Today’s Readings: Num 11:24‐13:33, Mark 14:22‐52, Ps 52:1‐9, Prov 11:1‐3

Proverbs 11: 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Observations:
• Pride = disgrace
• Humble = wisdom

Scripture is clear that we should follow Christ’s example and humble ourselves (Phil 2). Today I want to humble myself before God and others (Luke 14:8-11, Prov 25:6-7).

Lord, give me a true heart of humility. Show me my pride and give me an accurate picture of who I am before you.

What do you do to help you fight pride in your life?

Today’s Readings: Num 10:1‐11:23, Mark 14:1‐21, Ps 51:1‐19, Prov 10:31‐32

Psalm 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.

Psalm 51 is one of the most beautiful examples of confession in the Bible. When we confess sin we are agreeing with God. We are identifying with who we have wronged. We are saying that our sin must be judged. Basically, Lord I know that _____________ played a part in your Son’s death on the cross.

Have you confessed all of your sin to God? It will restore the joy of your salvation (v12).

Today’s Readings: Num 8:1‐9:23, Mark 13:14‐37, Ps 50:1‐23, Prov 10:29‐30

Mark 13:35-37 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

There is a problem with Christ returning and finding his people asleep. Unfortunately, if Christ came back today, I think he would find many people I know sleeping spiritually. I can, through the power God has given me, do more to let others know that Christ is returning and we need to be awake when he does.

At Pine Cove, we have a new tag line: “Awaken a Generation.”

What has motivated awakening and revival in your life?

Today’s Readings: Num 6:1‐7:89, Mark 12:38‐13:13, Ps 49:1‐20, Prov 10:27‐28

Numbers 6:24-26:
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Are you praying blessings over the ones that you love?

Growing up, my father prayed this prayer over blessing over me every night he was home. It showed me my father loved me, he believed that God had control of my live, and he asked God to bless my life consistently. Since before Anna was born, I have prayed these words over her when I put her down at night. Last Thursday night, I asked her what songs she wanted me to sing and she said: “Daddy, sing face shine.”

What did your father do that blessed you?

Today’s Readings: Num 4:1‐5:31, Mark 12:18‐37, Ps 48:1‐14, Prov 10:26

Mark 12:30 “Which commandment is the most important of all?” … Jesus responded “…30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Observations:
• He quotes the Shm’a out of Deuteronomy 6
• Love the Lord your God (intimate side – love and your)
• Jesus uses all (holos – whole or complete) four times

Application: I am to love God with all of my being.

Prayer: Lord, show me where I am not loving you. Help me to transfer my affection to you alone.

Today’s Readings: Num 2:1‐3:51, Mark 11:27‐12:17, Ps 47:1‐9, Prov 10:24‐25

Proverbs 10:25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but the righteous is established forever.

Observations: (Proverbs are Principles not Promises)
• All storms end. “When the tempest passes…”
• Storms destroy the wicked
• Storms establish the righteous
• Storms help the righteous make it through future storms. “…established forever”

There are two seasons in life: stormy season and the calm before a storm. What season are you in? Are you seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? If you are, you can look forward to the ultimate results of the storm (Romans 8:28).

Where else do you see this principle in the Bible?

Today’s Readings: Lev 27:14‐34; Num 1:1‐54, Mark 11:1‐25, Ps 46:1‐11, Prov 10:23

Psalms 46:6 – The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Rebecca and I are blessed with the opportunity to visit Israel soon. With the news surrounding the unstable nations in the Middle East, many people have asked if we are reconsidering the decision to go. Each time I have responded with a confident “no.” But, I have a confession to make. When I focus on the news I have concerns.

I love Psalms 46. I often pray the first few verses in times of trouble. “God is our refuge and strength…” Today, verse 6 jumped off the page. It doesn’t matter how unstable the nations around us are. “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter.” God is still in control. His power and protection are unparalleled. “He utters his voice, the earth melts.”

What verses do you cling to in times of trouble?

Today’s Readings: Lev 25:47‐27:13, Mark 10:32‐52, Ps 45:1‐17, Prov 10:22

Mark 10:48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

As I was reading this morning, I was reminded through this story to not let others keep me from approaching Christ. The people around the blind man “rebuked” him for approaching Jesus the way that he did. However, the blind man continued to cry out to Jesus. “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Apply – I want to live a life that aggressively pursues the only one that can meet my needs. I do not want the response of those around me to keep me from pursuing Christ whole heartedly. I want to encourage others to pursue Christ aggressively.

How does the response of others affect the way you cry out to Christ?

Today’s Readings: Lev 24:1‐25:46, Mark 10:13‐31, Ps 44:9‐26, Prov 10:20‐21

Mark 10: 15 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Last night, Rebecca and I listened outside of Anna’s door as she sang I Love You Lord and Jesus Loves Me in her crib. The beauty of a child’s faith is inspiring to live with. As I type, Anna is hugging my left arm with her whole body and saying quietly – “I love you Daddy.” When was the last time I approached God in that way?

One of my friends was spending time praying over this verse before the Pine Cove mission trip to Costa Rica in January. As he discussed what God was showing him, I learned through him – It is OK to not understand everything about God. We are to approach him with curiosity and faith.

What does receiving the kingdom of God like a child mean to you?

Today’s readings: Lev 22:17‐23:44, Mark 9:30‐10:12, Ps 44:1‐8, Prov 10:19

Leviticus 23:8 “…You shall do no ordinary work.”

This phrase is repeated six times in chapter 23 when God is describing the feasts he wants his people to observe during the year. They are to celebrate God’s work and his person and “do no ordinary work.”

Our culture has forgotten how to unplug. I know this gets in the way of me and God. I want to learn how to take extended time out the year to focus on God and do “no ordinary work.”

What helps you unplug from your ordinary work?