May 23

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 15:29-30



Pray: Praying for our children comes naturally for most parents. We pray for their safety, for their activities, for their school work, tests and sporting events. But how many of us pray intentionally for the shaping of their character? One of the most valuable portions of formation in the life of a child is her or his character. Talent and knowledge are often praised, but what is missing in our communities and in our world are people with a strong work ethic and strong character which isn’t for sale. Now that is worth spending some time on your knees before God.

Read:  No parent gets a pass on disappointing or embarrassing moments due to the behavior of our children. Kids make mistakes. But David’s mistake, as a parent, was not confronting the mistakes and the sin as quickly as he knew about them. When people think that their actions are inconsequential then they will begin to think you think they are inconsequential. David’s family history may have been much different if he had immediately confronted Abner and Absalom when they had committed their offenses. If your kids and grandchildren matter to you, then hold them accountable. Do it fairly, but do it quickly. David’s neglect today became tomorrow’s heartache.

Edify: Jesus chose 12 leaders to invest two thirds of His life in to train them to lead His beloved church. Jesus did not choose the most talented, nor did He choose the most qualified in the eyes of humankind. However, Jesus did take common fishermen, a tax collector and turn them into irresistible apostles. How did He do it? He took a towel and a wash basin and instructed them that power is in bending a knee, fame is in living for something bigger than you, and significance is when you serve others to help them get to God’s preferred future for their lives. Jesus took a towel before He took a cross.

Practice: Jesus commanded that if we want to follow Him that we are to wash feet. Jesus goes further to say that people will know His disciples by the love they have for one another. Water cleans and purifies and so does a heart fully yielded and surrendered to God for no greater love can a person have than when they are willing to lay down their life for another. Who will you serve today—unconditionally expecting nothing in return?

May 22

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 15:27-28



Pray: Lord, as we read the text today we ask your Holy Spirit to open our eyes and our understanding to these words which reveal more of You to us. Yes, we realize that these are stories of persons who are sinful, yet Your redemptive purpose comes through and Your will is ultimately accomplished. Help us today to discern Your will for our lives and to be faithful in living out what You reveal to us.

Read: Today’s Old Testament passage is a paradox for King Saul is mortally wounded. He asked the Amalekite to “put me out of my misery”. The young man does as the King asks and quickens his death. When King David heard the man tell the story he ordered that this man be killed because he has “killed God’s anointed”. Today there is much discussion over persons being able to end their lives prematurely, to avoid the pain and suffering which some illness brings to those who have them. Yet, here in the text David is clear that God’s anointed should have died a natural death, not one which is ended prematurely. 

Edify: I find it difficult to understand. I know why David weeps for Jonathan because Jonathan was a true friend to David. David however, weeps for King Saul and observes a time of mourning like everyone else. David never stopped giving respect to the King’s role as the anointed of God. Though Saul tried to kill David numerous times David didn’t retaliate. David proved by his actions that he yielded first to his honor of God instead of his own anger or personal agenda.

Practice: The New Testament passage is so revealing as there were many people who heard Jesus teach and wanted to follow Jesus. But, they feared what the religious leaders would think of them. John’s Gospel gives a powerful statement when it says in verse 42, “They loved human praise more than the praise of God.” Their codependency kept them from finding their worth and their value in the very One who created them in His image. We sell out far too often to the praise of men and women and do not honor God with the way we live our lives.  How would your day, your week, be different if you and I truly loved the praise of God? 

May 21

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26



Pray: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes” (Psalm 118:9). Don’t get seduced by “princes” to provide your safety, security, and comfort. Princes come and go, however the faithful love of the Lord endures forever! Take your refuge in the eternal one as you pray today.

Read: Observe and consider how “The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows (poor or vulnerable)” (Proverbs 15:25). 

Edify: Those who prosper are filled with gratitude for God and are emptied of selfishness. This is seen by David’s urging to his men “Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given” (1 Samuel 30:23) when they wanted to withhold the recovered plunder from those who stayed behind. Further, in the Gospel of John, there is a stark contrast from the gratitude and generosity of Mary compared to the selfishness and stinginess of Judas. This impacts their decisions and eventually their legacies as you read the end of the Gospels. Even the Psalm opens with an urging to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!” (Psalm 118:1). There is a direct connection with our worship of the one true King revealed in Jesus and our choice to live generously instead of selfishly. 

Practice: Sacrifice something today (or decide today what you will choose to sacrifice) as your version of Mary’s perfume. Plan to take the money you would have spent and give it to Jesus by giving it to His Church. Then worship the Eternal One whose faithful love endures forever as you invest in the things of eternity!   

May 20

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25, John 11:1-54, Psalm 117:1-2, Proverbs 15:22-23 



Pray: Ask God to bring to mind a situation that seems “dead” in your life. Is it relationships in which two people haven’t talked in years? Is it someone you know and love that has cancer? Or is it the number of orphans in our county? Or is it the constant persecution of Middle Eastern and Coptic Christians? Whatever situation burdens you today, look up to heaven and say, “Father thank You for hearing me. You always hear me…Lord, show the world Your glory. Show me Your resurrection power in this situation.”

Read: There are people who believe they are in complete control while they are operating contrary to God’s plan. Notice today as you read that it is God who is in control and only in Him will you find true wisdom and ultimate victory.

Edify: It is some of the clearest divine revelation and the most powerful and authoritative words ever spoken with vocal chord vibrations: “I AM the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25). He’s been called Rabbi, Teacher, Lord, and Martha even calls Him Messiah and Son of God who comes from God. Now Jesus, at a funeral where hope is in the resurrection in the “last day,” breaks the news that HE is the hope that they hold. And He will act today in their presence. “The dead man came out,” because when life speaks, death has no choice but to listen and submit. And so it will be with us all, as Jesus has the last say. “O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Practice: Jesus shows us how to face tragedy, hopelessness, and inevitable death. Ask God’s Spirit to make you keenly aware of someone’s pain, suffering, and hopelessness today. Like Jesus, weep with those who weep. Further, make it a priority to respond to this situation that comes to your attention by praying a resurrection kind of bold prayer with a confident hope today. 

May 19

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 15:20-21



Pray: Spend a moment in prayer reflecting on God’s mercy in your life. How has He spared you, protected you, withheld what you deserve, and even given you breath for today? In His mercy “He bends down to listen, (therefore) I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2). Join the psalmist in prayer today.

Read: Observe as you read how the Lord is merciful and how things go well for those who show mercy. 

Edify: It’s easy to live your life quick to take offense. We can fall into an unhealthy pattern where we live our lives with a spirit of offense, where we believe even those with our best interests at heart are against us. Saul had this spirit of offense, yet David disarmed him by showing undeserved kindness and mercy. Notice David’s language such as “Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you” (1 Samuel 24:12) and “may the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one…the Lord is my advocate…” (1 Samuel 24:15). We are able to show mercy when we surrender our prideful desire to be judge and jury over everyone and instead trust that the Lord is the judge. David lost sight of this when he was infuriated with Nabal, but Abigail’s kindness reminded him that he is to show mercy and trust in the Lord’s justice. And as always, the clearest picture of God’s mercy comes in the person of Jesus, who shows great patience towards those who do not understand and even want to harm Him. 

Practice: Join the psalmist in praying as long as you have breath. A common liturgy in traditional churches has the pastor call out, “Lord, in your mercy.” The congregation responds, “Hear our prayers!” Let today’s psalmist inform your prayer life as you pray short, one-sentence “breath prayers.” Let your prayer life disarm you, enable you to have self-control, wisdom, lowered anxiety, growing in childlike faith, gratitude for God saving you, etc. Throughout the day, tell Him what He is like and how you desire to respond. Close these brief breath prayers with “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers!”

May 18

1 Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 15:18-19



Pray: Pray for the slaughter of the innocent in our world. Pray for the unborn in our country. Pray for humanitarian crises across the world. Pray for justice for tyrants like Saul who are driving this violent rage in our world. Pray for wisdom for civic and church leaders to know how to intervene and bring peace and restoration.

Read: You’re invited to read the two proverbs before going through the Old Testament.  Remember that this wisdom is from God, through Solomon, who is the son of David. How can you see this wisdom unfold in the situation with David and Saul? How have you seen this wisdom unfold in your own life?

Edify: Jesus shows His necessity and His love through His identity as the “Good Shepherd.” When we’re following an imposter and a thief then we can prepare for heartache and wandering in our lives. This enemy of our souls “purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a). However, when we’re following the Good Shepherd, we find that His “purpose is to give (us) a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10b). A lot is talked about with being independent, autonomous, and a leader; however, how good of a follower are you? When the shepherd leads you away from thorns and poisonous plants, are you content to trust him or do you like to find out the hard way? When the shepherd leads you away from a cliff, do you prefer to see how close you can get to the edge? The Good Shepherd knows what you need, and He has shown that He will lay down His very life to save you. Draw close and joyfully follow the Good Shepherd today.

Practice: Practice repentance today. Honestly access the ways you have been flirting with poison, thorns, and cliffs. Then, turn from those potentially destructive ways and hear the voice of your Shepherd call your name. Draw close to your welcoming Good Shepherd and listen for Him when you face temptation.

May 17

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15, John 9:1-41, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 15:15-17 



Pray: Spend a couple moments in silence and listen for God. The earth itself trembles in the presence of the Lord. Ask God for a life of joyful trembling in His presence as you acknowledge His work in your life. 

Read: Jesus’ teaching is the timeless truth of God. After seeing Jesus’ healing work intentionally done on the Sabbath day, consider His teaching about spiritual blindness. Who is “blind” in both the Old Testament reading and New Testament reading? What can you determine is the source for their “blindness,” and what actions and attitudes demonstrate ”blindness” on their parts?

Edify: The way to keep your eyes open spiritually is to worship Jesus as the once-physically-blind man did, as well as, to have covenant friendships as David and Jonathan had. Jesus is the one who physically and spiritually opens eyes. Once we recognize His eye-opening presence in our lives, we stay near Him and give Him the honor that He is due. That is life with the eyes of your soul wide open. Further, in the complicated world we live in, we are still prone to have “blind spots” in our lives. Like David, we need a friend like Jonathan who isn’t going to abandon us and will watch over us with love. This is a beautiful demonstration of the Christian life and our need for the support of others in life groups, serving areas, Celebrate Recovery, and other avenues of relationships within the Christ-centered community called the Church.

Practice: Take an honest assessment as to whether you have Christ-honoring relationships in your life. If so, tell those that you view them that way and how thankful you are for their friendship. Direct them as to how they could serve you better and ask how you could serve them better. If you do not have Christ-honoring friends, then take a step towards them today by joining a life group or ministry area within the church. The best day to plant a tree is 10 years ago, but if you didn’t then the second best day is today. So it goes with getting involved in Jesus’ Church. Get connected today!