Month: May 2025

1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33

How easy it is to take God’s presence for granted. If we are not careful, we will take God’s presence lightly as if He were any other person. God’s presence is not to be played with. One of the most precious benefits we have as children of God is to enjoy His presence.

The Philistines thought they had an upper hand on Israel because they took the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God. The problem was The Almighty God cannot and will not be contained in an unholy place or vessel. When they took the Ark and put it in their temple next to their god, each day they found their god on the ground.

Even the people who held onto the Ark found themselves under attack. The truth is that the power of God is superior to all other gods. Our God knows this but do we? God’s presence and power are unparalleled. God has made that power available to you today.

Receive that power into your life and let that power flow from you to everyone you encounter. When God’s power flows through you, it will transform situations around you. That’s when healing happens and people are set free. This power is available to you right now!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27; John 6:22-42; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 14:34-35

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31

Are there people who are in a protected category for whom you turn a blind eye to their behavior? Eli was the priest and God had promised him that his family would always serve as priests because of Eli’s faithful duty as priest of the Lord.

However, Eli looked the other way when he was made aware of his son’s immorality. He did nothing. The saddest thing about this whole episode with Eli is that the young man who was sent to be mentored by Eli had to inform him of God’s judgment. God’s presence was removed. God’s hand was removed from Eli’s family and he died in obscurity.

With all that is happening in the world, are there areas where you turn a blind eye and say, “whatever”? If so, today would be a time to search your heart and ask, “Am I missing God’s presence or hand on my life because of looking away at injustice?” God is counting on you to stand firm on His principles regardless of who is committing the injustice. No one is above the standards of God. Let’s stand firm in Him!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33

1 Samuel 1:1-2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 14:28-29

What is pressing you in your life? Are there things that you have become frustrated about and wish they could change? The key to handling these things is not complaining about them. So often we use natural means to solve our issues while neglecting the supernatural power that God has made available to us.

Whatever you are facing can be conquered! How? Through prayer. Hannah had a pressing deficiency. She was barren and had a desire to have a child. Her husband was good to her but she judged her life by what she did not have. So, she did the most powerful thing. She prayed about it. She was so fervent in her prayer that the priest thought she was drunk!

Nevertheless, Hannah had confidence in God! She trusted God to answer her prayer. And, God did answer! She received a child that she had prayed for.

So, how’s your prayer life? What benefit or answer are you missing because you have not had the courage to pray?

We used to sing this song as I grew up: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit,O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31

Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27

We often hear, “actions have consequences.” Usually it is said in a negative context where there is punishment coming because of something we did. However, the opposite is also true. Good actions have good consequences (or rewards).

Ruth was a selfless lady who had every reason to leave her mother-in-law and return to her family, find a new husband and raise a new family. Yet, because of her loyalty to Naomi, she remained with her and left her native land. As a foreigner, she was very vulnerable but her good actions positioned her for good rewards.

Her sacrifice caused her to leave family, security, children, and comfort. There is no way possible that God will ever let someone give up something for which He will not recompense him or her! When Ruth went out to work, she started to receive the favor of God. She received the food she needed. She then found the man she wanted. He married her and gave her the child she wanted. The interesting aspect to this whole story is that this selfless woman, Ruth, is in the bloodline of King David and King Jesus!

God will give you opportunities to show selflessness as it relates to someone else. When you do this you should know that God sees and He will honor it. It is the very nature of God to be selfless. Don’t run from sacrifice! Your answered prayers are right on the other side of your selfless acts.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 14:28-29

Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25

Do you allow the circumstances that you face to define who you are? Do you allow the faults that you have or the failings you’ve experienced in life dictate who you are? If so, you are very much like Naomi. She was a woman who endured a rough life. Her husband moved her to a new city and they built a seemingly great life. They had 2 sons who found themselves wives. All was going well.

Then, Naomi’s husband dies. Ten years later, both of her sons die. In Middle Eastern culture, the men were one’s connection to security and identity. With her two daughters-in-law, she decided to return home. One daughter-in-law turns back to go be with her family and start over. The other daughter-in-law, Ruth, makes a resolute commitment to never leave Naomi. Once Naomi and Ruth arrive back home, they are met with great joy and affection.

Naomi tells these happy people not to call her Naomi which means “sweet” but call her Mara, which means bitter. Naomi wanted people to refer to her based on what life had thrown at her. But, she was so much more than her past. God made Naomi so much more than her circumstances. As you go through life, you will face times when things do not go well. You will face challenging times that may cause you to revise the pathway that you take to your destiny (notice I did not say that your destiny has changed just the pathway).

Don’t change your name! God’s purpose and plan for your life has not changed. Your future is still bright. Your dreams are still attainable. Your life still has meaning and purpose. You have to believe this: you are more than your circumstances!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27

 

Judges 19:1-20:48; John 3:22-4:3; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 14:22-24

Israel continues her slide into mayhem as people continue to do what is right in their own eyes. You can’t help but be disturbed by what you read today. It is offensive on so many levels yet it is what happens when we make the rules for our lives instead of God. On our best day, we cannot adequately manage the affairs of our lives. We need God’s guidance.

God’s guidance is like a navigation system. If you have ever gone to an unfamiliar city and had to rely upon the navigation system to get you around, you respond differently to it than in cities where you are somewhat familiar. In an unfamiliar place, you hang on every word of the navigation. Even when your mind wants to question if the voice is directing you properly, you keep listening. In an area where you have some familiarity, you will second guess the navigation and even go another way.

We have to see our lives as unchartered territory where only God knows the best route. Allow Him to direct us so that we don’t waste time being lost or sliding into defiant sin. When people do what is right in their own eyes, they are playing to the lowest common denominator. Over time, the bar keeps lowering until every institution (family, church, community, business, government, etc.) are all operating against the will of God. What awaits these people is destruction.

Choose today to let God lead you and set the spiritual and moral compass for your life. You may not fully understand God’s ways but they are always right and the best for us!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25

Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21

When there is no leadership in a person’s life, he or she will make things up along the way and do whatever seems acceptable. In other words, when we have not submitted ourselves to God’s authority, we will make our own rules and live by them (and change them when they no longer suit us).

Micah stole his mother’s money. In response to her money being stolen, she pronounces a curse on the robber. Micah hears this and becomes afraid. He returns the money and confesses his crime. Out of appreciation, she takes some of the returned silver and makes an idol to her son! It gets worse; Micah takes the idol and makes a shrine (sacred place to worship the idol). Then he makes priestly garments and appoints one of his sons as priest. Adding insult to injury, a young Levite (priest) passes by and agrees to be his personal priest at this new shrine.

Now that they have the “son stealing silver god”, they feel secure that they have a god watching over them. The whole tribe of Dan adopts this perversion as they seek to possess their Promised Land. Do you see how error is spread? One person makes up their own rules and others begin to follow, before too long, we think those made-up rules override the Sovereign God’s Truth! Because God knows human behavior, He knows that we will always look right in our own eyes.

Let’s commit today to do those things that are pleasing (right) in God’s eyes and not our own. When we do this, we will never get off track or lead others astray with us.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Judges 19:1-20:48; John 3:22-4:3; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 14:22-24

Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2:1-25; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 14:17-19

As powerful as Samson was when He was led by the Spirit of God, he was equally as reckless without that power. Repeatedly, God worked through Samson and following those times of great victory, Samson would do unwise things.

Against his parent’s admonition, he married someone who did not serve his God. Even when the relationship was not working, he still fought to stay with her. Then he marries Delilah. After she has tricked him one time you would think he would have had enough and walked away. Yet, he stayed and the end result was that his unwise decisions caused him to lose everything.

Though we are spiritual beings, there is a natural side to us that also has to be managed. We need the Spirit of God to lead us but we also need wisdom to practically manage our lives. There are some things the Spirit of God will not do because God gave us wisdom to manage them. You can’t give God your first tenth and then recklessly spend without a budget. You can’t pray for health and then fill your body with poison. There is a spiritual and natural side to us and we have to respect both.

Commit today that as the Spirit of God leads you, you will exercise wisdom to govern the natural areas of your life. In this regard, you will never fail or fall!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21

Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16

You can never overlook the power of God’s Spirit at work in your life. Whenever the Spirit comes into your life, He brings the supernatural power of God. Samson was a special child because he was the answer to his parent’s prayers. They had to commit to a Nazarite lifestyle for him. They were willing to do whatever was necessary because they so desperately wanted a child.

What set Samson apart from all the other Judges of Israel was that Samson was full of the Spirit of God. As a young boy, Samson grew deeper and deeper in the Holy Spirit. His consecration as a Nazarite qualified him to receive the Spirit’s help and power. The same was true for Jesus.

When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal upon His people. The Spirit empowers us to live for God. The Spirit empowers us to walk in miracles, signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit enlivens our prayers and causes change to happen. Samson needed the Holy Spirit. Jesus needed the Holy Spirit. The early Apostles needed the Holy Spirit. And, you and I need the Spirit of God to lead us and guide us each and every day.

Ask the Holy Spirit to enter your life and fill you to overflowing. Ask Him to direct you every moment of every day! Your very life depends on it.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2:1-25; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 14:17-19