January 8

Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15 



Pray:  Jesus gives us permission today in the reading to seek, keep knocking, and to keep asking. Seldom do we believe that God really wants to hear from us, but He does. So ask boldly today for God to meet the needs of you and your family. Intercede for others who may be struggling with physical, emotional or spiritual needs.

Read:  As you read today’s passage we notice that Abraham intercedes for his nephew Lot. As you read, it may be shocking to realize that God will not destroy the city, and He doesn’t want to destroy the city.  If God can find 50, 40, 30, 20 or even 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, He will spare the city. God is just, but look for ways the Lord reveals that He is still merciful. Look to see that the Lord’s will is still done though Lot negotiates for other things.

Edify: The two angels appear to answer the prayer of Abraham to spare Lot and his family from the destruction which is coming to Sodom.  The sin is so great and outlandish among the men of Sodom that they want to have sex with the angels. As we read that Lot asked to be sent to another town we quickly understand that God is only destroying Sodom for its great depravity. Why just Sodom and the villages around it? Why not other towns which must have some sin, as all people sin? God did not destroy Sodom because it had sin. God destroyed Sodom because it sanctioned sin! Sodom and Gomorrah called good evil and evil was called good. Sodom sanctioned all forms of sexual sins and God cannot tolerate the sanctioning of any sin. The passage does show a merciful God but not one who tolerates the sanctioning of sin.

Practice: Jesus teaches us to boldly and persistently share the concerns of our heart to a compassionate God. Moreover, Jesus gives us one of the greatest principles in governing relationships with family, marriages, communities and even nations: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Today let us practice the “Golden Rule” as we seek to honor others as we want to be honored and to value others as we want to be valued.

January 7

Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5 

Pray: Today as we pray to ask the Holy Spirit to open our mind and heart to understand God’s Word to us, we are aware that Jesus is actually teaching on prayer. God is answering Abram’s prayer in giving him a covenant and later a son. What can God do for you today? What does God want to do through you? Pray a bold prayer.

Read: As you read look for the ways in which God fulfills His promises and begins a new mark or sacred observance which is later known as circumcision.

Edify: There is division in the house of Abram with the birth of Ishmael, yet God will fulfill His promise in changing Abram’s name to Abraham and promising that he will have a son at the age of 100 and Sarah at the age of 90. Though this is hard to believe, God’s response is strong, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” What need exists in your life and you are hesitant to ask God because you believe it is too far gone, not possible, or would take supernatural intervention? How big is your God?

Practice: Jesus explains to us how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer has three components about God 1) to honor His name, 2) His Kingdom come in you and me, 3) His will be done as we align our lives up with His will. There are also three components which speak to our involvement 1) giving us daily bread, 2) forgiving us as we forgive others, 3) and asking for deliverance from temptation from the enemy. Will you begin today by practicing aligning your will with God’s will? Who do you need to forgive? What temptations do you keep yielding to? Ask God for deliverance.

January 6

Genesis 13:5-15:21, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 6:1-10, Proverbs 1:29-33

Pray: Pray for a year of new beginnings. Today’s Old Testament story is one of new starts. Abram is taking a new territory and is gracious in allowing Lot to select the land he desires to inhabit. Pray for God’s discernment that He will direct your path in 2026 and give you insight as you read today’s scripture.

Read: As Abram takes the new ground God makes a way so His will is accomplished through Abram and Lot. Today ask the Holy Spirit to open understanding in the Old and New Testament lessons as Jesus is very practical in instructing us how to pray, how to forgive, how to hold fast to covenantal forms of relationships like marriage and love of our neighbors.

Edify: Abram exemplifies servant leadership which seeks to focus upon God’s purpose and Abram is not seeking selfish pursuits. In fact, when Abram is victorious in the battle with the enemy he does two powerful acts of selfless spiritual leadership: 1) He immediately tithes ten percent of his income to God by giving it to the priest Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20 (this is before the Law of Moses even speaks about the command to tithe) and 2) Abram refuses the generous offering from the king of Sodom believing that others might one day say, “The king of Sodom made Abram rich”. Abram wanted others to know that God had blessed Abram and is powerful enough to bless anyone who puts the Lord first.

Practice: Jesus gives strong advice in Matthew about honoring our commitments to family, spouses in marriage, and how to more effectively love our enemies saying, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” Wow, Jesus just challenged each of us to go the extra mile in learning to love our enemies and pray for those who seek to do evil against us. Perhaps today’s practice is to write down the names of those who have hurt us, who have broken our trust, who have disappointed us and ask God to bless them and bring them closer to the love of Jesus Christ so we might “be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

January 5

Genesis 11:1-13:4, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 5:1-12, Proverbs 1:24-28



Pray: Today is a day of unity and confusion. Any confusion in your life? Any chaos? You should be able to relate to today's story both in Genesis and Matthew. So pray that God would help eliminate any confusion or chaos in your life and bring compassion and clarity.

Read: Read this story and try to see yourself in the story in some capacity. God has a loving message for you and me in these words. Especially read slowly the Matthew text called the Beatitudes for there is much encouragement here.

Edify:  Sometimes I think the world would be totally different if it weren't for people. I know, that was a bad joke, but we are often so proud and so stubborn. It is a wonder God has ever put up with us this long. Here we find folks trying to build their own kingdom and hear these words, "Make themselves famous". I thought the purpose of loving and following God was to make His name famous and not our own. So, to cut to the quick, how have I engaged in similar behavior and tried to make my name famous while neglecting the very person of Jesus Christ?

Practice: Jesus says that those who engage in peacemaking and thirst for God will find numerous blessings. So, how can you and I on this very day seek to be more than a fan of Jesus by making His name famous in how we live our lives before others? Will we practice peacemaking? Will we thirst for righteousness? Even when people persecute us we must take confidence, for our reward will not be on this earth but Jesus has promised plenty in heaven.

January 4

Genesis 8:1-10:32, Matthew 4:12-25, Psalm 4:1-8, Proverbs 1:20-23



Pray: Ask the Lord to give you insight and understanding as you read the Scripture. Some of this story may sound familiar as it is the story of Noah and Matthew tells of the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Ask God to give you fresh eyes as you read this story.

Read: See how the two promises are fulfilled in today's reading. Let's examine the text and notice how Jesus calls the disciples from ordinary jobs to extraordinary opportunity.

Edify: Today we read how God has established a covenant that the world will never be destroyed again by a flood. Another promise is given in the prophecy recorded about Jesus Himself. What does chapter 4:15-16 tell us about Jesus' purpose? If He came to shine His light in the darkness, then we, who are His followers, cannot live in darkness. We are called to push the darkness back so God's light can shine in the hearts of men and women.

Practice: God called Noah and his family to a purpose and task to save the world as they knew it. Jesus called the disciples to follow Him to bring healing, economic stability and unity. Notice that people are from Galilee, the Ten towns-land of the Gentiles, Jerusalem-the religious city and Judea which used to be divided against Jerusalem. Jesus is calling His disciples to "Multiply" and make an impact, bring healing and unity as we share the Good News about the Kingdom of God. Jesus multiplied Himself through equipping His disciples. Jesus taught Peter how to catch more fish, then others had to come with their boats to bring them all ashore.

January 3

Genesis 5:1-7:24, Matthew 3:7-4:11, Psalm 3:1-8, Proverbs 1:10-19 

Pray: Today we come to grips with both humanity’s capacity to do evil and wicked things and God’s greater capacity to redeem and save. So, let's pray that as we read Scripture we will not too easily dismiss seeing ourselves in the text. Perhaps there is a part of our story which will resonate with the wrongdoing of humanity and the Lord’s desire to spare us. Fill us O Lord, with the Holy Spirit to experience You fresh and new.

Read: Today’s reading is challenging from Genesis to Proverbs for we come to grips with the depths of human depravity. God destroyed the world. But, as we read the story of Noah, and Jesus and the Pharisees we should see encouragement, not discouragement. God found a way to redeem us, not destroy us. Look for your story in the midst of this greater story.

Edify: Perhaps the hardest verses for many are found in both chapters 5 and 6 of Genesis

1. “When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself” Genesis 5:1b and...
2. “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.” Genesis 6:6 

However, there was one man named Noah, who found favor with God through his obedience. John the Baptist emphasizes obedience in his comments to the Pharisees, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” We then find Jesus modeling obedience to the Father by submitting Himself to baptism. One possible takeaway today is to never underestimate the importance of simple obedience to God. Disciples are not made in a day, but disciples are made daily. Your obedience gives you favor with God. Remember the words of the Father when Jesus was obedient to baptism, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Perhaps you need to hear today the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved daughter/son who brings me great joy.” Or, the verse from the Psalmist, “I lay down and slept...for the Lord was watching over me.” Psalm 3:5 

Practice: Simply practice obedience. Love God and love your neighbors today. Do the next right thing you know the Lord would have you to do. Pray for who you will invite to church this next weekend. Then take a step of faith and invite them.

January 2

Genesis 3:1-4:26,, Matthew 2:13-3:6, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 1:7-9

Pray: This is your time with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a message of hope and encouragement today. Lord, let me have eyes to see and a heart to understand.

Read:   Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 2:13-3:6, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 1:7-9

Edify: Today is the story of God’s finest creation, a relationship which God initiated. The beautiful part of this story of God creating humankind in His image is God didn’t need us. He still does not need us. Yet, God chose to create humanity and gave us free will. Free to love Him, free to obey Him, free to follow His loving instructions which lead to life or free to disobey which results in chaos, brokenness and hurt for us and those around us. Remember that this story begins with God creating us and loving us. It ends with God displaying this love in its purest form, for when Adam and Eve sin we find God pursuing them. God is a missionary seeking God who pursues us even when we have rebelled and done wrong. John Wesley once wrote, “we would not know the depths of which God would go to express His love if the fall had not occurred.” Matthew’s Gospel speaks of both an evil King Herod who seeks to destroy anything which threatens his kingdom and a Savior who has come to transform the evil of this world and turn it upside down. Jesus has come to save us from our sin so what was lost in the sin of the Garden of Eden can be restored in the person of Jesus Christ.

Practice: Write down what this story means to you and how you might practice gratitude today. God loves you even on your worst day. How can you love God today by loving others more intentionally around you? Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to practice your takeaway and to intentionally love others more.