August 5

Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23 



Pray: The Psalmist hears God saying, “Come and talk with me.” So, he goes and talks with (prays to) the Lord. I believe the Lord beckons you and I the same way. He desires for us to come and talk with Him…and not just around the dinner table, but so much more often. Will you respond to His invitation?

Read: “This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). We know that not everyone believes as we do, nor is everyone a Christian. Those in “the world” find the message of the cross to be “foolish” according to Paul. He is reminding the church at Corinth that no matter what “the world” says, God’s plan of salvation is wiser than anything they come up with and God is stronger than anything else in all of creation. It’s good to be reminded of such things!

Edify: Do you ever get confused and overwhelmed? It’s easy to do, even in conversations of faith. There are so many denominations and divisions in the body of Jesus that it is sometimes hard to distinguish one group from another. We would be wise to consider the words of Paul when he says, “I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Perhaps if we were to do this more often, our divisions would be much less important.

Practice: I don’t like when people try to cheat me or do harm to me. It really doesn’t happen all that often, but it does happen to many people on occasion. When it occurs, I want immediate justice, don’t you? I’ll go to great lengths to get that justice in an attempt to get even. Proverbs 20:22 offers a different way: “Don’t say, ‘I will get even for this wrong.’ Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” It’s a convicting word, but a wise word! Have you been wronged and you are thinking about (or actively working toward) getting even? Step back and wait upon the Lord to handle things. After all, doesn’t He know more than you or me?

August 4

 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 27:1-6, Proverbs 20:20-21

Pray: David did not lack confidence in the Lord. You find it throughout the Psalms, and certainly here in Psalm 27. He actually prays to live in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. You get a sense of just how much he loves and trusts God. When you pray today, pray with confidence to the Lord telling Him just how much you love and trust Him. If you struggle with those areas or the words to say, ask Him for help. Remember, when we don’t even know what to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us with sighs and groanings too deep for our words.

Read: My mother used to say, “I’ve had it up to here” and she would use her hand to her face to show that she was simply not going to allow us, her children to disobey any longer. We knew she meant business. Sometimes we corrected ourselves and received grace. Other times, we chose to continue our disobedience. When Zedekiah was king, God “repeatedly sent His prophets to warn them [regarding their rebellion] for He had compassion on His people and His Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God…until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done” (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). God is a patient and loving God, but when we choose to live in rebellion to His ways and to not listen when He sends others to correct us, we choose to have His favor removed from our lives. What needs to change in your life right now so that the Lord’s anger turns away from you?

Edify: Paul is always so thankful, isn’t he? He provides strong words of correction at times but I always read of his thankfulness. He writes in 1 Corinthians 1:4, “I always thank my God for you…” For whom are you thankful? Nobody is perfect, but God has brought people into your life, perhaps for a season/purpose…perhaps for the rest of your life. Give thanks to God for those persons. I believe our entire attitude and life would improve quite dramatically if you and I chose to live more thankful lives. 

Practice: We want things to happen yesterday. Nobody likes to wait. Some are better at delaying pleasure than others, but most people today are impatient. We can blame it on YouTube, Google, or any other modern day thing which delivers instant information. The truth is, it’s quite convenient to have things quickly, but it’s not always good to have things quickly. Proverbs 20:21 tells us “An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end” (read Luke 15 to hear a story of a son who got an early inheritance for further proof of this truth). If God is saying to you, “not yet,” trust Him. God has amazing things in store for His people. It may be that He is preparing you for something so much better than you think. Practice some patience as you seek the Lord and allow Him to move in your life.

August 3

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33, Romans 16:10-27, Psalm 26:1-12, Proverbs 20:19



Pray: It’s so easy to gossip, isn’t it? We join in without even realizing it. It somehow makes us feel important if we have information about another person. We do it, yet it is clear in Scripture just how wrong it is. Proverbs 20:19 tells us “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” If you are easily drawn into gossip, repent during your prayer time and ask the Lord to help you stay away from other “chatterers.” If you don’t join in gossip, ask the Lord in your prayer time to help you be bold enough to squash it! There’s no place for it in the church of Jesus Christ, nor is there a place for it in the life of those who follow Christ!

Read: David challenges me in Psalm 26 when he writes, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart” (v.2). Even when my actions are good (they’re not always), there are many times my heart may be in the wrong place or my motives impure. What about you? Could you pray such a prayer and be confident that if God were to honor that prayer your heart and motives would be found pleasing to the Lord? 

Edify: Age is never an issue when it comes to effectiveness in the Kingdom of God. I find this over and over again throughout Scripture. Josiah was 8 years old when he became king of Israel. He returned the people to the Lord. Many Christians will say they are too old or too young to do certain things. It simply is just not Scriptural to say such things. God can use people of all ages, as long as they are seeking Him.

Practice: We must be careful of things that are contrary to Scripture and against the Christian faith. Paul, as he closes out Romans makes one final appeal to “watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them” (16:17). What is in your life that is contrary to what the Bible teaches? Is it a tv show, images/video on your phone/tablet/computer, pride, greed, etc.? Rid yourself of such things and honor the Lord so that everyone will know “that you are obedient to the Lord” (Romans 16:19). 

August 2

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13, Romans 15:23-16:9, Psalm 25:16-22, Proverbs 20:16-18 



Pray: Prayer is not passive. Hezekiah knew this. When Jerusalem was being threatened by another king and a massive army, they began rebuilding walls, assembling troops, and preparing for battle. Yet, when the time came, “King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah…cried out in prayer to God in heaven” (2 Chronicles 32:20). The opposing army was destroyed, the king retreated in disgrace, and was killed when he returned home. Is there opposition in your life? Does God want to do something in you, but you’re fearful? Pray and watch God destroy the enemy forces!

Read: The people of Israel must have suffered from spiritual and leadership whiplash. Hezekiah and Manasseh are as different as night and day, at least initially. One brought people back to the Lord, the other led people away from the Lord. A father and son by blood, but strangers when it came to faith (again, initially). Many parents have experienced the pain of a wayward/rebellious child. Manasseh certainly fit the mold as a wayward and rebellious child. It wasn’t long, though, before he “finally realized that the Lord alone is God.” It took some years of rough-living and horrible consequences, but God got through to him. Trust in the Lord and continue praying that those whom you know who are far from Him will one day “realize that the Lord alone is God!”

Edify: It is so easy to drift away. Hezekiah returned a nation to the Lord. He did what was right in God’s eyes. He honored God repeatedly. God delivered him from his enemies. God healed him from a deathly illness. Then, “he became proud” (2 Chronicles 32:25). Thankfully before the Lord’s anger fell on him and all Jerusalem, Hezekiah repented. It’s a reminder for you and me just how easy it is to get off track, and how easy it is to be full of pride (something which does NOT honor the Lord at all, and angers Him). Be on guard, at all times and in all places. It’s easy to drift. Keep focused and stay humble before the Lord.

Practice: We need other people in our lives. It matters not whether we are introverts or extroverts. All of Scripture constantly reminds us of the need for community. We also need people to love us enough to tell us the truth, even when we want to hear something else. Proverbs 20:18 reminds us, “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.” Share your goals with another. What is your 5 or 10 year plan for life? How about your budget? A new set of eyes and ears can add so much value to what you’re doing and even help encourage you or hold you accountable. It’s easy to quit the gym in February after only deciding to join it in January…unless you have people alongside you. Bring others along…you won’t regret it…you’ll be better for it.

August 1

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21, Romans 15:1-22, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 20:13-15



Pray: The celebration was a month late. The priests were not ready. Yet, the Passover in 2 Chronicles 30 happened. It was a great celebration and a return to the ways of the Lord. If you’re like me, you have expectations. When life takes a different path than you expected, it can sometimes throw you off course (again, if you’re like me!). Perhaps God wants to take you on a different path than you expect. Hezekiah did what was needed to honor the Lord and return a nation to the ways of God. As you pray, be open to what the Lord wants to say to you and to the new path He may be making for you.

Read: David opens Psalm 25 with, “O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!” I have often prayed prayers like this only to be convicted that I really didn’t mean it. I wanted to be sincere. I wanted to give God my life and to trust in Him. In truth, I was giving part of my life to God and I was partially trusting in Him. Partial commitment and partial trust is, quite honestly, complete rebellion. God wants all of our life, no part left untouched by His mighty hand. God wants complete trust in Him. We admire David as a “man after God’s own heart.” Perhaps the reason he had such favor with the Lord wasn’t because he was perfect, but it was because his life was committed to the Lord and he trusted God completely. It’s the kind of life we should want. It’s the kind of life that pleases and honors the Lord.

Edify: If you’re a follower of Jesus, a Christian, you understand something about the grace of God. You know Jesus has accepted you and He gave His life for you, to forgive you of your sins. That is amazing news! Something we miss sometimes, though, is the instruction that Paul gives us to “accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory’ (Romans 15:7). It pains me to see brothers and sisters in Christ belittling and demonizing one another. More importantly, I believe it pains God to see His children bickering and fighting. We can do better. Paul believed so, and so do I.

Practice: Who needs to be built up today? Do you know anyone who could use some encouragement, in their everyday life or even in their faith? Paul says, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord" (Romans 15:2). It could be a card, a thank you note, a spoken word of appreciation, or whatever God lays on your heart. Someone needs to be lifted up today, of that you can be sure. Be the person that gives them a new perspective…add value to them today. You’ll never go wrong when you add value to another.

July 31

2 Chronicles 29:1-36, Romans 14:1-23, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 20:12



Pray: Hezekiah opens today’s reading. He was 25 years old and was the king of Judah. That’s quite a task for such a young man. Yet, we read, “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight…” I wonder what would be said of you and me? Would we be counted among those who did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight? May our prayers be that we would follow in Hezekiah’s footsteps, just as he followed in King David’s.

Read: Proverbs 20:12 tell us, “Ears to hear and eyes to see - both are gifts from the Lord.” It’s so simple we may just skip right over the significance. We take much of the blessings of life for granted. We don’t adore our spouse any longer because we’ve been married for many years…we don’t give thanks for our home because we’ve lived in it a while…we ignore our health because we think we’ll never get seriously ill. Hearing and seeing are two simple, yet profound, gifts from the Lord. What gifts has God blessed you with for which you need to pause and give thanks?

Edify: Wow! If ever there was a timely word for today’s world, it comes from Romans 14:13. It reads, “So let’s stop condemning each other.” It’s shameful when people, Christians especially, condemn and demonize others simply because we have a difference of opinion. Our political climate lends itself to such behaviors, but we ought to be better. The Apostle Paul thought so, and I believe he was right. It’s okay to disagree with another person or even an entire group, but Christians are called to speak the truth in love. We don’t condemn or demonize. 

Practice: What is God asking you to do? You must know that there is something the Lord wants you to be doing. It could be serving in the church, become a missionary, enter ordained ministry, a greater level of sacrificial giving, join the care team or prayer ministry, etc. What is it? When Hezekiah met with the Levites, he told them, “Do not neglect your duties any longer!” Then we read they “got right to work.” You’ve delayed long enough. Now is the time. Let’s get to work!

July 30

2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27, Romans 13:1-14, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 20:11



Pray: Lord, thank You for Your greatness. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong. Lord, the Devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with You. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of Your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honor You in all my ways. Amen.

Read: In 2 Chronicles we read today of the exploits of King Uzziah and his fortification of Jerusalem. We also read of how Uzziah’s pride was the thing that caused his downfall. Isn’t it incredible how the things that caused people to fall in Scripture are some of the same things that cause us to fall today? Do you struggle with pride? Could that struggle lead to your downfall? C.S. Lewis tells us that pride is the launching pad for all other sins. As fallen and sinful beings, we struggle with things like pride daily and we must fight against that pride daily or it could lead to our believing that we could manage this life on our own. May Uzziah’s struggle serve us well so that we don’t face similar struggles.

Edify: As difficult as it is, sometimes, to agree with the way that our government is run, we are called to have respect for the authority that has been given to them. Granted, one of our many freedoms is the freedom of speech, but that does not give license to be disrespectful to others who have been chosen to lead. We are called to be of support. Will you join me today in prayer for our leaders… those who lead from the White House to the courthouse… those who lead our churches… and those who lead our homes?

Practice: May today be a day of prayer and thanksgiving to and for those that lead us and lead us well. Tell someone who leads you well, "Thank You." It may be your boss, your husband, your wife, your pastor, a community leader… whoever it is that has led and led well. We don’t express our thanks often enough to those who make a difference by giving of themselves and sharing their leadership for the betterment of humanity.