MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 14:15-24
1 Timothy 3:11-16
Proverbs 5
Ezra 7

Ezra 7
Ezra’s brief genealogy confirmed that he was descended from Aaron thus making him well suited for leading a revival. His four-month journey from Babylon brought him for the first time to the partially restored city of Jerusalem. The temple had been rebuilt, but the spiritual lives of the people were still a work in progress. Ezra’s singular goal was spelled out in verse 10: “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Like Ezra, our goal is to know and share the Word of God!

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 14:25-35
1 Timothy 4
Proverbs 6
Ezra 8

1 Timothy 4
Early in my ministry I would hear, “You’re too young to be a minister.” I would smile but bristle inside as I reflected on Paul’s words to Timothy. With the passing of years, I understand better what they meant. I had the formal education but not the experiential education. With the passing of time I’ve gained those life experiences. Throughout our lives God smooths the rough edges so that we might mature spiritually. The goal of every Christian, regardless of age, should be to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (v. 12).

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 15:1-10
1 Timothy 5:1-15
Proverbs 7
Ezra 9

Proverbs 7
In the last several months our culture has been bombarded by the moral failures of men in leadership roles. The broken lives of victimized young women will take years to heal, if indeed they ever do. There is a reason why God dictated what seems like such strict moral guidelines; he understood the mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual devastation of sexually immoral behavior. What some see as God’s efforts to restrict personal freedom is actually God’s wisdom on preserving our joy, our reputations, and our families. When tempted, remember that immorality is “a highway to the grave” (v. 27).

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 15:11-32
1 Timothy 5:16-25
Proverbs 8
Ezra 10

Luke 15:11-32
My favorite scene in the story of the prodigal son is the Father’s response. As the son trudges home, the father ran to meet him, an undignified act for a father in that day. He threw his arms around the son and covered him with kisses despite the grime and stench of a life wasted on sin and swine. A beautiful robe was fitted over a filthy body, a gold ring placed onto a grungy finger, clean sandals slipped onto manure-encrusted feet. The contrast was overwhelming. Only God’s grace is so oblivious to the tattered rags of our past and is so willing to extend a second chance.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 16:1-9
1 Timothy 6:1-10
Proverbs 9
Nehemiah 1–2

Nehemiah 1–2
Nehemiah never fails to impress. His devotion to prayer and his leadership skills serve as challenges to every believer. Nehemiah didn’t ride into Jerusalem like a conqueror on a white steed. He entered quietly, did nothing for three days, and made his first inspection of the tattered city walls at night so as not to create suspicion. With all his research in place, Nehemiah revealed why he had come and encouraged the people to join him in this God-ordained adventure. They responded enthusiastically! Influence requires two foundational principles: heartfelt prayer and a genuine sense of humility. Only then will people be inspired to follow.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 16:10-18
1 Timothy 6:11-21
Proverbs 10:1-16
Nehemiah 3

1 Timothy 6:11-21
I cannot read this leadership charge without reflecting on the day I stood before the elders of my home congregation to be ordained into the ministry. Far greater than their signatures on the ordination certificate that hangs in my office is the imprint of their lives upon me and my ministry. I am forever grateful for their mentoring. Timothy became one of the great leaders of the ancient church because he was mentored by Paul. The impact of Paul’s imprint on Timothy’s life and ministry is inestimable. What kind of imprint are you making on others’ lives? Who is your Paul? Who is your Timothy?