Scripture to read today:

Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 20: 26b-28
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation:
Really great people help others. They don’t take things for themselves, consuming all without producing. Great people produce things- goods, services, or just good feelings in others.

Application:
I had a lot of leadership training in college. Working for the awesome Dr. Tim (Lautzenheiser) I learned a lot about becoming a good leader. Good leaders are willing to do anything that they would ask someone following them to do. Good leaders are the first to arrive and the last to leave. Good leaders offer to take each other’s plates to the kitchen, to stay and help the host with the dishes, to offer themselves for the most mundane tasks. And in Jesus’ case, to give his own life so that other lives may be better.

Prayer:
Lord, help me remember what it is to be a good leader and help me lead others closer to You. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Matthew 17; Matthew 18; Matthew 19

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 19:16-21
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Observation:
The man wasn’t going to be perfect by keeping the commandments. Perfection came when he let go of the things he loved the most in the world and followed Jesus.

Application:
What is it that I put between me and Jesus? My house? Job, kids, car… church? Am I sold out to Jesus- would I sell out and follow Him? I don’t know- I’d like to think I would, but I really don’t know.

Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I’m not the person I wish I am. Forgive me for the times I am not what you had in mind for me to be. Help me become all that you wish. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Matthew 14; Matthew 15; Matthew 16

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Observation:
Jesus gets the good job- handing out rewards for those who have done well. This verse says that our actions do count- what we do matters. It isn’t just enough to believe, but we have to do well.

Application:
I know you can’t “earn” your way into heaven. But I believe you can earn your way out of heaven! There is something about trying, worshiping, giving, and leading that does gain favor with God. This is one of the biggest contradictions I see in faith- you don’t have to earn it- you can’t earn grace and forgiveness- but you do have to try to do the best you can. And you see that throughout Paul’s writings as he cautions the people not to go do what they want and then ask for forgiveness- over and over again!

Prayer:
Lord, show me the way to go. Let me live for you in all that I say and all that I do. And when I fail to do that, please forgive me. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 11:18-19
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

Matthew 23:34
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Observation:
Both John and Jesus came to the people with some things that they didn’t want to hear. No one wants to be told they’re wrong- especially if they thing they’re right! So the answer must be “they have a demon.” But look past their words to their actions. That’s where you see the goodness and rightness. The words were right too, but the actions is where you got to see that fact.

Application:
I talk a lot. I enjoy a good conversation- and I know how to listen as well. I’m sure my mouth says many things, and I hope they are all true. But I’m even more hopeful that my actions back up my words. It is hard to always do the right thing, and I know there are times that I fail miserably. But I have other people watching me for the right way to live. If  I want my kids to be good people, I have to set an example. I can’t just tell them how to live and then go live some other way.

Prayer:
Lord, let my words and my actions be a reflection of You to others. Help me not be proud that I am right but pleased that I am not wrong. Let me resist the temptations of this world. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 9:28-29
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;

Observation:
Belief is the key to all the gifts of God. Just like these blind men believed and were granted their sight, we have to believe that God is who He says He is (I AM) and He will do what He promises to do.

Application:
This is one of my biggest challenges. I do believe in God- I do believe He can do anything. But sometimes I don’t believe He will. I tend to ask for things, pray for situations, where I ask God to do something if He wants to. I think I’m leaving a way for my spirit to not be disappointed if it doesn’t happen. And I know you can pray for healing and not get it. I know you can pray and have Him answer “no.” But I need to learn to approach prayer not timidly but boldly. Just ask and believe that He will come through. No, not for a million dollars or for unnecessary things, but for love, goodness, forgiveness, and peace.

Prayer:
Lord, grant me love, peace, goodness, and forgiveness. I know You offer these freely to those who believe- and I do believe. Help me not to carry a troubled and weary heart, but a heart that is so full of Your goodness that it spills out onto others and gives them love and peace as well. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Job 41; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
Job 42:5
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.

Observation:
Job knew all about God. He was as faithful a servant as he could be, but until he saw God’s goodness with his own eyes, he didn’t get the full impact of the awesomeness of the Lord.

Application:
I know a lot about God. I read. I go to Bible study. I go to church. I can have all the knowledge that there is, but if I have not seen God firsthand in my life, it is like knowing all about the Revolutionary War- I may know it but never experience it. And it is a real treat to experience God. He is all around, and it doesn’t take a lot to see Him. Just stop for a minute somewhere and look around. He created everything you see. And when you look at His creation, you see some really amazing things!

Prayer:
Lord, I honor You for who You are. You are truly an amazing God. Thank you for being with us and allowing us to see You through Your creation. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Observation:
Paul says this to the people of Corinth to have them take notice of their actions. Many felt that, since Jesus forgives, they could do whatever they wanted as long as they asked forgiveness for it.

Application:
It isn’t enough just to run to Jesus for forgiveness. If He is truly in your heart, you’ll live each day for Him- at least with an effort to be the best you can be. That doesn’t mean that you’ll never sin, but you’ll not plan to sin just to ask forgiveness for it later. That includes letting people into your life who may help you stray off the path. It is so tempting to think that you’ll change them into someone good, but more often that not, one small thing will lead to something larger.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to know who I need in my life. I do want to help others, lead them to You. But let me be strong enough to withstand coming across someone who may try to lead me away from You. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture that spoke to me:
Job 40:8-10;14
“Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.

Observation:
God is really telling Job that if he can do all these things for himself, then God will agree that Job is as great as God. But if he cannot- and of course he cannot- then God is his creator and will always do what he wants for His creation, no matter how strong or able that creation is. God is always stronger.

Application:
This instills a little fear in me- it also gives me comfort. No matter how strong men think they are- God is stronger. No matter how powerful some leaders are- God is stronger. God will always be able to rule over all and accomplish His goals.

Prayer:
Lord, bless us. I know You have the power to save us from this world- let me be in awe and reverence of that power and also use it as comfort. You are good- Your ways are good, and let Your blessings upon Your people be good. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Observation:
God didn’t make us all alike. You can look around and see that. He didn’t give us the same abilities. He didn’t put us in the same situations, or give us the same parents, or put us in the same country. But he did create us, and He does work in us all.

Application:
This verse is speaking to me today because lately, I’ve been trying to do too much. I’m directing our community chorus Christmas concert which is in three weeks… I work…. I lead children’s worship…. I’m a mom…. I’m a daughter and granddaughter…. and aunt…. and these jobs fill my days. I need to remember that other people can do things, too- maybe better than I can- and learn to delegate some things to them. They may have better skills- a different view- than I do.

Prayer:
Lord, help me look to others as gifted by You. Let me see that together, we can all do Your work better. Amen.

Scripture to read today:

Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Observation:
Eat for God- drink for God- do everything for the glory of God.

Application:
I say grace before most every meal. I am thankful to God for all that He has blessed me with. But I’ve never thought about eating to honor Him. Drinking for the glory of God. I’m usually eating and drinking for my pleasure, or nourishment, or contentment….. I wonder how things are if you eat for God’s glory? Drive a car for God’s glory (bet you’d drive a lot differently!)? Wash dishes for God’s glory? I’m going to hold this verse close this week and see what becomes of it.

Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know that I understand how to eat and drink for You. I know that we are supposed to worship You always, but I’ve never thought about the mundane things we do in our day- bathing, washing dishes, eating- help me do everything for You, Dear Lord. Amen.