I will lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom whence

comes my help? My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
30-Day Introductory Edition
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30-Day Introductory Edition
Our Daily BreaD
For Personal and Family Devotions Since 1956
Writers:
Dave Branon Anne M. Cetas William E. Crowder
Martin R. De Haan II David C. Egner
H. Dennis Fisher Vernon C. Grounds
Hia Chek Phang Cindy Hess Kasper Albert Lee
Julie Ackerman Link David C. McCasland
David H. Roper Joseph M. Stowell Marvin L. Williams
AcknoWledgments:
Cover Photo: Alex Soh
Huangshan, China
Poem: Day 8, by Avis B. Christiansen. Renewal 1949, Singspiration.
Poem: Day 14, by Helen Howarth Lemmel. Renewal 1950,
Singspiration.
Poem: Day 22, by Ira Stanphill. 1950 Ira Stanphill.
Poem: Day 27, by John W. Peterson. 1964 John W. Peterson
Music Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982
by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Managing Editor: Anne Cetas assistant Editor: Becky Knapp
Editors: Dave Branon, Tim Gustafson, Alyson Kieda, David Sper
Copyright 2010 RBC Ministries All rights reserved.
Printed in Indonesia.
How To Use This Booklet
Most electronic devices come with an owners manual
that briefly explains the basics of how to operate the
equipment. Consider this page your manual for using this
devotional. The format isnt complicated, but here are
some suggestions for getting the most out of your reading:
Select a time and place. If possible, set aside a time
and place each day for reading and thinking about what
youve read. Your time will be more meaningful if you
can concentrate and establish a regular practice.
Read the Bible passage. Begin by reading the sug-
gested verses from the Bible (listed under the title).
Those words from Gods Book are the most important
statements you will read each day.
Note the key verse. It is printed in bold on the left
side of each page, and relates to the theme of the day.
Read the article thoughtfully. As you read, seek to
learn more about God, your relationship with Him, and
how He wants you to live each day.
Personalize the words of the poem. Use the poetic
lines to respond from your heart to God. The poem may
be in the form of a prayer that expresses how you feel.
Use the closing thought to help you remember.
The last item on each page is what we call the thought
for the day. The statement in bold type is intended to
help you remember a key idea from the reading.
Take time to pray. Talk with the Lord about what
youve discovered in His Word and your response to Him.
With those suggestions in mind, youre ready to get
started. It is our prayer that in these pages you will find
encouragement, hope, challenge, and comfort as you
draw closer to God and grow in your love for Him.
A
story is told about a man who
preached an impressive sermon,
seeking to be the pastor of a new
church. Everybody loved it and voted
for him to become their new pastor.
They were a bit surprised, however,
when he preached the same sermon
his first Sunday thereand even more
surprised when he preached it again
the next week. After he preached the
same sermon the third week in a row,
the leaders met with him to find out
what was going on. The pastor assured
them, I know what Im doing. When
you start living out this sermon, Ill go
on to my next one.
Jesus sermons had a notably recur-
ring theme. Not surprisingly, the King
of kings wanted to be sure that the
people understood what was required of them to be part of
His kingdom. He came to announce a whole new world
order that was totally out of step with life as it was usually
lived. Themes such as forgiveness, servanthood, and uncon-
ditional mercy and grace were repeatedly on His lips.
Two thousand years later we find ourselves in need of the
same message. As soon as we start repenting and living
under the authority, reign, and rule of Jesus our King, we
will experience benefit to our lives, glory to His name, and
blessing to others. Joe Stowell
The Bible gives us all we need
To live our lives for God each day,
But it wont help if we dont read
And practice what its pages say. Sper
A sermon isnt complete until its put into practice.
HeAring tHe
sermon AgAin
reAd:
Matthew 4:12-17
From that time Jesus
began to preach and
to say, Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at
hand. Matthew 4:17
Day 1
H
ave you heard the story about the
85-year-old man who was
arrested for praying?
You probably have. Thats the story
of Daniel, an elderly Jewish resident
in Babylon sentenced to death for
faithfully talking to God (Dan. 6).
Although the prayer that sent Dan-
iel to the lions den is his most famous
talk with God (6:11), it wasnt the
only time we see him in prayer.
In Daniel 9, we read an example of
how he prayed. Daniel had been read-
ing in his scroll of Jeremiah that the
captivity of his people would last 70
years, and the people were 67 years
into the exile (Jer. 25:8-11). He was
eager for it to end.
God had called His people to live
righteously, but they werent doing that. Daniel decided to
live righteously despite their lack of faith. He began to pray
that God would not delay the end of the captivity.
As he prayed, Daniel focused on worship and confession.
His pattern of prayer gives us an important insight into talk-
ing to God. We are to recognize that God is great and awe-
some (v.4) and that we have sinned (v.15). In prayer, we
praise and confess.
Lets follow Daniels lead. To him, prayer was as vital as
life itself. Dave Branon
What privilege is mine to come
Before the Fathers throne,
To speak to Him in earnest prayer,
Make all my wishes known. Sherbert
No one stands as tall as a Christian on his knees.
An old
mAns PrAyer
reAd:
Daniel 9:3-19
I set my face toward
the Lord God to make
request by prayer and
supplications.
Daniel 9:3
Day 2
W
as God sadistically absent?
Thats what Robert McClory,
professor emeritus of journalism at
the Northwestern Universitys Medill
School of Journalism, asked after
Hurricane Katrina devastated the New
Orleans area of the US.
We may want to try to exonerate
the Almighty for permitting disasters
that rip apart vulnerable communities.
But is God absent in such situations?
No, McClory insists. Talking about
the Katrina tragedy, he said that God
was invisibly present with the suffer-
ing and the dying. He was in the indi-
viduals, communities, churches, and
schools that organized aid for the vic-
tims and took evacuees into their cit-
ies and homes. He was with the
hundreds of thousands who showed compassion by prayer
and financial assistance.
So it is in our own lives when a heartbreaking tragedy
occurs, such as the death of someone we love. We have no
completely satisfactory answer to lifes painful problems.
We do know, however, that the Lord is present with us, for
He said He would never leave us (Heb. 13:5). Jesus name
Immanuel literally means God with us (Matt. 1:23).
Even though suffering baffles our minds, we can trust God
to be near and to work out His purposes. Vernon Grounds
Gods unseen presence comforts me,
I know Hes always near;
And when lifes storms besiege our soul,
He says, My child, Im here. D. De Haan
The storms of our life
prove the strength of our Anchor.
WHere WAs
god?
reAd:
Hebrews 13:5-8
Surely He has borne
our griefs and carried
our sorrows.
Isaiah 53:4
Day 3
O
n a beautiful, warm January
morning, a colleague and I were
having breakfast in an outdoor coffee
shop at MacRitchie Reservoir Park in
Singapore. With a beautiful lake and
immaculate gardens surrounding us
and a light breeze blowing across the
water, the setting was quiet, calm, and
lovely.
At a nearby table, a young woman
sat quietly reading her Bible. She was
absorbed in the text, occasionally
looking up to consider what she had
read. She never said a word, but her
heart and priorities were visible to
everyone at that coffee shop. It was a
gentle, positive, silent witness.
She was not ashamed of Christ or
His Book. She neither preached a ser-
mon nor sang a song. She was willing to be identified with
the Savior, yet she did not need to announce that allegiance.
In our attempts to share the message of Jesus, we must
eventually use words, because ultimately words are needed
to present the gospel. But we can also learn from the example
of this woman.
There are times when the quietness of our everyday actions
speak loudly, revealing our love for the Lord. In our desire to
share Christ with a broken world, lets not ignore the power
of our silent witness. Bill Crowder
Yielding your all to the Savior
And letting His love flow through you
Makes even your silent witness
A witness of what God can do. Bosch
Witness for Christ with your life as well as your lips.
silent Witness
reAd:
Philippians 1:21-27
Let your conduct be
worthy of the gospel of
Christ, . . . stand fast
in one spirit, with one
mind striving together
for the faith of the gos-
pel. Philippians 1:27
Day 4
A
ny mother can tell you that wait-
ing to give birth is an experience
that builds patience. But pity the poor
mother elephant. It takes about 22
months for an unborn elephant to
mature to birth! The shark known as
the spiny dogfish has a pregnancy
duration of 22-24 months. And at ele-
vations above 4,600 feet, the Alpine
salamander endures a gestational
period of up to 38 months!
Abraham could have identified with
these examples from nature. In his old
age, the Lord made a promise to him:
I will make you a great nation (Gen.
12:2). But as the years passed, Abra-
ham questioned how the fulfillment of
the promise was possible without even
the basic building block of a son
(15:2). So God assured him, One who will come from your
own body shall be your heir (v.4).
Despite his advanced age, Abraham believed God and was
called righteous (v.6). Yet he waited 25 years from the time
of the initial promise for Isaac to be born (17:1,17).
Waiting for Gods promises to be fulfilled is part of trust-
ing Him. No matter how long the delay, we must wait for
Him. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, Let us hold fast
the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who
promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23). Marvin Williams
Not so in haste, my heart!
Have faith in God, and wait;
Although He seems to linger long,
He never comes too late. Torrey
God always performs what He promises.
tHe WAiting
reAd:
Genesis 15:1-6
[Abraham] believed
in the Lord, and He
accounted it to him
for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
Day 5
W
hen Tamer Lee Owens celebrated
her 104th birthday, she credited
laughter, the Lord, and the little
things for keeping her going. She still
finds enjoyment each day in talking
with people, taking a walk, and reading
the Bible as she has done since child-
hood. I dont know how long Hell let
me stay here, she said. I just thank the
Lord for what Hes given me already.
Most of us wont live 104 years, but
we can learn from Tamer Lee how to
enjoy each day that we are given.
LaughterA merry heart makes a
cheerful countenance, but by sorrow
of the heart the spirit is broken (Prov.
15:13). True happiness begins deep
inside and emerges on our faces.
The LordThe fear of the Lord is
the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility
(v.33). When God is central in our hearts, He can teach us
His way through every experience of life.
The Little ThingsBetter is a dinner of herbs where love
is, than a fatted calf with hatred (v.17). Maintaining loving
relationships and enjoying the basic things of life are more
important than wealth and success.
Not all of us will live a long time, but we can all live well
each daywith laughter, the Lord, and the little things in
life. David McCasland
The world is filled with so much good
Little things that bring us pleasure
But Christ can fill our lives with joy
Beyond all earthly treasure. Sper
Happiness is not a destination
but a day-by-day journey.
living
every dAy
reAd:
Proverbs 15:13-33
All the days of the
afflicted are evil, but he
who is of a merry heart
has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15
Day 6
R
oy Clark and his father sat in the
family car in the funeral home
parking lot for several minutes. As a
teenager, he wasnt sure how to
respond when his dad put his head in
his hands and moaned, I dont know
what to say!
A friend from their church had
been in a car accident. She had sur-
vived, but her three daughters had all
died when a truck hit their vehicle.
What could they say to their friend at
a time like this?
In the Bible we are told that during
Jobs time of grieving, his three friends
came to mourn with him and to com-
fort him. For the first 7 days they sat
and wept with him because he was in
deep sorrow (Job 2:11-13). No one
spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very
great (v.13). Their presence alone was a comfort to him.
But then they began to lecture. They told Job he must
have sinned and that God was punishing him (4:7-9).
When Job was finally able to respond, he told his friends
what he needed from them. He asked for reasons to continue
hoping (6:11), for kindness (v.14), and for words that did not
presume guilt (vv.29-30).
Remembering the story of Job and his friends may help us
when we dont know what to say. Anne Cetas
Lord, give me sensitivity
To people in their grief and pain,
To weep with them and show Your love
In ways mere words cannot attain. Sper
When someones grievinglisten, dont lecture.
WHen We
dont knoW
WHAt to sAy
reAd:
Job 6:1-14
To him who is afflicted,
kindness should be
shown by his friend.
Job 6:14
Day 7
H
ave you ever watched people at a
tourist spot? At places like the
Coliseum in Rome, the Petronas Tow-
ers in Kuala Lumpur, or the Grand
Canyon in Arizona, visitors strain
their necks to get a better view. Some
call this rubbernecking, which
means to observe with curiosity.
The Bible tells us that such fasci-
nation also goes on in the heavenly
places. The apostle Peter pulls back
the curtain of heaven to let us see
angels gazing at Gods plan of
redemptionthings which angels
desire to look into (1 Peter 1:12).
The Greek word translated look
into means to stoop and look at
carefully with curiosity.
But why are angels so fascinated by
mans salvation? The most likely explanation is that they are
amazed at the astonishing way God solved the problem of
sin (Eph. 3:8-12). The cross was the means by which God
provided His Son as the righteous substitute to pay the pen-
alty for sin while upholding His holy standard (Rom. 3:19-
31). God now provides redemption to any human being who
will repent, believe, and receive it.
Are you thankful for your salvation? The angels are! They
rejoice every time a sinner repents and puts his faith in
Christ (Luke 15:10). Dennis Fisher
I look at the cross upon Calvary,
And O what a wonder divine!
To think of the wealth it holds for me
The riches of heaven are mine. Christiansen
The cross of Christ is the bridge
between God and man.
rubberneck
reAd:
1 Peter 1:3-12
They . . . preached the
gospel to you by the
Holy Spirit sent from
heaventhings which
angels desire to look
into. 1 Peter 1:12
Day 8
M
y wife purchased a birthday
card containing these words from
a paraphrase: The Lord has rejoiced
over you and has done such wonderful
things for you (Deut. 28:63 tlb). It
was such a beautiful thought that she
turned to the passage to read more.
She found that the words printed on
the card were only part of one sentence
in a section where God warned His
people what would happen if they
turned away from Him and disobeyed
His commands. The entire verse reads,
Just as the Lord has rejoiced over you
and has done such wonderful things for
you and has multiplied you, so the
Lord at that time will rejoice in
destroying you; and you shall disap-
pear from the land (Deut. 28:63 tlb).
Now that would be an unusual birthday greeting!
The experience reminded me how easy it is to select
pleasant phrases from the Bible while ignoring their context
and meaning. Todays passage is a warning from God to His
people. It is worth pondering for what it isan expression
of certainty as firm in the spiritual realm as the law of grav-
ity in the physical realm.
The Bible contains words of encouragement as well as
words of warning. Its important to appreciate both for their
instruction in our walk with Christ. David McCasland
Gods Word provides the nourishment
That every Christian needs to grow;
Supplying strength from day to day
By teaching what we need to know. Sper
The more we meditate on the Scriptures,
the closer well walk with the Savior.
tHis is A
WArning
reAd:
Deut. 28:58-63
Just as the Lord rejoiced
over you to do you good
and multiply you, so
the Lord will rejoice
over you to destroy you.
Deuteronomy 28:63
Day 9
I
n the twisted wreckage of a Metro-
link train crash, firefighters from
Los Angeles Fire Station 27 found a
message that brought tears to their
eyes. A survivor of the crash, thinking
he was dying, had used his own blood
to write on the seat in front of him that
he loved his wife and kids.
Normally, we use the words writ-
ten in blood in a less literal way. It
usually conveys a willingness to stand
behind our words with our life.
As Paul ended his letter to the Gala-
tians, he was, in a figurative sense,
writing his story in blood. He wrote a
message of love and grace that would
arouse the anger of other religious
leaders. He knew he would be hated
for honoring the death of Christ above
the ritual and moral law of Israel. He would be punished for
teaching that Christs death and resurrection were more
important than the law of circumcision that represented the
whole Mosaic way of life. His suffering for Christ would
literally include shedding his own blood (2 Cor. 11:23-25).
Paul wasnt willing to play it safe. He knew the crucifix-
ion of Jesus was the center page of history. Putting his own
life on the line, Paul proclaimed the inexpressible heart of
God, who gave His Son to express the ultimate words of
love, written in blood at the cross. Mart De Haan
The Father wrote His autograph
Upon a cross of shame,
With pen divine, all dipped in blood,
Forgiven in Jesus name. Bosch
To show His love, Jesus died for me;
to show my love, I must live for Him!
Written
in blood
reAd:
Galatians 6:11-18
God forbid that I
should boast except in
the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:14
Day 10
F
or almost 100 years, a huge piece
of flawed Carrara marble lay in
the courtyard of a cathedral in Flor-
ence, Italy. Then, in 1501, a young
sculptor was asked to do something
with it. He measured the block and
noted its imperfections. In his mind,
he envisioned a young shepherd boy.
For 3 years, he chiseled and shaped
the marble skillfully. Finally, when
the 18-foot towering figure of David
was unveiled, his student exclaimed to
Michelangelo, Master, it lacks only
one thingspeech!
Onesimus was like that flawed mar-
ble. He was an unfaithful servant
when he fled from his master Phile-
mon. But while on the run he came to
know the Master Sculptor. As a
changed man, he served God faithfully and was invaluable
to Pauls ministry. When Paul sent him back to Philemon, he
commended him as one who once was unprofitable to you,
but now is profitable to you and to me (1:11). He asked
Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother (v.16).
Paul knew what it meant to be given another chance after
past wrongs (Acts 9:26-28). He knew personally the trans-
formation God can accomplish. Now he saw it in the life of
Onesimus. The Lord can chisel His image on our flawed
lives and make us beautiful and useful too. Albert Lee
Christ takes each sin, each pain, each loss,
And by the power of His cross
Transforms our brokenness and shame
So that our lives exalt His name. D. De Haan
Our rough edges must be chipped away
to bring out the image of Christ.
AnotHer
cHAnce
reAd:
Philemon 1:8-19
[You] have put on the
new man who is
renewed in knowledge
according to the image
of Him who created
him. Colossians 3:10
Day 11
C
asey Seymour, a successful soc-
cer player and coach, notes that
everyone on his team hates the 10-by-
100 drill that ends practice. Before the
men can leave the field, they must run
100 yards 10 times at full speed with
minimal rest. If they dont beat a pre-
scribed time, they have to do it again.
The players hate ituntil the day
of the game. Then they find that they
can play at full capacity for the entire
match. Their effort has been rewarded
with a championship!
The apostle Paul used metaphors
of training and competition in his let-
ters. While he was a missionary to the
Gentiles, he submitted to the instruc-
tions and drills of God amid great
suffering and hardship. Twice in Phi-
lippians 4, he said, I have learned (vv.11-12). For him,
and for each of us, following Jesus is a lifelong learning
process. We are not spiritually mature the day we are saved,
any more than a schoolboy athlete is ready for professional
soccer. We grow in faith as we allow God through His Word
and the Holy Spirit to empower us to serve Him.
Through hardship, Paul learned to serve God welland so
can we. Its not pleasant, but it is rewarding! The more teach-
able we are, the more mature we will become. As members
of Christs team, lets be coachable. Dave Egner
Oh, its hard to learn the lesson,
As we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow
Serve alike the will of God. Anon.
Gods work in us isnt over when we receive Christ
it has just begun.
be coAcHAble!
reAd:
Philippians 4:10-19
I have learned in
whatever state I am,
to be content.
Philippians 4:11
Day 12
I
ts a full-time job trying to get
people to change. Oh, what a per-
fect world it would beif only other
people would do what we want!
A plaque in our family room may
hold the key to the secret of change.
Its in Dutch, but translated it reads:
CHANGE THE WORLD
BEGIN WITH YOURSELF
Not what most of us want to hear!
Jesus told a parable about the prob-
lem of not seeing our own faults. He
said, How can you say to your
brother, Brother, let me remove the
speck that is in your eye, when you
yourself do not see the plank that is in
your own eye? Hypocrite! First
remove the plank from your own eye
(Luke 6:42).
Being able to see other peoples faults easily without ever
noticing my own is not just an indication of hypocrisy. It can
be a wake-up call that the problem in a struggling relation-
ship may be me. Perhaps its my attitude that needs to
change. Or Im the one who needs to apologize. Maybe Im
the person who needs a humble spirit.
Its a lesson some of us have to learn over and over. We
cant change others, but with Gods help we can change our
own behavior. And when our attitude changes, it may seem as
if others have changed as well. Cindy Hess Kasper
To change can be a wonderful prospect,
Though often its met with resistance;
The transformation begins within us
And will take a lot of persistence. Hess
When God works a change in us
He can change others through us.
cHAnging
tHe World
reAd:
Luke 6:41-45
Remove the plank from
your own eye, and then
you will see clearly to
remove the speck that
is in your brothers eye.
Luke 6:42
Day 13
I
started wearing glasses when I
was 10 years old. They are still a
necessity because my 50-something
eyes are losing their battle against
time. When I was younger, I thought
glasses were a nuisanceespecially
when playing sports. Once, the lenses
of my glasses got cracked while I was
playing softball. It took several weeks
to get them replaced. In the meantime,
I saw everything in a skewed and dis-
torted way.
In life, pain often functions like
cracked lenses. It creates within us a
conflict between what we experience
and what we believe. Pain can give us
a badly distorted perspective on life
and on God. In those times, we need
our God to provide us with new lenses
to help us see clearly again. That clarity of sight usually
begins when we turn our eyes upon the Lord. The psalmist
encouraged us to do this: My eyes are upon You, O God the
Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute
(141:8). Seeing God clearly can help us see lifes experi-
ences more clearly.
As we turn our eyes to the Lord in times of pain and
struggle, we will experience His comfort and hope in our
daily lives. He will help us to see everything clearly again.
Bill Crowder
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace. Lemmel
Focusing on Christ
puts everything in perspective.
crAcked lenses
reAd:
Psalm 141
My eyes are upon You,
O god the Lord; in You
I take refuge; do not
leave my soul destitute.
Psalm 141:8
Day 14
S
tephen Kuusisto grew up feeling a
stigma about being legally blind.
For him, sight consisted of a kaleido-
scope of shapes, colors, and shadows.
Privately he would press his face close
to the page of a book and memorize
street names in an exhausting attempt
to appear more able to see than he
really could.
When Stephen was 39, his life
changed after he acquired an affec-
tionate and carefully trained guide
dog named Corky. In learning to use
Corky to lead him, Stephen reflected
on the growing trust in their relation-
ship. He said, Faith moves from
belief into conviction, then to cer-
tainty. We are a . . . powerhouse!
When Stephen admitted that he
needed the help of a sighted companion, a new world of
freedom and mobility opened up to him.
Many believers blindly stumble their way through the
Christian life in their own strength. Seemingly, they are
unaware that God has provided a supernatural Guide to lead
the way. Jesus said He would send us a Comforter who
would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). When we confess
all known sin and then depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us
(Gal. 5:16,18), we become a powerhouse for God! For we
walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Dennis Fisher
Id rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
Id rather walk by faith with Him
Than go alone by sight. Anon.
Where God guides, He provides.
corky
reAd:
John 16:5-16
We walk by faith,
not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
Day 15
W
e had rehearsed the song for
several weeks, and it sounded
good. But there was one tricky section
that we just couldnt get right. We
were ready to call it good enough. Our
choir director seemed to agree. He too
was weary of rehearsing the same few
measures over and over.
Finally he said, Weve worked hard
on this. Youre tired. Im tired. Were
running short on time. And 99 percent
of the people wont know whether or
not we sing it right. As we started to
put away our music, he continued,
But were going to sing it right for the
1 percent who know the difference.
We groaned as we reopened our music
to the rumpled page.
On Sunday morning when we sang
it right, few people knew. But that didnt matter. What really
mattered was that we were singing from our heart for an
audience of OneOne who deserves excellent praise.
King David wanted an exceedingly magnificent house
built for the Lord (1 Chron. 22:5). So before he died, he
made sure his son Solomon had everything he needed to
build the templean abundance of gold, silver, bronze, iron,
timber, stone, and skilled craftsmen (vv.14-15).
Whatever we do, our audience of One deserves our very
best. Julie Ackerman Link
O worship the King,
All glorious above,
And gratefully sing
His power and His love. Grant
When we worship God,
only our best is good enough.
giving god
our best
reAd:
1 Chronicles 22
The house to be
built for the lord
must be exceedingly
magnificent.
1 Chronicles 22:5
Day 16
O
ut of the depths the psalmist
cries to God (Ps. 130:1). His
problem surfaces: terrible guilt for
things done and undone in the past.
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand? (v.3).
But, thankfully, God forgives. He
does not keep an account of past sins,
no matter how many or how grievous
they have been. There is therefore
now no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Gods
forgiveness then leads us to fear Him
(Ps. 130:4). We worship and adore
God, for grace and forgiveness cause
us to love Him all the more.
But what happens if we slide back
into old sins? What if sin lingers? We
are to repent and wait for the Lord
and be patient while God works (vv.5-6). We are not hope-
less cases. We can hope in the One who will deliver us in
His time.
We now have these two assurances: Gods unfailing love
He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). And Gods
promise of full redemption in due timeHe will redeem us
from all our iniquities (Ps. 130:8) and present us before His
glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).
Were forgiven! Were free! With the psalmist, lets wor-
ship the Lord as we await His coming. David Roper
How blest is he whose trespass
Has freely been forgiven,
Whose sin is wholly covered
Before the sight of heaven. Psalter
When were forgiven, no record is kept of our failures.
no record
of our sins
reAd:
Psalm 130
If You, Lord, should
mark iniquities, O Lord,
who could stand?
Psalm 130:3
Day 17
N
ear the village of Gevas in east-
ern Turkey, while shepherds ate
their breakfast, one of their sheep
jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death.
Then, as the stunned shepherds looked
on, the rest of the flock followed. In all,
1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off
the cliff. The only good news was that
the last 1,000 were cushioned in their
fall by the growing woolly pile of those
who jumped first. According to The
Washington Post, 450 sheep died.
The Bible often refers to human
beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6;
Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and sus-
ceptible to group influence, we would
rather follow the crowd than the wis-
dom of the Shepherd.
Im glad the Bible also describes
sheep in a positive way. Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd
. . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me (John 10:14,27).
So the big question for us is: Whom are we following?
One another? Self-centered shepherds? Or the voice and
direction of the Good Shepherd?
Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who
blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our
daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of
the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? Mart De Haan
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare. Thrupp
Follow Christ, not the crowd.
Herd instinct
reAd:
John 10:14-30
My sheep hear My
voice, and I know
them, and they
follow Me.
John 10:27
Day 18
N
ot long ago, I traveled to the
Democratic Republic of Congo
to lead a Bible conference. I took in
the beauty of the Nyungwe Forest and
Ruzizi River, which separates Congo
from Rwanda. I experienced the
amazing hospitality of the Congolese
people, and I was moved by their sin-
cere faith in Gods provision.
Because unemployment, poverty,
and malnutrition are serious problems
there, the people often dont know
where their next meal will come from.
So each time they sit down to eat, they
thank God and ask Him to provide the
next meal.
Their prayer sounds a lot like Jesus
prayer in Matthew 6:11, Give us this
day our daily bread. The word bread
refers to any food. The phrase this day indicates provision
that came to them one day at a time.
Many first-century workers were paid one day at a time,
so a few days illness could spell tragedy. Daily could be
translated for the coming day. The prayer would read:
Give us today our bread for the coming day. It was an
urgent prayer to those who lived from hand to mouth.
This prayer calls Jesus followers everywhere to recog-
nize that our ability to work and earn our food comes from
Gods hand. Marvin Williams
Lord, thank You for our daily bread
And everything that You provide;
Increase our faith and help us see
That Your supply is deep and wide. Sper
Our problems are never a strain on Gods provision.
breAd for tHe
coming dAy
reAd:
Matthew 6:9-13
Give us this day our
daily bread.
Matthew 6:11
Day 19
D
id you ever wonder why Rahab,
the prostitute who lived in the
pagan city of Jericho, opened her
home to the Israelite spies? And what
gave her the courage to name the God
of Israel as her own?
This unlikeliest of conversions was
prompted by the stories she had heard
about the reality and power of God.
Though thoroughly steeped in pagan-
ism and immorality, her heart was
drawn to God. As she told the spies,
We have heard how the Lord dried
up the water of the Red Sea for you
when you came out of Egypt, and
what you did to the two kings of the
Amorites (Josh. 2:10).
Under normal circumstances, the
highly fortified city of Jericho would
have been virtually unconquerable. Yet it became vulnera-
ble because of the compelling stories of Gods power. Long
before Gods people arrived, the self-sufficient pride of
this hostile culture dissolved in fear when faced with those
who belonged to the God they had heard so much about
(v.11). And within the walls, one pagan heart turned to
receive the God of Israel and played a strategic role in Isra-
els stunning victory.
Lets boldly tell the stories of Gods greatness. You never
know whose heart may be ready to respond! Joe Stowell
Christ is coming, over the world victorious
Power and glory unto the Lord belong:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song. Crosby
Dont be shy; tell the stories of Gods greatness.
storytime
reAd:
Joshua 2:1-14
The lord your God, He
is God in heaven above
and on earth beneath.
Joshua 2:11
Day 20
O
n my husbands T-shirt is a car-
toon of a sheep walking on two
legs and addressing a wolf who is bar-
ring the sheeps passage through a
gate.
Standing by the sheep is a familiar-
looking man. He has a beard, compas-
sionate eyes, and a look of authority.
The sheep speaks to the wolf as he ges-
tures toward the man and says, Im
with Him. The sheeps trust in his
Shepherd gives him great confidence.
On the day Jesus died, three crosses
were raised. Jesus hung on the center
one between two criminals. One of the
men mocked Jesus, but the other said
to Him, Remember me when You
come into Your kingdom. And Jesus
answered, Today you will be with Me
in Paradise (Luke 23:42-43).
Imagine the mans thoughts as he took his last breath. He
had paid a horrible penalty for his crimes. But now, because
he put his faith in Jesus, he was welcomed into heaven as a
child of God. Perhaps he said with confidence, I know I
dont deserve to be here, but Im with Him! gesturing toward
Jesus. And Jesus would have confirmed it: Hes with Me.
Like the thief on the cross, we all face a choice. Have you
made the decision to trust Jesus? Can you say with confi-
dence, Im with Him? Cindy Hess Kasper
We are with Him and He with us;
Great confidence this gives
To face lifes trials and even death
Because our Savior lives. D. De Haan
Facing death with confidence
comes from trusting Christ.
im WitH
Him
reAd:
Luke 23:32-43
Assuredly, I say to
you, today you will be
with Me in Paradise.
Luke 23:43
Day 21
D
ana and Rich went out for an
afternoon bike ride expecting to
come home refreshed. Instead, their
lives were changed forever. As Rich
rode down a hill, he lost control of his
bike and crashed. His body was man-
gled, and he barely made it to the hos-
pital alive.
Dana faithfully kept vigil by her
husbands side. He couldnt feed him-
self, and he couldnt walk. One day, as
the two of them sat under a shade tree
outside the hospital, Rich turned to his
wife and said, Dana, I dont know if
Ill ever walk again, but Im learning
to walk closer to Jesus, and thats
what I really want. Instead of shak-
ing his fist at God, Rich reached out
and grabbed His hand.
Sometimes in the midst of our trials, we need to think
about someone like Rich to help us adjust our perspective
to remind us of the remarkable relationship we have with
God through Jesus Christ. This is the relationship we need
most when the going gets the toughest.
We are not equipped to handle all the problems we face,
but God is. Thats why He told us to give them all to Him
to cast your burden on the Lord (Ps. 55:22). As Rich
found out, walking with Jesus doesnt depend on our legs. It
depends on our heart. Dave Branon
I dont worry oer the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today Ill walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead. Stanphill
We can walk through the darkest trials
when we walk with God in the light.
HoW to WAlk
reAd:
Ephesians 3:144:3
That He would grant
you, according to the
riches of His glory, to
be strengthened with
might through His
Spirit in the inner man.
Ephesians 3:16
Day 22
W
hen our boys were small, we
played a game called Sardines.
Wed turn out all the lights in our home
and I would hide in a closet or some
other cramped place. The rest of the
family groped about in the darkness to
find my hiding place and then hide
with me until we were squeezed
together like sardines. Hence the name.
Our smallest family member at
times became frightened in the dark,
so when he came close, I would whis-
per to him softly: Here I am.
I found you, Dad! he would
announce as he snuggled against me
in the darkness, not realizing that I let
myself be found.
Likewise, we have been made to
search for Godto grope for Him,
as Paul put it so vividly (Acts 17:27). But heres the good
news: He is not at all hard to find, for He is not far from
each one of us. He desires to make Himself known. There
is a property in God of thirst and longing. He hath longing
to have us, wrote Dame Julian of Norwich centuries ago.
Before we come to know Christ, we grope for God in the
darkness. But if we search for Him in earnest, He will make
Himself known, for He rewards those who diligently seek
Him (Heb. 11:6). He will call to us softly: Here I am.
And He awaits our reply: I found You! David Roper
Man gropes his way through lifes dark maze;
To gods unknown he often prays,
Until one day he meets Gods Son
At last hes found the Living One! D. De Haan
Seek the lord while He may be found,
call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6
finding
god in tHe
dArkness
reAd:
Acts 17:24-31
The Son of Man has
come to seek and to
save that which was
lost. Luke 19:10
Day 23
L
ooking at the western shores of Sri
Lanka, I found it hard to imagine
that a tsunami had struck just a few
months earlier. The sea was calm and
beautiful, couples were walking in the
bright sunshine, and people were
going about their businessall giving
the scene an ordinary feeling I wasnt
prepared for. The impact of the disas-
ter was still there, but it had gone
underground into the hearts and minds
of the survivors. The trauma itself
would not be easily forgotten.
It was catastrophic grief that
prompted the psalmist to cry out in
anguish: My tears have been my food
day and night, while they continually
say to me, Where is your God? (Ps.
42:3). The struggle of his heart had
likewise been turned inward. While the rest of the world
went on with business as usual, he carried in his heart the
need for deep and complete healing.
Only as we submit our brokenness to the good and great
Shepherd of our hearts can we find the peace that allows us
to respond to life: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And
why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall
yet praise Him for the help of His countenance (v.5).
Hope in Godits the only solution for the deep traumas
of the heart. Bill Crowder
The Christians hope is in the Lord,
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though were tempted to despair,
We do not doubt that God is there. D. De Haan
No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.
HoPe in god
reAd:
Psalm 42
Why are you cast down,
O my soul? . . . Hope in
God, for I shall yet
praise Him for the help
of His countenance.
Psalm 42:5
Day 24
W
hen my computer greeted me
one morning with what is omi-
nously referred to as the blue screen
of death, I knew it was broken, but I
didnt know how to fix it. I read a lit-
tle, tried a few things, but finally had
to call an expert for help. Knowing
that something was wrong was only a
small part of the problem; I couldnt
fix it because I didnt know the right
thing to do.
The ordeal reminded me of the many
pundits who appear on television news
programs. All of them are experts at
proclaiming whats wrong, but most are
clueless as to what is right.
This happens in relationships as
well. In families, churches, and work-
places, nothing gets fixed because we
get fixated on whats wrong. It doesnt take an expert to
know that something is wrong when people quarrel and hurt
each other with unkind words and behavior. But it does take
an expert to know how to fix the problem.
God revealed to Israels prophets not only what was
wrong but also what was right: Cease to do evil, learn to do
good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the father-
less, plead for the widow (Isa. 1:16-17).
Instead of focusing on what is wrong, lets obey the One
who knows what is right. Julie Ackerman Link
Lord, grant me grace throughout this day
To walk the straight and narrow way,
To do whatever in Thy sight
Is good and perfect, just and right. Huisman
Like a compass, the Bible always
points you in the right direction.
WHAts rigHt?
reAd:
Isaiah 1:11-18
Cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice, rebuke
the oppressor.
Isaiah 1:16-17
Day 25
Y
ears ago, I heard a story about a
man looking for flowers for
spring planting. At the greenhouse he
came across a golden chrysanthemum,
bursting with blooms. To his surprise,
it was hidden in a corner and growing
in an old, dented rusty bucket.
If this were my flower, he said to
himself, I would place it in a beauti-
ful pot and display it proudly! Why is
it confined in this old bucket and hid-
den away in this concealed place?
When he remarked to the owner
about the flower, she explained, Oh,
I started the plant in that old bucket
until it blossomed. But its just for a
short time. Soon Ill transplant it to
my garden.
The man laughed, and imagined
such a scene in heaven. Theres a beautiful one, God will
say, the product of My lovingkindness and grace. Now its
confined in a broken body and in obscurity, but soon, in My
garden, how tall and lovely this soul will stand!
So we may now be planted in bent and battered contain-
ers for a short time while our Lord beautifies our souls. But,
as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall
also bear the image of the heavenly Man (1 Cor. 15:49).
Then He will display His handiwork and our love liness for
all to see. This is our assurance and delight. David Roper
In bodies that will neer grow old,
Well reign with Him through years untold;
O precious thought: We all shall be
With Christ through all eternity. Watson
While God is preparing a place for us,
He is preparing us for that place.
rAised
in glory
reAd:
1 Cor. 15:42-49
The body is sown in
corruption, it is raised
in incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:42
Day 26
M
y 2-year-old grandson was fasci-
nated by the bubbling mud
pool, the result of geothermal activity
in Rotorua, New Zealand. On moving
to another spot and seeing no bubbles
there, he remarked, No batteries?
He was so accustomed to his elec-
tronic toys that he attributed even
natural phenomena to battery power!
Christians can make a similar mis-
takethey look to their own puny
power to live righteous lives. But the
high moral and ethical standards of a
holy God prove impossible to live up
to. The result is joyless Christians,
hopelessly burdened and defeated.
Pauls prayer for the believers in
Ephesus was that the eyes of your
understanding [be] enlightened; that
you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . and what
is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who
believe (Eph. 1:18-19). He wanted them to see that the
power available to help them live God-honoring lives is the
same power that raised [Christ] from the dead and seated
Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (v.20).
The power to live according to Gods standards comes
only when we plug into His inexhaustible power. How do
we do that? By daily seeking His face and asking Him to fill
us with His Holy Spirit. C. P. Hia
Fill each heart and reign alone,
Break the idols we have known;
Lead us to confession true,
Give us strength Thy will to do. Peterson
The Light of the World knows no power failure.
no bAtteries?
reAd:
Ephesians 1:15-23
That you may know
what is the hope of His
calling . . . and what is
the exceeding greatness
of His power toward us
who believe.
Ephesians 1:18-19
Day 27
I
n 1953, a fledgling business called
Rocket Chemical Company and its
staff of three set out to create a line of
rust-prevention solvents and degreas-
ers for use in the aerospace industry. It
took them 40 attempts to perfect their
formula. The original secret formula
for WD-40which stands for Water
Displacement, 40th attemptis still in
use today. What a story of persistence!
The gospel of Matthew records
another story of bold persistence. A
Canaanite woman had a daughter who
was possessed by a demon. She had
no hope for her daughteruntil she
heard that Jesus was in the region.
This desperate woman came to
Jesus with her need because she
believed He could help her. She cried
out to Him even though everything and everybody seemed to
be against herrace, religious background, gender, the dis-
ciples, Satan, and seemingly even Jesus (Matt. 15:22-27).
Despite all of these obstacles, she did not give up. With bold
persistence, she pushed her way through the dark corridors of
difficulty, desperate need, and rejection. The result? Jesus
commended her for her faith and healed her daughter (v.28).
We too are invited to approach Jesus with bold persis-
tence. As we keep asking, seeking, and knocking, we will
find grace and mercy in our time of need. Marvin Williams
Something happens when we pray,
Take our place and therein stay,
Wrestle on till break of day;
Ever let us pray. Anon.
Persistence in prayer pleases God.
bold
Persistence
reAd:
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus answered and
said to her, O woman,
great is your faith! Let
it be to you as you
desire.
Matthew 15:28
Day 28
W
hen a waitress in Ohio asked to
see a customers drivers license,
she was shocked when she saw the
photo on the ID. It was her own picture!
The waitress had lost her drivers
license a month earlier, and this young
woman was using it so shed have
proof she was old enough to drink
alcohol. The police were called, and the
customer was arrested for identity theft.
Trying to gain what she wanted, she
pretended to be someone she wasnt.
Jacob, in the Old Testament, did
some pretending too. With his mother
Rebekahs help, he fooled his father
into believing he was his brother Esau
so he could gain the blessing meant
for the elder son (Gen. 27). Jacob got
caught after his deceitful act, but it
was too late for Esau to receive the blessing.
Pretending goes on in our churches today. Some people put
on a false front. They use the right Christian words, attend
church almost every Sunday, and even pray before meals.
They pretend they have it all together in order to gain the
approval of others. But inside theyre struggling with broken-
ness, guilt, doubt, or an addiction or other persistent sin.
God placed us in a body of believers to support one
another. Admit that you arent perfect. Then seek the counsel
of a godly brother or sister in Christ. Anne Cetas
Dont hide your sin and cover up,
Pretending there is nothing wrong;
Instead, confess it and repent,
Then God will fill your heart with song. Sper
Be what God intends you to be
dont pretend to be what youre not.
tHe Pretender
reAd:
Genesis 27:19-33
Confess your trespasses
to one another, and
pray for one another,
that you may be
healed. James 5:16
Day 29
W
all Street Journal columnist
Jonathan Clements offered his
readers Nine Tips for Investing in
Happiness. Interestingly, one of his
suggestions was precisely the same as
that given in the favorite old hymn by
Johnson C. Oatman, Count Your
Many Blessings. Clements urges us
not to brood over the riches of our
neighbors but to focus on the many
blessings we actually do possess.
Thats wise counsel, provided that we
realize our spiritual wealth in Jesus is
immeasurably more valuable than any
material possessions.
God didnt give us the Bible as a
guidebook for happiness. Yet it tells
us how we can be eternally joyful and
how we can experience joy on our
way to that eternal happiness. So its enlightening to com-
pare biblical truth with common-sense advice.
Godliness with contentment is great gain, Paul wrote to
Timothy (1 Tim. 6:6). The apostle wanted his protg to
understand that being grateful for the basics of life would
help keep him from the trap of covetousness.
So lets focus on the wonders of Gods grace, training
ourselves to make a spirit of gratitude pervade our lives.
Thats the way to experience joy today and to be forever
joyful. Vernon Grounds
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessingsmoney cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. Oatman
Count your many blessings
and youll soon lose count.
forever Joyful
reAd:
1 Timothy 6:6-16
Though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He
became poor, that you
. . . might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Day 30
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