You are my brother in Christ

Have you ever sensed that someone was a Christ follower, but didn’t really know for sure? If so, what were the attributes or behaviors of the person? And if your suspicion was correct, what thoughts went through your mind after confirming?

In the 2008-2009 timeframe, Mickey joined my team. Mickey was far more advanced in years than the majority of the team at the time, and I say this with all respect. She came with advanced wisdom, humility, ethics, and experience and it showed on a daily basis. Mickey was with us for a few years, but I didn’t get to know her really well as this group was part of a large, “around the clock” machine with an offshore team supplementing our onsite team, cranking out work on a high profile and high priority project. Mickey was quiet and generally kept to herself, focusing on doing her job to the best of her ability.

While on the team, as well as in the years following the project when we had parted ways, Mickey would intermittently (perhaps every 3-4 months) send messages of encouragement to me. It was typically just a couple sentences and sometimes it would include a question to ask me how things were going. The messages were almost always on Friday afternoons when I was wrapping up work to prepare for the weekend.

I’m not sure when it was or what she said, but I do recall a specific moment when I thought “is she a Christian?”. It wasn’t like she had sent a Bible verse or said she was praying for me, it was far more subtle; more like the pattern of kindness, thoughtfulness, and humility all showed up at once and I was hit with a big dose of Holy Spirit communication – this lady is special, and I knew her faith is in The Lord.

Now several years later, Mickey is on my team again, and this time we do talk. I wanted to open up some communication with Mickey to confirm my suspicion so I shared a recent Bible Journal post with her. Her response was overwhelming. She shared that she has prayed for me through the years and continues to do so, and that she rejoices that she and her husband (of 50 years) share the bond of Christian faith with our family. She also wrote, “you are not just a co-worker and friend, you are my brother in Christ”. Beautiful words that brought me to tears because I realized that each time she sent the emails checking up on me, along with those was a secret prayer for me. I’m so humbled and honored by this.

We now talk about Jesus, she shares her memory verses, reading plans, and recently she shared some prayer requests with me. Mickey is toward the end of her career and she is just plain tired; her husband drives her one hour each way to work five days per week, and at the end of the day she has little energy to do some of the things she wants to do outside of work. She feels that she needs to keep working for financial reasons, but she just doesn’t know how much longer she can go on at this pace. The joyful thing is that she’s put ALL of her trust in the Almighty God who is in control. May he be glorified through this situation. The lady who has prayed for me for years has asked me for prayer; this humbled me greatly; it is an absolute honor to pray for this woman.

I wasn’t planning to put a Bible verse in this week because I just wanted to share this story and didn’t think any of the verses applied. While going through the reading one more time, these verses jumped out at me. I’m pretty sure Mickey isn’t an angel, but it reminds me of our interactions through the years, not knowing each other’s faith, but seeing opportunity to show hospitality to each other in a brotherly-love manner. We never know who we interact with could be an angel praying for us and our families.

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

Would you join me in praying for this fine lady today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect plans; for teaching us to love one another like you love us, like your son Jesus loves us. We lift up Mickey today; please reveal your will to her with regard to her work situation. Give her strength and peace, beyond all understanding. Please give her continued discernment wherever she may roam. May her marriage of 50 years continue to honor you. She is a blessing to her family, friends, and acquaintances, I thank you and praise you for what you’ve done and continue to do in her life. We ask these things in Christ’s name. Amen.

1 Chronicles 11–12; Hebrews 13; Amos 7; Luke 2

Hindered Progress

Challenges in business as a dart being slowed down by a heavy anchor as an adversity metaphor and symbol or overcoming a handicap to achieve your goal to reach the target.

1 Chronicles 9–10; Hebrews 12; Amos 6; Luke 1:39–80

Why is it that vacation, Halloween, and Thanksgiving always roll around when I am trying to be “good” about what I eat? Seriously, I have maintained a really good diet for several months. It stopped quickly with my vacation. You know how it is, great dinners are part of the deal.  Right? For me, a great dinner includes dessert. But, I remind myself that it is ok. This is a short-term thing. A week of splurging won’t matter.  After all, I’m on vacation! The brief interruption of my diet has now been exacerbated by Halloween. It turns out that I am a sucker for Snickers and Milky Way’s and Almond Joy’s and Butterfingers, and pretty much anything that gets dumped out of that bag. (Actually, I am not a fan of Whoppers, but I eat them anyway). The best part of Halloween candy is that everything is bite-size. I mean, it’s not like I’m eating an entire candy bar. As I consume multiple pieces, I remind myself that there are only a handful of pieces left. Once they are gone, all will be well and I’ll get back to my normal diet. Except for the fact that next week is Thanksgiving. It’s not likely that I am going to take it easy on homemade rolls, or extra gravy. And, pecan pie is awesome (especially with ice cream) so I’m definitely looking forward to that and since the Thanksgiving tradition requires we eat pumpkin pie I’ll go ahead and try that too. My mother-in-law makes a mad coconut cream pie that occasionally makes its way to the table and really, its one of my favorites so I’ll try that too. Hey, don’t forget, it’s just one day. For dinner, I’m looking forward to lying low. My mom makes grandma’s angel food cake and I’d hate to dishonor her legacy by passing it up. Besides, angel food is pretty light.

Healthy lifestyles are not limited to food.  In fact, our relationship with God is the most important component.  Just like my diet, I often make choices that circumvent its full realization.  For example, consider this list of activities that hinder my progress.  In no particular order; wine, work, swearing, laziness, Xbox, YouTube, Television, internet, telephone, text messages, facebook, Pinterest, election coverage, books, bourbon, course language, impure thoughts, Amazon, movies, napping, 

If you are like me, you connected with at least one item.  I’m guessing that not only did you connect with it, but you justified it just as I have justified my poisonous diet.  Take a few minutes today to consider how you might, “lay aside this weight,” (Hebrews 12:1) and acknowledge the reality that it is preventing you from finishing the race successfully.

Hall of Faith or Hall of Fame?

Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the hall of faith. This is where the legacies of the heroes of Scripture are chronicled. Very different from the halls of fame we encounter in our culture today. 

Walking through a sporting goods store this past week I noticed a very large banner. An athlete up at the break of dawn, with all the ‘essential’ gear, stared into the camera with determination.  The text read simply “I WILL”. Here is another ad from the campaign. 

Under Armour I WILL campaign
Under Armour I WILL campaign

The memory of the familiar “JUST DO IT” slogan immediately came to mind and I thought ‘at least this “I WILL” campaign was a bit more transparent of a rallying cry, God willing we will have an easier time seeing it empty.’ In my estimation, when comparing and contrasting the heroes of Scripture from Hebrews 11 to this campaign, it was their faith that helped them realize they and their will were the furthest thing from true glory.

 

Extra Credit: Self Examination. From conversations with them, some teammates that went on to pursue and reach the professional level struggled with a seemingly constant battle against selfishness. These people were not selfish but their battle was against a lie that said the only way to make it was a completely self absorbed lifestyle, dedicating every moment to their bodies and skills. A constant placing of themselves, and their training, first.

Compare this to your “making it”. Ask yourself what does “making it” look like to you? Is your definition of “making it” of this world? Titles, money, position… What sort of “training” is required to always be first in your life for your definition of “making it”? Know that the world will lie to you about the answer to this question. Praise God that He has given us the truth!

From the hall of faith we get a sense of what making it looks like to our God. It is simple. It is faith. Where the first verse defines faith, the second verse speaks to the stark difference in the bases for congratulation between the ‘people of old’ and today; where faith was this bases in the ‘people of old.’ Their faith was their accomplishments, not victory on this earth, some position, or peer perception of them. It was their faith in God. Here is the big question that we all need to get right. In your life does faith in God = making it?

Suggestions for prayer: Ask the LORD to show you what success looks like. To give you a deep passion for pleasing Him in this way, a steadfastness for pursuing this with a single eye in meekness, humility and faith.

For further study: Memorize and meditate on Hebrews 11:1. Here we find the definition of faith. Such an important factor in following Christ.

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 7–8; Hebrews 11; Amos 5; Luke 1:1–38

Daily Washing

Today’s Readings: 1 Chronicles 5–6; Hebrews 10; Amos 4; Psalms 148-150

This past week I wrestled with the daily events between home, work, school and other commitments sprinkled in and out. In the midst of my yearning for putting the “No” in November I was juggling many things. In the middle of this circus I was losing sight of God and His will for how I should be handling everything. In hind site,  much of what I was trying to accomplish was on my own. This selfish attitude lead to a shortness of patience, love, and understanding for those around me. I sinned and fell short by my own selfish desires to control a situation. Unfortunately, my lack of faith had succeeded once again.

After many prayers and apologies I still felt this guilt over letting my family and God down. I turned to God’s word and asked for direction.  Prayerfully, there is only one way out of this situation and it was through Him. I needed to surrender it all to Him and hear His voice instead of my own.  In Hebrews 10 I’m reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Back in Hebrews 10:3 as people gathered for sacrifice on the Day of Atonement , people would be reminded of their sins and felt that guilt all over again.  But by His grace, Christ has provided us with permanent forgiveness that once we have confessed this we need not think of continue to cause pain. We are all broken and yet cleansed by an amazing God who sent his only son to die for all of our sins.  Encourage growth in our daily lives by applying and living out God’s scripture in all areas of our lives.

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds,“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

As we face these struggles its important to continue to encourage and meet with other Christians sharing our faith and love. We can help provide the strength we need to make it through each day.  I’m grateful for this daily group of writers, our weekly small groups, and the messages we hear each Sunday that deepen our relationship with God. Yesterday, I was talking with Micheal Summers about this scenario and he reminded me of the conversation Jesus had with Peter in John 13.  What a timely reminder. In Humility of Love by Grace to You, the authors remind us how Jesus provides us with spiritual washing when we confess and submit to Him.  Thanks Mike!jesus-washing-apostles-feet_1299230_inl

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Thank you for reading and being in the scripture together daily.  Psalm 150 reminds us to,  Praise Him for Everything!

Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:2

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 

So what spiritual cleaning do you need?

Any dust collected on your feet?

We need our feet washed every day. As we walk through this world with our earthly desires we can get our feet dirty.  1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us [literally, keep on cleansing us] from all unrighteousness.”

Thank you Jesus for washing our sins away. Amen

Because He Lives – Matt Maher

Read Humility of Love by Grace to You.

Our Prince

 

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Today’s Readings: 1 Chronicles 3-4, Hebrews 9, Amos 3, Psalms 146-147

“I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 

Put not your trust in princes,

in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

on that very day his plans perish.”

Psalm 146: 2-4

 It’s been quite a week to live here on this earth in our little country called The United States. At least I’m sure our country is small to our Heavenly Father who is looking down on us, shaking his head as we struggle to be united. My heart has been heavy with the responsibility of writing today. Mostly, because I want to deliver an uplifting message to everyone and maybe because I need one myself. We’ve spent this week, this month, this year focused on the plans that one person has for our country. But we forgot. We forgot that there isn’t a person on this earth that can have dominion over everything.

“…when his breath departs, he returns to earth; on that very day his plans perish.” 

When we put all of our hope and our trust and our faith in a human being, there will be hardship. No matter who it is. No one can carry our lives in their hand, keep us safe, and protect our souls like our Father. It has been a hard lesson, but we are learning. Our country is swept up in fear, hostility and in some places violence. The division is deep, and it hurts. There is one that can heal us. One that shows us each day that our plans are just for now, while we are here. What endures is God’s love, generation after generation.

At another time in my life when I was afraid and alone, a friend took the time to write encouraging scriptures for me on some little yellow note cards. Those cards saved me. Literally, those cards brought the Bible into my life for the very first time. Despite growing up Catholic I had never opened a Bible. The first time I read about God’s promises, they were written on yellow index cards. This opportunity to write for Bible Journal has matured my faith more than I could have imagined, I am reading many of His sacred words for the first time. Now, I hold those passages close to my heart. I speak them out loud, read them in a quiet moment or simply think them while driving from place to place. That small act of taking an hour to write scripture onto note cards had such an impact on my life. As I prayed about what to write for you today, God told me to bring it back to the simplicity of his word. He reminded me that we can’t fix things here on earth. We are a broken world with broken people. He is the only “fixer.” I realized that the uplifting message I have to share with you today is just Jesus. He is our salvation.

Lord, we know that you are in control of everything. We know that you lead us each and every day. Help us to see your way Father.

A few of the yellow cards:

 

“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

 

“Faith is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see…By faith, I understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

 

“God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of calm and well balanced mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

 

“Now unto Him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be the glory forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures I might have hope.” Romans 15:4

A New Covenant

But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. –Hebrews 8:8-9

As I read about this New Covenant I wonder: Why did we need one? How does it work?

God once made a covenant with His chosen people. These were the descendants of Noah, and the children of Abraham. He promised to bless them and save them; and to save the world through them. They, in exchange were bound to his law, essentially the Ten Commandments. Law that focused primarily on loving God and each other, putting God above all while striving for purity and relying on ritual sacrifice to receive God’s atonement for sin.

As I read through the book of Kings and 2Kings, it reinforces the tremendous disappointment God experienced in the almost constant rebellion of his people. Though God appeared at crucial times, rescuing His chosen people, offering many signs and wonders, still they turned away — worshiping other gods, sacrificing their children, and leaning on their own understanding.

The New Covenant came despite God’s disappointment, perhaps even because of it. It came as an expression of His constant love for people. This is not His plan “B” but the final reconciliation, through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Considering our tendency to rebel, it’s remarkable God extends salvation to us. When we receive God’s grace, in an instant our sins are washed away and we are made righteous by faith! No longer under the power of the law, we are set free in Christ and given freedom to pursue a relationship with the one true God. A holy God who declares our innocence, though we are guilty. A self-sacrificing God, who takes our place on the cross and dies for our sins so we don’t have to.

The New Covenant is based on an act of love that restores the fullness of God’s intended relationship with us — His created beings. Once set free from sin, we are able to pursue holiness in the power of God’s Holy Spirit and a life in the presence of a living God who offers everything we cannot attain on our own. In this way we are blessed with peace, freedom, power and joy in the truth and security of an eternal, dynamic relationship with the very creator of the universe! This is the New Covenant. Thank you God!

Reading: 1 Chronicles 1–2; Hebrews 8; Amos 2; Psalm 145

Sweat the Details

Crown of thorns hanging on a wooden cross at Easter

Today’s reading:  2 Kings 25; Hebrews 7; Amos 1; Psalm 144

Doug Lemov is the Managing Director of an organization called Uncommon Schools.  The group’s mission is to establish and manage urban schools that successfully prepare low income students for college.  Lemov attributes the success of this organization to talented, passionate teachers who use a variety of techniques to drive positive outcomes in some of the most challenging settings.  Their methods are summarized in his bestselling books, Teach Like a Champion (Jossey-Bass, 2010) and Teach Like a Champion 2.0 (Wiley, 2015).

In Teach Like a Champion, Technique 40 is called Sweat the Details.  The underlying principle of this technique is that if you want students to follow a specific order and do things a specific way, you must create and enforce an overarching sense of order.  Be on time, keep everything in its place, and always follow a specific routine to accomplish tasks.  The order achieved by these disciplines leads to efficiency.  It is a proven fact that an efficiently run classroom leads to less wasted time, fewer lost assignments and ultimately more successful learning.

Our study of Hebrews 7 today makes me think of “sweating the details”.  How God aligned every detail throughout all of history to point to Jesus as the promised Messiah, our Savior and Lord, is simply mind-boggling. The book of Hebrews was written to Jews who were struggling to reconcile Old Testament law with Jesus’ message of grace through faith.  I’ll be honest, Hebrews has helped me connect the dots on details of Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy that I never even considered.  Jesus’ link to Melchizedek, as referenced in Hebrews 4-7, is one of those dots.

The author of Hebrews, in chapters 4 and 5, talks about our need for a Savior. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

The text then points to Jesus as our Savior, our High Priest. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).

It goes on to illustrate Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy by referencing Psalm 110:4 where the Messiah is described as a priest from the line of Melchizedek. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:9-10).

Our text in Hebrews 7 today compares Jesus to Melchizedek.  It helps us understand the significance of Jesus’ priesthood through this line, rather than through the line of Aaron (Levites).

  • His priesthood has no end (Hebrews 7:3, 24).
  • His priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:6, 23).
  • His priesthood establishes the new covenant – grace through faith (Hebrews 7:12, 18).
  • His appointment was from God himself (Hebrews 7:20, 28).

Verse 22 sums it up perfectly – This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22).

Think about this for a minute. All the details God aligned to signify Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah aren’t going to make us perfect at managing our classrooms, managing our work, or running our households.  They certainly won’t make us perfect people.  We are still sinners, and nothing we could do will measure up to God’s perfect standards.  The beauty is God knows this.  Instead of trying to make us good enough, he aligned every detail, sent his son to pay the price on our behalf, and made a way for us to stand before the throne on judgment day without blemish, perfect in his sight.

What an amazing gift. As I reflect on things to be thankful for this holiday season, this tops my list.

What are you thankful for?

Recently in our space at work someone put up a huge magnetic whiteboard and wrote at the top “What are you thankful for?” I loved seeing this and was eager to write on it and see it fill up with expressions of gratitude. This specific work area accommodates maybe 75 people, and plenty more workers pass this whiteboard throughout the day so this was going to be fun and uplifting!

The immediate writing included only three things: “4:15 PM” (assuming this was what time the person left work… what a depressing thing to be thankful for), “friends” (ding ding! focus on others, much better than quitting time; hoping the same person who wrote 4:15 PM wrote this), and “my cat” (it has come to my attention that somehow cats can be considered valuable creatures to some sects of the human race; good for those of you who are better than me).

A few more days passed and there were no additions. There must have been at least 100 people who passed this board with at least 30 seconds to write something they’re thankful for, and this really started to bother me. I was picturing God’s response; perhaps inappropriate but I wondered if he might sarcastically say “you’re welcome!!!!”

After this experience I spent some time alone putting into writing some of the many things I’m thankful for. The deeper I engaged, the more seemingly small but yet extraordinarily precious thoughts came to mind; we all so much to be thankful for. Going through this left me energized, humbled, and joyful. God is so good.

Psalm 143:5 is one way to express our gratitude toward God; by meditating on all he has done. What a great way to start the day!

I remember the days of old;
  I meditate on all that you have done;
  I ponder the work of your hands. 

2 Kings 24; Hebrews 6; Joel 3; Psalm 143

Beset With Weakness

Small Fish With Ambitions Of A Big Shark - Business Concept

2 Kings 23; Hebrews 5; Joel 2; Psalm 142

How often are we told to focus on our strengths? There are, in fact, countless tools that help us identify and live from them. While I do not disagree with the strategy, focusing only on our strengths masks the reality of our lives. You see, we are all born into a fallen world, subject to sin.  Relative to God, we are weak.  Hebrews 5:2 says that we are “beset with weakness.” The risk, therefore, in living from our strengths is that we become fully reliant on our flesh. The results of which are well documented in the Bible.

  • Self-Glory
  • Admiration of others
  • Subject to error
  • Subject to death

Contrast living from our strengths with embracing our weakness.  Jesus, for example, chose the latter.  Rather than embracing achievement and soliciting the praises of man, he embraced his weakness.  We find the evidence in his prayers.  He “offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him” (Hebrews 5:7). The result? God heard him “because of his reverence” (v7).  God, therefore, bestowed upon Jesus perfection.  In perfection, Jesus would no longer be subject to error or death.

Jesus submission to God was so perfect, that he also became our eternal source of salvation. He is the ultimate proof that weakness is not something to run from. Instead, we are to offer our weakness to God “with prayers, supplications, and with loud cries to him who is able to save us.” Just as God honored Jesus reverence, Jesus showers our weakness with grace.  Not just any grace, but a grace that is so powerful that it conquers death.

Enter into His rest

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. – Hebrews 4:9-11

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:13-15

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:14-18

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4

Suggestions for prayer: Ask the LORD to help you not to want, to go last, to let your desires go. Ask the LORD to make His will your will, on earth as it is in heaven.

For further study: Make an exercise of Psalm 23:1. Study your response of resting from self and the peace of following Christ. Go an entire day without wanting. Do not want food or drink, let go of taking hold and positioning to have anything of this world. Instead let the LORD provide what you need. Be patient and meek, succeeding your will to others. First go an entire day. Then go another. Let God lead you and go in peace. 

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 22; Hebrews 4; Joel 1; Psalms 140–141