Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 20:1‐22:2, Acts 21:17‐36, Psalm 150:1‐6, Proverbs 18:9‐10

Proverbs 18:9 – Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

I live with the fear of not getting done what God has called me to.  This principle can be applied two ways.  It is very important that I do not let those under me slack in their work.  In addition, I must be a leader that knows the work God has laid out for me and runs at it without slacking.  However, I cannot let me efforts be to please men.  Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Apply: One of my current goals in ministry is to pray continually for God to show me what I am to do with each step I take in the day.

What has helped you learn the balance between a Mary, rest with the Lord, and Martha, diligent to always be doing, work ethic?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 18:13‐19:37, Acts 21:1‐16, Psalm 149:1‐9, Proverbs 18:8

Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.

Application: In times of trial, I have to cling to the truth that the Lord takes pleasure in me.  I must maintain a posture of humility.

Do you know that God takes pleasure in you?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 17:1‐18:12, Acts 20:1‐38, Psalm 148:1‐14, Proverbs 18:6‐7

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Observations:

• I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself…
• if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus…
• to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Apply: I will commit this verse to memory.  I want my life to follow Christ’s example.

Do you know the “ministry” that you have “received from the Lord Jesus?”

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 15:1‐16:20, Acts 19:13‐41, Psalm 147:1‐20, Proverbs 18:4‐5

2 Kings 15:3-4 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

Observation:

• In a list of a lot of kings who did wrong, it says that Azariah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
• “Nevertheless…”
• “The high places were not taken away.”

Apply: Where are the high places in my life and my family that I need to destroy.  What are the high places in my ministry that I need to be aggressive to tear down?

Have you worked under an Azariah that did good things but did not destroy the “sacred cows?”  How would you describe that kind of leadership?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 13:1‐14:29, Acts 18:23‐19:12, Psalm 146:1‐10, Proverbs 18:2‐3

Psalm 146:5 – Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God.

The last week has been marked by pain in my home.  If you have been reading through the Bible with me, know that I have continued my daily reading but processing it online has been difficult.  Each day Rebecca and I have been reminded to run to the Lord in time of need.  I cannot imagine what life is like for those who do not find their help and hope from and in God.

Apply: ^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7).

What times in your life have you seen your hope be in God?

Our home internet provider was down for 4 days…

Proverbs 17:22 – A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Observations:

• Joyful heart = good medicine
• Crushed spirit = dries up the bones

Apply: There is a lot of sickness around me currently.  I want to remember that a joyful heart is good medicine.

When have you seen joy medicate your life?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 1:1‐2:25, Acts 13:42‐14:7, Psalm 139:1‐24, Proverbs 17:19‐21

2 Kings 2:9 “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 

Before Elijah is taken up into heaven by chariots of fire, he asks Elisha what he can do for him.  Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit.  Studying first and second kings, we see that Elisha ends up performing twice as many miracles as Elijah. 

Apply: I have the opportunity to sit down today with an older man that has poured into me, I respect greatly and that God has used in mighty ways.  I want to ask him to pray that God will give me a double portion of his spirit.

Are you spending time around people whose spirit you desire a double portion of?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22:1‐53, Acts 13:16‐41, Psalm 138:1‐8, Proverbs 17:17‐18

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

I am working on and praying through a personal life plan over the last few months.  I was struck by this Psalm this morning.  “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.”  How affirming it must have been for David to know this.  I want to live my life on purpose.  More than that, I want the Lord to fulfill his purpose for me. 

Apply.  I need to pray for God to fulfill his purpose for me and to live on purpose in response to that.

Do you think “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me” is a promise for all of us or a conditional statement that was given to David?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 20:1‐21:29, Acts 12:24‐13:15, Psalm 137:1‐9, Proverbs 17:16

1 Kings 21:29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

Observations:

• Because of Ahab’s incredibly rebellious and self-centered life, the Lord has said graphic things about how he will destroy him… “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”  “Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel.”  “The dogs shall eat Jezebel (Ahab’s wife) within the walls of Jezreel.”
• When Ahab humbled himself, his future changed.  God relented on pouring out his wrath on his life.

Apply: I must humble myself before God. 

What prompts you to respond to God with humility?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 19:1‐21, Acts 12:1‐23, Psalm 136:1‐26, Proverbs 17:14‐15

Acts 12:23 – Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

Observations:

• Herod delivers a speech, the people respond by shouting “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” and this verse follows
• An angel of the Lord struck him down and he was eat by worms
• Why? – “because he did not give God the glory”

Apply: I must give God the glory in all things.  Specifically, I am going to make a conscious effort to give God the glory anytime I hear a positive response after I speak publicly.

What glory are you currently receiving that you should be giving to God?