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!   

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!