MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

Luke 14:15-24
“An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.” I heard that definition years ago and it stuck. If you listen closely, most excuses fit very neatly into those parameters. That explanation certainly describes the excuses used in Jesus’ parable. The truth is this; if we really want to do something, we will find the time, energy, and resources to make it happen. If not, we’ll find an excuse. God intends for his kingdom to be a priority superseding our possessions, wealth, and even family. God challenges us to fill his “house.” If we aren’t reaching others for him, what’s our excuse? 

MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

Proverbs 6
Laziness is not a spiritual virtue! Consider the tiny ant. Ants have boundless energy, carry many times their own body weight, and work together for a common good. Some colonies are home to a million ants and each understands its role. Entomologists have discovered that ants wounded in battle are taken back to the nest where their wounds are treated. Of those left untreated away from the nest, 80 percent die. Of those treated, 90 percent survive! Even in caring for one another we can learn from these tiny creatures. Don’t be lazy in the important matters of life. 

MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

1 Timothy 5:1-15
Lou Holtz observed, “When all is said and done, as a rule, more is said than done.” Paul instructed the church on the proper way to treat one another in the church family with specific attention to widows and the elderly. Notice Paul’s emphasis on actions: extend a caring attitude toward older family members, provide for one’s household first, put one’s religion into practice, treat others with purity, be known for good deeds, and so on. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their verbal gymnastics. They were big on talk but small on action. Let’s seek an outcome of “more done than said!”

MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

Ezra 10
After 70 years of Babylonian captivity, more than 42,000 Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem under Ezra’s spiritual leadership. Their primary goal was to rebuild God’s temple. In his grace, God gave them a second chance to sincerely follow him. Unfortunately, they embraced the very sins that had caused their earlier deportation—they intermarried with their pagan neighbors. Ezra called the nation to repentance; the pagan spouses with their children were banished. God protected his people as custodians of his promise for a Messiah. God’s standards exist for a reason; let’s faithfully follow his Word so that his plan for today might be fulfilled in us. 

MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

1 Timothy 6:1-10
First Timothy 6:10 is one of the more frequently misquoted Bible verses. It’s not “money is the root of all evil” but “the love of money” that is so destructive. For a society addicted to enticing advertising, that’s tough. Paul emphasized the need for contentment. While verse 10 is frequently quoted, we gloss over verse six, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Paul urged us to be content—satisfied, pleased, gratified—with life’s necessities. If our goal is always “just a little more,” we’ll never be satisfied. However, if we are content with little, then any additional blessing brings great joy. 

MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Luke 8:40-56
Colossians 3:15-25
Psalm 130–131
1 Chronicles 15–16

Luke 16:10-18
Jesus implied that everyone serves a master, and it is the servant who chooses which master to serve. A master, by definition, dominates. Jesus warned that a person could not serve both God and material things—you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. Unfortunately, love for the things of this world often edges out love for God. And God will not entrust true, spiritual riches to the person whose loyalty is suspect. In our materialistic world, it’s easy to become enamored with temporary things that will pass away. Only the eternal God is worthy of our devotion.