Nehemiah 2:20 “The God of heaven will help us succeed.” – Nehemiah on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Mt Arbel in Israel. The mountain where the religious leaders would retreat to pray at the time of Christ.

What is God saying to me? If we are on a mission from God, we are empowered by God for that mission. I’m reminded of Acts 1:8 when Jesus said to his followers “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses…”

How will I obey? Consciously trust God to empower me as I serve Him today. Specifically, I will start each new task in prayer, inviting Him to help.

Who will I tell? My coffee shop friends.

Do you believe if God calls you to a task, He will empower you through the task?

The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

1 Chronicles 21:16-17 “David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn, reaching out over Jerusalem. So David and the leaders of Israel put on burlap to show their deep distress and fell face down on the ground. And David said to God, ‘I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O LORD my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.'”

What is God saying to me?  The big idea in this story is that a leader’s sin doesn’t only affect him; it has consequences for the ones he leads.  However, a second theme jumped out to me today.  I must intercede for the people I lead.

How will I obey?  As I seek to follow Jesus today, I will spend 30 minutes dedicated to interceding for those I lead.

Who will I tell?   Curtis and Mason

Who can you intercede for today?

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

Psalms 150:6 “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD!”

Alaska – Hubbard Glacier with Mt. Hubbard towering above.

What is God saying to me?  I am alive to glorify God.  Breathing should equal praising.

How will I obey?  As I seek to follow Jesus today, I will praise the Lord each time I become conscious of my breathing.

Who will I tell?   The guys I am having lunch with today.

Stop right now and praise God for Who He is and what He has done.

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT) “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Picture I took from Mount Arbel in Israel looking out over Galilee. This is the mountain most religious leaders would retreat to at the time of Christ to pray.

What is God saying to me? God does not always speak when and/or how I expect Him to.

How will I obey? Today is going to be a hectic day.  I will listen for God to speak to me.

Who will I tell?  My daughter Anna as I take her to camp this morning.

Is your life stormy right now?  Listen to God.  Is your life quiet right now?  Listen to God. 

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

Psalm 119:114 “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word.”

What is God saying to me? Hope is found in the Word of God.  Over the last few days Psalm 119 has shown me this time and again.

How will I obey? I get to spend part of the day with my daughter.  We have been memorizing scripture in the evenings.  I will focus on a few of those verses with her today and talk with her about the hope they offer.

Who will I tell? My Dad

Where are you going to find hope?  Let God’s word be your hiding place and your shield. 

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

Psalm 117:1-2 (The shortest chapter in the Bible.  It is two verses long) “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

What is God saying to me? God wants all people from all nations to praise Him.  What am I doing to welcome that?  What am I doing to stand in God’s way (Acts 11:17)?

How will I obey?  I am going to watch my actions today and stop at lunch and dinner (take notes) to ask myself if I am including or excluding all people with my lifestyle.

Who will I tell?  My friend Luke

Are you drawing all people to God or are you pushing people from God?

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.’”  Jesus goes on to say “the fields are white for harvest.”

What is God saying to me?  God has prepared work for me to do today that has eternal significance (Eph. 2:8-9).  Nothing is more satisfying than accomplishing what God has sent me to do.  Not even a plate full of eggs, pancakes and bacon.

How will I obey?  Specifically, I want to pray over my (His) to do list.  At the end of the day, I want to look back on what He did through me.

Who will I tell?  Anna – on the way to school.

Find satisfaction in doing what God has sent you to do.

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

Luke 18:9-14 “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What is God saying to me?  I must never reach the place where I believe I am more righteous than other people.  True humility lives in constant realization that God has been merciful to me, a sinner.

How will I obey?  In response to the Cross, empowered by the Holy Spirit, I will walk in newness of life.  However, I must live in constant realization of the grace and forgiveness that I need.  I must never exalt myself over someone else.

Who will I tell?  Rebecca

Do you believe you need God’s mercy today? That’s a good place to be.

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

Joshua 1:17-18 “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

What is God saying to me?  The people of Israel tell Joshua they will follow him.  However, they have a request,  “Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses!”  We read earlier: “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10 – emphasis added).  We need our spiritual leaders to be intimate with God.  We need to know that God is leading us through them.

And this leads to the other request: “Only be strong and courageous.”  Where do spiritual leaders get this strength and courage?  It is a direct result of their intimacy with God.  We read earlier: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 – emphasis added).  Leaders can be strong and courageous because the Lord is with them.

What do we desire in our spiritual leaders? Intimacy with God, strength and courage.

How will I obey?  I will pray for my spiritual leaders to be with God wherever they go today.  As a man called to lead others spiritually, I will prioritize meeting with God “face to face.”

Who will I tell?  My ministry team

In response to Joshua 1:17-18, how can you grow as a spiritual leader today?

Our Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.