Author: David LaFrance

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3

I love a good mystery, from crosswords to Where’s Waldo, Guess Who, and even the game Clue. Movies with a little suspense I love to solve.  Today, as we read Ephesians, we learn about the mystery we all wondered about in our lives.  The mystery of God’s grace on us.  I have wondered how He loves me so and provides the grace He does. It defies our human logic.  In a world that likes to keep score.  He doesn’t.

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Before Christ, these groups were deeply divided.  God’s grace completely levels the playing field. Just like in our divided world, now only through God do we see all walks of life come together.  Universal access to God.  Mystery solved.

How much does God love us? How much grace does He have?

Dimension wise  His love is

Breadth – It reaches every corner of the earth and covers all people.

Length – it spans from eternity past to eternity future.

Height – It lifts believers up to heavenly places

Depth – it reaches down into the lowest valleys of human suffering and sin.

His love and grace “surpasses all understanding“.

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Today’s Reading: Jude 1

What prayer does this text invite you to say right now? These are verses that made me reflect on where we are at right now. 

In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.  Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus to bring you to eternal life.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You knowing the truth of Your word. We see the division in our world, the disbelief, and the temptation to follow fleeting desires and natural instincts rather than Your guidance. Lord, guard our hearts against cynicism and protect our minds from being drawn into the strife that divides us.

Instead of being worn down by the world, help us to purposefully build ourselves—and each other—up in our most holy faith. When we are weak or unsure, we ask that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Guide our thoughts and intercede for us, teaching us how to pray in the Spirit even when we lack the words.

Lord, anchor us deeply in Your love. Whenever we are tempted to drift, remind us of Your steadfast grace. Give us patience and endurance as we look forward with hopeful expectation for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the promise of eternal life sustain us through every challenge we face today.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen

Today’s Reading is Mark 14.  As we read through this chapter, I want us to focus on how our Lord displays strength in His weakness.  Throughout the Bible, get to know our Incarnate Christ.  He experienced the limitations and fears humans can face.

Weakness

•  emotional anguish = In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says in verse 33, he is, “greatly distressed and troubled”
• desire to escape = Jesus asks his father, “Take this cup from me “
• need for companionship = asks His disciples to stay awake and support Him v 34-36

Strengths 

• calm sovereignty = When the mob surrounds Him to arrest Him, He stays calm v 44-50
• absolute obedience = even in pain and anguish, He surrenders to God’s will.  In agony, He says, “Yet not my will but His” v 36
• prophetic control = predicting Judas’ betrayal, the denial of Peter, and the abandonment of His disciples v 18-20 & 27-30

The chapter strikes a balance between the two yet ultimately shows the unmatched strength of God’s redemptive purpose. His divine strength displays the perfect obedience to our Father over everything.

I pray that we find the strength we need in everything through the obedience we show.  Amen

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. ⁸ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31 is one of these chapters that can provide hope in those dark days and hard nights.  When you feel unequipped to take the next step.  It provides the joy you need to take on the day and have only the fear of the Lord.  The endurance to believe that no matter what the world pretends to offer, there is only One you will ever need.  That one day will be the most important question you will need to answer.

Remember 

• • The Command: “Be strong and courageous”. This is an encouragement to trust God and stand firm when facing intimidating challenges or enemies. 
  • The Reason:
     “The Lord your God goes with you”. Believers are called to be brave, not in their own strength, but because of God’s active presence

Today’s Reading: Acts 17

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. – so you are ignorant of the very thing you worship–, and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

Do you have an Unknown god? Maybe it’s this game 7 hockey game I’m watching? Is it my kids that I can chase from here, there, and everywhere? Maybe it can be work that can take hold of my thoughts and time. Or could my Unknown god be any of the selfish desires or distractions that can take me away from Him?

Paul reminds us, as I think of any circumstance I’m facing…

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of Heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

It’s time to put away the Unknown gods… the desires and distractions that can keep making me feel like any of my circumstances is under my control.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 50 How does God’s Sovereignty show up in uncertainty?  

Have you lost a parent? I remember losing my dad back in my early 20’s.  Seems like forever ago now. My parents had been separated since I was in the 5th grade, so the dynamic of the relationship was not as present as I would have liked or, at that time, allowed.

For many years, I neglected any kind of relationship based on anger, frustration, and my own selfishness and selfish desires.  I lacked any authority over my earthly father based on my own insecurities and desire to do things my way. I lacked a true relationship with God and an understanding of the essential importance of a meaningful relationship with my Heavenly Father.

But God has always been and is at work.  It took various mistakes to understand and to let go of my way, selfish desires, to realize that God’s sovereignty is the biblical doctrine that God is the supreme, omnipotent ruler over all creation, possessing absolute authority and control to ordain all that happens.

Where are you needing this reminder right now in life?  Is there anything you are trying to control? A situation that has happened that makes you wonder, Why God?

Joseph said in Genesis 50:20

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.’

We often think the worst when bad things happen. Why me? What did I do to deserve this? How am I going to make it? 

When Joseph’s brother first realized that he was the ruler and had found them out.  I’m sure they thought they were cooked.  But actually Joseph’s brothers had nothing to fear even at his passing- because their brother, recognizing the sovereignty of God, would not take God’s role as judge. This is a lesson for all of us who have been wronged at some time in our lives.

What may seem very hard at times and not easily understood in my own mind and heart. God has intended it for good. Do I think I have a better understanding of the situation than God? Ha. I pray to remember this promise in all things.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 30 For Hezekiah said, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon those 19who decide to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.” 20And the Lord listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people.

I wish I were more consistent in my lifting. (metaphorically and in real life) I can find a rhythm, stick to it, and see success.  I can drop off and see the lack of success and strength equally.  Lifting the weight of daily life can be a lot.  In life, when I try to hold up everything or anything, I get fatigued.  I think I got this figured out. I can handle one, two, three, or more things, and I can’t.  I eventually drop it all, trying to hold up the ceiling.

Thankfully, while lifting anything in life, we have our God, who can lift any weight you need.  Big, small, heavy, light.  He can do it all.  Resting in God allows you to lift anything, knowing there are supports available to support any weight life puts on you.

Are you able to start lifting from self-reliance to spiritual strength today? Retraining the human side of our lives, where we feel like we can handle anything thrown at us.  Here are some reminders about ways we can switch from self-reliance to trusting in Him.

• Surrender all outcomes – I can put in the effort to connect with Him.  He will ultimately provide the results.
• Embrace my limits – I can only do so much – my human body is limited. God created us all with limitations. He is limitless.
• From busyness to faithfulness -there is no more I can add to my day to prove myself worthy.  I fall short and was born that way. He wants me to go deeper and to truly give it all to Him.  I must truly die to self.

Putting whatever weight you’re lifting right now to God will provide relief.  Lift with Him today and every day!

Today’s Reading: Jonah 3

Jonah 2 ends with Jonah being spat up on the shore. (gross)  Jonah 3 starts with him heading to Ninevah after realizing that God will be with him and that he needs to trust and obey.

This mirrors the theological reality of all humanity. Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In our natural state, based strictly on merit and justice, no one deserves salvation. Like Nineveh, we are citizens of a world characterized by sin and Rebellion against God. We do not deserve grace; we merit the consequences of our actions.

The grace offered by Jesus is “good news” for a world facing destruction. The requirement is not to do a list of things to earn it, but rather, as Nineveh did, to believe and repent. We contribute nothing to our salvation but the sin that made it necessary. Grace is a gift, and like the Ninevites, we can only receive it; we cannot work for it. (Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”)

Lord, thank you for Your grace. The grace You have always provided, and we don’t deserve.  Thank you for sending your son and reminding us that it’s all about You.  Amen

Today’s Reading: Psalm 37

What practical steps would embody this wisdom in my relationships or work? Pray for grace to do it.

1. Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. ⁴ Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it. 

What is the meaning of life? What are you trying to prove and to whom? Growing up, I would have to admit I suffered from envy.  I had an adverse upbringing that, in many ways, skewed what I thought was important in life.  If I’m not careful, I can still fall into the envy trap.  We should never envy the wicked, even though some may be extremely popular or very well off.  But the older I get, the more I realize each day that it will all vanish and not mean anything. What means the most is my relationship with Him.  My prayer life and definitely the trust I allow god to take, let go of all things I “think” I can control.

On Earth may be one story, but our eternal stories will look so much different.

Lord help us in our weakness.  Help us to see Your presence and trust in Your plans, knowing that:

When I trust and obey, You wash over me.

When I Trust…

I commit my ways

I have delight in all aspects of my life…

I will refrain from anger…

I will have Rest in all things…

I will be able to wait with Thanksgiving as I continue each day to draw closer to You.

²⁷ Turn from sin, and do good, so you will live forever. ²⁸ For the Lord loves what is fair and right. He does not leave the people alone who belong to Him. They are kept forever. But the children of the sinful will be cut off.

50 plus years and I can still catch myself wondering if I don’t stay close to Him, or assigned Job 28 for Bible Journal on March 10th. We live in the “Information Age,” yet we’ve never felt more lost. We have infinite data, advanced degrees, and life plans mapped out in color-coded calendars. But as anyone who has ever “achieved it all” and still felt empty, knowing all the degrees, status, and service can still leave you wondering.

In Job 28, we see a striking contrast. Job describes miners who perform incredible feats of engineering—tunneling through mountains and hanging from ropes to extract gold and sapphires.

We do the same today. We “mine” for status, wealth, and recognition. But verse 12 levels the playing field with one haunting question:

“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”

The answer doesn’t come from a laboratory, a boardroom, or a university. It doesn’t care about your age, your bank account, or how many letters are after your name. The “true answer” for the entire human race is found in the final verse:

“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

We need to focus on Him!

1. Awe (The Vertical): “The fear of the Lord” isn’t terror; it’s alignment. It’s the humble recognition that God is God and we are not. It’s traded “main character syndrome” for a seat in the front row of His creation.

2. Action (The Horizontal): “To shun evil” is the practical side. Wisdom isn’t a philosophy you study; it’s a path you walk. It is the daily, gritty choice to choose integrity over convenience.

You can’t mine wisdom, and you certainly can’t Google it. You don’t achieve wisdom through effort; you receive it through humility.

Whether you are 18 or 80, the starting line is the same: Stop digging for “more” and start looking up. Look to our Lord right now.  Sit in awe and ask Him to direct each step today!