MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 10:1-20
Acts 15:1-21
Psalm 23
Genesis 50

Genesis 50
Joseph had good reason to be furious with his brothers. Because of their actions he became a slave, he was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and he was thrown into jail. Everything terrible that happened to him could be traced back to their betrayal. But Joseph didn’t cling to his anger. Instead, he chose to see how God worked through the situation to bring something good. He understood what we often forget: that even though we might have the right to be angry, it’s not often a right worth claiming.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew10:21-42
Acts 15:22-41
Psalm 24
Exodus 1–3

Psalm 24
One of the first words many children learn to say is “mine.” They grab a toy off the shelf or from the hands of a playmate and yell, “Mine!” Unfortunately, many adults still battle this same tendency. It looks more sophisticated for us, but the core issue is the same. We treat our possessions as ours alone, when in reality, “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Our possessions aren’t meant for our pleasure alone. Instead, they are meant to be tools for the kingdom. Are you using what you have for yourself or for the Lord?

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 11:1-19
Acts 16:1-15
Psalm 25
Exodus 4–6

Matthew 11:1-19
It’s not too difficult to believe in Jesus when life is good and things are easy. When things get tough, however, believing can become difficult too. Even John the Baptist, the man who once proclaimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1), doubted after being thrown into prison. When John doubted, though, he didn’t despair or turn his back on Jesus. Instead, he brought his doubts to Jesus. When we struggle with doubt, our response should be the same. Instead of turning away from him, we should run to him with our questions.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 11:20-30
Acts 16:16-40
Psalm 26
Exodus 7–9

Acts 16:16-40
What do you do when you’re going through a difficult situation? After Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, and thrown into prison, they did two things. First, they prayed and sang hymns (Acts 16:25), showing us it really is possible to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul and Silas seemed to understand that focusing on the problem doesn’t make the problem go away. Focusing on the Father, however, can make the problem shrink. The second thing they did was encourage others (Acts 16:40). One of the best ways to lighten your load is to help another with his.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 12:1-21
Acts 17:1-15
Psalm 27
Exodus 10–12

Psalm 27
Why do we spend so much time fearing things in this world when we have a Savior who has promised never to leave us or forsake us? We fear death. We fear pain and sickness. We fear rejection. We fear spiders, snakes, and public speaking. All the while, we have a Father in Heaven who loves us. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” the Psalm reminds us. Fear might be normal, but it’s not necessary. When we have God at our side (and we do), we no longer have to fear.

SATURDAY

Rest Day