The Reading Plan Daily Devotions

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 yo...

"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) He was the wisest man in the world, made so by God.  How could this happen? Solomon had one evident sin. He "loved many foreign women." God had warned him, but he refused to heed God's clear command. The result was that he lost his intimacy with God and ultimately lost his kingdom. His sin, seemingly harmless and explainable to him and others, I'm sure, affected his sons—a tragic ending to an otherwise well-used, faithful life. He knew (because God had warned him) that if he "loved many foreign women," his wives would "turn his heart away after their gods." This is a consistent principle that God speaks to us repeatedly: if you have an affection for something God has forbidden, it will gradually turn your heart to the God behind that affection. You...

It is one of the great treasures of life. Finding trustworthy relationships is more important than any earthly possession. But the great aim of our lives should not just be to find those friendships but to become the friend worthy of trust. EARNING THE RIGHT The King's mother, in Proverbs 31, is giving him some strong, motherly advice. In the first of the chapter, she warns him about giving himself to many women who will destroy him. She warns him about excessive drinking. (Sounds just like a mom!) And then she challenges him to look for a godly wife.  An excellent wife who can find for her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12) This is a high calling for a wife and wise advice for a man regarding what he should look for in a wife. But there is another underlying admonition for us all …  Become the one others can trust for a lifetime. The "...

“He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” (Proverbs 18:1) Everyone likes some “space” at times. Jesus “withdrew to a lonely place” on occasion. But His separation was not to merely leave others. It was to go  to  Someone. To spend time with His Father. The withdrawal this Proverb speaks of is more about a selfish motivation. THE DANGER God indicates that withdrawal from others is usually because someone “seeks his own desire.” In other words, it’s about them. They want to have what they want to have (quiet, comfort, lack of accountability, lack of interaction with others). This may not seem sinful, but any direction we take that is merely about us is always unwise. There are multiple reasons why we separate. Sometimes it is forced upon us by someone deliberating choosing to leave us, such as in a marriage. This may be entirely beyond our control and not our desire, creating tremendous hurt. No one wants this in their life. The Coron...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)  I heard a great Christian leader say that the toughest part of conversations with others is always the last ten percent. You've covered a lot of ground in the first 90% of the conversation, but there is something that you really need to discuss with them. Getting to that last (and usually most vital and usually the hardest) part of the conversation takes some risk and a lot of courage. Good leaders have learned to push through to the final words. GOD'S AGENDA The maturing believer understands that God's whole agenda with us is to restore us to a position of trust in Him. It's always about faith. When you read the great roll call of faith in Hebrews 11, it is not a description of their service or church attendance. They were great men and women because they were great in faith, and "without fa...

It is wonderful to have knowledge, but wisdom has an even greater value. Wisdom is the ability to  apply  knowledge precisely and accurately. A wise man is the right man, doing the right thing, saying the right thing, in the right way, and at the right time. He is the most useful man in leadership because he leads from God-initiation. ITS SOURCE So, what is the origination of such wisdom? It comes from God. And, true to His giving form, the Lord is waiting to give His Divine wisdom to those who seek Him. For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. (Proverbs 2:6-8) The Lord goes further to indicate what will happen to those who seek wisdom from Him. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be...