March 2

Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-5, Psalm 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22



Pray: Our readings today speak of the actual heart of God when it comes to faithfulness and obedience to God. Our prayer this day is to ask God to open our spirits to hearing God’s direction and to apply His wisdom to our lives. So let's pray, “Dear Holy Spirit, please put within us an openness and receptivity to your Word. Give us a deep desire to live out what You reveal to us today.”

Read: As we read let's encounter the serious nature of what God is communicating to the Hebrew people when it comes to obedience. There are blessings untold for those who seek to be fully devoted followers of God. What are these blessings? Let's write down at least three of them and ask the Lord if these are not worth giving our entire life to so that our lives are a blessing to others.

Edify: When Jesus is walking through the crowds in Mark 10 we see this powerful image that with everyone around Jesus how could He possibly hear just one blind beggar? And even when the disciples tell Bartimaeus to be quiet it is Jesus who overhears his cry for healing and tells the disciples to bring him to Him. Bartimaeus’ question is our question when Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” His response to Jesus is simply, “I want to see!”. What is your blindside right now in your life? What is keeping you from seeing the future God has for you and those you love?

Practice: When Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus the scripture tells us that he immediately follows Jesus. What would your schedule look like if you really followed Jesus today? How would your schedule change? What would your bank account look like if you really decided to follow Jesus today? What would your weekend look like if you really followed Jesus this weekend? Who would you serve? Who would you make amends with? 

March 1

Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalm 44:9-26, Proverbs 10:20-21



Pray: Lord, You give us a clear guide in Your Word today that God’s people are to set aside crops, livestock, and possessions so You might “redeem them”. Today helps us to see that You have the capacity to redeem our habits, our families, our jobs, our homes and our marriages. Let us not only pray for the redemption of these areas but give us the courage and strength to live into the redemption of these vital areas of our lives.

Read: The scriptures declare that God is just and when a sin or act of sin has been committed it must be made right through punishment or through redemption where someone beyond us or God Himself buys it back or redeems it.  Secondly, our hearts are raised in radical ways as we look at the ways God redeems persons when they are enslaved to debt, to redeem the livestock, and the land. God wants to “buy back” or redeem what was once spoiled due to sinful acts and mistakes.

Edify: Speaking of redemption, it would not be complete unless we speak of the year of Jubilee. It is adding up seven years times seven years or every 49 years to have a season when all debts are forgiven, when interest is not charged on loans, and people are preparing the hearts of the people for the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year. The poor and the enslaved can be redeemed. In Mark’s Gospel we find the parents bringing their children to be blessed or “redeemed”, if you will, by Jesus. Can their young lives be refreshed and renewed so they might enjoy a prosperous life? 

Practice: The young ruler is struggling with “inheriting eternal life”. Jesus tells the young ruler he just lacks one thing… "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The Old Testament lesson speaks of redeeming those in prison, and those who are slaves. The young ruler believed his spiritual scorecard was so high that he was a prisoner to what he thought was most important. He was thinking solely about his salvation, his well-being, and Jesus was saying to him, “Put God first in your life, your finances, by trusting in God enough to give away what you have to the poor so God can redeem your self-focused world.”

Today, will you pray for the needs of others? Will you think of others and seek to help someone today who is in need of kindness, encouragement, or to help the poor? 

February 28

Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19



Pray: We learn what sacrifices are about in Leviticus as God’s people are to take their sin seriously. Perhaps our contemporary culture has slighted this reality and we do not take our sin seriously. In fact, we don’t even blush anymore when suggestive pictures or scenes at movies reveal way too much for the imagination. Let us pray that we might have eyes to see today, not judgmental eyes but honest eyes to see ourselves as we are, not how we like to be seen.

Read: Our Old Testament passage today speaks truth into the vital importance of two sacred observances: 1) The Day of Atonement and 2) Marriage. Everyone is to fast and sacrifice on the day of Atonement and it is clear that no one is to work on this sacred day. In fact, God’s penalty for such is quite severe. Marriage too has been treated in a trite way by our culture and even by folk in the church. Yes, there are some irreconcilable differences to be sure, yet all too often we have conjured up phrases like, “No fault divorce” which is a lie for we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s will. What is vital is that when people have gone through a divorce that she and he make every effort to learn from mistakes and shortcomings which have contributed to their separation and divorce. Sacrifice is to be observed in both the Day of Atonement/Good Friday for Christians and in living out vows of marriage.

Edify: Marriage is a sacred institution. It has been under attack since its very inception. Notice the story in the Garden of Eden had the serpent/tempter, speaking to Eve alone. Yet, when it came time to eat of the fruit she and Adam were together. The Mosaic law does allow for divorce. If a husband gives a written note in front of two witnesses this makes it legal. Yet, Jesus lifts up scriptural authority here and says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.” There is a definitive reality that God holds marriage in a sacred trust and those who violate it for their very own selfish desires will suffer the consequences. The scripture says, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.” This goes to the intent of why a man is leaving the wife of his youth. What can we do to honor the sacredness of marriage as followers of Christ while being careful not to condemn those who have been divorced? Always remember that the truth is to help us own our mistakes and grace is to help us overcome our mistakes.

Practice: Today, how can you begin to practice sacrificial love towards those whom you are in covenant with? If you are a parent, a child or sibling, how can you love others first and yourself second or third? If you are married, how can you love sacrificially?

February 27

Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18



Pray: Today’s reading is full of powerful imagery of God inviting us to be and remain faithful, or to be more exact, to “be full of faith”. One miracle Jesus performed which He said later could not be done without prayer. So, let us pray for God’s revelation: “Dear God, as we spend time with You today to hear from You through scripture, we ask the dear Holy Spirit to reveal truth, and give us direction. Lastly, to have the courage to live out what You do reveal.” Amen.

Read: Our O.T. lesson gives us the reason for living the faith with healthy boundaries, making clear what our “non-negotiables” are in our lives and that of our family. When God says, 2 “You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out.”, it is clear that God doesn’t want His people to be just like the people who have inhabited the land. God wants His people to be “set apart”, in not only what they say but how they live. If your home is clear about your “non-negotiables” like honesty, respect, putting God first in everything, then when someone or yourself tries to drift away, the DNA of your home, the DNA of your faith will “vomit you out”, or call you on the carpet. Healthy organizations are clear about their “non-negotiables” in building a healthy culture. Should followers of Jesus do any less?

Edify: Jesus wanted His inner core of Peter, James and John to share a sacred moment with Him. This reading reveals the power of God revealed in Jesus. This passage underscores our basic Christian teaching on who Jesus is as He is 100% human and 100% divine. Peter wants to “do something” out of nervousness and build an altar. Jesus wants him to be personal and support him in this moment realizing who Jesus actually is. So often we get busy “doing ministry” that we fail to “encounter Jesus in the ministry”. As my mentor Bill Hybels has said, “There have been times when doing the work of ministry was killing the work of God in me.” We should serve from grace, not trying to earn it nor establish it…the grace and love of God is already abundantly available. 

Practice: Jesus wasn’t trying to impress the disciples. In fact, Jesus wants His followers to succeed in being faithful. However, sometimes we seek to “cook up ministry” out of seeing the need instead of allowing God to simmer the faith within us over time. When Jesus said, “this kind can be cast out only by prayer” He was saying, “you can’t cast out this kind of evil unless there is some kind of holiness living within you.” So, practice holiness today by spending time, as you are, reading the scriptures and applying them to your life daily. Pray for God’s presence to be with you throughout the day. Look for the Holy Spirit’s revelations and seek to love your neighbor. Over time, holiness will grow within you so you can do battle against the evil around you.

February 26

Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17



Pray: Just as others brought the blind man to Jesus that we’ll read about today, start off your prayer time by praying for those you know who are searching as if they’re in the dark, those who are hurting and need healing, and those who are vulnerable and outcast in some way. Now, begin to ask God if there are any ways that you are blind, or possibly any ways in which you can see but not too clearly. Make yourself available to God. Meet with Him outside the village in a quiet place and ask Him to fully restore the way you need to see your life and the world.

Read: In Leviticus, there is an often repeated phrase “I am the Lord your God.” As you read, notice the frequency and placement of that statement. Then, let that declaration provide the lens for you to see what God has for you today in the Mark passage, the Psalm, and the Proverb for the day. 

Edify: We begin with a declaration that we are to be holy as God is holy. We think surely this was just an Old Testament thing because Jesus is gracious. Jesus is gracious, but He didn’t take anything away from the law. In fact He says in Matthew 5:48 that we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. The good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation while we were still dead in our sins. It’s clear that our attitude in order to grow in holiness is revealed in each of today’s readings. In Leviticus, we must submit and acknowledge that He is God and we are not. This makes us want to live in line with His law and calling on our life. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of His Lordship when we feel tempted, weak, or even rebellious at heart. In Mark, we are to specifically acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus and His identity as our Messiah who has come to save us. Peter begins by getting it right and acknowledging Jesus’ identity as Messiah at Caesarea Philippi. We must turn from our selfish ways and take up our cross and follow Jesus. He is to be number 1 in our lives. In Psalm, we grow in holiness despite our circumstances when we thirst for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives like a deer thirsts for water. Even in the hard times we see David calling out to God as his Savior (like Peter) multiple times and calls Him his rock. Finally, in Proverbs we see that it is wise to humbly open ourselves up to God’s discipline and correction in our lives in order to grow in holiness.

Practice: Consider fasting for a meal or from a frequent food or drink for a day if your health allows. Prayerfully create a “thirst” and a “hunger” for God through fasting and with each hunger pain, make a declaration that the Lord is your God and Jesus is your Savior and Messiah. Fasting and prayer have a way of opening your eyes and allowing God to bring clarity and a healing of your sight in life. Give it a chance!

February 25

Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16



Pray: Ask God to empty you of you today. May our thoughts, words, and actions be emptied of selfish ambition or vain conceit. May we operate out of worship for God and love for our neighbor instead of out of a desire for our personal gain.

Read: As you read today, think about God’s economy. We should get uncomfortable as we encounter Proverbs about wealth, a Psalm of David urging us to be kind to the poor, and Jesus feeding a vulnerable 4000 people. Are we ready to allow God to challenge us in the area of giving time and resources to the poor? Are we willing to trust Him to multiply what we have so that they and we have enough according to His riches?

Edify: The disciples had a scarcity mentality. They had witnessed Jesus cast out demons, heal the sick, and even walk on water. Is anything too hard for Him? To top it all off, they were there when Jesus fed the 5000 just relatively recently (Mark chapter 6)!!! The disciples were focused in on the difficulty of the situation and were not interested enough in the well-being of the crowd to suggest such a miracle occurring again. “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” (Mark 6:4) How often do we tell the living God the same thing (not asking even though it’s a question)? We are often too focused on the circumstances to feel empathy for those who are hungry or stuck in a tight spot. We’re often caught in a scarcity mentality where we’re hesitant to take action due to being afraid we’ll be the ones in need if we give. When we’re with Jesus, we should turn from the scarcity mentality and live out of the abundance that He wants to provide.

Practice: John Wesley observes, “We do not think to serve the poor, because we do not spend any time with the poor.” Schedule a time TODAY with your life group or with your family to serve a meal or simply hang out at one of Christ Church’s strategic partners in the area. Don’t treat them as a target to check your “serving or outreach” religious box, but go with the intention on having a real conversation with a real person who happens to be in need.

February 24

Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14



Pray: Acknowledge before God that His ways are higher than our ways. He is great and His law is perfect and not to be discarded by our own reasoning or experience or traditions. Pray a prayer of submission to God’s ways.

Read: Make a point to compare and contrast Moses and Aaron’s reverence before God, David’s honesty and joy before God, and the Pharisees’ haughty attitudes toward God’s law and instruction. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever so there is much to learn by seeing how those in His Word approach Him and His instruction.

Edify: There is much to learn from Jesus’ rebuke against the Pharisees. It’s the height of spiritual arrogance to elevate our own man-made traditions above God’s Word. When someone comes arrogantly before God in the way they speak and live, the prophecy from Isaiah that Jesus quotes in Mark 7:6-7 always follows. Our hearts will be far from Him because there is no room for pride when we’re truly in the presence of God. Worship will become a farce or a show. It’s so powerful to contrast this with the reverence that Moses and Aaron have towards God. God has shown His power when Aaron’s two sons didn’t follow God’s instruction for worship and were immediately struck dead. God is serious about His instruction and law and the wages of breaking them is death. David brings in such warmth by acknowledging his struggles and sins, but then pleading with God to rescue him. In the end, David acknowledges that he is “poor and needy” in humility, and it is with that posture that he can find joy in any circumstance.

Practice: Choose joy today. As David shows us we don’t drift into joy. As the Pharisees show us, joy isn’t found in our rituals. We choose joy by proclaiming, “The Lord is great!” as we celebrate in the joy of our salvation.