December 7

Hosea 6:1-9:17, 3 John 1:1-14, Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 29:12-14 

Pray: Healing is something many people need at some point in their lives. We need physical healing, emotional healing, and certainly spiritual healing. What we find, though, is that there IS a hindrance to healing: sin. “I want to heal Israel, but its sins are too great.” James 5:16 tells us the same thing, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” What do you need to confess so that the Lord can bring healing to your life?

Read: Can you sense God’s heart in today’s reading? “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” God desperately wants a relationship with you. Other things are important, but nothing is more important to the Lord than His relationship with you. How well do you know the Lord? Have you fully trusted in Him? Maybe today is the day…

Edify: We tend to find one example that suits us and justifies our actions/thoughts/beliefs. If we can identify and name a person or group that aligns with what we believe, we consider ourselves right. John tells us, “Dear friends, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good.” Though we may find an example to reinforce what we want, that’s really not the litmus test for our thoughts/actions/beliefs. Do you have things in your life that you’ve justified because someone else does it or says it’s okay? Does it align with Scripture?

Practice: How we treat the poor and those less fortunate than us (both in this country and around creation), has eternal significance. You cannot read Scripture and ignore the reality that God has a heart for the poor and God’s people are to care for the poor. There’s much debate on how one does that, regardless, it’s a mandate from the Lord. Proverbs 29:14 tells us “If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever.” God rewards those who have the ability to help the poor and treat them fairly. 

December 6

Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11



Pray: I’m guilty. Many of you are guilty. We get upset and say something without thinking it through. Our words hurt, mostly those we care about deeply. If you resonate with what I’m saying, Proverbs 29 is tough to read: “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Lord, hear our prayers as we seek to move from foolish venting to wise men and women.

Read: Most people want to feel secure in life. We want security in our relationships, our jobs, retirement, etc. The Psalmist tells us “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.” What’s the secret to security? Trust in God.

Edify: Love is so much more than a feeling. Feelings go up and down. Feelings are fickle. My feelings change when I’m tired or hungry. Love is not a feeling, though most times a feeling does accompany love. “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and He has commanded us to love one another…” Love is action. It’s doing something for someone even when you don’t feel like it, especially when you don’t feel like it.

Practice: I don’t like to admit when I’m wrong. Sometimes it's when I’ve been defeated by a machine and my computer gets the best of me. Other times, it’s a more serious matter and I’ve said/done something which I regret and must apologize and repent. It’s easier then, to just simply blame someone else…a spouse, disobedient children, the boss, society, etc. Yet, I know that easy is not the same as right. “Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint…is with you” Hosea says, on behalf of God. For what do you need to repent? To whom do you need to apologize? 

December 5

Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8



Pray: Ever feel overwhelmed? Ever say, “It’s just too much?” There’s much to be concerned about in our world today. Truthfully, there always has been much to be concerned about. Evil is not new. Take heart, though. “Who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” Through faith in Christ, God’s people are victorious…no matter the circumstances. When you pray today, give thanks for the victory!

Read: God’s love is relentless. It’s not dependent upon boxes checked or how close we come to perfection (though we are expected to give an account for our actions). Hosea is a perfect picture of God’s love and redemptive work. “Go and love…even though she commits adultery…this will illustrate that the Lord still loves, even though people have turned…” What an amazing picture of God’s love! 

Edify: Spoiler Alert!!! I was listening to Christmas music a few days ago when I heard an old song that I used to sing as a child. The words threw me, honestly. “Santa Claus knows we’re all God’s children, that makes everything bright…” Two lies in one sentence: Santa Claus and everyone is a child of God (let the hate mail ensue!). 1 John 5:1 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God.” We also read that it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the ability to even name Jesus as Lord and become a child of God. It’s not automatic. The gift of salvation has already been purchased (unlike many of your Christmas presents). You just have to say yes.

Practice: God’s love is incredible (read above). When we experience His love and grace, we are expected to live differently. Just as Hosea said to Gomer, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution,” God gives us guidelines and guardrails designed for our benefit and the benefit of those around us. Encounter His love and live like you’ve encountered His love.

December 4

Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 



Pray: How can you love others? What about those who don’t really deserve it? John tells us that once we experience the love of God in our own lives, it ought to drive us and enable us to love each other. I once heard of a missionary who was struggling to authentically love the villagers she was trying to reach. One night she prayed and the Holy Spirit revealed to her that her prayers were pointed in the wrong direction. She began praying, “Lord, give me your heart for me.” With a different prayer, she was given a different heart. With a different heart, she had a different love for people. Do you know just how much your Heavenly Father loves you? Ask Him to reveal it to you so you might love others in the same way.

Read: I had a colleague once who didn’t like it when I referenced John saying “You belong to God.” He said it made him feel controlled and restricted. I, on the other hand, feel a sense of security and trust knowing that I am God’s. When something/someone is in my possession, I am responsible for it/them. I’ll show care and concern. I’ll protect whatever is in my possession. If I belong to God, I believe His level of care, concern, protection, and responsibility over me far surpasses anything I am capable of. In that truth, I find great comfort and trust. You?

Edify: “The king will do as he pleases…and no one will help him.” It’s not coincidental that these two phrases bookend our opening passage of Scripture today. When we live for ourselves, we can’t expect others to help further our selfish ways. The king mentioned here meets his demise because of his self-centered and independent ways. In what ways can you rewrite your life’s script? In what ways can you stop doing only what pleases you and add value to someone else, investing in them? The king didn’t fair too well, even though he was a king! Selfishness will get you more of what you want…if what you want is more of you.

Practice: “I have a word.” Honestly, I cringe when someone says that to me. It’s not because I believe God cannot use someone to speak to me. He can, and does. It’s because usually this person with “a word” wants to give me their opinion…their biased, unbiblical, mostly uneducated opinion, typically rooted in rumors, feelings, and occasionally experiences. It’s why John tells us “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit” and it’s why we often say, “Be careful who you allow to speak into your life.” I gave great parenting advice before I had children. Broke people know exactly how you should manage your money. Who is speaking into your life? Who has your ear?

December 3

Daniel 11:2-35, 1 John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, Proverbs 29:1



Pray: Dear Glorious Father, I pray that I will stay focused on You today. I pray that You will constantly remind me to be content in all of my circumstances. I pray that You will fill me up that I may be joyful all day, even if stress creeps in. I know that through my contentment, You will be glorified. I want to honor You, Father, in all that I do. I praise Your Holy Name! Amen.

Read: The psalmist continues the songs of the pilgrimage by writing one about going to church. For some it is an absolute chore… getting up early, getting dressed, getting the kids dressed, feeding everyone… arguing about who is going to sit where in the car. It can be a bit chaotic. For others, it is a delight. In both cases, it is a matter of perspective. Church attendance becomes a chore when we have unconfessed sin or if our fire for God has cooled a bit. However, if we are close to God and enjoy His presence then we will be eager to worship and praise Him. Attitude is everything. How’s your attitude toward God this morning?

Edify: What are your dirty little secrets? Those vices that we would prefer for no one to ever know about? Maybe your vices are not really that secret at all. Nevertheless, those are the very places that John says are the footholds for the devil. John is specifically talking to those who sin and do so on an ongoing basis and then try and find a way to justify it to make themselves feel better about their sin. John says that these people never really belonged to God. Now, to be true, all people sin, those who belong to God and those who don’t, but John differentiates between the two in verse 9 where he says that those who belong to God can’t keep on sinning. Here he recognizes that the sins of those who have been saved by the grace of God simply do not make a practice of sinning. Do you make a practice of sinning? Do you continue to do things that you know are not pleasing to God yet you do them anyway? 

Practice: Let’s choose to be eager to worship today! Even if the preparation and the getting to church doesn’t go perfectly, that doesn’t mean that it has to impact our ability to give God the praise that He is due. Let’s get out there and worship!

December 2

Daniel 9:1-11:1,1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28



Pray: Dear Lord, I pray today that I will yield my spirit completely to You, that You may use me as You please. I pray that You will provide me opportunities to show people how much You mean to me. Give me discretion to know what to say and how to say it. Make me bold enough, that I may proclaim salvation cheerfully and joyfully. I pray that the seeds You allow me to plant will grow and mature. I pray that You, Father, will water the seeds that You allow me to plant today. I am forever grateful for the cross; may I proclaim it in a contagious way today. Amen.

Read: John continues his affirmation of the Christian people but also gives a stern warning about living the last days. John likens some of those who have left the church and been about teaching false doctrines as anti-christs that never belonged to the Christian family. He reminds the readers that they are called children of God because they belong to Him. John is careful to remind the Christians that being a follower of Christ is a process of becoming more and more like Jesus every day… a process that will not be completed until we see Jesus face to face. 

Edify: Daniel pleaded to God for forgiveness through prayer and fasting. Daniel knew that the sins of the nation were great, but he also knew that before he could pray for their forgiveness he needed to look at himself and the sin in his own life first. All too often, we look for someone else to blame when things go wrong. When we lose the game, it was someone else’s fault. When we don’t get the promotion, it’s the boss’ fault. When our kids start acting out, it's society’s fault. You get the idea. Why are we so quick to cast blame when we should first look to ourselves as the creator of our own issues? Rather than looking for someone else to blame when things go wrong, maybe we should take a moment to consider our role in why things turned out the way they did. 

Practice: Do some self-reflection today. Where are you with your relationship with God? Do you need to, like Daniel, repent of some sin that is holding you back from being able to live into the God-sized purposes that are planned for you? Do you need to reclaim your position as a child of God? Take steps today to continue (or maybe start) the journey of being more like Jesus each day.

December 1

Daniel 8:1-27, 1 John 2:1-17, Psalm 120:1-7, Proverbs 28:25-26 



Pray: Dear Merciful Father, I pray that You would keep Your hand on our men and women defending our country so that we can be free. Be with our soldiers as they go onto their assignments. Bring them back to base safely. I praise You for our brave men and women! I thank You for our brave men and women! I also pray that You give them the skills that they need in every moment, so that they can come back home safely to their families.

Read: When I was young, my mom would lead my brother and I in singing songs to help make the time go by faster (this was before the advent of the portable DVD player and the iPad). Today’s Psalm comes to us from a grouping of songs that would have been sung my travelers on their way to the Temple to celebrate the annual festivals. Psalm 120 is the first “step” along that journey as the travelers embark in hostile lands on their way to their destination. 

Edify: We all make mistakes… we fall short of the expectations that we have for ourselves and we certainly fall short of the expectations that God has for us. However, even when we fall short and find ourselves dealing with sin, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is pleading on our behalf for another chance. John writes this letter to all Christians who find themselves dealing with their sin problem and wondering if there is a chance for them to, not only move beyond, but find victory over their sin. John's words of reassurance are meant to help all believers who struggle with their sin and remind us that Jesus paid the price so that our sins don’t mean condemnation.

Practice: Let’s take a moment as we begin a new month to be reminded that we are commanded to love God and love our neighbors. Find a way to demonstrate your love for your neighbor today. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, but it does need to be done in the right spirit. Get moving!