MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 3:1-20
Ephesians 4:25-32
Psalm 119:65-72
1 Kings 13–14

Ephesians 4:25-32
It’s not a sin to be angry. Jesus was angry, after all. Anger, in and of itself, isn’t wrong. It’s a natural emotion. What anger can do if you’re not careful, though, is lead you into sin. If left unchecked, anger can turn into bitterness, wrath, unforgiveness, rage, and so on. Ephesians 4:26, 27 warns, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” In essence, what this text is saying is that it’s okay to be angry; it’s not okay to let that anger brew. 

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 3:21-38
Ephesians 5:1-21
Psalm 119:73-80
1 Kings 15–16

Psalm 119:73-80
Why does God allow difficult things into the lives of his children? Most of us have likely asked a similar question at some point or another. Psalm 119:75 says, “In faithfulness you have afflicted me.” It almost sounds contradictory, doesn’t it? How could God afflict us in his faithfulness? The truth is, though struggles in this life can be very painful, God knows what’s best for us and will only allow things in our lives that he intends to use for good. God is for us—always. No matter what your pain might be telling you, God is always on your side. Always.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 4:1-12
Ephesians 5:22-33
Psalm 119:81-88
1 Kings 17–18

1 Kings 17–18
Have you ever been so close to starvation that you thought you might die? Most of us probably haven’t. But the widow at Zarephath was. She was getting ready to prepare her final meal for herself and her son when she met Elijah on the road. Elijah asked her to give him food first, before she and her son ate. That’s a tough thing to ask, especially of someone who is literally starving to death! Nonetheless, the woman complied. She gave Elijah food first, and as a result, witnessed a miracle. Her faith quite literally saved her life.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 4:13-30
Ephesians 6:1-9
Psalm 119:89-96
1 Kings 19–20

Luke 4:13-30
Luke 4:13 says that after Satan tempted Jesus, “he left him until an opportune time.” Jesus defeated Satan in the desert. With every temptation Satan threw his way, Jesus beat it back with Scripture. Nonetheless, Jesus’ victory wasn’t final. Satan wasn’t done tempting him and would be back to try again. The reality for you and me is similar. When we stand firm against temptation, that’s a victory we should celebrate. But the battle isn’t over, so we can’t let down our guard. Just as Satan waited for an opportune time with Jesus, he waits for an opportune time with us. Be ready!

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 4:31-37
Ephesians 6:10-24
Psalm 119:97-104
1 Kings 21–22

1 Kings 21–22
First Kings 22 ends with a sad note about Ahaziah, king of Israel: “He served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done.” The words, just as his father had done, are used over and over again in this book. While there were certainly exceptions, many kings of Israel and Judah followed in the footsteps of those who went before them. If their parents were good, more often than not, so were they, and vice versa. Don’t ever forget that people are following you. What you do matters—not just for you, but also for those following behind you. 

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 4:38-44
Philippians 1:1-11
Psalm 119:105-112
2 Kings 1–3

Philippians 1:1-11
Paul opened this letter as he typically did: with a greeting. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus.” Many of us, when we hear the word holy, don’t necessarily picture ourselves. We know our flaws, our mistakes, and our sins, after all. We can’t possibly be holy with all that we have done. In reality, though, we are holy. Being holy means being set apart, and that is what we are. God has set us apart. He has made us holy. It’s not a question of if we are; it’s a question of if we’ll act like it.