December 5

Hosea 1-2

When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD” (1:2). Next time someone says they want God to make them a prophet, tell them to read Hosea. God asked him to do some things most of us would rather not do. Let’s face it, if a young man came to either of us claiming that God told him to marry a hooker, we’d argue against it. Good thing we weren’t around advising Hosea; that’s what God said, and that’s what Hosea did, and we have one of the most memorable illustrations of God’s people in the Bible.

The obvious question is whether one plays the prostitute’s role or the prophet’s. Are they presumptuous of God’s mercy while betraying His fidelity, or do they trust Him even when things get a bit strange?

There’s a promise within the painful story of Hosea. One day, God will reconcile Israel under a King. We know He is King Jesus, and by faith we are among God’s kids and heirs to His Kingdom. I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are our God’ (2:23).

1 John 5

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith (5:4). We do not achieve victory by faith, but through faith. Not to purposely complicate things, but it’s important to understand that everything good comes from God, not by our works. So, we cannot rightly say that our faith overcomes the world—God does—and we receive His victory through our faith in Him. Victory was won by Jesus on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection.

Moreover, I am certainly not adding to John’s words. If anyone understood the price Jesus paid, an Apostle would understand better. John bases his entire sermon on the name of Jesus. We owe John a debt of gratitude, and even more to the Holy Spirit who spoke to us through John. As you read John’s letter, hear the praise and join in. We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (5:20).

Proverbs 29:5-8

An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. The life walked in step with the Holy Spirit really is better.

December 4

Daniel 11 (cont.) -12

What has been decreed must be accomplished (11:36). Much of Daniel’s vision is given detail in Revelation. The end of time looks like God removing all His protection, allowing sin to run its course. People in Jesus are saved while life for the wicked grows painful. We do not know when it’s coming, just that it’s closer today than yesterday.

1 John 4

Test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (4:1). There are as many false prophets as there are ways to lie. What you are doing, day-by-day deepening your understanding of the Bible is the very thing God uses to protect you from false prophets. The Holy Spirit guides us, but we can quench the Spirit, fail to hear Him clearly, or let our flesh lead us into error. The craftiness of lies make some hard to discern, especially when we’re lounging in naivete and ignorance.

Therefore, it really helps to follow the discipleship process that Jesus used. He taught His disciples to know God’s word (not tradition, His word). The Bible means what it means, and you are capable of sound interpretation. He taught them to know Him–not know about Him! We know Him by faith, and believe He is the One God sent. He told us to ask for the Holy Spirit and promised that the Spirit will lead us into all truth.

My experience was that once I received Jesus and the Holy Spirit became my Teacher, the Bible was relatively easy to understand. I’ve run into hundreds of false prophets over the years. Some were outrageous liars, others were subtle, but the Spirit warned me, and the Word confirmed when a problem existed or when I needed to learn.

Proverbs 29:2-4

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. We groan a lot. We keep putting wicked people in power–well, maybe not “we” but fellow citizens whom we are called to love even when they make us groan. Rather than become cynical or condescending, let’s pray for them more than we groan about them.

December 3

Daniel 11:2-35

Some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. One of the hardest things for us to reconcile is persecution of God’s servants. It happened to Jesus. It happened to almost all the prophets. It happens to more Christians around the world today than ever in history. It happens in full view of the world, but the world does not care. God does not intervene, and we know we’re missing something. We’re missing God’s perspective. Without His insight, persecution of good people is something we have to trust God to vindicate. Meanwhile, we pray for the release of captives and the preservation of saints (Psalms 79:11).

1 John 3

And by this we know that He abides in us: By the Spirit He has given us (3:24). The most objective “witness” of salvation is the Bible, and the witness to the truth of the Bible is even stronger. The Holy Spirit reveals that we are His. He renews our minds, puts His word in our hearts, protects our bodies, children, and property for His glory. He is not to be trifled with or ignored. He is the source of life.

Proverbs 29:1

When someone corrects you, how do you answer? Do you blame others, turn the tables to talk about the critic’s behavior, or defend yourself? Do you consider the criticism and ask God to validate it? You probably know which tactic brings success. If someone criticizes you unfairly, the accusation will not land, and God will vindicate you. If it’s valid, you just met a new friend, one who loves you enough to help. The way to handle criticism is humbly.

December 2

Daniel 9-10

I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord… I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting (9:2-3). Daniel prayed while the nation sinned. He knew what to pray because He read God’s word. Rather than blame others for the exile, Daniel confessed. He did not point fingers. He identified with sinners. He saw that even a prophet has no place to turn except to the Father’s mercy.

The prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me… (10:13). Some commenters say the messenger was Jesus. The text does not tell us that. Though he meets the description, the actions described are more angelic. Either way, what a scene!

We learn that very strong, fallen angels (demons) led a strong attack over the region or perhaps over the nation. We don’t know if the Prince of Persia is assigned to deceive Babylon or Israel, but we know he was effective. We also know that God sent messengers to fight on His people’s behalf.

One is left contemplating what manner of spiritual warfare is going on over cities like Paris, Moscow, and Beijing, and how that might differ from spiritual warfare over New York, Washington, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans, or Austin. Each city has a distinct vibe, a spiritual tone that is far from holy. Does that mean the evil spirit battling that city’s people pours out a deception like greed, power, drunkenness, lasciviousness, aggression, or arrogance? Perhaps, but prayer is still the weapon.

You may have heard people who inquire into the specifics of regional spirits and spiritual warfare. They warn against nonspecific prayers and demand a great deal of attention be paid to the spirits attacking an area. I notice, however, that Daniel does not say anything about specifics. He simply prayed for relief.

1 John 2 (cont.)

Many antichrists have appeared… This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son (2:18, 22). Spiritual warfare fills today’s readings, and the tone of the Bible is surprising. Daniel prays and angels fight. John identifies the antichrist not as a powerful warlord but as false Christians infiltrating churches!

Today, we face a lot of liars, and the whoppers people tell about Christianity make my teeth hurt. Rather than whine about liars, let’s tell the truth about God as often as possible. Let’s gently straighten out our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 8:32, Galatians 6). I believe we’d enjoy restoring those who heard a false Gospel.

The big truth John wanted us to remember is that Jesus is who the Bible says He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is God incarnate. Some deny these facts, and to do so they must also deny the reliable testimony of thousands of eye-witness accounts along with hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. To deny Jesus, one must overlook more evidence than it takes to convict someone in an American courtroom. You might understand why such unbelief offends God.

Skeptics lie. Atheists lie. Agnostics lie. Anything that denies Jesus is the anointed Son of the living God is a lie. Liars may receive God’s grace–God is incredibly graceful–but not infinitely. His patience thins as you have learned. His justice demands truth. He knows what we think of Him, what we say about Him, and if we’re lying.

Proverbs 28:27-28

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. The formula sounds a little odd, like a give to get scheme, but like most proverbs, it’s deeper. Giving to the poor shows that giver trusts The Giver.

December 1

Daniel 8

A vision appeared to me… (8:1). Daniel’s vision, like the last one, may require a scholarly commentary to interpret. (I’ll that to you.) Did you notice that Gabriel is nothing like the cute, fat, flying angel babies portrayed in popular culture? God’s messengers are terrifying. People fall on their faces, paralyzed with fear. They must be something, and to be honest, I’d like to see one. If God made these fearsome beings, imagine what it’s like to see Him! Please don’t think it’ll be scary—you’ve read the Book for almost a year, and it’s told you over and over that God is unending, steadfast love. Seeing Him will be the most profoundly joyful experience of all.

The vision, well, Daniel’s illness as a result of the vision is not something I’d want to experience. God gives hard tasks to some of His children. If you’ve seen a terrifying vision, ask God to interpret it knowing that it was given as a blessing.

1 John 2

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world (2:16). There is complete consistency throughout the Bible with regard to a disciple’s battle. We fight Satan’s schemes, the world system, and the lusts of our flesh. These three overlap and work together against godliness. Satan created a system that idolizes pleasure and status. The world system pushes fast fun on a repeating cycle. The flesh craves, the world provides what it craves, and Satan tempts. As pleasure or status increase, the flesh wants more and the world sells more, reaps profit, builds a bigger pleasure-status machine–more, more, more.

Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), lies about his system with cunning expertise. The world system, running on lies, promises good and delivers addiction–the mind of the flesh is death (Romans 8:6). John added, the world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever (2:17). Obedience to God is the thing that gets us off the worldly treadmill. It’s hard to do, but easy to see.

Proverbs 28:25-26

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. There’s the flesh again; trusting our own foolishness. Wise people trust God’s word.

November 30

Daniel 7

Daniel’s vision has been dissected for centuries by scholars trying to know who’s who. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever (7:18). I’ll leave it to my reader to conduct your own research if you want more specifics, but with a warning. I’ve found that people who are consumed with learning details of biblical prophecies where the Bible leaves details out, rarely do much other than speculate. They rarely lead anyone to Jesus and rarely help the helpless. Those strong in speculation are often weak in following Jesus.

1 John 1

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1:9). Jesus is faithful when we aren’t. His judgment is true when ours is clouded. He is forgiving when we are vindictive. Our relationship to the King of the Universe depends on Him, not on us. Thank and praise God that He does not expect the impossible from fickle humans like me. He is the righteous One, the faithful One, the just One, the One who cleans people up and bestows upon them His righteousness. With Him, anything is possible.

Proverbs 28:23-24

He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. Had I not found God’s word, I’d be stuck wallowing in my own ideas. My heart was fully devoted to the cravings of my flesh until the Lord showed me a better way to live, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Philippians 3:12). Our Father gently, firmly, patiently corrected my course, set my sails, and sent me to a better land. His correction is worth more than buckets of diamonds atop traincars of gold.

I could say more, but it’s December.

November 29

Daniel 6

These kings! Is there no end to their insane decrees? Evidently not, nor is there any end to what God can do to make things work out (Romans 8:28).

2 Peter 3

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (3:18). The greatest wish we can have for anyone is that they grow in Christ. Obviously, sin strangles growth. We sin in spite of our desire not to, and then we require truckloads of grace, not once or twice but daily. Grace sustains us every moment by Jesus’ promise (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We cannot begin to understand the grace we have; it’s too big. But we can grow in knowledge. We can read His word, receive the Holy Spirit, and grow.

Proverbs 28:21-22

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. Stingy people use others to get and hoard money. Sooner or later, they try to get one over on someone more ruthless, and that villain eats their lunch.

November 28

Daniel 5

Simply put, there is no excuse for exalting oneself above God. It is the height of arrogance, and God will not be mocked.

2 Peter 2

There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you (2:1). The early churches also had con artists who craved status. I don’t why we should believe we’d be immune. A student once told me about a lady in his church who received many positive answers when she prayed for people. She started a pay-for-pray scheme, which is obviously unbiblical, but the people in the church did not know the Bible.

In another case, a man who I thought was a friend and who agreed with my teaching for many years, gained status and after I left began teaching a false gospel of works and pushing himself forward as the church’s new Pastor. Friends in that church told me that as soon as I left the man began crushing people under the weight of his teaching. Both the pay-for-pray lady and the works-righteousness man met swift and shameful ends but not before damaging their churches.

There has never been a time when false teachers were absent from the church. Their end is certain, but they multiply like the Hydra. It is not necessary that one be duped by such liars. Know the Bible and you’ll spot a false teacher. Be sharp. Do your part. I’ve found that the Holy Spirit brings to mind Scriptures that I put in my head. He could but does not supernaturally fill my head with His word or press out all my errors. He always redeems the time I spend studying.

Proverbs 28:19-20

He who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. The Bible offers several ways to gain wealth—hard work is the most common. Wise investments build wealth over time. God also approves inheritance. All three depend on wise spending, without which one rarely builds wealth.

November 27

Daniel 3-4

Until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes (4:32). When we say that only God is worthy of worship, few people agree. When He humbles someone, however, they know very quickly who is in charge and who is not. Nebuchadnezzar’s trip on the Crazy Train found him humbled by unclean spirits that are used by God to achieve His purposes, as is all creation. His wisdom stretches beyond our imagination. He knows exactly what to allow and whom to correct with what measure. He never fails, never falters, never stumbles, and He loves you.

2 Peter 1

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (1:3). A young man in Africa asked me for some money. I responded that he already has what he needs, and not he thinks I’m stingy. I showed him this verse, and he was not moved, but that does not alter the truth that in Christ we have what we need to level up.

The problem is not having, it’s using what we have. The same young man had an inside track to an education, paid for by others, but he partied more than he studied, and we both know what happened during final exams.

Unbelief shows us what we don’t have. We all struggle to believe the glorious promises of God–they defy our experience many times. Just because people do not believe does not mean God’s word is not true. Better to assume He is truthful, and we are ignorant (I’ve found that to be my situation many times–He is always on target, but I am slow to understand). Trust His word more than your experience and you’ll see experience align with Bible!

As for the feeling that one is unworthy to receive the glorious promises of God–sonship, heir, child, beloved, righteousness and faith of Jesus, all you need–your worthiness is not the key. Jesus holds things together. He’s the key. He’s the righteous One. His righteousness is yours when you receive Him (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:24-25).

Many people want status without obedience, wealth without work, and holiness without sacrifice. Many more want someone else to pay the bills while they rave on. Jesus told people who worshiped wealth to sell it all and follow Him. They wanted what Jesus had without following Jesus—good luck with that.

Peter’s proposition is true. You have all you need to get to the next place God wants you. How might you live differently if you believe you have everything you need?

Psalm 119:97-112

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies… At some point, David decided to believe God’s word. God gives all of us the same choice. Believe Him or test Him, obey Him or fight Him, trust Him or trust your half-educated professor or your limited experience. The choice determines how life goes. David chose to praise God when things were not going well. That is the faith that pleases God.

Proverbs 28:17-18

He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. Running with crooks is a terrible way to test God. He knows your heart and so do you. He knows if you fear His wrath and stand in awe of His glory, or if you’re hurting people.

November 26

Daniel 2 (cont.)

There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries… (2:28). Daniel was as sharp a young man as you’d ever meet, but neither his wits nor his looks could save him from death. He had to trust God for the interpretation of the dream, and I mean really trust God.

God gave him the interpretation the night before he reported to the king. Daniel had to lay there in bed, no telling how long, in faith that it was God who showed him the details of a wacky dream. Tell me you would not have wondered at least a couple times if you were imaging the whole thing. Maybe Daniel didn’t but I sure would have.

The next morning, Daniel had to prepare himself to speak God’s word, still in faith that it was God that gave him the info and not last night’s vindaloo. There was no way for Daniel to know until it was too late. One false statement, and the king would have his head, his friends’ heads, and a bunch of other heads. That’s a lot of blood resting on one’s ability to hear God, isn’t it? But and this is one of those big-as-Kim-Kardashian-buts, God keeps His promises. He said that anyone who held to His word was protected. He protected Daniel and He glorified Himself in the process. God is so good!

I wonder if God is telling all His children some mysterious things, but we’re too dull to hear Him. Maybe we lay awake tinkering through the thing and talk ourselves out of it. Maybe we should be a little more open with things we hear (shoot, maybe we should spend some more time listening for God). Speak to some trusted, wise elders about what you think God says to you. You may save the rest of us a lot of trouble!

1 Peter 4 (cont.) -5

Those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good… Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (4:19, 5:6-7). Suffering according to God’s will is not the subject for a holiday chat, is it? In fact, many Christians find the idea repugnant and deny that God wills suffering, even though the Bible says that He does. Jesus suffered by God’s will and told us that some of us will do the same.

Not all suffering is by God’s will, of course. Self-inflicted wounds are far more common. God wills suffering at times, and we may conclude that because His steadfast love endures forever, suffering somehow grows His kingdom better than comfort. Suffering by God’s will, while unpleasant, is holy, honorable, noble, and rewarded by Him.

Other suffering, depression, anxiety, or chronic, physical pain of any sort for instance, is hard to pin down. I’ve known more than one dedicated and godly servant who suffered terribly. Such maladies seem needless to us, and many people find fault with God for allowing them, while others (even a few sufferers I’ve known) see God’s hand using pain to draw them into a deeper relationship with Him. (According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul had a tormenting spirit that kept him humble.) You may believe that such pain is caused by the Devil dropping by, nipping at the edges of one’s mind or body, trying to lure them into a dark alley where he may take a lion’s bite. You may be right.

I’ve found that God’s presence shines through the blackest curtains. Admittedly, I’d prefer that the black curtain was in another house, and I envy those for whom suffering is a mystery. It’s equally a mystery to most sufferers. What is not a mystery is that Jesus’ suffering allowed our healing (Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus did not pay the ultimate price so that His followers could suffer, but so that we could find freedom in Him. God does not allow suffering for the fun of it, and through His healing, He receives glory.

Psalm 119:81-96

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I hope you never have to face suffering, but if you do, I hope you will trust God’s word. David’s faith in God’s word kept him alive.

I remember the testimony of a man who was held prisoner for four years, tortured daily, fed just enough rice and monkey meat to sustain him. When it rained, he had water from the leaky roof; when it didn’t, he was dehydrated. Most days, he was sweating, most nights shivering, and almost always sick. He had memorized a few Scriptures and prayed them daily. He said God’s word kept him alive.

Proverbs 28:15-16

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. If you think the hope of the poor is in political justice, you do not know the hearts of rulers. The farther they are from God, the worse they’ll treat people without enough money to fight back. In our country, the people who campaign to help the poor tend to be the ones who keep them poor with burdensome taxes and silly regulations.

November 25

Daniel 1-2

Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… (1:8). It would have been all but impossible for a person held captive by a devil-worshiping king to remain undefiled. Moreover, Daniel lived in a time when Israel defiled itself, which led to their captivity in the first place. How he even thought of remaining clean given the cesspool of temptations he lived in is a marvel. He knew that God would honor his obedience while punishing his nation’s disobedience.

Daniel proves that though one lives in a culture that rejects God, they can thrive. That is, I believe, exactly what God asks us to do–trust Him completely while living among people who don’t trust Him much at all. Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed… (1 Peter 3:14).

1 Peter 3-4

All of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (3:8-9). Putting others first is a New Testament theme. But let’s face it, we’re not good at doing what God says. We need a bunch of reminders like Constitutional checks and balances against selfish behavior.

Jesus told us to serve one another, treat others as we wish to be treated, and to love others as he loved us, which is sacrificially. We try, we fail, often badly (sometimes we don’t try too hard). I’ve consistently heard people say they left a church because they were not being fed. I wondered if they left the restaurant because the server didn’t cut up their meat and fork it in for them. If you read the Bible and come away thinking your church needs to serve you, just put it down, and go back to the children’s table.

Here’s the thing: if you follow God’s word and seek the Holy Spirit, He will give you courage and you will do two things. First, you will serve others and care for their needs with less regard for your own. Second, you’ll outgrow mean-spirited, selfish people who take more than they give. If we tolerate bullies, we embolden them, and they replicate. If we honor God by standing up to bullies, we’ll get stronger believers. The love Peter expresses is active, brotherly love of the kind that protects the helpless.

Psalm 119:65-80

Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. If we honor God with gratitude, we’re less likely to stray. Keep in mind that walking with the Holy Spirit is the only way to remain consistently obedient to God, and that is not done by willpower. It’s done by asking for the Holy Spirit, trusting the Bible, listening to wisdom, submitting to Jesus, and abandoning lust for something better. Of course, if one prefers, they may stubbornly test the Lord and let the chips fall where they may.

Proverbs 28:14

Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. This ties in rather seamlessly with the above readings, does it not?

November 24

Ezekiel 47-48

The waters of the sea will be made fresh, and life will flourish wherever the river flows (47:9). Ezekiel’s vision of the river gradually deepening, providing food, healing, and making dead things productive sounds like the Gospel. Wherever the Gospel goes, it feeds, heals, and resurrects. Everything Jesus touches becomes productive. The deeper you get into the Gospel, the more live it gives.

1 Peter 2 (cont.)

Abstain from the desires of the flesh, which wage war against your soul (2:11). Remember, the soul houses emotions. Best I can tell, the world entices a deep emotional attachment to pleasure, which the Bible calls the lust of the flesh. In creation, the desire for good things increases survival, but desire can turn to lust, and lust is a problem. The more one seeks pleasure, the more pleasure they crave: more food, drink, clothing, sex; pleasuring oneself becomes the goal, and that goal pushes others away.

The nasty secret is that the spirit of the world uses pleasure to enslave us to more pleasure, and in so doing, it enriches itself. All that stuff we use to pleasure ourselves costs money and time. Soon all the money and time are spent on pleasure, and the world system loves to profit off the addicts it created.

The Spirit of God wants to fill you with God’s love. His Spirit in you creates a desire for more of Him. Whenever we seek Him, we find a more meaningful life.

Psalm 119:49-64

Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope. This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life. Hope is that wonderful twinkling feeling that God’s promises are future realities, and faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Hope increases by knowing God’s word, and faith follows as God’s gift that puts our souls at rest (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Proverbs 28:12-13

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Concealing truth often leads to a life where lies multiply like fungus under the surface. Sunlight kills the fungus, allowing mercy to prosper and life to take hold.

November 23

Ezekiel 46

The prince is a mysterious figure, not the Messiah, but perhaps a leader of Jerusalem like a Priest. He is responsible for sacrifices. All of this envisions a time when the sacrificial system is in effect. Some believe Ezekiel saw the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah over the earth, but we cannot really say because on this point, the Bible seem to leave things vague. I find no point in speculating about things God does not clarify.

1 Peter 2

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (2:9). It sounds like Peter’s talking about Israel. Since Jesus’ resurrection, however, all the promises of God apply to those with faith in Jesus Christ—he’s talking about you. If you are in Christ, you are chosen. Chosen not to look down on others in pride, but to love God and serve others as they try to know Him. You live in the light to help others see.

Psalm 119:33-48

Throughout this Psalm we see a pattern: David asks God to teach him, then asks God to help him to do what God taught him. He never rests in knowledge, but always asks that his behavior match his knowledge. He seems to have understood that faith demands action.

Proverbs 28:11

A wealthy person without discernment will not stay wealthy for long. A poor person with discernment will not stay poor for long. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit!

November 22

Ezekiel 44-45

People with royal titles, like anyone who has been given authority, can easily exceed their authority. God chooses royals to serve. Those who serve well secure a throne.

1 Peter 1

To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood (1:1-2). The idea that we are known and chosen by God tends to start silly arguments from people who try to make the Bible say something it does not say. It says you were chosen by God. It also says that you, me, and all the chosen are given the Holy Spirit, and even with that we’re often judgy and fussy, misbehaving like children in need of naps. We have the Spirit to guide us to understand God’s word, to give us faith, and to help us love one another. We have all that we need.

Psalm 119:17-32

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. I’ve heard more than one person scoff at the Bible, and every time found they offered little wisdom to solve actual problems. They were smart on their career, but not in how the world actually works. Half-educated sources tend to give second-rate counsel.

Others we meet respect the idea of God but have nothing to show for their respect. It’s popular for celebrities and politicians to call themselves “civic” Christians, meaning that they like the society that Christianity births, but do not believe in Christ. Like Herod, they prefer entertainment to study. Civil Christianity is not Christianity—it has no real power.

I’ve found another group who turn God’s word into a lawbook, and they fancy themselves as His police force. Self-appointed marshals suck the joy out of life, practicing a form of Christianity but, like it’s civil cousin, without the power of the risen Christ. One may wonder how long before they learn that Jesus shows no mercy to those who show no mercy.

Another group consumes the Bible as hungrily as a six-year-old on a stack of pancakes. They apply its wisdom to their problems, give God credit for their prosperity, and praise the praiseworthy. The latter group seems quite a bit smaller than the others, but their confidence and kindness shouts Jesus’ name without shouting. It’s not hard to see why they have more of everything money can’t buy. Psalms 119 is their delight, written by their older brother.

Proverbs 28:8-10

Even his prayer is detestable… What an awful reality for the mocker.

November 21

Ezekiel 42-43

Holiness marks every inch of the Temple grounds and its servants. No one may serve God unless God first makes them holy. No one calls themselves into God’s service. He appointed His servants throughout the Old Testament, and under the New Covenant, God calls Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to lead (Ephesians 4:11), and all believers to grow the Church. God’s holiness makes Him separate, different, and in control of everything related to knowing Him—it is He who makes His servants holy (1 Peter 1:2).

We might think of holiness as usefulness. If we’re no different than people outside God’s family, what’s the point of being in God’s family?

James 5

Some people try to use James 5 to either condemn wealth or to somehow connect godliness to poverty, which is absurd. Anyone even mildly acquainted with poverty knows how much misery it brings. What we see in Scripture is God providing wealth (Abraham, Job, David, Solomon, Matthew, Joanna, Lazarus, and many of Jesus’ disciples were wealthy). Jesus possessed a tunic at the time of His crucifixion that only wealthy men could own. Deuteronomy 8:18 says remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth… The Devil’s system creates more poverty, and devilish people try to dress it up as caring for the poor.

Psalm 119:1-16

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. The heart determines direction.

Proverbs 28:6-7

Today’s proverbs help illuminate other readings. (I love when that happens!)

November 20

Ezekiel 40-41

The command at the beginning of Ezekiel’s vision to pay attention to the details reveals God’s expectations. He is precise and He expects precision from those who manage His property (us, for instance). One cannot remain slack in their obedience and expect God’s blessings, and that is especially true for His shepherds.

If you’re one to cut corners, come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will show you that every word of God has a precise meaning. You will see it and be glad that He is not vague.

James 4

Driving on a highway yesterday, I noticed two birds fighting in the middle of the road ahead. No more than a second later, just as I came upon them, the boxing birds veered into my lane and WHAM they both bounced off my windshield. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw one hit the asphalt awkwardly, leaving little doubt to his condition. The other one remains a mystery. I’d heard of “killing two birds with one stone,” but not with one windshield.

I wonder if they were locked in a great struggle over the political oppression of birds. Maybe one was forcing widowed birds from their nests with usurious interest rates. More likely, they were arguing over a stale bread crust, not realizing that the food trucks on one side and grassy fields on the other side of the highway offered an abundant buffet of scraps.

There are things that God tells us to fight for: free the innocent, for instance. We often get distracted by less important battles. How many times does a fight over something stupid get us into terminal trouble? You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask (4:2). Instead of getting what we want, we get the windshield.

Psalm 118 (cont.)

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (v. 22). Pay close attention to this Psalm, it’s about Jesus. God appointed builders to carefully construct His Temple according to His plan. They performed flawlessly, and the Temple became a source of immense pride to Israel (all in a good way). But the Temple was only the beginning. He applied the same precision in calling other men to oversee His peoples’ instruction in the Law. Their job was always to build up the people of God by carefully explaining God’s way to live. The job of overseer, like any prominent position, comes with the temptation to turn overseer into overlord and think of oneself as better than those they manage. We see this today with many Pastors and Teachers who believe their teaching is more important than what the people learn.

As a result of their hubris, the teachers of the Law chose the wrong cornerstone. They chose obedience to the sacrificial system as the key measurement from which to build God’s people, but this is not what God said. He said, I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6 and 1 Samuel 15:22). As a result, when the Messiah came, they rejected Him (Matthew 9:13).

Jesus is the foundational cornerstone–all measurements of righteousness go off Him. Any religious system that focuses more on activity than the heart that motivates the activity is open to false motivation. Such a system becomes burdensome and results in greater injustice than it prevents–it actually pushes people away from God.

God cares nothing for ritualistic religion! He wants you more than He wants what you can do for Him. Do you want Him more than His benefits? Are you hungry for God?

Proverbs 28:3-5

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. I don’t know about your church, but mine is full of fighters. People have grown tired of godless fools stealing from them, indoctrinating their children against God and parents, and elevating promiscuous sex as a moral value. Some of our people believe they must protest and complain, and who can blame them? Who can possibly think it’s wrong for us to demand our rights? Well, God does.

The battle is God’s; over one hundred Bible verses say so! I agree that not fighting seems wimpy, completely unreasonable, and impossible to follow. So what? It is God’s law that we love others as He loves us. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35). Rest your soul in the Holy Spirit, pray more than you complain, demonstrate more love than protest, deliver more gentle, open-ended questions than harsh rebukes. Set aside your indignation, anger, and fear for what might become of this generation. Trust God and sow the Gospel generously. The time may come when we’re left with no choice but to fight. That time is not yet and we’ll know when it is because the battle will come to us and it’ll be impossible to ignore (Revelation says so).

Those without God have no peace with God. Your peace is more attractive to them than a fighting spirit. Your peace carries the Spirit’s power. (I pray God fills me up enough to show you.)

November 19

Ezekiel 39

It will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD. This is the day of which I have spoken (39:8). I’ll remind you that out of approximately 2,500 prophecies in the Bible, 2,000 have happened. Two thousand predictions! What are the odds? Dr. Hugh Ross is a mathematical genius, and he calculated the odds of 2,000 biblical prophecies coming true at 1 in 102000 (that’s 1 followed by 2,000 zeroes). It would be easier for someone to find a specially marked french-fry under a picnic table somewhere along I-30 without giving them any hints where to start looking. The odds of all those prophecies being fulfilled is less than the number of seconds that the universe has existed. These probabilities exceed the limits of possibility, but not for God. His possibilities are not limited like ours.

You and I predict what will happen based on our best guesses, and we’re often wrong. When God declares something will happen, it’s as though it already has happened.

James 2 (cont.)-3

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (2:20). I imagine that many people find James’s language offensive. When James, a First Century Hebrew, called someone foolish he meant something quite different than when an English speaker uses the term twenty centuries later. James means someone who is purposefully ignorant of God’s word. A fool in the biblical sense is one who turns their back to wisdom like a man who day-after-day, year-after-year chooses to forage for pennies on a railroad track instead of working. He lacks sense though he has a few cents.

James’s claim comes from a divinely inspired understanding of theology, and a basic understanding of logic. If one claims to have faith but no tangible action follows it, that indicates that they actually have faith in something other than what they claim. One cannot have faith in God and then have nothing to show for it. My proposition is according to God’s word and is consistent with what we observe. Faith in God without godly deeds is no more possible than water without wetness.

For James, the matter was solved through the accounts of Abraham and Rahab whose actions proved their faith. For others who need something more, we offer neuroscience proving that belief leads to action in the direction of that belief. Therefore, when we see no action, we know that something was believed that caused either inaction or action in another direction. For instance, when someone says they believe it’s best to obey God and God says to know the Bible, but they do not read it, they actually believe something else. When one says they believe in God, but their actions are deceptive, one wonders why they are elected to Congress, or why we should believe anything they say.

On the other hand, those who learn God’s word, seek to know Him, have His Spirit, and trust His ways grow in faith and deeds, and they become wise. The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere (3:17).

Psalm 118

God shows us who He is by His deeds. Experience with Him shows that God’s love endures despite our sin. While He laughs at humanists who believe people can solve the world’s problems, He continues to love them. We can love them too, though I admit it’s not the easiest thing I ask of myself.

Proverbs 28:2

This one’s a bit scary as it sounds like us. A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. Let’s face reality, we will never have order as long as unity means unifying around a party line. Unity in the Bible is with God, and that’s the kind of unity that yields peace. We see it played out all over the world as nations go to war with themselves over their multiplicity of leaders. There’s no war where Jesus is King.

November 18

Ezekiel 37-38

I replied, “O Lord GOD, only You know” (37:3). When the Bible says nothing is impossible with God, it’s not kidding. Dry bones of dead men clicking together like Legos, growing tendons, organs, muscle, and skin to form a functioning army is God doing the impossible. I doubt we could imagine it had God not done it. What else can He do?

Breathe into these slain, so that they may live! (37:9). By the breath of His mouth, God makes things come alive. The ancients realized that when one speaks, they breathe out, and they reasoned that God’s word comes out by His breath. This led to the Holy Spirit being called the breath of God. His word, therefore, is alive–it comes from the breath of His mouth. Both Hebrew word ruach and the Greek pneuma translate “Spirit” in English, but they both mean “breath” or “wind” in common usage. When God breathes on something, His Spirit emanates from Him to bring it to life. You became a living being by the breath of God in your Mama’s womb. When Jesus breathed on His disciples, He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” and they came alive (John 20:22).

The deeper question for most of us, especially when we feel dead from a miserable trial is, “Can I come alive?” If dry bones can live by the word of the Lord, and nothing is impossible with God, why not?

James 1-2

Everyone should be quick to listen... (1:19). I imagine that when he wrote this, James was thinking of the older men in his church. As one of that balding lot, I can criticize us–we talk too much. Perhaps we believe others care to hear our exploits for the fifth time. Heaven help us if we think things change by our complaints or, worse, recounting the good old days.

The reality is that we accomplish a lot more if we listen. People tend to trust those who listen well. Listening invites people to tell you where it hurts. I’ve found that if I listen to people long enough, they’ll tell me how to lead them to Jesus and help them grow.

Psalm 117

Great is His loving devotion toward us … Meditate on loving devotion.

Proverbs 28:1

God’s love fills us with confidence in God’s word, so we know what to do.

November 17

Ezekiel 35-36

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances (36:26-27). This is one of the most exciting prophecies in the whole Bible. It was fulfilled at Pentecost and is yours for the asking (Luke 11:13).

Lord, you are supreme over all the earth. You send your Spirit like the wind wherever you please. I ask for your Holy Spirit to be in me, guiding me, teaching me, correcting me, reminding me who I am in Jesus. Take out the stony pieces of my heart and replace them with a heart of flesh that your word penetrates easily. I want to know you.

James 1

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (1:2-3). Over a few months, a woman threw four parties. Her friend asked why, and she replied, “Our business partner stole half our money and fled the country. Then, our house flooded, and my sister’s marriage broke up. Last week, we had to move my mother into hospice.”

Her friend stared in disbelief. She’d heard about the embezzlement, but not the rest. She said, “You should’ve called for prayer at least,” caught herself, and added, “Sorry, I guess I just want to be here for you. It sounds like too much for one person to handle. But I still don’t get why all the parties?”

Party lady replied, “We wondered if God was punishing us, and to be honest, we were so down, we didn’t want to hear all the sympathy. I came across James during my quiet time with God, where it says, ‘count it all joy when you experience trials of many kinds,’ and realized that God will bring us through all of it. We thought ‘counting it all joy’ might mean throwing parties. So…”

Can you imagine a more difficult command than James’s? I’d like to tell tales of the parties I threw when I felt trials were strapping me to a whipping post, but I don’t have any. Either I forgot the command or, more likely, I was too overwhelmed with sadness, fear, and anger, and too lacking in faith; but now I’m confessing sin and that’s not why you’re reading this (all the same, see James 5:16 if have an extra minute). Perhaps you will do better than me the next time trials visit.

Psalm 116

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you (116:7). I think the Bible scholars who say the soul is the part of a person that houses emotions are onto something. Emotions direct behavior, so a downcast soul means raw emotions and depression. The soul at rest in the Lord has God’s peace and calm emotions.

A great Bible study searches for all the verses that contain the word “soul.” You’ll see the importance of rest to emotional control. Telling someone to control their emotions when they’re wound up is like telling a river to stop flowing. I do not think God tells us to use willpower to control emotions. He tells us to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us so that our emotions grow calm (Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 2:8-9).

When trouble strikes, the soul expresses fear, anger, sadness, and disgust, sometimes all at once, and quite loudly. Perhaps, you’ve noticed. When a soul turns to God’s mercy in faith, it finds rest. How else do you think James could find joy in trials except by the power of the Holy Spirit? Do not think you will become a sweet soul, attractive to yourself and others by your own doing–that is a lie–but it will happen by the Holy Spirit renewing your soul.

Proverbs 27:23-27

Be sure to know the state of your flocks and pay close attention to your herds. You have heard me say that the Bible is the best financial success book of all time. One of God’s key management principles is to know the condition of one’s assets. Where’s the money coming in and going out? What’s the maintenance schedule? To be good sons and daughters means taking care of what God has given us. One cannot be apathetic with God’s stuff!

November 16

(Bible Project video summary Ezekiel Part 2 on YouTube.)

Ezekiel 33-34

Tell them that as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). I know of no other god who is described as the God of the Bible describes Himself. He sends His word by messenger and Scripture day after day hoping people will turn to Him. Let’s face it though, a lot of people prefer to tell God who He can be.

The gods of our age are as numerous as the stars, invented by squirrel-headed people who are too fragile to listen to the real God. They prefer inventing gods who can’t talk back. One does not have to look far to see where that kind of self-idolatry leads. God does not want them to die, but they’re killing themselves.

I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out (34:11). Thank God for Jesus the Good Shepherd who rescues lost sheep (John 10, Hebrews 13). You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD (34:31).

Hebrews 13

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you (13:17). The writer assumes that spiritual leaders align with God’s word, which is why I keep pressing you to hunger for it, consume it, and meditate on it. If you don’t know what God says, how can you test your leaders? Millions of people follow false prophets who tickle ears to gain control.

When you find a leader, be a joy to lead. It is to your advantage to make things easier for leaders whether they are your Pastor, teacher, manager, or elected official. Why make it hard on yourself?

If you cannot follow your leader, please make sure that it’s because of their unwillingness to follow Scripture. God does not reward contentious children, nor does He accept personality conflict as a valid reason to separate. Whatever the reason, don’t make a scene. Give the leader all the honor that their office deserves (even if they’re undeserving). Do not lie, bow out gracefully, and find someone you can follow.

Psalm 115

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness. Only God is worthy of praise. People do wonderful things, and we are right to reward a good performance. But only God can save us.

Proverbs 27:21-22

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise he receives. If you’re the one receiving praise, keep things in order and perspective. You don’t want to become the celebrity who believes their press and then suffers from a prideful fall, broken relationships, and misplaced loyalty.