April 16

Joshua 13:1-14:15, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 13:7-8



Pray: We are the Easter people. Yet, we often live as if Jesus’ body is still in the grave by the way we engage in personal witness, and corporate ministry. What if we really believed that God would answer our prayers, that God’s passion to bring people back to Himself was far greater than ours and He is already trying to woo them through the Holy Spirit. How differently would we pray for our unchurched friends, for God’s revelation in our lives. Why not boldly ask God for a miracle in the life of an unchurched friend? Why not boldly ask God to do a “new thing” in your heart right now as you read the OYB?

Read: There is no greater servant of our Lord than Caleb. He is now 85 years old and he says that he is ready now more than ever to do battle for the Lord. He is also asking for a share of land that was promised him. Remember, it was Joshua and Caleb who believed that God could overcome the giants in the Promised Land when the majority of the spies doubted this possibility. If there is anyone you would want to be in your foxhole during battle, or a friend to stand by your side it would be Caleb. What is powerful is that his old friend Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him the land of Hebron. And the story closes with these wonderful words, “And the land had rest from war.” Conflict is not the absence of peace, indifference and apathy are.

Edify: She will not give up. Nor will she give into compliance when the Judge ignored her completely. He admitted that he didn’t fear God nor care about people but because of the woman’s persistence he gave her the justice she had begged for. Likewise, Jesus says that God will answer the cries of our heart. Now, what do you need right now? Have you persistently cried out to God about your need, believing that He wants to help you? Why not lift up your need or the person in your heart right now and believe God for more.

Practice: The Psalmist today gives us a powerful image that “Truth rises up from the earth.” Gravity pulls nearly everything down. Negative people want to hold you and me down. Persons who have never attained their dreams do not want to see you realize yours. Sad but true. Yet, the Psalmist tells us that God’s truth rises up from the earth and “righteousness and peace have kissed.” Trusting in our own truth is idolatry, but trusting in God’s eternal truth is life giving. Being righteous is not being perfect but seeking to have perfection as a goal while in our sinful nature. We need to purposefully attempt to be faithful to God each day, to love our neighbor and our Lord. This will allow “righteous smiles from heaven.”

April 15

Joshua 11:1-12:24, Luke 17:11-37, Psalm 84:1-12, Proverbs 13:5-6



Pray: Joshua continues to lead the people of God. The task is not easy. He knows that he has to have spiritual direction beyond himself. So do we. As we pray let's seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to first enlighten us as we read today’s text and to give us wisdom and insight throughout the day.

Read: Joshua is taking serious ground, the Promised Land to be exact, and he is taking out the kings who have done evil. Meanwhile, Jesus has healed the ten lepers and only one has come back to thank Jesus and this one person is a Samaritan. Yes, this may be a real issue of ingratitude on the part of the other nine lepers. Jesus asks a truly sad question when he says, “only this Samaritan came back to thank me, where are the nine?” In our culture today there would be many who would feel that they are actually entitled to the healing. In fact, they would be asking Jesus, “Hey, what took you so long?” 

Edify: Perhaps it was a case of ingratitude. But, it may have also been a case of “mistaken identity”. Here is why. Lepers were isolated from everyone else due to the fact that they could contaminate others. Thus, they had to constantly yell, “Unclean” when they were walking down a road to warn others. So, if they ever had a change in their leprosy they had to show themselves to the priest at the Temple or Synagogue. It was Jewish Law. But, I believe that when the rest of the nine were heading to the priest to show their new found healing one of them, the Samaritan, suddenly realized, wait a minute, this person who healed me is supernatural. Perhaps this is truly a man of God so I shall go back and thank him for the healing….in other words he recognized the source. All too often we forget the source of any good, any redemptive thing which happens in our life. We often take credit or we give some other person credit instead of giving God credit. I believe the grateful and insightful Samaritan was on the right track.

Practice: Many people say that they are suspicious of the organized religion or the local church. Yet, most people say they like Jesus. But, they tend to like the Jesus they created in their mind, not the one who speaks clearly in scripture of faithful obedience, living the law—not abandoning it. Jesus goes on to speak in Luke 17 that the days will come, like the days of Noah, where people will enjoy partying and wild living right up until the time the door of the Ark was shut and then it was too late. There will be a day when God says, “The door to heaven is shut.” We often think everyone gets a pass, no loving God could allow anyone to be shut out. Yet, what loving God would allow unrepentant murderers, rapists, child molesters into heaven who continue to live as they are the destructive god of their own lives. This would be a major contradiction of the very nature of a just and loving God. So, if you and I have felt the forgiveness of a Holy God, then we should be overwhelmed by His grace and it should flow from our hearts, our voices to encourage and build up others. Today, let’s gratefully serve those around us so they might see the light of Christ.

April 14

Joshua 9:3-10:43, Luke 16:19-17:10, Psalm 83:1-18, Proverbs 13:4



Pray: This day is heavy with the reality of sacrifice and carnal finality. Joshua and the Hebrews were fighting the Amorites and defeating all the enemies of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In our prayers let us remember those who are in need physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we read the scripture.

Read: Joshua prayed that the sun and moon would stand still. Now that is boldness. The purpose? So that God’s people could win the battle and pursue peace and freedom. What is more fascinating is that God actually granted Joshua’s prayer. The Lord not only answered Joshua’s prayers, but in one single campaign the Hebrews defeated all five Kings and all their soldiers. This was a major victory for Joshua and the Hebrews. What stands out is the phrase, “God fights for us”. Joshua was right in saying, “be strong and courageous”.

Edify: Jesus teaches in today’s passage on the power of forgiveness. We are to forgive, not just one time, but seven times over. In another Gospel we are to forgive seven times seventy. Just as a mustard seed appears small, it can grow to become one of the largest plants. We must let go of our anger so God can grow something beautiful and large within us. Today’s anger will become tomorrow’s prison.

Practice: Lazarus is beside father Abraham and the rich man is in great anguish. The rich man wants Lazarus to simply dip his finger in water to cool his parched mouth and tongue. Yet, Abraham had little pity when the rich man asked for mercy in allowing him to warn his brothers who were still alive so they might repent of their sin and not have to suffer like this man. Yet, Abraham believes that they have a right to hear the Law of God being read like everyone else and that they will not get any special treatment. Judgment Day will not be a day of tossing out the Law of God and not holding people accountable for their sin. God’s grace is real and it is life changing. However, we cannot cheapen the grace of God by acting like we are followers of God while we intentionally deny Christ and live our lives in open rebellion. There will be a day of accountability. Fully devoted followers of Christ do not boast in their spiritual intimacy with God, rather we seek to live more faithfully and intentionally in honoring God with our obedience.

April 13

Joshua 7:16-9:2, Luke 16:1-18, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3



Pray: Lord, please allow us to approach these passages today close enough to see not only the truth but to see any part of ourselves which might be reflected in this reading. We want to come clean, we want to live clean dear Lord. Help us to open our hearts and our eyes to become the persons you have created us to be.

Read: Reading the Old Testament passage brings us to tears as we see so much celebration and victory for the people of God with Jericho falling, yet there is still darkness in the camp due to sin. Achan’s stealing the valuables and hiding them has brought judgment upon he and his family. Yes, it first appears very cruel that God would want he and his family stoned to death. However, the lives of 3000 soldiers were lost in battle due to Achan’s sin. 3000 families would not have their daddies, their brothers or sons come home due to the consequence of Achan’s sin. God takes sin seriously. Why do we treat it so flippantly?

Edify: Both the Old Testament and New Testament readings bring us to an overwhelming realization that the Law of God is not our enemy nor is it a burden. The Law of God is to be viewed in light of a relationship with God. Just as each family has certain expectations of who will do dishes, who will cook, who will keep the checkbook, who will take the garbage out, the Law of God gives us guidelines to live by so our lives are not chaotic nor destructive. When we dishonor the law then we suffer the consequences. Jesus says it so well in Luke 16: 17, “But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.” The law will remain for it is of God, and the grace of God will enable us to stand before a Holy God because of Jesus’ death upon the cross making us righteous in the eyes of a Holy God. This should literally melt us and produce large amounts of gratitude within our hearts towards a compassionate God.

Practice: Proverbs tells us that those “who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.” How often have you and I said the wrong thing? Perhaps the reason God gave us two ears and one mouth is to listen twice as much as we speak. Let us practice good listening today and be slow to speak until we believe it is something which is edifying to others and of value. We can never go wrong with compliments or encouragement of others if it is authentic.

April 12

Joshua 5:1-7:15, Luke 15:1-32, Psalm 81:1-16, Proverbs 13:1 



Pray:  Dear Lord, please open our eyes as we read to see Your Word for us today. We ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to new understanding. Lastly, Lord the scripture today tells us that when sin is in the camp there is a distance between the people of God and their Lord. We ask the Holy Spirit to point out any area of our lives where there is unrepented sin. Help us to realize that you are more than ready to forgive if we are willing to own our stuff and not allow our sin to get in our way of spiritual and emotional growth.

Read: Jericho has fallen. Scholars tell us that it was essential that Joshua and the Hebrew people take Jericho for they could not occupy the land with an ongoing threat like Jericho. However, the celebration was limited due to the sin which was in the camp of Israel. Among the Hebrew people someone had stolen items and hid them away for their own personal gain. God’s anger grew because this was against God’s command to the people. This act of stealing caused thousands of lives to be at stake and to die. The sin of the guilty parties was called out by God.

Edify: We all lose things. We misplace keys, we lose socks in the dryer, and finding the remote control is sometimes a major search in the home. But, these are things. How tragic it is to lose a friend, a family member, a spouse or a child to the sinful ways of the world. Here we find a younger son who is determined to make his way in the world and leave his father and older brother behind to satisfy his sexual and material appetites. The son finds himself lost in his own pride and narcissism when slopping the pigs. The Bible has a strong phrase when it says, “He came to himself” or “When he finally came to his senses”. The Holy Spirit’s role is to both convince us of God’s love and convict us of our sin. The younger son was convicted that he had given up his right to be a son and the best he could hope for was to be a servant of his father. He was shocked to find out that once he had confessed his sin to his father, his daddy restored him as his son. God always welcomes home repentant daughters and sons.

Practice: We don’t celebrate enough in the local church. We should swing from the chandeliers when people come to faith in Christ. God is celebrating the homecoming of his younger son. But, the older brother could not celebrate due to his pride. The older brother was drowning in “entitlement”. He said to his father, “I have been with you all these years and you have not given me even a goat to celebrate with my friends…” The father was clear, “your brother was dead, but now he is alive, he was lost, but now he has been found”. Why can’t we celebrate new life in others? Why can’t more churches celebrate the redemptive work of God in other churches? Why not start a powerful movement today by sharing authentic compliments with others? Speak words of encouragement to others today. Lift others up. Why can’t our culture spend the same amount of energy building people up as it does tearing others down? We can start a movement of compassion. Who would you speak to first? Write her or his name down and speak to them before the end of the day.

April 11

Joshua 3:1-4:24, Luke 14:7-35, Psalm 80:1-19, Proverbs 12:27-28



Pray: Every person yearns for significance in her or his life. We want our lives to matter. One of the hardest things to do in life is to come in second place. It has been noted that a Silver medalist has a much more difficult time after the Olympic games than the Bronze medalist. Why? It’s hard to come in second. To think you could have been Gold except for…..you fill in the blanks. Not fast enough, not strong enough, not disciplined enough, not quick enough off the start. Joshua could have spent most of his life feeling like he was second place behind Moses but God had another plan. Ask God for divine favor to see if part of your story intersects Joshua’s story today. Seek God’s insight for you today as you read the text.

Read: How do you see God’s greater purpose accomplished today in His elevating Joshua as a leader on the same caliber as Moses? Notice what the Lord says to Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.”  Who made Joshua a great leader? Yes, Joshua’s character is vital, his commitment to God is essential in leading others, but it was God who made Joshua a great leader. The crossing of the Jordan River with the ark mirrored the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea. God has the power to back up the mighty flow of a river in order to accomplish His purpose through you. Do we believe this about God?

Edify: Many people will drive around looking for a parking space close to the front of the mall or a retail store. I’ve seen people shove to get ahead in lines at ball games and I’ve seen others cut people off in traffic to get ahead one or two car lengths. Why do we insist on being first or sitting in places of honor? Jesus says to watch out, for if you choose to sit in the place of honor the host may ask you to take another seat farther away from the distinguished place of honor. The real kicker is when Jesus says, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” vs. 11 Better that you and I go first rather than having to be humbled by God or circumstances later in life.

Practice: Grace is free, but discipleship will cost you! There is nothing you and I can do to earn the salvation that God freely gives through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a true unconditional gift from God. However, your response to God’s unconditional love is your gift back to God. You and I can choose to accept this indescribable gift of mercy and love or we can reject it. If we choose to accept His grace then our lives are filled with gratitude and awe. The next right thing to do is to practice obedience. We must be willing to leave our father, our mother and our surroundings to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Abraham was called “a friend of God”. Why? Simple, he and Sarah left everything, their familiar surroundings, and went in the direction that God showed them as they did not know ahead of time where they were going. This is called faith—trusting in God. What is God calling you to do right now but fear is keeping you from practicing faith? The fear of being rejected by others, the fear of failure, the fear of insecurity and not having enough. What if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would you do for God out of faith? 

April 10

Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24, Luke 13:22-14:6, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 12:26



Pray: Deuteronomy tells us that there was no other prophet in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew ‘face to face”. To be sure, the scripture earlier tells us that Moses couldn’t see God face to face or he would perish. So what does today’s text mean? Moses sought to hear from God. God wanted to communicate to Moses. You may never see a burning bush which burns but is not consumed, but this does not mean that God does not want to spend precious time with you. Two questions: 1) Do you pray as if you really believe God can hear your voice? 2) Do you listen to God during your prayers as if you truly expect to hear from Him? If you will attempt to do both it will dramatically change your prayer life.

Read: She is not only mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11 but her name is intentionally placed in the genealogy of Jesus’ birth. Why is Rahab mentioned in these prominent places? In spite of how she made her living, as a prostitute, she believed in the power of God and she was a woman who was willing to risk for the people of Israel. Rahab demonstrated great faith in helping the Hebrew spies. They put their trust in her, then her life and family were spared because of her great risk. Rahab stood up to the King who had requested that she hand over the Hebrew spies. Instead, she deceived the king who wanted to kill them. Later, from Rahab’s lineage would come one of the greatest kings Israel would ever know, King David. And from David’s line would come Jesus the Christ who would save Rahab and each one of us from our eternal separation from God.

Edify: God tells Joshua six times to “be strong and courageous”. Why? Had God not already chosen Joshua to lead the people? Wasn’t God already for Joshua stepping into Moses’ shoes? God knew the human condition. A hireling knows the right thing to do but in the face of personal risk will run while a committed leader will do the right thing in spite of personal danger or risk of failure. Why? It’s the right thing to do. Joshua would stand down those who would deceive or bring harm to others. Today many people want to be “fans of Jesus” but very few are willing to be “devoted followers” who choose to do the right thing in spite of the fear of personal rejection or failure.

Practice: Luke’s account gives the reader visual imagery of the Narrow Door which leads either to eternal life or eternal separation from God. Moreover, Jesus is not threatened by Herod Antipas in the least. In fact, Jesus is well aware that His purpose is drawing close to enter into Jerusalem and to be willing to surrender to God’s redemptive purpose. Have you surrendered fully to God’s redemptive purpose through your life? God wants to do something special through your life. You are uniquely placed right now to be a light to those around you. You don’t have to leave and go to Lebanon, Syria, or Liberia to do mission work. God wants to use you right where you are right now to witness to those around you, and for you to be salt and light in your neighborhood. Who do you need to speak to today? Who do you need to lift up in prayer and truly have a heart that breaks for them as Jesus’ heart broke for Jerusalem, “Oh Jerusalem, how I would long to hold you in my arms as a mother hen would her brood but you would not…”