MONDAY

Reading for Today:
John 13:12-17
Jude 1-7
Job 21:1-21
Daniel 7–8

Jude 1-7
How do you treat the grace of God? Do you, like the men described in these verses, treat it like a “license for immorality” (verse 4)? When you are tempted to sin, do you think, God will forgive me, and then do as you wish? Or do you recognize how costly grace is? Because the truth is, grace isn’t free. It’s freely given to everyone who chooses to accept it, but that doesn’t mean it was free. The next time you are tempted to sin, remember that grace might be free to you, but it cost Jesus his life.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
John 13:18-30
Jude 8-16
Job 21:22–34
Daniel 9

John 13:18-30
Have you ever wondered what Judas thought when Jesus talked about his betrayer? Did he know he was the one? Did he know he would soon turn his back on his friend? If he did know, what was he thinking? Did he no longer believe Jesus was the Christ? Or were there other reasons? Judas was one of Jesus’ closest friends. Nevertheless, he was led astray. Don’t believe the lie that you can never be deceived. Be on your guard because you have an enemy and that enemy wants to turn every believer into a betrayer.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
John 13:31-38
Jude 17-25
Job 22
Daniel 10–12

Job 22
“Can a man be of benefit to God?” That’s the question Eliphaz asked in Job 22:2. In the verses that follow, he seemed to imply that no, he cannot. God doesn’t need us, and he doesn’t feel any pleasure when we are righteous (see verse 3). Eliphaz might have been correct in some of the things he said in the book of Job, but he missed the mark here. Though God does not necessarily need us to be godly, he is pleased when we are. Just as a parent is pleased when their child obeys, God is pleased when we do likewise.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
John 14:1-14
Revelation 1:1-8
Job 23
Hosea 1–3

Hosea 1–3
Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back? That’s what happened in the book of Hosea. God told Hosea the prophet to take as his wife an adulterous woman, a woman God knew would continue to be unfaithful to Hosea. Hosea obeyed God, even though I’m certain it broke his heart and destroyed his reputation. He loved her, even though she didn’t love him back. That’s how God loves us. Even when we are unfaithful to him, he comes to us and buys us back. Even when we reject him, he continues to pursue us.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
John 14:15-21
Revelation 1:9-20
Job 24
Hosea 4–6

Revelation 1:9-2
When John first saw Jesus, he fell to the ground. Then Jesus put his hand on him and said, “Do not be afraid” (verse 17). When you and I first see Jesus, we might also fall down in fear, realizing both our sinfulness and his holiness. At that moment, Jesus will likely respond to us in the same way he responded to John. “Do not be afraid,” he will say. Though we are sinful people, he has cleansed us. Though we have no right to Heaven, he has offered it. Because of him, we don’t have to be afraid.