Devotional Discovery: A 366-Day Spiritual Exploration and Bible Reading Plan

By Tracy Curington and Abigail Curington

Can we not find a good reason to praise the Lord with a new song upon the earliest day of a new year? We might begin our song by praising God for His forgiveness of sins, the deliverance of sinners, and the protection of His saints. Next, we might give Him glory for every blessing, for every answered prayer, and for the fulfilment of His promises to humankind. Then we could go further in our exalting Jehovah by honoring His person, for He is good, kind, loving, just, holy, wise, merciful, and gracious though “all we like sheep have gone astray.”


In Devotional Discovery, authors Tracy Curington and Abigail Curington take a deep dive into exploring God’s word through 366 days of devotionals, giving you an opportunity to explore every chapter and verse of God’s word in one year. Written by a father-daughter duo, this devotional offers a companion resource to reading the Bible. Each devotional ends with a suggested scripture reading.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385010813

Tracy Curington

Tracy Curington has been married to his wife, April, for a quarter of a century. Together they live in southern Oklahoma with their eight children. His family tree is deeply rooted in Christian ministry dating back to the time of circuit-riding preachers in early America. Tracy is passionate about personal development and facilitating growth in others. He has channeled that energy into serving and mentoring people for the last two decades as the senior pastor of a local church God used him to plant. Early on in that ministry, Tracy took up “pen and paper” to begin creating resources and content to train others for the ministry and for living the victorious Christian life. Today, as a certified coach, speaker, trainer, and consultant, Tracy has been using his gifts to facilitate coaching and training sessions to businesses, churches, individuals, and entrepreneurs at both the local and national level. Tracy values his faith, his family, his freedom, his friends, and having fun, and these traits are easily detected through his personality, in his ministry, and by his career. You hold in your hands the very first of his published works. Thank you. May it not only be a blessing to you but also through you as you share it with others. Abigail (Abby) Curington was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and grew up as the oldest daughter and one of eight children of Tracy and April Curington. Abigail’s love and appreciation for writing come from the years of watching her parents write lessons and church curriculum with a passion like none other. Abigail’s salvation at the age of fourteen after years of struggling with doubt is what the Lord used to inspire her to write. What started with daily journaling about what God had revealed through scripture turned into writing devotionals about those same truths along with personal experiences and applications. Abigail currently lives with her family in Oklahoma, where she serves in her local church in various ministries, including music, youth, and office.

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Copyright © 2023 Tracy Curington and Abigail Curington.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1065-3 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1064-6 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1081-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023920608

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/19/2023

CONTENTS

A BRIEF WORD TO THE READER FROM THE AUTHORS

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY

JANUARY 1

JANUARY 2

JANUARY 3

JANUARY 4

JANUARY 5

JANUARY 6

JANUARY 7

JANUARY 8

JANUARY 9

JANUARY 10

JANUARY 11

JANUARY 12

JANUARY 13

JANUARY 14

JANUARY 15

JANUARY 16

JANUARY 17

JANUARY 18

JANUARY 19

JANUARY 20

JANUARY 21

JANUARY 22

JANUARY 23

JANUARY 24

JANUARY 25

JANUARY 26

JANUARY 27

JANUARY 28

JANUARY 29

JANUARY 30

JANUARY 31

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 1

FEBRUARY 2

FEBRUARY 3

FEBRUARY 4

FEBRUARY 5

FEBRUARY 6

FEBRUARY 7

FEBRUARY 8

FEBRUARY 9

FEBRUARY 10

FEBRUARY 11

FEBRUARY 12

FEBRUARY 13

FEBRUARY 14

FEBRUARY 15

FEBRUARY 16

FEBRUARY 17

FEBRUARY 18

FEBRUARY 19

FEBRUARY 20

FEBRUARY 21

FEBRUARY 22

FEBRUARY 23

FEBRUARY 24

FEBRUARY 25

FEBRUARY 26

FEBRUARY 27

FEBRUARY 28

FEBRUARY 29

MARCH

MARCH 1

MARCH 2

MARCH 3

MARCH 4

MARCH 5

MARCH 6

MARCH 7

MARCH 8

MARCH 9

MARCH 10

MARCH 11

MARCH 12

MARCH 13

MARCH 14

MARCH 15

MARCH 16

MARCH 17

MARCH 18

MARCH 19

MARCH 20

MARCH 21

MARCH 22

MARCH 23

MARCH 24

MARCH 25

MARCH 26

MARCH 27

MARCH 28

MARCH 29

MARCH 30

MARCH 31

APRIL

APRIL 1

APRIL 2

APRIL 3

APRIL 4

APRIL 5

APRIL 6

APRIL 7

APRIL 8

APRIL 9

APRIL 10

APRIL 11

APRIL 12

APRIL 13

APRIL 14

APRIL 15

APRIL 16

APRIL 17

APRIL 18

APRIL 19

APRIL 20

APRIL 21

APRIL 22

APRIL 23

APRIL 24

APRIL 25

APRIL 26

APRIL 27

APRIL 28

APRIL 29

APRIL 30

MAY

MAY 1

MAY 2

MAY 3

MAY 4

MAY 5

MAY 6

MAY 7

MAY 8

MAY 9

MAY 10

MAY 11

MAY 12

MAY 13

MAY 14

MAY 15

MAY 16

MAY 17

MAY 18

MAY 19

MAY 20

MAY 21

MAY 22

MAY 23

MAY 24

MAY 25

MAY 26

MAY 27

MAY 28

MAY 29

MAY 30

MAY 31

JUNE

JUNE 1

JUNE 2

JUNE 3

JUNE 4

JUNE 5

JUNE 6

JUNE 7

JUNE 8

JUNE 9

JUNE 10

JUNE 11

JUNE 12

JUNE 13

JUNE 14

JUNE 15

JUNE 16

JUNE 17

JUNE 18

JUNE 19

JUNE 20

JUNE 21

JUNE 22

JUNE 23

JUNE 24

JUNE 25

JUNE 26

JUNE 27

JUNE 28

JUNE 29

JUNE 30

JULY

JULY 1

JULY 2

JULY 3

JULY 4

JULY 5

JULY 6

JULY 7

JULY 8

JULY 9

JULY 10

JULY 11

JULY 12

JULY 13

JULY 14

JULY 15

JULY 16

JULY 17

JULY 18

JULY 19

JULY 20

JULY 21

JULY 22

JULY 23

JULY 24

JULY 25

JULY 26

JULY 27

JULY 28

JULY 29

JULY 30

JULY 31

AUGUST

AUGUST 1

AUGUST 2

AUGUST 3

AUGUST 4

AUGUST 5

AUGUST 6

AUGUST 7

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 9

AUGUST 10

AUGUST 11

AUGUST 12

AUGUST 13

AUGUST 14

AUGUST 15

AUGUST 16

AUGUST 17

AUGUST 18

AUGUST 19

AUGUST 20

AUGUST 21

AUGUST 22

AUGUST 23

AUGUST 24

AUGUST 25

AUGUST 26

AUGUST 27

AUGUST 28

AUGUST 29

AUGUST 30

AUGUST 31

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 1

SEPTEMBER 2

SEPTEMBER 3

SEPTEMBER 4

SEPTEMBER 5

SEPTEMBER 6

SEPTEMBER 7

SEPTEMBER 8

SEPTEMBER 9

SEPTEMBER 10

SEPTEMBER 11

SEPTEMBER 12

SEPTEMBER 13

SEPTEMBER 14

SEPTEMBER 15

SEPTEMBER 16

SEPTEMBER 17

SEPTEMBER 18

SEPTEMBER 19

SEPTEMBER 20

SEPTEMBER 21

SEPTEMBER 22

SEPTEMBER 23

SEPTEMBER 24

SEPTEMBER 25

SEPTEMBER 26

SEPTEMBER 27

SEPTEMBER 28

SEPTEMBER 29

SEPTEMBER 30

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 1

OCTOBER 2

OCTOBER 3

OCTOBER 4

OCTOBER 5

OCTOBER 6

OCTOBER 7

OCTOBER 8

OCTOBER 9

OCTOBER 10

OCTOBER 11

OCTOBER 12

OCTOBER 13

OCTOBER 14

OCTOBER 15

OCTOBER 16

OCTOBER 17

OCTOBER 18

OCTOBER 19

OCTOBER 20

OCTOBER 21

OCTOBER 22

OCTOBER 23

OCTOBER 24

OCTOBER 25

OCTOBER 26

OCTOBER 27

OCTOBER 28

OCTOBER 29

OCTOBER 30

OCTOBER 31

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 2

NOVEMBER 3

NOVEMBER 4

NOVEMBER 5

NOVEMBER 6

NOVEMBER 7

NOVEMBER 8

NOVEMBER 9

NOVEMBER 10

NOVEMBER 11

NOVEMBER 12

NOVEMBER 13

NOVEMBER 14

NOVEMBER 15

NOVEMBER 16

NOVEMBER 17

NOVEMBER 18

NOVEMBER 19

NOVEMBER 20

NOVEMBER 21

NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 23

NOVEMBER 24

NOVEMBER 25

NOVEMBER 26

NOVEMBER 27

NOVEMBER 28

NOVEMBER 29

NOVEMBER 30

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER 2

DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 4

DECEMBER 5

DECEMBER 6

DECEMBER 7

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 9

DECEMBER 10

DECEMBER 11

DECEMBER 12

DECEMBER 13

DECEMBER 14

DECEMBER 15

DECEMBER 16

DECEMBER 17

DECEMBER 18

DECEMBER 19

DECEMBER 20

DECEMBER 21

DECEMBER 22

DECEMBER 23

DECEMBER 24

DECEMBER 25

DECEMBER 26

DECEMBER 27

DECEMBER 28

DECEMBER 29

DECEMBER 30

DECEMBER 31

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

A BRIEF WORD TO THE READER FROM THE AUTHORS

For over one quarter of a century, I have made it my daily practice to start each day by reading God’s precious Word. Most of these days have begun with a warm, black coffee on an end table to my right, as well as a black ink pen and a yellow highlighter within reach. As a companion to my quiet time with the Lord, I soon found reading the devotional books of Christian men and women to be another source of encouragement and strength. I have so enjoyed meditating on the thoughts of other saints of God, who have placed into print their personal stories and reflections from scripture. While in my twelfth year of pastoring, I began sharing with my own church family a two-paragraph summary of what God had taught me from a particular passage that week. We called these little insights A Devotional Discovery. I have cherished the positive feedback from those early readers and am grateful for their urging me to share these thoughts with you in this book. It is my goal that you gain from this resource a reason to hope, laugh, grow, and most of all, praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Tracy Curington

A life lived without ever reaching its full potential is a tragedy indeed. There was a time when I too was one without true purpose or direction. I lived the life of a pastor’s kid, and I played the part all too well. I went to church every time the doors were open, was involved in every ministry available to me, and even read my Bible most days. Those were all surface activities, but they never pierced beneath to the heart. God used circumstances and uncontrollable events to alter my perspective on the Christian life. I began to view church as an opportunity to be refreshed rather than a monotonous duty, I put my heart into ministry involvement, and I no longer saw my time in the Bible as routine but as my opportunity to walk with the Lord daily. My direction shifted drastically and in the best way possible. I loved telling people how God had used both hard and humorous situations to grow me, and I wondered how I might help others to experience the overwhelming joy I had. I began to write. I shared these writings with those around me and was thrilled to see smiles form on their faces as they would read. I learned that seeing joy form in the lives of others and sharing my Lord and Savior is my deepest purpose and the driving force behind all I do. If only a portion of joy is planted in someone else’s life, I believe that to be a success beyond comparison.

Abigail Curington

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS DEVOTIONAL

It would seem that our world at present is overrun by clocks. One particular thought leader has even suggested that the generation living one hundred years from now might look back on our day and think that our generation worshiped time. Within every gymnasium, library, classroom, office, and church building you can find a clock hanging from a wall. On our wrists, in our pockets, on our appliances, and in our vehicles are found clocks! Of course, time is important, and we all can easily admit the benefits of a functional timepiece. But clocks are limited because they only let us know when, not where, why, how, what, or who. Most of the choices and decisions we make in life are made with time in mind, yet we claim to never have enough of it. If we allow the clock to govern our lives, we could become very scheduled on so many things, but without the proper direction, none of them may be the right things.

A compass, however, can provide us with the right heading as it always points to the true north. The analogy drawn between the clock and the compass here is that while the clock points to the things in life that are most urgent and demanding our attention, the compass is the instrument that adjusts our attention on the things that matter most. It will do us no good to race to the top of the wrong mountain, take a journey of one thousand miles in the wrong direction, or exert all our energies accomplishing all the wrong things in record time!

As you begin this journey of spiritual discovery, remember that this book is a companion resource to reading the Bible, not a convenient replacement. Following each daily devotional, you will find a suggested portion of scripture. The purpose of this Bible reading schedule is to give you an opportunity to explore every chapter and verse of God’s Word in 365 days. Since you will be enjoying the psalms twice throughout the year, consider reading them out loud as a prayer or in a spirit of praise to God.

Our prayer is that you allow this devotional to serve you as a compass serves an explorer. Let it always point you to the believer’s true north, God’s Holy Word.

JANUARY

Life is a journey, not a destination, we determine our destiny by the direction we take.

—Anonymous

JANUARY 1

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song,

and his praise in the congregation of saints.

—Psalm 149:1

Can we not find a good reason to praise the Lord with a new song upon the earliest day of a new year? We might begin our song by praising God for His forgiveness of sins, the deliverance of sinners, and the protection of His saints. Next, we might give Him glory for every blessing, for every answered prayer, and for the fulfilment of His promises to humankind. Then we could go further in our exalting Jehovah by honoring His person, for He is good, kind, loving, just, holy, wise, merciful, and gracious though all we like sheep have gone astray. Praising God is the obligation of angels, the privilege of believers, the instinct of creation, and the compulsion of devils, including Satan (Job 1:6), for we have read that all things in heaven, earth, and under the earth should bow before the Lord Almighty in humble reverence! Should not the children of the Most High God adore their Maker, their Sovereign, and their faithful Friend in a greater degree than those who desire to blaspheme and reject His name?

How can we not make melody in our hearts unto the Lord when singing is the easiest way to express the genuine praise of our hearts? It should never become a drudgery to praise God, nor should we feel as if it were old hat to offer Him praise, seeing that His mercies are new every morning, His provisions are fresh every day, and His comfort and peace are available to us in endless supply throughout each night. Let us sing unto the Lord in the congregation of His saints as we know full well that where two or three are gathered together in the name of the Lord, He will honor that assembly with His beloved presence. But let our song be new so that it matches the birth we have obtained through Christ Jesus. If we claim that our love for the Lord has not grown old, then let our songs about Him ever be fresh and new, consistent, and sincere. Bless the Lord today, dear Christian, and sing unto Him some fresh song!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 1–2, Psalm 1

JANUARY 2

Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength:

let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

—Isaiah 41:1

A wise saying that has been passed down from generation to generation deals with the fact that because God has created us with two ears and one mouth, we should listen twice as much as we speak. This, of course, is excellent advice, even if it poses a great challenge for most of us. The lost man finds it difficult to hold his tongue and listen to the sounds of grace reflecting from the gospel story. His mouth is filled with arguments, debates, discussions, and rejections so as to never permit the message of salvation to enter his ears and convict his heart. As a result, his overactive tongue has muted his ears, and he will not be saved. The religious man has a mind filled with personal preferences, supposed scriptural contradictions, and other social controversies so that while he has filled himself with dogma, he is devoid of God’s Son. It was unto this class of people that Christ often said, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear. However, it is possible for professing Christians, who have tasted of the Bread of Life and drunk of the Living Water, to be guilty of speaking too much and listening too little also.

We live in a world where few people really take notice of the events around them. The voice of the Lord can be discovered in the stillness and quietness of our mornings, but who will seek Him there? Our God has been discovered by the restless and fearful soul in the midnight hour by those who meditate on Him in silence. Wise Solomon wrote that in life there is found a time to keep silence, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7), and we cannot help but notice the order in which he placed the two activities. Christian brothers and sisters, are we talking too much? Do we ever follow David’s counsel to stand in awe … and be still or the psalmist’s words be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 4:4, 46:10)? It might be a fine resolution for the year to speak only after hearing all that our Father has said first, and even then to offer the single response, Amen, my Lord!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 3–4, Psalm 2

JANUARY 3

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

—Psalm 119:11

A recent post from a federal web site listed thirteen of the nation’s most popular resolutions for the new year: lose weight, volunteer to help others, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, get fit, eat healthy food, manage stress, take a trip, reduce, reuse, and recycle, and lastly, drink less alcohol. However, according to the research at Forbes, only a measly 8 percent of people will ever keep the resolutions they make from one year to the next.

What is the secret to accomplishing what we claim we want to do? Of course, several factors might contribute to resolution failure, but one reason must be the absence of a so that or a that I might not in the resolutions we make. In other words, when we resolve to do or not do an activity, let us also provide a why with the what. Listing the purpose with the resolution will serve as a positive reinforcement for keeping that decision. This would alter our resolutions from I want to lose weight to My goal is to eat healthier foods and reasonable portion sizes so that my Lord will be pleased with my care of this bodily temple. Those who have developed to excess the addiction of tobacco or alcohol consumption might resolve, This year I will quit smoking. But what if they resolved by saying, By God’s grace, I will let go of that which is currently polluting my body so that my friends and family may see the power of God’s deliverance. What if we all decided to enlist in helping others, so that they might experience the love of God through us, and we might win them to our Savior? Or maybe we should seek ways to better manage our stress so that people may witness the peace and comfort that the Holy Ghost provides every believer as we face the struggles of life.

The psalmist touches upon a powerful principle in this little line. His desire was to place God’s Word in his heart for the ultimate purpose of sinning less against God. It simply follows that if we would accompany a reason with every resolution, we may have more to celebrate at the close of every year.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5–7, Psalm 3

JANUARY 4

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

—Psalm 4:8

The Christian is to have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). The fruit of peace is sleep. The reason for this rest is the overwhelming sense of being safe in God’s almighty hands. Why then are so many believers weary and uneasy in life? Humankind must lie down to sleep, for without such a commodity, life would not be preserved. But to lie down in peace and sleep is a luxury seldom enjoyed by even the saints of God.

Some believers experience spiritual unrest due to their own conscience convincing them of the wrong they have committed. The psalmist penned, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18). Miserable indeed is that Christian who feels the weight of their sin pressing against their heart at this moment. However, these go on in life without confessing it, turning from it, being forgiven of it, and forsaking it, and though they lie down to sleep, they toss and turn without peace.

Some believers do not enjoy sweet peace in all their rest due to failed relationships in their lives. They are either offending others and will not seek peace or have been offended by others and cannot find peace. Their fellowship with God and those closest to them is not as it should be; thus, they find little peace in their hearts.

Some believers are not rejoicing in the peace that passeth all understanding simply because they do not share the gospel with others. These are surrounded by people who are experiencing unrest, yet they never offer them the good news of the Prince of Peace. In a world of chaos, Christ still extends to every one of us this promise, saying, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 8–10, Psalm 4

JANUARY 5

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

—Ephesians 4:14

The church of Ephesus was a powerful testimony for Christ in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Nevertheless, like all churches in existence in the world today, Ephesus held a membership of two types of believers: those of weak faith and those of strong faith. The apostle Paul encourages both groups to continue growing in the Lord, to be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about. Both faith groups serve as an example to one another. Those weak in the faith testify to those strong in the faith about where they once were, while those strong in the faith demonstrate to those weak in the faith concerning where they can be. Certainly, neither faith group ought ever to be ridiculed or overly praised, for both are vital to the success of the whole church body.

A traveler, in the early days of our nation’s move into the West, came upon the wide Mississippi River and discovered there was no bridge. Fortunately, it was during winter and the great river was covered with ice. However, this traveler, not knowing the ice’s thickness, was afraid to trust himself to cross with all of his belongings. He cast aside many items and with tremendous caution crawled upon his hands and feet onto the ice. At the midway point of his crossing, the traveler heard the sounds of a wagon and singing behind him. He turned to see another traveler driving a team of four horses with a load of coal over the ice, singing as he went! Obviously, both travelers had enough faith to step onto the ice. Both men were safe during their journey, and both came safely to the other side. But one endured the journey in weak faith, while the other enjoyed the journey in strong faith. My dear friend, in which group do you see yourself?

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 11–13, Psalm 5

JANUARY 6

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king,

the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest …

now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

—Isaiah 36:4–5

Israel as a nation at this time in their history was experiencing an era of spiritual awakening due to the presence of good leadership reigning upon the throne. In the very first year of his reign, Hezekiah called the Levites to sanctification, removed all traces of idolatry from the land, cleansed the temple from uncleanness, and had led the people into keeping the Passover. No doubt, God was pleased with the reformation taking place among His people. However, after just fourteen years of this time of revival, trouble had come to Israel’s borders with the threat of Assyrian invasion. Are we to think that a spiritual awakening will put an end to the Devil’s treachery? No, for Satan will only strengthen his resolve against us when he sees such a spiritual movement occurring amid us. Thus, the messenger of Satan, Rabshakeh, is sent to buffet God’s people by calling into question where their confidence lies. Are we prepared to return the bold reply, saying, Our strength is in the Lord God of hosts?

Every week, the confidence we claim in Jesus will in some way be put to the test. It may be that Rabshakeh will come to you in the form of financial pressure or former addictions. Possibly, the great king of this sin-cursed world will send the ambassadors of loss, sorrow, pain, betrayal, or persecution your way to persuade you to believe that your confidence in the Lord has been misplaced. You might ask yourself, If I have done wrong to place such confidence in God, why should the Devil attempt to convince me to leave Him? Satan need not tempt us to leave that which is harmful to us, but he will always seek to separate us from doing those activities which please our God. If we ever had the assurance that what we are doing is of the Lord, then let us never undo in doubt what it was we were led to do in faith.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 14–16, Psalm 6

JANUARY 7

Did I Really Just Say That?

A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

—Proverbs 29:11

If you have never said something you have regretted, then I envy you! I’ve embarrassed myself on several occasions by what I have said. We show our immaturity by speaking foolishness and not thinking about what we are about to say. Some may say that many of these people are in the teenage stage of life, but I disagree. Just take a few moments to scroll through social media, and you will soon realize that people of every age are just as guilty of saying things they should not.

When I think of an example in the Bible of foolish speaking, my mind immediately goes to the apostle Peter. In Peter’s early days as a disciple of Christ, he was known for saying things that were not the wisest. He once offered the idea of building three tabernacles for Jesus, Elias, and Moses, but he was quickly corrected by Christ for his foolish plan. Peter, why would you build tabernacles for your Savior and two other men? On another occasion, Christ was telling His disciples how He would die on Calvary and fulfill God’s will, and Peter was quick to rebuke Christ and tell him that he would not allow that to happen. He once again did not even think about what he was saying. Peter, you would hinder God’s will for His Son? Christ had to put Peter back in his place.

I think we can all relate to Peter and his tendency to speak unwisely. Do we say things we should not? Are we more focused on the responses of those we are talking to than the actual words we are saying? I believe that some of the things we say are influenced by those around us. Is our talk consistent with every person?

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. (Proverbs 18:7)

Do not think that you always have to say something. You do not have to speak silliness just to add input in a conversation. If something cannot be said that would be pleasing to God, then it is wise to choose to say nothing at all. Before you speak, take a second to think about it, and make a wise decision of whether it should be said.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. (Søren Kierkegaard)

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 17–20, Psalm 7

JANUARY 8

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

—Psalm 34:1

As an eight-ounce cup of coffee might be sweetened with just a teaspoon of sugar, so David enhances the flavor of the lead verse of this song with the single phrase at all times. I wonder if we are prepared to join David’s resolution and kneel before the Lord in humble and loving reverence at all times. How will you respond today should the Lord remove even slightly His hedge of protection from you or from someone you love? Will you still bless His name? If tragedy strikes, if a catastrophe occurs, if war is unleashed, if famine or drought sweeps through the land, if death comes to your home, will there still be any praise for the Lord left in your mouth? David vows to salute his God on bended knee under every pressure, amid every storm, before it comes, while it rages, and once it has passed, a promise is made that in all of life’s circumstances, he will bless the Lord. No doubt, David, like us, would find it easier to praise God on bright days and in the good times, but we are all aware of how quickly calm waters can turn rough. We must be willing to worship our Lord even if it seems out of season and we have grown out of sorts.

By reading the remaining verses of this psalm, we begin to realize how blessing the Lord at all times is even possible. In the fourth, sixth, seventh, seventeenth, and nineteenth stanzas, for instance, David speaks of being delivered from all of his troubles by the Lord. In short, David had many examples in his past of when he faced trouble, had called upon the Lord, and deliverance came. Therefore, he reasons on the strength of what God had done for him that none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate [deserted]. Have you no recollection of days gone by when God delivered you, dear believer? Though it be dark now and it takes all of your effort to simply fight back tears, call to remembrance the times when God came through for you, and I will do the same, and then, let us exalt his name together.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21–24, Psalm 8

JANUARY 9

And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God.

—Deuteronomy 26:10

When God formed the first man of the earth’s dust, He designed Adam to be a living soul. The soul of Adam and Eve was given the choice to submit to their flesh or yield to their spirit. When Adam went forth to dress and keep the Garden of Eden, he was involved in the first of two aspects of God’s purpose for man: work. When Adam walked with God each evening, he was participating in the second feature of God’s plan for man: worship. In each case, Adam was being led by the spirit that lived within his soul and was satisfied as a result. But when Adam ate of the fruit at the hand of Eve knowing that it came from the forbidden tree, Adam was choosing to let his carnal urges and fleshly appetites lead his soul. It is obvious that following the lusts of the flesh leads only to ruin and shame, for we see the man and his wife hiding from God’s presence, blaming others for their error, and ultimately being cast from paradise into a world plagued with sin. From then until now, humankind has been engaged in a struggle between flesh and spirit. When the spirit of a man is made alive at salvation, he is quickly taught of the Spirit that lives in him that God has called every believer into work and worship; thus, God gave His law, saying, Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God (Exodus 20:8–9).

Today, the soul of man can only be at rest when he has satisfied the urges of his body through honest work and the yearnings of his spirit through true worship. Man’s view of work is that of having money to get things. Man has a counterfeit view of worship that involves physically lifting hands and singing. But Moses approaches a new generation with a second giving of God’s law reminding them of the original, divine precept. In order to have the firstfruits of the land, a man must go to work in the field. When God has blessed the labor of his hands, he should bring the first tenth of that increase before the Lord. Worship is about giving God the very first and the very best of all that He has given us. Are you dissatisfied as a Christian, my friend? You may be attempting to worship God by satisfying fleshly desires when God demands that all that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 25–28, Psalm 9

JANUARY 10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from

the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world,

to try them that dwell upon the earth.

—Revelation 3:10

A great wrecking ball of temptation having all the fury of the Devil pounds itself against the walls of every Bible-preaching, Gospel-proclaiming, local church today. At this hour, we hear of some churches leaving that which they claimed to love in the beginning. Other churches we see under such a weight of suffering for the Gospel’s sake that they have found their only source of comfort to be in He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death (Revelation 2:11). A great many churches have united themselves with the world, hold the doctrines of devils, are in such a state of spiritual slumber that one might pronounce them Dead, or else they are blinded by their structures, their substance, and the size of their crowd that they believe they have need of nothing. Oh, to find a local church where the Word of God is kept by the people, preached by the pastor, and shared with the lost! It is unto a church with an open door to sinners that Christ offers to keep thee from the hour of temptation.

I have confidence that we may in fact be on the downward side of this hour of temptation, and there remains but a little more for the people of God to endure on this earth. At this moment, a trumpet may be receiving its polishing in glory. The host of heaven might also be assembling themselves around the throne in this very hour! And it might very well be that the Father is winding up His prophetic clock and clearing His mighty throat to exclaim, Son, go bring my children Home! Seeing then that all these things may be happening right now, what manner of Christians ought we to be? Take cheer, my Christian brothers and sisters, for as our Lord made this promise, saying, And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end, blessed by God, there is an end!

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 1–3, Psalm 10

JANUARY 11

And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king,

or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

—2 Kings 4:13

The gifted evangelist Charles E. Fuller, whose popular 1940s radio broadcast The Old- Fashioned Revival Hour ministered to thousands, is quoted as saying, Next to beauty is the power of appreciating it. A beautiful display of hospitality was shown the man of God, Elisha, by an honorable woman of Shunem in our text. Desiring to be a blessing to Elisha, she and her husband built an additional room onto their home for the sole purpose of housing the great prophet whenever he passed through their village. It came upon a certain day as Elisha was resting in this prophet’s chamber that he began contemplating the sacrifices made on his behalf by this family. Elisha offered this woman a grand reputation before those of royalty or those of mighty to demonstrate his gratitude, but this woman kindly refused, saying, I dwell among mine own people. Oh, how few there are like this woman in the world today!

Who among us would not wish to be noticed by a king or obtain the listening ear of a four-star general? By all estimations, this woman had not the treasures of houses and lands but was truly rich in loyalty and compassion. Who would not like to exchange their rags for riches, their meager means for lavish luxuries? However, we find in this woman of Shunem that wonderful, Christian quality of appreciation for all she has, and we see in her zero desire for more. When given the opportunity to elevate her social class and receive a king’s honor, she humbly declines. The genuine pride, sincere joy, tranquil peace, and devoted contentment she felt for her own family, neighbors, and fellow countrymen allowed her to resist such a tempting offer. Are we as content as this woman? Possibly, the estimation of ourselves declares in the affirmative, but if our prayer closets were to speak, oh, what a different story they might tell!

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 4–6, Psalm 11

JANUARY 12

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us,

and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled,

and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

—Numbers 13:27–28

The children of Israel had at last arrived at the entrance of the land of Canaan, which God had promised would be a land flowing with milk and honey and would belong to God’s people. Due to the fact of giants dwelling in the land, the men of Israel could not see how they could defeat such mighty foes. The Christian life is as a great door and effectual is opened … and there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). Where there is the finest fruit, there is usually the fiercest foe. We might take the position of the Israelites and believe the foe greater than the fruit, or we could take the position of faith and plunge into the land believing the fruit greater than the foe.

It is said that the African impala can jump to heights exceeding ten feet and cover a distance of greater than thirty feet in a single leap. However, these seemingly supernatural and magnificent creatures can be contained securely in any zoo enclosure with just a three-foot-high wall. How can this be? This animal, though made for leaping, will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will land. Many believers have not the ability to trust what they cannot see, and this little faith entraps them in the Devil’s flimsy enclosures. Hear Christ’s words, dear believer, and be not faithless, but believing (John 20:27).

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 7–9, Psalm 12

JANUARY 13

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks:

walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled.

—Isaiah 50:11

The Lord instructed Israel through Isaiah’s prophecy that the reason for their great separation from Him lay in the fact of their following after the gods of their own making, the ideas of their own mind, and the desires of their own sinful heart. Why must man rely upon his own wisdom, place his confidence in his own strength, and take as fact the superstitious ravings of other men? To the average person in the world today, truth is relative to the environment you grew up in or the culture in which you now live. The Light of scripture is of little use to those who have kindled their own fire and surrounded themselves with the offshoots of their own bonfire. Unto these, God suggests that when times of bewilderment and sorrow come that they should walk in the light of your [own] fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. However, if there remain any among the children of men who fear the Lord, let that one trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God (Isaiah 50:10).

Oh, the vanity and insufficiency of a man’s philosophy when it contradicts the plain truth as revealed in God’s Word! How the world has been overrun with so many who reject scripture to follow their own imaginations professing themselves to be wise or at least wiser than the one, true God! The light from the fire kindled by man will not last forever and to walk in it will only lead to further and ultimately outer darkness. An eternally fatal disappointment belongs to all those who make the world their delight and their good deeds their hope. The conclusion to a life lived apart from the Light of Jesus Christ is summarized by Job. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger … They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me (Job 21:17–27). How horrible must be the bitter wail of those cast into eternal flames who lived walking in their own light.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 10–12, Psalm 13

JANUARY 14

How Could I Ever Do That?

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

—Psalm 139:14

We as human beings often doubt our abilities, and most of that doubt is attributed to our own minds. Do you ever compare your abilities to that of others? I know that I often catch myself comparing my strengths and weaknesses to those around me. When will we realize that God has made us the way we are for a good and specific purpose? God wants you to be who he has created you to be, not who you or anyone else think you were created to be.

I remember times in my life where I doubted that I had any real abilities. At eighteen years old, I surrendered my life to full-time ministry at church camp. I remember avoiding the opportunity to make it public in front of everyone simply because I was afraid that I would get tongue-tied and make a fool of myself. During one of the services, the preacher asked those who had made a decision to stand and share what God had done in their lives. I immediately thought, Ummm, no, I could never stand up in front of everyone and do that! My mom kept on reminding me of the significance of my decision, and it was worth sharing. But I still let the opportunity pass by. Conveniently, they did the same thing again at the next service, and I thought, OK, God, obviously You want me to do this, so here goes nothing! I did finally work up the courage, and I felt such a relief after! What was I thinking when I did not jump at the first opportunity? Self-doubt is a giant I face daily. I often ask myself, When will you just accept who you are and who God wants you to be?

I believe that there is a great number of people struggling with this tendency; some have simply decided to defeat it. God clearly said in His Word,

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

When we allow the spirit of fear and the mindset of not being good enough rule our lives, it keeps us from taking advantage of the opportunities God has set in front of us. Every time I have let an opportunity pass me by, I have regretted it. When God said that He had given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, He meant it. We create this spirit of fear ourselves and without any assistance. These spirits of power, love, and sound mind are gifts, but we seem to forget that they are available to us. When you face the giant of self-doubt, consider these three spirits, and remember that God