God saw that his work was good. People sometimes feel guilty for having a good time or for feeling good about an accomplishment. This need not be so. Just as God felt good about his work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?
- Genesis 1:25

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 23

No Condemnation
John 3:17

We often go through the day feeling as if someone is looking over our shoulder ready to judge our actions. My husband probably wonders why I bought that dress . . . My boss is thinking I’m taking too long with that project . . . The elders don’t understand why I can’t take on that committee . . . This isn’t how Mom would have done it . . . And perhaps the voice we hear the most is our own: Why aren’t you good enough?

Even if others praise us, the pressure we put on ourselves can drown out the latest acclaim. We put pressure on ourselves to do more — and do it better and quicker. How could God be pleased with us, we wonder, when we feel so weak?

Listen to the words in this chapter of John’s Gospel. God wants a relationship with us — not to condemn us, but to free us. He offers redemption through Jesus — not because we have done something to deserve it, but because he loves us.

Though we may read those words again and again, they can be hard to believe. But try to wrap your brain around this truth: God does not condemn you. None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God. You may feel guilty because you keep changing the standard.

Richard Foster writes, “The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.” Yes, we are weak. Yes, we often fail to meet our own expectations. But what does God expect of us today? To believe in his Son who set us free from sin. To believe that he is stronger than our doubts, fears, pride and ambition. To believe that he does not condemn us for who we were before we met his Son. To discover who we are in the light of his love, freedom and grace.

Taken from NIV Women’s Devotional Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

Where Was God?
Hebrews 13:5-8

- Vernon Grounds

Was God sadistically absent? That’s what Robert McClory, professor emeritus of journalism at the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, asked after Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area of the US.

We may want to try to exonerate the Almighty for permitting disasters that rip apart vulnerable communities. But is God absent in such situations? No, McClory insists. Talking about the Katrina tragedy, he said that God was invisibly present “with the suffering and the dying. He was in the individuals, communities, churches, and schools that organized aid for the victims and took evacuees into their cities and homes. He was with the hundreds of thousands who showed compassion by prayer and financial assistance.”

So it is in our own lives when a heartbreaking tragedy occurs, such as the death of someone we love. We have no completely satisfactory answer to life’s painful problems. We do know, however, that the Lord is present with us, for He said He would never leave us (Heb. 13:5). Jesus’ name “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23).

Even though suffering baffles our minds, we can trust God to be near and to work out His purposes.

God’s unseen presence comforts me,
I know He’s always near;
And when life’s storms besiege our soul,
He says, “My child, I’m here.”
—D. De Haan

The storms of our life prove the strength of our Anchor.

How Can I Know GOD And His Will For My Life?

How can I know God and His will for my life?
2 Timothy 3:16-17

How do we know God? How do we understand and see the world we live in? How do we grasp where we came from and why we are here? How do we know where this story is ultimately heading? The answer is profound—God reveals himself and his grand plan to us. Our Role is to listen and believe.

The Bible repeatedly records that God communicated to his people at specific times with specific messages. In some cases, such as with Moses at the burning bush, he spoke audibly. In other instances he spoke through dreams or visions or less direct impressions. But the words of the Lord were always given to his people to reveal his plan for them and for all humanity. God revealed his story because he loves us.

The Lord spoke mostly through prophets in the Old Testament and through Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament.

Throughout the Bible the writers warned readers that they should not add or take away from God’s Word. God has given and preserved his Word for us so we can rely on it to guide our lives into all truth and according to God’s good plan. Therefore, Christians revere the Bible and affirm its right to command our beliefs and actions.

KEY VERSE

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

KEY IDEA

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God that guides my beliefs and action.

KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live?

The Bible is the lens from which we view the world. God’s Word informs what we think and feel about everything we encounter. We see the intervention of God in history, in our present lives, and on into the future as he continues to write his grand story.We are obligated and motivated to study the Bible to understand God’s will for our lives. The Bible forms the content of truth we seek to marinate our minds in.The principles in the Bible must govern our lives, even when we don’t fully understand or like what it teaches.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 22

How Can We Hope in a God Who Abandons Us?
Lamentation 3:25

Jeremiah steadfastly recognized that the Lord had not abandoned his people, despite the pain of their situation. Rather, God’s people had abandoned him. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, is also called the prophet of hope, because he foresaw a day when the Lord would reign in the midst of a restored, renewed and reconciled people — people who had finally returned to him.

Jesus knew this paradox between abandonment and hope. In the midst of his suffering and death on the cross, he cried, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt 27:46). Yet Jesus also knew that he would be resurrected on the third day, opening the gate of eternal life to all believers. The despair of the cross has now become the gift of life to perishing sinners.

Abandonment, sorrow, struggle and pain — all these are transitory. Wholeness, healing, joy and peace are permanent, for they are part of the very nature of God. That is what sustains the believer through difficult times. Although Jeremiah grieved over Jerusalem’s destruction, he knew God would prevail.

Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

An Old Man's Prayer
Daniel 9:3-19

- Dave Brannon

Have you heard the story about the 85-year-old man who was arrested for praying?

You probably have. That’s the story of Daniel, an elderly Jewish resident in Babylon sentenced to death for faithfully talking to God (Dan. 6).

Although the prayer that sent Daniel to the lions’ den is his most famous talk with God (6:11), it wasn’t the only time we see him in prayer.

In Daniel 9, we read an example of how he prayed. Daniel had been reading in his scroll of Jeremiah that the captivity of his people would last 70 years, and the people were 67 years into the exile (Jer. 25:8-11). He was eager for it to end.

God had called His people to live righteously, but they weren’t doing that. Daniel decided to live righteously despite their lack of faith. He began to pray that God would not delay the end of the captivity.

As he prayed, Daniel focused on worship and confession. His pattern of prayer gives us an important insight into talking to God. We are to recognize that God is “great and awesome” (v.4) and that “we have sinned” (v.15). In prayer, we praise and confess.

Let’s follow Daniel’s lead. To him, prayer was as vital as life itself.

What privilege is mine to come
Before the Father’s throne,
To speak to Him in earnest prayer,
Make all my wishes known.
—Sherbert

No one stands as tall as a Christian on his knees.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 21

Choose Kindness
2 Timothy 2:24

*What are some choices that you make every day?

*What is it like to be around a person who likes to start arguments and pick fights?

When Paul writes that we should not be quarrelsome, he means that we should not be running around picking unnecessary fights. Instead, we should be kind to others. The Lord’s servants — that’s us! — are supposed to be peaceful. We are supposed to work to promote peace, not conflict.

Kindness is a choice. We need to choose to be kind. Our natural tendency might often be to argue instead of being kind, but this doesn’t make it okay. In every encounter we have throughout the day, we have a choice: We can be kind or we can be unkind. We can choose to get along or we can pick a fight. God wants us to choose kindness.

What about when people are unkind to us? What about those times when people are quarrelsome? Even in those instances, we are to choose kindness. We can walk away from conflict. Kindness is always an option.

Prayer

Dear God, please help us to honor you by choosing kindness. Amen.

Taken from Once a Day At the Table

OUR DAILY BREAD

Hearing The Sermon Again
Matthew 4:12-17

- Joe Stowell

A story is told about a man who preached an impressive sermon, seeking to be the pastor of a new church. Everybody loved it and voted for him to become their new pastor. They were a bit surprised, however, when he preached the same sermon his first Sunday there—and even more surprised when he preached it again the next week. After he preached the same sermon the third week in a row, the leaders met with him to find out what was going on. The pastor assured them, “I know what I’m doing. When you start living out this sermon, I’ll go on to my next one.”

Jesus’ sermons had a notably recurring theme. Not surprisingly, the King of kings wanted to be sure that the people understood what was required of them to be part of His kingdom. He came to announce a whole new world order that was totally out of step with life as it was usually lived. Themes such as forgiveness, servanthood, and unconditional mercy and grace were repeatedly on His lips.

Two thousand years later we find ourselves in need of the same message. As soon as we start repenting and living under the authority, reign, and rule of Jesus our King, we will experience benefit to our lives, glory to His name, and blessing to others.

The Bible gives us all we need
To live our lives for God each day,
But it won’t help if we don’t read
And practice what its pages say.
—Sper

A sermon isn’t complete until it’s put into practice.

LEARNING WITH JESUS

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365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 20

2 Kings 5:15-18

The 19th-century American novelist Henry James wrote classics such as The Portrait of a Lady, The Bostonians and The Ambassadors. University students today still study his writings.

However, few students learn about the novelist’s perspective on the most basic matters of life. Perhaps the best expression of James’s views occurred in a conversation he had with his nephew, William. Wishing to offer his best advice, Uncle Henry said, “Willie, three things are important in human life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.”

Thousands of years ago a young slave girl also knew the importance of being kind. She was an Israelite girl who’d been stolen from her family, carted off into a foreign land and made a slave to her enemies. Yet she felt great compassion for those who had enslaved her—even for the master of her household, Naaman, a man afflicted with leprosy.

The truth is, most of us would probably enjoy some secret sense of satisfaction in seeing Naaman suffer. We’d think he was simply getting what he deserved. But the slave girl found no delight in Naaman’s malady. Instead, she spoke wistfully of healing for her oppressor: “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3).

God wants to use us—just as he used a humble slave girl—to further his purposes. Even to change history. We might not be rich, famous, powerful or important. But if we’re available, God can work through us to change situations and the hearts of individuals—even through a simple act of kindness.

Taken from Men’s Devotional Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

The Pretender
Genesis 27:1-40

- Anne Cetas

When a waitress in Ohio asked to see a customer's driver's license, she was shocked when she saw the photo on the ID. It was her own picture! The waitress had lost her driver's license a month earlier, and this young woman was using it so she'd have "proof" she was old enough to drink alcohol. The police were called, and the customer was arrested for identity theft. Trying to gain what she wanted, she pretended to be someone she wasn't.

Jacob, in the Old Testament, did some pretending too. With his mother Rebekah’s help, he fooled his father into believing he was his brother Esau so he could gain the blessing meant for the elder son (Gen. 27). Jacob got caught after his deceitful act, but it was too late for Esau to receive the blessing.

Pretending goes on in our churches today. Some people put on a false front. They use the right “Christian” words, attend church almost every Sunday, and even pray before meals. They pretend they “have it all together” in order to gain the approval of others. But inside they’re struggling with brokenness, guilt, doubt, or an addiction or other persistent sin.

God placed us in a body of believers to support one another. Admit that you aren’t perfect. Then seek the counsel of a godly brother or sister in Christ.

Don’t hide your sin and cover up,
Pretending there is nothing wrong;
Instead, confess it and repent,
Then God will fill your heart with song.
—Sper

Be what God intends you to be— don’t pretend to be what you’re not.

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

How Do I Have a Relationship with God?
Ephesians 2:8-9
Matthew 18:21-35

The Problem

Satan, the great deceiver, clothed himself as a serpent, one of God’s good creatures, and set out to trick Adam and Eve into disobeying their good and gracious God. After creating Adam and Eve, God had told them not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree in the Garden of Eden. But Satan suggested that God wasn’t being honest when he warned of the results of eating the forbidden fruit. The great deceiver’s ploy succeeded, and Adam and Eve willfully rejected God and his promise of life together in the garden.

The Solution

Even before Adam and Eve sinned, God had a plan to get people back into a relationship with him. When he replaced their clothes of fig leaves with the skins of animals, he signaled something important — it would take the blood of another to cover the sins of humankind. God’s plan began with the founding of a brand-new nation through which he would reveal himself and his plan to restore humankind. For more than 1,600 years, every Biblical story of the chosen people of Israel would point to the coming of the solution.

God’s solution to the problem of sin was made complete through the sacrifice of his Son.

Here is the decision a person should make from the heart, placed into a prayer of acceptance to God.

Dear God, I can’t, but you can.

I believe in Jesus, who is God. I believe he died and rose from the dead. I place my faith in Christ to make me right with you and give me eternal life. I have no other plan but to have faith and to trust you.

I am doing a 180 today and pointing my life toward you. I will no longer run away from you, but toward you.

Then there comes an outward declaration to the world — a way for us to demonstrate our faith decision: “I profess you with my mouth, out loud for others to know where I stand. And I publicly express my full devotion to you through baptism.”

KEY VERSE

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

KEY IDEA

I believe a person comes into a right relationship with God by Christ’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live?

We seek to please God because of what he has done for us, not to earn a relationship with him.We walk in grace – and offer grace to others. Let us not forget Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant recorded in Matthew 18:21–35. It would be wrong and inconsistent for us to refuse to offer grace and forgiveness to someone else in light of the grace and forgiveness God has shown to us.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 19

Focus on Relationship
2 Samuel 9:1-10

David wanted to show kindness to those of Saul’s household “for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1). Though he could have destroyed Saul’s family to eliminate any competition for the throne of Israel, David had no such motive in his heart. Instead, he wanted to extend the love he had experienced from his close friend Jonathan (see 2 Samuel 1:26) to Jonathan’s family. His mind was not on revenge; instead he wanted to show his gratitude.

We experience times in life when we have been wronged. For example, we may feel wronged when someone deceives, hurts or abandons us. While we should protect our hearts as much as possible from injury (see Proverbs 4:23), we need to leave revenge to God. Our focus should be to turn back to relationship, having the best relationship possible with all the people we know. To be motivated by love and gratitude, and to express those feelings as much as we can, is the fullest life possible.

Taken from NIV Life Journey Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

Bold Persistence
Matthew 15:21-28

- Marvin Williams

In 1953, a fledgling business called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreas- ers for use in the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to perfect their formula. The original secret formula for WD-40—which stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt—is still in use today. What a story of persistence!

The gospel of Matthew records another story of bold persistence. A Canaanite woman had a daughter who was possessed by a demon. She had no hope for her daughter—until she heard that Jesus was in the region.

This desperate woman came to Jesus with her need because she believed He could help her. She cried out to Him even though everything and everybody seemed to be against her—race, religious background, gender, the dis- ciples, Satan, and seemingly even Jesus (Matt. 15:22-27). Despite all of these obstacles, she did not give up. With bold persistence, she pushed her way through the dark corridors of difficulty, desperate need, and rejection. The result? Jesus commended her for her faith and healed her daughter (v.28).

We too are invited to approach Jesus with bold persistence. As we keep asking, seeking, and knocking, we will find grace and mercy in our time of need.

Something happens when we pray,
Take our place and therein stay,
Wrestle on till break of day;
Ever let us pray.
—Anon.

Persistence in prayer pleases God.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 18

God, the Most Cheerful Giver
2 Corinthians 7:5-13

God’s Story

Paul invites the Corinthians to open their hearts as wide as he has opened his. The false apostles among them have been trying to persuade them that Paul doesn’t really love them. He expresses the intensity with which he loves them, hoping that they will love him in return.

Paul reminds the believers that God defeated sin and death for their sake. They have been called out of the kingdom of darkness, called to be separate for God. So there is no need to link themselves to people who are living in the ways of death.

Paul celebrates because he has learned through Titus that his letter — which initially upset the Corinthians — eventually led them to repent. “Godly sorrow brings repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Paul assures them that he is pleased.

The Macedonian churches are giving money to help the struggling Christians in Jerusalem, and Paul urges the Corinthians to give too so they can experience the grace that comes with giving generously. Plus, the Jewish believers need to know that the Gentile believers are unified with them — and vice versa. Paul is sending three men, including Titus, back to Corinth to help with the collection and to teach them more about God and his kingdom. He encourages them to give joyfully — not begrudgingly — because “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul promises that God will take care of their needs and multiply the kingdom impact of what they give.

The King’s Heart

God didn’t need the believers in Corinth to give money. He could multiply money like he multiplies bread. He wanted the Corinthians to give money to kingdom work — and he wants us to do the same — because when we do, he gives something to us.

God changes us when we give. He enlarges our hearts and makes us more generous. He loosens our heart’s grip on the idea that everything is ours, and he helps us realize that everything actually belongs to him. Paul says that through this process we will be “enriched in every way” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Not only does God promise to provide for our needs, he will “enlarge the harvest of [our] righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10). When we give, God increases the kingdom work he does through us. He is looking for cheerful givers who want to join him in advancing his kingdom.

Insight

This letter of Paul’s to the believers in Corinth often seems choppy, with his points not necessarily flowing in order and his emotions varying. That could be because he verbally dictated the letter at night over several successive days.

Taken from NIV Discover God’s Heart Devotional Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

No Batteries?
Ephesians 1:15-23

- C. P. Hia

My 2-year-old grandson was fascinated by the bubbling mud pool, the result of geothermal activity in Rotorua, New Zealand. On moving to another spot and seeing no bubbles there, he remarked, “No batteries?” He was so accustomed to his elec- tronic toys that he attributed even natural phenomena to battery power!

Christians can make a similar mistake—they look to their own puny power to live righteous lives. But the high moral and ethical standards of a holy God prove impossible to live up to. The result is joyless Christians, hopelessly burdened and defeated.

Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus was that “the eyes of your understanding [be] enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:18-19). He wanted them to see that the power available to help them live God-honoring lives is the same power that “raised [Christ] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (v.20).

The power to live according to God’s standards comes only when we plug into His inexhaustible power. How do we do that? By daily seeking His face and asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit.

Fill each heart and reign alone,
Break the idols we have known;
Lead us to confession true,
Give us strength Thy will to do.
—Peterson

The Light of the World knows no power failure.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 17

Show Them Kindness
Colossians 3:12

God extends kindness to us even when we do not deserve it. In the same way, we are called to reflect God’s kindness to others, regardless of how they choose to respond.

Don’t wait for a crisis to extend loving-kindness to others. Take the time to ponder who is suffering from a recent heartbreak. Maybe they could use a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Who feels discouraged in your circle of friends? Maybe they need to hear an encouraging word. Who might feel alone? Perhaps you could pick up the phone and tell them that you care. Be faithful to do your part and watch God’s encouragement work in their lives.

Reflect & Pray:

*Would people who know you quickly identify you as a kind person?

*Who is someone who could use some extra kindness in their life?

*What act of kindness for this person can you do this week?

Taken from NIV Busy Mom’s Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

Raised In Glory
1 Corinthians 15:42-49

- David Roper

Years ago, I heard a story about a man looking for flowers for spring planting. At the greenhouse he came across a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. To his surprise, it was hidden in a corner and growing in an old, dented rusty bucket.

“If this were my flower,” he said to himself, “I would place it in a beautiful pot and display it proudly! Why is it confined in this old bucket and hidden away in this concealed place?”

When he remarked to the owner about the flower, she explained, “Oh, I started the plant in that old bucket until it blossomed. But it’s just for a short time. Soon I’ll transplant it to my garden.”

The man laughed, and imagined such a scene in heaven. “There’s a beautiful one,” God will say, “the product of My lovingkindness and grace. Now it’s confined in a broken body and in obscurity, but soon, in My garden, how tall and lovely this soul will stand!”

So we may now be “planted” in bent and battered containers for a short time while our Lord beautifies our souls. But, “as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Cor. 15:49). Then He will display His handiwork and our loveliness for all to see. This is our assurance and delight.

In bodies that will ne’er grow old,
We’ll reign with Him through years untold;
O precious thought: We all shall be 
With Christ through all eternity. 
—Watson

While God is preparing a place for us, He is preparing us for that place.

DEVOTIONAL: PRAYER 1

How do we actually learn how to pray?

In the summer after I was treated successfully for thyroid cancer, I made four practical changes to my life of private devotion. First, I took several months to go through the Psalms, summarizing each one. That enabled me to begin praying through the Psalms regularly, getting through all of them several times a year. The second thing I did was always to put in a time of meditation as a transitional discipline between my Bible reading and my time of prayer. Third, I did all I could to pray morning and evening rather than only in the morning. Fourth, I began praying with greater expectation.

The changes took some time to bear fruit, but after sustaining these practices for about two years, I began to have some breakthroughs. Despite ups and downs since then, I have found new sweetness in Christ and new bitterness too, because I could now see my heart more clearly in the new light of vital prayer. In other words, there were more restful experiences of love as well as more wrestling to see God triumph over evil, both in my own heart and in the world. These two experiences of prayer grew together like twin trees. I now believe that is how it should be. One stimulates the other. The result was a spiritual liveliness and strength that this Christian minister, for all my preaching, had not had before.

Prayer is the only entryway into genuine self-knowledge. It is also the main way we experience deep change—the reordering of our loves. Prayer is how God gives us so many of the unimaginable things he has for us. Indeed, prayer makes it safe for God to give us many of the things we most desire. It is the way we know God, the way we finally treat God as God. Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life. We must learn to pray. We have to.

Excerpt from PRAYER by Timothy Keller

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 16

God Supplies You With His Kindness and Goodness
Galatians 5:22

On that ghastly Friday morning, which ironically has become known as “Good Friday,” Jesus is a swollen, bloody mess. Most of his friends hightailed it hours ago, leaving him alone to face the physical agony of crucifixion, the emotional anguish of a jeering crowd and the spiritual horror of separation from God the Father.

Yet during this entire nightmare, Jesus has responded, well, strangely. On the way to his execution he has paused to console a group of grief-stricken women. He has used what little breath he is able to catch to pray for those who have been so merciless to him. He has demonstrated compassion and forgiveness to a criminal dying at his side. And he has taken pains to see that his grief-stricken mother is cared for by a friend.

In the ultimate tough time, Jesus models kindness and goodness. And because his Spirit lives in us, we also have the capacity to use personal tragedy as an opportunity to care for others.

God’s Promise to Me

*Those controlled by my Spirit will be marked by pure kindness and goodness.

My Prayer to God

Cause your kindness and goodness to flow through me, Lord. It is not natural for me to think of others or to think of glorifying you when my life is filled with pain. Teach me to live supernaturally. I want to be selfless like you, Jesus — always seeking to bless others.

Taken from Once a Day Bible Promises

OUR DAILY BREAD

What's Right?
Isaiah 1:11-18

- Julie Ackerman Link

When my computer greeted me one morning with what is omi- nously referred to as “the blue screen of death,” I knew it was broken, but I didn’t know how to fix it. I read a lit- tle, tried a few things, but finally had to call an expert for help. Knowing that something was wrong was only a small part of the problem; I couldn’t fix it because I didn’t know the right thing to do.

The ordeal reminded me of the many pundits who appear on television news programs. All of them are “experts” at proclaiming what’s wrong, but most are clueless as to what is right.

This happens in relationships as well. In families, churches, and workplaces, nothing gets fixed because we get fixated on what’s wrong. It doesn’t take an expert to know that something is wrong when people quarrel and hurt each other with unkind words and behavior. But it does take an expert to know how to fix the problem.

God revealed to Israel’s prophets not only what was wrong but also what was right: “Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:16-17). Instead of focusing on what is wrong, let’s obey the One who knows what is right.

Lord, grant me grace throughout this day
To walk the straight and narrow way,
To do whatever in Thy sight
Is good and perfect, just and right.
—Huisman

Like a compass, the Bible always points you in the right direction.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 15

Loving the Foreigner
Leviticus 19:33-34

Mildred Hoyt, “Mid” to her friends, left this world and went to rest in the arms of Jesus at the age of 97. She was born December 24, 1899. Imagine what her eyes saw, the changes that transformed this world of ours — it’s staggering if you think about it. If we were sent to another land, would we experience any greater change than Mid did during her lifetime? Two world wars, not to mention several smaller ones, the advent of cars, planes, electricity, radio, television and, yes, computers and the Internet. The list could go on for more pages than a New York City phone book

Spending time with Mid left one with a longing . . . a longing to return to a different time. A time of simplicity, a time for family and community. A time when doors were left unlocked and neighbors would drop everything and help you rebuild a barn. A time when family and faith reigned supreme.

Perhaps a similar longing prompted a group of foreigners to accompany the Israelites out of Egypt. They were non-Hebrews who followed the Hebrews’ God. So when the Hebrews left Egypt, they weren’t alone, as “many other people went up with them” (Exodus 12:38). These people just didn’t fit in Egypt anymore. They longed for a life that honored God. They had seen God’s power and wanted what he offered. They left families, homes, businesses and country.

God honored their determination by protecting them with this commandment, reminding the Israelites that they, too, had once been residents of a foreign land. God reminded them of the harsh treatment they’d endured so they would treat the others as they would want to be treated — the Golden Rule in the wilderness. Who are the foreigners today? Perhaps one is the neighbor who admires your faith and with a little encouragement would come to church with you. Perhaps another is the store clerk who notices the little cross around your neck as well as your kindness and patience. Perhaps the foreigner is someone at work whose lifestyle you would not choose, but who might be drawn to God through your gracious attitude. The challenge is to live the Golden Rule in the wilderness of life. Don’t treat the foreigners as strangers, but treat them as you would one of your friends or family. Treat the foreigners in your life to a taste of God’s love.

Taken from NIV Women’s Devotional Bible

OUR DAILY BREAD

Hope In God
Psalm 42

- Bill Crowder

Looking at the western shores of Sri Lanka, I found it hard to imagine that a tsunami had struck just a few months earlier. The sea was calm and beautiful, couples were walking in the bright sunshine, and people were going about their business—all giving the scene an ordinary feeling I wasn’t prepared for. The impact of the disaster was still there, but it had gone underground into the hearts and minds of the survivors. The trauma itself would not be easily forgotten.

It was catastrophic grief that prompted the psalmist to cry out in anguish: “My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’ ” (Ps. 42:3). The struggle of his heart had likewise been turned inward. While the rest of the world went on with business as usual, he carried in his heart the need for deep and complete healing.

Only as we submit our brokenness to the good and great Shepherd of our hearts can we find the peace that allows us to respond to life: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (v.5).

Hope in God—it’s the only solution for the deep traumas of the heart.

The Christian’s hope is in the Lord,
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we’re tempted to despair,
We do not doubt that God is there.
—D. De Haan

No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 14

REFLECTION

Matthew 10:8,16; Proverbs 1:32

 

*Jesus commissions his disciples to generously give away what they have received from him.

*Wisdom invites us to live in the tension of being aware of evil but innocent of doing evil.

Taken from Once a Day Morning & Evening

OUR DAILY BREAD

Finding God In The Darkness
Acts 17:24-31

- David Roper

When our boys were small, we played a game called “Sardines.” We’d turn out all the lights in our home and I would hide in a closet or some other cramped place. The rest of the family groped about in the darkness to find my hiding place and then hide with me until we were squeezed together like sardines. Hence the name.

Our smallest family member at times became frightened in the dark, so when he came close, I would whisper to him softly: “Here I am.”

“I found you, Dad!” he would announce as he snuggled against me in the darkness, not realizing that I let myself be “found.”

Likewise, we have been made to search for God—to “grope for Him,” as Paul put it so vividly (Acts 17:27). But here’s the good news: He is not at all hard to find, for “He is not far from each one of us.” He desires to make Himself known. “There is a property in God of thirst and longing. He hath longing to have us,” wrote Dame Julian of Norwich centuries ago. Before we come to know Christ, we grope for God in the darkness. But if we search for Him in earnest, He will make Himself known, for He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). He will call to us softly: “Here I am.” And He awaits our reply: “I found You!”

Man gropes his way through life’s dark maze;
To gods unknown he often prays,
Until one day he meets God’s Son—
At last he’s found the Living One!
—D. De Haan

Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:6

BELIEVE

Is God Good?
Psalm 139:1-6
Psalm 121:1-2
Isaiah 55:8-9

The God of the Bible is the only true God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the one all-powerful, all-knowing eternal God. But is he good? Is he involved in his creation? Does he love us? Does he have a plan for us? Is he interceding and intervening to move the events of our life and world toward his intended purpose? Consider the following and decide for yourself.

A biblical character in whose life we see how much God is involved and cares about his people is David, the poet, singer, shepherd, warrior and king, who wrote and sang from a deep well as he journeyed through life and encountered the one true God. David composed many of the psalms found in our Bible. David wrote as a shepherd boy while gazing at the billions of stars God created; he wrote while being chased down by King Saul; he wrote while he was king of Israel; and he wrote as he was coming to the end of his life on earth. The songs that David and the other psalmists wrote express their personal and intimate relationships with God.

You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

(Psalm 139:1-6)

KEY VERSE

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

KEY IDEA

I believe God is involved in and cares about my daily life.

KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live?

How can believing this truth about God as a personal and good God — not only in our mind (understanding) but also in our heart — guide the way we live?

1. God's ways are higher than our ways.

We are tempted to make frantic decisions because we can't see our way. We can't see around the next bend in the road. God's ways are higher than our ways, because he is seated above on his throne. When we feel that we don't understand God's instruction in his Word, we must remember that he sees things from above and we don't. [See Isaiah 55:8-9.]

2. God, who controls nature and history, knows and cares about us.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus conveyed God's care for his children. These words about a loving Father paint a vivid picture of a God who is not out to get us, but rather to redeem us. He is not out to destroy us, but rather to restore us.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 13

Wise Words
Proverbs 13:14

One of the wisest individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting was the late Coach John Wooden, the famous NCAA basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins. His fame, however, didn’t come just from the action on the hardwood floor. It also came from the wisdom of his words.

Once, I had the privilege of spending several hours with him during which I asked many questions. One of the questions I asked was, “Coach Wooden, when you have departed from this world and ESPN is broadcasting a special about your life, what do you hope they will say?” As he always did, he pondered a moment before answering, and then gave this spellbinding reply: “I hope they don’t mention basketball. I hope they focus more on how I loved my Lord, my wife, Nellie, and my family.”

That’s it! When it’s all said and done, that’s wisdom of the highest regard, that those who are around you know you love them with all your heart. I learned from a wise man, and I want to pass that same wisdom on to my children. Let us all be faithful to the great calling God has placed on our lives.

Parenting Principle

Get and give wisdom — whatever you do, get and give wisdom.

Points to Ponder

*What story could you tell your children about a wise person you have known? Tell it.

*How are you attaining wisdom?

*How can you seek God for wisdom for your home?

Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids

OUR DAILY BREAD

How To Walk
Ephesians 3:14-21
Ephesians 4:1-3

- Dave Branon

Dana and Rich went out for an afternoon bike ride expecting to come home refreshed. Instead, their lives were changed forever. As Rich rode down a hill, he lost control of his bike and crashed. His body was mangled, and he barely made it to the hospital alive.

Dana faithfully kept vigil by her husband’s side. He couldn’t feed himself, and he couldn’t walk. One day, as the two of them sat under a shade tree outside the hospital, Rich turned to his wife and said, “Dana, I don’t know if I’ll ever walk again, but I’m learning to walk closer to Jesus, and that’s what I really want.” Instead of shaking his fist at God, Rich reached out and grabbed His hand.

Sometimes in the midst of our trials, we need to think about someone like Rich to help us adjust our perspective— to remind us of the remarkable relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. This is the relationship we need most when the going gets the toughest.

We are not equipped to handle all the problems we face, but God is. That’s why He told us to give them all to Him— to “cast your burden on the Lord” (Ps. 55:22). As Rich found out, walking with Jesus doesn’t depend on our legs. It depends on our heart.

I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
—Stanphill

We can walk through the darkest trials when we walk with God in the light.

BELIEVE

Who is God?
Genesis 2:26
2 Corinthians 13:14

What do we know about this amazing God, this God of miracles and creative wonder?

Christians believe God is actually three Persons, a ""Trinity."" Though the word ""Trinity"" isn't found in the Bible, in the very beginning of God's story, the creation story, we see hints that God is plural. Genesis 1:26 says, ""Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.'"" The creation story tells us we were created in the image of God, and Adam and Eve were two distinct persons who came together as one, just as God is three persons [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] but one true God.

The journey of faith begins with our belief in God. Like the early Christians, we too are called to make our own personal declaration. Do we believe in the one true God? Do we accept the Bible as it reveals that God exists in three Persons? Even though we are weak and not fully able to understand the mysteries of God, he works mightily in and through those who believe.

When we embrace God with our whole heart and worship him with our whole life, we experience the inner fruit of the Spirit that transforms our lives from the inside out. When we are growing, experiencing restoration in our relationships and doing the right thing, it is evident that God is in us and with us.

KEY VERSE

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

KEY IDEA

I believe the God of the Bible is the only true God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live?
Because I was created in the image of God as, and for, community...

I recognize the full personhood of others and respect boundaries.I look out for the rights, preferences, and comfort of others.I value and enjoy others.

For any situation, relationship, or decision we face, we can resolutely apply these principles to guide us. The results, over time, will lead to blessing in our own souls in the form of fruit such as joy and peace, and we will express our actions outwardly for others to enjoy in the form of fruit such as love and kindness.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 12

REFLECTION
Proverbs 19:3

We hardly notice we’re doing it, although some of us do it often. We get mad at God for whatever hardship we find ourselves in. Yet when we dig down to the root of the hardship, we often find that we brought it on ourselves, either by an unwise decision or by unwisely avoiding a decision that could have prevented it. The finger we point at God could easily be turned back toward us.

Not all hardship is our own fault. We face many trials that we did not cause. In any hardship, we should not embrace the attitude of many guilt-ridden individuals who, whenever something bad happens, assume they did something to deserve it. But we also shouldn’t be like the fools who rage at God for the ruin that resulted from their own folly. We have to own up to our decisions (and our indecisions), learn from them, ask God to teach us better ways and move forward in his grace. It’s called personal responsibility. And it produces wisdom.

Taken from Once a Day 31 Days of Wisdom

OUR DAILY BREAD

I'm With Him
Luke 23:32-43

- Cindy Hess Kasper

On my husband’s T-shirt is a cartoon of a sheep walking on two legs and addressing a wolf who is barring the sheep’s passage through a gate.

Standing by the sheep is a familiar-looking man. He has a beard, compassionate eyes, and a look of authority. The sheep speaks to the wolf as he gestures toward the man and says, “I’m with Him.” The sheep’s trust in his Shepherd gives him great confidence.

On the day Jesus died, three crosses were raised. Jesus hung on the center one between two criminals. One of the men mocked Jesus, but the other said to Him, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus answered, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Imagine the man’s thoughts as he took his last breath. He had paid a horrible penalty for his crimes. But now, because he put his faith in Jesus, he was welcomed into heaven as a child of God. Perhaps he said with confidence, “I know I don’t deserve to be here, but I’m with Him!” gesturing toward Jesus. And Jesus would have confirmed it: “He’s with Me.”

Like the thief on the cross, we all face a choice. Have you made the decision to trust Jesus? Can you say with confidence, “I’m with Him”?

We are with Him and He with us;
Great confidence this gives
To face life’s trials and even death
Because our Savior lives.
—D. De Haan

Facing death with confidence comes from trusting Christ.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 11

REFLECTION
Proverbs 15:1-2, 4

We are told elsewhere in Proverbs that wise words bring healing (see 12:18) and that the tongue contains “the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Here we see that a gentle answer defuses anger, wise words enhance knowledge and soothing words bring life. That’s a lot of power for a small part of the body, but the rest of Scripture and our own experience affirm the impact of words. We can wreak a lot of havoc with what we say — James compares our tongues to a spark that can start a forest fire (see James 3:5 – 6). But the opposite is also true: We can praise God and bless others with positive, encouraging, praiseworthy statements of truth.

Think of that. We can make a dramatic difference in people’s lives simply by asking God to minister to them, speaking a blessing over them, affirming their gifts, encouraging them about their God-given potential and more. We can heal past wounds, offer forgiveness and declare God’s love. Why would we be reluctant to wield that kind of power? Words of affirmation, blessing and encouragement cost us nothing, but they can accomplish great things.

Taken from Once a Day 31 Days of Wisdom

OUR DAILY BREAD

Storytime
Joshua 2:1 - 14

- Joe Stowell

Did you ever wonder why Rahab, the prostitute who lived in the pagan city of Jericho, opened her home to the Israelite spies? And what gave her the courage to name the God of Israel as her own?

This unlikeliest of conversions was prompted by the stories she had heard about the reality and power of God. Though thoroughly steeped in paganism and immorality, her heart was drawn to God. As she told the spies, “We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites” (Josh. 2:10).

Under normal circumstances, the highly fortified city of Jericho would have been virtually unconquerable. Yet it became vulnerable because of the compelling stories of God’s power. Long before God’s people arrived, the self-sufficient pride of this hostile culture dissolved in fear when faced with those who belonged to the God they had heard so much about (v.11). And within the walls, one pagan heart turned to receive the God of Israel and played a strategic role in Israel’s stunning victory.

Let’s boldly tell the stories of God’s greatness. You never know whose heart may be ready to respond!

Christ is coming, over the world victorious—
Power and glory unto the Lord belong:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song.
—Crosby

Don’t be shy; tell the stories of God’s greatness.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 10

REFLECTION
Proverbs 8:1 - 4

Wisdom calls out to us (see Proverbs 1:20 – 21; 8:1 – 4). Apparently, so does folly (see Proverbs 9:13 – 15). Their methods of communication are similar; they sit in public places shouting their advice to all who will listen. The difference between them is in what they say and the hearts they connect with. Those who are inclined toward God — who love him and want to do his will — will hear the voice of wisdom and respond. Those who have little depth and no desire for God — who can’t see beyond themselves and the present moment — will hear the voice of folly and respond. Two voices, two kinds of hearts; as a result, two drastically different journeys.

Which voice will we choose to trust? The question is more complicated than it seems: It doesn’t involve just a single choice but rather a series of choices every day, and sometimes folly imitates wisdom. But prayer, patience and a commitment to truth will reveal the difference and give us the discipline and courage to choose well. Hearts that crave wisdom will choose the right voice.

Taken from Once a Day 31 Days of Wisdom

OUR DAILY BREAD

Bread For The Coming Day
Matthew 6:9-13

- Marvin Williams

Not long ago, I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to lead a Bible conference. I took in the beauty of the Nyungwe Forest and Ruzizi River, which separates Congo from Rwanda. I experienced the amazing hospitality of the Congolese people, and I was moved by their sincere faith in God’s provision.

Because unemployment, poverty, and malnutrition are serious problems there, the people often don’t know where their next meal will come from. So each time they sit down to eat, they thank God and ask Him to provide the next meal.

Their prayer sounds a lot like Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The word bread refers to any food. The phrase “this day” indicates provision that came to them one day at a time.

Many first-century workers were paid one day at a time, so a few days’ illness could spell tragedy. “Daily” could be translated “for the coming day.” The prayer would read: “Give us today our bread for the coming day.” It was an urgent prayer to those who lived from hand to mouth.

This prayer calls Jesus’ followers everywhere to recognize that our ability to work and earn our food comes from God’s hand.

Lord, thank You for our daily bread
And everything that You provide;
Increase our faith and help us see
That Your supply is deep and wide.
—Sper

Our problems are never a strain on God’s provision.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 4

REFLECTION
Proverbs 6:16-19

Scripture tells us that God is love (see 1 John 4:8,16), but it also tells us there are some things he hates — and it says so in a book of wisdom. That’s because wisdom is much more than getting principles and instructions from God. If wisdom were simply good advice — information passed on to us impersonally — we could develop some religious practices and call it righteousness. But in God’s kingdom, wisdom is much more relational. We can’t really become wise outside of personal interaction with God. He doesn’t just give wisdom; he is wisdom.

When we spend time with God and learn what he loves and hates, that affects our hearts. We begin to cultivate the same passions. We develop a distaste for pride, deception, violence and scheming, and we develop an affection for what he loves, including his people and his mission. When our passions align with God’s, wisdom happens much more naturally than when we try to absorb principles and implement them in our lives. A heart that beats with God’s inevitably generates thoughts and actions consistent with God’s heart.

Taken from Once a Day 31 Days of Wisdom

OUR DAILY BREAD

Herd Instinct
John 10:14-30

- Mart De Haan

Near the village of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while shepherds ate their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death. Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died.

The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and susceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd.

I’m glad the Bible also describes sheep in a positive way. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:14,27).

So the big question for us is: Whom are we following?

One another? Self-centered shepherds? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd?

Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him?

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare.
—Thrupp

Follow Christ, not the crowd.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 3

REFLECTION
Proverbs 1:1-7

The purpose of the book of Proverbs is spelled out in its first few verses. Those who read it and heed it will gain wisdom, understanding, insight and the knowledge of what is right, just and fair. These words are helpful for all people — old and especially the young, sages and simpletons, the experienced and the naive. This is a collection of really good advice.

When reading the proverbs, it’s important to recognize that they describe how God designed life to work. They don’t necessarily represent the spiritual equivalent of the law of gravity: hard-and-fast commands and promises that apply to all situations. For example, Proverbs 3:1 – 2 and 4:10 trumpet the power of wise instruction to produce prosperity and long life for those who follow the advice. We know from other portions of Scripture, however, that disaster and death can strike a godly person. So while such statements generally are true, the individual proverbs are not to be interpreted as prophetic guarantees of cause and effect.

Taken from Once a Day 31 Days of Wisdom

OUR DAILY BREAD

No Record Of Our Sins
Psalm 130

- David Roper

Out of the depths” the psalmist cries to God (Ps. 130:1). His problem surfaces: terrible guilt for things done and undone in the past. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (v.3).

But, thankfully, God forgives. He does not keep an account of past sins, no matter how many or how grievous they have been. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). God’s forgiveness then leads us to fear Him (Ps. 130:4). We worship and adore God, for grace and forgiveness cause us to love Him all the more.

But what happens if we slide back into old sins? What if sin lingers? We are to repent and “wait for the Lord” and be patient while God works (vv.5-6). We are not hopeless cases. We can “hope” in the One who will deliver us in His time.

We now have these two assurances: God’s unfailing love— He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). And God’s promise of full redemption in due time—He will redeem us from all our iniquities (Ps. 130:8) and present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).

We’re forgiven! We’re free! With the psalmist, let’s worship the Lord as we await His coming.

How blest is he whose trespass
Has freely been forgiven,
Whose sin is wholly covered
Before the sight of heaven.
—Psalter

When we’re forgiven, no record is kept of our failures.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 2

Hope Out Loud
Psalm 25:3

*What is something that you are confident about?

*What does it mean to be treacherous?

The Bible teaches us in many places and with many different illustrations that God will be faithful to those who faithfully hope in him. This verse tells us that God will not allow shame to come to us.

Sometimes it is difficult to have hope. It can be especially difficult to hope out loud. Sometimes, others are threatened by our hope because they have none, and they work to hurt those who are hopeful. These people are being “treacherous,” which means they are faithless, deceitful and untrustworthy.

That’s why this verse becomes so important to believers. We need to know that God will not forget us. He will not allow us to be shamed for our hope. When we put our hope in God, we will be victorious.

This should give us tremendous confidence. Believers should not be afraid to hope. We should hope boldly — out loud — because we know that God is real, and our hope in him is real.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for giving us hope. Thank you for protecting those who hope in you. Let our hope in you give us confidence each day. Amen.

Taken from Once a Day At the Table

OUR DAILY BREAD

Giving God Our Best
1Chronicles 22

- Julie Ackerman Link

We had rehearsed the song for several weeks, and it sounded good. But there was one tricky section that we just couldn’t get right. We were ready to call it good enough. Our choir director seemed to agree. He too was weary of rehearsing the same few measures over and over.

Finally he said, “We’ve worked hard on this. You’re tired. I’m tired. We’re running short on time. And 99 percent of the people won’t know whether or not we sing it right.” As we started to put away our music, he continued, “But we’re going to sing it right for the 1 percent who know the difference.” We groaned as we reopened our music to the rumpled page.

On Sunday morning when we sang it right, few people knew. But that didn’t matter. What really mattered was that we were singing from our heart for an audience of One—One who deserves excellent praise. King David wanted an “exceedingly magnificent” house built for the Lord (1 Chron. 22:5). So before he died, he made sure his son Solomon had everything he needed to build the temple—an abundance of gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, stone, and skilled craftsmen (vv.14-15).

Whatever we do, our audience of One deserves our very best.

O worship the King,
All glorious above,
And gratefully sing
His power and His love.
—Grant

When we worship God, only our best is good enough.

365 DAYS DEVOTIONAL READING PLAN - Day 1

A Recipe for Hope
Psalm 119:50

I remember as a youngster watching my mom make homemade preserves. What that meant for me was that I would see some terrific jam or jelly on the table for dinner.

God will sometimes stir up ingredients in your life like suffering, struggling and pain to remind you to depend on him. Even though it may not seem like it at the time, what God has prepared for you will yield a much sweeter and more desirable person if you can endure the testing and hurt.

God promises he will be with you in it and through it, and he will preserve your life. The process is not always enjoyable in any realm of thinking, but parenting will occasionally test you to preserving moments. In those moments, you must be aware that the promise of his presence on the other side is your hope!

Parenting Principle

Thank God for his promises as they make the best preserves.

Points to Ponder

*What has God brought you through?

*How have you learned from that experience?

*What have been some experiences you can share with your children so they can learn in this area?

Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids

OUR DAILY BREAD

Cracked Lenses
Psalm 141

- Bill Crowder

I started wearing glasses when I was 10 years old. They are still a necessity because my 50-something eyes are losing their battle against time. When I was younger, I thought glasses were a nuisance—especially when playing sports. Once, the lenses of my glasses got cracked while I was playing softball. It took several weeks to get them replaced. In the meantime, I saw everything in a skewed and dis- torted way.

In life, pain often functions like cracked lenses. It creates within us a conflict between what we experience and what we believe. Pain can give us a badly distorted perspective on life— and on God. In those times, we need our God to provide us with new lenses to help us see clearly again. That clarity of sight usually begins when we turn our eyes upon the Lord. The psalmist encouraged us to do this: “My eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute” (141:8). Seeing God clearly can help us see life’s experiences more clearly.

As we turn our eyes to the Lord in times of pain and struggle, we will experience His comfort and hope in our daily lives. He will help us to see everything clearly again.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
—Lemmel

Focusing on Christ puts everything in perspective.