John 11:30-57 , Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

 

Max Lucado Daily: THE SPIRIT AS A FLOWING RIVER - October 21, 2022

Christianity is on the decline in our country. The number of believers has dropped twelve percent in the last decade. Major depression is on the rise. The increase is found in all age groups but is rising fastest among teens and young adults. The increase in suicide is alarming. According to the federal data on the US suicide rate, it is the highest it has been since World War II.

Yet we have this hope. Revival can come at any moment. At the right hour God will open the floodgate and release his Spirit like a flowing river into society. This was the promise of Jesus. “Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person’s heart’…Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit” (John 7:37-39 NCV).

John 11:30-57

The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him. Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33-34 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?”

34-35 “Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept.

36 The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.”

37 Others among them said, “Well, if he loved him so much, why didn’t he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man.”

38-39 Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”

The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!”

40 Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

41-42 Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.”

They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.”

43-44 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.

Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”

The Man Who Creates God-Signs

45-48 That was a turning point for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. “What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.”

49-52 Then one of them—it was Caiaphas, the designated Chief Priest that year—spoke up, “Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?” He didn’t say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for the nation, and not only for the nation but so that all God’s exile-scattered children might be gathered together into one people.

53-54 From that day on, they plotted to kill him. So Jesus no longer went out in public among the Jews. He withdrew into the country bordering the desert to a town called Ephraim and secluded himself there with his disciples.

55-56 The Jewish Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast. They were curious about Jesus. There was a lot of talk of him among those standing around in the Temple: “What do you think? Do you think he’ll show up at the Feast or not?”

57 Meanwhile, the high priests and Pharisees gave out the word that anyone who knew his whereabouts should inform them. They were all set to arrest him.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion

Friday, October 21, 2022

Today's Scripture

Obadiah 1:8–15

Will I not on that day, declares the Lord,

    destroy the wise men out of Edom,

    and understanding out of Mount Esau?

9 And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman,

    so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.

Edom's Violence Against Jacob

10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob,

    shame shall cover you,

    and you shall be cut off forever.

11 On the day that you stood aloof,

    on the day that strangers carried off his wealth

and foreigners entered his gates

    and cast lots for Jerusalem,

    you were like one of them.

12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother

    in the day of his misfortune;

do not rejoice over the people of Judah

    in the day of their ruin;

do not boast[a]

    in the day of distress.

13 Do not enter the gate of my people

    in the day of their calamity;

do not gloat over his disaster

    in the day of his calamity;

do not loot his wealth

    in the day of his calamity.

14 Do not stand at the crossroads

    to cut off his fugitives;

do not hand over his survivors

    in the day of distress.

The Day of the Lord Is Near

15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.

As you have done, it shall be done to you;

    your deeds shall return on your own head.

Insight

The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s brother Esau, who “despised” his rights as firstborn son of Isaac (Genesis 25:34). Even so, God told the Israelites, “Do not despise an Edomite, for the Edomites are related to you” (Deuteronomy 23:7). But Edom had a history of incivility toward Israel. During the exodus from Egypt, the Edomites denied the Israelites the right to pass peacefully through their land. And in the terrible story recorded in 1 Samuel, it was “Doeg the Edomite” who killed eighty-five of God’s priests when they assisted David during his flight from King Saul (1 Samuel 22:18–19). Their antagonistic and murderous treatment of the people of Israel had a long history.

By: Tim Gustafson

Choosing Compassion

You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune.

Obadiah 1:12

A five-minute montage of snow-related mishaps was the central piece to one episode of a TV show. Home videos of people skiing off rooftops, crashing into objects while tubing, and slipping on ice brought laughter and applause from the studio audience and people watching at home. The laughter seemed to be loudest when it appeared that the people who wiped out deserved it because of their own foolish behavior.

Funny home videos aren’t a bad thing, but they can reveal something about ourselves: we can be prone to laugh at or take advantage of the hardships of others. One such story is recorded in Obadiah about two rival nations, Israel and Edom. When God saw fit to punish Israel for their sin, Edom rejoiced. They took advantage of the Israelites, looted their cities, thwarted their escape, and supported their enemies (Obadiah 1:13–14). A word of warning came through the prophet Obadiah to Edom: “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune,” for “the day of the Lord is near for all nations” (vv. 12, 15).

When we see the challenges or suffering of others, even if it seems they’ve brought it upon themselves, we must choose compassion over pride. We’re not in a position to judge others. Only God can do that. The kingdom of this world belongs to Him (v. 21)—He alone holds the power of justice and mercy.

By:  Karen Pimpo

Reflect & Pray

How do you react to the hardships others face? What does a loving, merciful response look like?

Merciful God, forgive me for my feelings of self-righteousness. Thank You for Your justice and mercy.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Friday, October 21, 2022

Impulsiveness or Discipleship?

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith… —Jude 20

There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman— an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.

Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he “followed Him at a distance” on dry land (Mark 14:54). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises— human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God— but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people— and this is not learned in five minutes.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

We must keep ourselves in touch, not with theories, but with people, and never get out of touch with human beings, if we are going to use the word of God skilfully amongst them.  Workmen of God, 1341 L

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft

Friday, October 21, 2022

WHY YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIFT - #9335

I knew about lighthouses. I never knew about lightships though, until I visited Nantucket, that charming old island that's about 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. In the harbor there. You now can tour the retired Lightship Nantucket. But before the development of modern navigational technology, the work of that ship actually saved a lot of lives. See, there are deadly shoals that extend south of Nantucket, and the main shipping lanes to New York City run right along the outer edge in what's called the Ambrose Channel. Now, for many decades, the Lightship Nantucket was stationed at the eastern approach to the channel - at what was called the "Times Square of the Atlantic." Well, she dared not leave her position there - because all ship navigation was fixed on that lightship. If the lightship moved, every ship would follow her - possibly to disaster.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Why You Can't Afford to Drift."

Now, to put you and me in this picture, and believe me we're in it, we have to go to our word for today from the Word of God. In Matthew 5:16-18, Jesus tells us: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Now, you don't have to be a great theologian to get this message. If you belong to Jesus, you are a light for the people around you. Maybe it's really dark where you're the light. Well, that's OK. The darker the darkness gets, the more the light shows up. And it only takes a little light to make a big difference in a dark room. Now, here's the problem: if the light starts drifting, all the people who are watching your light will drift with you - possibly to disaster.

See, whether or not you realize it, there are people watching your light. Oh, maybe it's your child, your coworkers, a Christian brother or sister. It might be some family members, folks you minister with. And for any person in your world who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you are the lighthouse or the lightship that may be their only hope of finding their way to heaven. If the light fails, if the light drifts, they will sail right into an eternity you don't even want to think about.

For the sake of the people who are watching your light, you can't afford to drift into negativity, or criticism, or cynicism, or some rebellious attitude. They will follow you there. If you drift into selfishness, or carelessness about what you look at or listen to. If you drift into gossip, or discouragement, or compromise, it won't be just you going there. No, you're affecting other people's course every day. Don't lead them toward the rocks. You've got to hold your position. You're the light!

Maybe you've been covering up your light where you are. You never tell anyone what you know about Jesus Christ. Or maybe you've turned off your light by doing things that actually discredit your Jesus to those who are basing their opinion of Him on you. Paul said to one group, "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles (that's the unbelievers) because of you." (Romans 2:24) Don't let that be you. Don't be a reason that someone doesn't come to Jesus because of the contradictions in your life.

A drifting light could cost lives. If you go off on a little detour or take a timeout, you will drag others along with you. You are the light! Stay anchored in Jesus, and never stop pointing people to Him!

Psalm 35, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: TRUST THE ANOINTING - October 20, 2022

You have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. God offers this anointing to all of us. When you pray, preach, prophesy, or live out your faith, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit’s presence. Lean into him. You grow weary, but the Spirit never does. Your understanding is limited, but the Spirit has unsearchable wisdom. And because he is in you, you have power that you would never have had without him.

The Spirit will give you whatever you need to do the holy work he has called you to do. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is God’s will for you: “I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16 NCV). God poured his Spirit upon you! Receive him. Believe him. And trust in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 35

Harass these hecklers, God,

    punch these bullies in the nose.

Grab a weapon, anything at hand;

    stand up for me!

Get ready to throw the spear, aim the javelin,

    at the people who are out to get me.

Reassure me; let me hear you say,

    “I’ll save you.”

4-8 When those thugs try to knife me in the back,

    make them look foolish.

Frustrate all those

    who are plotting my downfall.

Make them like cinders in a high wind,

    with God’s angel working the bellows.

Make their road lightless and mud-slick,

    with God’s angel on their tails.

Out of sheer cussedness they set a trap to catch me;

    for no good reason they dug a ditch to stop me.

Surprise them with your ambush—

    catch them in the very trap they set,

    the disaster they planned for me.

9-10 But let me run loose and free,

    celebrating God’s great work,

Every bone in my body laughing, singing, “God,

    there’s no one like you.

You put the down-and-out on their feet

    and protect the unprotected from bullies!”

11-12 Hostile accusers appear out of nowhere,

    they stand up and badger me.

They pay me back misery for mercy,

    leaving my soul empty.

13-14 When they were sick, I dressed in black;

    instead of eating, I prayed.

My prayers were like lead in my gut,

    like I’d lost my best friend, my brother.

I paced, distraught as a motherless child,

    hunched and heavyhearted.

15-16 But when I was down

    they threw a party!

All the nameless misfits of the town came

    chanting insults about me.

Like barbarians desecrating a shrine,

    they destroyed my reputation.

17-18 God, how long are you going

    to stand there doing nothing?

Save me from their brutalities;

    everything I’ve got is being thrown to the lions.

I will give you full credit

    when everyone gathers for worship;

When the people turn out in force

    I will say my Hallelujahs.

19-21 Don’t let these liars, my enemies,

    have a party at my expense,

Those who hate me for no reason,

    winking and rolling their eyes.

No good is going to come

    from that crowd;

They spend all their time cooking up gossip

    against those who mind their own business.

They open their mouths

    in ugly grins,

Mocking, “Ha-ha, ha-ha, thought you’d get away with it?

    We’ve caught you hands down!”

22 Don’t you see what they’re doing, God?

    You’re not going to let them

Get by with it, are you? Not going to walk off

    without doing something, are you?

23-26 Please get up—wake up! Tend to my case.

    My God, my Lord—my life is on the line.

Do what you think is right, God, my God,

    but don’t make me pay for their good time.

Don’t let them say to themselves,

    “Ha-ha, we got what we wanted.”

Don’t let them say,

    “We’ve chewed him up and spit him out.”

Let those who are being hilarious

    at my expense

Be made to look ridiculous.

    Make them wear donkey’s ears;

Pin them with the donkey’s tail,

    who made themselves so high and mighty!

27-28 But those who want

    the best for me,

Let them have the last word—a glad shout!—

    and say, over and over and over,

“God is great—everything works

    together for good for his servant.”

I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,

    I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Today's Scripture

Exodus 2:1–10

Moses

A man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman. The woman became pregnant and had a son. She saw there was something special about him and hid him. She hid him for three months. When she couldn’t hide him any longer she got a little basket-boat made of papyrus, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in it. Then she set it afloat in the reeds at the edge of the Nile.

4-6 The baby’s older sister found herself a vantage point a little way off and watched to see what would happen to him. Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the Nile to bathe; her maidens strolled on the bank. She saw the basket-boat floating in the reeds and sent her maid to get it. She opened it and saw the child—a baby crying! Her heart went out to him. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”

7 Then his sister was before her: “Do you want me to go and get a nursing mother from the Hebrews so she can nurse the baby for you?”

8 Pharaoh’s daughter said, “Yes. Go.” The girl went and called the child’s mother.

9 Pharaoh’s daughter told her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me. I’ll pay you.” The woman took the child and nursed him.

10 After the child was weaned, she presented him to Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted him as her son. She named him Moses (Pulled-Out), saying, “I pulled him out of the water.”

Insight

Names are important in the Bible, and Moses’ name is no exception. When Pharaoh’s daughter named him, it honored both his Hebrew origin and his soon-to-be Egyptian upbringing. In Egyptian, Moses may relate to the word for “son.” Yet Moses also sounds like the Hebrew word translated “to draw out,” which the author of Exodus connected to Moses coming out of the water (Exodus 2:10). Even more intriguing, however, is that Moses’ name doesn’t mean “drawn out,” but “the one who draws out.” The name Pharaoh’s daughter gave the little infant looked forward to the redemptive work God would accomplish through him when he was fully grown. By: Jed Ostoich

God in the Details

She saw the basket among the reeds and . . . she opened it and saw the baby. Exodus 2:5–6

It had been an awful week for Kevin and Kimberley. Kevin’s seizures had suddenly worsened, and he’d been hospitalized. Amid the pandemic, their four young children—siblings adopted from foster care—were taking cabin fever to a new extreme. On top of that, Kimberley couldn’t scrounge up a decent meal from the fridge. Oddly, at that moment, she craved carrots.

An hour later, there was a knock at the door. There stood their friends Amanda and Andy with an entire meal she’d prepared for the family. Including carrots.

They say the devil is in the details? No. An amazing story in the history of the Jewish people shows God is in the details. Pharaoh had commanded, “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile” (Exodus 1:22). That genocidal development turned on a remarkable detail. Moses’ mother did indeed “throw” her baby into the Nile, albeit with a strategy. And from the Nile, Pharaoh’s own daughter would rescue the baby whom God used to rescue His people. She would even pay Moses’ mother to nurse him! (2:9).

One day from this fledgling Jewish nation would come a promised baby boy. His story would abound with amazing details and divine ironies. Most importantly, Jesus would provide an exodus out of our slavery to sin.

Even—especially—in the dark times, God is in the details. As Kimberley will tell you, “God brought me carrots!” By:  Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray

What stories can you tell where you’ve seen God in the details? How did that help strengthen your faith?

Thank You, Father, that You show up in the little things as well as the big things.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Is God’s Will My Will?

This is the will of God, your sanctification… —1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and to let His life be exhibited in my human flesh? (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). Beware of saying, “Oh, I am longing to be sanctified.” No, you are not. Recognize your need, but stop longing and make it a matter of action. Receive Jesus Christ to become sanctification for you by absolute, unquestioning faith, and the great miracle of the atonement of Jesus will become real in you.

All that Jesus made possible becomes mine through the free and loving gift of God on the basis of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound, humble holiness (there is no such thing as proud holiness). It is a holiness based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him (see Romans 5:8). He completed everything for my salvation and sanctification. No wonder Paul said that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Defenders of the faith are inclined to be bitter until they learn to walk in the light of the Lord. When you have learned to walk in the light of the Lord, bitterness and contention are impossible. Biblical Psychology, 199 R

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft

Thursday, October 20, 2022

HOW TO RECYCLE THE GARBAGE OF YOUR LIFE - #9334

The first time I ever flew into New York City, the man who picked me up said, "Well, you just landed on the garbage of New York." I said, "What do you mean by that?" He said, "Well, you see, LaGuardia Airport is built on landfill. Years ago all these garbage trucks hauled all this garbage from New York out here and built a place where there's now an airport." I was impressed. I thought, "You know, it's amazing what engineers can do. I mean, they made something very useful out of garbage." Did you know there's a cosmic engineer who put the galaxies together, and He's a genius at making something useful out of garbage.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "How to Recycle the Garbage of Your Life."

Our word for today from the Word of God is found in Psalm 51. It's a very, very touching psalm because the point at which David is writing it. He has sinned the great sin of adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers. He's then arranged for the murder at the battle front of this friend - her husband. And we now find him groping his way back to the Lord, repenting and seeking forgiveness.

I guess if I were to title this psalm it might be called David at the Dump, because he's really facing a garbage situation - the garbage of his life. Listen to some excerpts from this psalm. "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Let me hear joy and gladness. Let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners will turn back to You."

See, David knows where to begin in cleaning up the garbage of our lives. You've got to acknowledge its ugliness, and he has. And he says, "Now, Lord, I'm counting on You. Please clean it up; give me a new kind of purity. And then give me a determined, steadfast spirit. I've learned from this, God. I'm not going to make these mistakes again. And give me back my joy better than ever."

But notice the result. He said, "As a result of that, God is going to make the garbage of my life into a ministry. Because he said, "I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners will turn back to You." Now, there's a pretty exciting concept to recognize that God can take the garbage of a sin-scarred life and convert it into credentials of His grace.

It happened to the Apostle Paul. As Saul of Tarsus, he murdered Christians, he imprisoned them. His violent past later opened many doors. He came to people and they said, "Woah! You mean you are a follower of Christ?" God turned that garbage into something very useful. It opened doors; it opened hearts. How many times have I heard people say, "You know, after what I've been through, I wouldn't want to go through it again, and I wouldn't want anyone else to. But I can have a ministry to people who are where I was."

Look, maybe you've been a victim of sin. I think of Joan who was abused by her father. But she resolved that relationship; she learned to forgive and love him, and this lady? Man, she's having an amazing ministry to people who were sinned against in the same way. Now, that's not an excuse to play in the garbage. It's far better never to have been there. But just ask anyone who's been there. But if there's garbage in your past, bring it to the Lord Jesus. Bring it to the cross where He paid for it all. Let Him forgive you and clean you up. And use the junk of your past for the good of many others.

Only Jesus could do that. It took His death on the cross to so beat the power and penalty of our sin that He can now offer us forgiveness and meaning, and turn our past into an incredible future. This could be the day that you leave all the sin, all the junk, all the garbage of a lifetime at His cross. And say, "Jesus, forgive me. I believe You died for me. I'm Yours."

I think our website could help you begin that relationship. It's ANewStory.com. The song writer said, "All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life."

Psalm 31, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: BASK IN THE BLESSING - October 19, 2022

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because he teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error]” (1 John 2:20 AMP).

From the perspective of heaven, the gift of the Spirit is the greatest gift imaginable. Jesus told his followers that it was to their advantage for him to go away. His departure would trigger the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Jesus limited himself to a physical body. He could be in only one place at one time. The Holy Spirit, however, can be everywhere all the time. There is no place that he is not!

God has decreed you to be special to him. He has soaked you with himself. Bask in this blessing.

Psalm 31

I run to you, God; I run for dear life.

    Don’t let me down!

    Take me seriously this time!

Get down on my level and listen,

    and please—no procrastination!

Your granite cave a hiding place,

    your high cliff nest a place of safety.

3-5 You’re my cave to hide in,

    my cliff to climb.

Be my safe leader,

    be my true mountain guide.

Free me from hidden traps;

    I want to hide in you.

I’ve put my life in your hands.

    You won’t drop me,

    you’ll never let me down.

6-13 I hate all this silly religion,

    but you, God, I trust.

I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love;

    you saw my pain,

    you disarmed my tormentors,

You didn’t leave me in their clutches

    but gave me room to breathe.

Be kind to me, God—

    I’m in deep, deep trouble again.

I’ve cried my eyes out;

    I feel hollow inside.

My life leaks away, groan by groan;

    my years fade out in sighs.

My troubles have worn me out,

    turned my bones to powder.

To my enemies I’m a monster;

    I’m ridiculed by the neighbors.

My friends are horrified;

    they cross the street to avoid me.

They want to blot me from memory,

    forget me like a corpse in a grave,

    discard me like a broken dish in the trash.

The street-talk gossip has me

    “criminally insane”!

Behind locked doors they plot

    how to ruin me for good.

14-18 Desperate, I throw myself on you:

    you are my God!

Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,

    safe from the hands out to get me.

Warm me, your servant, with a smile;

    save me because you love me.

Don’t embarrass me by not showing up;

    I’ve given you plenty of notice.

Embarrass the wicked, stand them up,

    leave them stupidly shaking their heads

    as they drift down to hell.

Gag those loudmouthed liars

    who heckle me, your follower,

    with jeers and catcalls.

19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up

    for those who worship you,

Ready and waiting for all who run to you

    to escape an unkind world.

You hide them safely away

    from the opposition.

As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces,

    you silence the poisonous gossip.

Blessed God!

    His love is the wonder of the world.

Trapped by a siege, I panicked.

    “Out of sight, out of mind,” I said.

But you heard me say it,

    you heard and listened.

23 Love God, all you saints;

    God takes care of all who stay close to him,

But he pays back in full

    those arrogant enough to go it alone.

24 Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.

    Expect God to get here soon.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Today's Scripture

Psalm 64

Listen and help, O God.

    I’m reduced to a whine

And a whimper, obsessed

    with feelings of doomsday.

2-6 Don’t let them find me—

    the conspirators out to get me,

Using their tongues as weapons,

    flinging poison words,

    poison-tipped arrow-words.

They shoot from ambush,

    shoot without warning,

    not caring who they hit.

They keep fit doing calisthenics

    of evil purpose,

They keep lists of the traps

    they’ve secretly set.

They say to each other,

    “No one can catch us,

    no one can detect our perfect crime.”

The Detective detects the mystery

    in the dark of the cellar heart.

7-8 The God of the Arrow shoots!

    They double up in pain,

Fall flat on their faces

    in full view of the grinning crowd.

9-10 Everyone sees it. God’s

    work is the talk of the town.

Be glad, good people! Fly to God!

    Good-hearted people, make praise your habit.

Insight

David had many ruthless enemies who conspired against him and threatened his life. He wrote Psalms 52–64 to describe his fears and sufferings and his trust in God to deal with his enemies and protect him and keep him safe. Psalm 64 is the last of these testimonies. In this psalm, David wrote of the harm and the hurt he faced when his enemies spoke falsehood and evil against him (vv. 1–6). Believing God would come to his rescue, he spoke of God vindicating him and punishing these evildoers (vv. 7–9). David turned to God as his refuge and safe place (v. 10). In the New Testament, Paul advocated a similar response regarding our enemies: “Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19 nlt).

By: K. T. Sim

Reasons to Rejoice

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

Psalm 64:10

When Ms. Glenda walked into the church commons area, her infectious joy filled the room. She had just recovered from a difficult medical procedure. As she approached me for our usual after-church greeting, I thanked God for all the times over the years that she’s wept with me, gently corrected me, and offered encouragement. She’s even asked for forgiveness when she’s thought she’s hurt my feelings. Whatever the situation, she always invites me to share my struggles honestly and reminds me that we have many reasons to praise God. 

Mama Glenda, as she lets me call her, wrapped me in a gentle hug. “Hi, Baby,” she said. We enjoyed a short conversation and prayed together. Then she left—humming and singing as always, looking for someone else to bless.

In Psalm 64, David boldly approached God with his complaints and concerns (v. 1). He voiced his frustrations about the wickedness he saw around him (vv. 2–6). He didn't lose confidence in God’s power or the reliability of His promises (vv. 7–9). He knew that one day, “The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!” (v. 10).

As we wait for Jesus’ return, we’ll face tough times. But we’ll always have reasons to rejoice in every day God has made.

By:  Xochitl Dixon

Reflect & Pray

What reasons has God given you to rejoice today? How can you encourage someone who may feel discouraged?

Almighty God, thank You for giving me so many reasons to rejoice as I celebrate who You are, what You’ve done, and all You’ve promised to do.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

The Unheeded Secret

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world." —John 18:36

The great enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ today is the idea of practical work that has no basis in the New Testament but comes from the systems of the world. This work insists upon endless energy and activities, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation….For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). It is a hidden, obscure thing. An active Christian worker too often lives to be seen by others, while it is the innermost, personal area that reveals the power of a person’s life.

We must get rid of the plague of the spirit of this religious age in which we live. In our Lord’s life there was none of the pressure and the rushing of tremendous activity that we regard so highly today, and a disciple is to be like His Master. The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.

It is not the practical activities that are the strength of this Bible Training College— its entire strength lies in the fact that here you are immersed in the truths of God to soak in them before Him. You have no idea of where or how God is going to engineer your future circumstances, and no knowledge of what stress and strain is going to be placed on you either at home or abroad. And if you waste your time in overactivity, instead of being immersed in the great fundamental truths of God’s redemption, then you will snap when the stress and strain do come. But if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in Him, which may appear to be impractical, then you will remain true to Him whatever happens.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

It is an easy thing to argue from precedent because it makes everything simple, but it is a risky thing to do. Give God “elbow room”; let Him come into His universe as He pleases. If we confine God in His working to religious people or to certain ways, we place ourselves on an equality with God.  Baffled to Fight Better, 51 L

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

We know well all about the World Trade Center and what happened on that September 11th. But there's those personal stories that put a face on it even to this day. I saw a particularly moving first-person story of one woman who miraculously survived the collapse of the North Tower that awful day. She tried to make her way down the long stairwell from her office on the 64th floor. She got to the 13th floor. That's when the entire tower began to crumble. She fell to the ground as the building continued to literally collapse around her. She dropped 13 floors and ended up with her head pinned between two concrete pillars and her legs trapped in a staircase. She said, "I saw that no one came, and I wasn't hearing any noises around me. So I thought, 'I'm going to die here. I'm going to see myself slowly die here.'"

The young mother; well, she prayed, she slept, she prayed some more. And at one point, she just asked God for a miracle. That's when she heard noises. She yelled out, and someone answered back. She had been trapped under tons of debris for 27 hours. Here's how she described what happened next: "I took a piece of concrete. I kocked the stair above me. And when they heard the knocking, they started to come closer. And then I put my hands through a little crack in the ceiling, and I felt the person hold my hand. The fireman found my hand and he said, 'I've got you.' And I said, 'Thank God.'" She was the last person pulled alive from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Most Lasting Thing You'll Ever Do."

There's no scene more powerful than a rescue. Whether it's a firefighter pulling someone out of tons of debris or a spiritual rescuer leading someone from an eternity without hope into the life that only Jesus can give. Someone will live instead of dying because someone else took the risks to go in for the rescue.

If you've been rescued by Jesus, then your orders couldn't be more clear. Listen to our word for today. The Word of God says in Jude 23, "Save others by snatching them from the fire." See, someone snatched you from the fire of God's judgment. Now it's your turn to rescue some folks within your reach who have not yet grabbed the hand of Jesus; who may not even know He's extending His hand.

I'm not saying it's easy to tell someone about Jesus. I mean, when has rescuing someone ever been easy? When has there been a rescue that didn't involve the rescuer taking risks, going beyond where it's safe? So many fears keep us from telling the people we know about Jesus; the fear of being rejected - you know the fears; the fear of messing it up. The fear of not knowing all the answers.

But there needs to be a fear greater than any of those. You know what that fear is? That's the fear of this person we know spending all eternity in hell, forever away from God. It's that fear of losing someone forever that finally says, "I can't hold back any longer. If I don't go in, they may die. If I do go in, they have a chance to live."

The man who rescued that young woman from the World Trade Center debris? Well, first he had to touch her. You need to be doing whatever it takes to touch the life of someone that you hope to take to heaven with you. Build that relationship. Take time for them. Go out of your way to get to know them. Find ways to serve them, to show love to them in their language. Be there for them in critical moments. Touch them so you can save them.

And ask the Lord, who is ultimately the One who rescues every person, to open up natural opportunities for you to explain your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I've talked before about the three-open prayer. "Lord, open a door. Lord, open their heart. Lord, open my mouth."

There is someone in your personal world right now whose life, in a very real way, depends on you every bit as much as a trapped young woman's life depended on that firefighter who risked to save her. And there is no greater thrill, there is no greater joy than being able to reach out to a lost person and to be able to say "I've got you" and to help them move from death to life.

John 11:1-29, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: ANOINTED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD - October 18, 2022

Anointing oil is a metaphor for the Spirit of God. “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts…” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV). God poured out upon you the power-providing, heart-healing oil of the Holy Spirit.

The verb pour deserves to be highlighted. God does not distribute the Spirit with an eyedropper or a tablespoon. He douses us with himself. Do you understand what happened on the day of your conversion? Yes, grace covered you. Yes, the tent of God’s sovereignty was stretched over you. Yes, the pathway to heaven was laid out before you. And yes, you were anointed by the Holy Spirit. You have been consecrated for a holy work.

John 11:1-29

The Death of Lazarus

A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord’s feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Master, the one you love so very much is sick.”

4 When Jesus got the message, he said, “This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.”

5-7 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”

8 They said, “Rabbi, you can’t do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you’re going back?”

9-10 Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn’t stumble because there’s plenty of light from the sun. Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can’t see where he’s going.”

11 He said these things, and then announced, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up.”

12-13 The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.” Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.

14-15 Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”

16 That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, “Come along. We might as well die with him.”

17-20 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.

21-22 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”

23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”

24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”

25-26 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”

28 After saying this, she went to her sister Mary and whispered in her ear, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”

29-32 The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him. Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Today's Scripture

2 Corinthians 12:1–10

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Insight

In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul continued his reluctant “boasting” he began in the previous chapter to counteract the claims of the “super apostles,” false teachers who were misleading the Corinthians by preaching “a Jesus other than the Jesus [Paul] preached” (11:4). In chapter 12, he tells of a time years earlier when he’d been “caught up to the third heaven” (v. 2), or paradise, the place of God’s throne. According to ancient Jewish belief, there were three heavens. The first heaven was the earth’s atmosphere (winds and clouds) and the second consisted of the sun, moon, and stars.

By: Alyson Kieda

Beyond Words

This man . . . heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:3–4

Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was one of the church’s most celebrated defenders of the faith. Yet just three months before his death, something caused him to leave unfinished his Summa Theologica, the massive legacy of his life’s work. While reflecting on the broken body and shed blood of his Savior, Aquinas claimed to see a vision that left him without words. He said, “I can write no more. I have seen things that make my writings seem like straw.”

Before Aquinas, Paul too had a vision. In 2 Corinthians, he described the experience: “[I]—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things” (12:3–4).  

Paul and Aquinas left us to reflect on an ocean of goodness that neither words nor reason can express. The implications of what Aquinas saw left him without hope of finishing his work in a way that would do justice to a God who sent His Son to be crucified for us. By contrast, Paul continued to write, but he did so in the awareness of what he couldn’t express or finish in his own strength.

In all the troubles Paul encountered in service to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:16–33; 12:8–9), he could look back and see, in his weakness, a grace and goodness beyond words and wonder. 

By:  Mart DeHaan

Reflect & Pray

What problem have you had that seemed like a curse? How have you seen God show Himself good to you in ways you can’t describe?

Father in heaven, please give me the courage today to look for an inexpressible sense of Your presence and strength in my weakness.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

The Key to the Missionary’s Devotion

…they went forth for His name’s sake… —3 John 7

Our Lord told us how our love for Him is to exhibit itself when He asked, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17). And then He said, “Feed My sheep.” In effect, He said, “Identify yourself with My interests in other people,” not, “Identify Me with your interests in other people.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 shows us the characteristics of this love— it is actually the love of God expressing itself. The true test of my love for Jesus is a very practical one, and all the rest is sentimental talk.

Faithfulness to Jesus Christ is the supernatural work of redemption that has been performed in me by the Holy Spirit— “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 5:5). And it is that love in me that effectively works through me and comes in contact with everyone I meet. I remain faithful to His name, even though the commonsense view of my life may seemingly deny that, and may appear to be declaring that He has no more power than the morning mist.

The key to the missionary’s devotion is that he is attached to nothing and to no one except our Lord Himself. It does not mean simply being detached from the external things surrounding us. Our Lord was amazingly in touch with the ordinary things of life, but He had an inner detachment except toward God. External detachment is often an actual indication of a secret, growing, inner attachment to the things we stay away from externally.

The duty of a faithful missionary is to concentrate on keeping his soul completely and continually open to the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. The men and women our Lord sends out on His endeavors are ordinary human people, but people who are controlled by their devotion to Him, which has been brought about through the work of the Holy Spirit.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

We are not fundamentally free; external circumstances are not in our hands, they are in God’s hands, the one thing in which we are free is in our personal relationship to God. We are not responsible for the circumstances we are in, but we are responsible for the way we allow those circumstances to affect us; we can either allow them to get on top of us, or we can allow them to transform us into what God wants us to be.  Conformed to His Image, 354 L

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 53-55; 2 Thessalonians 1

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

YOUR SAFE ROOM IN YOUR STORM - #9332

Even the reporters choked up. That monster tornado tore up in Moore, Oklahoma, tore at our hearts: houses gone, neighborhoods gone, schools gone, children - gone.

Even though it was several years ago, I still remember the pictures. People were wandering the streets "like zombies," it said, trying to figure out where their house was. Parents waited in the mud, looking for some shred of hope that their child was somehow alive beneath the rubble of that school. Children were in shelters, wondering if they'd ever see their parents again. I'll tell you, the photos, the stories, and the video images defied words. Some of them struck a pretty deep chord in my heart.

Like the team from Joplin, Missouri, who hurried there to help people in a way that only they could. See, a few years before, it was part of their town that vanished in one of the deadliest twisters ever. They know how having your world erased in a moment feels.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Safe Room in Your Storm."

It's strange isn't it? The worst things that happen to us become the compassion and the comfort that we have to give to other wounded people. Those who've been hurt become heroes of healing for others who are bleeding. As the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:4, "We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." Somehow our pain has meaning when we use it to rebuild someone else's life. I call it crud-entials. How the crud of your life qualifies you to help a hurting world.

I was touched, too, by the directive given by the rescuers at the leveled Plaza Towers Elementary School. Knowing there were children in that rubble, the first responders asked everyone to just be quiet, "So we can listen for voices." That's what I want to be better at; stopping the chatter so I can listen for the voices of people in trouble. They're all around us, if we have ears to hear their cries. They've been buried by one of life's violent storms. It's easy to miss them if we're running so fast we run right by them. God, help me listen for their voices.

Now the stories of the hero teachers there surfaced on every newscast. Like the teacher at Briarwood Elementary who knew what the approaching tornado could do to those children she loved. So she told them, "We're going to line up our desks, get under them and play 'Worms.'" And they sang real loud - a little song I sang as a kid. "Jesus loves me, this I know." It's good to know when your world is falling down around you isn't it? The roof of the school ended up on top of their desks and they were OK.

Then there were the teachers who threw their bodies over their students' bodies; abandoning themselves, risking their lives to save their children. For me, that's the man whose sacrifice has changed my life. "Jesus loves me, this I know."

I'm still thinking about the woman who got her kids from the soon-to-be demolished school just in time, and reached her home just in time to get everyone into their recently-built safe room. It was all that was left when the storm passed by. I loved what she said about rebuilding her house. "I'll build it around the safe room." That's a good idea. Not just for a house, but for a life.

There are so many sudden storms aren't there, so many life-changers that are beyond our control? We need a safe room where the storm that takes so much can't take you; an unshakeable eternity, an unloseable love.

Well in our word for today from the Word of God in Hebrews 6:19, God says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." The Bible's talking about Jesus. He's my one Safe Place. Storms have taken their toll to be sure, but I'm OK, because He never let me go. I know He never will, because He hung on a cross for my sin and for yours.

See, these news stories remind us of how fragile life is, how much a storm can change things. Jesus offers you today, not a religion, but a relationship that anchors you forever. So, I want to invite you to join me at our website, where you can see how to begin a relationship with Him today. Go to ANewStory.com and you know what you'll find there? The one anchor that never moves.

Psalm 29, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT - October 17, 2022

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NRSV).

When the fire of the Spirit seems to flicker, what can we do? One of the most practical answers has to do with the importance of the church. The church is far from perfect. Even so, the church is the campfire that God uses to keep us kindled. Fire is a protective element. The eastern shepherd would surround his fold at night with a wall of fire, keeping the wild beasts out and the sheep safe within. The fire of the Spirit deflects a thousand temptations. He loves you too much to leave you unguarded, so welcome his help. He will purify, refine, energize, and protect. No one can do more than He.

Psalm 29

Bravo, God, bravo!

    Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”

In awe before the glory,

    in awe before God’s visible power.

Stand at attention!

    Dress your best to honor him!

3 God thunders across the waters,

Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—

God, across the flood waters.

4 God’s thunder tympanic,

God’s thunder symphonic.

5 God’s thunder smashes cedars,

God topples the northern cedars.

6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,

The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

7-8 God’s thunder spits fire.

God thunders, the wilderness quakes;

He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

9 God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing

A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.

We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

10 Above the floodwaters is God’s throne

    from which his power flows,

    from which he rules the world.

11 God makes his people strong.

God gives his people peace.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion

Monday, October 17, 2022

Today's Scripture

Genesis 1:1–4

The Beginning

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Insight

Genesis means “origin.” Jewish scholars used this Greek title in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. The Hebrew title Bereshith is taken from the first word in the Hebrew text: “In the beginning (bereshith)” (Genesis 1:1). Bereshith simply means “beginnings” or “what is first.” Genesis, the book of many “firsts,” tells of the primeval history of the world in general (chs. 1–11) and the patriarchal history of the people of Israel in particular (chs. 12–50). While not in any agreement concerning the specific dates for the primeval history, scholars suggest that Abraham (ch. 12) moved to Canaan some two thousand years before Christ. Genesis is God’s account of the beginnings of the universe, the human race, and sin. It provides the background for His plan to save humanity through one family (3:15), the descendants of Abraham (12:1–2).

By: K. T. Sim

God Spoke

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:3

In 1876, inventor Alexander Graham Bell spoke the very first words on a telephone. He called his assistant, Thomas Watson, saying, “Watson, come here. I want to see you.” Crackly and indistinct, but intelligible, Watson heard what Bell had said. The first words spoken by Bell over a phone line proved that a new day for human communication had dawned.

Establishing the dawn of the first day into the “formless and empty” earth (Genesis 1:2), God spoke His first words recorded in Scripture: “Let there be light” (v. 3). These words were filled with creative power. He spoke, and what He declared came into existence (Psalm 33:6, 9). God said, “let there be light” and so it was. His words produced immediate victory as darkness and chaos gave way to the brilliance of light and order. Light was God’s answer to the dominance of darkness. And when He had created the light, He saw that it “was good” (Genesis 1:4).  

God’s first words continue to be powerful in the lives of believers in Jesus. With the dawning of each new day, it’s as if God is restating His spoken words in our lives. When darkness—literally and metaphorically—gives way to the brilliance of His light, may we praise Him and acknowledge that He’s called out to us and truly sees us.

By:  Marvin Williams

Reflect & Pray

When dawn breaks through the darkness, how will you celebrate God’s love and faithfulness? How has God’s light opened your eyes to see Him?

Creator of Light, I praise You for dispelling the darkness of this world—opening my eyes to You and Your presence in my life.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Monday, October 17, 2022

The Key of the Greater Work

…I say to you, he who believes in Me,…greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. —John 14:12

Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work. Yet we think of prayer as some commonsense exercise of our higher powers that simply prepares us for God’s work. In the teachings of Jesus Christ, prayer is the working of the miracle of redemption in me, which produces the miracle of redemption in others, through the power of God. The way fruit remains firm is through prayer, but remember that it is prayer based on the agony of Christ in redemption, not on my own agony. We must go to God as His child, because only a child gets his prayers answered; a “wise” man does not (see Matthew 11:25).

Prayer is the battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your duty is to pray. Never allow yourself this thought, “I am of no use where I am,” because you certainly cannot be used where you have not yet been placed. Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…” (John 14:13). Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. We must learn to work according to God’s direction, and He says to pray. “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person’s work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God’s perspective there are always results. What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Am I becoming more and more in love with God as a holy God, or with the conception of an amiable Being who says, “Oh well, sin doesn’t matter much”?  Disciples Indeed, 389 L

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 5

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft

Monday, October 17, 2022

THE SECRET OF FINISHING YOUR RACE - #9331

If you're into college sports, it's always a big day. If you're into professional sports, it's always a big day. Some call it Alumni Day or Old Timers' Day. Whatever you call it, it's the time a lot of those who played on that very same field come back to cheer on the men and women who are today's players. If you're a player and the game is tough, glance up there in the stands. You'll see some people up there who know how you feel, who've played the game you're playing, who've gone against that same opponent, and who are up there right now, screaming their lungs out for you. They just really want you to win!

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Secret of Finishing Your Race."

That picture of the alumni in the stands, rooting for the ones who are wearing the uniform today? That's the inspiring picture that God gives us for those times when our game is tough. It's in Hebrews 12:1-2, our word for today from the Word of God, and maybe it's God's personal encouragement note for you today.

Here we go. "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." So, the image here is one of an Olympic runner, running his race, encircled by thousands of cheering spectators in the stadium. The cheering crowd here is people who've gone before us who are watching us run the same race they have run successfully before us. And you know they've got to be cheering for you: "Don't give up now, man. Don't drop out. No, don't go off on that detour. Don't let that thing trip you up, man. Don't drop your legacy, our legacy. Don't let it die with you!"

So who's in this "great cloud of witnesses?" Well, they're God's honored alumni, who have run for Him in previous generations. The previous chapter, Hebrews 11, identifies some of the all-stars who are watching you and me from the stands: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David. And maybe they've been joined by greats like John Wesley, and John Calvin, and D. L. Moody, and those five missionary martyrs like Jim Elliot. Or maybe it's grandparents, great-grandparents, a mom or dad, who ran their race for Jesus all the way to the finish line, no matter how hard it got.

The previous chapter tells about some heroes of earlier races whose names we don't know but who paid a very high price for the very things you're running for. They're in the stands. They're cheering for you, too - those who it says "faced flogging" and others, the Bible says, who "were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword...the world was not worthy of them" (Hebrews 11:36-38). We're running our race under the gaze of people who paid with their lives to finish their race for Jesus. So what's that that's keeping you from running? What's tripping you up? What's your reason again for slowing down or giving up? This is a faith that people have sacrificed for, shed their blood for!

The secret of running strong and running all the way to the finish line is still the same as it was when the lions came down the chute at the Coliseum 2,000 years ago - "fixing your eyes on Jesus." Because He didn't quit when it meant spikes in His hands and feet. He didn't quit when it was thorns in His head, a spear in His side, and all hell poured into His soul.

So you look up in those stands and you listen to those who finished like heroes. You look up there at the finish line at the One who gave it all for you - and you remember that all of them are counting on you to finish what they started. To carry what they refused to drop. And there's Jesus waiting for you at the finish line, waiting to welcome His weary but winning runner home. You can't stop now!

Psalm 28, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: A Whispered Reminder
In Matthew 6, Jesus prayed, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
A prayer that begins. . . "May I not view you as a distant father, but as one who has come to earth and understands the challenges and temptations of my life. Be near me today, whisper reminders that you're close. My friends need you today as they make difficult decisions in their workplace and in their families. Show them you are closer than even their earthly fathers. Thank you for hearing me and listening to my pleas. It's in Jesus' name I pray this, amen."
Join me in prayer every day for 4 weeks, and pray 4 minutes per day. Sign on at BeforeAmen.com-it'll change your life!
Before Amen

Psalm 28
Don’t turn a deaf ear
    when I call you, God.
If all I get from you is
    deafening silence,
I’d be better off
    in the Black Hole.
2 I’m letting you know what I need,
    calling out for help
And lifting my arms
    toward your inner sanctuary.
3-4 Don’t shove me into
    the same jail cell with those crooks,
With those who are
    full-time employees of evil.
They talk a good line of “peace,”
    then moonlight for the Devil.
Pay them back for what they’ve done,
    for how bad they’ve been.
Pay them back for their long hours
    in the Devil’s workshop;
Then cap it with a huge bonus.
5 Because they have no idea how God works
    or what he is up to,
God will smash them to smithereens
    and walk away from the ruins.
6-7 Blessed be God—
    he heard me praying.
He proved he’s on my side;
    I’ve thrown my lot in with him.
Now I’m jumping for joy,
    and shouting and singing my thanks to him.
8-9 God is all strength for his people,
    ample refuge for his chosen leader;
Save your people
    and bless your heritage.
Care for them;
    carry them like a good shepherd.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Today's Scripture
John 14:15–24
The Spirit of Truth
15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”
23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.
Insight
Jesus promised that “another advocate” (John 14:16), the “Spirit of truth” (v. 17), would be with His disciples after He was no longer physically present (v. 28). The word advocate (Greek parakletos), used only by John, is a word with legal connotations, a bit like a defense lawyer or counselor. Jesus’ words suggest that He was an advocate and teacher to His disciples while on earth. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Spirit would continue this work (vv. 25–26). First John 2:1 points to an inseparable relationship between Jesus and the Spirit as advocates for believers in Jesus. Here, we’re told “we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
By: Monica La Rose
The Indwelling Christ
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

John 14:20
English preacher F. B. Meyer (1847–1929) used the example of an egg to illustrate what he called “the deep philosophy of the indwelling Christ.” He noted how the fertilized yolk is a little “life germ” that grows more and more each day until the chick is formed in the shell. So too will Jesus come to live with us through His Holy Spirit, changing us. Meyer said, “From now on Christ is going to grow and increase and absorb into Himself everything else, and be formed in you.”
He apologized for stating the truths of Jesus imperfectly, knowing that his words couldn’t fully convey the wonderful reality of Christ dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit. But he urged his listeners to share with others, however imperfectly, what Jesus meant when He said, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:20). Jesus said these words on the night of His last supper with His friends. He wanted them to know that He and His Father would come and make their home with those who obey Him (v. 23). This is possible because through the Spirit Jesus dwells in those who believe in Him, changing them from the inside out.
No matter how you picture it, we have Christ living inside us, guiding us and helping us to grow to be more like Him.
By:  Amy Boucher Pye
Reflect & Pray
What difference does it make to you that Jesus dwells within you? How do you see His presence in others?
Dear Jesus, You’re God and man. Thank You for giving of Yourself so sacrificially, that I might be called a child of God.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Sunday, October 16, 2022
The Key to the Master’s Orders
Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. —Matthew 9:38
The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. “Pray the Lord of the harvest….” In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.
From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs. Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, “Oh, but I have a special work to do!” No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, “a servant [who] is not greater than his master” (John 13:16), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. “Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
To live a life alone with God does not mean that we live it apart from everyone else. The connection between godly men and women and those associated with them is continually revealed in the Bible, e.g., 1 Timothy 4:10.  Not Knowing Whither, 867 L
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

Psalm 27, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: Be Honest — Honest to God
Prayer really is simple. Resist the urge to complicate it. Don’t take pride in well-crafted prayers. Don’t apologize for incoherent prayers. No games. No cover-ups. Just be honest—honest to God.
Climb into His lap. Tell Him everything that’s on your heart. Or tell Him nothing at all. Just lift your heart to heaven and declare, “Father. . .Daddy.” Stress. Fear. Guilt. Grief. Demands on all sides. And all we can summon is a plaintive, “Oh, Father.” If so, that’s enough. Your heavenly Father will wrap you in His arms!
Sign on at BeforeAmen.com–take the brief Prayer Strengths Assessment. It will encourage you and give you a simple building block for your growth in prayer. Then get ready to connect with God as never before!
Before Amen

Psalm 27
Light, space, zest—
    that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
    afraid of no one and nothing.
2 When vandal hordes ride down
    ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
    fall flat on their faces.
3 When besieged,
    I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
    I’m collected and cool.
4 I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet.
5 That’s the only quiet, secure place
    in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
    far from the buzz of traffic.
6 God holds me head and shoulders
    above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
    that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs;
    I’m making music to God.
7-9 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
    “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
    my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
    Don’t hide from me now!
9-10 You’ve always been right there for me;
    don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
    you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
    but God took me in.
11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
    direct me along a well-lighted street;
    show my enemies whose side you’re on.
Don’t throw me to the dogs,
    those liars who are out to get me,
    filling the air with their threats.
13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
    in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
    Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
    Stay with God.

Saturday, October 15, 2022
Our Daily Bread reading and devotion
Today's Scripture
Jeremiah 29:4–14
This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5  “Build houses and make yourselves at home.
“Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.
6  “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away.
7  “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.
“Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”
8–9  Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God: “Don’t let all those so-called preachers and know-it-alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don’t pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you. They’re a bunch of liars preaching lies—and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me.” God’s Decree!
10–11  This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
12  “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
13–14  “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.
“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree.
“I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”—God’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Insight
Sometimes the prophet Jeremiah is called the “weeping prophet” because of the way he grieved over the people being taken captive by Babylon. In Jeremiah 13:17, we read: “If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.” It’s just one expression of the prophet’s many tears shed for his people (see also 9:1, 18; 14:17; 31:16). Lamentations 2:11 also describes Jeremiah’s tears as he observed the fall of Jerusalem.
By: Bill Crowder
Signs of Life
I will come to you and fulfill my good promise. Jeremiah 29:10
When my daughter received a pair of pet crabs as a gift, she filled a glass tank with sand so the creatures could climb and dig. She supplied water, protein, and vegetable scraps for their dining pleasure. They seemed happy, so it was shocking when they disappeared one day. We searched everywhere. Finally, we learned they were likely under the sand, and would be there for about two months as they shed their exoskeletons.
Two months passed, and then another month, and I had begun to worry that they’d died. The longer we waited, the more impatient I became. Then, finally, we saw signs of life, and the crabs emerged from the sand.
I wonder if Israel doubted that God’s prophecy for them would be fulfilled when they lived as exiles in Babylon. Did they feel despair? Did they worry they’d be there forever? Through Jeremiah, God had said, “I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to [Jerusalem]” (Jeremiah 29:10). Sure enough, seventy years later, God caused the Persian king Cyrus to allow the Jews to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1–4).
In seasons of waiting when it seems like nothing is happening, God hasn’t forgotten us. As the Holy Spirit helps us to develop patience, we can know that He’s the Hope-Giver, the Promise-Keeper, and the One who controls the future.
By:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Reflect & Pray
How does understanding God’s character help you when you’re waiting? What’s the relationship between doubt and faith?
Dear God, help me to have faith in You as I wait. Show me how to handle doubt and display faith instead.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Saturday, October 15, 2022
The Key to the Missionary’s Message
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. —1 John 2:2
The key to the missionary’s message is the propitiation of Christ Jesus— His sacrifice for us that completely satisfied the wrath of God. Look at any other aspect of Christ’s work, whether it is healing, saving, or sanctifying, and you will see that there is nothing limitless about those. But— “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”— that is limitless (John 1:29). The missionary’s message is the limitless importance of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins, and a missionary is someone who is immersed in the truth of that revelation.
The real key to the missionary’s message is the “remissionary” aspect of Christ’s life, not His kindness, His goodness, or even His revealing of the fatherhood of God to us. “…repentance and remission of sins should be preached…to all nations…” (Luke 24:47). The greatest message of limitless importance is that “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins….” The missionary’s message is not nationalistic, favoring nations or individuals; it is “for the whole world.” When the Holy Spirit comes into me, He does not consider my partialities or preferences; He simply brings me into oneness with the Lord Jesus.
A missionary is someone who is bound by marriage to the stated mission and purpose of his Lord and Master. He is not to proclaim his own point of view, but is only to proclaim “the Lamb of God.” It is easier to belong to a faction that simply tells what Jesus Christ has done for me, and easier to become a devotee of divine healing, or of a special type of sanctification, or of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But Paul did not say, “Woe is me if I do not preach what Christ has done for me,” but, “…woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). And this is the gospel— “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
Beware of pronouncing any verdict on the life of faith if you are not living it. Not Knowing Whither, 900 R
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3

John 10:22-42 And Devotionals

 Max Lucado: POWER FROM THE SPIRIT - October 14, 2022

Perhaps the greatest characteristic of fire is this: energy. It is the secret of the electric current. It has empowered countless coal-burning engines and fueled too many stoves to count. Fire combusts. Fire ignites. Fire moves things. And the Spirit? Does he not move us? “You shall receive power,” promised Jesus, “when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

God doesn’t want us to give him our best effort. We don’t try our hardest and then turn to God; we turn to God and trust him to do the work for and in us. The greatest force in the universe will work within you to give you the power you need to become more and more like him. He will make you holy, in an instant, and make you holier over a lifetime.

John 10:22-42

They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”

25-30 Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.”

31-32 Again the Jews picked up rocks to throw at him. Jesus said, “I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many good actions. For which of these acts do you stone me?”

33 The Jews said, “We’re not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said—this blasphemy of calling yourself God.”

34-38 Jesus said, “I’m only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, ‘I tell you—you are gods.’ If God called your ancestors ‘gods’—and Scripture doesn’t lie—why do you yell, ‘Blasphemer! Blasphemer!’ at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I don’t do the things my Father does, well and good; don’t believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him.”

39-42 They tried yet again to arrest him, but he slipped through their fingers. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and stayed there. A lot of people followed him over. They were saying, “John did no miracles, but everything he said about this man has come true.” Many believed in him then and there.

Our Daily Bread Devotional 

Read: 

Deuteronomy 10:14–22  Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.

19-21 

You must treat foreigners with the same loving care—
    remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him,
    back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He’s your praise! He’s your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things
    that you saw with your own eyes.

22 When your ancestors entered Egypt, they numbered a mere seventy souls. And now look at you—you look more like the stars in the night skies in number. And your God did it.

Insight: Today’s passage (Deuteronomy 10:14–22) is written in a more elevated style from the rest of the book; it contains more descriptive language and uses rhetorical devices—such as repetition of ideas in different forms—to allow the hearer to absorb the content. This suggests that Moses’ speech is reaching a climax. Old Testament scholar Daniel Block says that Moses “is about to declare the moral and spiritual implications of the privilege of covenant relationship that he has been preaching to this point of the second address.” The moral requirement is adherence to the law of God. Moses reiterates this three times with three different admonitions: keep the commands (vv. 12–13), circumcise your heart (v. 16), and fear and serve God (v. 20). Each of these calls to submit to and serve God is followed by an attribution of praise (see vv. 14, 17, 21).

Baby boy:

By Tim Gustafson

[God] defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you. Deuteronomy 10:18

For more than a year, his legal name was “Baby Boy.” Discovered by a security guard who heard his cries, Baby Boy had been abandoned—hours old and wrapped only in a bag—in a hospital parking lot.

Soon after his discovery, Social Services called the people who would one day become his forever family. The couple took him in and called him Grayson (not his real name). Finally, the adoption was complete, and Grayson’s name became official. Today you can meet a delightful child who mispronounces his r’s as he earnestly engages you in conversation. You’d never guess he’d once been found abandoned in a bag.

Late in his life, Moses reviewed God’s character and what He’d done for the people of Israel. “The Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them,” Moses told them (Deuteronomy 10:15). This love had a broad scope. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing,” Moses said (v. 18). “He is the one you praise; he is your God” (v. 21).

Whether it’s through adoption or simply through love and service, we’re all called to reflect God’s love. That loving couple became the hands and feet God used to extend His love to someone who might have gone unnoticed and unclaimed. We can serve as His hands and feet too.

Reflect:How have you sensed God extending His love to you in ways large and small? What small thing might you do today to reflect that love?

Pray: Heavenly Father, have mercy on the fatherless. Help me to be Your hands and feet today. 

My Utmost for His Highest 

The Key to the Missionary’s Work

By Oswald Chambers

Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…" —Matthew 28:18-19

The key to the missionary’s work is the authority of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the lost. We are inclined to look on our Lord as one who assists us in our endeavors for God. Yet our Lord places Himself as the absolute sovereign and supreme Lord over His disciples. He does not say that the lost will never be saved if we don’t go— He simply says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations….” He says, “Go on the basis of the revealed truth of My sovereignty, teaching and preaching out of your living experience of Me.”

“Then the eleven disciples went…to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them” (Matthew 28:16). If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him myself. I must take time to worship the One whose name I bear. Jesus says, “Come to Me…”— that is the place to meet Jesus— “all you who labor and are heavy laden…” (Matthew 11:28)— and how many missionaries are! We completely dismiss these wonderful words of the universal Sovereign of the world, but they are the words of Jesus to His disciples meant for here and now.

“Go therefore….” To “go” simply means to live. Acts 1:8 is the description of how to go. Jesus did not say in this verse, “Go into Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria,” but, “…you shall be witnesses to Me in [all these places].” He takes upon Himself the work of sending us.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” (John 15:7)— that is the way to keep going. Where we are placed is then a matter of indifference to us, because God sovereignly engineers our goings.

“None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus…” (Acts 20:24). That is how to keep going until we are gone from this life.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

The root of faith is the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success. My Utmost for His Highest, March 19, 761 L

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2

A Word With You by Ron Hutchcraft

Your Goal or Your Soul

Our sons were - and are - crazy about baseball, and then followed the grandsons. They know the players, the standings, the stats. Did I mention they're crazy about baseball? Yeah, it's true; it runs in the family. But dark clouds again rolled in over America's baseball stadiums, because, well, there were suddenly more reports that some stars, who are a lot of kids' heroes, cheated to be great. You remember all that.

PED? No, that's not the initials for some new government program. I guess it's a performance-enhancing steroid against the rules of baseball to have in your system. But it's all about winning, right? In professional sports, the bucks are big, the pressure is big, the temptations are big.

But no one's bigger than the rules. Breaking them might help you win the game, but at a pretty high price. You trade your priceless character for some cheap victories. Your accomplishments aren't really you - they're you plus the drugs. What could have been the Hall of Fame can be overshadowed by the Hall of Shame.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Goal or Your Soul."

Before we put on our black robe to judge some baseball players, maybe we should look in the mirror. See, I'm a very goal-oriented person. I know if you've got a goal, somewhere you're going to be tempted to compromise to get there, because we're all susceptible to that "win, no matter what" drumbeat of our culture. We all want to win in business. We want to have "super kids" so we'll be "super-parents." We want to get the girl, we want to land the guy. Whatever our arena, we're driven to come out on top, no matter what the cost to our family, our integrity, our health, our future. If "winning" means backstabbing, stepping on people, neglecting people, breaking promises, lying, betraying - hey, it's all about winning, right? It's all about getting to our big goal, right?

No, it's all about your soul; your character, who you are, not what you accomplish. It's about giving the game your very best, but without regrets, without compromises, without betraying trust or leaving a trail of tears. After all, who can afford the most costly trade there is: gaining the world in exchange for your soul?

That's why integrity's so important. The Bible says, "The integrity of the upright guides them." See, your integrity's like a missile's internal guidance system. It guarantees that you stay on course and reach your target. So even if I "lose," I really win. My soul was not on sale to get to my goal. That integrity Bible verse concludes by saying, "but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." Whatever I might gain by compromising, I have so much more to lose.

I've had some disturbingly sad conversations with folks who were nearing the end of their life; people trying to come to terms with some haunting regrets about what - or who - they sacrificed in order to succeed. Sadly, there are no "do-overs." But I'll tell you this: I am profoundly grateful there is forgiveness. In our word for today from the Word of God, Psalm 130:3, a man who had terribly failed his God, his family, his followers wrote: "If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness."

Listen, it's not cheap to have every sin of your past erased from God's book. It takes blood, but not mine, not yours. In God's words, "The blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). All sin! However hurtful; covered by the payment that was made for it when Jesus hung on a cross dying for it.

I invite you, if you've never had that cleaning take place; that internal cleansing; the forgiving of God for every wrong thing you've ever done, let this be the day you come to Jesus who died so that could happen and give you to Him. Let me encourage you to go to our website. I'd love to show you exactly how to begin that relationship with Him there. Go to ANewStory.com.

And once you've embraced Him as the Forgiver of your sin, He gives you the grace to retrace your regrets to work to restore what - or who - you've hurt. Because you know what Jesus said, "I make all things new (Revelation 21:5)."