October 24

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalm 94:1-23, Proverbs 26:6-8 



Pray: “You better listen up.” My mother used to say that to us as young children. It meant that whatever she was saying was important and if we didn’t listen (and obey!), it would probably result in us getting into some sort of trouble. Jeremiah speaks to the people and says to them, “‘Listen to this message from the Lord…’” (Jeremiah 44:24). As you pray today, listen up! The Lord is speaking something important.

Read: Have you ever read something in the Bible and wondered why it was there? I confess I have, and on more than one occasion. There are passages I don’t understand. Perhaps that's why, when I read something I’ve read dozens of times before, all of a sudden it makes sense and something “clicks” in my spirit. Paul tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful…” There are no pieces of Scripture that are not useful, no pieces uninspired. Perhaps it is you and I who are simply not prepared to hear what God might want to say when we read certain things. I hope as I read Scripture that the Lord will prepare my heart for whatever He wants to say to me. I hope the same for you.

Edify: I recently read an article about how pastors cause/contribute to division by engaging in online debates about controversial topics. To be sure, we should not be silent about such things, but online debates limited to 140 characters or a post buried in a thread is probably not the place. I think the author of the article would also agree that his point is not limited to pastors, but to all persons, especially followers of Jesus. Paul would even instruct Timothy of such things: “Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people…Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” It’s a good word for us to remember the next time we go scrolling through the social media feeds.

Practice: Our New Testament reading begins with the statement, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.” Too many good Christians (men and women) try to walk away from youthful lusts. They try to meander away from sinful things. They attempt to go around pitfalls. Paul is quite clear (and other places in Scripture are equally as clear). If you are serious about getting away from sin, and especially “youthful lusts” (i.e. sexual sins), you…must…RUN!!! Run for you life, for your marriage, for you family, for your career, for your eternity! You can’t stroll away from such things. The power of temptation is too great. It’s possible to escape, but only if you’re willing to lace up and run the distance.

October 23

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalm 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 26:3-5 



Pray: Are you a thankful person? Do you naturally pause and acknowledge God’s goodness and His blessings in your life? Psalm 92 is a beautiful psalm of thanksgiving and it begins with this: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord…” So, do that. Give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings.

Read: “I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation…(2 Timothy 2:10). Paul is willing to lay it all on the line, including being chained and imprisoned. Why? What’s so important, so great, so worth all Paul has to endure? It’s the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The difference between Paul and us is that Paul actually meant it when he said he would endure “anything.” What’s your limit? Many will endure something for the Gospel, but few will endure “anything.” Is it a financial limit, a time limit, a commitment limit, a preference limit, etc.? We would do well to be more like Paul, limitless, when it comes to furthering the Gospel message!

Edify: Thank God for teachers. I’m not just talking about those in the schools, but teachers…people who know something and they share that knowledge with others. They may know a trade or a skill. Rather than keeping it to themselves, they teach by telling/showing others. I’ve gone to YouTube many times to learn how to fix something on my truck or around the house. 2 Timothy 2 tells us, “You have heard me teach…now [you] teach the truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” Do you teach others what you know/understand about your faith? If not, then why? There’s only one way to make sure nobody knows about the grace of Jesus…for His followers to be silent, and yes, that means you.

Practice: There seems to be a sincerity in their plea that is quite rare. They came to Jeremiah and asked him to pray and seek God’s guidance. Then, radically, they say, “Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God…” (Jeremiah 42:6). Wow! That’s the stuff of plaques, wall decals, and sermons. It’s not typical of the average believer. It’s also not true of those who spoke the words. We later find out they refused to listen to the Lord, but chose their own way instead of His. What about you? Do you seek God’s Will? When God speaks, what response will you have, even if you don’t like what He has to say?

October 22

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18, 2 Timothy 1:1-18, Psalm 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 26:1-2



Pray: Dear Lord, Prepare my heart for what I am about to read in Your Holy Word. I pray that You would enlighten my mind to understand everything I read. I want to know You more, Father. Show me Your will in this time as I grow closer to You through Scripture. I praise Your Holy Name, Father! I love You! Amen.

Read: 2 Timothy begins with a much more somber tone than did 1 Timothy. Paul is writing this letter from prison and he knows that his days on this earth are numbered at this point. His words to Timothy are those of continued affirmation and adoration for the man of God that Timothy has become. Paul encourages Timothy by writing, “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

Those words are just as true for you and me today… we should never fear nor be ashamed to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We must also remember that the name of Jesus is offensive to many and that there may be suffering that accompanies our sharing the Gospel… it may not be imprisonment but there may be suffering none the less. Nevertheless we must stand ready and willing to share the Gospel with any and all who will listen.

Edify: Psalms 90 is a powerful reminder that God is so much greater than we are. He is not limited by things of this world. Moses (the writer of Psalm 90) reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. It’s easy to get discouraged when time passes and the world doesn’t seem to get any better. We may sometimes wonder if God is able to see the future, but don’t assume that God has the same limitations that we do. God is completely unrestricted by time. It is in His eternal nature that we can find hope and comfort and dependence upon Him.

Practice: What is your story? When did you first hear the name of Jesus and how did it impact you? The Gospel is transformative and must be shared. Take time today to work on your 60-second story. What would you tell someone about the love of Jesus if you only had 60 seconds to change his or her life? It's tougher than you think.

October 21

Jeremiah 37:1-38:28, 1 Timothy 6:1-21, Psalm 89:38-52, Proverbs 25:28 



Pray: Gracious Lord, I have many things to do this week. Bills need to be paid, a dental check-up, an oil change in my car and many other things. Father, I pray that You will be with me as I do all of these things. More importantly, I ask that You show me what plans You have prepared for me. May it be that I don’t put my plans ahead of Yours, Lord. You know what is best for me, Father, and I love You! Amen.

Read: 1 Timothy 6:11-14 says, “ But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.  And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate,  that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 

Now place your name where Timothy’s is in verse 11. These words are for you today. These are our marching orders for each day until the Lord Jesus returns. As followers of Christ and sons and daughters of God, we are called to fight the good fight and stand up against all evil forces that may come against us. These words were written to empower us as we wait on the Lord.

Edify: Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life: run, pursue, fight, hold tightly. Some think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. In truth, Christianity is an active faith, obeying God with courage and doing what is right. Is it time for action on your part? Have you been a passive spectator in your Christian life? The time for action is now! Get going!

Practice: Where in your religious life have you been passive? Is your prayer life stagnant? Have you fallen behind in your Scripture reading and study? Are you relying on someone else to tell you what the Bible says or are you actively pursuing a deeper understanding of who God is through Scripture?  Take an inventory today of your spiritual war chest… How sharp are your weapons? Do your blades need to be sharpened for spiritual warfare? Be proactive and not reactive.

October 20

Jeremiah 35:1-36:32, 1 Timothy 5:1-25, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 25:25-27



Pray: Father, clear my sleepy head and fill my mind with expectation. Awake my slow body and energize my heart with love in action. Ignite my spirit and set this day on fire with promise. Make the ordinary extraordinary. Engage me; show me Your kingdom alive. Help me to see that every waking moment is full of promise because of You. Amen.

Read: In Jeremiah we see what total dedication looks like.  (Notes from the Life Application Study Bible) “The Recabites’ code of conduct resembles that of the Nazirites, who took a special vow of dedication to God (Numbers 6). For 200 years they had obeyed their ancestor’s vow to abstain from wine. While the rest of the nation was breaking its covenant with God, these people were steadfast in their commitment. God wanted the rest of His people to remain as committed to their covenant with Him as the Recabites were to their vow. God had Jeremiah tempt the Recabites with wine to demonstrate their commitment and dedication.  God knew they wouldn’t break their vow.” Would you be able to stand up against such temptation? In the face of everyone else around you doing the very things you knew were not pleasing to God, could/would you stand up and not give in?

Edify: According to a publication on peer pressure by Parent Further, only 10 percent of teenagers surveyed said that they had not been influenced by peer pressure. In that same group, 28 percent of teenagers agreed that giving in to peer pressure improved their social standing and nearly half of those surveyed admitted to picking on someone only after a friend picked on that person.

Peer pressure is not only a problem for children and adolescents, but it is also a major issue for adults. We may not want to call it peer pressure but the reality is that adults are just as susceptible to being pressured into doing things they know are not appropriate. It is critical to be able to be so strong in your beliefs and your confidence in who you are that you can stand up against the pressure from outside forces to do something that is not in line with God’s will. Just as the Recabites stood strong on their vow to abstain from wine for over 200 years, we too must stand strong to live for those things that are pleasing to God even in the face of opposition.

Practice: Spend time today in service to your fellow man. Find one way that you can make someone else’s day a little brighter. 

October 19

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 25:23-24



Pray: Lord, I trust in Your unfailing love, in Your promises. I give this day and all that it holds to You. May I walk in Your goodness, knowing Your gentle hand will guide me, and keep me.

Read: Jeremiah gives us yet another example of God’s redemptive plan for His people. Even in the face of their despair, Jerusalem will be restored because it is part of God’s ultimate plan. What a beautiful example of how God’s justice is often tempered by His mercy. God’s chosen people were in the throes of their despair yet God reveals His majesty and His grace by assuring them that while Jerusalem will certainly be destroyed that He will rebuild the city after their 70 years in exile. Those kinds of promises are true for you and me today as well. While we may be in the midst of some form of despair now, God’s plan is one of ultimate victory and redemption. We only need to wait on God’s timing and be faithful in our own exile.

Edify: Have you ever been to a church or heard on television someone preaching a word that is contrary to your understanding of Scripture and God’s very nature? Unfortunately, there are lots of examples of this that happen every weekend around the world. These are whom Timothy warns us against today when he speaks of false teachers saying, “They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.”. As followers of Christ, it is important to be well informed as to the types of things that are and are not found in Scripture. Just as we are faced with what has been termed “fake news”, we are also faced with some who are preaching and teaching a fake Gospel and we must therefore be diligent in our “spiritual exercise” as it “promises a reward in both this life and the next”.

Practice: Spend some extra time in spiritual exercise. That may be a little extra time in prayer… some more time in Scripture. Maybe today is the day to fast and focus on God and the spiritual sustenance that He fills us with each day. 

October 18

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 25:20-22 



Pray: Father, may we be grateful for our lot, and compassionate toward all those who are suffering every kind of distress at this time. May we hold nothing back, and hasten to be ministers of prayer and mercy, like the Disciples of Christ… who went about doing good works in times of need.

Read: The Psalm today is a cry out to God for help in the writer’s time of need. When reading this psalm you get the sense of the deep and ongoing anguish that is being felt and the deepest desire for God to intervene and take the pain away. I am astounded each day that even in the darkest of times and the direst of situations that I know that God understands even my deepest of pain and misery. Even when we hurt, God is able to say “Me too”. God sent His own Son to earth to live and eventually die so that we may be able to live. God knows our hurt, our pain, our needs, and our desires. God needs those who believe in Him to have faith that our circumstances are temporary and that God is right there in the pain with us.  When we hurt, God hurts. When we are filled with joy, God is filled with joy. Whatever emotion you feel, God is right there with you… saying “Me too”.

Edify: Paul gives us the characteristics of a leader in the church today. A mighty task it is to be a leader because to lead in the church is to lead the bride of Christ. In mentoring Timothy, Paul wants him to understand that it is a high calling to be a leader within the body of Christ. There are many who want a position or a title and don’t really care about the weight that leadership carries. A spirit of discernment is critical when it comes to choosing a leader. The heart and motives of any potential new leader must be examined. It is of utmost importance for a leader to lead well and only those whose hearts are in the right place will be able to do that. 

Practice: Consider your leadership. Why do you lead? Where do you lead? Leadership doesn’t have to be out in front of a large group of people, you could lead your children. Are you leading them well? You could lead at work. Are you leading in such a way that you are demonstrating the love of Christ? Examine your own heart and discern your motives… are they pure and holy or are they self-serving?