Monday, June 16 – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37) 1,000 years ago this verse meant the same as it does today. And In 1,000 years from today, this verse will still mean the same as it does today. Some truths are bigger than any specific culture or time in history. Loving God is one of those truths. It’s stands the test of time, because loving God isn’t merely something that you do. It’s who you are.
Tuesday, June 17 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) To exasperate means to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely. Happy Belated Father’s Day! This is very good advice. Advice that spans the centuries. For Paul wrote these words some 1,900 years ago. Many things have changed in our world since Paul wrote these words. But the importance of a father’s devotion, love and instruction isn’t one of them.
Wednesday, June 18 – “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalm 119:176) You don’t have to be a shepherd to understand this verse. Yet, the sheep illustration was used because so many people, in that day, understood what it meant to be a shepherd. The point that this verse is trying to convey is this: I’ve lost my way. Don’t give up on me. For I haven’t given up on you. Because you told me that you won’t give up on me.
Thursday, June 19 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they know me.” (John 10:27) Here’s something that gets lost on us who are living in a non-sheep herding culture. Sheep aren’t the smartest animals in the kingdom. Left to their own devices, sheep will get lost, fall off cliffs and be eaten by predators. Sheep need a shepherd. The people of John’s day knew this about sheep. Most of us, today, have to be taught this about ourselves. I mean about sheep.
Friday, June 20 – “He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.’” (Mark 4:26) When Jesus was teaching the people of his day about “the kingdom of God”, he compared it to farming. Why? Because the majority of people who were listening to him were either farmers themselves. Or, because of the culture, were very familiar with farming. Us non-farmers can learn what Jesus means. Then our challenge is to turn around and meet our culture with the truth we know, in words that they’ll understand.
Saturday, June 21 – “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.” (Genesis 26:12) You don’t have to be a farmer to understand what this verse is teaching. In whatever you do, the focus is on doing what God’s blessing. Many times, you ask God to bless what you’re doing. Today, simply try asking God to allow you to do what God’s blessing. And see what a difference that makes.
Tuesday, June 17 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) To exasperate means to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely. Happy Belated Father’s Day! This is very good advice. Advice that spans the centuries. For Paul wrote these words some 1,900 years ago. Many things have changed in our world since Paul wrote these words. But the importance of a father’s devotion, love and instruction isn’t one of them.
Wednesday, June 18 – “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalm 119:176) You don’t have to be a shepherd to understand this verse. Yet, the sheep illustration was used because so many people, in that day, understood what it meant to be a shepherd. The point that this verse is trying to convey is this: I’ve lost my way. Don’t give up on me. For I haven’t given up on you. Because you told me that you won’t give up on me.
Thursday, June 19 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they know me.” (John 10:27) Here’s something that gets lost on us who are living in a non-sheep herding culture. Sheep aren’t the smartest animals in the kingdom. Left to their own devices, sheep will get lost, fall off cliffs and be eaten by predators. Sheep need a shepherd. The people of John’s day knew this about sheep. Most of us, today, have to be taught this about ourselves. I mean about sheep.
Friday, June 20 – “He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.’” (Mark 4:26) When Jesus was teaching the people of his day about “the kingdom of God”, he compared it to farming. Why? Because the majority of people who were listening to him were either farmers themselves. Or, because of the culture, were very familiar with farming. Us non-farmers can learn what Jesus means. Then our challenge is to turn around and meet our culture with the truth we know, in words that they’ll understand.
Saturday, June 21 – “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.” (Genesis 26:12) You don’t have to be a farmer to understand what this verse is teaching. In whatever you do, the focus is on doing what God’s blessing. Many times, you ask God to bless what you’re doing. Today, simply try asking God to allow you to do what God’s blessing. And see what a difference that makes.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
