November 25, 2020

James 1:14

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

A salesman once told me he went into meetings with the goal of figuring out what the customer really wanted. He said it this way, “What do you want to hear? Because I’m about to say it.” The product he sold wasn’t his focus, but the desires of his customer. If he knew the desire, he could tailor his presentation to show why the customer really should buy from him.

Now we have to think about our actions and growth in godliness differently. I don’t just need to try and change my actions or become more obedient through sheer will power. I need to look at my desires. What am I looking to satisfy by this reaction or overreaction? How amazing that God will lead us around by the promise of satisfaction rather than just the threat of punishment.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to see the desires that lead to my sin. Please teach me how I can always and only be truly satisfied in You.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 10 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 24, 2020

James 1:5-8

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Every time I’ve read these verses, I was challenged to ask God for wisdom with more certainty. He will definitely tell me who I should marry, or where we should live, or when to have kids if I just ask without doubting. But each of those questions break the one rule of the passage. Don’t go to God to get what wisdom should never be used to find.

Wisdom, followed all the way out, will always lead to God. When I come to God to receive wisdom in order to marry the right person or find a job that I will be successful in, I’m abusing wisdom. It’s like using a Lamborghini as table in your garage. Sure, you can set stuff on it, but that’s not what it’s for. God gives you wisdom to bring about all the joy of knowing Him. Are you pursuing Him?

Prayer prompt: Lord, please forgive me for trying to abuse wisdom. Please lead my heart to most desire You.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 10 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 23, 2020

Proverbs 3:19

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

There is a way things work. Amazon’s warehouses overflow with books on the best way to do anything you can think of doing. Writing those books isn’t just for the money. There is an intense thrill in finding the way the universe works. Scientists know parts of that thrill. God’s people know it better.

Wisdom isn’t just how the world works. Wisdom, if followed, will always lead you up and down. She (wisdom is personified as a lady in the Proverbs) will lead you all the way down into your heart and up into Heaven. Wisdom is the answer to every question, even the most important. Get wisdom, and you will know how to have true Joy.

Prayer prompt: Lord, lead me to wisdom so that I can see You.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 9 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 20, 2020

Ephesians 1:7-8

7 In him, we have redemption through this blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight.

Have you heard some people say that all religions teach the same thing? I heard a professor say one time that when someone claims that two religions teach the same thing, that person must not know much about either religion. The teachers and adherents of those religions see the differences. If neither Jesus, Muhammad nor Buddha would call all religions the same, it seems foolish to do so.

Paul knows Jesus from first-hand experience. Paul was a forgiven man. He had experienced the lavish grace that only Jesus offers. There is no other claim like that of biblical Christianity. Trust the word of God that we can be redeemed through the blood of Jesus.

Written by Dan Jenkins 

Prayer prompt: Awesome God, how kind You are to offer a way of redemption and restoration. Impress that upon my heart when I am prone to grumble. May that message of unrestricted grace go out to the farthest corners of the earth and to next door neighbors.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 6 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 19, 2020

Psalm 103:2-3

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

It doesn’t seem possible that we could forget the overwhelming number and quality of good things God has done for us. That is, until you think about why we might be motivated to forget. If I’m in awe of His goodness to me, it is more difficult to go after pleasures He has forbidden. Easier to forget. If I’m humbled by the sheer magnitude of God’s kindness to a sinner who deserves only wrath, it is difficult to feel proud of myself. Easier to hide.

How wise is the Psalmist though. We bless Him and remember first that He does forgive our iniquity. We remember Him who heals even the diseases of pride and a haughty spirit. God is so good, He even heals us up enough to receive His goodness! Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Prayer prompt: Lord, I bless You with everything that is within me.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 5 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 18, 2020

Ephesians 1:6

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Sometimes we hear the word ‘blessed’ and think of finances, or a sweet little old lady giving a “bless your heart”. We hear it when someone sneezes, or just hear the wish from someone that your life goes well. God has much more power than little old ladies. If He calls you blessed, you are blessed indeed. 

This verse refers back to verse 5 about God adopting us as his children. As a follower of Jesus, you were adopted by God before the foundation of the world. No matter how difficult family dynamics are for you now, you can have eternity with a perfect Father and a family from every tribe, tongue, and nation that never cease to worship the God who saves.

Written by: Dan Jenkins 

Prayer prompt: Awesome God, you alone are good. You are unchanging and your perfect love never ceases. Impress that upon my heart and may my love for you overflow to love others with Christlike love.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 17, 2020

James 1:1

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

What would it be like to be the brother of Jesus? It is easy to think of some negatives. How do you compete with Jesus? You’re not going to get better grades or be more attentive at Synagogue. James, the writer of the book of James, was Jesus’ brother. Once Jesus was resurrected and proven to be who He said He was, I’m sure their sibling dynamic changed. Suddenly James had an inside track with God Himself.

Yet when we find James in the New Testament, he doesn’t call himself Jesus’ brother. Here, he calls himself Jesus’ servant. He had come to know Jesus as He truly is. Instead of competing or trying to curry favor, James fell at the feet of his Lord Jesus Christ. If you’ve grown up with the name of Jesus, have you ever really seen Him for who He is? Have you fallen at His feet?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to approach You with the reverence You deserve.

Daily Reading: Hebrews 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 13, 2020

Acts 20:35

35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Have you heard those words before as a kid? I’m not sure if there is an example of any prominent wisdom saying that I believed less. I gave my parents little Christmas gifts we glued together in kids ministry, but the joy in handing off those cotton ball snowmen was nothing like the pleasure in tearing into Christmas gifts. How can it be true?

I hope as you age, you find it to be true. Certainly, watching my loved ones enjoy something is infinitely greater than the pleasure of a new tie or headphones. Love is greater than things. If we can really learn that lesson today and begin to prioritize love over small pleasures then we will begin to really activate as God’s people.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me that Love is a greater blessing than anything else!

Daily Reading: Titus 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 12, 2020

Galatians 4:7

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

I went to college with a guy who drove a nice Audi. I asked a friend how he could drive a car like that in college and was told the guy was heir to a big chicken salad empire. Must be nice. My family never even attempted to build a chicken salad empire. But we are happy never the less.

Money and the luxury that comes along with it aren’t the main point of a family. In family we get identity, love, security, friendship, guidance, and a million other things available to the poorest families in the world. Being heirs with Christ, you can look to the heavenly equivalent of an Audi, but it would be far wiser to begin enjoying now all these other benefits. You are God’s child and He is your Father.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to look to the true value of being Your son and heir with Jesus.

Daily Reading: Titus 2 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 11, 2020

Matthew 7:12

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Okay, but how do you want to be treated? In any given situation, this Golden Rule works perfectly because you have an answer to that question. But if you zoom out a bit and ask about your whole life, how would you like to be treated? I don’t think in a million years we would have come up with how God treats us in Christ.

He invades our rebellion and dazzles us with His perfect life of love and holiness before dying with the words, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do,” on His lips. As eternity-altering as that is, it also sets the Golden Rule in a whole new light. If that love is possible, we will certainly choose to be treated in exactly that way. So that is how we must treat others. We show them lives of increasing obedience to God, covered, smothered and chuck full of love for God and them, then we sacrifice boldly to bring them back to God.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to remember the way You saved me so I will work to save others.

Daily Reading: Titus 1 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 10, 2020

Ephesians 1:5

5 In love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

 Love and family, those words may bring in varying emotions. That may especially be true as the holidays approach. No matter your response to those words, this verse promises infinite enjoyment in the love and family of God. How does that make you feel?

Biblical Christianity is so unique. No other religion has a claim that the God of all power loves you. As a result of that love, God died to make a way for us to be reconciled back to him. Those that trust this loving God can be adopted into the global, historical, and future family of God. What a joy to know and be in the family of a loving heavenly father for the next 10 billion years.

Written by Dan Jenkins

Prayer prompt: Awesome God, your love is unending and available to all. Help me believe that, rest in that, and share that comfort with others.

Daily Reading: 2 Timothy 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 9, 2020

James 1:27
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

It’s not hard to imagine the sad life of the orphan. We need a place to go to for love, safety, and to know who we are. God gave parents as a primary means for that basic level of support. It’s enough to make your heart break when you think about a little child forced to find those things for him or herself.

The Scripture makes another clear argument for why we should care for the orphan: you are one too. You and I have been cut off from God as our source of security, identity, and love. The miracle of Jesus is that God didn’t leave us as orphans. He came to find us and reconcile so we could be together forever. Spend time this morning in reflection and gratitude so that you are ready to care for orphans like you.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to remember the way you saved me so I will trust that you still love me.

Daily Reading: 2 Timothy 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 6, 2020

2 Thessalonians 2:8

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

There’s a common thought in human history that fancy people call dualism. It’s the idea that evil and good both exist and fight; sort of think light and dark side in Star Wars. It’s easy to imagine where we get it. We think of a knight battling a dragon or a soldier fighting for his homeland. Evil has a weight to it, even bone and flesh. But Scripture illuminates that dark idea.

Evil isn’t a thing so much as a twisting. A lie isn’t something in the way a truth is. A lie is a mirror, even a fun-house mirror, of the truth. In just such a way, this lying one of lawlessness who will set himself against God will melt when confronted with the true. We don’t see an epic lightsaber battle here, just Jesus speaking truth and causing the lie to disappear. Join me in longing for that day and seeking truth in our own lives.

Prayer prompt: Lord, wake me up from the enemy’s lies so that I can behold You and marvel.

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 6 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 5, 2020

John 2:18-21
18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

The word temple isn’t one we are used to or comfortable with, but the Jews Jesus spoke with in these verses were very familiar. It was the meeting place of God and men. It was like McDonald’s for old men or the coffee shop for young men. It was were we could gather with God.

Jesus, then, is making a radical statement: He claims to be the Temple. He is the place where we gather with God. In another place in John, He calls Himself the way. If you want to know the Almighty who is the source of every good and perfect thing, you go to Jesus. Spend time with Him in the gospels today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, lead me to Jesus so I can know You.

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 5 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 4, 2020

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

How many times have you been fooled by fake emails? We live in a world that requires a skeptics eye, double verification, and rotating passwords of increasing complexity. Lies and deception are as common in this world as roaches and flies. We need something verifiable to flush out the falsehoods.

Paul lived in that same world. The one who inspires all the deception now was just as hard at work in his day. Paul had to warn against spirits, words, even forged letters. Yet through it all, he reminded the people of the truth which shone through all the darkness. When Jesus comes back, He won’t be easy to miss. When the real thing comes, the false disappears.

Prayer prompt: Father, I trust that You can guard your people and my mind. Teach me to know and trust Your word.

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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November 2, 2020

Ephesians 1:4

…even as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him

How long have you been in the plan of the sovereign God of the universe? According to the Bible, God chose you since before the foundation of the world. I don’t think scientists have a completely accurate date of origin of the world, but let’s suffice to say, that was a long time ago. Why would God choose you, or me?

He chose you, not of your own goodness, but through the saving power of Jesus. How much did we contribute to our own salvation? Well, definitely the sin that we need to be saved from, but beyond that, absolutely nothing. God’s grace is a gift that he gives us, in Christ, for our good and his glory. He saves us so that we will be holy and blameless. Perfect? No. Striving for holiness? Yes, and seeking to bring as many people as possible with us on the journey towards heaven. That is why God chose you.

Written by Dan Jenkins

Prayer prompt: Awesome God, thank you for saving me. Thank you for initiating your perfect plan to redeem me. But God, please don’t let my salvation only be for me. Help me to love others by showing and telling them of your goodness.

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 3 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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October 30, 2020

1 Thessalonians 5:11

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

It’s hard to imagine how the end of all that we’ve ever known would be encouraging. There is a lot wrong with the world, but it is our world. The Christian is supposed to be encouraged by this teaching in the Bible about God shaking out this world and bringing in a new Heaven and a new Earth. We need scripture in order to feel warm and happy when an older Christian confidently reminds us, “This will all end soon.”

But the Bible does exactly that. God tells us that Jesus will call up those who have fallen asleep to be with Him in a resurrection like His. That we who are still working when He comes will be brought into His presence until we go to live with Him in a place He has prepared for us. The chief encouragement is that we will always be with Him. Even when the mountains are thrown into the sea and the sky is ripped open like paper, we will always be with Him.

Prayer prompt: Lord, remind me of Your gospel so I am always excited to be with You forever.

Daily Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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October 29, 2020

Acts 9:3-4

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

It has to be unbelievably hard to go through persecution. We’ve all felt the pain of being an outsider; some of us may have even been hurt physically for being an outsider. But if we become followers of Jesus persecution will come. Stories like this one from the Bible prepare us for those horrible occasions.

Saul had been persecuting the Christians, having just overseen the first killing of one of Christ’s followers. Then Jesus meets him on the road and says, “why are you persecuting me?” Saul killed Stephen, not Jesus. But Jesus is so closely united to His church that He feels our pain as His own. He sees your tears, feels your fears and has promised to make all things right. Continue despite persecution knowing who stands with you.

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me courage as I think about how You stand with me.

Daily Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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October 28, 2020

Matthew 24:36

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Intellectual pride is a scary thing. Our minds are so adaptive and clever that seeming miracles come from the Research and Development departments of companies all over the world. We get in trouble when we react to those advancements with a confident idea that we can understand anything. Then we believe the silly lie that we do or soon will understand everything.

Then we encounter a verse like this where God holds out on us. He tells us only He knows the day and hour and we have to just submit. It requires the humility of a child to trust that God will handle all the important stuff that we can’t handle. But don’t lose sight of the joy of the child who can play and work without a care because Dad’s in charge.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I trust You. Help me to enjoy the humble and care-free life of a beloved child.

Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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October 27, 2020

Ephesians 1:3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

There is so much in this one verse. We agree with Paul that God is to be blessed, that in fact he is the source of all blessing. We agree that God the Father is indeed our Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. But then the verse shifts to us. Have you ever considered how marvelous it is to be considered in the same sentence as God?

We read that we have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Wow! Followers of Jesus are given all, not just some, of the blessings from God, that come from the heavens. If you were to stop and make a list of all the ways God has blessed you, I hope it wouldn’t take long to fill up a page. 

Written by Dan Jenkins

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to count my blessings.

Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4 (Click or tap the Verses to read them on your device)  

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