Throne of God
November 30, 2019 • Melissa Yeagle • Psalm 32:1–7, Hebrews 4:14–16, 1 John 1:9
Kalie walked down a long, dark hall that seemed to be going uphill, carrying a load so heavy that it made her back ache. She was out of breath and thinking about giving up when she finally reached the end of the hall. There, she found a room bathed in warm, bright light. It was almost like someone took the sun and stuffed it in a room. . She looked at the far end of the room and saw the Source of the light. The Source was so bright that she could not look directly into it, but with squinted eyes, she could make out a giant throne there. She felt tiny and unimportant in the room. . “Welcome, Kalie. I have been waiting for you,” a Voice boomed from the throne. . “You know my name?” Kalie asked shyly. . “Of course I do. I also know you were born March 19, 2005 and you have 104,506 hairs on your head,” the Voice answered. . Kalie suddenly felt uncomfortable. If He knew all of that, He surely knew all the things she had done wrong. . “Yes, Kalie. I know what you are thinking, and I know what you have done wrong. I also know you have asked for forgiveness. I love you so much, and I forgive you of your sins,” the Voice declared. . When she heard that, the heavy load Kalie had been carrying on her back suddenly disappeared and tears of joy streamed down her face. • Melissa Yeagle . • How can sin be a burden that weighs us down? How can Jesus relieve us of that burden? . • How does Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make it possible for us to be forgiven? (Learn more on our "Know Jesus" page) . • The throne of God seems intimidating, but through Jesus, we can approach it boldly. What do you need to bring before the throne in prayer today? . If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
The True Director
November 22, 2019 • Hope Bolinger • John 10:1–16, John 10:27–30, Psalm 86:11
As a shy stage manager for our high school’s production of "Tarzan," I did as I was told. And our assistant director told us to tape the side doors that opened into the aisles so the actors could sneak into the walkways during one scene. Apparently, the monkey costumes made clicking open a door just about impossible. . When I asked the assistant director how to tape the door, she shoved a roll of black electric tape into my hands and said, “Just do it so the actors can open the door without having to click the door handle.” . So, a fellow stage manager and I started taping down the door handle to the knob to make sure it stayed down. Sure, the door opened on its own like it was supposed to, but when the director found us mid-tape, his face harshened to a dark pink. . “What on earth are you doing?” His yell carried in the echoing backstage walls. . “T-taping down the door.” My tongue tripped on a quiver. . “Who told you to do that?” . By now, tears had started to brim. “The assistant director.” . He grabbed the tape out of my hands and jerked his hand to the door. “You’re not supposed to put this tape on metal. The door handle and knob may be stuck together permanently. I was planning to show you the right way to do this tomorrow.” He sighed. “From now on, listen to me, the director, before you make any major decisions.” . Later, it hit me. I often listen to “assistant directors” more than the Director of my life: Jesus. Just like the director in the play knew the right timing and placement of that tape, Jesus knows everything. Even if an assistant director tells me that a lie is the truth, I need to consult and trust the true Director and His Word, the Bible. • Hope Bolinger . • What are some assistant directors in your life that you tend to listen to instead of the Director? How does what they say they line up with what God says in His Word, the Bible? . • The director in today’s reading shared some important truth—but not in a loving way. How is God’s response different when we ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5)? . Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (NKJV)
Hold on to Hope
November 18, 2019 • Savannah Coleman • 1 Peter 1:3–9, 1 Peter 1:18–21, Psalm 71:14
I can be strong and encouraged because my hope is in Jesus (Psalm 31:24). He is my help and shield—I will wait on Him; I will rejoice in Him; I will trust in Him (Psalm 33:20-21). . Keep showing me Your faithful love, Jesus, because my hope is in You (Psalm 33:22). You are faithful, and You won’t leave me or abandon me (Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 57:10). . Sometimes it is hard to imagine how a painful situation can ever change for my good and Your glory. Help me to remember my hope in You, no matter how I feel. I know the truth, and this truth is that You are worthy of my hope. You are worthy of my praise (Psalm 18:3). Even when I am feeling discouraged about the circumstances around me, remind my heart of what You have done for me on the cross. You are my Savior and my God: my hope, forever (Psalm 42:11)! . Looking back on my life, I remember how I put my hope in You, and I recall Your faithfulness. There were times when I couldn’t understand the purpose of my pain and sorrow, but You worked out even those times for Your glory and my good (Romans 8:28). . Some days, I feel hope welling up within me, and other days, I feel so discouraged. During those times, cause me to remember Your goodness and faithfulness. I do have a living hope—a living Savior—no matter what my circumstances are (Job 19:25-26; 1 Peter 1:3). May I praise You through it all! You are a rock of refuge: I can always run to You (Psalm 71:3). • Savannah Coleman . • How does remembering what God has done for you in past seemingly hopeless situations help you hold on to hope even in the darkest of circumstances? . • What are some of the hope-filled promises that Jesus has given to His people (Romans 8; Ephesians 1:3-14; Revelation 21:1-5)? . • How can you remember these promises in difficult situations? . But I will hope continually and will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14 (CSB)
Healed by the God of Life (Part 2)
November 17, 2019 • Taylor Eising • Psalm 103:1–12, 1 Peter 5:10
Editor’s Note: Today’s reading addresses abortion. . When is the last time you were utterly broken by sin? The last time you felt so far away from God that the idea of prayer seemed laughable? The last time you felt so covered in sin that you were drowning in it? The last time you felt abandoned, alone, and unlovable? . We’ve all been there or will be there at some point. Maybe you are there right now. One of the many things that can bring us to this place of utter hopelessness is abortion. It feels like something has ended, like the door between us and God has been slammed shut, locked, and barricaded. Like we will never see Him again. . All sin does that. It builds an impenetrable wall between us and God. But Jesus gave His life to break down that wall of our well-earned despair, guilt, and shame. Because of His death and resurrection, that wall crumbles when it hears Him speak a single word. He pulls us to the other side, and He weeps with us over our sin. It breaks His heart, until we rely on His strength to repent and ask forgiveness. . Jesus loves us more than we will ever know. If we are recovering from an abortion (or any sin), He is walking this rough road with us. Jesus feels our pain, even when we feel like He is distant (Hebrews 4:14-16). He offers forgiveness to us (1 John 1:9–2:2). He is working to restore us. He has a plan for us. We are not alone. . Abortion isolates people in their shame, but Jesus reaches into that shame and isolation and draws us to Himself. Sin and death break us, but the God of Life will never stop healing us. • Taylor Eising . • When you feel far away from God, who are some Christians in your life you can talk to about it? . • When you ask God to forgive you, do you believe that He does? Why or why not? . In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)
God, Why Is There Suffering?
November 10, 2019 • Aurora Scriver • John 16:33, Psalm 44:23–26, Revelation 21:1–5
It’s a great question and worth thinking about. Let’s start with what we know about God and our world. . God is good and is working all things for His good purposes (Psalm 34:8; Romans 8:28). His timing is different from ours, but it is perfect (2 Peter 3:8-9). We are humans who are sinful, and God is God and free from sin. He can see things we can’t, so sometimes what He does can be confusing (Isaiah 55:8-9). . Illness, suffering, and death aren’t things God made. Our world was created good but was broken and twisted by sin and its effects (Genesis 1:31; Romans 8:18-23). Sin is doing anything in rebellion against God, who is the definition of good and the source of life. When sin entered the world, it brought illness, suffering, and death. . Because He loves us, suffering makes God sad too—so much that He came to die on the cross and come back to life so He could beat sin, suffering, and death. When Jesus’ friend Lazarus became sick and died, Jesus wept, even though He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the grave (John 11:1-44). Because He is human and came and lived with us, Jesus knows our hurts, and so we can bring our pain to Him (Hebrews 4:14-16). . One day, Jesus will return and make all things new, free from sin, suffering, and death (Revelation 21:1-5). Those who trust Him as their Savior from sin will live forever with Him on the new heavens and earth. Even now, Jesus is with us through it all (Matthew 28:20). . Because of all these truths, we can hold on to the promises of God in Christ, even as we experience pain. Talk to Jesus about your hurts. He cares, He understands, He is working, He is with you, and He has not forgotten you (Hebrews 13:5-8; 1 Peter 5:7). And He will one day end all suffering and brokenness at just the right time. • Aurora Scriver . • It’s okay if you still have questions! Who is a trusted Christian friend in your life you can talk with about this? • If you want to know more about Jesus and what it means to know Him as your Savior, find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. . I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NLT)
The Valley of Silence
November 8, 2019 • Sarah Rexford • Jeremiah 17:7–8, Psalm 136:16
Sometimes it’s easier to ask where God is than to consider what the silence really means. . There are so many stories in the Bible of God using people in major ways. Moses led thousands of people from slavery, Joseph saved his known world from starvation, not to mention Jesus Himself making a way to save the world—past, present, and future—from sin and death. . What we often ignore are the stories before the story. God took Moses to an actual wilderness before taking him before Pharaoh. Joseph went to the wilderness of slavery before leading Egypt from starvation. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days before starting His ministry, one that would make a way for salvation for humankind. . Often, Jesus takes us through a wilderness before using us. The key word there is through. He doesn’t just take us to the wilderness and leave us there. No, the wilderness is a training ground. And training grounds are meant for us to pass through, not to stay in. In His faithful timing, God will lead us not just to the wilderness but through it. . Wildernesses can feel like valleys of isolation and silence. But remember that even in the valley, the Holy Spirit is growing our roots into Christ (Romans 5:1-5; Colossians 2:6-7). . So, if God seems silent, draw in close to Him. Closeness with God requires dropping our walls and getting silent sometimes. It’s often in the silence that we hear God’s truth—the good news of Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Philippians 1:6). When we hear truth, we are trained in truth. And it’s only after we’ve been trained in truth that we can go out from the valley and onto the battlefield in confidence. . Psalm 32:7 says God surrounds us with “shouts of deliverance.” So, embrace the valley for the training ground it is, then go out and conquer as a member of Christ’s kingdom—God’s shouts of deliverance leading the way! • Sarah Rexford . • How has Jesus used valleys in your life to deepen your relationship with Him? . • We talked about how intimacy requires dropping our walls. What walls make it difficult for you personally to hear Jesus in your everyday life? . He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16 (CSB)