A Devotional for Leaders

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5, NLT

My family had a tree in our backyard that provided two things: shade and countless jars of pear preserves. One day, I asked my mother why she made so many jars every year. Her response was, "If I don't, they will start falling off the tree and go bad." With that, I went outside to take a look for myself. There were pears everywhere--so many, in fact, that the tree branches were beginning to sag and snap under the immense weight of their fruit. It looked to me like my mother's faithful picking was encouraging the tree to produce even more! Jesus told his disciples that God acts as a gardener in the lives of those who claim him as Lord. He wants his followers to be abundant producers of good fruit, showing the world that they are children of God (see John 15:8). But this is not enough. Instead of simply harvesting the fruit that is produced, the Lord grabs a pair of pruning shears and begins to trim the branches. A little here, a little there, until he is satisfied with the end result. This process of subtraction is a good thing. For it is in these times that God rids us of attitudes and actions that limit our effectiveness for the kingdom. In their place, he grants new opportunities to exhibit love, patience, kindness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). As these values are acted upon, what started out as subtraction becomes addition, and more fruit is produced than before the pruning. If the branches are not pruned they may become weakened or stressed, and they will eventually snap. Once that occurs, the branches will wither and die because they are not attached to the tree, leaving wasted fruit behind. But the result of a life lived wholeheartedly for Christ will be an abundance of fruit--fruit that will last.

Positive Thought For 01-30-14

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Ephesians 3:18, NLT | View in context

Love God, Not Religion

Love God, Not Religion

Hosea 8:11-14

Read "Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning! Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws don't apply to them. The people love to offer sacrifices to me, feasting on the meat, but I do not accept their sacrifices. I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will return to Egypt. Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces, and Judah has fortified its cities. Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities and will burn up their fortresses." (Hosea 8:11-14)

Reflect Spiritual disciplines can open a door for God to work and can nourish a relationship with him. But spiritual disciplines can decline into legalistic rituals when we remove our heart from the practice. If a person's heart is far from God, these disciplines become meaningless motions. Spiritual disciplines are only helpful if they are motivated by love for God. God didn't want the Israelites' rituals. He wanted their hearts. The people's sacrifices had become mere ritual, and God refused to accept them.

Respond We have disciplines, too: attending church, observing a regular quiet time, celebrating Christian holidays, and praying before meals. Because they are repeated often, they can drive God's lessons deep within us. But rituals can be abused. We should not reject the disciplines of our worship, but we must be careful to remember why we do them. Why do you worship? What is the motive behind your sacrifices and offerings?

Our Daily Bread For 01-30-14

READ: Psalm 116

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. —Psalm 116:15

In response to the news that a mutual friend of ours had died, a wise brother who knew the Lord sent me these words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:15). Our friend’s vibrant faith in Jesus Christ was the dominant characteristic of his life, and we knew he was home with God in heaven. His family had that assurance as well, but I had been focused only on their sorrow. And it’s appropriate to consider others during their grief and loss.

But the verse from Psalms turned my thoughts to how the Lord saw the passing of our friend. Something “precious” is something of great value. Yet, there is a larger meaning here. There is something in the death of a saint that transcends our grief over their absence.

“Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones)” (The Amplified Bible). Another paraphrase says, “His loved ones are very precious to him and he does not lightly let them die” (The Living Bible). God is not flippant toward death. The marvel of His grace and power is that, as believers, our loss of life on earth also brings great gain.

Today we have only a glimpse. One day we’ll understand it in the fullness of His light. —David McCasland

So when my last breath
Shall rend the veil in twain
By death I shall escape from death
And life eternal gain. —Montgomery

Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death.

Bible in a year: Exodus 23-24; Matthew 20:1-16

Wonders and Whispers

1 Kings 18:36-39, 19:9-13

Scene 1: Elijah is on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-39). The prophet has declared a test. He and the prophets of Baal will each erect an altar and call to their respective gods. The one who sets the altar on fire will be revealed as the one true God (1 Kings 18:24).

The prophets of Baal holler to their god all day, even slashing themselves with knives to get his attention. But the altar stands untouched (1 Kings 18:28-29). Then Elijah drenches his altar with water and calls on the Lord. Soon fire falls from heaven and burns the soaking altar to a cinder. The people fall prostrate in awe (1 Kings 18:38-39).

Scene 2: Elijah is on Mount Sinai, this time alone (1 Kings 19:1-13). He’s told to get ready for an appearance from God. A powerful wind rushes past, splintering rocks and shaking the mountain. Surely this is God! But it’s not (1 Kings 19:11). An earthquake comes next and then a fire (as on Mount Carmel), but God is in neither. Then, as things grow quiet, Elijah hears a gentle whisper. He covers his face in awe (1 Kings 19:12-13).

One man, one God, and two very different spiritual experiences. I think this story has a lot to say to us today. Some of us seek God through dramatic wonders. We like large gatherings with loud worship, and we call on God to work miracles every Sunday. If Sunday comes and a miracle doesn’t occur, some “wonders” people question why God didn’t “show up.”

Others of us like quietness and order. Our spirituality emphasizes the hearing of God’s gentle whisper. When a wonder comes, some “whispers” people get suspicious, or they dismiss the miraculous altogether.

But Elijah encountered God in both wonders and whispers. A balanced spirituality for us means being open to both.

— Sheridan Voysey

Read Luke 5:16-26 to see Jesus seeking the Father’s whispers (Luke 5:16) and then enacting the Father’s wonders.

Are you more prone to seek God’s wonders or whispers? Why is it important to acknowledge both?

Positive Thought For 01-29-14

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.

John 4:14, NLT | View in context

Real Repentance

Real Repentance

Hosea 6:1-11

Read "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." "O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?" asks the LORD. "For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust." (Hosea 6:1-7)

Reflect The people of Israel did not understand the depth of their sins. They did not turn from idols, regret their sins, or pledge to make changes. They thought that God's wrath would last only a few days; little did they know that their nation would soon be taken into exile. Israel was interested in God only for the material benefits he provided; they did not value the eternal benefits that come from worshiping him. They offered rituals like sacrifices without true repentance. God wasn't fooled, however. He answered his people, pointing out that their profession of loyalty, like mist and dew, evaporated easily and had no substance. Rituals can help people understand God and nourish their relationship with him. That is why God instituted circumcision and the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and baptism and the Lord's Supper in the New Testament. But a ritual is helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love for and obedience to God. If a person's heart is far from God, ritual will become empty mockery. God didn't want the Israelites' rituals; he wanted their hearts.

Respond Why do you worship? What is the motive behind your "offerings" and "sacrifices"? Many find it easy and comfortable to maintain the appearance of being committed without deep and sincere loyalty. If you profess loyalty to God, back it up with your actions.

Our Daily Bread For 01-29-14

READ: Philippians 1:12-21

According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified. —Philippians 1:20

I once asked a counselor what the major issues were that brought people to him. Without hesitation he said, “The root of many problems is broken expectations; if not dealt with, they mature into anger and bitterness.”

In our best moments, it’s easy to expect that we will find ourselves in a good place surrounded by good people who like and affirm us. But life has a way of breaking those expectations. What then?

Stuck in jail and beset by fellow believers in Rome who didn’t like him (Phil. 1:15-16), Paul remained surprisingly upbeat. As he saw it, God had given him a new mission field. While under house arrest, he witnessed to the guards about Christ, which sent the gospel into Caesar’s house. And even though those opposing him were preaching the gospel from wrong motives, Christ was being preached, so Paul rejoiced (v.18).

Paul never expected to be in a great place or to be well liked. His only expectation was that “Christ will be magnified” through him (v.20). He wasn’t disappointed.

If our expectation is to make Christ visible to those around us regardless of where we are or who we are with, we will find those expectations met and even exceeded. Christ will be magnified. —Joe Stowell

Lord, forgive me for making my life all about what
I expect and not about glorifying You regardless
of my circumstances. May Your love, mercy,
and justice be magnified through me today.

Make it your only expectation to magnify Christ wherever you are and whoever you are with.

Bible in a year: Exodus 21-22; Matthew 19

Glory & Authority

John 2:1-22

John records for us two events that occurred at the beginning (probably in the first few weeks) of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus performed the first of his 35 recorded miracles at a wedding in Cana, turning plain water used for ceremonial washing into top-quality wine (John 2:1-11). More than just showing us a tender and compassionate Jesus helping an embarrassed, newly married couple whose wine ran out too early, we’re offered a taste of His transforming power!

John then shows us a totally different and intolerant Jesus. Enraged and with a physical display of anger, Jesus made a whip from some ropes and threw all the traders out of the temple compound (John 2:13-22). Turning water into wine revealed Jesus’ glory (John 2:11), and throwing out the hawkers showed His authority (John 2:18).

John put these two events back to back to give us a balanced view of Jesus. We need to see both His tender kindness and His holy wrath, that the Lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah. The qualities of a lamb—gentleness and tenderness—indeed are found in Christ, but so are the majesty and ferocity of a lion.

We welcome His power in our lives, especially if that power is used for our benefit. We have no difficulty basking in Jesus’ glory, but we resist His authority over us. We welcome Jesus’ action of turning water into wine but we resist when He turns our lives upside down, inside out, and right-side up. We don’t want Him to interfere with how we live.

We need to pay heed to what Jesus’ mother told the servants: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus’ glory and authority demands our obedience and submission. Will you do whatever Jesus tells you to do?

— K.T. Sim

Read Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, and Luke 19:45-46 for the second and later cleansing of the temple.

Jesus wants to change you. How are you resisting Him? What will it mean for you to submit to His authority today?

Confession: Stripped Naked

Confession: Stripped Naked
Scott Lyons
1/26/2014

Sin is shameful. It is what we Christians are not supposed to do. But we do sin. Some Christians get uncomfortable (or even angry) when other Christians go around saying that they are sinners. But Christ's admonition in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) is a powerful one, and it should not be ignored or dismissed with a theological construct. The problem with not looking honestly at ourselves—at what we do, at our sins—is that we begin to believe that we are better than we are and (worse) better than others. We begin to judge others; we begin to be unmerciful to others who sin because, well, they are sinners. This judgment, this failure to show mercy, is a sin that Jesus views harshly because it fails to understand the great mercy we ourselves have been and are being shown.

I am a sinner. I do shameful things. In fact, I did not commit all of my shameful sin before I came to Christ and turned away from it. All of my sin—every shameful, horrible thing—was done as a Christ-follower. Wisely, no one asks for my testimony. I don't headline tent meetings. I'm not good. Sometimes I don't even want to be good. When I have gone for some time without confessing my sin, I feel like skipping the specificity (more shame and sin) and simply presenting the Decalogue to Christ and saying, "Here, I've done all this."

Yes, sin is shameful. Because of this, we rightly want to hide it. But hiding from others and God is not the answer. Indeed, the instinct to do so is dangerous and leads us away from holiness rather than toward it. Sin must not be hidden. Hidden sin is strong, buttressed, and defensible. Hidden sin is easily repeated. You will never conquer hidden sin. The dark empowers it. You will never conquer your addiction to pornography by hiding it. Never. Drag the ugly thing into the light, and then you can begin to deal with it. Certainly it's shameful. But will you allow the shame of it to keep you from Christ? And your judgmental attitude that seems so sweet and is welcome in your home? It will remain with you if it remains hidden. It will embitter you, driving love far away from you. You will grow old and unmerciful. And you will die.

"I will continue to hide it, and I will do better this time," you say. But you will not. In a week, or a month, or three months, you will be doing the same thing as before, secretly sinning. Do not hide it. Do not weave fig leaves over it with your fear or with your theology.

"When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He replied, 'I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked' " (Genesis 3:8-10, NLT).

Don't hide. Don't cover your sin; cover your neighbor's shame. In mercy, God covered Adam and Eve's nakedness. Noah's righteous sons covered his nakedness. In love, cover your neighbor's sin and shame, but do not cover your own. Confess your sin and shame before God; in this encounter with Christ, let the fire of his love burn it away. If you hide it—or if you don't acknowledge it, thinking highly of your own righteousness—then you will become like the Pharisee, who thanks God that he is not a sinner like everyone else—glad that he is not like that tax collector.

Prayer: Children of God

Prayer: Children of God
Scott Lyons
1/22/2014

Having a relationship with another person requires, normally, that we communicate with him or her—that there is a sharing between persons that takes place. Now when it comes to communion and God, it’s not as if he sits down at the table and chats with us over spaghetti. But he speaks to us in our hearts more and more as we encounter Christ through the Scriptures and in various other ways. We cannot genuinely encounter him without conversion toward and communion with him. If we are willing, we can continue to deepen our communion with God. But this will not take place without prayer. Prayer is an encounter with God, and therefore prayer is communion with him.

Prayer is rooted in our covenant relationship with God. In other words, prayer is shown to be communion among family. When Jesus taught us to pray, he said, “This is how you should pray: ‘Father . . .’ ” (Luke 11:2, NLT). God is rightly called Father for many reasons. For instance, he is our Father because he is the Creator. We are his offspring, for it is he who made us, he who established us, and he who redeemed us. We see this relationship in places such as Deuteronomy 32:6 and Malachi 2:10. And David calls him a Father to the poor and the orphan (Psalm 68:5-6). He is elsewhere named as Father as well. Most especially, God is our Father because of his relationship to the Son—he is the Father, eternally begetting the Son. Our kinship is related to and dependent on Christ because of the Incarnation and his Paschal mystery. He has redeemed us, reconciling us to God that we might have communion with him; he wants us to share in his life, and he continually invites us to do so. So when we come to Christ, we are baptized into him and the Spirit of God dwells within us. It is this same Spirit that cries out within us, “Abba, Father!” This relationship is real—a very real adoption because of our communion with Christ. And if we are his children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

So prayer is communion with God because we are children of God in a special, real way when we are in Christ. Christ rightly calls God “Father.” In Christ, we too call him Father.

Why all this talk about communion with God? Simply put, our communion with God is salvation. God is life, and our life rests in his. We do not, nor ever shall we, have life apart from God. Life itself—whether on earth or in heaven—is dependent upon God. If I have life in me, it is because of my communion with the One who is life. If I reject Christ (that is, reject who he really is, not some false understanding presented to me) then I reject life and can have no life in me. This is the death that sin (separation from God) earns for us. I understand this as simply as I understand breathing. If I do not breathe, I will die. Likewise, if I do not share in the life of Christ, then I do not have life in me—I will die.

We pray because we love God. Scheduling a time to be alone in prayer is not always easy, but mental prayer is. We need Christ and long for communion with him. We cry out to him for his presence, his mercy. I must pray. It is like my relationship to my wife. I don’t think, “Well, I ought to talk to her today.” I just do it because she’s my wife and there’s communion there, there’s this powerful and abiding relationship. I know her. I would no more have to consciously speak to her than I would breathe. The only thing that interposes itself between us is sin. It is the same with God. We have communion with him, and prayer leads us ever deeper in our love for our Father.

A Devotional for Men: A New Life Has Begun

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT

Pete Maravich was felled by a heart attack at only 40 years of age. "Pistol Pete" was a unique basketball player. Known for his phenomenal ball handling, uncanny passing, and deadly shooting, He set the college and pro basketball world on fire. He still owns a collegiate scoring record with 3,667 points in just 3 years, and he averaged 24.2 points a game during his 10 years as a pro. Through-the-legs dribbling, behind-the-back passing, 50-plus scoring, and floppy socks and hair were his trademarks. Just before his death, he finished his autobiography: Pistol Pete: Heir to a Dream. The book chronicles his love for basketball and his devoted practice as a youth. He would dribble the ball out the car window while his dad drove, and he would dribble blindfolded through the house. He even slept with the ball. The book tells of Pete's close relationship with his dad--and then of his own struggle with alcoholism and his mother's suicide. But the book also tells of Pete's conversion to Christ--a dramatic change for this sports superstar. In a newspaper interview published just weeks before he died, Pete said, "Jesus transformed my life. I don't want to put past tense on that because he continues to transform my life. I want to share that truth with people. I don't Bible-beat, I don't Bible thump anybody, because Christ is a choice. But I can tell people this. That it's the greatest life in the world. Your circumstances may not disappear, they may even get worse, but through him you can overcome." About his two sons he said, "Both of my boys, there's no doubt, have the talent that God's given them to play basketball. But for a different purpose, that purpose is to glorify God." Pete Maravich attained much in the world's eyes during his short life, but he said that nothing compared with knowing Christ. We who belong to Christ are new people! Pistol Pete's new life, as well as his death, should remind us of the truth of the often-quoted phrase, "Only one life--it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." John 3:16-17

Revelation 21:6-28

Revelation 21

6 And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
  8 "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
  9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
  10 So he took me in the Spirit* to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal.12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
  15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.*17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick* (according to the human standard used by the angel).
  18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones:* the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
  21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
  22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.27 Nothing evil* will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

The Lessons of Trials

The Lessons of Trials

Hosea 2:14-23

Read "But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. When that day comes," says the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband' instead of 'my master.' "O Israel, I will wipe the many names of Baal from your lips, and you will never mention them again. On that day I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky and the animals that scurry along the ground so they will not harm you. I will remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, so you can live unafraid in peace and safety. I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD." (Hosea 2:14-20)

Reflect God was promising (1) to bring the people to the desert, a place free from distractions, so he could clearly communicate with them, and (2) to change what had been a time of difficulty into a day of hope. The "Valley of Trouble" (Hosea 2:15) is the site where Achan had sinned by keeping forbidden war plunder (see Joshua 7). He had brought great disaster to Joshua's troops when they were attempting to conquer the land. Not until Judah's exile would the entire nation begin to come to its senses, give up its idols, and turn back to God; and not until that day when God rules through Jesus the Messiah will the relationship between God and his people be restored. In that day, God will no longer be like a master to them; he will be like a husband (Isaiah 54:4-8). The relationship will be deep and personal, the kind of relationship we can know, though imperfectly, in marriage.

Respond God uses even our negative experiences to create opportunities to turn back to him. As you face problems and trials, remember that God speaks to you in the desert, and not just in times of prosperity. Ask God to help you see his perspective on these times.

Our Daliy Bread For 01-28-14

READ: Ephesians 5:15-21

Giving thanks always for all things. —Ephesians 5:20

Interruptions are nothing new. Rarely does a day go by as planned.

Life is filled with inconveniences. Our plans are constantly thwarted by forces beyond our control. The list is long and ever-changing: Sickness. Conflict. Traffic jams. Forgetfulness. Appliance malfunctions. Rudeness. Laziness. Impatience. Incompetence.

What we cannot see, however, is the other side of inconvenience. We think it has no purpose other than to discourage us, make life more difficult, and thwart our plans. However, inconvenience could be God’s way of protecting us from some unseen danger, or it could be an opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace and forgiveness. It might be the start of something even better than we had planned. Or it could be a test to see how we respond to adversity. Whatever it is, even though we may not know God’s reason, we can be assured of His motive—to make us more like Jesus and to further His kingdom on earth.

To say that God’s followers throughout history have been “inconvenienced” would be an understatement. But God had a purpose. Knowing this, we can thank Him, being confident that He is giving us an opportunity to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16,20). —Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, so often it’s the little things in life that get
to me, and there seem to be so many of them.
Whenever I’m tempted to lose my temper, blame
someone, or just give up, help me see You.

What happens to us is not nearly as important as what God does in us and through us.

Bible in a year: Exodus 19-20; Matthew 18:21-35

Establishe​d

Psalm 119:105-112

The room was a disaster. Desks appeared tossed about, popcorn littered the floor, and the whiteboards bore a conglomeration of abstract artwork. My classroom had served as an area for some elementary school-aged actors to rest and stay entertained between their few scenes in the high school musical. Now that the final curtain had closed, I surveyed the damage and went to work sweeping and cleaning. As I folded back the large rug I keep at the front of the room, the words on its underside caught my eye.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

—Psalm 119:105 NKJV

Then I remembered. At the beginning of the school year, I had written that verse on the bottom of the rug as a symbolic declaration of my true calling. Amidst the piles of paper on my desk, the duties to perform, and the lessons to plan, my primary responsibility was to stand in the truth and authority of Jesus. Regardless of what life brings, we can simply try to survive or truly thrive. The key is in the positioning of our feet.

Jesus told us that each day would hold its own challenges (Matthew 6:34), but He also declared His sovereignty over any situation we face (John 16:33). Being established in God’s Word isn’t simply a Christian cliché. It requires a decision to believe what God says above anything else we read or hear. Moreover, it’s a decision to believe that Jesus—the living Word of God (John 1:1-4)—is more powerful than anything we’ll encounter.

Far beyond a recitation in a Sunday service, our declaration of faith is a decision to stand firm and follow the truths of God’s Word (Psalm 105:11-12; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21,24).

— Regina Franklin

Read Psalm 33:1-18. Identify five declarations of faith we can make that are based on this passage.

If given the opportunity, what verse would you write on the floor beneath your feet? What does “thriving” in the midst of challenges mean to you?

I accept all blame in this matter, my lord.

1 Samuel 25:24, NLT

Abigail shows up in the Bible as a woman already in a difficult and dangerous situation. We know little of her past, but somewhere along the way, she married a poor excuse for a husband named Nabal. Marrying Abigail may have been the exception of wisdom that proved the rule of foolishness in Nabal's life. Abigail is an intimate part of the history of David of Bethlehem, who became the famous King of Israel. She proved herself a resourceful woman, a wise negotiator, and a noble wife. By the time we meet her, Abigail had become the acting manager of Nabal's household. We know this because when her husband made a very foolish decision, a servant immediately notified her of the danger. That servant trusted her to listen and respond wisely. Nabal's rude refusal to help David had placed the entire household in extreme danger. As you read Abigail's story, notice the integrity of her words and actions. She spoke truthfully and boldly. She backed up her wise words with practical gestures. Her immediate challenge was to diffuse an explosive situation. She gathered supplies that equaled or exceeded what David might have expected when he first approached Nabal. These she sent ahead of her as she approached David to negotiate. When Abigail met David, she accepted responsibility for her husband's thoughtless words and appealed to David's integrity. She drew attention to David's responsibility to God beyond his desire to seek personal retribution. She helped David see he would lose more by pursuing vengeance than by letting Nabal live. Besides, Nabal's previous offense had been erased by Abigail's generosity. All the while Abigail operated within the boundaries of her role as Nabal's wife. David was amazed over Abigail's practical wisdom. She had managed to create a win-win situation out of a dangerous confrontation. When she got back home, Abigail waited until her husband could comprehend the implications of his actions before she explained what she had done. The impact was so devastating that Nabal had a stroke and died. David didn't hesitate to take Abigail as his wife. She had demonstrated integrity and had been instrumental in allowing God to work in a complicated situation. She serves as an effective role model to all who desire to serve God with honor even under difficult circumstances.

Verse Of The Day for 01-27-14

Monday 1/27/2014
Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'

John 7:38, NLT | View in context

Extraordinary Obedience

Extraordinary Obedience

Hosea 1:2–2:1

Read When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, "Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the LORD and worshiping other gods." So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son. And the LORD said, "Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu's dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an end to Israel's independence. I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley." (Hosea 1:2-5)

Reflect Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel who served from 753 to 715 B.C. Under the reign of Jeroboam II, the northern kingdom had prospered materially but had decayed spiritually. The people were greedy and had adopted the immoral behavior and idolatrous religion of the surrounding Canaanites. Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful woman would illustrate God's relationship to the unfaithful nation of Israel. The northern kingdom had been unfaithful to God, their "husband" and provider, and had married themselves to Baal and the gods of Canaan. He warned that unless they repented of their sin and turned back to God, they were headed for destruction. Hosea spoke of God's characteristics—his powerful love and fierce justice—and how Israel's practical experience of these should affect their lives and make them return to God. Unfortunately, the people had broken their covenant with God, and they would receive the punishments God had promised for idolatry (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). It is difficult to imagine Hosea's feelings when God told him to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him. He may not have wanted to do it, but he obeyed. God often required extraordinary obedience from his prophets who were facing extraordinary times.

Respond God may ask you to do something difficult and extraordinary, too. If he does, how will you respond? Will you obey him, trusting that he who knows everything has a special purpose for his request? Will you be able to accept the fact that the pain involved in obedience may benefit those you serve, and not you personally?

Our Daily Bread -- The Wonder Of The Cross

READ: Hebrews 12:1-4

[Look] unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. —Hebrews 12:2

While visiting Australia, I had the opportunity on a particularly clear night to see the Southern Cross. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, this constellation is one of the most distinctive. Mariners and navigators began relying on it as early as the 15th century for direction and navigation through the seas. Although relatively small, it is visible throughout most of the year. The Southern Cross was so vivid on that dark night that even I could pick it out of the bundle of stars. It was truly a magnificent sight!

The Scriptures tell us of an even more magnificent cross—the cross of Christ. When we look at the stars, we see the handiwork of the Creator; but when we look at the cross, we see the Creator dying for His creation. Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “[look] unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The wonder of Calvary’s cross is that while we were still in our sins, our Savior died for us (Rom. 5:8). Those who place their trust in Christ are now reconciled to God, and He navigates them through life (2 Cor. 1:8-10).

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the greatest of all wonders! —Bill Crowder

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride. —Watts

Christ’s cross provides the only safe crossing into eternity.

Ready or Not

Jan 27, 2014

Matthew 24:30-51

Recently, a thief propped a metal ladder against the back of a restaurant early one morning. He scaled the ladder, reached the roof, and entered the eatery hoping to plunder the place. He couldn’t have known, however, that the restaurant’s owner was waiting inside. The restaurant had been burglarized three times in previous weeks, and the owner refused to become a victim again.

Jesus told a similar story as He talked with His disciples. He said, “If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into” (Matthew 24:43). He continued by saying, “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44).

Although no one except God knows the exact time when Jesus will come back from heaven (Matthew 24:36), the Bible encourages us to live watchfully. It also gives us clues about what will happen before Jesus returns: wars, natural disasters, and persecution will escalate, and false religious leaders will infest the world (Matthew 24:7-9, 23-24).

Despite these events, we don’t have to cower as we watch and wait (Romans 13:11-14). Rather, we can joyfully anticipate Jesus’ return and let it inspire holiness in our lives. Peter supplied us with a few pointers on how best to do this: pray faithfully, love deeply, and share generously (1 Peter 4:7-9). This is how we glorify the One we’re waiting for.

Jesus will come as unexpectedly as a thief in the night. Ready, or not, we’ll leave this earth to join Him on that day (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Fortunately, we can rely on God to “keep [us] strong to the end so that [we] will be free from all blame” when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Look up John 14:1-4 to see where Jesus will take us when He returns.

Are you looking forward to Jesus’ second coming? Why, or why not? How should you respond when you hear someone predicting the day of Jesus’ return?