Day 38: Faithful Lives

Reading: Psalm 18:43-50

David, having great faith in God throughout his trials, finds God's faithfulness in this reading. He expresses gratitude for God's amazing faithfulness in his life, and we should follow example. Even though there are dark days and rough patches, God is always faithful to those who seek His will. He will bless us greater than we an imagine and raise us up out of the darkest of pits. Be grateful for the blessings He gives you and the faithfulness He shows you. Be faithful to Him through out those trials too.

When have you experienced God's wonderful faithfulness in your life?



How can you praise Him for that faithfulness?




Reading: Matthew 25:14-46

Jesus is very serious about using the blessings God gives us. We read a couple of examples here on how we are to use our gifts and talents.
If we fail to step out with our gifts, like the man who buried the money given to him instead of using it, we risk losing it. God doesn't mean to give us great things if we don't use them to bless others. He wants us to reach out and grow our gifts and blessings. The more we use our talents for Him, the more we gain from them. But the more we hide them and fail to use them, the more likely we will be to stop using them for good.
We also read about using our gifts to bless those in need. The hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, are mentioned here. When we don't take care of those in need with what we have, we fail to take care of God. When we serve the least of these, we serve Him. But when we turn our attention from them, we turn it from God. It is important to remember this when we consider being faithful with what we have. God wants us to give back the blessings He granted to us. They are gifts for us to use to expand His kingdom.

What gifts and talents has God blessed you with?



How are you using them to be faithful back to Him?



Reading: Job 40:3-42:17

Job's faithfulness to God throughout his sufferings is incredible, especially as he deals with friends who are full of false information. Job never once blames God for his suffering, but continues to talk highly of his God. It is difficult to do this when we are faced with suffering and hard times. Sometimes, we may feel like turning on God and ask Him why we are encountering what we are. Satan tries to get Job to turn on God in causing him to suffer, but Job proves to him that faithfulness can still endure through tough times. And since Job was so faithful, the Lord blesses Him greatly after it all. May we take Job's life and see it as an example for us when those awful times come.

When have you found it hard not to blame God during a rough time?




How has God blessed you after a rough time in your life?




God is truly faithful to us. He pours blessing on us just by the lives we have here compared to other places. We need to be faithful right back to Him, however. When we received gifts, blessings and talents, we need to give back to God and others with these, or we risk losing them. When life is tough, we can learn from Job's reaction and speak highly of God rather than blame Him for our troubles. May we live lives that are vibrant of faithfulness!

Day 37: Trusting in Unknown Times

Reading: Psalm 18:37-42

It can be scary to think about the future and what we don't know that could be coming. We wish for God to supply us with all we need now so we can be prepared when hurdles come, but many times we have to trust God to bring us that strength and knowledge when the time is right. He provides for us at just the right times. When we dwell on the future and the potential worries of it, we miss current opportunities. David received his strength and power to take on his enemies when the time was right. God will provide for us at the opportune time as well, whether it be preparing to talk to someone about Him, dealing with illness, or a broken relationship.

When has God provided for you at just the right time?




When has worrying about the future prevented you from focusing on the present?




Reading: Matthew 24:32-25:13

Jesus tells us to always be prepared for His coming. We won't know when He is coming, but we can see the signs of His coming. Jesus tells us a parable about 10 bridesmaids who went out to wait for the coming of the bridegroom. Five of them brought extra oil for their lamps, but the other five did not. Since the bridegroom was delayed, the five who didn't have enough oil had to go get more, and while they were gone, the bridegroom showed up.
We can learn from this story to always be prepared to meet Jesus face to face, because you never know when He's coming back. We can't live our lives faithless then be ill-prepared when the hour comes. Always being prepared is what we know to do.

When have you not been prepared for something?



What are you doing to be prepared for Jesus' coming?




Reading: Job 38:1-40:2

We finally reach a little different taste in Job's story, as God comes forth and speaks now after a brutal conversation with Job's friends up till now. We read all of these questions that God puts forth, that we know Job can't answer. The point God is trying to make, especially after his friends just spent so much time giving him false and empty advice, is that we can't know everything. We need to know that God is in control and He is still God when the bad comes. Though this can drive us crazy when hard times come, we need to remember God's promises in our lives. He'll never leave us or forsake us. When we walk with Him, He will fight for us. Even this is better advice than the empty words Job's friends offered.

When was a time your life felt out of control, but you had to remember that God was in control?



Why do we see here that it's ok to not know the answer sometimes?



Our lives are filled with many unknowns. Our pasts are filled with them too, as well as our present. But what we can take from our reading today is that we don't have to know what the Bible doesn't tell us, yet we must cling to what it does. Trusting in unknown times is all you can do when faced with the next step and we can be prepared for what we do know.

Day 36: Watching Words

Reading: Proverbs 4:1-9

This reading stresses to get wisdom as much as you can. Though knowing your Bible isn't what will send you to heaven, (the Pharisees were very knowledgeable in scripture, yet didn't have their priorities straight) it will teach you how to make wise decisions as you endure different life decisions. I personally pull out many truths everyday that I've read in the Bible and don't even realize it most of the time! It has just become instinct. We read how wisdom does us good through life. It protects us, guides us, helps us, etc. Life will still come with the ups and downs no matter how much Bible you know, but dealing with those situations can be a lot less stressful when you know how God wants you to handle it. His plan and advice is all-knowing and He knows how to get you through life. Just heed His words and apply what you know from them.

What scripture do you apply regularly in life?



What are you doing to gain some wisdom from His Word everyday?




Reading: Matthew 24:1-31

We read some pretty earth-shaking words here from Jesus as He goes into the His second coming. We can see why knowing His Words is so important as we need to be able to distinguish between false words and truth that only comes from God. Knowing what Jesus is telling us here is important as we go and proclaim His Name to all, and heed the warnings He lays before us about persecution and hatred from the world. We must not lose heart and remember that He will take care of His followers. In this section of our reading, we are even told to listen up and pay attention to Jesus' words here. That is how important it is for His followers to know what is coming. Though the details are still broad, we can take what we know and use it to glorify Him and remember to stay strong. Share the news to all!

Who do you need to share Jesus with?



How does this reading put pressure on in telling the world about Him?



Reading: Job 35:1-37:24

As we begin wrapping up Job's session with his friends, we continue to see the same patterns from them. Empty words that are false or only half-true, that don't offer any sort of encouragement to a friend who is suffering. If we can take anything and any wisdom from Job's "friends", it is to avoid speaking this way to our own friends when they are in need. Make sure that your words are loving and true when comforting or confronting. When we speak for the sake of just getting our voices heard, we don't always do our best at contributing to the conversation. We need to be sure our words are guided by the Holy Spirit and that they are God-approved. Words can build up lives and tear down lives. Treat your tongue as a powerful tool that can do either.

Where do you turn when getting ready to give advice?



Has anyone ever spoken empty, false words to you? How did you feel?




Words are powerful indeed. We can get much wisdom from God's Word and we need to strive to build ourselves up on them. When we face different situations in life, His Words will naturally come to mind if we remain in them. When offering our own words, may we confide in God's direction before speaking false, hurtful, or empty words to those around us.

Day 35: Loyal Leadership

Reading: Psalm 18:25-36

Even though David faced endless hardship, we see the leadership skills he possessed through his hardship. He recognized just what a leader needs to stand firm in times of trouble, and displays it for us to see throughout his writings.
David relies a lot on God's protection. We need to if we are able to get through those bullets life throws at us. To be a good leader, you need to have confidence that God will get you through the stressful parts of leadership (and trust me, there will be many). If we go into leading without fear, because God has our backs, we can lead strongly.
David also stays strong through everything he endures. I can be a wreck at times when life gets out of control. Ok- I can be a wreck most of the time, especially while pregnant, but David shows us this great strength he gets from the Lord. He carries it with him through the thick and thin. Let's be filled of with God's strength, instead of our own.
As good, Godly leaders, we also need to be trained in God's truth and Word. When we lead from our own hearts and head we run the risk of misleading. But when we have those hearts and heads filled with God's wisdom and ways, we can lead strongly for Him.
Many times we will need guidance. Who will you turn to for that guidance as a leader?

What area of leadership do you need to work on when it comes to being a Godly one?



Which of the qualities listed above do you see most in your life? God's protection, strength, training or guidance?




Reading: Matthew 23:1-39

We get a good look at the kind of leader Christ would like us to be here. A compassionate one. Not one who lays heavy rules and burdens on people. Jesus spends a great deal of time laying into the Pharisees and religious leaders and their leadership skills. He expresses many qualities a good leader should have, including integrity, compassion, strong vision, focus, generosity, humility, and authenticity.
When we try to lead and tell people what to do, yet fail to follow through on those standards ourselves, we fail to lead well. People need a leader who can be real with them and work alongside them. Not one who stands over them and tells them how it will be done then sit back and watch the work happen.
Good leaders can get caught up in all the rules and details of life. This only creates frustration in not only the leader's life, but the followers as well. Don't be legalistic, just be compassionate and follow the standards in which Jesus lived by.
Though many of these things can seem tedious and impossible to remember as a leader, simply strive to do what Jesus did. He doesn't care about what you know, only that He knows you care. Have the same compassion on your city and on the people of this world as He does for Jerusalem, as we see Him speak over at the end of this reading.

What leadership qualities in Jesus do you admire?



What leadership qualities do you see in people in your life that drive you crazy? How does Jesus' advice match up with that?



Reading: Job 33:1-34:37

We see that Job had to take on the critics of his life, despite how many times he explained to them his life and how he was blameless before God. We can learn somethings from this, however. When we face those times in life where no matter how hard we try to do right as leaders, we will face those critics, even ones that are "friends". The more influence you make as a leader, the more backlash you will get. When Job suffered as he did, and received more backlash than he did comfort, we can see the influence he had on people around him.
When you face critics in life, just cling to God's way of living. If those critics don't match up to what God tells you to do, move on. But also take constructive criticism from the right people, especially other Godly leaders.

What critics do you have in your life? Are they good or bad critics?



What kind of a critic do you tend to be towards others, especially friends?




Being a leader comes with many struggles. When you are truly an influential, Godly leader, you'll get all kinds of backlash and criticism. Just remember to follow Jesus' example of being a leader in being compassionate instead of legalistic. Have your vision, and align it with God's vision. Strive to dwell in His protection and guidance. 

Day 34: Dealing with Defeat

Reading: Psalm 18:16-24

Some days just leave you feeling defeated and broken. David faced many of these days as he took on enemy after enemy, not knowing when his life would see freedom again. When we cry out to God though, we can count on Him to show up and rescue us. When we are innocent before Him and strive to follow Him, He will deliver us from the darkness we face. Though His timing may be different from ours, we need to remember that He will not leave us or forsake us. There will be days you feel like the world doesn't care and that you need to solve all of its problems, but remember that God has already overcome the world and its problems. He can show us a way out of our defeat and lead us to a victorious end.

What is a battle you face or have faced that you feel or felt like you couldn't get through?




Who do you know that is facing pit after pit in their life? How can you pray for them and encourage them?




Reading: Matthew 22:15-46

Dealing with the tricks of life and people who try to trap us can be frustrating. We see Jesus deal with these situations brilliantly though. When life seems to be confusing to us, we can follow His example here.
Give to the world what belongs there. Jesus says to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's." As Christians, we have priority to God first, always, but we also have a duty to obey laws and pay taxes. Jesus cleverly answers the religious leaders in baffling them by not allowing Him to be arrested for it, nor make people angry with Him.
We also read how Jesus handles a debate on marriage in heaven, telling the leaders that they are missing the point completely. He calls out their tricks and explains His Father's power to do the impossible. He also points out that this life is not the end all.
Finally we read how Jesus lays out the greatest commandment - love. With this, the leaders stop asking questions and go their own way.
Taking on life with the wisdom of God's Word is important. We may face challenges similar to the ones Jesus faces in this reading, but we can overcome those with knowing the Bible's stance on it. We probably won't know the answer to everyone's questions, but when we have the bottom line, that is all that matters.

Where has life confused you? Where did you turn for answers?



How are you keeping yourself full of wisdom and of God's Word?




Reading: Job 30:1-32:22

We can feel defeated when we face all the struggles of life like Job has and still have no comfort from friends or family. Job is left, blamed for sin by his friends, yet he pleads his case and is blameless before God.
We see Job lay out many things about his life to his friends to prove his innocence before God. Job was pure in heart. Not to say he never sinned, but he confessed them and went through the proper procedure to cleanse himself and his loved ones for that matter.
We need to be sure we are standing upright with God. Life will throw us curve balls and hardship, but Job proves that not all struggles are linked to our sin. Staying right with God helps you to see His light through those tough times though.
Job didn't care about material things. He was not tempted by the ways of the world or by what it had to offer. He stayed in close community with God and walked with Him. We also need to make sure we're not basing our lives around material things and the various temptations the world has to offer.
Job loved his enemies. He never pointed and laughed at them when they faced troubles themselves, but Job kept his mouth shut and didn't gloat. We live in a culture that seeks revenge, yet we have a God that tells us to do otherwise.
And Job gave to the poor and needy. He didn't withhold from them, and worked to help them. God calls us to reach out to the poor many times throughout His Word. He even tells us that what we do for the least of these, we do for Him. Helping others in need sure adds a little significance to your life too.

What does your life look like before God?



Do you have friends that build you up, or tear you down?



There are many times in life that we can walk away from a day feeling rather defeated and down. Whether we are pursued all day by enemies or things that we just hate to do, or if we are thrown some confusion in life and we try to reach out to those in need but can't seem to get the answers straight. Or maybe we have people in our lives that just don't help much when life is rough, we can always count on God to pull us through. He has made a way for us to take on those days that just reek of defeat. Rely on Him and His ways, and He can bring you to days of victory that only come from Him and Him alone.

Day 33: His Power and Passion

Reading: Psalm 18:7-15

God is angered by injustice and sin. We see how David admires this "love" that God has for His people. He is angered when they are treated with such injustice. His wrath pours out and His power comes to light. When we have the same feeling towards things like abuse, trafficking, and other injustices, we too possess the passion and love of God for feeling such disgust. It's funny how anger can actually show you what you're most passionate about and what you love most. When you become angry because of the right things, you can have that power and passion to do something about it. David loves the Lord for His reaction to such injustice, and we too can have that passion against the wrong.

What is something that makes you angry?




What do you do about stopping those things from happening in our world?




Reading: Matthew 21:33-22:14

To walk in close community with God, we must first accept His invitation to come. We read the parable Jesus shares, foreshadowing His own death and rejection. The Pharisees plot to have Him arrested later out of site from the crowds, as they know that at that moment there would be uproar.
Jesus also compares the Kingdom to a huge party. Though those who were officially invited didn't show up, those who were just brought in from the streets did. When we have hearts that are wide open and receptive to God and His invitation to follow Him and join Him in His Kingdom, we experience a wonderful life with Him. But when we write off that invitation and focus on what we want to do instead, we miss out on a great opportunity to follow and spend eternity in His awesome presence.
Being passionate about His invitation for us and talking Him up on His invite is how we start that close relationship with Him. When we reject Him and put Him to death in our individual lives, we miss out on knowing Him and His amazing work in our lives.

When did you accept the invite to follow Jesus?




What things in your life show some sort of rejection of God in your life? How can you work on this?




Reading: Job 25:1-29:25

It's hard to believe the passion Job possesses in the midst of such life chaos. He isn't getting much help from his friends when it comes to comfort or encouragement. He knows all about the power of Christ and how it will get him through this time of darkness.
We can sometimes feel trapped in our situations and think that God isn't powerful enough, nor wants to help us, but we couldn't be more wrong. God is all-powerful and loving. His desire is you and He wants to get you through this thing called life, even if it has its bumps along the way. Getting God's wisdom and using it in the midst of trials is the way to build our relationship with Him. We gain new respect for Who God is and what He's about. A life full of wisdom and respect for Him leads us to be the hands and feet for those out there suffering. Even Job, who was suffering himself, showed concern in this reading for the orphans and poor. A life full of God is a life full of serving Him with our lives, no matter how messy it gets.

Have you ever felt like God wasn't powerful or loving enough to get you through life's trials?




How can you gain respect and wisdom in God? How will your life reflect you have these?





Our God is powerful indeed. He longs for us to have accept His invitation to follow Him and dwell in His kingdom forever. When we give our lives over to Him and serve Him through life's many obstacles, we are able to live genuine lives in His light. We gain the passion He has in our hearts and stand up for the injustices of the world that He pours His wrath out on. Remember His power and His passion as you navigate life.  

Day 32: Steps of Faith

Reading: Proverbs 3:21-35

Building a life of faith and confidence in the Lord starts with having wisdom in Him. When we walk with Him and follow His ways, we can be at peace and sleep soundly with a clear conscience. Only that kind of peace can come from God, not from money, success, material things, etc. God assures us that we need not fear of the worries around us because He is with us. He will protect us and guide us through. He never said they wouldn't come, but He said He'll be with us.
Walking by faith can be a scary thing to do. As humans with complex minds and thinking abilities, it's hard to step out in faith without over analyzing what will happen. Sometimes, we won't know what will happen, just that God will guide us. When we act on faith and not on our own understanding, we will live lives of peace and confidence.

What is something you had to step out in faith for?




How have you seen God give you peace in troubled times?




Reading: Matthew 21:18-32

Acting on faith requires believing in Jesus. We read that Jesus withered a fig tree that had no fruit, and explained to the disciples that with faith, they could do much more. Not only did the fig tree not do what it was supposed to, the son in Jesus' story didn't either. Believing is obeying. We can't prove we believe in Jesus if we don't obey Him. Even though the first son in the story rebelled, he still gave in and obeyed his father. The second lied and did nothing.
Jesus says that even the tax collectors and prostitutes are ahead of of the game when it comes to believing and acting on faith because they don't question His authority. When we get so wrapped up in the the details of Jesus and His Word, we fail to see the bottom line. Unfortunately, this happens to many churches and Christians who fight over theology and rituals, rather than focusing on bringing people to faith.
We can see that when we fail to bear fruit, Jesus can easily do away with us, as He did with the tree. Being a dead servant to Jesus does not good. 
Believing in Jesus and His words is a step in the right direction for having great faith in Him. Believe, obey and live a life that reflects your faith in Him.

When have you had to demonstrate some big faith?




Are you spending too much time questioning Jesus and His words, or do you strive to obey and believe? What proof do you have in your life?




Reading: Job 22:1-24:25

As Job continues on listening to his friends' reasoning and advice, we can see that he continues to stand firm in his faith, trusting that God's will will be done. It can be hard in the midst of a destroyed world around us to keep the faith and keep trusting that God has a plan, but Job does this superbly throughout the book. Even when friends and his wife tell him to do otherwise, he stands firm. If anyone has the right to be bitter about their situation, it was indeed Job. He was blameless and followed God close, yet his life fell apart. His reaction is one you would never expect, however.
We can learn from Job in keeping our faith in check when troubles come. We can be careful on who we listen to and what advice we take, in remembering Who we really need to take our advice and comfort from.
God never promised that there wouldn't be troubles, but as we read in Proverbs today, He promises to be there for us. Keep your chin up and your faith strong.

When have you felt like giving up on your faith?



What keeps your faith strong in times of hardship?




Walking in faith can be one of the most difficult things to do, yet it is the most freeing. Giving your worries over to God and trusting Him to make out the plans for your life can certainly be hard, as we are able to think deeply and take our own control. Believing in Him and stepping out in faith are how you build your confidence in life, and really have a peace that only God can provide.