Monday, May 26, 2008—Remembering

Today, in the United States, we remember those who have given their lives in our nation’s service. As we honor them by recalling their service and sacrifice, let’s consider our call, as Jesus’ followers, to live lives of service and sacrifice. Jesus, the Suffering Servant of whom Isaiah spoke (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) and the Perfect Sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26-27), demonstrates the true nature of love, service, and sacrifice. Consider Jesus’ life and our call as you read John 13:12-17,34-35; 15:9-14; Romans 5:6-8; 12:1; and 1 John 4:10,19. Hold these thoughts in your heart as, in the days ahead, we read of God’s tender love and provision. Pray you will have the heart of a servant.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008—The LORD’s Tender Love

Read our theme texts, Isaiah 49:8-16a and Matthew 6:24-34, looking for evidences of God’s love, compassion, and provision. Hear the cry of God’s people (Zion), who feel forgotten and forsaken (Isaiah 49:14). Have you known the pain of feeling forsaken by God? Read Deuteronomy 31:8, then embrace the Lord’s tender words in Isaiah 49:15-16a. Do you see this same intimate, caring love in the Matthew text? Jesus refers to God as “your heavenly Father”(6:26,32). Meditate on the LORD’s words in Isaiah 49:16a: “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Consider that Jesus’ nail-scarred hands are also marks of God’s eternal love. Worship the One who loves you.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008—God Knows Our Every Need

Jesus taught his disciples to pray for “daily bread” (Luke 11:3). What does daily bread mean to you? Read Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 5:6; and John 6:32-35. How does this illumine our understanding of hunger and need for daily bread? God knows our every need, physical and spiritual. Read Isaiah 49:8-16a and Matthew 6:24-34, noting God’s promises of provision. Even as we embrace the promises, we know many are starving, physically and spiritually. God knows our need and can provide miraculously (Exodus 16:4; John 6:10-14), but sometimes (often) God invites us into the miracle of provision (John 6:5-9). Think about this, and pray as the Spirit leads you.

Thursday, May 29, 2008—Great and Precious Promises

Isaiah 49:8-16a is resplendent with great and precious promises for God’s people, Israel. But grace-upon-grace, they are for Gentile believers too. Read Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:26-29; and Ephesians 3:4-6. Basking in the wonder of this, read our Isaiah text. Consider how these promises echo other pictures of God’s provision and grace (Psalm 23:1-6; 36:5-9; Revelation 7:16-17). What is your greatest need? Talk to your heavenly Father about it. Thank God all the promises are true (2 Corinthians 1:20). Make Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-20 your own.

Friday, May 30, 2008—We Cannot Serve Two Masters

It’s easy to confuse our needs and our wants. And how do we measure our wealth: against our richer neighbor’s or against the poverty of the poorest of the poor? Is it wrong to be rich? Ponder these things as you read Matthew 6:24; Mark 12:29-31; Ephesians 1:18; 2:6-7; and 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19. How do you define “riches”? Notice the words “devoted to” in Jesus’ Matthew 6:24 exhortation. It is, perhaps, easy to say we love God, but are we devoted to God? Do the objects of our devotion reveal the real leanings of our hearts? Into what do you pour your heart and soul each day? Do you delight in the LORD; is God your deepest desire? Read Psalm 37:4 and pray.

Saturday, May 31, 2008—What Does Alignment Look Like?

Have you expended precious time and energy worrying about something that never happened? Are you content? Whose admiration do you seek; whom do you try to please? Jesus helps us focus our hearts and our priorities; read Matthew 6:24-34. We glean more insights as we read Ephesians 5:8-10; Philippians 4:4-7,11-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; and Hebrews 13:5. With these words in mind, ask yourself, “What does alignment with the God of all provision look like?” Do we trust God’s heart; are we thankful; do we share what God has given us? Pray Psalm 100.

Sunday, June 1, 2008—“Unto the Least of These”

On Wednesday, we considered the reality that God invites us into the miracle of provision. Our theme texts don’t address this directly, but the challenge to love God with total devotion (Matthew 6:24) is lived out only as we also love others. Read Mark 12:29-31; John 15:9-12; James 2:14-17; and 1 John 3:16-18. How might we provide bread for the hungry, truth for the spiritually famished, fellowship for the lonely, comfort for the grieving, hope for the despairing? No one can meet every need, but each can do something. Read Isaiah 58:6-7; Matthew 25:34-40; and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-15. Spend time talking to God about how you might provide for another’s needs.

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