Daily Devotion

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January 27
Mercy for You and Me
Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 16–18
• Matthew 18:1–20

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.

Psalm 103:9
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 103:8–12
One of consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was the docking of cruise ships and the quarantining of passengers. The Wall Street Journal featured an article that included interviews of some of the tourists. Commenting about how being quarantined provided more opportunities for conversations, one passenger joked how his spouse—who possessed an excellent memory—was able to bring up every transgression he ever had and sensed she wasn’t done yet!
Accounts like this might make us smile, remind us of our humanness, and serve to caution us if we’re prone to hold too tightly to the things we should release. Yet what helps us to be kindly disposed to those who hurt us? Glimpses of our great God, as He’s portrayed in passages like Psalm 103:8–12.
The Message’s rendering of verses 8–10 is noteworthy: “God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.” Asking for God’s help as we prayerfully read Scripture can cause us to have second thoughts about ill-conceived payback or plans to punish. And it can prompt prayers for ourselves and for those we may be tempted to harm by withholding grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
By: Arthur Jackson
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Reflect & Pray
Who have you been tempted to harm because of the hurt they’ve caused you? Who can you ask to pray for you?
God of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, please help me to extend grace and mercy to those who’ve caused me pain.

 

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January 30
Running on Empty
Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 23–24
• Matthew 20:1–16

They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Isaiah 40:28–31
“I just don’t think I can do this anymore,” my friend said through her tears as she discussed the overwhelming sense of hopelessness she faced as a nurse in a global health crisis. “I know that God has called me to nursing, but I’m overwhelmed and emotionally drained,” she confessed. Seeing that a cloud of exhaustion had come over her, I responded, “I know you feel helpless right now, but ask God to give you the direction you’re seeking and the strength to persevere.” At that moment, she decided to intentionally seek God through prayer. Soon after, my friend was invigorated with a new sense of purpose. Not only was she emboldened to continue nursing, but God also gave her the strength to serve even more people by traveling to hospitals around the country.
As believers in Jesus, we can always look to God for help and encouragement when we feel overburdened because “He will not grow tired or weary” (Isaiah 40:28). The prophet Isaiah states that our Father in heaven “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (v. 29). Though God’s strength is everlasting, He knows that we’ll inevitably have days when we’re physically and emotionally consumed (v. 30). But when we look to God for our strength instead of trying to sprint through life’s challenges alone, He’ll restore and renew us and give us the resolve to press on in faith.
By: Kimya Loder
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Reflect & Pray
When have you tried to handle overwhelming situations alone? How might you look to God for help?
Dear God, thank You for helping me when the challenges of life seem unbearable.
For further study, read Why Doesn’t God Answer Me? Trusting in Times of Doubt and Trial.

 

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PRAYING FOR A CHILD
January 30, 2023
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.” – Genesis 21:1-3
One of the most difficult and emotionally painful things that couples deal with, especially for women, is the inability to have a child.

If this describes your situation, you should take special interest in the stories of the first ladies of the faith – Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel.

Sarah was ninety years old when God fulfilled His promise, and she supernaturally conceived Isaac.

Rebekah did not give birth to her twins until she had been married for twenty years.

Rachael struggled for years to have a child, while her older sister, Leah, had many.

I hope many of you struggling with infertility can find tremendous hope in these stories. Undoubtedly, you have a great point of identification with the first ladies of the faith. Their struggle is your struggle. Your struggle is their struggle. And note that when they were finally able to have a child, they had a greater appreciation for God’s blessing in their life.

It’s also so important to notice how, for each of these women, prayer was central. It was specifically answered prayer when God brought about life in the barren wombs of these women. And listen up, husbands, pay attention to the active role that these husbands played in praying for God’s help in giving them a child.

Regardless of the medical treatment you may seek or whatever home remedies you might try, don’t forget the most important thing: to pray and to seek God’s will. If He blesses you with a child, remember that God is the Giver of life. Perhaps God will give you clarity about giving a godly home to a child in need of parents through adoption. If He doesn’t, know that He has a better plan for your life and He will give you the strength to find out what that is,

Whatever happens, God is the Giver of all life – He gave you life – and He wants all our lives to be fulfilled according to His purpose.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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February 1
Blessing in the Tears
Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 27–28
• Matthew 21:1–22

Blessed are those who mourn.

Matthew 5:4
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Matthew 5:1–12
I received an email from a young man in England, a son who explained that his father (only sixty-three) was in the hospital in critical condition, hanging on to life. Though we’d never met, his dad’s work and mine shared many intersections. The son, trying to cheer his father, asked me to send a video message of encouragement and prayer. Deeply moved, I recorded a short message and a prayer for healing. I was told that his dad watched the video and gave a hearty thumbs-up. Sadly, a couple days later, I received another email telling me that he had died. He held his wife’s hand as he took his final breath.
My heart broke. Such love, such devastation. The family lost a husband and father far too soon. Yet it’s surprising to hear Jesus insist that it’s precisely these grieving ones who are blessed: “Blessed are those who mourn,” Jesus says (Matthew 5:4). Jesus isn’t saying suffering and sorrow are good, but rather that God’s mercy and kindness pour over those who need it most. Those overcome by grief due to death or even their own sinfulness are most in need of God’s attention and consolation—and Jesus promises us “they will be comforted” (v. 4).
God steps toward us, His loved children (v. 9). He blesses us in our tears.
By: Winn Collier
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Reflect & Pray
What places do you encounter sorrow in your story and in others’ stories? How does Jesus’ promise of blessing alter how you view this grief?
Dear God, when I’m awash in grief and sorrow, please help me to experience Your blessing even in the tears.
Learn more about coping with loss.

 

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February 2
Like Our Great Teacher
Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 29–30
• Matthew 21:23–46

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Luke 6:40
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Luke 6:37–42
In a viral video, a three-year-old white belt karate student imitated her instructor. With passion and conviction the little girl said the student creed with her leader. Then, with poise and attentiveness, the little ball of cuteness and energy imitated everything her teacher said and did—at least she did a pretty good job!
Jesus once said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40). He told His disciples that to imitate Him included being generous, loving, nonjudgmental (vv. 37–38), and discerning about whom they followed: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (v. 39). His disciples needed to discern that this standard disqualified the Pharisees who were blind guides—leading people to disaster (Matthew 15:14). And they needed to grasp the importance of following their Teacher. Thus, the aim of Christ’s disciples was to become like Jesus Himself. So it was important for them to pay careful attention to Christ’s instruction about generosity and love and apply it.
As believers striving to imitate Jesus today, let’s give our lives over to our Master Teacher so we can become like Him in knowledge, wisdom, and behavior. He alone can help us reflect His generous, loving ways.
By: Marvin Williams
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Reflect & Pray
What parts of Jesus’ life are you seeking to imitate these days? When is it most difficult for you to imitate Christ, the Master Teacher?
Jesus, my Great Teacher, help my discipline and attentiveness to be worthy of You!

 

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February 3
We Are Strangers
Bible in a Year:

• Exodus 31–33
• Matthew 22:1–22

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.

Leviticus 19:34
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Leviticus 19:32–37
Everything felt drastically different in their new country—new language, schools, customs, traffic, and weather. They wondered how they would ever adjust. People from a nearby church gathered around them to help them in their new life in a new land. Patti took the couple shopping at a local food market to show them what’s available and how to purchase items. As they wandered around the market, their eyes widened and they smiled broadly when they saw their favorite fruit from their homeland—pomegranates. They bought one for each of their children and even placed one in Patti’s hands in gratefulness. The small fruit and new friends brought big comfort in their strange, new land.
God, through Moses, gave a list of laws for His people, which included a command to treat foreigners among them “as your native-born” (Leviticus 19:34). “Love them as yourself,” God further commanded. Jesus called this the second greatest commandment after loving God (Matthew 22:39). For even God “watches over the foreigner” (Psalm 146:9).
Besides obeying God as we help new friends adapt to life in our country, we may be reminded that we too in a real sense are “strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13). And we’ll grow in our anticipation of the new heavenly land to come.
By: Anne Cetas
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Reflect & Pray
Who might God want you to look after? In what ways has He gifted you to spread His love to others?
Compassionate God, I understand a little what it feels like to be a stranger in this world. Lead me to be an encourager of other foreigners and strangers.
For further study, read Walk with Me: Travelling with Jesus and Others on Life’s Road.

 

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THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE BIBLE
February 06, 2023
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’re new to Bible study, it’s hard to know where to begin.

In my opinion, it’s best not to begin at the beginning, but in the middle, with the story of Jesus.

Oftentimes, I will suggest people start with the book of John. All of the Old Testament points to Jesus, so we can’t really understand the Old Testament until we first understand Jesus.

Now, this is where things can get a little confusing.

Even though Jesus initiated the New Covenant (New Testament) when He was observing the Lord’s Supper the night before His crucifixion, the Old Covenant (Old Testament)- all 39 books- points to Him. When you read the Old Covenant, think B.C. – Before Christ.

The first five books are called the Torah (books of Mosaic Law and the origin of man and Israel.)

The next twelve are called Historical books, telling about the history of ancient Israel.

After that, you come to five books called Poetry – books like Job, Psalms, and Proverbs.

Then you come to the 17 Prophets of the Old Covenant.

But with the New Covenant – think A.C. – After Christ. It introduces the life of Jesus in the four gospels and the beginning of the church in Acts. Then come tons of letters to early churches on what we believe as Christians and how we should live. And it ends with Revelation and the events around Jesus’ second coming and the end of this age.

It’s an incredible story – God’s redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ. But here’s the key to understanding the depth and magnitude of this incredible story: start with Jesus and ask God to reveal the rest.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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THE DARKNESS OF DEPRESSION
February 07, 2023
“O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry before you…The darkness is my closest friend.” Psalm 88:1,18
Let me begin by peeling back the curtain and giving you a glimpse behind the scenes of my life.

I struggle with depression. Sometimes, it lasts a few hours. Other times, it lingers for several days or weeks.

When the shadows creep in, and the darkness threatens to overtake my mind, I turn to one of the bleakest chapters in the Bible, Psalm 88. It might sound odd to find encouragement in a psalm that, on the surface, seems so discouraging.

But think about this:

In His infinite wisdom, the Lord included this psalm in His Word, demonstrating His deep love and concern for the depressed.

And in the poetic verses of Psalm 88, we’re reassured that there’s at least one person who knows how we feel: the author, Heman the Ezrahite.

Heman was a man of deep faith and wisdom (1 Kings 4:31). He led worship in the house of God (1 Chronicles 6:33). In other words, this guy was no spiritual slouch.

Yet, he finds himself in the pit of depression. Heman’s troubles have piled up like bricks, building a wall of despair around him (verse 3). His world has become as dark as the gloomiest dungeon. And the Lord? Well, it seems that He’s nowhere to be found.

Have you ever felt this way?

It’s been said that the Psalms show us what it looks like to praise in “the presence and absence of God.” At a time when it feels like God is distant and unresponsive (verse 14), Heman composes a worship song. While it’s not a cheerful song of worship, it’s a worship song, nonetheless. Each of the psalm’s eighteen verses is aimed at the “God who saves” (verse 1) and reminds us that the Lord is big enough to handle our raw, heartfelt cries.

Yet, when we’re depressed, it feels as if the Lord doesn’t hear our desperate pleas. Thankfully, Psalm 88 affirms that this is just not a reality.

Ligon Duncan explains, “Imagine being able to speak to Heman the Ezrahite and telling him that his lament is part of Scripture, preserved for thousands of years in God’s Word so that other followers of the Lord might know how to bare their soul to God. What might Heman realize? He would realize that the Lord did hear him! The Lord not only heard these words, but He also inspired them so that other Christians might sing them in the coming ages to express their own sorrow to God.”

Though it might appear to the contrary, the Lord does indeed hear our songs in the darkest night. His deliverance, however, might not come exactly when or how we’d like, but it always comes.

Until His light breaks through, we must follow Heman’s example. Notice he did not allow depression to drive him away from the Lord, but towards Him.

Author Randy Alcorn counsels, “Don’t wait till the depression passes to seek God. He’s not waiting for you to come out of it before walking with you, but He’s eager to walk with you in the midst of it.”

Remember, we have a far better picture of the God who walks with us than Heman ever did, for we live on the other side of the old, rugged cross and empty tomb.

Jesus, the full manifestation of the “God who saves” (verse 1), has promised to “never leave us, nor forsake us” and to walk with us through “the valley of the shadow of death” (Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 23:4).

The One who overcame the darkness of Gethsemane and Golgotha has met me in my depression.

I pray that He will meet you too.

 

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February 9
Seeing Jesus
Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 6–7
• Matthew 25:1–30

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

John 14:9
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
John 14:1–11
At four months old, Leo had never seen his parents. He’d been born with a rare condition that left his vision blurred. For him, it was like living in dense fog. But then eye doctors fit him with a special set of glasses.
Leo’s father posted the video of Mom placing the new glasses over his eyes for the first time. We watch as Leo’s eyes slowly focus. A smile spreads wide across his face as he truly sees his mom for the first time. Priceless. In that moment, little Leo could see clearly.
John reports a conversation Jesus had with His disciples. Philip asked Him, “Show us the Father” (John 14:8). Even after all this time together, Jesus’ disciples couldn’t recognize who was right in front of them. He replied, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” (v. 10). Earlier Jesus had said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (v. 6). This is the sixth of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements. He’s telling us to look through these “I am” lenses and see who He truly is—God Himself.
We’re a lot like the disciples. In difficult times, we struggle and develop blurred vision. We fail to focus on what God has done and can do. When little Leo put on the special glasses, he could see his parents clearly. Perhaps we need to put on our God-glasses so we can clearly see who Jesus really is.
By: Kenneth Petersen
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Reflect & Pray
What are some ways in which your vision of Jesus may have become cloudy? How can you look to Him again with clear vision?
Jesus, please help me turn my eyes on You. Show me clearly Your path for me.

 

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WOULD YOU FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP JESUS?
February 09, 2023
The Bible tells us that Jesus had been beckoned by one of the synagogue leaders to come and heal his sick child.

While He was on his way, a woman in the crowd, who had been suffering from bleeding for 12 years, touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Jesus turned around, and asked, “Who touched Me?” The woman fell down to the ground in worship and thankfulness, because she knew that Jesus had healed her.

When the wise men first laid eyes upon Jesus as a child, they fell down and worshiped Him.

And do you recall the lepers, others that were sick, and the beggars? They all fell down before Jesus and worshiped Him.

Why?

Because they all recognized His authority and His sovereignty.

The list continues: Peter couldn’t catch any fish until Jesus showed up. Then what did he do? He fell down and worshiped Jesus. And my favorite: Thomas, one of the disciples, who upon learning that Jesus had risen from the dead, vowed, “I’ll not believe it until I touch the nail wounds in His hands.” And Jesus did appear before Thomas saying to him, “Come here and put your hand in my wound.” An awed Thomas recognized Jesus that day saying, “My Lord and my God!”

In the same way, our Heavenly Father wants us to recognize Jesus for who He is – even today. Although we might not always do this physically, God wants our hearts, minds, and souls to fall down and worship Jesus.

If you have not yet accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ, I pray that this is the day your eyes and heart will be opened and like those who came before saw Jesus for who He was, you too will fall down to worship Jesus as you commit your life to Him!

Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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February 13
When Hard Pressed
Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 14
• Matthew 26:51–75

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.

Psalm 118:6
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 118:5–14
Many years ago, a friend told me how intimidated she was while trying to cross a street where several roads intersected. “I’d never seen anything like this; the rules I’d been taught for crossing the street seemed ineffective. I was so frightened that I’d stand on the corner, wait for the bus, and ask the bus driver if he’d please allow me to ride to the other side of the street. It would take a long time before I successfully learned to navigate this intersection both as a pedestrian and later as a driver.”
As complicated as a dangerous traffic intersection can be, navigating life’s complexities can be even more menacing. Although the psalmist’s specific situation in Psalm 118 is uncertain, we know it was difficult and just right for prayer: “When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord” (v. 5), the psalmist exclaimed. And his confidence in God was unmistakable: “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. . . . The Lord is with me; he is my helper” (vv. 6–7).
It’s not unusual to be fearful when we need to change jobs or schools or housing. Anxieties arise when health declines, relationships change, or dollars disappear. But these challenges needn’t be interpreted as abandonment by God. When hard pressed, may we find ourselves prayerfully pressing into His presence.
By: Arthur Jackson
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Reflect & Pray
What difficulty has brought you closer to God? With whom can you share your experience of His gracious help?
Gracious Father, please help me to trust You when I’m hard pressed.

 

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TWO TRUTHS ABOUT AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS
February 13, 2023
“…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b
There are mornings when you wake up, and it doesn’t feel like the sun will ever rise again.

And even when it does, it feels like it shouldn’t. That’s because everything has changed for you – the job was over, the relationship had ended, or the phone call had come; the diagnosis had been confirmed. Your life, as you knew it, had been turned upside down, and yet…the world just keeps moving around you, and it’s hard to believe that your personal world has been overturned, yet everything else is pretty much the same.

But the sun still comes up, just like it does every day.

Perhaps that was what Mary felt like, as recorded in John 20 when she went to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning. Everything she thought she knew had been upended over the past couple of days, yet there was the sun, coming up again as if nothing had happened.

Yet something had happened. The stone had been moved. The tomb was empty. And Mary was overcome with grief.

As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him” (John 20:11-15).

It was Jesus.

In the midst of her pain, darkness, and confusion – Jesus was there.

And in reflecting upon this encounter with Jesus, there are at least two things we can learn about our own encounters with the Lord:

1. Encounters with Jesus often come when we aren’t looking for them.

How could Mary not have recognized Jesus? The simplest answer is that she wasn’t looking for Him. Not there. Not in the midst of sorrow and grief. Not right in the place where everything seemed to be going so terribly wrong. And yet there He was.

Surely we would never encounter Jesus in the midst of an ordinary day. Yet those are precisely the times when we meet with Jesus. He is not restricted to the spectacular; indeed, Jesus has always made it His pattern to come to us in the most ordinary way imaginable. We would do well to recognize that every moment of every day is an opportunity to experience the presence and see the work of Jesus Christ.

2. We often don’t recognize the presence of Jesus until later.

At that moment, Mary was confused. Grief-stricken. Sorrowful. And it was not until later – granted, not much later – but certainly not at first – that she recognized Jesus. And so it is with us.

During days of pain and difficulty, we are prone to throw up our hands and ask the Lord where He is and what He is doing. And yet He is there. We don’t recognize Him, but He is there. It is only often, with the benefit of time and reflection, that we are able to recognize an encounter with Jesus. Often, it’s only after the fact that we can see that He was right there with us, and not just with us but right in the middle of what was happening at the moment.

So it was with Mary, and so it is with us. Let us be patient during seasons of sorrow, knowing that with the benefit of time, we will be able to look back and see that Jesus was always there, working for our good.


Written by Michael Kelley, Guest Contributor

 

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February 15
Juror Number 8
Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 17–18
• Matthew 27:27–50

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.

Exodus 23:2
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Exodus 23:1–9
“One man is dead. Another man’s life is at stake,” says the judge somberly in the classic 1957 film 12 Angry Men. The evidence against the young suspect appears overwhelming. But during deliberations, it’s the brokenness of the jury that’s exposed. One of the twelve—juror number 8—votes “not guilty.” A heated debate ensues, in which the lone juror is mocked as he points out discrepancies in the testimony. Emotions escalate, and the jury members’ own murderous and prejudicial tendencies come to light. One by one, the jurors switch their votes to not guilty.
When God gave His instructions to the new nation of Israel, He insisted on honest courage. “When you give testimony in a lawsuit,” God said, “do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd” (Exodus 23:2). Interestingly, the court was neither to “show favoritism to a poor person” (v. 3) nor to “deny justice to your poor people” (v. 6). God, the righteous judge, desires our integrity in all our proceedings.
In 12 Angry Men, the second juror to vote “not guilty” said of the first, “It’s not easy to stand alone against the ridicule of others.” Yet that’s what God requires. Juror number 8 saw the real evidence, as well as the humanity of the individual on trial. With the gentle guidance of His Holy Spirit, we too can stand for God’s truth and speak for the powerless.
By: Tim Gustafson
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Reflect & Pray
What tempts you to go along with the crowd? Where is God calling you to stand for truth and justice?
Father, help us show Your love to the world as we stand for Your truth.

 

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CHANGE THE QUESTION!
February 15, 2023
“While Jesus was walking, He saw a man who had been blind since the time he was born. Jesus’ followers ask Him, ‘Teacher, why was this man born blind? Whose sin made it happen? Was it his own sin or that of his parents?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not any sin of this man or his parents that caused him to be blind. He was born blind so that he could be used to show what great things God can do.’” John 9: 1-3
Have you ever heard the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

If we’re honest, most of us have wrestled with this question, and it just doesn’t seem fair.

The disciples wondered the same thing. They knew that so much of the suffering and evil in this world is related to mankind’s decision to walk away from God – also known as original sin. From that moment on, sin entered the world, and we’ve been experiencing the consequences ever since: war, racism, hatred, jealousy, violence, injustice, etc.

So when the disciples came upon a beggar who was blind from birth, they assumed that someone’s sin must be to blame.

Sadly, like many of us today, the disciples had the wrong question. They were so focused on answering the question of WHY that they missed what Jesus saw – an opportunity. Rather than identifying who or what was to blame, Jesus saw an opportunity for God to move miraculously in the life of this man. It was an opportunity for God to reveal Himself by bringing good from a tough situation. It was an opportunity for God to be glorified.

If you continue to read the Apostle John’s account of this exchange in chapter 9, you’ll see that this was one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. Jesus healed this man not only physically but also spiritually. Talk about a life transformed! Where the disciples saw a theological case study, Jesus saw a man hurting and an opportunity for God to be glorified.

We, too, have the tendency to focus on the wrong question in times of suffering. The next time you’re tempted to ask, “WHY?” change the question. Look for the opportunity by asking, “HOW?”

How can we minister, encourage, and care in order to bring good out of a difficult situation – all the while displaying the transformative love of Christ?


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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HOW CAN GOOD COME FROM BAD?
February 16, 2023
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away… Do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it only leads to evil.” Psalm 37:1-2, 7b-8
Yesterday we saw that God has the power to use any situation for His glory and for good.

When bad things happen, it’s not the “WHY?” question that should consume our thoughts, but the “HOW?”

How can God be glorified in this situation?

How can I encourage, support, and help others while displaying the love of Christ?

How can we seek to bring good out of a bad situation?

This perspective shift is helpful in reminding us of God’s sovereignty and power, but it leaves unanswered a follow-up question. Why doesn’t God just do something to stop (the layoff, the heartbreak, the loss of a loved one, the injustice…etc.) in the first place?

God’s response to all these frustrations, as written by King David in the Psalms, is simply, “Don’t worry.”

This seems almost patronizing in its simplicity: “Don’t worry.” How can God say, “Don’t worry” about all the evil people in the world who always seem to come out on the winning side? These are the people who seem to avoid any kind of consequences for their actions; they take advantage of others and still manage to make it to the top. And all God says is, “Don’t worry about it?”

Why would God say that?

The Word of God reminds us in this Psalm that EVERY person will one day answer to God for their actions. So those who APPEAR to get away with corruption, abuse of power, and all kinds of evil in this life will face God’s judgment in the end. Meanwhile, we must surrender our anger and frustrations to God.

This requires REAL faith.

You see, real faith is not just revealed when life is easy but, most of all when it’s hard. Real faith is trusting that God will remain in control even when tragedy strikes, evil attacks, and suffering occurs. It’s about choosing to trust God for WHO He is and WHAT He’s done, even in pain and heartache.

Are you willing to focus on the question, “HOW to bring good” versus “WHY does God allow it”?


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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February 20
What’s Truly Needed
Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 26–27
• Mark 2

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.

Mark 7:8
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Mark 7:8–13
While preparing a meal, a young mother cut a pot roast in half before she put it in a large pot. Her husband asked her why she cut the meat in half. She replied, “Because that’s the way my mother does it.”
Her husband’s question, however, piqued the woman’s curiosity. So she asked her mother about the tradition. She was shocked to learn that her mother cut the meat so it would fit in the one small pot she used. And because her daughter had many large pots, the act of cutting the meat was unnecessary.
Many traditions begin out of a necessity but are carried on without question—becoming “the way we do it.” It’s natural to want to hold on to human traditions—something the Pharisees were doing in their day (Mark 7:1–2). They were distracted by what seemed like the breaking of one of their religious rules.
As Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (v. 8). He revealed that traditions should never replace the wisdom of Scripture. A genuine desire to follow God (vv. 6–7) will focus on the attitude of our heart rather than outward actions.
It’s a good idea to consistently evaluate traditions—anything we hold close to our heart and follow religiously. The things that God has revealed to be truly needed should always supersede traditions.
By: Katara Patton
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Reflect & Pray
What are some of the traditions you hold fast to? How do they line up with what’s revealed in Scripture?
Heavenly Father, help me to follow Your commands and to forgo any tradition that conflicts with the Scriptures.

 

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February 21
Protect Your Heart
Bible in a Year:

• Numbers 1–3
• Mark 3

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Proverbs 4:20–27
Hungarian-born mathematician Abraham Wald lent his skills to the World War II efforts after coming to the United States in 1938. The military was looking for ways to protect its aircraft from enemy fire, so Wald and his colleagues at the Statistical Research Group were asked to figure out how to better protect military aircraft to defend against enemy fire. They began by examining returning aircraft to see where they were most damaged. But Wald is credited with the keen insight that damage on returning aircraft represented only where a plane could be hit and still survive. He realized that areas most in need of additional armor would be found on planes that had crashed. Planes hit in the most vulnerable part—the engine—had gone down and therefore couldn’t be examined.
Solomon teaches us about protecting our most vulnerable part—our heart. He instructs his son to “guard [his] heart” because from it everything else flows (Proverbs 4:23). God’s instructions guide us through life, steering us away from poor decisions and teaching us where to focus our attention.
If we armor our heart by heeding His instructions, we’ll better “keep [our feet] from evil” and remain steadfast on our journey with God (v. 27). We venture into enemy territory every day, but with His wisdom guarding our hearts, we can stay focused on our mission to live well for God’s glory.
By: Kirsten Holmberg
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Reflect & Pray
What is your heart most vulnerable to right now? How can God’s wisdom protect you?
God, please protect my heart from the threats against it. I hide myself in You.

 

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EVEN WHEN FEARS RUSH IN – GOD IS STILL GOOD
February 21, 2023
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
Why is it that as circumstances worsen, our faith often falters?

Rather than believing that God remains in control – no matter how good or bad things appear – we let life’s challenges slowly overshadow our faith in God. Eventually, fear can replace our faith entirely. When life changes overnight, our faith can be shaken … but it doesn’t have to crumble.

Peter understood this. In fact, Peter lived this.

For three years, Peter followed Jesus as one of His inner circle – one of the 12 disciples. When it came to Jesus’ earthly ministry, Peter saw it all: miraculous healings, powerful teaching, and provocative statements. Like most of Jesus’ followers, Peter assumed that Jesus would redeem the children of Israel as the long-awaited King of the Jews. So, you can imagine his shock when Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. This wasn’t how the story was supposed to go – at least not according to Peter. Talk about a huge gap between expectations and current circumstances.

After Jesus’ arrest, the disciples were so overcome by fear that they fled (Mark 14:50). How could things have gotten so far off course? Things were so bad that even Peter, called the “rock” by Jesus (Mark 3:16), crumbled – as three times he denied any association with Him (Matthew 26: 69-75).

When life’s circumstances didn’t live up to expectations, Jesus’ closest followers lost hope and gave in to fear. Yet, the story wasn’t over. Not only did Jesus overcome death on the cross through His resurrection, but He cared enough to redeem His relationship with Peter (John 21:15-17) specifically.

The lesson for us in Peter’s story is that life’s circumstances do not determine God’s goodness. Even when hope seems lost and fears rush in, our faith need not falter. Why? Because even when the story appears over, God has other plans.

Has your faith been shaken? May the story of God’s ultimate victory fill you anew with the hope that God is still good no matter life’s circumstances.

He is trustworthy because Jesus has risen. And that, my friends, makes all the difference!


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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ONE MOMENT, ONE ACTION CAN COST YOU EVERYTHING
February 22, 2023
“One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand… When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled.” Exodus 2: 11-12, 15a

What would you do if you lost it all?

Suddenly, your social status, career, friends, family, and influence vanished. From celebrity stardom, business success, or political acumen, stories of sin exposed and the ugly fall from greatness are far too common – think Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby, to name a couple.

It’s a scenario that Moses understood, as well. Growing up as an adopted prince in Pharaoh’s household for 40 years, Moses had it all – only to lose it overnight thanks to one impulsive, sinful mistake.

Despite his privileges, Moses was aware of his Hebrew heritage. So, when he came upon an Egyptian physically abusive towards a Hebrew, Moses lost it and killed the abuser.

Witnessing such an injustice, Moses’ indignation and anger were justified – but he went about it the wrong way. It’s a classic example of how seeking to do the right thing in the wrong way is always wrong.

We live in a culture where pragmatism is king – as long as you get the results you wanted, it doesn’t really matter how you got there. But God wants us to recognize that morality always matters to Him, even when fighting injustice.

Moses’ gut-level response at that moment cost him 40 years in the wilderness. One moment, one action, and he lost everything.

But God can turn even the worst of circumstances into good.

God used those 40 wilderness years to prepare Moses for greatness and proved, once again, that God can redeem even our biggest failures – if we’ll let Him. From 80 to age 120, Moses proved to be a great reminder of that!


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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February 27
Seeing a Need
Bible in a Year:

• Numbers 17–19
• Mark 6:30–56

All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made.

Acts 9:39
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Acts 9:36–42
In the last few days of my dad’s life, one of the nurses dropped by his room and asked me if she could give him a shave. As Rachel gently pulled the razor across his face, she explained, “Older men of his generation like to have a neat shave every day.” Rachel had seen a need and acted on her instinct to show kindness, dignity, and respect to someone. The tender care she provided reminded me of my friend Julie who still paints her elderly mother’s nails because it’s important to her mom that she “look pretty.”
Acts 9 tells us about a disciple named Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) who showed kindness by providing handmade clothing for the poor (vv. 36, 39). When she died, her room was filled with friends who tearfully mourned this kind woman who loved helping others.
But Dorcas’ story didn’t end there. When Peter was brought to where her body lay, he knelt and prayed. In God’s power, he called her by name, saying, “Tabitha, get up” (v. 40). Amazingly, Dorcas opened her eyes and rose to her feet. When her friends realized she was alive, word spread quickly through the town and “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42).
And how did Dorcas spend the next day of her life? Probably exactly as she had before—seeing the needs of people and filling them.
By: Cindy Hess Kasper
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Reflect & Pray
Whom do you know that always seems to find ways to help others? What can you do to become more aware of others’ needs?
Father, open my eyes each day to see the hurting and needy people around me. Open my heart to do what I can to show them what God’s love looks like.