Monday: Scripture: Exodus 20:2-4, 22-24 & 32:1-35
So God gives the people of Israel the “top 10 list” of ways to be faithful. Sweet! But then a few chapters later they forget all about what God has been up to. They make idols and lose focus. Throughout this reading we realize that idols have real power over us. So what are your idols, the things that keep sucking you back into a lifestyle that you don’t want? When do they most trip you up?
Tuesday: Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:12-15; 2 Kings 17:24-41; Matthew 6:19-24
We are a short-sighted people. In a world where the most cutting edge technology has a lifespan of about 18 months having to wait for God’s timing seems unbearable. Yet we are called to know that the good things we are called to here on Earth may not produce immediate reward. Jesus reminds us to store our treasure in heaven. What are the pressures of short-term thinking in your life? Do you really want the shiny new car more than you want to invest in the Kingdom of God through FaithPoint or some other organization? What treasures in heaven could you be pursuing right now?
Wednesday: Scripture: Psalm 135:15-18
Many times it feels like we have to unlearn what we know so learn how God sees the world. Like Neo has to relearn how he sees the world in the movie The Matrix. Have you ever found yourself caught between the disparity of what you say with your words and what you do with your actions? How does it feel to know that you are not where you would like to be in your life? How might you make goals to step closer to where you want to be today?
Thursday: Scripture: Daniel 2:24-28, 3:7-30
Today’s scripture takes us to one of the most remarkable parts of our Bible. Three guys were tossed into the fire and came out unscathed. Could you imagine being the person who had to tell the king that the fire didn’t work like they planned? What an uncomfortable conversation. What an uncomfortable truth, that the God of Israel pulled through. But it was this truth that knocked the King off kilter and allowed him to see the world differently, to see it from the perspective of the men who were once his enemies. What was once a vial thing was now holy for King Nebuchadnezzar. What would your life look like if you resisted the idols in your life and labeled them as such without condemning those who disagree with you?
Friday: Scripture: Matthew 8:21-22
Here Jesus’ words seem harsh but they are really a warning about making excuses. There is always a good reason for putting off taking the risk of giving more to God. We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do. No one would blame you for playing it safe. But we have to ask: When will all of the complications in our lives be worked out? When will we be financially secure enough? When will we have enough time? The truth is that we won’t, and we need to make some hard choices.
Saturday: Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:12-15, 2 Kings 17:24-41, Matthew 6:19-24
I am… that is the name that God gave to Moses when asked. “I am the LORD your God…” God is God and there is nothing that can change that besides God’s self. Perhaps this should be the first commandment, “I am the LORD your God.” How are you placing God first in your life?