DON'T MISS THE CHANCE

Don’t Miss the Chance

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

READ PSALM 19:1–4

“Don’t ever miss the chance to show your babies the moon!” she said. Before our mid-week prayer service began, a group of us talked about the previous night’s harvest moon. The full moon was striking, as it seemed to sit on the horizon. Mrs. Webb was the eldest voice in our conversation, a gray-haired lover of God’s grand creation. She knew my wife and I had two children in our home at the time, and she wanted to help me train them in a way worth going. Don’t ever miss the chance to show your babies the moon!

Mrs. Webb would’ve made a good psalmist. Her brand of attentiveness is reflected in David’s description of the heavenly bodies that “have no speech . . . . Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:3-4). Neither the psalmist nor Mrs. Webb had any intention of worshiping the moon or the stars, but rather the creative hands behind them. The heavens and skies reveal nothing less than the glory of God (v. 1).

We too can encourage those around us—from babies and teenagers to spouses and neighbors—to stop, look, and listen, for declarations and proclamations of God’s glory are all around us. Drawing attention to the work of His hands in turn leads to worshiping the awesome God behind the whole show. Don’t ever miss the chance.

By John Blase

REFLECT & PRAY

If we stop, look, and listen, we’ll see creation declaring God’s glory.

How can you slow down and notice the work of God’s hands right now? How can you encourage others to do the same?

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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In C. S. Lewis’s Reflections on the Psalms, he refers to Psalm 19 as the greatest poem in the Hebrew songbook with some of the most beautiful lyrics in the world. He goes on to note, however, that it can be easy to miss the connection and progression of “six verses about Nature, five about the Law, and four of personal prayer.” According to Lewis, “The key phrase on which the whole poem depends is ‘there is nothing hid from the heat thereof’ ” (v. 6 kjv). Like the relentless light and heat of the Middle Eastern sun, the words of our Creator (v. 1), Lord (v. 7), and Redeemer (v. 14) pursue the runaway thoughts that hide in our hearts (vv. 11-14). Hearing God’s voice, the poet and songwriter prays, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (v. 14). Mart DeHaan

WHEN PEOPLE PRAY

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

WHEN PEOPLE PRAY

READ:  Acts 4:23-31

When they had prayed, the place where they were

assembled together was shaken.  Acts 4:31

Peter and John were in danger.  The religious leaders in Jerusalem opposing the gospel had warned them to cease their missionary efforts (Acts 4:18).  When the apostles reported this to the other believers, they immediately held a prayer meeting.

What happened next is thrilling.  The believers first praised God.  Then they asked for boldness that they might continue to work.  The results were dramatic.  The house shook, and the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit.  They boldly witnessed, enjoyed spiritual unity, and gave unselfishly to those in need (vv. 31-37).

I’ve never felt a building shake at a prayer meeting, but I have seen God’s power at work.  When I’ve tried to help repair a broken marriage or a divided church, I’ve asked those involved to pray.  Sometimes they refused.  Other times though, they mumbled carefully worded prayers.  Those meetings failed.

But occasionally someone would pray in earnest.  Almost immediately the atmosphere would change.  Confession and forgiveness soon replaced charges and countercharges.

When we pray sincerely, praising God and seeking His glory, great things happen.  Prayer must always come from the heart.  HVL

Dissension’s fuse is easy to ignite-

It fuels our anger, yet it dims the light;

Help us, we pray, to humbly seek your Name,

And in pride’s place restore the Spirit’s flame. -TLG

Sincere intercession is the key to God’s intervention.

BLOOMING IN THE DESERT

Blooming in the Desert

They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 35:2

READ ISAIAH 35:1–10

The Mojave Desert includes the expected sand dunes, dry canyons, mesas, and mountains of most deserts. But American biologist Edmund Jaeger observed that every few years an abundance of rain results in “such a wealth of blossoms that almost every foot of sand or gravelly soil is hidden beneath a blanket of flowers.” The Mojave wildflower show isn’t a yearly phenomenon, though. Researchers confirm the dry earth needs to be soaked by storms and warmed by the sun, at just the right times, before blooms will cover the desert with vibrant colors.

This image of God bringing forth life despite the arid terrain reminds me of the prophet Isaiah. He shared an encouraging vison of hope after delivering God’s message of judgment on all nations (Isaiah 35). Describing a future time when God will make all things right, the prophet said, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom” (v. 1). He declared God’s rescued people will enter His kingdom “with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (v. 10).

With our eternal future secured by God’s promises, we can trust Him through life’s seasons of drought and drenching storms. Deeply rooted in His love, we can grow, blooming into His likeness until, at just the right time, Jesus returns and sets all things right.

By Xochitl Dixon

REFLECT & PRAY

Loving Father, thank You for assuring us You’re with us and working to grow us through every stormy moment of our lives.

What storms of life have you been facing? How is God showing you His presence? Look! He’s there.

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The promise in Isaiah 35:5—the blind and the deaf would be healed—was intended to help Israel recognize the Messiah when He arrived. In Mark 6-8, we see two cycles of events. Each has a miraculous feeding, a debate with the religionists, and a healing miracle. The first cycle ends with Jesus healing a deaf man and the second with Him healing a blind man. Little wonder, then, that Peter proclaims Jesus to be the Messiah (8:29), for He has fulfilled the promise of Isaiah 35. Bill Crowder

A NINETEEN-MILE FALL

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

A NINETEEN-MILE FALL

READ:  Deuteronomy 33:26-29

Underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27

On August 16, 1960, U.S. Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger Jr. sat in a gondola suspended from a high-altitude balloon.  When the balloon reached 102,800 feet above the surface of Earth (more than 19 miles), Kittinger jumped out.  Four minutes and 36 seconds later his main parachute opened at 18,000 feet, but not before he had attained a velocity of 614 miles per hour!  Kittinger carefully planned his record-setting descent.

In the spiritual realm, we’re more likely to find that life is filled with unexpected free falls. The loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or a terminated job can make us feel as if we’re dropping into the unknown.  For believers, however, there is a spiritual “parachute” -the loving arms of God.

Thousands of years ago, Moses wrote these words to the Israelites just before he died:  “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).  The words “everlasting arms” refer to the protection and preservation of God’s people.  Despite the stressful circumstances they would surely face, they could rest in the assurance of God’s watchful care.

Do you feel as if you’re in a free fall?  Take heart.  God’s loving arms are there to catch you.     DF

O the sweet unfailing refuge

Of the everlasting arms;

In their loving clasp enfolded

Nothing worries or alarms. -Hennessay

With God behind you and His arms beneath you,

you can face whatever lies ahead of you.

FINDING TREASURE

Finding Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.

Matthew 13:44

READ MATTHEW 13:44–46

John and Mary were walking their dog on their property when they stumbled on a rusty can partially unearthed by recent rains. They took the can home and opened it, discovering a cache of gold coins over a century old! The couple returned to the spot and located seven more cans containing 1,427 coins in all. Then they protected their treasure by reburying it elsewhere.

The cache of coins (valued at $10 million) is called the Saddle Ridge Hoard, the largest find of its kind in US history. The story is strikingly reminiscent of a parable Jesus told: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44).

Tales of buried treasure have captured imaginations for centuries, though such discoveries rarely happen. But Jesus tells of a treasure accessible to all who confess their sins and receive and follow Him (John 1:12).

We’ll never come to an end of that treasure. As we leave our old lives and pursue God and His purposes, we encounter His worth. Through “the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7), God offers us treasure beyond imagination—new life as His sons and daughters, new purpose on earth, and the incomprehensible joy of eternity with Him.

By James Banks

REFLECT & PRAY

You are my greatest treasure, Jesus. I praise You for giving Your life for me on the cross, so that I could find forgiveness and new life in You.

How are you treasuring your relationship with God? How can you share that treasure with others?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Jesus compares the “kingdom of heaven” to treasure and what a person will do to acquire it (Matthew 13:44). We might be tempted to focus on an earthbound understanding of treasure, but Jesus is emphasizing the sacrifice involved. The one who found this great treasure “sold all he had” just to obtain it. At another point Jesus noted, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (16:26). Living by Christ’s values means that everything else pales in comparison. The kingdom of heaven demands our total commitment to Jesus. Tim Gustafson

GOD IS GOOD

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

GOD IS GOOD

READ:  Genesis 3:1-7

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore

He teaches sinners in the way.  Psalm 25:8

The phrase “God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good” is repeated by many Christians almost like a mantra.  I often wonder if they really believe it or even think about what they’re saying.  I sometimes doubt God’s goodness-especially when it feels as though God isn’t hearing or answering my prayers.  I assume that if others were more honest, they’d admit they feel the same way.

The serpent planted a doubt in Eve’s mind about whether God had been good to her and had her best interest at heart.  He said, “God knows that in the day you eat of [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”  (Genesis 3:5).  Satan tried to convince her to believe that God was holding out on her and not giving her something really good-more knowledge.

Do you feel as though God isn’t answering your prayers?  Are you tempted to doubt His goodness?  When I feel this way, I have to remind myself that my circumstances aren’t the barometer of God’s love and goodness-the cross is.  He has shown how good He is by giving His only Son Jesus to die for our sin.  We can’t rely on our feelings.  But day by day as we choose to trust Him more, we learn to believe with confidence that God is good-all the time.   AC

When you are tempted to deny

God’s goodness, love, and grace,

Look to the cross of Calvary,

Where Jesus took your place. -Sper

Circumstances aren’t the barometer of

God’s love and goodness-the cross it.

CAN WE RELAX?

Can We Relax?

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

READ JOHN 14:25–31

Darnell entered the physical therapist’s office knowing he would experience a lot of pain. The therapist stretched and bent his arm and held it in positions it hadn’t been in for months since his injury. After holding each uncomfortable position for a few seconds, she gently told him: “Okay, you can relax.” He said later, “I think I heard that at least fifty times in each therapy session: ‘Okay, you can relax.’ ”

Thinking of those words, Darnell realized they could apply to the rest of his life as well. He could relax in God’s goodness and faithfulness instead of worrying.

As Jesus neared His death, He knew His disciples would need to learn this. They’d soon face a time of upheaval and persecution. To encourage them, Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to live with them and remind them of what He had taught (John 14:26). And so He could say, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (v. 27).

There’s plenty we could be uptight about in our everyday lives. But we can grow in our trust in God by reminding ourselves that His Spirit lives in us—and He offers us His peace. As we draw on His strength, we can hear Him in the therapist’s words: “Okay, you can relax.”

By Anne Cetas

REFLECT & PRAY

Teach me, Jesus, to trust Your faithfulness, to know Your presence, to experience Your peace—to relax.

What causes you stress? What characteristics of God can help you learn to trust Him more?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

John 13-17 is known as the Upper Room Discourse or our Lord’s Farewell Discourse. After three years of ministry, the time for Christ’s departure had come (13:1). Within the next twenty-four hours He would be crucified, and within weeks He would return to His Father in heaven (14:3-4). Therefore, He seized this very special time to console, instruct, and encourage the men He had chosen to carry on His work. Not only did Jesus tell them that He would send the Holy Spirit (14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-11) to be their Advocate (one who would come alongside to aid and assist them), He shared other truths that would strengthen them as His representatives. Truths about serving and loving one another (13:1-15, 34-35; 15:12-17), about abiding in Him and bearing fruit (15:1-11), and about being hated and persecuted by the world (15:18-16:4). Arthur Jackson