MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 8:1-13
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 18:25-50
Genesis 41

Genesis 41
“I have heard it said of you,” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “that when you hear a dream you can interpret it” (Genesis 41:15). Joseph had a reputation, but it wasn’t a reputation to be ashamed of. He was known not as a gossip, liar, cheater, or flirt, but as someone who was in tune with the God of Heaven. That’s a pretty amazing thing to be known for! Those around us should likewise know we follow Jesus by the reputations that follow us. If someone were to start the sentence, “I have heard it said of you,” how would they finish it?

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 8:14-22
Acts 11:19-30
Psalm 19
Genesis 42–43

Acts 11:19-30
Satan won’t win, even when it looks like he’s in the lead. In the book of Acts, he might have thought he was winning after Stephen was killed and the church scattered because of persecution. What a huge blow to the church, he might have thought while patting himself on the back for a job well done. Satan was wrong. God’s people aren’t stopped by persecution or even murder. Acts 11:19 says those who were scattered took the gospel wherever they went. Satan might try to get us down, but he won’t ever succeed because we are on the side of the One who wins.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 8:23-34
Acts 12
Psalm 20
Genesis 44–45

Psalm 20
In Psalm 20:7, David wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” I wonder what David would write today. “Some trust in money,” he might say, “and some in themselves and some in their relationships, but we trust in God.” Most of us say we trust God, but, if we’re completely honest, many of us might admit we trust in other things too. Anytime we look to another person or thing to give us satisfaction, we misplace our trust. To whom or what are you looking for complete satisfaction?

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 9:1-13
Acts 13:1-25
Psalm 21
Genesis 46–47

Matthew 9:1-13
Our faith can change someone else’s life. That’s a powerful thought, isn’t it? Matthew 9:2 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven’” (emphasis added). Matthew, the writer of this Gospel, didn’t say it was the faith of the paralyzed man that prompted Jesus to act. Instead, he said it was their faith, meaning the entire group who accompanied the man. Our faith doesn’t affect only ourselves. It affects those around us too. It affects our spouses, kids, friends, and coworkers. Whose life might God want to change through your faith today?

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 9:14-26
Acts 13:26-52
Psalm 22:1-1
Genesis 48

Acts 13:26-52
Competition and jealousy don’t belong in the body of Christ. Sadly, they squeeze in anyway. Even though we should all be on the same team, working toward the same goal, it’s easy to feel jealous when another believer gets the recognition, praise, or accolades we would like to receive. The early church battled these feelings when the Jews became jealous of the attention Paul and Barnabas received, and we still battle similar feelings in churches all across the globe today. Unfortunately, when jealousy rears its head among believers, the main thing that suffers is our witness.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 9:27-38
Acts 14
Psalm 22:12-31
Genesis 49

Psalm 22:12-31
God doesn’t do amazing things in our lives so that we can keep them to ourselves. He does amazing things because he wants us to share them with those around us. As Psalm 22:22, 23 says, he wants us to declare his praises. Has God done a great thing in your life? Tell others about it. Shout his name from the rooftops. Has God helped you through a difficult time? Talk about it with your friends and family. God doesn’t want you to keep quiet about him. His movement in your life is one secret you do not want to keep.