May 4 -- "Nineveh Repented. God Relented."

 Today's Reading: Jonah 3 & 4

"Nineveh Repented. God Relented."

Thinking of God "relenting" might make some of us scratch our heads and wonder, "Does God change His mind?" It's a question that has puzzled theologians and believers alike for centuries. So, let's dive into this intriguing aspect of God's character.

When we talk about God relenting, it's essential to understand that God's nature is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God is omniscient, meaning He knows everything - past, present, and future. So, in that sense, He doesn't experience surprises or changes of plans as we do. The word “relented” comes from a Hebrew root word meaning to sigh; to draw one’s breath forcibly; to pant; to groan. Thus, we see our Creator sighing with a loud breath as He responds to the Ninevites choice to repent.

When the Bible speaks of God relenting, it's describing God's response to the actions and attitudes of people. His dealings with humanity are often conditioned on their behavior and choices. In Jonah 3:10, we see God responding to the repentance of the Ninevites. He had warned them of impending judgment through Jonah's message, but when they turned from their evil ways and sought His forgiveness, God chose not to bring the disaster upon them.

This doesn't mean that God's intentions were arbitrary or that He wavered in His justice. Instead, it highlights God's gracious and merciful nature. He desires for people to turn from sin and find reconciliation with Him. When genuine repentance takes place, God responds with compassion and forgiveness.

In a sense, God's relenting demonstrates His desire to work with humanity's free will. He allows room for people to make choices and experience the consequences of their actions. If those actions lead to repentance and a turning toward God, He responds with love and pardon.

The record of God relenting in Jonah serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire for humanity to come to Him in repentance and experience His grace. It should also inspire us to seek God wholeheartedly, knowing that He is ready to forgive and embrace us when we turn from our own wicked ways.

May 3 -- "Salvation Belongs to the Lord"

 Today's Reading: Jonah 1 & 2

"Salvation Belongs to the Lord"

Jonah's cry from the depths of the sea, "Salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9 ESV), encapsulates a profound truth: our rescue and deliverance are entirely in God's hands. This verse echoes throughout the New Testament, affirming God's sovereignty in salvation, emphasizing our dependence on Him for spiritual rescue.

Jonah, who had a one-way ticket to Tarshish, ends up in the belly of a great fish after defying and disobeying God’s command to go to Nineveh. In the depths of the sea, he finds himself in unimaginable torment. It is then that he offers up a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, acknowledging His power over all creation and affirming that salvation belongs to the Lord. This phrase reminds us of the central theme of the entire Bible: God's initiative to save humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul underscores this truth, stating that our salvation is "by grace... through faith... not a result of works." This echoes Jonah's realization that salvation is from the Lord alone. The Apostle Peter reinforces this in Acts 4:12, proclaiming that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," directing our focus solely on Jesus Christ as the source of salvation.

Understand that salvation is a divine gift, not earned by our efforts or merit. Jonah's experience teaches us that even in disobedience, God's mercy is available to those who repent and turn to Him. Seek to grasp the depth of God's grace and the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to salvation.

Reflect on your own journey of salvation. Have you fully surrendered to God, acknowledging Him as the sole source of your rescue? Cultivate a heart of gratitude for His saving work in your life, allowing His grace to transform you daily.

Let Jonah's declaration resonate in your heart: "Salvation belongs to the Lord." Embrace this truth with humility and awe, living each day in grateful obedience to the One who has redeemed you. Share this message of salvation with others, pointing them to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  "The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.” Psalm 37:39

May 2 - "Partial Devotion"

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 25 

"Partial Devotion"

While God accepts us as we are and welcomes us into a relationship with Him based on our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Scripture encourages believers go deeper than that by growing to love Him with ALL their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

Amaziah's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of partial devotion to God. While he started with some faithfulness, he allowed his heart to be divided by embracing idolatry and seeking after his own desires. As a result, his reign would end in tragedy and defeat.

The account of Amaziah's life reminds us of the importance of wholehearted devotion to God and the consequences of compromising our faith. It also highlights the significance of remaining humble, obedient, and reliant on God's guidance throughout our lives.

Wholehearted devotion allows us to experience the fullness of God's blessings, His transformative power in our lives, and a deeper intimacy with Him.

A whole-hearted devotion to God means being completely loyal and committed to Him alone. It's recognizing that God is the ultimate authority in our lives, and we choose to prioritize His will above all else. We don't allow other pursuits, ambitions, or even distractions to compete for our affection for God.

It is also about cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with God. This requires spending time in prayer, meditating on His Word, and seeking to know Him more personally. We acknowledge that God is not a distant deity but a loving Father who desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

Having a whole heart in our devotion to God means giving Him our all – our love, loyalty, worship, obedience, and trust. Partial commitment often yields partial results. Like Amaziah, we may seek to do what's right (attend church on Sundays, and say our prayers, etc.), but if we harbor hidden agendas or reserve parts of our lives for ourselves, we miss out on God's abundant blessings. Surrendering our entire heart to God opens the door to His incredible plans for us.

Let's reflect on our lives and identify areas where we may be holding back. Is it in our relationships, careers, or personal pursuits? It's time to relinquish the reins and invite God to lead us fully. Let's embrace an all-in faith and let it permeate every aspect of our lives.

May 1 -- "Shunning Every Sin"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 14

"Shunning Every Sin"

Isn’t it interesting how people tend to pick and choose which of God’s laws they will obey and which they will ignore? Rather than take the entire Word of God as our standard for holy living, we are all guilty of committing some sins while disdaining others.

Here in 2 Kings 14, we have the record of king Amaziah who ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25. For the most part, Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. But not completely. While living a fairly “good” life, Amaziah was guilty of picking and choosing which of God’s commands he would respect and which he would ignore. He ignored God’s command not to worship idols (Exodus 20:3-4) by allowing the people to sacrifice and make offerings on the “high places” (pagan altars). He ignored God’s command not to murder (Exodus 20:13) by taking revenge and striking down those who had been involved with the takedown of his father.

After committing these horrendous sins, Amaziah draws a line in the sand. He refused to allow the murder of his enemies’ children citing God’s command found in Deuteronomy 24:16 – “Children shall not be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.” Why did Amaziah choose to obey this particular command while ignoring the others? Why, in his mind, was this sin greater than the sin of idolatry and murder which he was guilty of?

A better question is why do you choose to obey some of God’s commands for your life while ignoring others? Perhaps you steadfastly avoid the sin of adultery, but you have no problem with the sin of gluttony. Or, maybe you steer clear of homosexuality, disdaining its practice, but you commonly commit the sin of gossip or lust or anger? Why is one sin considered greater than another when they’re all sin?

How do we decide “their” sin is evil while “our” sin is no big deal? It seems that we all have a tendency to draw a similar “line in the sand” and hate our own sins “just a little bit” while hating the sins of others “a little more.” Perhaps instead of making statements and passing laws and boycotting stores, the most potent way we can combat “their” sin is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor—our fat, gay, alcoholic, porn-addicted, neighbor—as ourselves. When we do this, every command of God will be revered and honored and EVERY sin will be shunned. Amaziah wasn’t ready to shun every sin. Are you?

April 30 -- "Paying Taxes With Joy"

 Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 24

"Paying Taxes With Joy"

Today, we dive into the topic of paying taxes with JOY, a concept that might sound as mythical as a unicorn tap-dancing on a rainbow. But fear not, for we find inspiration in 2 Chronicles 24, where an unexpected twist reveals a valuable lesson about our attitude towards taxes.

In this passage, we witness a remarkable event: the people of Judah, under the leadership of King Joash, willingly brought their taxes and dropped them into the collection box. Now, isn't that a sight to behold? Rejoicing over taxes? What was the secret of their joyfulness?

The purpose of the tax mentioned here was to support the maintenance and repair of the house of the Lord, specifically the temple in Jerusalem. King Joash initiated a project to restore the Temple, which had fallen into disrepair. The tax served as a means to gather the necessary funds for this endeavor. So, in reality this tax was not to fund government bureaucracy, but was a form of giving unto the work of the Lord. 

The people of Judah saw their taxes not as a burden but as an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of their kingdom. Their joyful participation revealed a heart of gratitude and a desire to honor the Lord.

Let's apply this wisdom to our lives today. Instead of viewing giving to the cause of Christ as a necessary evil, let's shift our mindset and find joy in our contribution. As followers of Christ, we are called to be good stewards, both of our finances and of the resources entrusted to us.

May we be cheerful givers, even when it comes to supporting the work of God, for in doing so, we reflect the joyous nature of our Savior and demonstrate our commitment to His kingdom. “For God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) 

April 29 -- "The Bones of Resurrection"

 Today's Reading: 2 Kings 13

"The Bones of Resurrection"

Our God is the God of life. He can breathe life into our darkest moments, resurrect our dreams, and empower us to walk in His resurrection power. After all, who'd-a-thunk that touching a dead prophet's bones would miraculously impart vibrant new life?

In this intriguing passage from 2 Kings 13, we encounter an extraordinary event—an unexpected resurrection! The story unfolds as a burial is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a marauding band. In their haste to escape, the mourners toss the dead man into the nearest grave, which happens to be the resting place of the prophet Elisha. As soon as the man's body touches the bones of Elisha, he miraculously comes back to life, rising to his feet. It's a vivid testament to the remarkable power of God at work, even beyond the grave.

While this account may seem bizarre to our modern sensibilities, it holds timeless truths that resonate with our lives today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's power knows no limits. Somehow, Elisha's bones were the instrument God used to release His resurrection power. In the same way, God’s living Word is an instrument He uses to bring His life and power to the dead areas in our lives. It's a profound illustration of the life-transforming potential found in Jesus Christ.

Beloved, let us never underestimate the resurrection power of our God. When we face situations that seem lifeless, when hope seems buried, or when dreams appear dead and buried, remember that God specializes in bringing life out of death. He can breathe new life into our brokenness, restore our weary souls, and revive our passion for Him. Don't despair; instead, lean on the God who has the power to resurrect the seemingly impossible.

Can you imagine the expressions on the faces of the mourners? One minute they're trying to give a fitting farewell, and the next minute they're witnessing the extraordinary dynamic power of their life-giving Creator!

As we reflect on this incredible story of resurrection power, may we remember that our God is the God of life. He can breathe life into our darkest moments, resurrect our dreams, and empower us to walk in His resurrection power. So, let us approach each day with the assurance that nothing is beyond the reach of His mighty hand. Embrace the truth that God is in the business of bringing life from death, and with Him, all things are possible.

April 28 -- "The Impact of a Good Mentor"

 Today's Reading: 2 Kings 11 & 12

"The Impact of a Good Mentor"

In today's Scripture, we witness the profound impact a good mentor can have on an individual's life. Jehoash, the young king of Israel, made a series of wise decisions and walked in the ways of the Lord. Behind his faithfulness, we find the guiding influence of Jehoiada the priest. This relationship played a pivotal role in shaping Jehoash's character and actions.

Spiritual mentorship is not a mere title or position. It's a calling that carries immense responsibility and influence. Whether in the realms of family, work, church, or community, a good mentor has the power to shape lives and inspire positive change. They can be a beacon of light, guiding others towards truth, righteousness, and wisdom.

As we reflect on the value of a good mentor, let's consider their remarkable contributions to our lives. They can be like a compass, helping us navigate the turbulent waters of uncertainty and providing a steady hand when we feel lost. A good mentor encourages us to rise above our limitations and challenges, reminding us of our true potential.

A good mentor possesses qualities that inspire and motivate those they lead. They lead by example, modeling integrity, humility, faith, and compassion. They empower others, encouraging them to grow, learn, and excel. They create an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and supported. The goal of a godly mentor is to impart God’s truth into your life so that you, too, will do what is “right in the eyes of the Lord all your days.” As followers of Christ, we are called both to seek the wise counsel of this type of mentor.

Pray for God to bring influential mentors into your life who will lead you closer to Him. And while we wait for that perfect spiritual tutor, let's not forget the greatest Teacher of all—Jesus Christ. Dive into His Word, and let His teachings shape your life.

To be a good mentor, draw inspiration from the ultimate example—Jesus Christ. He demonstrated servant leadership, washing the feet of His disciples and laying down His life for all humanity. Seek His wisdom and emulate His love, for true mentorship is rooted in humility and self-sacrifice.