April 18

Joshua 16:1-18:28, Luke 19:1-27, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 13:11



Pray: Father, I see all kinds of people and many of them are broken. Help me to see past their brokenness and see possibilities. Help me not to judge a book by its cover. Remind me to honor and to serve them.

Read: The story of a short-statured tax collector named Zacchaeus is a familiar one. He had climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. And Jesus saw him. Note that Jesus did not rebuke Zacchaeus for cheating people and treating them badly. Rather, Jesus said, I must be a guest in your home today. Tax collectors were not well thought of in that day. They had the reputation and mannerisms that we would attribute to a used car dealer who sells bad cars today. Jesus honored rather than rebuked Zacchaeus. Everyone knew Zacchaeus was a scoundrel. But Jesus saw what he could be, rather than who he was. Zacchaeus gave half of what he owned to the poor and paid back overcharged taxes times four. When someone’s inner most need to be valued and honored is met, big things, eternal things, happen.

Edify: The rich young ruler was told by Jesus to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Zacchaeus freely sold all that he had and gave half to the poor while paying those who he had cheated four times what he had taken unfairly from them. Zacchaeus was quick to repent. The rich young ruler would not repent. Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner in need of grace. The rich young ruler was self-righteous and full of himself. Jesus called Zacchaeus a true son of Abraham while he described the rich young ruler as far away from the kingdom.

Practice: Before telling someone what is wrong with them and what needs to change, please consider meeting their heartfelt need to be valued and honored. See past their brokenness. See what “might be”.

April 17

 Joshua 15:1-63, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 86:1-17, Proverbs 13:9-10 



Pray: There are many things that I have surrendered to You Lord. But the things that I haven’t released to You rise up over and over again to defeat me. Lord, I need to let go. Help me to do just that! Help me to store my time, energy, and treasure in heaven. Help me to do what You say even when what You say is hard for me.

Read: In Luke 18 we read the story of “the rich young leader”. The young ruler was a religious guy. You might say he was the type of person who was in church every Sunday. In many ways he was “picture perfect”. But he didn’t trust God. His trust lay in his possessions. Jesus pinpointed his issue by asking him to sell all that he had and give to the poor. This he could not do. Wealth was his savior, not Jesus.

Edify: Could you do it? Could I do it? If Jesus spoke to me and told me to sell everything and give it to the poor, would I? Would you? This much I know. Money has a stronghold on many of us. We are commanded to tithe. We are told to give 10% of our income to the Lord. Giving everything starts with giving the first 10%. God’s blessing on the remaining 90% soon changes us. Giving whatever God asks becomes doable. Why? We experience a simple but profound truth. We cannot out give God and God can be trusted.

Practice: Don’t wait to experience God until you stand before Him facing eternity. Start today to take Him at His WORD. Simply put into practice what He says to do.

April 16

Joshua 13:1-14:15, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 13:7-8



Pray: We are the Easter people. Yet, we often live as if Jesus’ body is still in the grave by the way we engage in personal witness, and corporate ministry. What if we really believed that God would answer our prayers, that God’s passion to bring people back to Himself was far greater than ours and He is already trying to woo them through the Holy Spirit. How differently would we pray for our unchurched friends, for God’s revelation in our lives. Why not boldly ask God for a miracle in the life of an unchurched friend? Why not boldly ask God to do a “new thing” in your heart right now as you read the OYB?

Read: There is no greater servant of our Lord than Caleb. He is now 85 years old and he says that he is ready now more than ever to do battle for the Lord. He is also asking for a share of land that was promised him. Remember, it was Joshua and Caleb who believed that God could overcome the giants in the Promised Land when the majority of the spies doubted this possibility. If there is anyone you would want to be in your foxhole during battle, or a friend to stand by your side it would be Caleb. What is powerful is that his old friend Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him the land of Hebron. And the story closes with these wonderful words, “And the land had rest from war.” Conflict is not the absence of peace, indifference and apathy are.

Edify: She will not give up. Nor will she give into compliance when the Judge ignored her completely. He admitted that he didn’t fear God nor care about people but because of the woman’s persistence he gave her the justice she had begged for. Likewise, Jesus says that God will answer the cries of our heart. Now, what do you need right now? Have you persistently cried out to God about your need, believing that He wants to help you? Why not lift up your need or the person in your heart right now and believe God for more.

Practice: The Psalmist today gives us a powerful image that “Truth rises up from the earth.” Gravity pulls nearly everything down. Negative people want to hold you and me down. Persons who have never attained their dreams do not want to see you realize yours. Sad but true. Yet, the Psalmist tells us that God’s truth rises up from the earth and “righteousness and peace have kissed.” Trusting in our own truth is idolatry, but trusting in God’s eternal truth is life giving. Being righteous is not being perfect but seeking to have perfection as a goal while in our sinful nature. We need to purposefully attempt to be faithful to God each day, to love our neighbor and our Lord. This will allow “righteous smiles from heaven.”

April 15

Joshua 11:1-12:24, Luke 17:11-37, Psalm 84:1-12, Proverbs 13:5-6



Pray: Joshua continues to lead the people of God. The task is not easy. He knows that he has to have spiritual direction beyond himself. So do we. As we pray let's seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to first enlighten us as we read today’s text and to give us wisdom and insight throughout the day.

Read: Joshua is taking serious ground, the Promised Land to be exact, and he is taking out the kings who have done evil. Meanwhile, Jesus has healed the ten lepers and only one has come back to thank Jesus and this one person is a Samaritan. Yes, this may be a real issue of ingratitude on the part of the other nine lepers. Jesus asks a truly sad question when he says, “only this Samaritan came back to thank me, where are the nine?” In our culture today there would be many who would feel that they are actually entitled to the healing. In fact, they would be asking Jesus, “Hey, what took you so long?” 

Edify: Perhaps it was a case of ingratitude. But, it may have also been a case of “mistaken identity”. Here is why. Lepers were isolated from everyone else due to the fact that they could contaminate others. Thus, they had to constantly yell, “Unclean” when they were walking down a road to warn others. So, if they ever had a change in their leprosy they had to show themselves to the priest at the Temple or Synagogue. It was Jewish Law. But, I believe that when the rest of the nine were heading to the priest to show their new found healing one of them, the Samaritan, suddenly realized, wait a minute, this person who healed me is supernatural. Perhaps this is truly a man of God so I shall go back and thank him for the healing….in other words he recognized the source. All too often we forget the source of any good, any redemptive thing which happens in our life. We often take credit or we give some other person credit instead of giving God credit. I believe the grateful and insightful Samaritan was on the right track.

Practice: Many people say that they are suspicious of the organized religion or the local church. Yet, most people say they like Jesus. But, they tend to like the Jesus they created in their mind, not the one who speaks clearly in scripture of faithful obedience, living the law—not abandoning it. Jesus goes on to speak in Luke 17 that the days will come, like the days of Noah, where people will enjoy partying and wild living right up until the time the door of the Ark was shut and then it was too late. There will be a day when God says, “The door to heaven is shut.” We often think everyone gets a pass, no loving God could allow anyone to be shut out. Yet, what loving God would allow unrepentant murderers, rapists, child molesters into heaven who continue to live as they are the destructive god of their own lives. This would be a major contradiction of the very nature of a just and loving God. So, if you and I have felt the forgiveness of a Holy God, then we should be overwhelmed by His grace and it should flow from our hearts, our voices to encourage and build up others. Today, let’s gratefully serve those around us so they might see the light of Christ.

April 14

Joshua 9:3-10:43, Luke 16:19-17:10, Psalm 83:1-18, Proverbs 13:4



Pray: This day is heavy with the reality of sacrifice and carnal finality. Joshua and the Hebrews were fighting the Amorites and defeating all the enemies of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In our prayers let us remember those who are in need physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we read the scripture.

Read: Joshua prayed that the sun and moon would stand still. Now that is boldness. The purpose? So that God’s people could win the battle and pursue peace and freedom. What is more fascinating is that God actually granted Joshua’s prayer. The Lord not only answered Joshua’s prayers, but in one single campaign the Hebrews defeated all five Kings and all their soldiers. This was a major victory for Joshua and the Hebrews. What stands out is the phrase, “God fights for us”. Joshua was right in saying, “be strong and courageous”.

Edify: Jesus teaches in today’s passage on the power of forgiveness. We are to forgive, not just one time, but seven times over. In another Gospel we are to forgive seven times seventy. Just as a mustard seed appears small, it can grow to become one of the largest plants. We must let go of our anger so God can grow something beautiful and large within us. Today’s anger will become tomorrow’s prison.

Practice: Lazarus is beside father Abraham and the rich man is in great anguish. The rich man wants Lazarus to simply dip his finger in water to cool his parched mouth and tongue. Yet, Abraham had little pity when the rich man asked for mercy in allowing him to warn his brothers who were still alive so they might repent of their sin and not have to suffer like this man. Yet, Abraham believes that they have a right to hear the Law of God being read like everyone else and that they will not get any special treatment. Judgment Day will not be a day of tossing out the Law of God and not holding people accountable for their sin. God’s grace is real and it is life changing. However, we cannot cheapen the grace of God by acting like we are followers of God while we intentionally deny Christ and live our lives in open rebellion. There will be a day of accountability. Fully devoted followers of Christ do not boast in their spiritual intimacy with God, rather we seek to live more faithfully and intentionally in honoring God with our obedience.

April 13

Joshua 7:16-9:2, Luke 16:1-18, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3



Pray: Lord, please allow us to approach these passages today close enough to see not only the truth but to see any part of ourselves which might be reflected in this reading. We want to come clean, we want to live clean dear Lord. Help us to open our hearts and our eyes to become the persons you have created us to be.

Read: Reading the Old Testament passage brings us to tears as we see so much celebration and victory for the people of God with Jericho falling, yet there is still darkness in the camp due to sin. Achan’s stealing the valuables and hiding them has brought judgment upon he and his family. Yes, it first appears very cruel that God would want he and his family stoned to death. However, the lives of 3000 soldiers were lost in battle due to Achan’s sin. 3000 families would not have their daddies, their brothers or sons come home due to the consequence of Achan’s sin. God takes sin seriously. Why do we treat it so flippantly?

Edify: Both the Old Testament and New Testament readings bring us to an overwhelming realization that the Law of God is not our enemy nor is it a burden. The Law of God is to be viewed in light of a relationship with God. Just as each family has certain expectations of who will do dishes, who will cook, who will keep the checkbook, who will take the garbage out, the Law of God gives us guidelines to live by so our lives are not chaotic nor destructive. When we dishonor the law then we suffer the consequences. Jesus says it so well in Luke 16: 17, “But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.” The law will remain for it is of God, and the grace of God will enable us to stand before a Holy God because of Jesus’ death upon the cross making us righteous in the eyes of a Holy God. This should literally melt us and produce large amounts of gratitude within our hearts towards a compassionate God.

Practice: Proverbs tells us that those “who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.” How often have you and I said the wrong thing? Perhaps the reason God gave us two ears and one mouth is to listen twice as much as we speak. Let us practice good listening today and be slow to speak until we believe it is something which is edifying to others and of value. We can never go wrong with compliments or encouragement of others if it is authentic.

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.