When You Have Been With Christ . . .

Today's Reading: Psalm 37, Genesis 34, 2 Chronicles 11, Acts 3:1‐4:31

Acts 3:1-4:31 - There is something so amazing about seeing a person wholeheartedly following Jesus Christ. Peter and John were men like that. In this passage of Scipture we see Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth with just these words, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"

I guarantee you that the lame man was more excited about walking than he would have been about any amount of money that Peter and John could have offered him.

By the end of the day, Peter and John were arrested. Their crime? Proclaiming the powerful name of Jesus.

That did not deter Peter and John. They used their new platform to continue to be a witness for Christ.

The people took notice of the boldness of Peter and John. Look at verse 13, "13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

May the same be said of us! Have you been with Jesus? If so, your life will reflect it. Keep working through the Challenge and let Christ shape you!

For notes on all of today's readings click here.

Unmerited Favor

Today's Reading: Psalm 36, Genesis 33, 2 Chronicles 10, Acts 2

Genesis 33 - What a beautiful story of redemption! Esau had every reason to hold bitterness towards his brother, Jacob. But, God had blessed Esau. When Esau saw Jacob, he chose to run towards him with unabashed love. A note in my Bible described this run as the run of the father in Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.

It's interesting that Jacob compares seeing Esau's face with the face of God, for he had just wrestled God the night before.

Both God and Esau showed Jacob unmerited favor.

There are people in almost every person's life that need to be shown unmerited favor. Esau had no human reason to show such love to his brother. His love helped change Jacob. Who can you show love like this to? Who can you forgive? Who can you reconcile with? Maybe God will use you to change them for good.

For notes on the rest of today's passages click here.

The Great Commission

Today's Reading: Psalm 35, Genesis 32, 2 Chronicles 9, Acts 1

Acts 1 - The book of Acts was written by the Apostle Luke. We finished Luke's Gospel yesterday, and now we get to dive into his account of the early church.

Luke explains to Theophilus that his first letter was all about Jesus, and that this is a continuation of the Jesus story. Even though Jesus had ascended into heaven, He was still spiritually present on earth, and He continued to teach through His disciples and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 is one telling of the Great Commission. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Jesus gave His disciples a model for ministry. They were to share Christ in their hometown (Jerusalem), in their region(Judea), with their neighboring region(Samaria - even though the Samaritans were enemies of the Jews), and to the ends of the earth.

We are to do the same thing. God has called us to reach people like us and people that are not at all like us with the Gospel. How active are we in seeking to share Christ with the world around us? It is Christ's desire for us, and should be our consuming passion.

For notes on all of today's readings, click here.

Taste and See that the Lord is Good!

Today's Reading: Psalm 34, Genesis 31, 2 Chronicles 8, Luke 24

Psalm 34 - David has experienced that God is good over and over again in his life when he writes Psalm 34. This passage is written after God had once again delivered David from great trouble.

David encourages the children of Israel to worship and magnify the Lord together with him. And then he says something marvelous in verse 8. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

Those who have experienced the grace and love of God know that these words are good. I talk to so many people who have rejected Christ for one reason or another. I can't help but think if they would taste and see, they would experience that Christ is everything that they ever needed in life. He fills the longings of our heart better than anything this side of heaven.

So, taste and see that the LORD is good. Let us exalt his name together, forever!

Steadfast Love

Today's Reading: Psalm 33, Genesis 29:31‐30:43, 2 Chronicles 7, Luke 23:26‐56

Psalm 33 - Are you getting the idea that David liked to talk about the love of the Lord? David ends Psalm 33 with these words: "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."

If David knew anything about God, it is that his God knew how to show love to people who sometimes didn't deserve it. David had failed God over and over again, and yet God was still so good to him. He marveled at the steadfast love of his powerful God.

What is it about God's love that strikes you today?

2 Chronicles 7 - What a chapter! How can one read the words of 2 Chronicles 7 and not be in awe of our God?

As soon as Solomon had finished his prayer of the dedication of the temple, fire came down from heaven and consumed all the burn offering and sacrifices and the glory of God filled the temple.

What a sight this must have been! I can hardly imagine seeing Solomon then sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.

But, even bigger than the fire that consumed the offering was the fact that God spoke to the people.

2 Chronicles 7:14 has long been one of my favorite Bible verses. Why? Because it details the plan for national repentance and blessing. God didn't call heathens to repent in order for the land of Israel to be healed. He called for His chosen people to repent. If we want to see healing in America, or any other country, it is going to take God's people humbling ourselves, praying turning from our wicked ways, and seeking God's face, in order for our land to be healed.

The same powerful God that showed up in 2 Chronicles 7, wants to show up in your life today. Humble yourself. Pray, Turn from your wicked ways, and seek God's face.

For notes on all of today's readings, click here.

The Necessity of Christ's Death

Today's Reading: Psalm 32, Genesis 29:1‐30, 2 Chronicles 6, Luke 22:47‐23:25

Luke 22:47‐23:25 - It is difficult to read the words of Luke 22:47-23:25. As we do, we read about the betrayal, abuse, mock trials, and denial of our Savior. All of this is prior to Jesus actually going to the cross.

Jesus went through this abuse because of us. He came to earth to provide the means to salvation for man. We can be reconciled because of Christ's death.

As you read through these passages, think about this -- would a loving Father (God the Father) allow His only Son (Jesus) to go through these abuses, if in the end He was going to let everyone into heaven?

Of course not! Christ's death was necessary for us and it is necessary for us to humble ourselves and accept his gift of salvation.

For notes on all of today's readings click here.

When Persecution Comes

Today's Reading: Psalm 31, Genesis 28:10‐22, 2 Chronicles 5, Luke 22:1‐46

Psalm 31 - 14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

How much do you really trust God? For David, his trust extended to his very life. His times, according to verse 15 were in the Lord's hands. His desire was to be rescued from his enemies, but nevertheless, he would trust in God.

I was talking with one of my children the other day about persecution of Christians in China. He said that he would like to visit China some day. But, he didn't want to go until it was "legal" to be a Christian.

We talked together about what it is like to be a persecuted believer in Jesus Christ. Did you know that when the church has been persecuted it actually grows. Persecution leads to a deeper faith. It's almost always been that way.

One of the men who has influenced my life the most is Josef Tson. He was a Romanian pastor who led the largest Protestant church in all of Europe. He pastored for large number of years under extreme persecution. His life, like David's was in God's hands. He lived his life with the assurance that God was in control. Despite the persecution that Josef and his family endured, God blessed them and the church he pastored.

Do you trust God? Do you believe that your life is in His hands? If so, live for Him, no matter the cost! Persecution may come. In fact, if you are a follower of Jesus persecution is guaranteed to come. God will use that persecution for His glory and your maturity.

2 Chronicles 5 - I got chills tonight as I read the account of the completion of the temple, and the first worship service held in the new temple.

I remember when I was growing up. I attended Fox Valley Bible Church in St. Charles, Illinois. Our church was growing rapidly, and the church needed to move to a new location. Property was purchased and a larger church was built. Moving into the new church was a special Sunday. There was such an excitement about moving into the house of God that the people had so faithfully built. But, it was nothing like the experience that Solomon and the people of Israel had.

The glory of God actually descended upon this building. God's glory dwelt in Solomon's temple. What an awesome thought. The priests could not even stay in the temple because of the glory of God.

I also got shivers thinking about the fact that we still often times sing the words of the very first worship song sung in the temple.

"For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

For notes on all of today's passages click here.