, or listening.

Luke 19:1-9

Yesterday, we learned that believers have all been given gifts so they can serve the body of Christ. In fact, Jesus Himself is our best example of a servant (Matthew 20:28). Today, let’s look at three things in the story of Zacchaeus that can help us to serve as the Lord did.

1. Awareness: Though surrounded by a crowd, Jesus stopped and took notice of one particular man perched in a tree. Zacchaeus was hated and rejected because he was a tax collector. Despite his wealth, something was missing in his life, and Christ recognized his need. People all around us are searching for hope, but we’re often too preoccupied to notice.

2. Availability: Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to carry out the most important act in human history: our redemption. Yet He stopped to have a meal with a spiritually needy man. What could be so important that it prevents you from giving others the thing they need most—your time?

3. Acceptance: Although Zacchaeus was a notorious sinner, Jesus didn’t say, “Clean up your act, and then I’ll come to your house.” We’re called to love people, not to fix them.

How are you doing at serving those around you? Maybe it’s time to slow down and open your spiritual eyes to see if there’s someone you can help. God places opportunities all around us, but if we’re not looking, we’ll miss them.

Romans 8:38-39

Our heavenly Father wants us to know how much He loves and cares for us. In fact, today’s passage says that nothing can separate us from His love. He has made this clear through:

• Revelation of Himself. In Scripture, we learn that God made us in His image and has a purpose for us. Sin separated us from Him, but He has a solution to our problem.

• Provision of a Savior. We were trapped by our sinful nature and under a sentence of eternal death—separation from God forever. But because of our Father’s great love for us, He sent His only Son to bear the penalty we deserved (Romans 6:23). Jesus rescued us from sin and reconciled us to the Father. What we could never do for ourselves, He did for us.

• Adoption of Believers. When we place trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become children of God. The separation between us and Him is gone; instead of being enemies, we are family. The indwelling Holy Spirit serves as both evidence that we belong to God and assurance of His unending love.

The Father’s care for us shines brightly through the cross—it was because of love that He sent Jesus to earth to die in our place (1 John 4:9-10). Once we accept the gift of salvation through Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love. What a comfort that is in times of need.

Isaiah 40:12-26

When you think of God, what comes to mind? Often, we tend to view Him in the way that best fits our particular need or situation. For example, if we struggle with guilt, we might focus on His forgiveness. The truth is, His character encompasses far more than we could ever comprehend or try to explain. Even if we had all the time in the world, we wouldn’t be able to do more than scratch the surface of how awesome He is. But today, let’s look at one attribute: His greatness.

Today’s passage tells us God is greater than creation (v. 12), for it was by His hands that everything we see came into being. He is higher than the nations or any idol fashioned by the finest craftsman (vv. 17-20). In fact, God is above the world and all mankind (vv. 22-23), surpassing even the heavens and galaxies.

Our Father’s thoughts and ways are far grander than our own (Isaiah 55:9)—and lofty, compared with what we can understand. Psalm 93:1 says, “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and encircled Himself with strength.”

Consider the awesome God we serve. He truly is worthy of our praise. As we grasp even a fraction of His greatness, our response should be one of humble worship. After all, who are we that a God like this would desire our friendship—so much so that He sent His Son to die for our sins?

Psalm 90:1-2

For us as believers, understanding as much as we can about the Lord deepens our relationship with Him. It also helps us to share our faith with others. With that in mind, let’s explore four attributes of almighty God.

1. He has the qualities of personhood. Mankind was created with the ability to feel, reason, and make decisions. And God has the capacity for emotion as well—Genesis 1:26 says we were made in His image. The Bible frequently makes mention of His feelings, like anger and love.

2. The Lord is spirit (John 4:23-24). Because of this, He has no limitations. He isn’t confined to a place, so we can worship Him anywhere. What’s more, His Holy Spirit indwells each believer, so we can enjoy His presence and guidance anytime (Psalm 66:18).

3. God is eternal (Isaiah 40:28). He always was, is now, and forever will be. Nothing existed before Him or will outlast Him.

4. Our Father is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6). His nature and attributes always remain constant. Yes, God experiences variety in emotions, but not in the essence of His character.

What a blessing that God would teach us about Himself through the Bible. Praise Him for His attributes, and continue seeking to know Him better through His Word.

John 14:16-18

Imagine what would happen if God gave us whatever we wanted as soon as we asked. We probably wouldn’t spend much time with the Lord, which is essential for knowing Him and having a relationship.

The biggest benefit of prayer is that we develop intimacy with God—not that we receive whatever we requested. Think of Paul, who asked three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed before God answered no (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). Paul was probably disappointed, but eventually he realized the situation drew him closer to the Lord. Then he was able to say, “I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When we’ve been praying long and hard but don’t feel our words matter, that time with the Lord is not wasted. It sustains our relationship with Him.

God is listening attentively to our cries, and His Spirit is our constant companion—even when we cannot “feel” His presence or involvement. So if you’re tempted to give up on unanswered prayers, remember that the Holy Spirit is there to teach us all things and even to intercede when we don’t know how to pray (John 14:26; Romans 8:26). He will help you persevere and enjoy the real benefit of prayer—time with your Father.

John 8:31-36

Freedom is a word that sounds wonderful, much like love or peace. But it isn’t easy to explain. We know we want freedom but may not be sure why—or what it could or should look like in everyday life.

While teaching on the Mount of Olives, Jesus told the crowd, “If you continue in My Word, then … you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). The people didn’t understand at first. They thought the Lord was talking about political freedom, but He was referring to a different type of liberation. Jesus wanted us to know that when we repent and put our trust in Him, God forgives us, freeing us from bondage to and punishment for sin.

In Romans 6:6-7, the apostle Paul continued the discussion with reassurance that sin loses its power over us when we surrender our life to the Lord. God offers victory over temptation and cleansing from the stain of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:9).

How have you experienced freedom from sin? Take a moment to express gratitude to the Lord for His unconditional love and forgiveness.

1 Peter 2:13-20

Getting your driver’s license gives you the freedom to drive, but it also means you must be responsible and follow the rules to ensure everyone’s safety. Even people living in the freest nations have laws to obey. Someone may defy authority and attempt to live as he or she pleases, yet that person still remains subject to certain realities, such as gravity and time.

Our freedom in Christ is a precious gift, but it doesn’t excuse us from accountability, nor does it give us license to do anything that we please. God gives us freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. The Bible urges us to use our liberty for the good of others rather than to indulge our own desires (Galatians 5:13). In other words, we’re to live for Jesus Christ instead of ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Notice what Jesus did when He healed the lame man beside the pool at Bethesda and when He saved the adulterous woman from being stoned: He exhorted them both to go live in holiness (John 5:1-14; John 8:1-11). Today His purpose is the same—He restores us so that we can love others for Him.

How can you use your freedom to serve others and live for Christ?

Romans 8:28-29

When life gets tough, we may wonder why and ask, Is God punishing me? Has He forgotten me? Sometimes we know we’re facing the consequences of sin or foolish choices, but other times the reason is not so clear. And when illness, death, or some other profound adversity enters our life, it’s even more difficult to understand God’s purpose in allowing it—especially if we’re faithfully following Him.

Scripture shows us many ways that God uses hardship in believers’ lives. It may be to get our attention, help us conquer pride, or teach us to hate sin. Sometimes it’s to remind us of our dependence on the Lord, demonstrate His faithfulness, or give us tools for comforting and serving others. Other times, God wants to mature our view of Him or deepen our faith.

The Bible encourages us to rejoice in the midst of our trials (Matthew 5:12; Acts 5:41; Romans 5:3; James 1:2), and Romans 8:28 promises that God always works things out for the good of those who love Him. Does this lessen the hurt and doubt that accompany trials? Not always, but Psalm 23:1-6 promises that God is with us—comforting us in the midst of the valley (v. 4). He may not always calm the storm around us, but He calms our heart when we cry out to Him.

How can these verses help you overcome doubt and fear in times of trouble?