October 30

Lamentations 3:1-66, Hebrews 1:1-14, Psalm 102:1-28, Proverbs 26:21-22



Pray: Lamentations prompts us to “test and examine our ways” and “turn back to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40). This is a key verse in Celebrate Recovery as we grow in spiritual and emotional health. Take a moment of quiet to examine your ways. Then, earnestly repent and turn back to the Lord in any way necessary.

Read: A way to examine is to measure. Throughout all of the Scripture in today’s reading, there are words of duration or measuring time in relation to our troubles and God’s rule and reign over creation. How do these ways of measuring God’s sovereignty give you hope?

Edify: Lamentations, much like the Psalm, is full of both despair and hope. These are not mutually exclusive in the life of a believer. For every deep complaint and acknowledgement of trouble and trial is followed by a measure of the greatness and goodness of God. His faithful love “never ends” and mercies “never cease” and “begin afresh each morning” (Lam. 3:22-23). Of Jesus Christ, God says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever” even when the skies one day fold up like old clothing (Hebrews 1:9,12).  The Psalmist is experiencing such devastation, but he can know that it is only for a brief time. How? By measuring it against… “But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever” (Psalm 102:12). For the surpassing goodness of God in Jesus Christ puts into context our difficult but momentary suffering. Praise God for His immeasurable power and grace!

Practice: Look your largest challenge in the eye as you write it down in your PREP journal. Then respond to it and put it in its place by writing and speaking aloud, “But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever!” You can have a confident hope in the midst of your trials. 

October 29

Lamentations 1:1-2:22, Philemon 1:1-25, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 26:20



Pray: As I look back at my life, there are so many people who influenced me in great ways. I often, though not as much as I should, thank God for them. Some are still in my life, others God simply allowed our paths to cross for a season and then we went our own ways. Paul says to Philemon, “I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon.” For whom do you need to pray for and thank God today?

Read: Who’s to blame? We always look to blame someone when things go wrong. Oddly enough, it’s usually not us. Lamentations 1:12, when speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem, says, “see if there is any suffering like mine, which the Lord brought on me…” Interesting that the blame is being placed on God. It was the people’s sin, rebellion, and disobedience that brought about their demise and destruction. Maybe when you and I are looking for someone to blame, we ought to be looking into a mirror rather than at our spouses, our situations, society, etc. 

Edify: Sin can be fun in the moment. That’s an honest, albeit uncomfortable, statement. Perhaps that’s why so many people give in to temptation. In the moment, we choose the fun/pleasure/etc that sin gives us, and we don’t think much about the lasting effects or consequences. “[Jerusalem] defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future.” Giving in to momentary pleasure resulted in absolute destruction for Jerusalem. It will do the same to you and me. When tempted, think about the long-term consequences if you give in. It’s not a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin, with destruction in tow, when we give in.

Practice: “I love to have my sins and mistakes pointed out” said no one ever! We don’t like it when others show us where we’ve “missed the mark” and even sinned against the Lord. Truthfully, though, it’s needed in a big way. I can’t see all my sins, because sometimes I don’t want to see them and other times I’ve lived with them for so long I simply don’t see them for the destructive forces they truly are. Lamentations 2:14 tells us, “Your prophets…did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins.” Perhaps if Israel’s “prophets” had exposed their sins, Israel’s story would have been different. You may not like having your sins exposed, but is there someone trying to help that you need to listen to instead of allowing anger to build up? 

October 28

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19



Pray: Red or blue? Dem or Rep? There seems to be little room for conversation, but plenty of latitude for condemnation. Each side demonizes and dehumanizes the other. It’s a ridiculous notion, really, that followers of Jesus would engage in such things. Paul even speaks to it when he says we “must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling.” Do you need to repent and ask the Lord to forgive you for allowing politics to drive your actions rather than faith? You’re not alone, but together, let’s seek the Lord’s forgiveness and direction to move forward.

Read: Psalm 100 is an often quoted psalm. It’s filled with joy evoking language. It makes us feel good to read it. Yet, recent articles (and my own experience) tell us that fewer and fewer men (and some women) are practicing what Psalm 100 instructs. “Shout with joy to the Lord…worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy.” When you come to worship, are you filled with joy? Are you glad for what the Lord has done in your life? Do you sing? Many people hold their coffee and appear to enjoy the show, but that’s not what we do and that’s not who we are…as a church and as believers. Read the Psalm. Reread the Psalm. Allow God to change your approach to worship and SING with joy to the Lord!

Edify: “Once we too…” I love reading things like this in Scripture. Oftentimes, I feel alone when I mess up. I feel like everyone else has it together, and I can’t seem to go a single day without failing. Paul did great things for Jesus and wrote much of the New Testament. His brief confession here gives me hope that I’m not alone and hope that there is a God who forgives and restores. Do you need to hear that word of hope today? Once I too was foolish and disobedient. If there’s hope for Paul, there’s hope for me. If there’s hope for me, there’s hope for you, too!

Practice: It’s a painful thing, as it should be, when we have to walk away from certain people. If they’re hurtful, divisive, and destructive to our lives, our faith, our recovery, our health, we simply have to walk away as difficult as that may be. In recovery programs, we talk about changing people, places, and things. Paul, long before recovery programs were started, says, “If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.” Don’t allow someone to bring you down or destroy your faith. Do you need to make a change?

October 27

Jeremiah 51:1-53, Titus 2:1-15, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 26:17 



Pray: “We should live in this evil world…while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day…” It’s a depiction of the human condition, specifically the Christian condition (if I may coin a title to such a thing). The Christian condition is one where followers of Jesus stop complaining about the world in which we live, but rather live holy, forward-looking, hope-filled lives. Perhaps if we did more of that kind of living, the world might just be a different place. In your prayer time, ask the Lord to change your perspective to a forward-looking one.

Read: We like new things. We’re always looking for the latest gadget, invention, car/truck, and even teaching. We try to find new models for parenting (just look how that’s turning out!). What we find in Paul’s writing to Timothy is just the opposite. Paul urges Timothy to have the previous generation mentor/disciple/teach/help the younger generation. Who can you invest in? There may be a younger married couple that needs your advice. There may be a young man who is about to mess up his life, career, and family unless you befriend and mentor him through a rough season. There is possibly a young woman who is considering a costly mistake unless you free up some time to take her to coffee and begin a relationship with her. Don’t wait, the time is now. The right person is you.

Edify: It’s buried, but it’s still there. It’s a word of encouragement filled with tremendous hope. “The Lord…has not abandoned Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against [Him].” To be absolutely sure, there were consequences, some devastating, for Israel’s sin and rebellion. Yet, amidst the consequences, the Lord was still their God. He’s still your God. He’s not abandoned you. That’s really good news!

Practice: “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” This quote, often attributed to President Lincoln comes to my mind when I read Jeremiah 51:36. It reads, “I will be your lawyer to plead your case, and I will avenge you.” Jeremiah speaks here on behalf of God, of course. So, the Lord is going to speak on our behalf. If left to my own devices, I can typically rationalize any behavior or sin…talk about having a fool for a client! With God pleading my case, however, it gives me great pause when I consider my actions and even my thoughts. He’s my advocate and He’s your advocate. Does that change things for you? I know it does for me.

October 26

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46, Titus 1:1-16, Psalm 97:1-98:9, Proverbs 26:13-16



Pray: You cannot read Psalm 97 without a sense of awe. The Lord is proclaimed as King, earth rejoices, fire is around him, lightning flashes, the earth trembles, mountains melt, etc. It’s an incredible scene. As you pray today, ponder the majesty of the Lord and give Him praise.

Read: Did the Israelites deserve forgiveness? Did they warrant God’s favor? Consistently, they rebelled and were found in habitual sin. Yet, in our reading today, we find hope for them (and for us). Jeremiah, speaking on God’s behalf, says, “no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.” God’s grace is infinitely greater than our sins! For that, we ought to be eternally grateful.

Edify: Proverbs has been about fools for several days now. Today, we hear about lazy people. Chapter 26 verse 15 says, “Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.” I wonder, do they also complain about being hungry? Often, when people are experiencing marital issues, spiritual struggles, or even life problems, they eventually confess that they don’t pray, worship irregularly, don’t come close to tithing, wouldn’t consider a life group, and they’re not serving in any area of the church. I wouldn’t call such people lazy, but it does seem that the food is in their hands, and they simply won’t lift it to their mouth.

Practice: The Apostle Paul has a phrase in Titus 1 that ought to stop every believer in his/her tracks. He writes, “Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live.” How do you measure up when you examine your life against what Paul says? If you’re reading this, you probably claim to know God, to be a believer. What about the way you live? Does your life, your actions show that you are a believer?

October 25

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalm 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 26:9-12 



Pray: Have you ever heard something and it really bothered or even angered you? Many people, myself included, have been there. Often, though not always, I’ve been bothered/angered because what the person was telling me was truth that I really didn’t want to hear. When Paul is finishing out his letter to Timothy he reminds him that there will be people who will “no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires…” Are you open to what God or His messenger might say to you, even if it’s not what you really want to hear? Ask God to help you have a teachable spirit.

Read: The timing is off. I often hear this, or a variation thereof, in response to a shoulder-tap asking someone to serve, lead, help, give, etc. Let’s be honest. It’s really just an excuse that sounds better than, “No, I don’t want to.” Paul writes to Timothy and tells him, “Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.” There will never be a good time to serve more than you do. There will never be a good time to lead a life group, help someone out, give at a higher level. Something/someone will always occupy your time. Wouldn’t you want to devote your time/energy to something of eternal significance? Paul, and I, would urge you to do just that…even if the timing is not what you’d prefer.

Edify: God is a God of grace. While this is true, it’s also vitally important for us to understand that God is a God who commands obedience. Our Old Testament readings for the past few days can be troubling for some readers. They may ask the question, “Why would God do that to people?” The truth is, if you’ve read it, it was the disobedience and outright rebellion that led to destruction. God will put up with disobedience for so long, and then He hands us over to our choices and the consequences that come with those choices. What in your life needs to change before God gives you exactly what you’re choosing?

Practice: The human heart is a fickle and often unpredictable thing. One day it causes a certain feeling and elicits actions, the next it’s the opposite feeling and action. The mark of commitment and dedication, though, is what we do even when we don’t “feel” like it. The Psalmist reminds us to “Each day proclaim the good news that He saves…tell everyone…” When is the last time you told someone about the goodness of God and what He has done in your life? Perhaps it’s time.

October 24

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalm 94:1-23, Proverbs 26:6-8 



Pray: “You better listen up.” My mother used to say that to us as young children. It meant that whatever she was saying was important and if we didn’t listen (and obey!), it would probably result in us getting into some sort of trouble. Jeremiah speaks to the people and says to them, “‘Listen to this message from the Lord…’” (Jeremiah 44:24). As you pray today, listen up! The Lord is speaking something important.

Read: Have you ever read something in the Bible and wondered why it was there? I confess I have, and on more than one occasion. There are passages I don’t understand. Perhaps that's why, when I read something I’ve read dozens of times before, all of a sudden it makes sense and something “clicks” in my spirit. Paul tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful…” There are no pieces of Scripture that are not useful, no pieces uninspired. Perhaps it is you and I who are simply not prepared to hear what God might want to say when we read certain things. I hope as I read Scripture that the Lord will prepare my heart for whatever He wants to say to me. I hope the same for you.

Edify: I recently read an article about how pastors cause/contribute to division by engaging in online debates about controversial topics. To be sure, we should not be silent about such things, but online debates limited to 140 characters or a post buried in a thread is probably not the place. I think the author of the article would also agree that his point is not limited to pastors, but to all persons, especially followers of Jesus. Paul would even instruct Timothy of such things: “Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people…Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” It’s a good word for us to remember the next time we go scrolling through the social media feeds.

Practice: Our New Testament reading begins with the statement, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.” Too many good Christians (men and women) try to walk away from youthful lusts. They try to meander away from sinful things. They attempt to go around pitfalls. Paul is quite clear (and other places in Scripture are equally as clear). If you are serious about getting away from sin, and especially “youthful lusts” (i.e. sexual sins), you…must…RUN!!! Run for you life, for your marriage, for you family, for your career, for your eternity! You can’t stroll away from such things. The power of temptation is too great. It’s possible to escape, but only if you’re willing to lace up and run the distance.