MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:32-42
Galatians 1
Psalm 110
2 Samuel 8–10

2 Samuel 8–10
In my children’s school, they celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Day. While I love the fact that the school is talking about kindness and encouraging kids to go out of their way to be kind to others, I wonder why it’s necessary for us to have a day designated to kindness. Shouldn’t every day be a day where we look for opportunities to be kind? In 2 Samuel 9 David looked for a way to show kindness to Jonathon’s son, Mephibosheth. This week, look for ways to be kind to people. Don’t wait for Kindness Day to do the right thing.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:43-52
Galatians 2
Psalm 111
2 Samuel 11–12

Psalm 111
We often assume wisdom is the result of education, research, and study. It’s not. According to Psalm 111:10, wisdom is the result of fearing the Lord. Though study is important and can definitely benefit our minds, the best thing we can do to find wisdom is not look in a book, but look to God. Do you need wisdom in your parenting? Look to the Lord. Do you need wisdom in your job, marriage, or relationships? Look to God. When we put him in his rightful first place, God gives us wisdom for the other areas of our lives.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:53-65
Galatians 3:1-14
Psalm 112
2 Samuel 13

Mark 14:53-65
How was Jesus able to withstand the mocking of the religious leaders? They spit on him, punched him, and made fun of him. Yes, he was God and thus held an immense amount of power. But he was also human. The blows of the religious leaders—both physical and emotional—cut deep. How did he hold himself up under their mockery? He was able to withstand it because he knew who he was. He didn’t need the approval of people because he already had his Father’s approval, and that is what matters most. 

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 14:66-72
Galatians 3:15-29
Psalm 113
2 Samuel 14–15

Galatians 3:15-29
We are children of God. That means we have the same access to God that Jesus had. Jesus could talk to his Father anytime he wished. His Father loved to hear his voice, just as a parent of a toddler loves to hear his or her little one say “Mommy” or “Daddy” for the first time. God loves to hear from us too. It brings a smile to his face when we come to him to chat. Sadly, many of us don’t take advantage of our open access to God. We forget what a privilege it is. Today, let’s remember.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 15:1-15
Galatians 4:1-20
Psalm 114
2 Samuel 16–17

Mark 15:1-15
Are you a people pleaser? Pilate apparently was. In Mark 15:15, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified “to satisfy the crowd.” In doing so, he made the biggest mistake of his life. Pilate let the opinions of other people determine his decisions that fateful day 2,000 years ago. He sentenced an innocent man to death because that’s what the people wanted. This week, don’t let people determine your decisions. Do what you know to be right, no matter how those around you might react. In reality, there is only one person whose opinion of you really matters. Aim to please him instead.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 15:16-32
Galatians 4:21-31
Psalm 115
2 Samuel 18–19

Psalm 115
The psalmist declared, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory” (Psalm 115:1). He didn’t want praise for his own accomplishments but for God’s name to be praised instead. Unfortunately, many of us want our names to be glorified right alongside of God’s. We might want God to be glorified too, but we don’t want him to be glorified only. We also want to be lifted up for our work and our accomplishments. This week, remember the goal: God’s name—and God’s name alone—deserves to be praised.