Day 31: Good Leaders

Reading: Psalm 18:1-6

A good leader passes the glory to someone else. David displays this leadership trait in showing enough humility to cry out when he's in trouble, but more importantly to give God the thanks and credit for rescuing him. When we take credit ourselves, the mentality is slightly self-centered. Yes, you may have worked hard to get to where you are. Yes, you probably sacrificed a lot to get there. But who opened the doors to your path? How did your family react to you working so hard? Sacrifice was probably all around, and those opportunities didn't just pop up for you. God put you where He wants you. Give Him the credit. Give your loved ones some credit. God leaders dish out the props where the props are due, like David.


Reading: Matthew 21:1-17

The best example we can follow when it comes to being a Christian leader is of course Jesus' example. He displays in this reading alone, many important traits it takes to be leaders.

Lead from your heart. Don't allow your position to be the leader. Be who you are, and use your personal strengths.

Gentleness. Yep, I said gentleness. Definitely not a trait you'd expect in today's world. But when we lead with a gentle spirit, as Jesus did, we find ourselves being considerate of others' feelings and not being self-absorbed or arrogant. A good leader takes their follower's opinions into consideration, and gentleness is the right mindset for that.

Avoid a big head. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. In the equivalence of today's leadership world, a donkey would not be the ideal choice. This display of humility that Jesus put forth was huge in telling people where He stood - at their level. When you play the holier than thou card in leadership, you'll probably get crossed arms and a face of "you got to be kidding me". Humility works.

Though humility is important, standing up for what is right is too. Jesus shows this by walking into the temple and turning the tables on the money changers. He shows this when He stands up to the Pharisees and their religious laws too. A good leader is not a push-over. They keep the values and the bottom line in the vision no matter what, and they fight for it.

God Christian leaders pursue power from God, not of the world. They turn to the Bible and prayer for their guidance. Prayer is priority. God's plan is their plan.


Reading: Job 19:1-21:34

Good, Christians keep God the bottom line. They know in the end that He is all that matters. In they know He is ruler of all, and that in the end He will be all that matters. Job says this to his friends as the tormenting conversations continue on. Though we have hard moments in life and leadership, it is important to remember that God is what matters over all. Job's frustrations are comforted in remembrance of this. It is key to have an eternal perspective, focusing on things of heaven, and not of earth. 


Turn to God's Word as a leader. Make sure all your decisions as a leader being glory and honor to Him, and that you are following the examples He sets before you.

Day 30: Just Ask

Reading: Psalm 17:13-15

David asks God for many things throughout his life. This reading is absolutely no exception. David states that he will be satisfied with God no matter His answer. Though David faces strong challenges and great highs, he accepts God's answers. When we face a new day, coming before God to listen for His answers and to bring requests before Him is ideal. But we also need to thank Him no matter what the answer is He sends us. Just because we think we haven't heard from God, His answer may just be one we don't want to hear. Stay in tune with Him, and accept whatever answer He gives you. His plan is best for you in the end.


Reading: Matthew 20:20-34

This reading displays 2 requests of Jesus. The first is very bold. James and John's mother requests her sons have a significant place in God's Kingdom. Jesus respectfully tells her "no". He knows the significance of this, and the pain it will take to acquire this position in the Kingdom. Though the mother from Zebedee did not realize what sort of suffering this would take, she still asked. Another factor of Jesus' response is the motive of her request. She desired to have her sons sit on God's left and right was for their own lordship. This motive seems a little selfish.
This would tell us to check our motives, consequences and content of our requests before expecting a positive response. But we also learn from this story that asking God for our needs and desires is not too out of the question. Just don't expect Him to always say "yes".

Another request we see presented before Jesus in this reading is from the blind men. Jesus asks them what they would like. Though you think He would know, He still has them ask. Asking is a huge part of coming before God with our requests. Just because we expect God to know what we need or want is no reason to not ask. Our interaction with God should be like a relationship, not just waiting on a higher power. When these men ask for healing, Jesus has compassion on the men and they are healed. They get a "yes" to their request. The motive behind their request is that of proclaiming Christ is Lord, not to gain a position of power, like the last request we read about.


Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

We continue to watch Job's friends beat on him with their words as Job waits for an answer from God. The waiting can be brutal at times, especially when you are surrounded by people placing the blame on you, and offering no help but "hot air". Job himself calls his friends "miserable comforters". One thing we can learn from Job's friends is how not to be a friend.
But Job continues to hope and wait on The Lord to provide him strength and happiness again. The patience he displays is quite remarkable. Though Job has to sit through continuous, painful conversations with his friends, he knows that what he needs to do is wait on God's plan. Sometimes we can be impatient and make things happen ourselves with no direction. Though sometimes this works out, there are many unfortunate times it does not, and you wind up getting to where you need to be the hard way, because you didn't wait on God's way. One response God may give us to our prayers is "wait". And if Job can do it with the pitiful advice of his friends through out the process, you sure can too.


When we listen to God for His answers, there are many important things to remember. You have to ask Him. Don't just know He knows, and do nothing- ask! The answer you get may be the one you don't want to hear at the moment. Be sure your motives are right, and remember that God knows the ultimate plan. Your timing may be very opposite of His. And remember that waiting is important. Don't rush off and do anything in haste. God's timing is the right timing.

Day 29: How He Loves Us

Reading: Psalm 17:6-12

Did you know you are the apple of God's eye? He pursues you and longs to protect you from your enemies. When you cry out to Him, your Rescuer, He comes to You. He longs to wrap His protective arms around you because He is so in love with you. He desires to comfort and hold you because you are His. Remember the wonderful, protecting love God has for you. He's always waiting for you, with arms held out.


Reading: Matthew 20:1-19

This parable may leave you very astonished. How many times do we find ourselves in a situation where we are envious of someone we believe did less, worked less, wasn't as skilled, or who did something worse than us, but they still get the same or better pay or treatment? Can you explain those feelings that well up inside of you? Jesus makes it very clear here that grace is not earned. His generosity is great all around. We see an example of this when Jesus confronts the thief on the cross. One person may work all their lives to be "good". But others, like the thief, may only just have that heart change right before their last breath. Yet God grants them all the same reward of heaven and eternal life. How do you apply this to the world you live in? Fairness isn't an issue in God's eyes. He loves all His children the same. His generous love covers all sin if we make that heart change.


Reading: Job 11:1-14:22

The hope Job clings to as he has these frustrating conversations with his friends is quite impressive. Job has a strong confidence in God's love and mercy, even though he has lost everything! What kind of hope do we cling to in these rough times? The world offers so many different comforts, but clinging to God's merciful love is the only true comfort in this world. He knows that nothing can separate him from the love that Christ gives him. No matter what we lose on this earth, the love of God is eternal.
Many times in situations we find ourselves in (in many cases less than what Job has endured) we blame God. This can certainly turn our world upside down. When we stay grounded and hopeful in the mercy, healing and love that God has for us though, we will see a light at the end, because that love is the most powerful kind. Keep the faith. Cling to His love.


No matter what you do, God's love is always with you, whether you accept it or not. How can you learn from this love and share it with the world? This is a love everyone needs to know about.

Day 28: Wisdom to Live on

Reading: Proverbs 3:11-20

The value of wisdom is immeasurable, as this Proverb continues to show us. We must accept the Lord's discipline if we wish to gain wisdom and understanding to the world He created for us. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are what God founded this world on. His greatness is filled with unimaginable understanding that He puts into action as we follow Him. We must strive for the wisdom He calls us to grasp, and apply it to our lives. Knowledge is simply knowledge. But knowledge that is applied to life is wisdom, and God calls us to get wisdom.


Reading: Matthew 19:16-30

The things we value most on this earth are not the things that God values from heaven. The story of the rich man who follows all the rules and is told to sell all his stuff is a hard one to grasp in our country. We may not realize it, or even think it's true, but compared to he rest of the world, we are the rich man. When Jesus tells him to sell all his possessions to the poor and then to follow Him, he gets really sad. We see how eager this man is to be a follower of Jesus. He's learned and followed the commandments, probably knows the traditional ways of the religious people well, but when it comes down to applying what he's learned, he can't bring himself to do it.
How often do we sit in on church, hear an amazing, challenging message, say our "amens", then go through the rest of our weeks unchanged and unmoved? We know the Bible, we've heard the sermons, we've even put money in the offering plate. But what about wisdom? At what point do we go out and do what that sermon moves us to do? Jesus challenges the rich, young man who has heard the teachings, knows the commands, but when he's challenged to move from his comfort zone, to apply the things Jesus has been teaching about the poor, he can't. He wants the benefits of Jesus, but not the work of Jesus.
When will we start applying what we've gained knowledge in, and turn it to concrete wisdom?


Reading: Job 8:1-10:22

We continue to see Job's friends offer him all sorts of advice, with mixes of good advice, true advice, bad advice, and false advice. Can we tend to do this to our own friends? Or can our friends tend to do this to us? Sometimes we comfort with the wrong words, yet sometimes we get the right words from God. Wisdom is a deeper plan of God's. When we have those rough patches in life, we need to remember that God's wisdom and purpose is deeper than we'll be able to see till later on.
We can offer our friends all sorts of comfort and advice, but when it lacks the wisdom of God, it can feel like we're just throwing words at them. The words can come out empty, and sometimes a little know-it-all if God's Word isn't in it. Words without wisdom are just words, a lot like how knowledge without wisdom is just knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Make sure your words are filled with wisdom and love, not just smarts and knowledge.


The value of wisdom comes with every aspect of our lives. Wisdom is the basis of our Creator's world, the proof of following Christ, and the love behind advice to our friends who need comfort. Wisdom carries great value, more so than the treasures of this world.

Day 27: Society's Path VS God's Path

Reading: Psalm 17:1-5

Our paths determine the way of our life. David states that he follows God's commands which keep him from following the cruel, evil people. We examine our hearts to see whether or not we've stayed on God's path, and we need to do an honest evaluation of where our decisions and choices have led us. Can we honestly say that we've followed the path that God has laid ahead of us? What do we look a when it comes to assessing our paths? What words come out of your mouth? What treasures and passions do you place in your heart? Where do you allow your feet to take you? These things can tell you exactly what paths you're choosing, as David describes in this Psalm.


Reading: Matthew 19:1-15

The paths of our world don't seem in line with God's paths and intentions. We read Jesus' view on some of the trends of our culture. Your relationship status is something that should always belong to God. Whether you're married or single. Though singleness seems to be the end of the world for many of our young people, God will use it if you just keep focused on Him. Many single young people focus on nothing but finding the right one, not leaving room for ministry or the intentions of God. Allow God to use your singleness for His work. You have time and freedom when you're single, perfect opportunities to lead a small group of high schoolers, work in the youth group, play in the praise team... Let God be your purpose and contentment.

Divorce is another trend of our society. When things get hard, a spouse may give up on another. Jesus calls us to work for what He intended. It is a nasty, devastating concept all around. We need to work to protect our marriages, and help others protect theirs. Dealing with divorce is tough. We should comfort those who have been through this hardship. It hurts everyone, and healing takes time for all involved. We must be very careful not to cast blame, but to come alongside those who are broken, and protect the marriages in existence. Society says do what you feel is right and what is easy. God says do what is right, and what is not always easy.

Children are highly esteemed in the eyes of Jesus. We are called to let the little ones come to Him, and to cherish them as blessings in our lives. Society at times places careers, status and money over our children. Abortion is an example of the easy way out. When dealing with the task is too hard, many have this option too easily available. Many children are neglected because day's out of the picture and mom's got to work night and day to make ends meet. Not an ideal situation for those God calls us to make priority.


Reading: Job 4:1-7:21

As Christians and friends, we have a responsibility to build up others who are struggling and need help to stay on God's path. We see the awfulness that Job endures, and when his friends come to encourage him, there are some different styles of "encouraging" that take place here. Eliphaz's words don't help Job at all, as he asks him what sin he committed to end up in the shambles he is in. Job has always offered Godly, encouraging advice to his friends, as we need to in order to help others stay on the right path. May we work to offer our struggling friends biblical, Godly advice. Surround yourself with solid Christian friends who will carry through those rough times and point you to the way of His will.


One thing that determines our path is our choices. We can listen to our society and follow the ways it endorses- the feel good, easy way out path. Or we can follow and offer biblical advice that isn't always the easy way, but the right way. Choose your path wisely.

Day 26: Hardship Redefined

Reading: Psalm 16:1-11

God is our refuge Who watches over us and our inheritance which is in Him alone. We can rejoice because the things of this earth don't matter, so when we lose them we will not be shaken. This life can come with its share of ups and downs, but we can rest assured that our greatest value can never be striped of us. Our relationship in Jesus Christ and our souls rest at peace in our Creator's hands. He will guide us through this world until we go to the place He has prepared for us. Take heart, because all of our troubles and trials of this world are in God's hands, and He watches over the most meaningful inheritance we have.


Reading: Matthew 18:10-35

There are many things that can cause hardships in our lives. Some of those hardships are caused by our own choices, or the choices of those around us. Jesus sets forth some good examples of what can bring about hardships in this reading.

- Wandering away: When we stray off the path God has laid out for us, we will most likely run into some tough stuff. Many teenagers tend to do this, though many adults do too. Rebellion against a parent's beliefs can lead kids into drugs and immoral behavior. I sound like a PSA, but when we choose a path apart from God out of hurt or rebellion, the choice we make probably won't be happy in the end. With that wandering though, we need to realize that God is never don't looking for us. He's always there, waiting with open arms to take you back and guide you.

- Sin: The definition of sin is separation from the will of God. We can wrong people, and sometimes we may not even realize it. Sometimes we sin out of selfishness. Much of the suffering in the world today is caused by other people's sin. God calls people to move, and they don't. God calls people to have compassion, and they don't. God calls people to put others ahead of themselves, and they don't. When we are called to go, as God tells us to do in the Great Commission, and we would prefer to stay in our cozy, comfortable houses and churches, we miss the point of God's mission. He has made us His plan A, and unfortunately, He doesn't have a plan B.

- Refusing to Forgive: This one's a biggy, but also the hardest one at times. When we are wronged by others, forgiveness can be rough. But we read here in Matthew that we are called to dish out unlimited forgiveness, no matter how much someone's wronged us. Why? Let's think about it this way: If God sent His Son to die an ultimate death to wash us clean of our lifetime of mess ups and wrongdoings, would it be comforting to think about if God went through and refused to forgive some sins because they hurt Him more? Not a comforting thought at all.
So what right do we have to hold someone's apology over their heads because they hurt us? This reading lays it out pretty firmly when it comes to forgiving others. If we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us. Simple as that. Forgiveness doesn't mean you have to forget, or that you even have to accept what was done to you. It does mean you won't hold it over the other person's head from then on though. Forgive if you want forgiveness back. And be very generous about it.


Reading: Job 1:1-3:26

Job faced some pretty terrible things as we dive into his story. Satan sure can stir up trouble and do all he can to turn a heart from God. But even after we see Job lose his wealth, possessions, children, health and livestock, the response he gives is astounding. He tore his robe, shaved his head and bowed down to worship The Lord. Would you respond like that if you had just lost everything? He even faces temptation from his wife to curse God and to die, but he never sins in blaming God, in fact he continues to trust Go, saying we are happy to accept good things God sends us, why not the bad things. His is a man of true faith. Job knows where his true riches lie, and he knows not to compromise it. Job certainly felt grief and anger though. He just didn't sin by blaming God.


Where are you placing what means the most to you? In the things you have on this earth, or in the greatest investment of heaven? Are you able to set aside your pride, your riches, your possessions, even your family to do what is right in God's eyes? We read some pretty challenging scripture today, but the Book is real, and if we truly believe it, we need to fully follow it.

Day 25: The Traits of Standing Firm

Reading: Psalm 15:1-5

Psalm 15 is very descriptive on how we gain characteristics that will keep us standing firm forever. When we worry less about ourselves and more about the concerns of others, we stand firmer in the end. Those who speak truth with sincere hearts and refuse to gossip will stand firm forever. As well as those who speak evil of their friends, honor followers of The Lord, and loan to others without expecting more in return. These are folks who care about others over looking good themselves. When we choose to put others before us, even if it means hurt to us, we stand firm. Suddenly we don't put the focus and pressure on ourselves, but onto others and onto God. When your world seem to crash down and everything seems to go wrong, it doesn't hit you as hard in most cases because the focus is still strongly on others and the faith is in God, Who pulls you through the smoke. Try this. Focus on those around you and their concerns, and let God carry you through yours. Just see how firm you'll be standing in the end.


Reading: Matthew 17:14-18:9

Other things that keep us standing firm are explained throughout this reading in Matthew. Jesus tells us that faith like a mustard seed can move mountains. Faith is a huge characteristic in standing firm in Christ. In fact, faith is the basis of it. Without true faith, we don't stand firm. Faith is how we get through the seemingly impossible. With God all things are doable and possible. We see Jesus spare offending the temple tax collectors and tell Peter to pay the tax, even though Jesus should be exempt from paying in His own house (His Father's house). We see Him putting others before Himself, as we looked at in the Psalm reading. In chapter 18, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility. Standing firm entails having a soul and character of humility. Think like a child, and respect the children. We live in a society of great pride and entitlement (we've had this conversation before). You can see how much God encourages and calls for humility throughout His Word, but how much our media thrives on fame, and the whole doing what you feel like doing concept. The focus is always own self, with an occasional "do what is right" message to keep the peace. Our minds should always be outward-focused, with the occasional self reflection and refreshing.


Reading: Genesis 49:1-50:26

Standing firm means standing firm through the rough times, and trusting that God has a plan. As both Jacob and Joseph see the ends of their lives in this reading, there is much reflection on where God has brought them. Both give the credit to no one but God either. Jacob blesses each of his children, remembering the promise God made long ago in giving Abraham many ancestors. This sort of reflection is credible to God alone, as Jacob tells of each of their struggles and prosperity.
Joseph continues to stand firm in his relationship with God as he grants his brothers forgiveness, crediting God for where he is today. The trials that Joseph endured and the triumphs he experienced are all passed back to The Lord. Standing firm no matter your current circumstance is important in trusting God in good times and bad. What are you trusting God for today?


The Word offers many ways to stay on the rock. Putting others ahead of yourself, humility, faith and trust are just a few, but definitely important. How can you put these things into practice as you carry on in our world? How will you leave a legacy like Jacob and Joseph when it comes to your faith?