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…”

April 9

Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Luke 13:1-21, Psalm 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25



Pray: We all have different “tribes” in our lives. A “tribe” is a group of people bound together by a certain identity shared in common. For example, you may have a “tribe” of people you shared high school with, that you currently work with, or that you have been in a life group with. Think through at least 3-5 of your “tribes” and pray a blessing over them. Pray for their lives, their walk with Jesus, and their legacy as Moses models by praying a blessing one-by-one over each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Read: Ultimately, a desire for others and for yourself is to live a fruitful life for Jesus. But what does it look like to live a fruitful life? Look closely at Moses, Jesus, and David’s desire and example for us in today’s reading.

Edify: In Psalm 78, David was “chosen” by God to be His shepherd over God’s people. The Psalm says that David “cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands” (v.72). David was fruitful in the calling God had prepared him for. Further, Moses acknowledges characteristics, strengths, and preferred futures of each tribe. To shepherd means to call out the gifts in others so that lives may be fruitful in a way that participates in what God is doing in the world throughout the generations. This is why Jesus had such strong words for the Pharisees who were oppressive and even hypocritical in their expectations of others during the Sabbath. Jesus did not see any fruit of the Kingdom in their lives, so they were leading others away from God rather than towards Him. Wherever they went, they did not leave peace, joy, kindness, love, etc. in their wake. Jesus courageously models restoration, and shows them all just how “barren” and fruitless their lives had become.

Practice: God has called you to give far more than frivolous compliments today although “an encouraging word does cheer a person up” (Proverbs 12:25b). Prepare yourself prayerfully to call out the giftedness in someone who is a part of one of your tribes today. Bless them by affirming what God has done in and through their lives. Then call them to more fruit through that gift. Speak boldly today, even if to one person you regularly interact with.

April 8

Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24



Pray: CS Lewis gives an image of a proud person looking down on everyone. And one preoccupied with looking down proudly can never look up above himself or herself to see God who is bigger. It is in God’s presence in prayer that we learn humility. Ask God for a reverence of Him as you go to Him in prayer. This is the only effective way to grow in the often elusive virtue of humility.

Read: Prepare your heart for warning. Many times when we see a construction sign warning of a lane or road closure, we know it’s time to adapt our speed, possibly our plans, and to be as alert as possible. Consistently throughout today’s reading, God is communicating a warning and demanding a change in how we are living our lives. Be open to His warning!

Edify: We’re prone to see another weekday, another workday, another weekend as just another day to get through. However, Moses warns as his life is coming to a close that time is urgent, and we must focus on keeping the main thing the main thing. We cannot allow anything to steal our allegiance to God or even our attention, because the Bible consistently portrays time as urgent. You’re life, worship, and choices in the mundane day-to-day matters. Jesus reminds us that you are to live each day as if it is the day you could meet Him face to face. His coming is immediate, so how do you want to be found when He comes? Jesus says that our allegiance to Him may even be divisive, because He must always remain first in our hearts and minds. 

Practice: Work hard to become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. In what area of life are you trying to “get by” or “pull one over” on a family member, employer, or even God Himself? How has God warned you today through His Word? Make one decisive move to slow down or turn around from something that you would not want to be found doing when Jesus returns.

April 7

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27, Luke 12:8-34, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 12:21-23 



Pray: Spend time confessing to God the relationships, circumstances, and “what if’s” that cause you to worry. Now, spend time telling God how He has provided and protected as a Father to you.

Read: Pay attention as you read today to God’s names and His roles revealed through Moses, Jesus, and David recounting the history of God’s people. In order to “proclaim the name of the Lord” and “how glorious is our God,” lean into whom He reveals Himself to be.

Edify: Corrie Ten Boom says, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” However, when we realize that we have a heavenly Father who is great and who is good, we don’t have to have hearts positioned from a place of fear and desperation. This is Moses’ final prayer before his death. Moses multiple times calls God their “Father” and their “Rock.” It is very rare in the Old Testament for God to be referred to as a Father in the personal nature instead of a Father of the entire nation. This is a groundbreaking name for God in the Old Testament, and something Moses wanted to leave God’s people with since they were about to face great challenges and battles for the Promised Land.  And of course Jesus points to the freedom we can have when we know God as our Father. We no longer have to worry about what we will eat and what we will wear.  We no longer have to be fearful to ask God for things in prayer, because He loves us enough to give us what’s best for us. We no longer have to be fearful with our finances, and we can give freely knowing we have a Father who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills” who will protect and provide for us.

Practice: Be faithful and deliberate in your generosity. Look at your finances and each account from a position of abundance rather than scarcity. Ask God for His provision. Trust God by making a plan to give a certain percentage back to Him right away. And make a plan to increase that percentage until you’re giving a tithe or even above the tithe. Don’t let fear rule your finances. Instead, let faith in a good Father guide your giving.

April 6

Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20 



Pray: We face hundreds of choices daily. Some of these choices seem minor like what to order off of a menu or how to respond to a coworker. However even these so called minor choices can have far reaching consequences in health and relationships over time. Pray and ask God for wisdom in how to weigh choices and choose life in all of our thoughts, words, and actions today.

Read: It’s important to compare and contrast the weight of the results of our decisions. Further, contrast God’s revealed intentions for us with our choices. What is it that the Lord wants to do in our lives if we’d only accept it?

Edify: Jesus warns the disciples to beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Although they appeared to be making the right choices in the most intensely detailed portions of the law, their heart was far from God. Jesus exposes their hearts by affirming their practice of tithing (This is in the New Testament!) but calling out their hardened heart towards injustice. They gave money while thinking nothing of those who have nothing, because their primary concern was their comfort rather than the comfort of others. The Old Testament reading repeatedly points to who the people were becoming as covenant partners with God, people who worship God purely, and a heart that is changed to love Him. God’s desire is that His people take His instructions to heart instead of testing God with their hearts. “This is the key to your life” (Deut. 30:20).

Practice: The Proverbs connect with Jesus’ warning of lies and deceitful hearts having a day where they will be exposed. Plan peace today as the proverb encourages. Know that you are valuable to God as Jesus emphasizes, so you are free to lift others up. Surprise someone with generosity, a kind word, or an act of service as someone who has discovered the heart of the law instead of being self-absorbed like those trying to keep the letter of the law.