Matthew 8:23-27

During His time on earth, Jesus demonstrated how to have a healthy relationship with God. Everything our Savior did flowed from a life of restful dependence on His Father—even when resting seemed foolish and negligent to those around Him.

In today’s passage, the disciples were crossing the sea in a small boat during a violent storm, and Jesus was taking a nap. They may have wondered, Why is He sleeping at a time like this? Doesn’t He see our need?

It seems the disciples viewed Jesus’ resting as a sign of inattentiveness (Mark 4:38). But the truth is, God sometimes delays responding to our fears to better display His glory at work in our life. A moment later, Jesus commanded the waves and wind to be calm (Mark 4:39), and the disciples witnessed firsthand the power of God.

Jesus’ ability to surrender, even in the middle of a turbulent storm, reveals complete trust in His Father—something the disciples were also invited to experience. The invitation holds true for us as well: Why fear when the Creator of the universe is on our side? In times of hardship and testing, it’s easy to be consumed by the physical reality of our situation. But let’s not lose sight of the truth that God is with us. Always.

Job 13:15-25

Is it possible to draw closer to the Father through our doubts? The life of Job suggests an answer. Verse 15 of today’s passage is key to understanding his mindset: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” No matter what happened, Job was determined to keep hoping and trusting in God, even while struggling to understand why he suffered. Both hoping and questioning can be expressions of faith.

Knowing that the Lord was the only one who could answer him, Job wanted an opportunity to pose his questions. Then, in chapters 38-41, the Lord responded, leaving His servant both humbled and astonished (Job 42:2-6).

In seasons of suffering, we, too, may have questions for God, such as “What have I done wrong?” “Why are You treating me this way?” and “Don’t You see my brokenness?” When that happens, we can be comforted to know we’re in good company. In fact, Jesus Himself faithfully inquired of God. From the cross, our Savior asked, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).

And how will God respond when we have earnest questions for Him? He’ll keep us close and—in His infinite, awe-inspiring love and mercy—carry us through.

Genesis 16:1-6

Has God given you a vision that is as yet unfulfilled? Has He assigned you a task that remains incomplete, though you’ve done everything you know to do?

The “gaps” the Lord creates in our life are designed for His specific purposes. Sometimes they are meant to prepare us for His preordained answer. It’s also possible He first wants to take care of some other necessary component of His plan. Perhaps a delay is intended to test our faith so He can prove Himself trustworthy. Or He may be using a pause as an occasion for correction.

It is always wise to wait on the Lord while He prepares us for His answers. We should pray and trust God, not acting until we’re certain that we have heard from Him and Him alone. Even people with godly intentions can be wrong—look at Abram’s poor decisions after listening to the seemingly solid logic of his wife. The result was that Sarai’s handmaiden Hagar conceived Abram’s child, which was not part of the Lord’s preferred plan.

Anything other than God’s plan carried out God’s way amounts to self-reliance. Depend on His Spirit when deciding how to proceed; any other course of action can lead to serious and lasting repercussions.

2 Timothy 4:1-4

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul charged his disciple to preach the Word and to correct and rebuke with great patience (4:2). A pastor could hardly have a more difficult assignment than this, because few people respond well to correction. What you do when you are criticized is a good indication of the maturity of your faith. Scripture tells us that the “one who neglects discipline rejects himself,” whereas the “one whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke will stay among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31-32).

Every time criticism comes our way, we stand at a crossroads of possibilities for good or evil. Either we embrace correction and grow in maturity, or we reject it and start down the slippery slope described in 2 Timothy 4. In this passage, Paul outlines the behavior of those who become tired of reproof. He says they will reject sound doctrine and instead embrace teachings that “tickle” their ears (v. 3). Then they “will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (v. 4).

We can’t afford to ignore truth, even when our critics are immature, ignorant, or tactless. Be mindful to stay attuned to God’s voice, regardless of the form it may take.

Hebrews 6:9-15

Picture yourself in a checkout line that hasn’t moved for 10 minutes. Many of us would feel frustrated; we want quick results.

Everyone struggles with some degree of impatience. We’re born with this trait—think about a hungry baby. The natural reaction is to fuss at the first hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from our sin nature make this a continual battle, but one that is very much worth fighting.

In the Bible, the word patience can refer to both longsuffering and perseverance. It reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. What’s more, being patient means accepting whatever God chooses to give (or not to give) and willingly receiving it on His timetable. In the meantime, we should pray and obey as we seek His direction. The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and blessing. But when we trust our Father’s will and timing, we will know inner peace.

Remember to carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to almighty God. Follow Psalm 37:7, which says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” And always remember to seek God’s way and His timing.

Ephesians 2:4-10

Many people believe that piling up good works can make them right with God. Yet when it comes to sin, death is the only payment that can satisfy divine justice (Romans 6:23). Since we all sin, this leaves us facing an eternity cut off from God. But grace, the expression of divine love and kindness to the undeserving, prompted the solution: Jesus. According to John 6:29, the only “work” we need to do is believe. The Savior’s death brought us:

• New Life. Our spirit is made alive in Christ the moment we acknowledge we’re sinners and believe that His death paid our sin debt in full.

• Freedom. At salvation, sin’s power over us is broken and we are set free from its hold. Now we can exercise our newfound freedom and follow the Lord.

• Security. When we accept that we are sinners and acknowledge our Savior’s sacrifice as payment for all our wrongdoing, we’re permanently adopted into the God’s family. Someday we will be seated in the heavenly realms with Christ to enjoy life everlasting with Him.

God, the One against whom we rebelled, sent His Son to receive the punishment that was rightfully ours. How will you show the Lord gratitude for His saving grace?

Psalms 27:1-4

Fear has been a part of our emotional makeup since the fall of man. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, they hid themselves from Him and were afraid (Genesis 3:10). Things haven’t changed much. Anxiety often affects our thinking and controls our actions. It can keep us confined and unwilling to venture into unknown territory. Let truth help you defeat fear. Remember that God is …

• Almighty. Jesus set us free from slavery to sin; the Devil has lost control over our lives. What’s more, we no longer face eternal separation from God. Jesus’ physical death has become the gateway to heaven, where we can live with the Father forever.

• Always with us. In commissioning Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God promised to be with him (Joshua 1:5; Joshua 1:9). Jesus gives us similar reassurance (Matthew 28:20). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we as believers have God not only near us but also in us.

• Actively involved. God promises His help, and He always keeps His word (Numbers 23:19).

God Himself is the reason we should not be afraid. Grasp the truth of His power, presence, and involvement, and use them to disarm the landmine of fear.

Luke 1:68-75

The Scriptures distinguish between two kinds of fear: healthy and unhealthy. The healthy kind is beneficial. One example is the wise caution that keeps us from touching a hot stove. Another is the proper fear of God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), which includes a sense of awe because of who the Lord is. It also involves a lifestyle of respectful obedience that honors Him.

Unhealthy fear, on the other hand, causes us to feel tense, uncomfortable, or threatened. Even when there’s no longer any basis for apprehension, it may continue to thwart us.

The imagination can generate this type of fear by getting us caught up in “what if” thinking. Habitual worries like What if something goes wrong? or What if the outcome I want doesn’t happen? can block God’s best. His purposes—such as learning new skills, changing jobs, or trying a different way of ministering to others—often require that we move beyond what feels most comfortable. Challenges of this sort present the opportunity to trust the Lord and obey Him.

Remember that unhealthy fear isn’t from God (2 Timothy 1:7). So, let the Holy Spirit guide you from a place of disquiet into the freedom that is ours in Christ (Galatians 5:1). There you will discover the ability to follow His plan without being hindered by undue alarm.

Ephesians 4:30-32

How many of us have withheld forgiveness because the other person never apologized for a wrong? We may think that punishes the offender. But unforgiveness destroys us—and also trickles down to hurt others.

When someone harms us, we may feel that person doesn’t deserve pardon, but neither are we deserving of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. That’s why the Lord calls us to follow His example of extending grace (Eph. 4:32).

Crucifixion was slow and agonizing, but Jesus’ worst torment occurred when the sin of the world was laid on Him and His Father turned away (Matthew 27:46). Even so, as the crowd cast lots for His garments, Jesus gave us the best possible example of forgiveness by saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Others may not know your pain, but be assured that Jesus does. With His infinite love and gentleness, He’ll help you overcome hurt, anger, and bitterness.

Forgiveness is a choice—an act of service to God and a necessary step in our healing. He wants us to give up the “right” to punish those who hurt us, even if it’s a mindset change that takes place only within our own heart.

Isaiah 45:5-10

Have you ever wondered why God allows painful situations in our life? To our way of thinking, this simply doesn’t fit with His role as our loving heavenly Father. In order to understand what’s going on, let’s consider the possible sources of adversity:

• A Fallen World. When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. God could have protected us from these harmful effects by making us like puppets who couldn’t choose to sin. But that would also have meant being unable to choose to love Him, since love, by its very nature, is voluntary.

• Our Own Doing. Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble with sinful choices. If the Lord rescued us from every negative consequence, we’d never grow into mature believers.

• Satanic Attack. The Devil’s goal is to destroy our testimony, thereby making us weak and useless for God’s purposes.

• God’s Sovereignty. Ultimately, the Lord has authority over all adversity that comes our way. To deny His involvement contradicts His power and sovereignty over creation.

For us to accept that God allows affliction, we must see adversity from His perspective. Is your focus on your pain or on God and His faithfulness? For us as believers, God doesn’t allow adversity unless He can use it for our benefit and His good purposes.

Isaiah 55:8-9

When adversity hits you like a ton of bricks, it could easily cause discouragement. However, God’s purpose in the hardship is not to destroy you; His goal is to stimulate your spiritual growth. In His great wisdom, the Lord knows how to take a situation and use it to transform you into the image of Christ.

Every adversity that touches your life has been sifted through God’s permissive will. That doesn’t mean the difficulty itself is His perfect will, but He’s allowed the trial so He can use it to achieve His good purposes for you. While some of the suffering we see and experience may seem senseless and awful, we have a very limited perspective and can’t always understand what God is doing.

Our heavenly Father sees every aspect of life, but our view is restricted to what’s right before us. His plans include not only you but also all of His creation, and they reach from the beginning of time to eternity. Though we’ll never grasp the infinite mind of God, we can know His faithfulness and love.

When you can’t understand God’s ways, focus on the truth that He has perfect knowledge, wisdom, and power. Remember, the entire picture is clear to the One who loves you more than you can imagine. This is a time to walk by faith, as perfect understanding will come only in heaven.

2 Corinthians 11:23-30

The apostle Paul spent over half of his life serving Christ, and yet he experienced suffering. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Why would God let one of His servants go through so much pain? We may be asking the same question because of issues we face today. Many believe the Lord should prevent hardship, but He doesn’t necessarily do so in this life.

Maybe our reasoning is backwards. We may think faithful Christians don’t deserve to suffer, but suffering aids in the development of faithful Christians. If we all had a life without trials or pain, we’d never really know God, because we’d never need Him. Adversity teaches us more about the Lord than simply reading the Bible ever will. If what we believe is never tested by adversity, it remains head knowledge. The Lord gives us opportunities to apply scriptural truths to the difficulties facing us, and in the process, we find Him faithful. For example, how would Paul ever have known the strength of Christ if he had never been weakened by persecution, pain, and adversity?

Trials can either build our faith or lead to discouragement. If you’ll believe what Scripture says and apply its principles to your situation, your trust in God will grow. In that way, your faith will be strengthened through adversity.

Luke 10:38-42

In order for the Holy Spirit to be unimpeded in His work, we must make an effort to hear God when He speaks. It is possible, for example, to “listen” to every word of a sermon while not actually hearing a word of it. In fact, there are two types of listeners in practically every church around the world: passive and active.

A passive listener is one who’s present at services but just sits in the pew and lets his mind wander. He watches people, notices how they dress and act, socializes with friends, and makes lunch plans. He doesn’t go to church to hear from the Lord.

An active listener, on the other hand, walks into the sanctuary excited about the sermon and what he’ll learn from it. This Christian is ready to capture the meat of the message. He takes as many notes as he can, trying not to miss anything. Throughout the message, he asks himself, What is the Lord saying to me?

The Lord communicates in many different ways, and when He speaks, we should always listen actively. If you find your mind wandering during worship, perhaps you’re passively listening. Ask God to focus your thoughts, and decide to be an active listener from now on.

Psalms 25:1-22

When we continually spend time with God in His Word, His presence will saturate our heart, making us sensitive and teachable. But just as a human relationship can grow cold unless we intentionally nurture it, the heart can gradually harden when we aren’t seeking intimacy with God. For our heart to stay soft and receptive, we must obediently—and promptly—respond to whatever the Lord tells us to do.

If you believe that God might be leading you in a certain direction, take the time to earnestly seek His mind on the matter and intentionally listen for His response. Then avoid getting busy with a substitute for what He originally called you to do. It would be tragic to work hard doing what you and others consider good, only to discover that you accomplished something that was not God’s intention.

Resisting the Lord often amounts to setting His purposes for your life on a shelf. And that will likely leave you feeling something is missing. There’s no substitute for God’s will, even when His plan might seem difficult or impossible. But when you trustfully approach God with a cooperative heart, there’s no limit to what He can accomplish through your life. So, step out in obedience today and say, “Lord, I want Your will—no matter what.”

Psalms 5:1-3

Some of David’s prayers are recorded in the book of Psalms. He praised the Lord, confessed sin, and cried out about his troubles. To pursue a rich prayer life like David’s, we must avoid certain hindrances, such as:

• Wavering faith (James 1:5-8). Doubts about God’s character or dependability diminish our trust in Him. Therefore, we must not allow feelings to dictate what we believe.

• Wrong motives (James 4:3). We can’t expect an affirmative answer when petitions are motivated by selfish desires. God wants us to pray for His will to be done—not ours.

• Conflict in relationships. Being resentful or argumentative with others will affect communication with the Father.

• Lack of generosity (Proverbs 21:13). God is displeased when we ignore people’s needs or give begrudgingly.

• Indifference (Proverbs 28:9). Apathy to the Scriptures is another stumbling block. God has given us the Bible so that we might know Him and serve Him wholeheartedly.

If your prayers have not been answered, consider which, if any, of the above issues may need correction. Then, try personalizing the prayers that you read in the Psalms or elsewhere in God’s Word.

Psalms 17:1-6

Yesterday we learned several reasons why a prayer might seem to go unanswered. Today, let’s think about times when our heart is right and our petition is in line with the Lord’s will but He remains silent.

God may be waiting because our longing for Him is in danger of being replaced by our desire for something else. Unless we’re careful, such desires could divert our attention from the Lord. So He could be waiting for our focus to return to Him.

At other times, God uses delays to prepare us for greater blessing or future service. He could be protecting us from consequences, or He may want to strengthen our trust. Strong faith means believing Him even in trials, persevering while awaiting an answer, and being confident that He always keeps His promises.

But keep in mind that unconfessed sin hinders our prayers. So if an answer seems “on hold,” it’s wise to examine ourselves. God promises to forgive us if we acknowledge and turn away from wrongdoing. That will remove any “static” blocking the communication line between us and our Father. Then we will be able to hear His voice and obediently carry out whatever He asks.

Matthew 21:21

If we believe God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to God hoping He will hear us and answer our requests.

Perhaps one reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to discern God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and it seems as if nothing has happened. But the Lord sees the past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf—arranging situations, opening hearts, and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.

Another cause for uncertainty may be that we don’t adequately know God’s ways. Then His response might disappoint us. Our prayers are often accompanied by expectations of how He’ll work. So when He fails to intervene according to the method we anticipate, doubt can set in. But knowing God and trusting in His perfect ways will give us stability as we wait for His answer.

To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspective—faith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He’s answered your prayers.

2 Timothy 1:1-11

A fire will not continue to burn strongly unless it’s stoked. Similarly, a believer’s fervor, if left untended, can diminish.

Believers can experience “cooling” for several reasons. When tragedy strikes, a person may feel that his prayers went unanswered and that God doesn’t care. If he then prays less, it’s easy to drift away from the Lord. At other times, Christians can be sidetracked by the world’s priorities. For instance, Timothy’s enthusiasm wavered because of false teaching and fear.

Drifting can be subtle and hard to detect. Six questions can help you assess whether your enthusiasm for God remains strong: Do you ...

1. Desire to serve God, share the gospel, and help others?

2. Spend time in the Word daily?

3. Pray, knowing that God is listening and working?

4. Faithfully attend church and tithe?

5. Experience joy, peace, and hope in Jesus?

6. Stand firm in your godly convictions?

If some of your answers recently changed from “yes” to “no,” your fire may be diminishing. Acknowledge this to the Lord, and ask for His help to refuel your passion.

1 Timothy 4:13-16

Just as people are drawn by the warmth of a fire on the hearth, nonbelievers will be attracted to Christians who are passionate for Jesus. The Lord wants His followers to be a “city set on a hill” and the “light of the world,” shining brightly in the darkness with His love and message of redemption (Matthew 5:14-15; Matthew 28:19).

Yet as we saw yesterday, it is possible for our “fire” to cool, which affects our witness. If this should happen to you, take steps to rekindle the flame of your relationship with the Savior.

First, be aware of where you are: Is your walk with God less dynamic than it used to be? Then, recall where you once were—think back to what it was like when you had zeal for the Lord. Next, acknowledge that you’ve drifted. Ask God to speak to you, and read His Word expectantly. Spend time each day in prayer; don’t just list things you want, but express a desire to really know the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you refocus your attention.

The apostle Paul gave Timothy instruction on living a life pleasing to the Father. Then He added the reminder to be “absorbed” in these things. We, too, should saturate our minds with the principles of God. The Lord desires that your faith have excitement. He will use your fervor to draw others to Himself—and to bless you in the process.

Philippians 3:7-10

God created us to be in relationship with Him. The type of communion Adam and Eve enjoyed with Him is meant for us as well. But when sin entered the world, everything changed. God’s relationship with mankind was broken.

But as we know, that’s not the end of the story. Jesus came to die in our place, bringing forgiveness for our sins and restoring our relationship with God. We are adopted into God’s family and belong to Him forever. He has provided us with everything we need in order to experience intimacy with Him.

So what happens if, following salvation, new believers never go deeper? Some may drift away from their initial zeal for the Lord. Perhaps others try to focus on God but allow earthly matters to distract them. Over time, some Christians settle for what’s comfortable and familiar. Sadly, they will miss out on the deep contentment God wanted to provide. Yet those who follow Jesus wholeheartedly will have a deepening relationship with Him.

Communion with God made King David “fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:5 NIV). And Paul viewed his own accomplishments as nothing in comparison with “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8). Draw near to God and experience the blessings of knowing Him.

Philippians 3:8-11

The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough situations. Even while he was in prison, he kept his eyes on Christ. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing and praise (Philippians 1:18; Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1).

Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the circumstance at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles can look scary and overwhelming.

However, fear and defeat can’t live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. That’s not to say you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on God’s provision and care instead. He is our Deliverer (2 Corinthians 1:10), Healer (Jeremiah 17:14), and Guide (Psalm 23:3). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions and replaces them with hope, confidence, and contentment. This doesn’t mean you’ll be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and working things for your good.

Focus on Christ instead of your circumstances—God will give comfort and bring you through the trial. Then you’ll be ready to answer Paul’s call to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).

Romans 3:23-27

The cross of Christ presents a dilemma. If God is loving and good, why would He let His Son endure the agony of crucifixion? From a human perspective, nothing about that seems loving. But by looking past the obvious, we’ll see an amazing demonstration of love.

To grasp what took place at the cross, we first need to understand that God is righteous and just. He does what’s right and never acts contrary to His nature or Word. On the other hand, mankind is sinful. God’s justice requires that a penalty be paid for sin. However, God is also merciful. So how could He exercise both justice and great mercy?

Before the foundation of the world, He already had the plan in place. So when the time was right, His sinless Son came to earth in human flesh to bear our sins (1 Peter 1:18-20). The Father placed on Him all our guilt and punishment. Since the Savior’s payment fully satisfied divine justice, sinful man could now be declared righteous. Justice punished sin, and mercy rescued sinners.

No matter who you are or what you’ve done, if you accept Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf, you will be saved. God’s goodness and love are proved by the cross. This was the sole plan that could save us, and God’s perfect Son was the only one qualified to give His life in our place. What’s more, Jesus did it willingly.

1 Corinthians 1:18

The scene of the cross is a paradox. It demonstrates the power of God in what appears to be the weakest moment of His Son’s life. With hands and feet nailed to rough wood, Jesus looked helpless.

Strength isn’t always shown in dramatic ways; at times it’s seen in determined endurance. What power held Jesus on the cross, when all authority in heaven and on earth was His (Matthew 28:18)? Divine love is what kept Him there. With our eternal destiny at stake, He hung on the cross until our salvation was secured.

But the power of the cross didn’t end when Jesus died. His death thrust open the door of salvation to all people—those who accept it by faith are forgiven for every sin and ensured a place in heaven.

Yet even after salvation, the power of the cross continues in believers’ lives. Millions of people have been transformed as a result of the Savior’s victory over sin and death. He sets us free from sinful habits and addictions, empowering us to live victoriously in His righteousness.

Have you let the cross do its work in your life? The Lord does not force its benefits on anyone. Rather, He offers them freely to all who will believe in Him and walk in His ways. With each step of faith that we take, the mighty work of God in us increases.

Matthew 6:25-34

We all experience fear at some point, but when it’s an ongoing struggle, there can be far-reaching effects. Here are some ways apprehension creates chaos in our life and impacts others. Fear ...

• Stifles thoughts and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.

• Can be a roadblock to God’s plans for us. If we yield to negative emotions and self-doubt, we cannot achieve the goals He has in mind for us.

• Can lead to destructive habits. To numb the pain of overbearing distress and foreboding, some turn to destructive habits for temporary and artificial relief.

• Steals peace and contentment. When we’re regularly afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.

• Creates doubt. God promises a satisfying life, but if we live in fear, we most likely won’t experience the abundance He offers.

Our heavenly Father feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass with the splendor of lilies. How much more, then, will He care for you and me, who are made in His image? Our only concern should be to obey God (John 14:15) and leave all the consequences to Him.

Psalms 63:1-11

When you feel fear begin to rise, how do you typically respond? The next time you face anxiety, pause to ask yourself the following questions: Has God ever failed me in the past? Does He promise to meet all of my needs? Does He keep His promises?

If we read the Bible, we’ll find countless stories of God’s faithfulness. For example, the apostle Paul lived through persecution, pain, and all kinds of terrible circumstances, yet he was able to make the bold declaration that God weaves it all together for the good of His followers (Romans 8:28). This testifies to the fact that for those who trust in Him, God turns every difficulty, loss, and separation into something beneficial.

Whatever we read in Scripture—whether it’s a story about Abraham, Sarah, Job, Hannah, David, Isaiah, Jonah, John, Paul, or others—we see God’s constant love and care for His people. His Word is a lamp that will give us clear guidance when circumstances are bleak. It offers the best direction we’ll ever find. When we meditate upon it, pray over it, grapple with it, and incorporate it into our life, His light chases away the darkness.

God, the sovereign ruler of this universe, is in control of your life. When you read your Bible and meditate on it, you will find genuine strength in His promises.

Luke 6:46-49

The Lord has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:51), and Hebrews 12:26 describes a time to come when the earth will undergo a similar display of His power and presence.

Likewise, God often lets the foundations of our personal world be shaken—whether through financial difficulties, family crises, or difficult diagnoses. If we’ve built our life on human wisdom, pride, conditional love, or the like, things may look good for a while but will collapse when storms hit.

Adversity affects everyone, yet we can have peace in knowing that God always has a greater purpose when He allows it into our life. Hard times can shake believers out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in ourselves or the temporary structures of this world. There is only one secure foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry us through anything. No matter what storms are raging all around us, we’ll have a solid footing if we stand on His love.

Though our trials are challenging, we as believers are blessed with the security of a firm foundation. We also have the responsibility and honor of helping others to become strong in God’s grace (2 Timothy 2:1). Be a living message of hope to those around you today.

Psalms 139:1-24

God, the Creator of the universe, chooses us. And His purpose in doing so isn’t simply to save us from eternity in hell. His love goes beyond that—He wants an intimate relationship with each one of His children. Building this intimacy requires ...

• Commitment. God showed His commitment by rescuing us from sin through His Son Jesus, sending the Holy Spirit to live within us, and promising us eternal life. A reasonable response is our pledge to obedience in both inner attitude and outward action.

• Clear Communication. To develop a close bond, two people will express deep thoughts and feelings, and they’ll also listen carefully to one another’s words. God speaks to us through Scripture about Himself and His plans, and He also stands ready to listen (Psalm 10:17).

• Openness. God speaks honestly about our nature, the condition of the world, and the only solution: Jesus Christ. He willingly tells us the difficult truths about ourselves but also encourages and affirms us in our efforts to follow Him. Our part consists of being honest with Him about our thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Salvation is only the first step of life in Christ (John 3:16). Have you accepted the invitation to intimacy with God?

Titus 2:11-12

One of the grandest expressions of the gospel is found in Titus 2:11, where Paul tells us, “
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people” (NIV). How could there be any better news than that? What was invisible for many centuries has now come into view. Moreover, this grace has appeared for all people, not just a chosen few. It is what the apostle elsewhere calls “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).

With such power at our disposal, we’re sometimes disappointed to find that grace, while beautiful, also involves pain. To most people, the word power suggests instant transformation and easy accomplishment. We often forget that grace is a schoolteacher whose lesson plan includes very specific instructions.

In Titus 2:12, we learn what that plan entails. This teacher has appeared, “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner.” We can learn to say no to sin. We can learn what holiness is and find ways to acquire and display it. Only through God’s grace can we even attempt to live a righteous life.

Such learning may take time. But progress in this school is just as much a tribute to God’s grace as the instant changes that sometimes occur right after a person gets saved.

Colossians 1:3-12

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the story of a man who found a treasure hidden in a field. Apparently, no one else knew of its existence, so he covered it and sold all he had in order to secure the new property (Matthew 13:44).

As believers, we have inherited a vast treasure called the grace of God. For years, its great worth may remain somewhat hidden from our view, but as we seek out its true valuation, we are astonished to find how wealthy we are. This is what John was getting at when he exclaimed, “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Another translation of that verse puts it like this: “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another” (NLT).

Paul describes these successive blessings in Colossians 1: We can be filled with the knowledge of God’s will “in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”—then we’ll be able to please the Lord in “all respects” and bear fruit in “every good work.” What’s more, we will be strengthened with “all power” and thereby be able to attain “all perseverance and patience” (vv. 9-11). Indeed, the Lord has an abundance of goodness and blessings for His children. Let’s stop to thank Him for endowing us with “grace upon grace.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

One of the most painful human emotions is loneliness. Of course, there are times when being alone is unavoidable. But since God has sent His Spirit to live within us, we are never truly on our own. The Holy Spirit—whom Jesus referred to as our “Helper” (John 14:26)—is with us every second of every day.

Let’s think about ways that the Spirit of God helps us in our prayer life. First, He prods us to pray. Have you ever felt a strong sense that you needed to spend time with the Lord—perhaps without even knowing why? That is the Spirit convicting you. He has many reasons for doing this: He knows when we need strength because of an imminent difficulty. Or He sometimes encourages us to confess sin so our fellowship with the Father isn’t hindered.

Second, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. There are times when we do not know how to pray—for example, when sorrow or helplessness overwhelms us to the point that words are impossible to speak, even to the Lord. Thankfully, when all we can do is cry to Jesus, the Spirit will lead on our behalf.

What a privilege to have God’s Spirit dwelling in your heart. Do you recognize His power and love throughout your day? He longs to comfort, enable, and guide you each and every moment.

Ephesians 3:14-21

When you pray, are you confident that God is listening and will answer? Or do you feel doubtful that your words are heard?

Let’s consider some obstacles to a healthy prayer life. First, poor concentration can inhibit our communication with God. Human minds are prone to wander, but one antidote for this is to realize who it is we’re speaking with. The more we grasp God’s power, love, omniscience, and holiness, the easier it will be for us to stay focused.

Second, we may feel unworthy to talk with the God of all creation. Guilt over sin can tempt us to avoid time alone with Him, but He wants us to bring our wrongs into His light. On our own, we will never be worthy to be in the presence of pure perfection. But Jesus’ death and resurrection brought us forgiveness and acceptance, so we can come to the Father freely (Hebrews 4:16).

Third, fear can stand in our way. Some people worry, What if I don’t pray correctly? But God desires our heart, not perfect words. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf.

Do you realize that the most powerful tool and greatest privilege is accessible to us? We can come before Almighty God in prayer. Our heavenly Father is waiting to listen to our praise, confession, and requests.

Romans 12:10-13

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Yesterday, we began looking at obstacles to vibrant communication with the Lord. Today, let’s explore one more hindrance: impatience.

Most of us have at some point brought fervent supplication to Jesus but did not see the desired results. We must remember that God isn’t at our beck and call like some cosmic bellhop. But it’s encouraging to realize that if we could see the big picture as He can, we’d gladly wait for His way and timing.

The truth is, we benefit by not receiving all that we request. To understand this concept is a sign of spiritual maturity. When we are thoroughly satisfied with the Lord’s presence (Psalm 16:11), our relationship with Him will flourish, even when we don’t get everything we ask for. When that’s the case, we grasp what prayer is—not a long list of wants but regular communication in a relationship.

Barriers can develop if we persistently cry out to God and nothing changes. But by continuing to pray, we’ll sense God’s presence and will find peace, joy, and awesome glimpses of His glory. This will be completely satisfying, even if He never gives exactly what was requested.

Daniel 1:1-20

Although Daniel was living as a captive in Babylon, he resolved in his heart not to violate God’s laws. What motivated this young man to live out such a pledge?

Devotion to God. Daniel determined that he would not disobey God and defile himself. Dedication to God means choosing to be set apart to love, worship, and obey only Him. When we keep Jesus Christ as the focus, our heart will overflow with thanksgiving and we’ll be motivated to stand firm.

Clear direction. If Daniel had refused outright to eat the king’s food, he would likely have lost his life. The Lord gave him and his friends the wisdom they needed to develop an alternate plan—and then also provided them with the courage to ask permission to carry it out. Notice that there was no loud demand, argument, or rebellious spirit. Their behavior was marked by trust in God and dependence on Him.

Through daily prayer and meditation upon God’s Word, we can keep our eyes centered on Christ, our ears attuned to His voice, and our heart motivated to obey. We’ll be able to make the same wholehearted commitment that Daniel did. So ask yourself, How eager am I to do God’s will?

Isaiah 50:4-5

Most of us are better at talking than listening, but communicating with God involves both. The Lord intends for His children to hear His voice.

Scripture is one of the main instruments our Father uses to speak to us. For this reason, studying the Bible is incredibly important. When we regularly spend time in God’s Word, we’ll develop a discerning spirit.

Regardless of how loudly God speaks, we won’t hear unless listening is a priority. We must ask the Lord to teach us to hear and then practice having a quiet attitude. An internal “receiver” tuned to the Father develops only through committed prayer, meditation, and practice at listening. In addition, we need a spirit of submission to obey His commands.

God’s goal for us is a lifestyle of sensitivity so we can hear Him in both noisy and calm situations. Listening is a critical skill for ensuring that our hearts are open to divine guidance in every circumstance. Regularly spending time reading and meditating on Scripture has many blessings, including that we more readily recognize our Father’s voice (John 10:27).

Isaiah 41:10-11

As we saw yesterday, God wants us to reach His goals for our life, but we also have an enemy who would like to prevent that. If we know what the roadblocks are, it is easier to recognize and overcome them.

Scripture identifies potential obstacles to watch for:

• Fear causes our focus to shift from Jesus to the very thing we want to avoid. The antidote is to refocus on God.

• Doubt is a lack of assurance that the Lord will help us to succeed. Past failures, negative influences, and ignorance of His Word can all lead to this obstacle.

• Excuses are an effort to make disobedience more comfortable. We must be careful to avoid false justifications like Adam’s complaint that Eve was to blame for his bad decision (Genesis 3:12). God always gives what we need in order to obey Him.

• Laziness and procrastination inhibit success. These related behaviors can prevent our achieving God’s purpose.

Wise people check their conduct to identify anything that might hinder following Christ fully.  Ask God for strength to make changes that will help you live freely and purposefully in the way He has planned.

Acts 2:37-41

Preaching the truth about Jesus in Acts 2, Peter left thousands of listeners asking the same question: “What are we to do?”

The apostle’s response is simple: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (v. 38). As a result, 3,000 people were added to the new church that day (v. 41).

Does it seem strange that Peter said “repent” instead of “believe”? Scripture often uses these concepts interchangeably. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin: Both are essential for salvation, and each is dependent upon the other.

In terms of salvation, you cannot separate faith and repentance—both happen simultaneously. In order to be saved, you must place faith in Christ, and that faith decision requires a change of mind (repentance) about your way of life. Yet many people mistakenly believe they must dramatically change their way of living before they can follow Jesus. The truth is, repentance does not mean we must totally change our ways and “clean ourselves up” as a condition for receiving Christ as Lord. 

Jesus is ready to receive you right now. Only as a child of God will you find the power—His power—to truly become the person you were created to be.

Colossians 2:6-7

Just because you’ve made up your mind to obey God, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever hesitate or question the wisdom of that decision. So, what should you do when faith wavers?

Ask yourself questions about God, such as: Has God promised to meet all my needs? Has He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in me, guide me, and equip me to obey Him? Is anything too hard for Him? Search the Scriptures for answers, and let truth fill your mind.

Meditate on God’s Word. Ask the Lord to help you find Bible verses that relate to what you are facing (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Then study the passage and apply its lessons to your life.

Recall the Lord’s past faithfulness. God by His very nature is faithful, and He always acts true to His character. The enemy would have us forget all that God has done for us.

Assess the situation. Ask yourself, How critical is this decision, and whom might it affect?

Choose to trust the Lord. Make the decision to believe God and obey, no matter how you feel.

As you take a step of faith, God will strengthen you through His Spirit and enable you to continue on. Before you know it, your faith will become steady, joy will return, and you will be moving ahead once again.

Isaiah 61:10-11

The word delight means to gain great satisfaction and happiness. Wouldn’t you like that to describe your relationship with God? Good news—He wants that kind of friendship with each of us, and it develops when we ...

• Commit our ways to God. This means that we invite the Lord to examine our desires and intentions—and to change whatever does not fit His purpose for our life.

• Trust Him. Who is more worthy of our faith than the Father, who gave Jesus Christ to save sinners? The One who would not spare His only Son will certainly provide all that His children need (Romans 8:32).

• Rest in the Lord. When we fret, we are neither committing ourselves to the Lord nor trusting in Him. Because our human viewpoint is limited, waiting patiently isn’t easy. God, however, has infinite wisdom and knows when circumstances are perfectly aligned for His will to be done.

Though a growing relationship with the Lord can involve hard work, it is a labor of love. We are designed to derive joy and fulfillment from being in God’s presence. Walking alongside a Father who adores us is the greatest pleasure we can experience in life.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Salvation refers to the freedom gained when God rescues someone from bondage to sin and makes that person part of His family. It is a deliverance accomplished only through Jesus, who died in our place so we might be reconciled to the Father. This statement often evokes questions:

• If I try to live in a moral way, won’t God accept me? Questions like this assume that the Lord saves us on the basis of our conduct. But Romans 3:10 says, “There is no righteous person, not even one.” In God’s sight, even our virtuous acts, on their own, amount to nothing more than a filthy garment (Isaiah 64:6).

• Won’t the Lord accept us because of His goodness? God is loving and good, but He is also just. He won’t overlook sin, no matter how small we think it is.

• If we serve in our church or help others in God’s name, aren’t we part of His family?  Good works do not solve our sin problem or reconcile us to God. Only Jesus does (Romans 5:1). Good works are an important result of salvation, not the basis for it.

Salvation is a work of God’s grace rather than the product of our effort. When we respond to the Spirit’s prompting, believe in Jesus, and are born again as God’s children, we can be assured of our place in heaven.