MONDAY

Reading for Today:
John 4:27-42
1 Peter 1:1-9
Ecclesiastes 10
Jeremiah 32–34

Jeremiah 32–34
Is there something you think God can’t help you with? Sometimes we feel like our prayer requests are too huge or our sins too great. We might not say aloud that we think God can’t handle them, but our actions speak louder than our words. We don’t pray because we don’t really think God will do the miracle. Or we claim God can forgive sins but struggle to believe he can forgive ours. The Lord said in Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” No sin is too bad and no prayer too big for God to handle.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
John 4:43-54
1 Peter 1:10-16
Ecclesiastes 11
Jeremiah 35–38

Ecclesiastes 11
Have you ever tried to understand God? Many of us have. Especially if a trial comes our way. We ask why and we seek answers. Seeking understanding isn’t wrong. In fact, many times it can lead us to deeper intimacy with God. But the truth is, we shouldn’t expect to fully understand God or his motives. That’s part of what makes him God, after all. He’s beyond understanding. In reality, it’s a good thing we can’t completely understand him. If we could, what would that say about him? He wouldn’t be much of a God if we were just as smart as he.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
John 5:1-15
1 Peter 1:17-25
Ecclesiastes 12
Jeremiah 39–43

John 5:1-15
John 5:6 records that Jesus asked a man who could not walk, “Do you want to get well?” It would be easy to read this question and think, Why wouldn’t he want to be well? Then again, sometimes what we know, even if it’s painful, can be less scary than the unknown. Maybe the man feared change. Maybe he enjoyed the pity of others. We don’t know. What we do know is Jesus was willing to heal him. Today, whatever you are struggling with, ask yourself if you really want to be well.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
John 5:16-30
1 Peter 2:1-8
Song of Solomon 1
Jeremiah 44–46

Jeremiah 44–46
When Jeremiah warned the Israelites about their idolatry, they replied, “We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord!” (Jeremiah 44:16). It’s easy to judge these people harshly because they rejected God so openly. Nonetheless, we sometimes react in a similar way when someone tries to convict us about our sin. For instance, when the preacher delivers a message about a sin we struggle with, we might ignore the message, say he’s out of touch, or get angry. The next time you begin to feel convicted about sin, don’t get angry. Get repentant.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
John 5:31-47
1 Peter 2:9-17
Song of Solomon 2
Jeremiah 47–48

1 Peter 2:9-17
Peter told his readers to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (verse 12). How many unbelievers have you led to the throne of God this year through your behavior? The sad reality is, many unbelievers think less of God, rather than more of him, because of the actions, words, and behavior of those who claim to follow Jesus. This week aim to change minds. Be the one who leads people to glorify God because of your speech, actions, and love.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
John 6:1-15
1 Peter 2:18-25
Song of Solomon 3
Jeremiah 49

John 6:1-15
When Jesus asked his disciples where they could buy food to feed the people, Philip immediately thought about the cost. “It would take more than half a year’s wages,” he said in verse 7. When you see a need, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think first of how much meeting the need would cost? Or do you think of the person behind the need? Jesus thought of the person. Though there is wisdom in counting the cost, there’s also much to be said about faith. Don’t let finances cause you to miss the person behind the need.