April 19 - Saved Song

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 95 - 98
N.T. - Matthew 1

Focus Verses:
Matthew 1:21
21"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Psalm 97:1-2
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

Insight:
Throughout history, God has done so much to save his people. The fullest expression of his salvation is revealed through Jesus (whose very name means "the Lord saves"). Jesus saves us from our sins. He saves us from the results of our sin and from bondage to our sin. This is the greatest salvation imaginable -- to be saved from sin's domination and from sin's destruction. Loud songs of praise and fresh expressions of thanksgiving should spring from the hearts and mouths of all who come to know this salvation.

Response and Action:
I will consider the marvelous ways God has shown me salvation. I will praise him for the promise of eternal life. Today, I will sing out my thanks for the ways he saves me from hopelessness and emptiness. Right now, I will lift up my voice in worship for the freedom he gives from bondage to sin. I will rejoice because he has taken away the guilt of my sin. I will sing praise to Jesus, because he saves! Salvation isn't a mere theological concept or religious precept; it is the reality of my life. It's more than a belief; it's my standing in Christ Jesus. It's not just for someday; it's for NOW. Sing a new song to the Lord! He has saved, he is saving, and he will always save!

O God, O Christ Jesus, O Holy Spirit, I want to sing a new song of praise to you today! Show your righteousness and salvation to the ends of the earth. Open the eyes of all people, that they might see Jesus in all his redeeming work and saving power. O God, give me a heart of gratitude and mouth quick to sing your praise. Amen.

Proverbs: 19:22a
"What a man desires is unfailing love."

Resources:
Music CD: Enter the Worship Circle: First Circle
by 100 Portraits and Waterdeep
Music CD: Enter the Worship Circle: Second Circle
by Enter the Worship Circle
BOOK: Enter the Worship Circle
by Ben Pasley

April 18 - Life Invitation

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 90 - 94
N.T. - Revelation 22

Focus Verses: Revelation 22:1,17
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb..." - - - 17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Insight:
Jesus offers an invitation to everyone, "Come and quench your thirst -- take the free gift of the water of life." The Spirit of God says, "Come!" The church, Christ's bride, says, "Come!" Everyone who comes to the water and drinks will in turn say, "Come!" Come to Jesus. Come to the only hope for life in a world that is dying.

Compare this passage to the invitation Jesus gave on one occasion during the Feast of Tabernacles, recorded in John 7:37-38: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Response and Action:
I have accepted Jesus' invitation to come to him for life, hope, guidance, and purpose. I will pass the invitation along to others. I will drink deeply of all Jesus offers through his word, his people, his promises, and all that is beautiful and true. I will pray and seek God's guidance every day. I will read Scripture and meditate upon it. I will share my heart, my life, and my faith through friendship and service to others.

O God, thank you for your invitation to life. Help me respond fully to you that I might live life to the fullest to your glory. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And help me to love my neighbor as myself. Satisfy my needs and quench my thirst, and make a stream of living water flow out of me. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Proverbs: 18:4
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."

Resources:
Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch
by Max Lucado
The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation
by Paul Spilsbury

April 17 - Living with God

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 88 - 89
N.T. - Revelation 21

Focus Verses:
Revelation 21:2-5a 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5aHe who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

Psalm 89:15-16 15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.

Insight:
The thought of living in God's presence in a world God has saved and perfected is the hope every Christian expresses when praying, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This hope is more than a promise for someday in the distant future, it is the present reality for Christians who will recognize the indwelling of God's Spirit in their lives today. "Surely I am with you, always, to the very end of the age" was Jesus' assurance to his disciples before his ascension into heaven.

Response and Action:
I must take hold of Jesus' promise to be with me today. I want to cultivate a tangible and continual awareness of his Spirit in my life. I want to acknowledge present reality that Christ Jesus is living with me today. I want to persevere with a hope rooted in the future reality God has promised -- the day when the world will be made right, all evil swept away, and every tear wiped away.

O God, help me to trust in you with all my heart and to acknowledge you in all my ways. Help me to cultivate my awareness of your presence with me today. Fill me with hope and encouragement as I cling to your promise of a day when I will live in the very light of your glorious presence. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who indwells my mortal body right now. Help me to be sensitive to your Spirit as you lead and shape me today. Amen.

Proverbs: 17:17
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Resources:
The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence
Living With Jesus Today
by Juan Carlos Ortiz
The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation
by Paul Spilsbury

April 16 - Undivided

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 84 - 87
N.T. - Revelation 20

Focus Verses: Psalm 86:8-12
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Insight:
There is no other god like the Lord, the only true God. His ways are the ways of truth. His deeds are marvelous and awesome. He is worthy of whole-hearted worship.

Response and Action:
I will consider the marvelous things God has done and praise him for them. I will commit myself to seeking his truth and walking in his ways. I will love him and follow him with an undivided heart.

O God, help me to recognize the things that threaten to diminish my love for you. Show me your ways and your truth, that I might follow you with an undivided heart. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Amen.

Proverbs: 16:17
"The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life."

Resources:
Jesus Among Other Gods The Absolute Claims Of The Christian Message
by Ravi Zacharias

April 15 - Hallelujah Living

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 80 - 83
N.T. - Revelation 19

Focus Verses:
Psalm 79:9-10 1Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. - - - 6He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. 7In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud..."

Revelation 19:6-7a 6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7aLet us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!"

Insight:
God delivers and restores those who cry out to him. Deliverance and restoration call for loud songs of praise. Those who are saved shout aloud! They strike tambourines, strum melodies, and raise their voices in thunderous "Hallelujahs!" God hears and rescues them, so they rejoice in gladness and give him glory.

Response and Action:
My faith in God's salvation moves me to rejoice and praise him today. My loud shouts of thanks and adoration are witnesses to my faith. My voice raised in worship today is a rehearsal for the final day when I will raise my voice in the thundering multitudes of all the redeemed who shout out "Hallelujah!" Because I am living by faith, I will worship God today and raise my voice to praise him. I live my life as a spiritual act of worship and commit my energy and actions toward God's purposes to rescue and restore.

O God, the world is filled with injustice and sin. We need you to rescue and deliver us. I'm praising you today, Lord, for the many ways you save and restore us right now. I'm praising you because I believe your promise to reconcile all things and restore all creation. Save me and use me today, O God, as an instrument of your peace, your power to save, and your restoring love. Amen.

Proverbs: 15:24
“The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.”

Resources:
The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice
by Mark Labberton

April 14 - Mercy & Justice

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 78 - 79
N.T. - Revelation 18

Focus Verses:
Psalm 79:9-10
9Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. 10Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
Revelation 18:1-2a, 4-5, 24
1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2aWith a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! - - - 4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. " - - - 24"In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth."

Insight:
Once again, both Asaph the Psalmist and John the Revelator cry out to God for mercy and judgment. Both of them make lament the prosperity of the wicked and the persecution of the righteous.

Response and Action:
I need to recognize sin and injustice in my own life and appeal to God's mercy to forgive me, and God's grace to change me. I need to "come out of Babylon" and turn away from sin. I want to love the Lord, my God, with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. I will persevere, even in a world filled with sin and injustice, because I believe God is merciful enough to forgive all those who surrender to him, and just enough to judge all those who reject and stand against him.

Open my mouth, O Lord, and my lips will declare your praise. O God, help me to live for you and through you in thought, word, and deed. Help me to turn away from what is wrong and to do what is right. In your mercy, forgive me for the wrongs I have done and rights I have left undone -- known and unknown to me. Forgive me for the ways I have been half-hearted in my love for you. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit -- the Lord, the giver of life -- lead, teach, transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

Proverbs: 14:32
"When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge."

Resources:
Deliver Us From Evil
by Ravi Zacharias

April 13 - Horns against Heaven

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 75 - 77
N.T. - Revelation 17

Focus Verses:
Revelation 17:12-14
12"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Psalm 75:1-5
1We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. 2You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. 3When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. Selah 4To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns. 5Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.' "

Insight:
All powers and authorities lifted up against God and his purposes will ultimately be brought down in defeat. Those who boast of their power and seem to have unlimited dominance will one day be judged and reduced to nothing. The Kingdom of Heaven and the chosen and faithful followers of the Lamb will eventually overcome because their Lord and Savior is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Response and Action:
God's people have always had to persevere in the face of oppression. From the ancient days of the Psalmist to the days of the Apostle John to the present days of the persecuted church in many areas of the world, God-fearing believers have been sustained by their faith in a righteous God who will one day put the world to rights and save his people from the corrupt powers of this world. My hope is in the Lord. I stand with those who follow the Lamb.

O God, sustain me and give me hope. Save this world and your people from the hands of wicked rulers and corrupt powers. Bring down those who oppress and destroy and deliver us from evil. Come Lord, quickly, and save. Amen.

Proverbs: 13:12
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

Resources:
Deliver Us From Evil
by Ravi Zacharias

April 12 - Envy Slip

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 72 - 74
N.T. - Revelation 16

Focus Verses: Psalm 73:1-3; 16-17
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. - - - 16When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Insight:
I really appreciate how the songwriter, Asaph, is so honest about his feelings and doubts. He believes that God is good and that he is good to his people. He believes that those who are pure in heart can count on God's goodness. He admits, however, that his faith was on slippery ground. His foothold was shaken by the prosperity of the wicked and he found himself beginning to envy them. "What good does it do me to have faith in you God?" he asks. "I don't understand what's going on!" he says.

Trying to reason through the whole philosophical/theological problem of how God can be good while the world is so evil became oppressive to him. It was only when he began to worship God that he began to see and understand. Worshipping the eternal God gave him an eternal perspective. Temporal prosperity lost its shine and allure in the light of eternal destiny.

Response and Action:
Like the Psalmist, I am tempted to feel like faith in God isn't getting me anywhere. I can envy the wicked. I can lose sight of eternal promises when I see people who have no regard for God prospering and succeeding. Worship is the way to hold on to understanding and my faith. I will worship God, believing he is good and faithful to his people. I will worship God, believing that he is good and faithful those who seek him with pure hearts.

O God, help me to turn away from what is wrong and to do what is right. In your faithfulness to me, do not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil. Give me wisdom and understanding as I worship you and praise you for your goodness to all who seek you. Amen.

Proverbs: 12:28
"In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality."

Resources:
Cries of The Heart
by Ravi Zacharias

April 11 - Hope & Worship

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 69 - 71
N.T. - Revelation 15

Focus Verses:
Revelation 15:3b-4
3b"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
Psalm 71:14-16
14But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. 15My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. 16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

Insight:
Hope and worship go together; they reinforce each other. God is to be praised for his righteousness, mighty acts, justice, truth, and power to save. When these words of praise are (become) the firm conviction of our hearts, we have reason to hope.

Response and Action:
I will worship God for his righteousness and mighty acts. I will praise him for his justice and truth. I will thank him for his promise to save through Christ Jesus.

O God, help me to see you for who you really are, and fill me with a sense of hope as I worship you. Show yourself to me in new ways today. Encourage me, by your Spirit, through your word, your people, your promises, and all that is beautiful and true. Amen.

Proverbs: 11:30
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."

Resources:
Unceasing Worship: Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts
by Harold M. Best

April 10 - Refined Like Silver

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 66 - 68
N.T. - Revelation 14

Focus Verses:
Revelation 14:4b-5
4bThey follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Psalm 66:8-12
8Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; 9he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 10For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Insight:
John’s apocalyptic vision holds out hope for those who follow Christ with faith and patient endurance through the thick and thin of life. Hardships and suffering are inevitable. But in the end, those who “follow the Lamb” will be brought into a place of abundance where loud songs of praise to God will sound “like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder.”

Response and Action:
I need to recognize that the struggles and pains of life are to be expected in a world of sin and brokenness. I need to remember that the struggles of today will not last forever. The day is coming when God will act to restore and renew his creation. I must follow Christ – the Lamb who has purchased and ransomed me -– wherever he goes.

O God, give me the strength to persevere. Give me a voice to sing your praise. Bring me safely through the valleys of these shadowlands to a place of abundance in your presence. Help me to lead a blameless life and to speak the truth in love. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus and follow him every day in every circumstance. Amen.

Proverbs: 10:24
"What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted."

Resources:
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society
by Eugene H. Peterson

April 9 - Patient Endurance

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 62 - 65
N.T. - Revelation 13

Focus Verses:
Revelation 13:10
10If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."
Psalm 63:6-10
6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 9They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

Insight:
Each day on earth people suffer at the hands of people. Poverty, war, greed, bigotry, and callous disregard for humanity make the world a difficult place to bear. Those who follow Christ in faith are to live with patient endurance and faithfulness. The Psalmist remembered God's righteousness and power to deliver. As he lay awake all night troubled by life-threatening circumstances and enemies, he thought about God and held onto his promises. He believed that God would act with righteousness and bring about justice in the end.

Response and Action:
I don't have many sleepless nights due to threatening circumstances or enemies, but I know there are so many people who do. I need to look for ways to act on their behalf. I need to pray for God's deliverance and justice. I need to open my eyes to ways I can minister to those who are suffering and work for social justice.

O God, you are my God; I seek you earnestly. Save and deliver us from evil, Lord, and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us for the blindness to the needs of those who suffer in this world. Show me ways that my life can be a channel of your grace and healing. Give me patience and endurance in the face of overwhelming brokenness and the evil that dominates culture and circumstances in the world today. Amen.

Proverbs: 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Resources:
Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World
by Gary A. Haugen

April 8 - Calling God

Happy Easter!

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 58 - 61
N.T. - Revelation 12

Focus Verses:
Revelation 12:10
10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Psalm 61:1-2
1Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Insight:
There is so much in life that poses a threat to my well-being and causes me to be weary. Beyond the practical difficulties of my circumstances and problems, these things are part of a spiritual battle for my heart and mind.

Response and Action:
I recognize that there is a spiritual dimension to the challenges and struggles I face. According to the Scriptures, all of creation is part of a cosmic battle God is waging to redeem and save. I will cry out to the Rock who is higher than I when I am weary and overwhelmed. I believe in the salvation, power, and authority of Christ. I believe that he can save me and bring me safely to himself.

Save me, O God, when my heart is fainting. Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil. Protect me from discouragement and encourage me, by your Spirit, through your word, your people, your promises, and all that is beautiful and true. Grant me the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, feed my spirit, stimulate my mind, and care for my body. Help me to trust and acknowledge you in all my ways. Be my rock and helper in every storm and trial. Amen.

Proverbs: 8:11-12
"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."

Resources:
Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer
by Eugene Peterson

April 7 - Foolish Heart

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 53 - 57
N.T. - Revelation 11

Focus Verses: Psalm 53:1-3
1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. 2God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Insight:
What a person believes about God goes hand in hand with how a person lives. Corruption leads to turning away from God; and turning away from God leads to corruption. Seeking God accompanies understanding and doing good; and a desire to understand and do good accompanies seeking God.

Response and Action:
I am foolish when I say in my heart, "There is no God." To conclude that there is no God would be even more foolish. I need to be honest with myself and recognize when my own corruption and self-gratification is turning me away from God. It is also clear to me that the times when I am seeking God, are always the times when I am more motivated toward understanding and doing good.

O God, help me to know you and to grow in understanding. Grant me a heart and mind that are open and receptive to you. Help me live with reverence for you and to grow in my faith. Give me the heart of a seeker. And as I seek you, confirm my faith and drive away my doubts that I might love and server you with my whole heart. Amen.

Proverbs: 7:4
"Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call understanding your kinsman..."

Resources:
The Real Face of Atheism
by Ravi Zacharias

April 6 - Justice

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 50 - 52
N.T. - Revelation 10

Focus Verses:
Revelation 10:9-11
9So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." 10I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."

Psalm 50:1-6
1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. 2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. 3Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. 4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: 5"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." 6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge.

Insight:
God is the righteous and the Mighty Lord of all the heavens and earth. He shines forth in perfect beauty and summons all the earth and all people of all times to stand before him -- those who have made a covenant with him, and those who have ignored and rejected him. Judgment is a bitter thing to consider and take in, but the sweetness of a just and redeemed world is not possible without it. Thankfully, the Mighty Judge is also Mighty Savior, and has made a way -- the Lamb of God -- for everyone to find redemption and salvation.

Response and Action:
I must acknowledge my own sin and recognize my need for salvation. I will live in covenant with God by taking hold of the salvation he offers through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who has laid down his life in order to bring me safely through the fire of God's refining judgment. While judgment is bitter to me, redemption and the hope of a purified and righteous world is sweet to me. I will celebrate and share God's love and power to save. I will shout out the hope of salvation and the hope of a restored and renewed world, through faith in Christ Jesus.

O God, shine forth in perfect beauty and righteousness. Make your salvation known to all peoples, nations, languages, and kings, that they might escape your righteous judgment by your gracious redemption. May the sweetness of your desire to save overpower the bitterness of judgment that comes only to those who refuse your grace. Amen.

Proverbs: 6:16-19
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”

Resources:
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense
by N.T. Wright

April 5 - Very Present Help

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 46 - 49
N.T. - Revelation 9

Focus Verses:
Revelation 9:6
6During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

Psalm 46:1-6
1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah 4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

Insight:
God is an ever-present help. In times of trouble, I will run to him for refuge and lean on him for strength. No matter how traumatic and hopeless the situation, no matter how deep the grief, no matter how frightening the threats, I will look to the Most High.

Response and Action:
What are the threats and fears I am facing today? What troubles in the world depress and overwhelm me? What is breaking my heart and shaking my world? I will not seek death or give up in despair, I will remember that God is present and persevere through him.

O God, be near me when I walk through the valleys of life. Be the light of hope for me when the shadows of death are looming all around me. Be a rock and a refuge to me when the storms rage. Remind me of your goodness and the future hope you have for me. Save me at the break of day and renew me with the river of life that flows from you; make me glad and bring me safely into your presence forever. Amen.

Proverbs: 5:3-5
"For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave."

Resources:
Is God Really in Control?: Trusting God in a World of Hurt
by Jerry Bridges

April 4 - Hope

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 42 - 45
N.T. - Revelation 8

Focus Verses:
Revelation 8:13
13As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

Psalm 42:9-11
9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Insight:
The world is filled with woe and hardship. Much of the pain and suffering we experience results from sin -- sins of our own and the sins of others. Some people reject God and taunt those who hope and believe in him. Even those who have faith in God can become downcast and cry out to God, "Where are you?" We hurt, we feel despair, and we can't understand why we are suffering. In Revelation, the Apostle John writes as a pastor encouraging Christians (and perhaps even reminding himself) that even though things look bleak at times, Christ will reign at the end of the day. The psalmist does something very similar; he admits that he is disturbed and depressed, even to the point of wondering if God sees or cares. His faith in God, however, triumphs with the last word in his heart and mind: "Put your hope in God, your Savior, for suffering will give way to praise and victory in the end."

Response and Action:
There is nothing wrong with voicing my fears and my sorrows to God. Expressing doubts -- giving full voice to my questions before God -- is part of an honest relationship with him. My expressions of praise and hope and confidence in God are made even deeper and stronger when they stand up tall over my suffering, and overshadow my doubts. I will express my true feelings and concerns to God. I will cling to the hope I have in Christ Jesus and shout out my faith and confidence in him.

O God, as the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you. My soul thirsts for you, Living God. When tears are my food, comfort me. When men say to me all day long, "Where is your God," speak to my soul, O Lord, and remind me that you are with me. When I become downcast, strengthen my heart to hope in you. Give me the faith to trust in you and praise you all my days. Protect me from discouragement, and encourage me by your word, your people, your promises, and all that is beautiful and true. Amen.

Proverbs: 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."

Resources:
Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent
by Ben Patterson

April 3 - No More Tears

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 39 - 41
N.T. - Revelation 7

Focus Verses: Revelation 7:13-17
13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" 14I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Insight:
Hope, redemption, and eternal provision are part of John's vision for all who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; he will cover them like a tent of protection, he will see that they never go hungry or thirsty, he will shade them from the scorching heat, and the Lamb will shepherd them to streams of fresh water.

Response and Action:
I will persevere through the challenges, pains, and struggles of life in the hope that God will one day set things right and wipe away all tears from my eyes. My faith is in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I will confess my sins, knowing that he is able to forgive and purify me ("wash my robes") because of his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

O God, you are my hope, my protector, and my deliverer. Shield me from the harsh heat of this world and bring me through the struggles of my life. Lead me and keep me. Let your holy word and the presence of your Spirit be like cool water to my soul. My soul thirsts for you and my flesh yearns for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. God, you are my God, I will seek you earnestly. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Proverbs: 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Resources:
The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation
by Paul Spilsbury

April 2 - Words of the Wise

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 37 - 38
N.T. - Revelation 6

Focus Verses: Psalm 37:30-31
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

Insight:
Having the truth of Scripture hidden in my heart will give stability to my life. God's wisdom and truth in my heart will be apparent in the words I say and the way I say them.

Response and Action:
I will read the Scriptures every day and apply them to my life. Knowing God's word will help me live a stable and healthy life and help me to speak with wisdom and truth.

O God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Help me to know and understand your word, that my mouth might speak truth and wisdom. Help me to walk with integrity and to speak and act justly. Give me the heart that is guided and shaped by your Spirit, that my mouth would be a blessing to others. Amen.

Proverbs: 2:36
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Resources:
Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ
by Dallas Willard

April 1 - Every Nation

Today's Reading:
O.T. - Psalm 34 - 36
N.T. - Revelation 5

Focus Verses: Revelation 5:9
9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Insight:
In John’s vision he sees the Lamb who was slain surrounded by the elders and the four living creatures as they worship him. The Lamb, they sing, is worthy of praise and worship because he laid down his life to save people from every people group. God wants to save people from every people group. Jesus’ sacrifice was made for people of every race, ethnicity, nation, and language.

Response and Action:
I need to remember that Christ’s love and sacrifice are for all people. I need to raise my voice in praise to God for the salvation and hope he offers to all humanity through Christ.

Thank you, O God, for Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Thank you for your grace and mercy to all people. Help your people to love and save and extend grace to all people. Help me to reach past every barrier of race, language, and culture in order to share the love of and redemption of Jesus with all people. Amen.

Proverbs: 1:32-33
“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Resources:
From Every People and Nation
by J. Daniel Hays and Donald A. Carson