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Read Philippians 4:10-12 (ESV) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Reflect Are you struggling with con

Read Colossians 3:23 (ESV) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… Reflect What is your attitude towards work? Do you work hard or hardly work? I was driving around town the other day and I noticed something. It seemed like every other business I passed had a sign in the window that said, “Now Hiring.” A quick internet search confirmed what I had noticed—there are a lot of job openings right now and labor shortage. According to the US Bureau of Labor

Read Proverbs 12:19-22 (ESV) Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Reflect Think about the last time you told a lie. Was it a little white lie or a lie that could have serious consequences? Either way, wha

Read Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Reflect Think back to the last time you fell into sin. What thoughts or motivations were underneath that sinful behavior? The first sin we read about in Scripture occurs in Genesis chapter 3. Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. His strategy? Get them to doubt God as the only worthy authority in their lives and believe instead that they could be their ow

Read Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Reflect Have you ever grown weary of serving God faithfully? What keeps you going? The richest man in my home state of Nebraska is Warren Buffett. It is well known here that Buffett acquired his wealth by playing the long game. In other

Read Luke 2:25-32 (ESV) Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms a

Read Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary; and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Reflect Do you struggle with patience while you wait? What helps you endure a tough waiting season? Recently, some friends shared th

Read Romans 11:33 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Reflect Why do you read your Bible? What impact does reading the Word of God have on your life? If I asked you why it’s important to read your Bible, how would you respond? Many people say they read their Bibles to learn more about God. Scripture also communicates God’s law so people read it because they rightly want to avoid si

Read Romans 5:1-5 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poure

Read Matthew 14:22-27 (ESV) Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples sa

Read Psalm 101:1-4 (ESV) I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Reflect How has what you’ve allowed yourself to think about an

Read Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Reflect Are you feeling any fear right now? If so, what are you afraid of? It is a fearful time for many. There are health concerns, economic issues, political unrest, and wars being fought throughout the world. Fear is a natural response to these things. But if we have put our trust in God and placed saving faith in

Read Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Reflect Have you experienced loneliness lately? Who or what do you turn to in an attempt to fill the void? If you Google “lonel

Read Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Reflect How does remembering your own sin and faults help you forgive others? When is the last time you stopped and remembered all that God has saved you from and forgiven you for? If it’s been a while, I encourage you to take some time to get alone with the Lord and remember your story. Not to dwell on the past but because it’s always good to remember what Go

Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV) The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. Reflect How does the apostle Paul’s testimony encourage you? Have you ever been disappointed and disgusted with yourself? Has

Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Reflect Take some time to pray and reflect on your spiritual fitness. What are some disciplines you can focus on for training for godliness? When it comes to getting healthy, we all know the basics. We know that we

Read Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, wh

Read Psalm 6:6-9 (ESV) I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. Reflect Are you in a season that feels heavy or overwhelming? Who are you turning to for help? Sometimes there is a perception in t

Read Proverbs 18:2 (ESV) A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Reflect According to this proverb, is it wise to learn how to think or to tell everyone what you think? It has never been easier to share our opinions with the world. With social media and cell phones, I can quickly fire off my thoughts and opinions with a wide audience in a matter of seconds. I can spout off my opinion on things I know very little about. I can give my “hot

Read Matthew 11:28 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Reflect A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. In the ancient world, many cities built fortifications around their cities to protect them from invasion. The only way into the city

Read Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Reflect Can you think of a time when you’ve blown it by blowing up instead of keeping your cool? How might the situation have been improved if you had “restrained your words” at that moment? Have you ever heard the idiom “cooler heads prevail”? Merriam-Webster gives this explanation: “calmer or less angry people have a dominant influence.” Sometimes, du

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-4 (ESV) But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. Reflect How has God proven His faithfulness in your life? There is a reason the beloved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” praises God’s great faithfulness and not our own. Another one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” put it this way:

Read Hebrews 6:1-2 (ESV) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Reflect What are some practical steps you can take to grow in your faith when you feel stuck? Recently, I came across a study conducted by Arizona Christian University. In 2020, t

Read Psalm 25:8-13 (ESV) Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and hi