MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 10:1-16
1 Thessalonians 3:1-6
Psalm 138
2 Chronicles 1–2

2 Chronicles 1–2
Often our culture uses wisdom and knowledge interchangeably. The two are related but certainly not synonymous. Knowledge refers to the information or skills we learn in life through formal education and personal experience. Wisdom, however, is the ability to use that knowledge in the best possible way. Some gain vast amounts of knowledge, but have little wisdom or common sense. Of the two, wisdom is preferred because it comes from God. When given the choice to have anything as a gift from God, Solomon chose wisdom and God blessed him for it. Ask God to bless you with wisdom too.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 10:17-24
1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Psalm 139
2 Chronicles 3–5

Psalm 139
Feeling overlooked? Do others look right past you as if you weren’t there? Are you convinced that if you disappeared no one would even notice? Then you need to read this Psalm daily. We human beings may be thoughtless, insensitive, and unobservant, but the God of the universe who spoke everything into existence knows you! He knew you before you were born, he crafted your being in the womb before you drew your first breath, he numbered your days before you set foot on this earth. And he will find you no matter where you hide—with the Lord you will never be overlooked.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 10:25-37
1 Thessalonians 4:1-10
Psalm 140
2 Chronicles 6–7

1 Chronicles 20–22
The treacherous reputation of the road between Jerusalem and Jericho earned it the nickname “Bloody Pass.” Honestly, I can relate to the two religious guys who passed by on the other side of the road—I have often been too busy, cautious, or afraid to stop. But the Samaritan understood what it was like to be both hated and avoided. Stepping out of his comfort zone, he became a heroic neighbor. We love this story; we have no issues with Samaritans. But this week, think about the person who makes you most uncomfortable, and pray that God will help you be a true neighbor to that lost soul.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 10:38-42
1 Thessalonians 4:11-18
Psalm 141
2 Chronicles 8–9

1 Thessalonians 1
There are multiple reasons for believing the promise of this passage but the most convincing is found in tears. I’ve conducted hundreds of funerals and I assure you there is a difference in the tears at a grave. True, all are generated by the tear ducts of grieving eyes, but some teardrops are bittersweet while others are just plain bitter. If the only evidence for the transforming power of Jesus Christ was in the tears shed at funerals, it would be enough to convince me to be his follower. Christians do not grieve like those who have no hope!

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 11:1-13
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Psalm 142
2 Chronicles 10–12

Psalm 136
Be careful the counsel you follow. I have often wondered how much faster our nation’s wounds would have healed if Abraham Lincoln had lived to oversee the South’s restoration following the Civil War. Lincoln told the army how he would handle the southern states, “If I were in your place, I’d let ‘em up easy.” A civil war was brewing in Israel when Rehoboam came to the throne. Instead of listening to the wisdom of the nation’s elders who recommended kindness toward the northern tribes, he embraced the advice of his fiery, immature friends whose harsh recommendations split the nation. Kindness is always the better approach.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 11:14-28
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Psalm 143
2 Chronicles 13–16

Luke 9:51-62
I like practical advice. For instance, did you know that a pocket comb works well for holding tiny nails when hammering or that a chalkboard eraser works better than a rag on your fogged-up car windows? When Paul comes to chapter 5, his spiritual common-sense advice jumps off the page like popcorn exploding from hot oil in the pan. Most of the bite-size wisdom is summarized by the words in verses 21 and 22, “Hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” While the context is about testing prophecy, it’s also good, practical wisdom for everyday living.