In the Daily Devotions section you can choose to either go through the prepared daily devotionals or to read through the Bible in a year. It's up to you. We recommend that you print off the page in order to go through the daily devotionals if you choose to use them.
Daily Devotions for MAY 7 – MAY 13
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 8:28a
MONDAY
DANIEL 3:4-30
SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO
These young men were in captivity far from home. It must have been very difficult to continue to serve the God who had allowed that to happen, especially in the face of almost certain death. They, however, trusted God to save them and vowed to be loyal to Him even if He did not. God used their defiance of the king to declare Himself to a pagan nation. Then He blessed His servants with promotions, though they remained captives.
TUESDAY
DANIEL 6
DANIEL
Daniel was blessed! He was handsome, intelligent, talented, able to interpret visions and dreams. Yet he must serve a foreign king in a distant land. Daniel did so with distinction and became a favorite of the king, but not to the detriment of His Lord. Decree or no decree, he prayed. He got thrown to the lions, but no harm came to him. King Darius ended up singing God’s praises! It surely was hard for Daniel to see how God was going to work it all out, but you and I can read this story now and see God’s hand in it every minute.
WEDNESDAY
ACTS 6:3-6, 8-15; 7:54-60
STEPHEN
Stephen was known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, so he was chosen to oversee the daily distributions of food. He not only did this, but he preached powerfully and did miraculous things. God’s hand was definitely on him, yet he ended up falsely accused and detained. Aren’t we tempted to ask why? Stephen didn’t. He took advantage of the opportunity to witness for Jesus. It cost him his life. He died like his Lord, asking God to forgive those who killed him.
THURSDAY
LUKE 19:1-10
ZACCHAEUS
Zacchaeus, “a wee little man” as the children’s song puts it, had found a way to compensate for his stature and get rich. He became a tax collector hated by his own people and only tolerated by the Romans. I think his riches were not easing the pain of rejection and it was more than curiosity that brought him out to see Jesus. Certainly Jesus saw a heart ready to repent. Speculate at how much good the restored money did for the people who received it and what an example Zacchaeus’ changed life must have been. . . a tool in God’s hands.
FRIDAY
JOHN 5:1-9
THE LAME MAN
Here is a man without hope. Lying by the pool too lame to help himself and believing he has no one, he has given up. What good is one so handicapped and despondent? Jesus saw a man who needed someone and He reached out to him. I can imagine the conversations of those who had walked by him for years and now saw him walking. It’s not hard to imagine that untold good came from the lame man’s story of the man who commanded him to take up his mat and walk.
SATURDAY
JOHN 9:1-25
THE MAN BORN BLIND
The apostles made an assumption that was common to Jews of that time: the man was born blind, so some sin was being punished. Jesus said the man’s blindness was so that God could be honored. The miracle of his restored sight did indeed give many the opportunity to see God’s power in Jesus and make a decision about Him. How God can use our weaknesses is not always this clear, but we have His promise that He will.
SUNDAY
LUKE 23:32-43
TWO THIEVES
The thieves who were each hung on a cross at either side of Jesus have served as a lesson in faith for generations. One chose to follow the example of the crowd and taunt Jesus. He died in his sin. The other demonstrated more faith than Jesus’ own disciples. They were lost in despair that the hope of the kingdom would die with Jesus. The thief asked to be remembered in the kingdom and was rewarded with a pardon from his King. Two different choices were made, but God used both for good.
PRAYER
We look at the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Zacchaeus, the healings of the blind and the lame, and the reactions of the thieves on the cross, and we see you at work for good in their lives. It’s easy for us looking back, knowing all the details, to acknowledge your presence, your power, and your goodness. But, oh, Lord it’s hard on a daily basis. When we’re not sure where you’re leading or how you want to use us, we begin to question if we’re really hearing from you. Help us not to let confusion lead to a lack of trust. Show us how to quiet ourselves and listen to your Spirit as He leads us into all truth. Help us to trust that you are bringing us through the trials with a purpose, a plan to prosper us. |
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