July Daily Readings

Romans 8:1-11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (v.11)

You are a supernatural being. If you are born again and if the Holy Spirit lives in you, you are a walking, talking, power machine. Through the power that works within, you can heal the sick, restore defective limbs, make the blind see, etc. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:12-13).

Last month, at the Coalition for the Homeless, I prayed for a man in a wheel chair and he got up and walked. I see Jose every week and he has great joy and gives Jesus all the credit.

Numbers 23:11-26; Psalms 131, 132, 133; Matthew 22:1-14

Father” (John 14:12-13).

Last month, at the Coalition for the Homeless, I prayed for a man in a wheel chair and he got up and walked. I see Jose every week and he has great joy and gives Jesus all the credit.

Numbers 23:11-26; Psalms 131, 132, 133; Matthew 22:1-14

Friday, July 2

Romans 8:12-17 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (vv.15-17)

Eternal life came to us when we received Jesus as Savior and Lord, but the process of eternal life can begin today, making us know that now we are sons of God. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Notice that the verb “raised” is in the past tense. That act of being raised is already complete. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 16:23b). Today, use the power of God within you to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

Numbers 24:1-13; Psalms 140, 142; Matthew 22:15-22

Saturday, July 3

Psalm 138 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. (v.3)

Get out of the boat. Get your feet wet. Don’t let the fear of man keep you from using the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The desire of God’s heart is to see His Kingdom in Heaven brought to earth. It is your commission and mine to see His Kingdom here—now! The love of God will flow through you if you step out to see the glory of God at work. Be bold and stouthearted!

Numbers 24:12-25; Psalms 137, 144; Romans 8:18-25; Matthew 22:23-40

Sunday, July 4

Psalm 146 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever. (vv.5-6 NIV)

God is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He alone is our hope for help, salvation, healing, and for all that we will ever need. The writer of this psalm emphasizes that we cannot depend upon man or upon governments, but only on our mighty Lord. He will sustain the fatherless and the widow as He frustrates the wicked and protects His people from the forces of evil that try to destroy us. God will remain faithful forever and ever.

Therefore, I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will praise and thank Him for who He is and for all He has done for me and for all mankind! Oh that I could hear His voice and know how I might please Him in this life here and now.

Open my ears, Lord, that I might be your instrument of peace and love.

Numbers 27:12-23; Psalm 147; Acts 19:11-20; Mark 1:14-20

Monday, July 5

Romans 8:26-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (v.28)

Most of us can look back at a time when some apparent misfortune turned out for the best. I remember when our primary source of income canceled the contract for representing them in our state. How in the world would we survive? Well, we continued to tithe, our cost of operations went down and we prospered more than before. It turned out to be a good thing, not a disaster. The enemy meant this for harm, but God used it for our good.

Jacob’s son, Joseph, had taunted his brothers, revealing dreams wherein they would bow before him. So, when the opportunity came they sold him into slavery. His owner had him thrown into prison on a trumped up charge, but despite all of this he became the supreme ruler of Egypt.

His brothers were terrified when in the midst of a severe famine they learned that it was Joseph who would decide their fate. But he reassured them “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27; Psalms 1, 2, 3; Matthew 23:1-12

Tuesday, July 6

Romans 8:31-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (v.37)

Our pastor told us that Paul’s Letter to the Romans is the Himalayas of his writing and chapter 8 is Mount Everest. This whole chapter is certainly worth reading.

Is it hard for you to imagine yourself as a conqueror, much less more than a conqueror? It is for me; yet it is said that on the cross a divinely ordained exchange took place. Jesus, as the sinless perfect Lamb of God, took upon himself every curse and all of our sin while God made the righteousness of Jesus available to us. In short, the evil due us came upon Jesus that the good due to him might be offered to us.

This was God’s plan from before the foundation of the world because He knew that the only way humans could be conquerors would be if they had a Savior/Redeemer. Now we are to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s plans to undo all of what God has done for us (Ephesians 6:11).

Numbers 35:1-3, 9-15, 30-34; Psalms 5, 6; Matthew 23:13-26

Wednesday, July 7

Romans 9:1-18 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (v.16)

As I write this, businesses are failing, the stock market has plummeted, and people are losing their jobs along with their homes and savings. We are reminded that terrorism is a heart beat away. Iran and North Korea are developing nuclear capability and Israel could be wiped off the map at any time. Christianity is being questioned if not actually threatened by our society and our government.

However, the Bible tells us that God is in control. His justice is perfect and His mercy is everlasting. He holds our future in His Hands and is never surprised by the headlines. It is He who elects presidents and crowns kings. He knows what He is doing and has a plan for our Nation and for each of us.

Question: Why, then, are we concerned? Answer: We shouldn’t be! Worry is a sin simply because it is a symptom of our lack of faith in our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and most high God who loves us more than we love our own children. Let us pray!

Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Psalm 119:1-24; Matthew 23:27-39

Thursday, July 8

Matthew 24:1-14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (v.14)

There, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus was speaking to the disciples, telling them about the end times: “You will be handed over to be persecuted and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” He says that nation will rise against nation, there will be wars and rumors of wars, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. False prophets will rise up and deceive many. But you must not be deceived or alarmed, because he who stands firm to the end will be saved! Hallelujah!

Yes, we who believe will be saved, but beyond that we must insure that our families and other close friends know the truth and go on to Heaven with us. We must also support those special ministries that preach this gospel in prisons and around our Nation and the world.

Then, as our text says, the end will come and our Savior shall return for his final victory over Satan.

Can you not see these things happening right now?

Deuteronomy 3:18-28; Psalm 18:1-20; Romans 9:19-33

Friday, July 9

Romans 10:1-13 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (vv.8-9)

They say that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true. If it isn’t a difficult process, then it probably is not the right way. Surely becoming a Believer must be some sort of complicated business where one must learn Scripture and pass certain tests. And, of course, every person who wants to be successful in obeying the great Commission must have all the answers and be prepared for anything.

Not so, says Paul. All a person has to do is believe down in his heart (truly believe) that God raised Jesus from the dead and then say with his mouth (and mean it) that Jesus is Lord.

It is a wonderful thing to see someone accept Christ in this way. But before we put a mark on the wall or a notch in our belt we must remember that none of us is able to “talk a person into the kingdom.” It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict and bring in those who are called.

Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 24—32:4; Psalms 16, 17; Matthew 24:15-31

Saturday, July 10

Matthew 24:32-51 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” (v.32)

Matthew takes up two chapters, 24 and 25, wherein he has Jesus speaking about his return, the last days, and the final judgment. God apparently knows that this is an important area for us to understand. So, what sign is the fig tree trying to show us?

Isaiah, in chapter 66, asks “Can a nation be born in a day?” The answer to that question is yes. Israel was established as a nation on May 14, 1948. This and many more Bible prophecies have been and are being fulfilled. Is it possible that the time is near?

I count six times in Matthew where Jesus uses the phrase, “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In every instance he is speaking about those who are not prepared for his coming. We cannot predict the time or date, but we can be ready by accepting his offer of salvation now. I don’t want to be among those who guess wrong on this one. For your children’s sake, learn the lesson from the fig tree!

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalms 20, 21; Romans 10:14-21

Sunday, July 11

Joshua 1:1-18 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (v.5 NIV)

Do you ever wonder if the Father is really there? I am sure that’s a rhetorical question for those who grew up without a Dad. It’s harder to have an appropriate picture of our Heavenly Father if our earthly father has split the scene. But there must be times when all of us have not felt His presence? In the storms of life—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial—it’s easy to fall into the trap of asking “Where is God?” But that’s the issue for me; it’s not the feelings that count. Instead I think of it as the “facts, faith, and feelings train.” Take the facts of Scripture, receive and accept them by faith and your feelings will follow. If you try to put the feelings ahead of the facts or faith, you’ll never arrive. The Holy Spirit is always there; God the Father told Joshua, God the Son told his disciples, and God the Holy Spirit reminds us.

Psalms 148, 149, 150; Acts 21:3-15; Mark 1:21-27

Monday, July 12

Matthew 25:1-13 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” (vv.9-10)

When I was in the military we had a saying that was true more often than not. We called it the 6 P’s: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Preparedness. The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, “Always Ready.” There is an element of preparedness in each of today’s readings. Five of the ten virgins were ill prepared and hence missed the wedding banquet and bridegroom (Jesus) on his return. Joshua prepared for battle by sending two spies to scout out the territory. Psalm 25 says “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (vv.4-5). We prepare ourselves to meet Jesus if we follow through. The Romans passage shows God has a plan for the Israelites and the Gentiles.

There was little, if any, eternal significance in most of the planning and preparedness of my service career. But in today’s world we need to keep oil in our lamps to be “Always Ready.” Don’t leave home without it or you may not get Home.

Joshua 2:1-14; Psalm 25; Romans 11:1-12

Tuesday, July 13

Romans 11:13-24 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. (v.20)

The message, to me, woven through today’s readings is to believe and trust. Rahab and the two spies had to believe and trust each other. All three had to believe and trust God. Paul tells us the Israelites were broken off because of unbelief and the Gentiles stood by faith. But later, in verse 23, Paul says the Israelites were grafted in because they did not persist in unbelief. In the Gospel reading, two servants believed and trusted; they were rewarded and saved. One servant did not, lost his one talent, and was condemned to darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The question the Lord asks me every day is “Do you really trust (believe) me?” I do in my head and heart, but it’s hard to get it to my hands, feet, and mouth. I have learned if you don’t live it, you don’t believe it. “Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

Joshua 2:15-24; Psalms 26, 28; Matthew 25:14-30

Wednesday, July 14

Matthew 25:31-46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (v.46)

The Gospel passage is pretty clear, not everyone makes it to heaven. Salvation is not by works but by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). I love Jesus as much as I love the person I love the least. We are told to love the least of these. Loving them does not earn us saving grace, it is a response to saving grace (James 2:14-18). The Romans passage for today speaks of the wisdom, knowledge, goodness, justice, and guidance of God and asks who knows His mind or has provided Him counsel (v.33-34). Certainly not me! I, like David, can only cry out for mercy (Psalm 38:21-22). How do we know the living God is amongst us (Joshua 3:10)? We looked at that in Sunday’s writing. One, He promised in his word. Two, He will answer us (Jeremiah 33:3). Three, when we believe it we will see it. The world view is “Let me see it then I’ll believe it.”

Joshua 3:1-13; Psalm 38; Romans 11:25-36

Thursday, July 15

Joshua 3:14—4:7 ‘What do these stones mean?’ (v.6b)

The answer lies in verse 7: “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” We all remember events and experiences. Some are pleasant and enjoyable, others are unpleasant and painful. The miracle in today’s reading was to be a pleasant and teachable event the Israelites were to pass on to their offspring that demonstrated the power and faithfulness of God. God remembers and honors covenants with His people. When the woman with the alabaster jar of expensive perfume anointed Jesus, he remarked, “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:13). This woman was dedicated to Jesus. We dedicate ourselves by becoming a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. How do we do that? If we constantly renew our minds in the written Word of God we’ll be pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2). Even today’s psalm passage offers guidance on how to be patient and have confidence in the Lord (vv.1-10). Basque in your good memories; seek healing for the painful ones.

Psalm 37:1-18; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 26:1-16

Friday, July 16

Matthew 26:17-25 And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” (v.21)

Only a friend can betray a friend, a stranger has nothing to gain. This was the last meal Jesus would have with his disciples. He had called them friends. He had washed their feet. He had taught them love. Don’t I betray Jesus when I sin? It’s a rhetorical question. Then, I usually follow the psalmist and cry out, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak” (Psalm 31:9-10).

Instead, I should follow Paul’s guidance: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving me when I betray you. Thank you for sustaining my hope, strengthening my patience during my affliction, and encouraging me to be faithful in prayer. May I keep your spiritual fervor and serve you.

Joshua 4:19—5:1, 10-15; Psalm 31; Romans 12:9-21

Saturday, July 17

Joshua 6:1-14 “When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” (v.5)

Imagine Jesus telling you walk around the block with a multitude of people and when you hear a long blast on the trumpet everyone gives a loud shout and the drug house the neighborhood cannot rid itself of collapses immediately, or the clinic that takes life crumbles, or the building harboring sexual immorality or abuse implodes.

Would you do it, if you believed the Lord would deliver you? “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit” (Psalm 30:1-3). The Psalmist tells us, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

So, would you walk around the block? You can be a fool for Christ or a fool for the world. Whose fool are you? Jesus, help me be a fool for you.

Psalms 30, 32; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 26:26-35

Sunday, July 18

Acts 22:30—23:11 Then Paul, gazing at the council, said, “Brethren, I have lived before God, doing my duty with a perfectly good conscience, until this very day.” (v.1 AMP)

Conscience is one’s own witness; it is self awareness. The conscience is a recorder of our beliefs and behaviors. Paul’s conscience was enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The conscience is an indicator, not a transformer. Only the Spirit of God can convict our conscience and change us.

It is difficult for me, at times, to bring my troubled conscience to the Lord, but the Holy Spirit reminds me of God’s grace and makes it so simple to come once again to God, release my feelings, tell Him of my nagging guilt feelings, and confess my sin. Often, I ask God to assure me that He loves me. I need that assurance from Him.

O, but when I picture the cross and the incredible truth of Jesus dying there and shedding his blood for me, I have a fresh awareness of the depth of God’s love and forgiveness. Then, with a grateful heart, I realize that my need is to run into His open arms with child-like trust in His power, wisdom, and goodness. I run to Him and will keep on running to Him.

Joshua 6:15-27; Psalms 63, 98; Mark: 2:1-12

Monday, July 19

Romans 13:8-14 Love does no wrong to one’s neighbor. Therefore love meets the requirements and is the fulfilling the Law. (v.10)

I fully believe that love will never do wrong or harm. I say I believe that but I do not always let love flow from me. I react negatively, at times, to people and circumstances to protect myself. Sometimes it is not verbal, but still harmful by my vain imaginations or by being judgmental.

I needed a head plan for how to deal with my heart. I am much quicker now to let God’s Spirit deal with my mind and change my heart. I have made a decision to actively pursue love by practicing loving. Since I cannot work up a loving heart from myself, I know that God is the source of love.

I practice by saying to myself in those situations, “Let love flow. Well Lord, here I am again, in need of you.” Sometimes it is simply, “Help!” And who helps me with practice? God Himself! His word says, “‘But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in earth, for in these things I delight,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:24).

Joshua 7:1-13; Psalms 41, 52; Matthew 26:36-46

Tuesday, July 20

Romans 14:1-12 Why do you criticize and pass judgment, on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. (v.10)

Criticisms, judgment, and unloving attitudes are often common in the body professing Christians. God’s solution is to be a welcoming person, not judgmental; and God’s way is to die to self and believe in Christ.

I remember so clearly hearing an Episcopalian woman who wrote the book The Late Liz say, when she was beginning her adventure with Christ, “I found myself looking down on people who looked down on people.” It is so easy to fall into this pattern. However, a good reminder for me is that I shall stand before the judgment seat of God.

I found myself in judgment of a family member whom I dearly loved. I was busy, in my mind, condemning him for a major wrong choice. One day I saw myself and how wrong I was. I saw my sin in this circumstance. I confessed my judgment and lack of trust in God. I never told this person how I had been feeling. I simply pursued love, God’s love. I am now in the best place with my dearly loved family member. And from His word God reminds me: “Who are you to judge or look down on another person?”

Joshua 8:1-22; Psalm 45; Matthew 26:47-56

Wednesday, July 21

Romans 14:13-23 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding of one another. (v.19)

I do desire to aim for and eagerly pursue mutual building up of one another. I can be quite enthusiastic about it! But I have trouble following through with that worthy goal. I often feel that I desire to obey Christ, but still fail in the daily living. I have a reminder that has become an everyday practice in my life. It is to live out the “gaze-glance” lifestyle: To gaze at Christ but glance at self.

Too often, it gets reversed and I find myself gazing at myself and glancing at Christ. I simply have to admit my misery in “going the wrong way.” I am a wrong way person. I have no sense of direction, get lost easily, and do not read maps. My inclination is often wrong, so it has been suggested that I simply go in the opposite direction of my inclination! God has the right way. Now, when I find myself going the wrong way yet again, I often have to laugh at myself as I approach God. “Well here I am, again—on the wrong path. Help me, Lord, to get back on the harmony path.”

Joshua 8:30-35; Psalm 119:49-72; Matthew 26:57-68

Thursday, July 22

Romans 15:1-13 May the God of your hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. (v.13)

This describes to me the appealing lifestyle of a servant of Christ, with love, joy, peace, and hope bubbling over into others’ lives.

We have friends I call “true servants.” They provide rides to the airports (and pickups too) and joyfully volunteer for helping in whatever ways are needed, seen or unseen, always giving in love and care for others. In addition, they are a fun couple and so easy to be with.

Over the years God has given us a wide variety of friends. We are grateful for our home and enjoy welcoming them over. My husband, Howard, recently had the idea to invite ten of the wait staff of our favorite restaurant to come to our home for an evening party and meal so we, for a change, could serve them. The “servant couple” that I mentioned above made food and came too, help us in serving. It was a happy, delightful evening of arrival hugs, conversations, and more hugs as our friends from the restaurant departed. Hugs are a fun part of the servant role in living out the overflowing life from the Holy Spirit.

Joshua 9:3-21; Psalm 50; Matthew 26:69-75

Friday, July 23

Romans 15:14-24 Personally I am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are rich in goodness, amply filled with all spiritual knowledge and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another also. (v.14)

Paul gave these good and healthy words to the saints and told them he did this because of the grace that God had bestowed on him. He assured them that he spoke as an instrument of God, filled with God’s grace. He lived out John 15:5, where the Lord said, “Without me you can do nothing.” Paul knew that he could not change people, but he was convinced that God, using His word and the indwelling Holy Spirit, can. So I take Paul’s words as speaking to me. It is in Christ that I am rich in goodness, filled with spiritual knowledge, competent to admonish, counsel, and instruct. I am thankful!

God called Howard and me into Christian ministry in 1963. We have been privileged to experience more than we ever imagined, seeing God take people like us, who can “do nothing” of value apart from Him, and give us friends, ministry, and travel all over the USA and 60+ countries of the world. This was a radical change of lifestyle for me, but God has been very patient with me and my shyness and inhibitions, and has been gradually changing and releasing me. As I learn to walk in His Spirit, I am increasingly free to share Christ with others, wherever the Lord takes me: foreign countries, neighborhoods, organizations, jazzercise, walking buddies, Bible studies, church etc.

I am happiest as I am involved in God’s plan for my life. At a staff conference, I personally made a commitment to God—to maintain my first love for Jesus Christ as the master of my life and to trust Him to increasingly conform me to His image, as He teaches me to extend His unconditional love to others and to be available for His use in helping fulfill His great commission! Anne Frank put it so well: “How wonderful that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world.”

Joshua 9:22—10:15; Psalms 40, 54; Matthew 27:1-10

Saturday, July 24

Romans 15:25-33 So that by God’s will I may come to you with joy (with a happy heart) and to be refreshed, in your company. (v.32)

Paul always had an active ministry and God, often, in His care for Him, provided free rooms in prison. In this section, Paul was going to stay with friends.

God established friendships and relationships. He desires each one of us to be in a friendship relationship with Him. In John 15:15, He said, “I have not called you servants, but friends.” His word brings truth to my heart. I enjoy God and being with Him.

Physical friends help us to listen, share, help, and pray. They come alongside with comfort and sage advice. I enjoy a wide variety of groups of friends. They are special gifts from God. Three of us girls, from church, are such friends. We call ourselves The Barnes and Noble Buddies. We gather there to celebrate each of our birthdays, with a table cloth and unique flower arrangements, and we talk, listen, and share latest family pictures. We laugh a lot with free, open conversation. God is our friend and we feel like friends extraordinaire.

Another group are friends from our high school years in St. Charles, IL. Whenever we gather memories are renewed and we are refreshed as we laugh and enjoy being silly (yet caring and giving). In this group God is not, as yet, well known as “friend,” but I love them and trust and pray they see God’s love and joy in me.

Joshua 23:1-16; Psalm 55; Matthew 27:11-23

Sunday, July 25

Joshua 24:1-15 “But they cried to the Lord for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the desert for a long time.” (v.7 NIV)

Joshua is getting ready to die and is reminding the tribes of Israel about their heritage with God and His mighty deliverances along the way—whether it was the Red Sea, the battles God help them win, or sustaining them all the years in the desert.

Each of us has our own personal heritage with God as well—how He has intervened, delivered, blessed, challenged, and molded us throughout our lives—both in the valleys and on the mountain tops. Like the Israelites, we have seen what He has done with our own eyes—in our lives and with those we love. May we with gratitude take a moment to look back and remember what He has already done. And, knowing that God is and has always been faithful, may we not lose hope in the midst of our current difficulties. I am challenged and encouraged by Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promises is faithful.”

Psalms 24, 29; Acts 28:23-31; Mark 2:23-28

Monday, July 26

Joshua 24:16-33 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” (v.22)

Joshua challenged the people to think carefully about who they chose to serve because God is a holy and jealous God. The Israelites responded strongly that they would serve God. Joshua’s statement about being witnesses against themselves is powerful and one that invites us to reflect upon what kind of witness our lives are for the Living God. Are people around us seeing a life being transformed—one that is “being conformed into the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29)? Or does our life mirror those who are influenced and conformed by the definition of success of this world? What is the clear difference between how we live our lives and those who do not know the Lord? There’s the challenging question that asks if we were on trial for our faith, would there be enough evidence to prove we were Christian? My prayer is that our lives would reflect the clear evidence of our eternal hope with a personal Savior so that others would be compelled to know him more.

Psalms 56, 57, 58; Romans 16:1-16; Matthew 27:24-31

Tuesday, July 27

Psalms 62 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (vv.5-8)

These verses are yet another beautiful assurance that God is our rest, our rock, our salvation, and our fortress. We are encouraged to hope in Him, trust in Him, and pour our hearts to Him. On the days when my mind is anxious and my heart is heavy, I need to make sure that I am reading, speaking, and standing firm on His assuring words. On the wall behind my computer, I have posted Scripture verses to remind and encourage me throughout my day. Even as Christians, some days can be hard for us just to put one foot in front of the other—it seems like some days I skip and some days I slog through life. My “feelings” can sometimes overwhelm my “knowledge” of God, and I need to “read, mark and inwardly digest” His promises, particularly on the darker heart-heavy days. I am deeply thankful that He is my rock, my hope, and my refuge and that He invites us to pour our hearts out to Him.

Judges 2:1-5, 11-23; Psalms 61; Romans 16:17-27; Matthew 27:32-44

Wednesday, July 28

Acts 1:1-14 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v.8)

These were Jesus’ last words before he was taken up to heaven after appearing to the apostles. His words encouraged them that power would come with the Holy Spirit and he challenged them (and us) that they would be his witnesses. Recently I was in a jury selection process and, because the trial was for a crime committed several years ago, the defense attorney introduced the fact (thus planting the seed of doubt) that with the passage of time, the witnesses’ memory might be not as sharp as they remembered the crime details. It is true that the level of detail we remember about yesterday is different than what we might remember from years ago. If our witness is to be strong and convincing to others, it must be with power and insight from the Holy Spirit and with knowledge that is as current and fresh as our last encounter with the Lord this morning. What is Jesus doing in your life this very day that you, like the apostles, can be his witness?

Judges 3:12-30; Psalms 72; Matthew 27:45-54

Thursday, July 29

Judges 4:4-23 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (v.4)

Based on the low level of esteem and position women held in the Bible, this is an amazing story of a woman who was the leader of Israel and led them into battle. The verse says she was married and I can image that perhaps there were also children so this was one busy lady! As a working woman my entire adult life and raising two children, I have felt the criticism of Christians who felt I should stay at home. But I have always believed that God’s purpose is for each of us individually and our calling may be different from others. He created us with unique skills and abilities and our holy response is to seek His face and to be whatever He has called us to be—not what others say we should be doing. I am sure there were some who doubted Deborah’s calling to lead Israel; but she stepped into her role courageously and the Lord brought her success! Let us seek God for His unique plan for our lives, trust Him to show us, and then move forward with confidence.

Psalms 70, 71; Acts 1:15-26; Matthew 27:55-66

Friday, July 30

Matthew 28:1-10 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (vv. 8, 10)

In today’s complete reading in Matthew, verses 1-10, the word “afraid” is included four times: “The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men” (v.4), “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid’” (v.5), and the two references above in verses 8 and 10. Webster defines the word “afraid” as hesitant, anxious, apprehensive, disturbed, frightened, fearful, nervous, and uneasy.

How many of these might describe your walk with the Lord? It is amazing that in this Resurrection story, the unbelieving guards and the believing women both felt deeply afraid and the words that are emphasized both by the angel and Jesus himself are “Do not be afraid.” He knows us—how afraid we can be of today’s challenges and tomorrows unknowns—but He would say to each of us: “Do not be afraid for I love you,” and like he said to the women, “Go forth and you will see me.”

Judges 5:1-18; Psalms 69; Acts 2:1-21

Saturday, July 31

Acts 2:22-36 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge. (v.23a)

Peter on the day of Pentecost, powerfully addresses the crowd stating God’s purpose and foreknowledge and that it was no accident that Jesus was crucified. God knew everything that would happen to Jesus according to His ultimate purpose. We can be encouraged to know there is a plan and purpose for each of our lives as well. Romans 8:28 has always been a favorite verse of mine: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” But recently He has revealed the “why” in verse 29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” The difficult times work together for good to help me become more like Jesus. God foreknew every detail of Jesus’ life and He foreknew every detail about our lives. Psalm 139:10 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” May we trust in His perfect plan for us and, daily, may we become more conformed to the likeness of Christ.

Judges 5:19-31; Psalms 75, 76; Matthew 28:11-20