I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.Psalm 121:1-2

30-Day Introductory Edition

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RN030_c_30dIE_SG-090412.indd 1 09/04/2012 2:37 PM

30-Day Introductory Edition

Our Daily BreaD®

For Personal and Family Devotions Since 1956

Writers:Dave Branon • Anne M. Cetas • William E. Crowder Martin R. De Haan II • David C. Egner H. Dennis Fisher • Vernon C. Grounds Hia Chek Phang • Cindy Hess Kasper • Albert LeeJulie Ackerman Link • David C. McCasland David H. Roper • Joseph M. Stowell • Marvin L. Williams

AcknoWledgments:Cover Photo: © Alex Soh Huangshan, ChinaPoem: Day 8, by Avis B. Christiansen. © Renewal 1949, Singspiration.Poem: Day 14, by Helen Howarth Lemmel. © Renewal 1950, Singspiration.Poem: Day 22, by Ira Stanphill. © 1950 Ira Stanphill.Poem: Day 27, by John W. Peterson. © 1964 John W. Peterson Music Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Managing Editor: Anne Cetas • assistant Editor: Becky KnappEditors: Dave Branon, Tim Gustafson, Alyson Kieda, David SperCopyright © 2010 RBC Ministries • All rights reserved. Printed in Indonesia.

How To Use This BookletMost electronic devices come with an owner’s manual that briefly explains the basics of how to operate the equipment. Consider this page your manual for using this devotional. The format isn’t complicated, but here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your reading: • Select a time and place. If possible, set aside a time and place each day for reading and thinking about what you’ve read. Your time will be more meaningful if you can concentrate and establish a regular practice. • Read the Bible passage. Begin by reading the sug-gested verses from the Bible (listed under the title). Those words from God’s Book are the most important statements you will read each day. • Note the key verse. It is printed in bold on the left side of each page, and relates to the theme of the day. • Read the article thoughtfully. As you read, seek to learn more about God, your relationship with Him, and how He wants you to live each day. • Personalize the words of the poem. Use the poetic lines to respond from your heart to God. The poem may be in the form of a prayer that expresses how you feel. • Use the closing “thought” to help you remember. The last item on each page is what we call the “thought for the day.” The statement in bold type is intended to help you remember a key idea from the reading. • Take time to pray. Talk with the Lord about what you’ve discovered in His Word and your response to Him. With those suggestions in mind, you’re ready to get started. It is our prayer that in these pages you will find encouragement, hope, challenge, and comfort as you draw closer to God and grow in your love for Him.

A story is told about a man who preached an impressive sermon,

seeking to be the pastor of a new church. Everybody loved it and voted for him to become their new pastor. They were a bit surprised, however, when he preached the same sermon his first Sunday there—and even more surprised when he preached it again the next week. After he preached the same sermon the third week in a row, the leaders met with him to find out what was going on. The pastor assured them, “I know what I’m doing. When you start living out this sermon, I’ll go on to my next one.” Jesus’ sermons had a notably recur-ring theme. Not surprisingly, the King of kings wanted to be sure that the

people understood what was required of them to be part of His kingdom. He came to announce a whole new world order that was totally out of step with life as it was usually lived. Themes such as forgiveness, servanthood, and uncon-ditional mercy and grace were repeatedly on His lips. Two thousand years later we find ourselves in need of the same message. As soon as we start repenting and living under the authority, reign, and rule of Jesus our King, we will experience benefit to our lives, glory to His name, and blessing to others. —Joe Stowell

The Bible gives us all we needTo live our lives for God each day,But it won’t help if we don’t read

And practice what its pages say. —Sper

A sermon isn’t complete until it’s put into practice.

HeAring tHe sermon AgAin

reAd:Matthew 4:12-17

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” —Matthew 4:17

Day 1

Have you heard the story about the 85-year-old man who was

arrested for praying? You probably have. That’s the story of Daniel, an elderly Jewish resident in Babylon sentenced to death for faithfully talking to God (Dan. 6). Although the prayer that sent Dan-iel to the lions’ den is his most famous talk with God (6:11), it wasn’t the only time we see him in prayer. In Daniel 9, we read an example of how he prayed. Daniel had been read-ing in his scroll of Jeremiah that the captivity of his people would last 70 years, and the people were 67 years into the exile (Jer. 25:8-11). He was eager for it to end. God had called His people to live

righteously, but they weren’t doing that. Daniel decided to live righteously despite their lack of faith. He began to pray that God would not delay the end of the captivity. As he prayed, Daniel focused on worship and confession. His pattern of prayer gives us an important insight into talk-ing to God. We are to recognize that God is “great and awe-some” (v.4) and that “we have sinned” (v.15). In prayer, we praise and confess. Let’s follow Daniel’s lead. To him, prayer was as vital as life itself. —Dave Branon

What privilege is mine to comeBefore the Father’s throne,

To speak to Him in earnest prayer,Make all my wishes known. —Sherbert

No one stands as tall as a Christian on his knees.

An old mAn’s PrAyer

reAd:Daniel 9:3-19

I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications. —Daniel 9:3

Day 2

Was God sadistically absent? That’s what Robert McClory,

professor emeritus of journalism at the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, asked after Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area of the US. We may want to try to exonerate the Almighty for permitting disasters that rip apart vulnerable communities. But is God absent in such situations? No, McClory insists. Talking about the Katrina tragedy, he said that God was invisibly present “with the suffer-ing and the dying. He was in the indi-viduals, communities, churches, and schools that organized aid for the vic-tims and took evacuees into their cit-ies and homes. He was with the

hundreds of thousands who showed compassion by prayer and financial assistance.” So it is in our own lives when a heartbreaking tragedy occurs, such as the death of someone we love. We have no completely satisfactory answer to life’s painful problems. We do know, however, that the Lord is present with us, for He said He would never leave us (Heb. 13:5). Jesus’ name “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Even though suffering baffles our minds, we can trust God to be near and to work out His purposes. —Vernon Grounds

God’s unseen presence comforts me,I know He’s always near;

And when life’s storms besiege our soul,He says, “My child, I’m here.” —D. De Haan

The storms of our life prove the strength of our Anchor.

WHere WAs god?reAd:Hebrews 13:5-8

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. —Isaiah 53:4

Day 3

On a beautiful, warm January morning, a colleague and I were

having breakfast in an outdoor coffee shop at MacRitchie Reservoir Park in Singapore. With a beautiful lake and immaculate gardens surrounding us and a light breeze blowing across the water, the setting was quiet, calm, and lovely. At a nearby table, a young woman sat quietly reading her Bible. She was absorbed in the text, occasionally looking up to consider what she had read. She never said a word, but her heart and priorities were visible to everyone at that coffee shop. It was a gentle, positive, silent witness. She was not ashamed of Christ or His Book. She neither preached a ser-

mon nor sang a song. She was willing to be identified with the Savior, yet she did not need to announce that allegiance. In our attempts to share the message of Jesus, we must eventually use words, because ultimately words are needed to present the gospel. But we can also learn from the example of this woman. There are times when the quietness of our everyday actions speak loudly, revealing our love for the Lord. In our desire to share Christ with a broken world, let’s not ignore the power of our silent witness. —Bill Crowder

Yielding your all to the SaviorAnd letting His love flow through you

Makes even your silent witnessA witness of what God can do. —Bosch

Witness for Christ with your life as well as your lips.

silent Witness

reAd:Philippians 1:21-27

Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, . . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gos-pel. —Philippians 1:27

Day 4

Any mother can tell you that wait- ing to give birth is an experience

that builds patience. But pity the poor mother elephant. It takes about 22 months for an unborn elephant to mature to birth! The shark known as the spiny dogfish has a pregnancy duration of 22-24 months. And at ele-vations above 4,600 feet, the Alpine salamander endures a gestational period of up to 38 months! Abraham could have identified with these examples from nature. In his old age, the Lord made a promise to him: “I will make you a great nation” (Gen. 12:2). But as the years passed, Abra-ham questioned how the fulfillment of the promise was possible without even the basic building block of a son

(15:2). So God assured him, “One who will come from your own body shall be your heir” (v.4). Despite his advanced age, Abraham believed God and was called righteous (v.6). Yet he waited 25 years from the time of the initial promise for Isaac to be born (17:1,17). Waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled is part of trust-ing Him. No matter how long the delay, we must wait for Him. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). —Marvin Williams

Not so in haste, my heart!Have faith in God, and wait;

Although He seems to linger long,He never comes too late. —Torrey

God always performs what He promises.

tHe WAiting

reAd:Genesis 15:1-6

[Abraham] believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. —Genesis 15:6

Day 5

When Tamer Lee Owens celebrated her 104th birthday, she credited

“laughter, the Lord, and the little things” for keeping her going. She still finds enjoyment each day in talking with people, taking a walk, and reading the Bible as she has done since child-hood. “I don’t know how long He’ll let me stay here,” she said. “I just thank the Lord for what He’s given me already.” Most of us won’t live 104 years, but we can learn from Tamer Lee how to enjoy each day that we are given. Laughter—“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Prov. 15:13). True happiness begins deep inside and emerges on our faces. The Lord—“The fear of the Lord is

the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility” (v.33). When God is central in our hearts, He can teach us His way through every experience of life. The Little Things—“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred” (v.17). Maintaining loving relationships and enjoying the basic things of life are more important than wealth and success. Not all of us will live a long time, but we can all live well each day—with laughter, the Lord, and the little things in life. —David McCasland

The world is filled with so much good—Little things that bring us pleasure—But Christ can fill our lives with joyBeyond all earthly treasure. —Sper

Happiness is not a destination but a day-by-day journey.

living every dAy

reAd:Proverbs 15:13-33

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. —Proverbs 15:15

Day 6

Roy Clark and his father sat in the family car in the funeral home

parking lot for several minutes. As a teenager, he wasn’t sure how to respond when his dad put his head in his hands and moaned, “I don’t know what to say!” A friend from their church had been in a car accident. She had sur-vived, but her three daughters had all died when a truck hit their vehicle. What could they say to their friend at a time like this? In the Bible we are told that during Job’s time of grieving, his three friends came to mourn with him and to com-fort him. For the first 7 days they sat and wept with him because he was in deep sorrow (Job 2:11-13). “No one

spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great” (v.13). Their presence alone was a comfort to him. But then they began to lecture. They told Job he must have sinned and that God was punishing him (4:7-9). When Job was finally able to respond, he told his friends what he needed from them. He asked for reasons to continue hoping (6:11), for kindness (v.14), and for words that did not presume guilt (vv.29-30). Remembering the story of Job and his friends may help us when we don’t know what to say. —Anne Cetas

Lord, give me sensitivityTo people in their grief and pain,

To weep with them and show Your loveIn ways mere words cannot attain. —Sper

When someone’s grieving—listen, don’t lecture.

WHen We don’t knoW WHAt to sAy

reAd:Job 6:1-14

To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend. —Job 6:14

Day 7

Have you ever watched people at a tourist spot? At places like the

Coliseum in Rome, the Petronas Tow-ers in Kuala Lumpur, or the Grand Canyon in Arizona, visitors strain their necks to get a better view. Some call this “rubbernecking,” which means “to observe with curiosity.” The Bible tells us that such fasci-nation also goes on in the heavenly places. The apostle Peter pulls back the curtain of heaven to let us see angels gazing at God’s plan of redemption—“things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12). The Greek word translated “look into” means “to stoop and look at carefully with curiosity.” But why are angels so fascinated by

man’s salvation? The most likely explanation is that they are amazed at the astonishing way God solved the problem of sin (Eph. 3:8-12). The cross was the means by which God provided His Son as the righteous substitute to pay the pen-alty for sin while upholding His holy standard (Rom. 3:19-31). God now provides redemption to any human being who will repent, believe, and receive it. Are you thankful for your salvation? The angels are! They rejoice every time a sinner repents and puts his faith in Christ (Luke 15:10). —Dennis Fisher

I look at the cross upon Calvary,And O what a wonder divine!

To think of the wealth it holds for me—The riches of heaven are mine. —Christiansen

The cross of Christ is the bridge between God and man.

rubberneck

reAd:1 Peter 1:3-12

They . . . preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. —1 Peter 1:12

Day 8

My wife purchased a birthday card containing these words from

a paraphrase: “The Lord has rejoiced over you and has done such wonderful things for you” (Deut. 28:63 tlb). It was such a beautiful thought that she turned to the passage to read more. She found that the words printed on the card were only part of one sentence in a section where God warned His people what would happen if they turned away from Him and disobeyed His commands. The entire verse reads, “Just as the Lord has rejoiced over you and has done such wonderful things for you and has multiplied you, so the Lord at that time will rejoice in destroying you; and you shall disap-pear from the land” (Deut. 28:63 tlb).

Now that would be an unusual birthday greeting! The experience reminded me how easy it is to select pleasant phrases from the Bible while ignoring their context and meaning. Today’s passage is a warning from God to His people. It is worth pondering for what it is—an expression of certainty as firm in the spiritual realm as the law of grav-ity in the physical realm. The Bible contains words of encouragement as well as words of warning. It’s important to appreciate both for their instruction in our walk with Christ. —David McCasland

God’s Word provides the nourishmentThat every Christian needs to grow;Supplying strength from day to day

By teaching what we need to know. —Sper

The more we meditate on the Scriptures, the closer we’ll walk with the Savior.

tHis is A WArning

reAd:Deut. 28:58-63

Just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you. —Deuteronomy 28:63

Day 9

In the twisted wreckage of a Metro- link train crash, firefighters from

Los Angeles Fire Station 27 found a message that brought tears to their eyes. A survivor of the crash, thinking he was dying, had used his own blood to write on the seat in front of him that he loved his wife and kids. Normally, we use the words “writ-ten in blood” in a less literal way. It usually conveys a willingness to stand behind our words with our life. As Paul ended his letter to the Gala-tians, he was, in a figurative sense, writing his story in blood. He wrote a message of love and grace that would arouse the anger of other religious leaders. He knew he would be hated for honoring the death of Christ above

the ritual and moral law of Israel. He would be punished for teaching that Christ’s death and resurrection were more important than the law of circumcision that represented the whole Mosaic way of life. His suffering for Christ would literally include shedding his own blood (2 Cor. 11:23-25). Paul wasn’t willing to play it safe. He knew the crucifix-ion of Jesus was the center page of history. Putting his own life on the line, Paul proclaimed the inexpressible heart of God, who gave His Son to express the ultimate words of love, written in blood at the cross. —Mart De Haan

The Father wrote His autograph Upon a cross of shame,

With pen divine, all dipped in blood,“Forgiven in Jesus’ name.” —Bosch

To show His love, Jesus died for me; to show my love, I must live for Him!

Written in blood

reAd:Galatians 6:11-18

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14

Day 10

For almost 100 years, a huge piece of flawed Carrara marble lay in

the courtyard of a cathedral in Flor-ence, Italy. Then, in 1501, a young sculptor was asked to do something with it. He measured the block and noted its imperfections. In his mind, he envisioned a young shepherd boy. For 3 years, he chiseled and shaped the marble skillfully. Finally, when the 18-foot towering figure of David was unveiled, his student exclaimed to Michelangelo, “Master, it lacks only one thing—speech!” Onesimus was like that flawed mar-ble. He was an unfaithful servant when he fled from his master Phile-mon. But while on the run he came to know the Master Sculptor. As a

changed man, he served God faithfully and was invaluable to Paul’s ministry. When Paul sent him back to Philemon, he commended him as one “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (1:11). He asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother (v.16). Paul knew what it meant to be given another chance after past wrongs (Acts 9:26-28). He knew personally the trans-formation God can accomplish. Now he saw it in the life of Onesimus. The Lord can chisel His image on our flawed lives and make us beautiful and useful too. —Albert Lee

Christ takes each sin, each pain, each loss,And by the power of His cross

Transforms our brokenness and shameSo that our lives exalt His name. —D. De Haan

Our rough edges must be chipped away to bring out the image of Christ.

AnotHer cHAnce

reAd:Philemon 1:8-19

[You] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. —Colossians 3:10

Day 11

Casey Seymour, a successful soc- cer player and coach, notes that

everyone on his team hates the 10-by-100 drill that ends practice. Before the men can leave the field, they must run 100 yards 10 times at full speed with minimal rest. If they don’t beat a pre-scribed time, they have to do it again. The players hate it—until the day of the game. Then they find that they can play at full capacity for the entire match. Their effort has been rewarded with a championship! The apostle Paul used metaphors of training and competition in his let-ters. While he was a missionary to the Gentiles, he submitted to the instruc-tions and drills of God amid great suffering and hardship. Twice in Phi-

lippians 4, he said, “I have learned” (vv.11-12). For him, and for each of us, following Jesus is a lifelong learning process. We are not spiritually mature the day we are saved, any more than a schoolboy athlete is ready for professional soccer. We grow in faith as we allow God through His Word and the Holy Spirit to empower us to serve Him. Through hardship, Paul learned to serve God well—and so can we. It’s not pleasant, but it is rewarding! The more teach-able we are, the more mature we will become. As members of Christ’s team, let’s be coachable. —Dave Egner

Oh, it’s hard to learn the lesson,As we pass beneath the rod,

That the sunshine and the shadowServe alike the will of God. —Anon.

God’s work in us isn’t over when we receive Christ— it has just begun.

be coAcHAble!reAd:Philippians 4:10-19

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11

Day 12

It’s a full-time job trying to get people to change. Oh, what a per-

fect world it would be—if only other people would do what we want! A plaque in our family room may hold the key to the secret of change. It’s in Dutch, but translated it reads:

Change the World— Begin With Yourself

Not what most of us want to hear! Jesus told a parable about the prob-lem of not seeing our own faults. He said, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye” (Luke 6:42).

Being able to see other people’s faults easily without ever noticing my own is not just an indication of hypocrisy. It can be a wake-up call that the problem in a struggling relation-ship may be me. Perhaps it’s my attitude that needs to change. Or I’m the one who needs to apologize. Maybe I’m the person who needs a humble spirit. It’s a lesson some of us have to learn over and over. We can’t change others, but with God’s help we can change our own behavior. And when our attitude changes, it may seem as if others have changed as well. —Cindy Hess Kasper

To change can be a wonderful prospect,Though often it’s met with resistance;The transformation begins within us

And will take a lot of persistence. —Hess

When God works a change in us He can change others through us.

cHAnging tHe World

reAd:Luke 6:41-45

Remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. —Luke 6:42

Day 13

I started wearing glasses when I was 10 years old. They are still a

necessity because my 50-something eyes are losing their battle against time. When I was younger, I thought glasses were a nuisance—especially when playing sports. Once, the lenses of my glasses got cracked while I was playing softball. It took several weeks to get them replaced. In the meantime, I saw everything in a skewed and dis-torted way. In life, pain often functions like cracked lenses. It creates within us a conflict between what we experience and what we believe. Pain can give us a badly distorted perspective on life—and on God. In those times, we need our God to provide us with new lenses

to help us see clearly again. That clarity of sight usually begins when we turn our eyes upon the Lord. The psalmist encouraged us to do this: “My eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute” (141:8). Seeing God clearly can help us see life’s experi-ences more clearly. As we turn our eyes to the Lord in times of pain and struggle, we will experience His comfort and hope in our daily lives. He will help us to see everything clearly again. —Bill Crowder

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace. —Lemmel

Focusing on Christ puts everything in perspective.

crAcked lenses

reAd:Psalm 141

My eyes are upon You, O god the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. —Psalm 141:8

Day 14

Stephen Kuusisto grew up feeling a stigma about being legally blind.

For him, sight consisted of a kaleido-scope of shapes, colors, and shadows. Privately he would press his face close to the page of a book and memorize street names in an exhausting attempt to appear more able to see than he really could. When Stephen was 39, his life changed after he acquired an affec-tionate and carefully trained guide dog named Corky. In learning to use Corky to lead him, Stephen reflected on the growing trust in their relation-ship. He said, “Faith moves from belief into conviction, then to cer-tainty. We are a . . . powerhouse!” When Stephen admitted that he

needed the help of a sighted companion, a new world of freedom and mobility opened up to him. Many believers blindly stumble their way through the Christian life in their own strength. Seemingly, they are unaware that God has provided a supernatural Guide to lead the way. Jesus said He would send us a Comforter who would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). When we confess all known sin and then depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16,18), we become a powerhouse for God! “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). —Dennis Fisher

I’d rather walk in the dark with GodThan go alone in the light;

I’d rather walk by faith with HimThan go alone by sight. —Anon.

Where God guides, He provides.

corky

reAd:John 16:5-16

We walk by faith, not by sight. —2 Corinthians 5:7

Day 15

We had rehearsed the song for several weeks, and it sounded

good. But there was one tricky section that we just couldn’t get right. We were ready to call it good enough. Our choir director seemed to agree. He too was weary of rehearsing the same few measures over and over. Finally he said, “We’ve worked hard on this. You’re tired. I’m tired. We’re running short on time. And 99 percent of the people won’t know whether or not we sing it right.” As we started to put away our music, he continued, “But we’re going to sing it right for the 1 percent who know the difference.” We groaned as we reopened our music to the rumpled page. On Sunday morning when we sang

it right, few people knew. But that didn’t matter. What really mattered was that we were singing from our heart for an audience of One—One who deserves excellent praise. King David wanted an “exceedingly magnificent” house built for the Lord (1 Chron. 22:5). So before he died, he made sure his son Solomon had everything he needed to build the temple—an abundance of gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, stone, and skilled craftsmen (vv.14-15). Whatever we do, our audience of One deserves our very best. —Julie Ackerman Link

O worship the King,All glorious above,And gratefully sing

His power and His love. —Grant

When we worship God, only our best is good enough.

giving god our best

reAd:1 Chronicles 22

The house to be built for the lord must be exceedingly magnificent. —1 Chronicles 22:5

Day 16

Out of the depths” the psalmist cries to God (Ps. 130:1). His

problem surfaces: terrible guilt for things done and undone in the past. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (v.3). But, thankfully, God forgives. He does not keep an account of past sins, no matter how many or how grievous they have been. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). God’s forgiveness then leads us to fear Him (Ps. 130:4). We worship and adore God, for grace and forgiveness cause us to love Him all the more. But what happens if we slide back into old sins? What if sin lingers? We are to repent and “wait for the Lord”

and be patient while God works (vv.5-6). We are not hope-less cases. We can “hope” in the One who will deliver us in His time. We now have these two assurances: God’s unfailing love—He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). And God’s promise of full redemption in due time—He will redeem us from all our iniquities (Ps. 130:8) and present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24). We’re forgiven! We’re free! With the psalmist, let’s wor-ship the Lord as we await His coming. —David Roper

How blest is he whose trespassHas freely been forgiven,

Whose sin is wholly coveredBefore the sight of heaven. —Psalter

When we’re forgiven, no record is kept of our failures.

no record of our sins

reAd:Psalm 130

If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? —Psalm 130:3

Day 17

Near the village of Gevas in east- ern Turkey, while shepherds ate

their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death. Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died. The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and sus-ceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wis-dom of the Shepherd. I’m glad the Bible also describes

sheep in a positive way. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:14,27). So the big question for us is: Whom are we following? One another? Self-centered shepherds? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd? Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? —Mart De Haan

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,Much we need Thy tender care;In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use Thy folds prepare. —Thrupp

Follow Christ, not the crowd.

Herd instinct

reAd:John 10:14-30

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. —John 10:27

Day 18

Not long ago, I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo

to lead a Bible conference. I took in the beauty of the Nyungwe Forest and Ruzizi River, which separates Congo from Rwanda. I experienced the amazing hospitality of the Congolese people, and I was moved by their sin-cere faith in God’s provision. Because unemployment, poverty, and malnutrition are serious problems there, the people often don’t know where their next meal will come from. So each time they sit down to eat, they thank God and ask Him to provide the next meal. Their prayer sounds a lot like Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The word bread

refers to any food. The phrase “this day” indicates provision that came to them one day at a time. Many first-century workers were paid one day at a time, so a few days’ illness could spell tragedy. “Daily” could be translated “for the coming day.” The prayer would read: “Give us today our bread for the coming day.” It was an urgent prayer to those who lived from hand to mouth. This prayer calls Jesus’ followers everywhere to recog-nize that our ability to work and earn our food comes from God’s hand. —Marvin Williams

Lord, thank You for our daily breadAnd everything that You provide;Increase our faith and help us see

That Your supply is deep and wide. —Sper

Our problems are never a strain on God’s provision.

breAd for tHe coming dAy

reAd:Matthew 6:9-13

Give us this day our daily bread. —Matthew 6:11

Day 19

Did you ever wonder why Rahab, the prostitute who lived in the

pagan city of Jericho, opened her home to the Israelite spies? And what gave her the courage to name the God of Israel as her own? This unlikeliest of conversions was prompted by the stories she had heard about the reality and power of God. Though thoroughly steeped in pagan-ism and immorality, her heart was drawn to God. As she told the spies, “We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites” (Josh. 2:10). Under normal circumstances, the highly fortified city of Jericho would

have been virtually unconquerable. Yet it became vulnera-ble because of the compelling stories of God’s power. Long before God’s people arrived, the self-sufficient pride of this hostile culture dissolved in fear when faced with those who belonged to the God they had heard so much about (v.11). And within the walls, one pagan heart turned to receive the God of Israel and played a strategic role in Isra-el’s stunning victory. Let’s boldly tell the stories of God’s greatness. You never know whose heart may be ready to respond! —Joe Stowell

Christ is coming, over the world victorious—Power and glory unto the Lord belong:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness!Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song. —Crosby

Don’t be shy; tell the stories of God’s greatness.

storytime

reAd:Joshua 2:1-14

The lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. —Joshua 2:11

Day 20

On my husband’s T-shirt is a car- toon of a sheep walking on two

legs and addressing a wolf who is bar-ring the sheep’s passage through a gate. Standing by the sheep is a familiar-looking man. He has a beard, compas-sionate eyes, and a look of authority. The sheep speaks to the wolf as he ges-tures toward the man and says, “I’m with Him.” The sheep’s trust in his Shepherd gives him great confidence. On the day Jesus died, three crosses were raised. Jesus hung on the center one between two criminals. One of the men mocked Jesus, but the other said to Him, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus answered, “Today you will be with Me

in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Imagine the man’s thoughts as he took his last breath. He had paid a horrible penalty for his crimes. But now, because he put his faith in Jesus, he was welcomed into heaven as a child of God. Perhaps he said with confidence, “I know I don’t deserve to be here, but I’m with Him!” gesturing toward Jesus. And Jesus would have confirmed it: “He’s with Me.” Like the thief on the cross, we all face a choice. Have you made the decision to trust Jesus? Can you say with confi-dence, “I’m with Him”? —Cindy Hess Kasper

We are with Him and He with us;Great confidence this gives

To face life’s trials and even deathBecause our Savior lives. —D. De Haan

Facing death with confidence comes from trusting Christ.

“ i’m WitH Him”

reAd:Luke 23:32-43

Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. —Luke 23:43

Day 21

Dana and Rich went out for an afternoon bike ride expecting to

come home refreshed. Instead, their lives were changed forever. As Rich rode down a hill, he lost control of his bike and crashed. His body was man-gled, and he barely made it to the hos-pital alive. Dana faithfully kept vigil by her husband’s side. He couldn’t feed him-self, and he couldn’t walk. One day, as the two of them sat under a shade tree outside the hospital, Rich turned to his wife and said, “Dana, I don’t know if I’ll ever walk again, but I’m learning to walk closer to Jesus, and that’s what I really want.” Instead of shak-ing his fist at God, Rich reached out and grabbed His hand.

Sometimes in the midst of our trials, we need to think about someone like Rich to help us adjust our perspective—to remind us of the remarkable relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. This is the relationship we need most when the going gets the toughest. We are not equipped to handle all the problems we face, but God is. That’s why He told us to give them all to Him—to “cast your burden on the Lord” (Ps. 55:22). As Rich found out, walking with Jesus doesn’t depend on our legs. It depends on our heart. —Dave Branon

I don’t worry o’er the future,For I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him,For He knows what is ahead. —Stanphill

We can walk through the darkest trials when we walk with God in the light.

HoW to WAlk

reAd:Ephesians 3:14–4:3

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. —Ephesians 3:16

Day 22

When our boys were small, we played a game called “Sardines.”

We’d turn out all the lights in our home and I would hide in a closet or some other cramped place. The rest of the family groped about in the darkness to find my hiding place and then hide with me until we were squeezed together like sardines. Hence the name. Our smallest family member at times became frightened in the dark, so when he came close, I would whis-per to him softly: “Here I am.” “I found you, Dad!” he would announce as he snuggled against me in the darkness, not realizing that I let myself be “found.” Likewise, we have been made to search for God—to “grope for Him,”

as Paul put it so vividly (Acts 17:27). But here’s the good news: He is not at all hard to find, for “He is not far from each one of us.” He desires to make Himself known. “There is a property in God of thirst and longing. He hath longing to have us,” wrote Dame Julian of Norwich centuries ago. Before we come to know Christ, we grope for God in the darkness. But if we search for Him in earnest, He will make Himself known, for He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). He will call to us softly: “Here I am.” And He awaits our reply: “I found You!” —David Roper

Man gropes his way through life’s dark maze;To gods unknown he often prays,

Until one day he meets God’s Son—At last he’s found the Living One! —D. De Haan

Seek the lord while He may be found,call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:6

finding god in tHe dArkness

reAd:Acts 17:24-31

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

Day 23

Looking at the western shores of Sri Lanka, I found it hard to imagine

that a tsunami had struck just a few months earlier. The sea was calm and beautiful, couples were walking in the bright sunshine, and people were going about their business—all giving the scene an ordinary feeling I wasn’t prepared for. The impact of the disas-ter was still there, but it had gone underground into the hearts and minds of the survivors. The trauma itself would not be easily forgotten. It was catastrophic grief that prompted the psalmist to cry out in anguish: “My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’ ” (Ps. 42:3). The struggle of his heart had

likewise been turned inward. While the rest of the world went on with business as usual, he carried in his heart the need for deep and complete healing. Only as we submit our brokenness to the good and great Shepherd of our hearts can we find the peace that allows us to respond to life: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (v.5). Hope in God—it’s the only solution for the deep traumas of the heart. —Bill Crowder

The Christian’s hope is in the Lord,We rest secure in His sure Word;

And though we’re tempted to despair,We do not doubt that God is there. —D. De Haan

No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.

HoPe in god

reAd:Psalm 42

Why are you cast down, O my soul? . . . Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. —Psalm 42:5

Day 24

When my computer greeted me one morning with what is omi-

nously referred to as “the blue screen of death,” I knew it was broken, but I didn’t know how to fix it. I read a lit-tle, tried a few things, but finally had to call an expert for help. Knowing that something was wrong was only a small part of the problem; I couldn’t fix it because I didn’t know the right thing to do. The ordeal reminded me of the many pundits who appear on television news programs. All of them are “experts” at proclaiming what’s wrong, but most are clueless as to what is right. This happens in relationships as well. In families, churches, and work-places, nothing gets fixed because we

get fixated on what’s wrong. It doesn’t take an expert to know that something is wrong when people quarrel and hurt each other with unkind words and behavior. But it does take an expert to know how to fix the problem. God revealed to Israel’s prophets not only what was wrong but also what was right: “Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the father-less, plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:16-17). Instead of focusing on what is wrong, let’s obey the One who knows what is right. —Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, grant me grace throughout this dayTo walk the straight and narrow way,

To do whatever in Thy sightIs good and perfect, just and right. —Huisman

Like a compass, the Bible always points you in the right direction.

WHAt’s rigHt?reAd:Isaiah 1:11-18

Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor. —Isaiah 1:16-17

Day 25

Years ago, I heard a story about a man looking for flowers for

spring planting. At the greenhouse he came across a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. To his surprise, it was hidden in a corner and growing in an old, dented rusty bucket. “If this were my flower,” he said to himself, “I would place it in a beauti-ful pot and display it proudly! Why is it confined in this old bucket and hid-den away in this concealed place?” When he remarked to the owner about the flower, she explained, “Oh, I started the plant in that old bucket until it blossomed. But it’s just for a short time. Soon I’ll transplant it to my garden.” The man laughed, and imagined

such a scene in heaven. “There’s a beautiful one,” God will say, “the product of My lovingkindness and grace. Now it’s confined in a broken body and in obscurity, but soon, in My garden, how tall and lovely this soul will stand!” So we may now be “planted” in bent and battered contain-ers for a short time while our Lord beautifies our souls. But, “as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Cor. 15:49). Then He will display His handiwork and our love liness for all to see. This is our assurance and delight. —David Roper

In bodies that will ne’er grow old,We’ll reign with Him through years untold;

O precious thought: We all shall beWith Christ through all eternity. —Watson

While God is preparing a place for us, He is preparing us for that place.

rAised in glory

reAd:1 Cor. 15:42-49

The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. —1 Corinthians 15:42

Day 26

My 2-year-old grandson was fasci- nated by the bubbling mud

pool, the result of geothermal activity in Rotorua, New Zealand. On moving to another spot and seeing no bubbles there, he remarked, “No batteries?” He was so accustomed to his elec-tronic toys that he attributed even natural phenomena to battery power! Christians can make a similar mis-take—they look to their own puny power to live righteous lives. But the high moral and ethical standards of a holy God prove impossible to live up to. The result is joyless Christians, hopelessly burdened and defeated. Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus was that “the eyes of your understanding [be] enlightened; that

you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:18-19). He wanted them to see that the power available to help them live God-honoring lives is the same power that “raised [Christ] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (v.20). The power to live according to God’s standards comes only when we plug into His inexhaustible power. How do we do that? By daily seeking His face and asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit. —C. P. Hia

Fill each heart and reign alone,Break the idols we have known;

Lead us to confession true,Give us strength Thy will to do. —Peterson

The Light of the World knows no power failure.

no bAtteries?reAd:Ephesians 1:15-23

That you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. —Ephesians 1:18-19

Day 27

In 1953, a fledgling business called Rocket Chemical Company and its

staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreas-ers for use in the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to perfect their formula. The original secret formula for WD-40—which stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt—is still in use today. What a story of persistence! The gospel of Matthew records another story of bold persistence. A Canaanite woman had a daughter who was possessed by a demon. She had no hope for her daughter—until she heard that Jesus was in the region. This desperate woman came to Jesus with her need because she believed He could help her. She cried

out to Him even though everything and everybody seemed to be against her—race, religious background, gender, the dis-ciples, Satan, and seemingly even Jesus (Matt. 15:22-27). Despite all of these obstacles, she did not give up. With bold persistence, she pushed her way through the dark corridors of difficulty, desperate need, and rejection. The result? Jesus commended her for her faith and healed her daughter (v.28). We too are invited to approach Jesus with bold persis-tence. As we keep asking, seeking, and knocking, we will find grace and mercy in our time of need. —Marvin Williams

Something happens when we pray,Take our place and therein stay,

Wrestle on till break of day;Ever let us pray. —Anon.

Persistence in prayer pleases God.

bold Persistence

reAd:Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” —Matthew 15:28

Day 28

When a waitress in Ohio asked to see a customer’s driver’s license,

she was shocked when she saw the photo on the ID. It was her own picture! The waitress had lost her driver’s license a month earlier, and this young woman was using it so she’d have “proof” she was old enough to drink alcohol. The police were called, and the customer was arrested for identity theft. Trying to gain what she wanted, she pretended to be someone she wasn’t. Jacob, in the Old Testament, did some pretending too. With his mother Rebekah’s help, he fooled his father into believing he was his brother Esau so he could gain the blessing meant for the elder son (Gen. 27). Jacob got caught after his deceitful act, but it

was too late for Esau to receive the blessing. Pretending goes on in our churches today. Some people put on a false front. They use the right “Christian” words, attend church almost every Sunday, and even pray before meals. They pretend they “have it all together” in order to gain the approval of others. But inside they’re struggling with broken-ness, guilt, doubt, or an addiction or other persistent sin. God placed us in a body of believers to support one another. Admit that you aren’t perfect. Then seek the counsel of a godly brother or sister in Christ. —Anne Cetas

Don’t hide your sin and cover up,Pretending there is nothing wrong;

Instead, confess it and repent,Then God will fill your heart with song. —Sper

Be what God intends you to be— don’t pretend to be what you’re not.

tHe Pretender

reAd:Genesis 27:19-33

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. —James 5:16

Day 29

Wall Street Journal columnist Jonathan Clements offered his

readers “Nine Tips for Investing in Happiness.” Interestingly, one of his suggestions was precisely the same as that given in the favorite old hymn by Johnson C. Oatman, “Count Your Many Blessings.” Clements urges us not to brood over the riches of our neighbors but to focus on the many blessings we actually do possess. That’s wise counsel, provided that we realize our spiritual wealth in Jesus is immeasurably more valuable than any material possessions. God didn’t give us the Bible as a guidebook for happiness. Yet it tells us how we can be eternally joyful and how we can experience joy on our

way to that eternal happiness. So it’s enlightening to com-pare biblical truth with common-sense advice. “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:6). The apostle wanted his protégé to understand that being grateful for the basics of life would help keep him from the trap of covetousness. So let’s focus on the wonders of God’s grace, training ourselves to make a spirit of gratitude pervade our lives. That’s the way to experience joy today and to be forever joyful. —Vernon Grounds

When you look at others with their lands and gold,Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—money cannot buyYour reward in heaven nor your home on high. —Oatman

Count your many blessings and you’ll soon lose count.

forever Joyful

reAd:1 Timothy 6:6-16

Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you . . . might become rich. —2 Corinthians 8:9

Day 30

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