The Reading Plan Daily Devotions

"But Jonah rose up to fell to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." ( Jonah 1:3 )   We've all done it. Some run harder and farther and longer than others, but every believer at some point in his life has taken an alternate path than what he knew God was instructing. We may not call it "running away" but that is what it is.   And it's the most foolish exercise known to man. As the Psalmist said, "Where can I go from Thy Spirit?" ( Psalm 139 ). God knows everything, made everything and is everywhere. He has all power to do whatever He desires. Running is futile.   What is most tragic is that we find ourselves running from the best possible path and the One who loves us most perfectly. The way that would bring life to us and others. In our foolish shortsightedness, we think that we know better than God. But we are always wrong. Always.   GOD'S RELENTLESS PURSUIT   Thankfully, for His children, God never lets go. His pursuit for His children is ...

Most people walk through life in spiritual blindness. Unaware or unwilling, they fail to connect to the One who made them. Confusion reigns and life makes no sense when we are not seeing through the eyes of the One who made us.    In one of the most beautiful stories in history, the Arameans came with a massive army to surround and take one man: the prophet Elisha.   He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kin...

Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. ( 2 Kings 2:2 )   Training the next generation must be the great goal of the church. In fact, in order to survive, it must be the goal of any organization or family on earth. If mentoring and training does not occur, any church and any organization is one generation away from extinction.   Not only must there be a mentoring practice among the current generation, there must be a hunger to learn from the next.   WANTING MORE   One of the great pictures of this relationship that led to the seamless transition in Israel’s history is found in Elijah the prophet and Elisha. Elijah was a man greatly used by God. But coming up behind him was a man named Elisha. There was something in the heart of Elisha that made him hungry—hungry for more of God, more from his mentor, Elijah, a...

We love our own way. Because of this self-affinity and pride, we have an aversion to those who point in a different direction, particularly if it becomes personal. Our nation right now has a very sharp division. Without question, those who take a Biblical worldview can expect to be hated and even persecuted for their beliefs.   A TRUE SPOKESMAN FOR GOD   Ahab was the wicked King of Israel. We see his true colors when he wanted to buy a field but the owner would not sell. He and his wife, Jezebel, had him murdered and stole his field. It was a classic case of a wicked king and a wicked queen abusing their power. They believed they were above the law and could take whatever they wanted.   When he and King of Judah wanted to go to war against their mutual enemy, they asked for the prophets. The false prophets who came uniformly prophesied success for Ahab. Then this exchange occurred between the two kings.   But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord ...

How would you describe yourself? Answering this question is very important. We go to extremes: some think too little of themselves and some too much. Finding God’s path for your life entails coming to understand who you are and why you were created. What a tragedy to live your whole life and never discover why you were here. ELIJAH’S ROLE Like John the Baptist who was to follow, Elijah the prophet was a voice for God. It was his role and, I believe, it is every man and woman's role. What could possibly be more important? In 1 Kings 18 we read the incredible story of his encounter with the wicked King Ahab. Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel. Elijah simply spoke for God, knowing that it might cost him his life. He said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals” ( 1 Kings 18:18 ) Elijah knew his role and he courageously spoke the truth to the king. This is always the...

 It was a time of drought. We have all experienced that in certain ways—emotional, spiritual, financial—but none of us in America have experienced what Elijah and his people were going through and what others around the world do now in severe droughts. They despaired of their lives. They had, literally, nothing to eat nor drink. What would you do at that moment? What happened to Elijah, as recorded in 1 Kings 17? GOD KNEW AND CAME Elijah did not pray for God’s provision or even cry out. God was previous. He knew the need before Elijah prayed and came to provide for His son. GOD COMMANDED God told Elijah to "get up and go" to the specific places where He would provide and He commanded His creation to provide for His servant. He gave three commands: A command to Elijah to get up and go A command to the ravens to provide A command to a widow to provide. . ..Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that ...

  "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been."  1 Kings 11:4   It is always been an enigma to me how the wisest man in the world could make such a foolish move as Solomon did. I suppose it is just a reminder that all of us can fall and that we must be vigilant until death. It wasn't until he was older that Solomon's heart began to turn away from full devotion to the Lord … but it did nonetheless, and the results were disastrous.   God, in love, came to Solomon and warned him. But then Solomon takes the second unwise step.   Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded.  1 Kings 11:9-10   God warned ...

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. ( Proverbs 31:8-9 )   It is a tendency born out of our natural self-centeredness. If not careful, we tend to make decisions based merely on how it will help us or advance our cause. We do this as individuals, and we can do it as nations.   Tragically, the most vulnerable are those who cannot defend themselves, such as children. The most helpless, as we have discovered, are the unborn. Most years, over 850,000 babies are aborted in the United States and somewhere between 40 and 50 million worldwide. That equates to 125,000 babies every single day.    No nation has been this pagan and cruel and survived. We have found a way to rationalize this to our own minds. “It’s in the best interest of the mother” is our usual excuse. But there is nowhere else in human relationships that such a horrific answer would stand. “Well...

There is something more deadly than your worst enemy, more lethal than poison. And it is on front page display in our nation and often in our own lives.   Pride is the mother of all sins. The thought that I am the sum of everything … that I made things, achieved things on my own, have a right to honor and recognition, should be thought well of by others...the list goes on and on. It’s all pride. And it’s all deadly.   A WARNING   Trace every sin in your life, and you will quickly see it stems from pride. Proverbs gives a warning about this lethal sin.   “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." ( Proverbs 16:18 )   Watch a proud man: he may know a measure of success for a season, but his pride is always his downfall. Better is a man who recognizes that God is the source of every good and perfect gift and that apart from Him we can do nothing. This man will be spared from a fall.   Look through human history. Every pro...

The Bible is full of promises (over 7,000). It is God’s operating system. He commands us to do something, promising a great reward when we obey. If you think clearly about this and know something about the nature of God, you will understand that this is all for our good. God is not trying to rule over us to merely show His power … He’s seeking to help those He’s created find the best path for their lives. Notice 5 commands in the opening verses of Proverbs 3 and their glorious promises.   1. OBEDIENCE If you remember and obey Me from the heart, I will give you life and peace.   My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:1-2)   2. BALANCE If you balance your life with kindness and truth, you will find favor with God and man. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and ...

Turn to my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. ( Proverbs 1:23 )   It took my several years. I tried living on my own power and wisdom for most of my teenage years. It was a complete disaster. I was miserable. I made dumb mistakes and I had no power to overcome even the smallest sins.   Coming to the end of my resources didn’t take long and finally, I told the Lord at age 17, “If anything is going to be made of my life, Lord, You’re going to need to do it. I’m making a mess of things.”   THE TWO THINGS I NEEDED   Within days, God began to teach me the irreplaceable value of two things: His Word and His Spirit. If I would read it, the Word of God would give me all the direction I needed regarding every step. If I would rely on Him, the Spirit of God would give me the power to take every right step. These are the essential components needed for true success.   Not long after that, I read this promise from God in Pr...

The loss of hearing is debilitating. Our ears are one of the primary gates that give us the ability to know and respond to everything. The eyes, the nose, the mouth all aid us, as well as the sense of touch. But hearing is foundational. There are different levels of hearing. We hear thousands of sounds every day with no response. Our minds are conditioned to tune much of this out. We’ve labeled it “background noise.” Our kids and some dads exercise what we could call “selective hearing.” “Please take out the trash” is hardly ever heard the first time. “Let’s go get ice cream” is heard with the slightest whisper. GOD HEARS Our relationship with God is totally dependent on hearing. We must hear Him. Most don’t. We have allowed the world’s noise to so permeate us that our ears are rarely attuned to the “still small voice.” Spiritual indifference and rebellion clog our ears. God is speaking all the time (even the heavens and earth speak continually), but we do not hear. This is our greates...

So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. (1 Kings 3:9-10)     There is nothing more wonderful than knowing you have pleased someone you love. If there is one whose opinion you value at home, or work, or in a relationship, you long to do that which blesses them, that brings a smile to their heart and a “Well done!” to their lips.   HUMBLE PRAYER Solomon ascended to the throne of Israel following his father, David, the greatest King in Israel’s history. God, in His grace, spoke to Solomon asking him what he most greatly desired. Instead of requesting riches or power, Solomon asked for wisdom. A humble heart preceded such a request. Solomon knew his limitations and was quick to admit his needs. This humility pleased God.   Humility is the solitary entrance to our relationship with Go...