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?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 18:1‐46, Acts 11:1‐30, Psalm 135:1‐21, Proverbs 17:12‐13

1 Kings 18:39  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

Observations:

• The people worship after seeing
• They fell prostrate when they prayed.

Application: I need to let what my eyes see in my camp and church ministry drive me to my knees. 

What prompts to you to worship and pray in prostrate positions figuratively and spiritually?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 15:25‐17:24, Acts 10:23b‐48, Psalm 134:1‐3, Proverbs 17:9‐11

Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

Observations:

• All the prophets bear witness to Christ.
• Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness
• Salvation is in his name

Application:  I want to use the words believe and receive when I share the gospel. 

How do you usually chose to share the gospel?

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 14:1‐15:24, Acts 10:1‐23a, Psalm 133:1‐3, Proverbs 17:7‐8

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity! 

...It is like the dew of Hermon... (Psalm 133:3)

As a camp director, unity is one of my primary prayer requests and goals as I lead.  As a husband and a father, creating unity allows our home to be pleasant.  As a deacon in my church, unity is fundamental for discipleship and grown.

Apply: I want to look for things that could destroy unity in my ministry and my home.  I want to be intentional about doing things that will promote unity.

What things prompt unity in your home?

Today’s Reading: 1 King 12:20‐13:34, Acts 9:26‐43, Psalm 132:1‐18, Proverbs 17:6

Acts 9:36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Observations:

• Context: Tabitha died, Peter healed her, “it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”
• She was FULL of:
• Good Works
• Acts of Charity (eleemosune – Meaning: mercy, pity)

Apply: I want to be like Tabitha today – doing good works and acts of charity.  I also want to raise Anna to be like Tabitha and parent intentionally to that end.

Do you know a Tabitha?  Tell us about her.