May 6 – Mark 6; Psalm 46

Mark 6:7

7Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

Mark 6:31

31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Psalm 46:10

10He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The power of rest

What is your mission in life? Many people get scared when asked that question, unsure what their mission is or even if they need one.

Don’t worry…even Jesus’ disciples had thoughts like that! But they had the advantage of Jesus clearly telling them what to do: “Calling the Twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” (Mark 6:7, NIV)

When the disciples came back a little later, excited about all they had experienced, the first thing Jesus said was “…’Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'” (Mark 6:31, NIV)

Couldn’t Jesus have just prayed, “Father in heaven, we still have so much to do—there are so many people who need our help. Please give us an extra dose of strength and take away our need to sleep…”? Yes, He absolutely could’ve prayed that! It would’ve been one way. But He chose a different way…

Maybe right now you’re in school, or perhaps you have a high-stress position that demands a lot of you. Maybe you’re taking care of small children at home who need you all the time, or perhaps you’re currently unemployed. I’m not sure what your job situation looks like right now, but whatever it may be, you need breaks!

As you rest, your all-powerful God can give you what others are striving hard to take by force and through their own strength.

Just as Jesus gave His disciples rest, He wants to give you rest, too. And in this quiet place, you may recognize His mission for your life.

“…’Be still and know that I am God…'” (Psalm 46:10, NIV). Take time to reflect on the fact that you are simply allowed to be.

You are a miracle!

We would like to thank Jesus.net for providing this plan.

May 5 – Matthew 22

Matthew 22:39

39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Do you take time for yourself?

It was a typical morning, and to be honest, I had a thousand new ideas for you on my heart and mind. I wanted to write new texts for A Miracle Every Day, but all my “to-dos” and the expectations of others weighing on me just wouldn’t let me rest.

I get constant requests to post something about a new book, song, or project or to quickly answer that urgent email. I understand…I’m also happy when others post about my new work or quickly respond to my emails!

BUT, everything we do for others shouldn’t mean we don’t pay attention to ourselves.

I can already hear the questions you may be having: “What does she mean? Surely I’m supposed to be selfless and love my neighbor, right?” (see Matthew 22:39) Yes, absolutely! But how much are you trying to do for others right now? Perhaps what you desperately need is some time doing some of those things for yourself.

Sometimes I may decide to quickly post something, even though I have a thousand other things to do. Or I may answer an email, even though it’s already 11 p.m. and I’m urgently needing sleep. We often do things like this so we won’t disappoint others. Can you relate?

Interestingly enough, sometimes we give our “neighbors” exactly what we won’t give ourselves: time, rest, and refreshment. Jesus’ commandment is to “…’Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:39, NIV, bold added) But are we reversing the order to say, “Love yourself as your neighbor“?

God doesn’t make mistakes! I believe this verse appears in the Bible exactly as it is for a reason. God knows how quickly we can burn out, and that’s why He wants us to take self-love (self agape love) seriously.

Do you love yourself so that you can thenlove your neighbor? Maybe you need to say “no” to some commitments and “yes” to you today.

You are a miracle!

Déborah

We would like to thank Jesus.net for providing this plan.

May 4 – Romans 5

Romans 5:3-5

3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Thoughts

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings…”  What? First let’s go back one verse, where Paul says, “Through [Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2, ESV). We have obtained access to the Heavenly Father by faith into his grace. Now think about the words, by faith into grace. Faith in Jesus leads us into the grace of God. That is amazing. In my home, the front door leads into the entryway. Our spiritual door is faith in Jesus. Faith is how we step through the door and stand in the place that is grace. So rejoice! You are standing in God’s grace. 

Then after verse 2, Paul says, “Not only that….” and then says, “but [a contrasting term] we rejoice in our sufferings.” Stop the music! Hold the bus! Slow down, pilgrim, you say. You understand that we can rejoice as we stand in God’s grace. You see that we can rejoice in the hope of God’s glory, but rejoicing in suffering? You’re not so sure. What kind of suffering? Paul isn’t talking about suffering, is he?

The Greek word for “suffering” here is thlipesos:  to crush, press, compress, squeeze. So this verse literally says that we rejoice in being crushed, pressed, compressed, and squeezed. Do we really? Why? I’m glad you asked.

Paul says that “suffering produces endurance.” Is that supposed to be good? Suffering doesn’t produce deliverance, but endurance. So I am going to go through this stuff for a while. And “endurance produces character.” Okay, I see what he is saying now. And “char­acter produces hope.” So what you’re telling me is that my suffering eventually produces hope. Hope of what? Suffering produces the hope that we will get to stand in the glory of God.

We will never be ashamed if we hope, because God has poured his love into us through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. 

Application

Think about the suffering you are experiencing. Is it the result of a choice you made? Is it from a relationship? Is it from the fallenness of this world? Whatever its source, how can you allow it to work in you to produce character and hope? Today’s suffering can produce an eagerness to experience God’s glory. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to look at my current sufferings with joy. Not because suffering is joyful, but because I know you have poured your love into my heart and I know that one-day I will be in your presence… (Continue praying)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

May 3 – Nehemiah 9; Ephesians 5

Nehemiah 9:32-33

32“Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

33In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.

Ephesians 5:1

1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Thoughts

In Nehemiah’s prayer he refers to God as gracious, merciful, mighty, awesome, righteous, and faithful. Think about each of these characteristics of God. He is gracious (compassionate). Merciful (forgiving). He is mighty (strong). Awesome (to be revered). He is righteous (just). Ethical (moral). He is faithful and peaceful, a God of lovingkind­ness and steadfast love. Even though we act wickedly, he deals with us faithfully. 

Paul says, ”Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1, ESV). Think about all the words we just used to describe God. Think about how children imitate their loving parents. We are to imitate God in all of his attributes. We are to imitate his grace, compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. He is to be revered and we are to revere him like children do who have loving parents. 

Application

This topic is one of the most challenging aspects of our walk with God. We are to imitate his grace to others. We are to imitate his compassion and faithfulness. Whether our relationships are healthy or not, we still need to imitate God. Your marriage may be crumbling, but you need to show compassion and mercy to your spouse. You may have experienced the wickedness of this world, but you need to remain faithful and strong. Don’t lose heart. It is not by your grit or might; in the face of another’s wickedness, you are only able to imitate God because of his work through Jesus Christ on the Cross, as you are empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to imitate you. I am experiencing brokenness in some relationships right now. I need your compassion to transform my anger. I need your mercy to transform my judgment. (Continue praying.) 

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

May 2 – John 14

John 14:30-31

30I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,

31but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

Thoughts

Jesus is speaking of his death. He understood that he would be betrayed by Judas. He knew that the religious leaders of his day would have Him crucified. He then makes a bold statement about his enemy: “… he has no claim on me.” In other words, the enemy cannot have victory over Jesus. Then why did Jesus die on the cross? Because he was being obedient to his Father. This is hard for us to grasp as humans. We would do anything we could to avoid the beating and death that Jesus experienced. We also know that in Jesus’ humanity, in his physical being, he did not want to die in the manner he did. And he dreaded being separated from his father. But ultimately, Jesus wanted the world to know that he loved the Father. This is so amazing – the devil didn’t make Jesus die. He wanted to die for us. Why? Because he loved the Father.

Jesus’ death was painful; it was brutal; it was horrific. His death, the sum of all painful sums, made his resurrection the glory of all glories. What if Jesus had gotten a paper cut for our sin? Then His resurrection wouldn’t be a big deal. But his death was a big deal – it was all of sinful humanity and demonic forces coming against the sinless Jesus to rob the world’s only hope of salvation. Jesus’ life was not taken from him; he obeyed his father, and that is why the resurrection is glorious. What was Jesus’ motive? His love for the Father. 

Application

If Jesus loved the Father so much that he laid down his life for all people, shouldn’t we also lay down our lives for our friends and even for our enemies? Not as a means of salvation (Jesus did that), but we lay our lives down out of love for the Heavenly Father. John wrote, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16, ESV). In your relationships today, how can you lay down your life for your friend, or even for your enemy, out of love for your Father? 

Prayer

Lord, help me not to allow the enemy of my soul to lay any claim to me. Let me freely lay down my life because I love the Father, for the other person’s sake – for the purpose of living out the Gospel to them…. (Continue praying.)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

May 1 – Hebrews 13; Matthew 23

Hebrews 13:8

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Matthew 23:25

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Thoughts

Jesus Christ is the same. He has always been the same. He will forever be the same. Jesus is the same today, and yesterday, and forever. This is so reassuring. Think about the eternalness of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t say to the adulteress woman, “I had compassion in the past, but for you now I am not sure.” He didn’t only say to the Pharisees long ago, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25, ESV). Jesus says the same to us when we worry about cleaning our outsides and not changing our insides. Jesus, who calmed the storms in his disciples’ lives, will calm the storms in your life. 

Application

How does Jesus’ unchangeableness apply to our relationships? Think about this: Jesus proclaims, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10. ESV). The thief – the devil – wants to steal, kill and destroy relationships, but Jesus desires you to have abundant life, both personally and in all your interactions with others and with God. I know you don’t think that Jesus came so that your relationship with others would stink. So here it is: Jesus is the same every day, always has been and always will be, and He wants you to experience abundant life in every aspect of your life, including your relationships. 

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for always being the same. I live in a world that seems to change constantly, but I can rely on you never changing. I ask that you bring your abundant life into my relationships. I really need your help to show your life to others.… (Continue praying.)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

April 30 – Psalm 102

Psalm 102:12

12But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;

your renown endures through all generations.

Thoughts

God is forever enthroned. He is forever remembered. Sometimes our days may feel long. It may feel like the worries of life have overshadowed us. Our joy may be withering like grass, but God is still forever enthroned and forever remembered. 

Although we live in a fallen world, God still sits on his throne. Although our enemies seem to prevail, God is still on his throne. Although sickness may have attacked our bodies, God is still enthroned. Although you may be afflicted, God still sits on his throne. Tears may flow and depression may linger, but God is still enthroned. 

How will you remember Him today? Will you remember what He seemingly isn’t doing? Or will you remember him for what He has done? Generation after generation, will you remember His goodness? Will you remember His works? His deliverance? His comfort? Today in the midst of your trial remember and proclaim God’s goodness. Your circum­stances may not be good, but God is good. 

Application

We all need absolutes about God in our life. These absolutes will help you get through your circumstances, If you believe that God is good – I mean, truly believe God is good. Then when your circumstances say that life is bad and your thoughts wander to, “Maybe that means God is bad,” you will take a stand and clearly state, “My circumstances may be bad, but God is good.” Think about your closest human relationship. Have you ever had a struggle in that relationship? In the midst of that struggle, you can proclaim, “God, I remember you and I believe you are enthroned.” In other words, “God, I submit to you as the Lord of this relationship. God direct me. Teach me. Search me.”  Don’t be afraid to talk to him. He is amazingly good.

Prayer

God, today in my relationships, I proclaim that you are enthroned and I will remember your works in me. Lord, please teach me, search me, guide me, and direct me. You created me and you created the other person. Be our Lord. Help me to honor you. (Continue praying.)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

April 29 – Exodus 3; James 4

Exodus 3:14

14God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

James 4:11-12

11Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Thoughts

God identifies himself as the “I am.” Think about that. “I am.” He doesn’t say “I am a…”. He simply says, “I am who I am.” In other words, there is none compared to God. God is God, because He is God. This is both reassuring and intimidating. It is reassuring, because He sent His son Jesus to save humanity, and intimidating, because at times we proclaim with our actions and words that we are the “I am.”

How do we proclaim that we are the “I am?” I’m glad you asked. We often make judgments, make up our own rules, break relationship with others, and elevate our preferences so much that they come across as God’s law. In our relationships, it is so easy to take the place of the “I am.” 

God is the “I am” – the only lawgiver, the only king. He is the only Savior and Redeemer. God is the only boss, ruler, final authority… He is the “I am who I am.” As our creator, He knows us and can help us. He is the “I am.” Look at what James says about God: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. …But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11–12, ESV) 

Application

Think about your relationships today. How have you tried to be the “I am?” How have you tried to play God with your friend or spouse or co-worker? How have you tried to be the lawgiver? Think of preferences that you have tried to make into God’s law? Find an area or two that you can repent of by telling God and the person to whom you’ve “laid down the law.” You will never go wrong by recognizing God as God and allowing him (as if he needs to be allowed!) to be the “I am” in your life.

Prayer

God, I acknowledge you as the “I am.” That makes me the “I am not.” Please forgive me for playing God and help me to walk in humility…. (Continue praying.)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

April 28 – 1 John 4; Romans 5

1 John 4:8

8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16

16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Romans 5:8

8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Thoughts

This verse starts out with “anyone,” which is very clear. “Anyone” means everyone. It goes on to say that the person who does not love does not know God. Since you are an “anyone,’ how is your love for everyone? Your love for others will show your knowledge of God. 

On the opposite side of these things, our lack of love for anyone shows a lack of knowing God. This may seem confusing, but it really isn’t when we tie in the next part of the verse. Why? How can John say that anyone who does not love people does not know God? Because God is love, so if we know God we are affected by his love. God doesn’t just do love. He doesn’t just do loving actions. He doesn’t just think loving thoughts. His very substance, nature, and being is love.

The truth that “God is love” is powerful for all people. Later in chapter 4, John says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16 ESV). “God is love” means God does love us. He loves you. HE LOVES YOU! Now that is amazing. 

Application

Apply this amazing truth to your relationships today. Who do you love? Who are you struggling to love? How can you see the people you love and the ones you struggle to love through your knowledge of God? 

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, ESV)). Think about it: While we were still far from perfect, while we were still doing wrong, while we were still estranged from God, Jesus died for us. How can you “die” in your relational tensions? I’m not talking about a physical death – I’m talking about taking steps toward humility, steps toward dying to your rights and seeing the power of the Gospel in your life. Think of ways you can demonstrate love to others by dying to your rights and expectations, and truly serving and loving them. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving me with this kind of love. I want to know and believe in your love. I want to abide in your love, and then choose to demonstrate love today to others. Help me to love the way Christ Jesus loves. …. (Continue praying.)

We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.

April 27 – Matthew 6; Matthew 18; Matthew 5; James 2

Matthew 6:12

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 18:34-35

34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Matthew 5:7

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

James 2:13

13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Releasing the Prisoner: You

Forgiveness is not optional; it’s essential. Vertical and horizontal forgiveness are inseparable—two sides of the same coin. As Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus described what would happen should we choose not to forgive: “[The servant’s] master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him” (Matthew 18:34).

The word torture carries with it the idea of extreme mental anguish. There is no worse prison than a heart that refuses to extend forgiveness to others. Your thoughts eat away at you. Your life is filled with stress and anxiety. You’ve been handed over to the torturers and become enslaved to your own unforgiveness. But forgiveness sets you free.

Perhaps the best real-life example of this comes from Corrie ten Boom. A couple years after World War II ended, she met a man who had been a guard at the very concentration camp she was imprisoned in for hiding Jews in her home. He had since repented of what he had done and stood before her seeking forgiveness. She wrote:

I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart…. “Jesus, help me!” I prayed silently. “I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.” And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. “I forgive you, brother!” I cried. “With all my heart!” For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then.

As Lewis B. Smedes wrote, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” God loves you so much; He wants to spare you the prison of unforgiveness. By choosing to forgive from your heart in the same manner you have been forgiven, you can experience the freedom, peace, and joy that comes only by letting go of the offenses of others.

So I pray you would begin dismantling the walls of unforgiveness around you, one brick at a time. Make the choice today to lean into the Lord, reach out to others, and get involved in Heaven’s business of forgiveness.

We would like to thank Connect with Skip Heitzig for providing this plan.