June 29

2 Kings 15:1-16:20, Acts 19:13-41, Psalm 147:1-20, Proverbs 18:4-5 



Pray: Mark Buchanan says, “The distinguishing mark of the purposeful is not time management. It’s that they notice. They’re fully awake.” Paul encounters an uproar and a group of people in confusion. Our culture is full of people in an uproar, so ask God for clarity that only His Spirit can give to know what the enemy is up to and what God is up to around you.

Read: You will find an ongoing tension in both Old and New Testaments between the ways of the culture and the ways of the Lord. Ask God for eyes to see it in the history in His Word, as well as, in our current generation.

Edify: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11). We see kings of God’s people sacrificing their children as the pagans do. We see those kings who are recorded as trying to be faithful to the Lord, but yet refuse to take down the pagan shrines and end the idolatry of God’s people to purify the land. In Ephesus, we see the crowd forming in fury to the threat of the Gospel of Jesus to their economic status and sexual freedom that their goddess Artemis gives them.  How different would the story be if those with influence lived in fear (astonished reverence) to God and hoped in His unfailing love? The Psalmist tells us that the story would look much more like a rebuilding of the city, a return of the outcast (exiles), a lifting up of the humble, blessing (not killing) of children, peace throughout the area, and satisfaction in the Lord’s provision. 

Practice: How is the Lord calling you today to walk in His ways, especially when it is challenging to the economic and sexual ethics of the culture? How can you grow in purity today? How can you grow generosity? How can you find peace in His unfailing love amidst the uproar in the culture? Take action today.

June 28

2 Kings 13:1-14:29, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalm 146:1-10, Proverbs 18:2-3 

Pray: Spend a moment in prayer today for our generation and for the leaders of our country and all around the world to do what is pleasing in the Lord’s sight.

Read: Allow today’s reading to reinforce putting our hope in the everlasting God rather than the powerful people of our current day whose influence will sooner or later fade away.

Edify: The Bible has a lot to say about power and authority. Some people in power will please the Lord and some will do what is wicked in the sight of the Lord as seen in the generational perspective that Kings gives us. Therefore the Psalmist warns us not to put our hope and confidence in powerful people. They will one day fade away, but the word of the Lord and the powerful work of His Spirit will never fade. It is the Lord who will reign throughout the generations. Paul understands this as he continually encounters those under John’s baptism. No matter how eloquent their speech or how genuine their repentance; they lacked power without receiving the Spirit of God, the baptism of fire that comes from being baptized in the name of Jesus.

Practice: Replace fearful or prideful opinions, as well as, the temptations of cutting remarks about our nation’s leaders with intercessory prayer for them. This is genuinely possible when we understand that the Lord reigns throughout the generations and it is those who have received the confidence and power of the Holy Spirit that invest in things of lasting influence.

June 27

2 Kings 10:32-12:21, Acts 18:1-22, Psalm 145:1-21, Proverbs 18:1 



Pray: Consider praying to song to begin your time with the Lord in His Word. It’s so powerful when the Psalms are sung as they were originally written to be sung. Go to www.youtube.com and search “Shane and Shane Psalm 145” to hear a beautiful rendition of Scripture to song. If you prefer to keep technology out of this time, consider simply reading Psalm 145 aloud as your prayer.

Read: As the Psalm calls God’s people to do, meditate on God’s greatness, majesty, and glorious splendor as you read His Word.

Edify: It is fascinating in the Book of Acts to see ordinary people who were tentmakers, like Aquila and Priscilla, who are about the eternal work of God’s kingdom building while faithfully working in everyday life. They lived in a tough city (think Las Vegas), and it was there they were active in ministry and in supporting and encouraging Paul’s work. The promises of Psalm 145 were coming true in their lives. God protects those who love Him (Psalm 145:20) as they attest to God’s “everlasting kingdom” as “faithful followers” in Corinth.

Practice: Make one eternal investment amidst the ordinary day. Share a Scripture with someone by writing or speaking it. Serve, give, pray with, or show hospitality towards a “Paul-like” figure in your life. 

June 26

2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17:1-34, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 17:27-28



Pray: Begin praying against passivity. Pray for the wisdom to recognize the enemy of your soul and the courage to fight. Meditate on the truth that “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT

Read: Today’s reading makes it clear that God’s purposes and His gospel can be disruptive when there is evil, deception, and self-serving power structures in place. This is true at a societal level as both Jehu and Paul demonstrate, but also at a personal heart level as well. This is why followers of Jesus continually “kill” the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13) with Jesus’ forgiveness to continue to live in His freedom and power. 

Edify: In 2 Kings 9:22b Jehu replies, “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?” In other words, peace reigns in our lives when our worship is rightly directed to Jesus. This is why peace is a gift and fruit of the Spirit of God. Further, we see Paul and Silas bringing the Gospel to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and immediately “disturb” the religious, political, and academic power structures. In order to find peace at both a personal and societal level, the Gospel of Jesus disturbs those things that have a stronghold. It’s the only pathway to lasting peace and freedom. The Great Commission is not comfortable, passive, or for spectators but requires activity, courage, and the will to contend.

Practice: Ask God for an area both personally and on behalf of others in which you need to fight. The Psalmist makes it clear that God is our rock, our ally, our rescuer, our trainer for fighting, our shield, and our delight. The truth is, we never experience the fullness of this delight that is offered until we take risks and lovingly fight for others. Who will you fight for today and bring truth and love?

June 25

2 Kings 8:1-9:13, Acts 16:16-40, Psalm 143:1-12, Proverbs 17:26



Pray: Only after an earthquake, potential job-failure, and a near-suicide did the jailer ask, “What must I do to be saved?” God gets our attention in all sorts of ways, doesn’t He? Sometimes it’s subtle, other times chains have to fall. Does God have your attention? Is He trying to get your attention? Pray and ask, “God, what must I do to follow You more closely?”

Read: When chaos reigns, we need a constant. On the stormy seas, we are glad for the lighthouse keeper. When life is out of control, we see counselors. We all need other people to keep us grounded and provide perspective. The prophet Elisha was a constant. We read through all the various kings doing evil in the Lord’s sight, following after the example of Ahab (couldn’t they have found anyone better to model?). Yet, Elisha remains constant, steadfast. He steadily seeks the Lord. We would do well to model our lives after Elisha, the consistent one.

Edify: Even demons tell the truth. That’s what we read in Acts 16. A girl was following Paul and Silas shouting out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” That was the truth. Finally, Paul turns around and commanded the demon to leave her, and instantly it left. Isn’t that how evil works? It masquerades as the truth, as something good, as something fair. Then, destruction typically follows. Be alert, be cautious. What we allow into our lives could be evil masquerading as good.

Practice What would you do if God told you to move? The move is not across town, but to a different town, a new place. What would be your response? The woman from Shunem was quite wealthy. Elisha, the prophet of God, comes to her and tells her to move. She doesn’t call a realtor or liquidate her assets. She moves and leaves behind everything except family. When she returns, seven years later, the king completely restores all she had and even the crops that were harvested in her absence. God always provides when you and I are obedient to His voice. A new campus is starting up, a non-profit is seeking a spiritual leader, God is speaking a career change for you...what is your response?

June 24

2 Kings 6:1-7:20, Acts 15:36-16:15, Psalm 142:1-7, Proverbs 17:24-25



Pray: I read somewhere (Chuck Swindoll, I believe) that God answers prayers in three ways: Yes, No, Not Yet. I’ve found that to be true in my life. Sometimes God answers my prayers in the affirmative: Yes! Other times, God says, “No.” I can handle the first easily, the second is tough, but manageable. It’s when God says, “Not yet” that I struggle. That answer typically means I’m not ready. The timing is off. God needs to do a work within me before He can answer in the affirmative, or my motives are not pure. As you pray, be discerning. God hears and answers ALL your prayers. The answer He gives is the answer you need.

Read: Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement. They decided to separate and each go do what God was leading them to do. They didn’t demonize the other. They didn’t criticize each other. It was two adults acting like two adults. How I wish there were more adults in our world today who treated each other with respect and dignity, even when they disagree “sharply.” How do you measure up against the actions of Paul and Barnabas? Do you need to do better with this? Me too! Today is a new day filled with the grace and forgiveness of God. Let’s agree to start over again.

Edify: Trust is an interesting thing. We trust people we don’t know all the time (food workers, other drivers, pilots, etc.). We trust when we spend money online that we will actually get the item(s) we desire. When it comes to trusting our Father in Heaven, that is rare, indeed. The king’s officer in 2 Kings 7 didn’t trust and it caused him to be trampled to death by starving people. Although you and I will likely not be trampled by a starving nation, a lack of trust can be devastating in life. Choose to trust the Lord. It is a choice, typically followed by action. We trust others...why not Him?

Practice: We all have areas of life in which we need to grow and improve. I’m not great at encouragement and “checking-in” with people. Still, I need to do it. In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas decided to go back and check-in with the churches they had previously visited and preached the Gospel. They wanted to see how the new believers were doing. I admire them...it wasn’t as easy for them to do then as it is for us today. There was no email, no texting, no postal service to deliver hand-written notes. Who do you need to encourage and check-in with today just to see how they’re doing? Who do you know that needs to know they matter to you? Write the note, make the call, send the email.

June 23

2 Kings 4:18-5:27, Acts 15:1-35, Psalm 141:1-10, Proverbs 17:23 



Pray: We’re all control freaks to some extent. There are some people who go to extremes with trying to control things and some others who are more relaxed, but most people do like some control over certain things in their lives. Paul and Barnabas (and the Gentile converts) encountered some control freaks in Jerusalem. Some Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.” God was doing a new thing and they refused to see it. I think they refused to see it because they simply wanted control. What does God want to do in your life that you’re missing because you want to control things? What is God doing in your church that you may not even notice because your desire for control is so strong? Seek His forgiveness and pray for an awareness of the new thing God may be doing in your midst.

Read: It may seem odd to you. Others may think it’s strange, too. If God has a plan or even a miracle in store for you, why question His methods? When Elisha shut the door and laid down on top of a dead child with their faces touching, that seems odd. When he did it again, it seems no less odd. Then, the boy sneezes of all things. A dead child sneezes and comes back to life after a prophet lays on top of him. Who are we to question God’s methods, especially when the end result is a life restored? He has a plan. Let’s choose to trust Him no matter the method.

Edify: The miracles Jesus performed are amazing. One of the most preached and discussed is the feeding of 5,000. Yet, one of the least talked about miracles is very similar, but it’s WAY back in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 4, Elisha performs a miracle and it’s actually during a time of severe famine. A hundred people ate from 20 loaves of bread and they were all full and some was left over. The numbers may be different in Jesus’ miraculous feeding, but the Truth is the same in both places: God has always been and will always be working miracles! May we always be about noticing the miraculous among us.

Practice: Greed can overtake us all, and it comes in lots of forms. We can be greedy with our finances, spending it all on ourselves or even saving so much we barely live the abundant life Jesus referred to. We can be greedy with our time, not giving any of it away to those in need or being willing to serve God’s Church. We can be greedy with our prayers, only praying for ourselves and not remembering anyone else. We can even be greedy with God’s grace, never telling anyone else about this amazing gift we’ve been given. Greed got the best of Gehazi, the prophet Elisha’s servant, and because he allowed it to get the best of him, the remainder of his life (and the life of his descendants) was cursed. Fight greed with all your might. It is a powerful force, but it can be defeated if we’re willing to stand against it.