“He went up to the temple and spread it out before the LORD” (2 Kings 19:14)

July 1, 2011

King Hezekiah took the threatening letter from Sennacherib and turned it over to the Lord. Is there a threat against you? Will you defend yourself? Or will you be like godly Hezekiah and give it to the Lord?

“I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts 20:26-27)

June 30, 2011

Paul’s farewell to the elders of Ephesus. Are we innocent of our generation’s blood? Will we give a good account of our stewardship of the gospel? Has it yet been preached to every nation?

“He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain” (Psalm 147:8)

June 29, 2011

Thankful to God today for the little things that we often take for granted.

“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching” (Acts 18:5)

June 27, 2011

Paul often had to work as a tentmaker to support himself, but when godly men came to help, he was able to devote himself to the ministry of the Word. The calling to support such men as Paul is as important as the calling to preach. Both are needed.

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:27-28)

June 26, 2011

What can I say? Be wise. Talk less. Listen more.

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:29-30)

June 25, 2011

God wanted to save the jailer and his family, so Paul & Silas had to go to jail. As wheat is crushed to make bread, so we become nourishment for others. How has suffering made you more available?

“They tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (Acts 16:7)

June 24, 2011

When we are following Jesus for the sake of the gospel, He Himself leads us. Sometimes He hinders, sometimes He opens wide a door. Taking the Word to the whole world as He commanded while staying spiritually sensitive to His leading is key.

“Elisha answered, ‘Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: They will eat and have some left over’” (2 Kings 4:43)

June 23, 2011

In this chapter Elisha raises the dead and feeds a multitude. His name means “God is salvation.” His life along with his precursor, Elijah, point to the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. He prepares Israel to recognize Christ.

“She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof…Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us'” (2 Kings 4:9-10)

June 22, 2011

The Shunammite woman built a “Prophet’s Chamber” for Elisha. Rural homes often provided a room like this for itinerant preachers in the US. Would there be room at your house for such a one?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24)

June 21, 2011

Today’s OYB was too awesome. Elijah caught up. Elisha gets a double portion. Paul and Barnabas preach boldly. But Ps.139 is where I landed today. “Search me, O God.”