April Twenty-Second
Today’s One Year Bible Reading…
Joshua 24:1-33 * Luke 21:1-28
Psalm 89:38-52 * Proverbs 13:20-23
"The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him- those who personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel."
Joshua 24:31
How essential it is for us to experience God on a daily, personal level! He longs to work on our behalf and desires that we would have our own current stories of crying out to Him in prayer as He provides all we need. The testimony of others doesn’t have enough longevity to carry us, and we can’t live only in our “years ago” faith. God wants to show off His miraculous faithfulness within our lives today.
"When your ancestors cried out to the LORD, I put darkness between you and the Egyptians... But I gave you victory over them. And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not swords that brought you the victory...
Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshipped."
(Joshua 24:7, 12, 14)
What great reminders for us to daily clear out our hearts, minds, and lives of anything but remembering to put God first in all we are and do. We make such a mess when we get caught up in this world and all it seems to offer. May all that we do each day instead symbolize that we are representatives and servants of Christ! Would God be first in all we do, even as He was for the precious widow who gave all she possessed as worship unto God.
"'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said, 'This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.'"
(Luke 21:3)
Here was a woman who understood that fearing the LORD and serving Him would be greater and more fulfilling to her life than possessing all the treasures of this world! May our eyes be focused on our eternal God alone, because this temporary world is passing away quickly.
"But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution."
(Luke 21:12)
Do you ever wonder how you would respond to a time of persecution? Would we be ready, and would we be strong enough to endure? I think the answer is found in how we’re currently living during times of peace. Are we daily choosing to live for heaven with all our strength and confidence stored in God alone? Like this precious widow, if we know that all we have and are belongs to God, we’ll be confident in His care regardless of what comes our way. I pray that, like Joshua, we would be those who point everyone around us to God. May our words encourage those around us to fear God, serve Him, get rid of idols, store up treasure in heaven alone, and keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus in times of any kind of persecution.
"Walk with the wise and become wise, associate with fools and get in trouble. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous."
(Proverbs 13:20-21)
Wisdom is found in hanging onto the righteous and chasing after Jesus together with all we are. Such blessing is found in the place of obedience by His grace!
"But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm you will win your souls."
(Luke 21:18-18)
God's Word in our hearts, our possessions in His hands, and our eyes fixed on Him gives us the ability to stand firm in this temporary world!
" Praise the LORD forever! Amen and amen!"
Psalm 89:52
What stood out to you from today’s Bible reading?