Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15

Today’s Scripture

1 Peter 3:13-17

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It was late fall, and my wife and I were going to take a trip by car. The day before our planned departure, it began to snow, and I suddenly realized I hadn’t taken the car in to have snow tires put on. The snowy, deteriorating conditions led to a long line at the tire shop—something I could have avoided with better planning.

Much of life is about getting ready, isn’t it? It’s vital for us to think ahead, prepare for what eventualities might occur, and make sure we’ve planned well.

This is true of our spiritual life as well. In Matthew 24, Jesus pointed out the necessity of being all set for His later return. He told His listeners that they “must be ready” because He will come again (v. 44). And Peter later wrote that believers should prepare themselves ahead of time intellectually and spiritually “to give the reason for the hope that [they] have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Our lives should be ones of preparation. First, we must make sure we’re ready for Jesus’ return by putting our faith in Him. Next, our task is to continually prepare ourselves for service for Him—even if it means to “suffer for doing good” (v. 17). With His help, let’s get ready.

Reflect & Pray

How are you sure you’re ready to meet Jesus when He returns or when you die? What can you do to better prepare to serve and honor God?

Dear Jesus, please help me use my time wisely—preparing for what You want me to do. While I handle daily responsibilities, help me to also set aside times for spiritual preparation.

Today’s Insights

After we’ve placed our trust in Jesus as our Savior and are ready to meet Him when He returns, we’re called to share our hope in Christ with others. The apostle Peter tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). The sometimes-overlooked key to his instructions on sharing our faith is that there needs to be a catalyst in our lives that causes people to ask about it. That catalyst is a Christlike, hope-filled life, which opens the door to sharing about our relationship with Jesus. Because we live in a desperate world, a life that displays hope can cause people to want what they see in us. God can help us “be prepared” to tell others of our Savior (v. 15), who is our source of hope through His resurrection (1:3).

For further study, read: Die First, Then Comes the End

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13

Today’s Scripture

Romans 15:5-13

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For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet, through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

Reflect & Pray

What keeps your hope in God alive when you face adversity? What can you do to remain confident in Him?

God of truth, please fill me with Your hope and joy. For further study, read Hope: Discovering the One True Source at odbm.org.

Today’s Insights

In Romans 15, Paul says the foundation for the unity of believers in Jesus is to have “the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” (vv. 5-6). Unity is found in following His example of self-giving love, not in having identical beliefs, backgrounds, or preferences. The goal of this unity is worship “so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 6). In fact, unity itself is a form of worship: “Accept one another . . . in order to bring praise to God” (v. 7). Romans is especially focused on Jewish and gentile unity. The apostle emphasizes that Jews and gentiles worshiping God together fulfills God’s promises (vv. 8-12). Today, we can join together with other believers and worship “the God of hope” who fills us “with all joy and peace” (v. 13).

For further study, feel free to browse through our resources at the store: Reclaim Today Guide – Ecclesiastes

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“Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 18:6

Today’s Scripture

Jeremiah 18:1-10

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When Asheton met Nick, she described herself as lost, lacking purpose, and behaving in ways she wasn’t proud of. Nick had recently experienced something similar and had reconnected with his faith in the process. He shared with Asheton how viewing God as a loving potter who had reshaped his life and given him hope in that difficult time. The two eventually married and took up pottery as a hobby. Now they offer pottery classes and encourage the attendees that “they’re special and created for a purpose.”

God likened Himself to a potter when communicating with the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to observe the way a potter reshaped marred pots into new pots “as seemed best to him” (Jeremiah 18:4). God revealed to the prophet His ability to shape and reshape the Israelites—either planting or uprooting them according to their response to His counsel. He endowed Jeremiah with a message of repentance and hope for them that He can “do with you, Israel, as this potter does” (v. 6).

Jeremiah’s message was proclaimed to the nation of Israel, but the principle applies to our individual lives as well. When we find ourselves wandering from God’s truth in our thoughts and actions, we can turn to the Potter for help. When we admit our wrongdoings and ask Him for guidance and wisdom to change our ways, we can trust Him to reshape us with His loving hands.

Reflect & Pray

When has God reshaped your life? How are you different today as a result of His help?

Please mold me, dear Father, into the person You want me to be.

Today’s Insights

In Jeremiah 18, the image of a potter working and reworking a clay pot illustrates both God’s grace and power as well as the seriousness of sin. The statement that “the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands” (v. 4) suggests that imperfections in the clay prevented the potter from making the pot as originally intended. Similarly, if God’s people persisted in their rebellion against Him, they couldn’t expect to experience His full blessing. Like a potter forced by poor material to make an inferior clay vessel, God would respond to their rebellion with judgment (vv. 9-10). His grace remained unchanged, however, and was always available. If at any point the people repented, God would “relent” and not send judgment (vv. 7-8). Today as well, when we wander from God’s truth, His grace and restoration are always available.

For further study, read: Remade in the image of Jesus

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Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place. Mark 1:35

Today’s Scripture

Mark 1:29-39

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The Arctic lights of the aurora borealis (the northern lights) are well known for their shimmering green and violet light, but did you know they also emit low frequency electromagnetic (radio) waves? Special devices can convert these natural radio signals into audible whooshing and crackling noises. However, to record these otherwise inaudible vibrations of electric and magnetic energy, you must travel at least four miles away from human sources of sound or electricity that could interfere with the radio receivers.

It’s also sometimes necessary to leave the noise of our lives to hear God’s voice. Mark’s gospel describes Jesus waking up before dawn and finding a “solitary” place to pray (1:35). He’d stayed up late the night before, healing and freeing people from demons (vv. 21-32). The “whole town” had watched (v. 33). Can you imagine their joy and awe? But while Jesus willingly served them, the experience was likely also exhausting.

So the next morning, Jesus took time to find quiet before God, despite the fact that the people were looking for him (v. 37). Jesus’ example shows us the value He placed on spending time alone in prayer.

Today, take a break and listen for God’s voice in the quiet (Psalm 46:10). Let Him reorder your priorities and refresh your soul so you can enjoy the peace He offers.

Reflect & Pray

How can we take time to be still before God? Why might you be hesitant to spend time in silence with Him?

Dear God, please show me how to give more of myself to You as I pay attention to You.

Today’s Insights

Jesus modeled many things perfectly for us, including His consistent priority of prayer. It was perhaps this example that caused His disciples to ask for His help in this important area. Luke 11:1 says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ ” Christ responded by giving them a model of prayer that we refer to as the Lord’s Prayer. It begins with focus on the person, holiness, and kingdom of our heavenly Father (v. 2). Then it turns to our daily needs—even needs so basic as our daily food (v. 3). Jesus then closes with an expression of concern for our relationships with others (v. 4). In these few words, He gives us a magnificent blueprint for our own prayers. As we leave the noise around us and pray to our heavenly Father, we can listen to Him speaking to us.

For further study, listen to the podcast: Waiting in Silent Rest for God

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Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands. Deuteronomy 8:11

Today’s Scripture

Deuteronomy 8:10-18

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Dan Wallace teaches Greek and travels the world cataloguing ancient manuscripts. At the height of his career, he caught encephalitis, a disease that causes the brain to swell. Dan spent the next year in a wheelchair, traveling to five hospitals and the Mayo Clinic. He survived, though he lost most of his memory, including his knowledge of foreign languages. Yet he persisted and returned to the classroom. Dan says, “I had to relearn Greek, and I taught myself Greek using the textbook that I myself had published the year before!”

It’s strange to learn Greek from yourself, but it’s not unusual to learn the same truths over again. This is why God gave us Deuteronomy. Its name means “second law,” a fitting title for a book that reviews the laws and commands given by God in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy gives the Ten Commandments again (ch. 5) and repeatedly urges God’s people to remember how He delivered them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and brought them to the promised land. They needed to remember their salvation story, lest their success might make them proud and they’d “forget the Lord . . . [their] God, who brought [them] out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (8:14).

What wilderness has God brought you out of? How has He provided for you? When we pause to think, we have ample reason to thank and praise Him—again and again.

Reflect & Pray

Why is it important to rehearse the Bible’s stories and instructions? What other practices help you to celebrate your salvation?

Dear Jesus, please help me to remember Your story.

Today’s Insights

“Remembering” is a surprisingly central theme in Scripture. The Israelites were to remember God’s faithfulness in the past since it would serve as the basis for trusting His future faithfulness (Deuteronomy 8:10-18). More than simple recollection, biblical remembering involves active obedience. Our unfaithfulness is how we “forget” His faithfulness (vv. 11, 14). Thankfully, even when we do forget, God always “remembers” His promises to His loved ones. The prophet Isaiah reminds God’s people: “Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you” (Isaiah 44:21). Today, as we reflect on God’s faithfulness, we can respond in praise.

For further study, read: Genesis to Revelation

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Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. Luke 15:6

Today’s Scripture

Luke 15:3-7

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“I’ve been looking for him all my life.” With tears in his eyes, Bill Cordes spoke those words after being reunited with his younger brother, Robert. The men hadn’t seen each other for eighty years after being split up when Robert was just four months old due to a troubled family situation. Bill’s granddaughter helped him finally find his baby brother—someone he’d never stopped thinking about or seeking to find.

In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables of people who refused to stop looking for something or someone precious. In the parable of the lost sheep, He said to the Pharisees who were challenging Him, if a shepherd lost one sheep of his hundred, wouldn’t he “leave the ninety-nine . . . and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (v. 4). His point? The Pharisees—the “ninety-nine”—thought they were right with God, but they weren’t. And Christ told them, there’s “more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents”—who turns from sin to God’s forgiveness—than for those who don’t think they need to (v. 7).

Our Great Shepherd never stops looking for us, and He’ll never stop seeking others as well. When we repent and receive salvation in Christ, there’s great joy in heaven—in God’s heart—because what “was lost . . . is found” (v. 32). And what joy we experience in being found by the one who sought us!

Reflect & Pray

Why should you repent of your sins? How does it encourage you to know that Jesus looks for the lost?

Dear Jesus, because You sought me, I can repent of my sins and receive Your salvation.

Today’s Insights

In our text, Jesus points to the rejoicing that follows when a sinner “repents” (Luke 15:7). The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines repentance as “a change in the whole personality from a sinful course of action to God.” It’s a complete about-face. This theme of repentance is found throughout the Bible and was especially prominent in the ministries of Christ and John the Baptist. Mark tells us, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (1:4). In fact, John’s very first recorded words were, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus’ ministry began with the very same message (4:17). It’s imperative that all of us, as sinners, repent: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The way to salvation is through belief in Christ, who died so we could live (John 3:16).

For further study, read: The Gift of Confession

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You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Today’s Scripture

Isaiah 26:3-7

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As a player for the San Francisco Giants baseball team, Drew Robinson knew mental highs and lows. Whenever injuries demoted him to the Giants’ minor league affiliate, he’d fall into a depressive state. Will I be replaced? Will I recover? At home, watching teammates playing on TV, “I just felt completely isolated, alienated and lonely.” After a suicide attempt during the pandemic, he shared his troubles with the Giants’ team psychologist. He got so much help he urged other players to come forth with their mental struggles. Now he’s the Giants’ full-time mental health advocate, urging physically tough players to seek strong mental health too. After surviving his worst, Robinson believes his purpose is to encourage others.

The Bible regards a sound mind as a wise goal but also a gift from a loving God. In song, the prophet Isaiah said of Him, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (26:3 nlt). What a consoling promise during a time of great trouble! Sin and rebellion had turned the hearts of God’s people away from Him, leaving their thoughts and minds in turmoil. So Isaiah urged them, “Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (v. 4 nlt).

During our anxious times, we too can trust God in our journey. Fixing our minds on Him points our trust to our daily peace—Jesus.

Reflect & Pray

Why does trusting God help us find peace? What worry can you give to Him today?

Please quiet my mental struggles, dear God, as I trust in You.

Today’s Insights

The book of Isaiah can be divided into two major sections. In The Bible Knowledge Commentary, J. A. Martin writes, “Some have suggested that the book has two themes, one for chapters 1-39 and another for chapters 40-66. Judgment seems to be the emphasis in the first part, and salvation and comfort are prominent in the second.” That makes Isaiah 26 powerful, for it lies ensconced in the section of the book that deals primarily with judgment. Nevertheless, even when the focus is on judgment, God’s compassion for His people is displayed. Verse 3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” No matter what season we’re in, God offers His undeniable peace to those whose hearts are focused on Him.

For further study, read: A World Wanting Peace

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The seed on good soil stands for those . . . who hear the word, retain it, and . . . produce a crop. Luke 8:15

Today’s Scripture

Luke 8:4-15

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A saguaro cactus is never in a hurry to grow. Flourishing amid some of the most barren desert climates in the world, the plant slowly takes root over a lifetime of steady, plodding growth. Over its first decade, a Saguaro may grow as little as 1.5 inches. It may take thirty-five years to flower, and its arms can take fifty years to form. The cactus, however, can live up to two hundred years, reach forty-five feet high, and weigh up to two tons. Over a lifetime, it yields a remarkable forty million seeds. A Saguaro’s growth is slow, but resilient.

Jesus used agricultural imagery to describe how His believers grow in the kingdom of God. Telling a parable of seeds sowed among various types of soil, He concluded with a description of how the final seeds “fell on good soil . . . and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8). Christ explained how those seeds “in the good soil” are ones who “[hear] the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (v. 15 esv). There’s a strong yield, abundant growth—but it only comes when we receive the wisdom of God and then patiently allow the Holy Spirit to produce growth in us.

This is how spiritual growth typically works. We may have explosive spurts, but our progress will typically be slow, as we receive God’s wisdom, follow His ways, and watch the Spirit work.

Reflect & Pray

Where do you get impatient with the slow way of spiritual growth? How can you relax and trust?

Dear God, please help me to patiently trust Your ways.

Today’s Insights

When it comes to spiritual growth, we sometimes fail to consider how growth happens in other areas of life. Becoming more and more like Jesus takes time. The parable of the sower in Luke 8 includes the element of time. The word persevering (v. 15) is a translation of the Greek word hypomonē, which means “a patient, steadfast waiting.” Here’s a helpful way to remember the importance of time in spiritual growth: Good seed in good soil produces good fruit in good time. We can ask God to help us trust Him as the Holy Spirit produces growth in us.

For further study, read: The Forever Race

http://www.odb.org

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin. John 16:8

Today’s Scripture

John 16:5-15

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When Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost for His Highest, ran a small Bible college, he learned that a couple who worked there was stealing supplies. Although at times it’s right to address wrongdoing, Oswald decided in this instance not to confront them, instead asking God to bring the matter to their hearts and minds. After several weeks, they came clean, expressing regret. “I’ve known about it all along,” Oswald said, “but we wanted to wait until God’s Spirit spoke to you.” Moved and astonished, the couple surrendered their lives to Jesus.

God’s Spirit at work is what Jesus promised His friends before He died: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). The disciples grieved at the thought of Jesus going away, but He reassured them that this was for their good. Then “the Advocate,” God’s Holy Spirit, would come to them (v. 7). Through the Spirit, God convicts people of their sin: “He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” (v. 8). He also guides people “into all the truth” (v. 13).

The Spirit continues His work today so we too might not “fall away” (v. 1) but rather enjoy life eternal. God gives us the Advocate to convict us when we’re wrong, comfort us when we’re sad, and lead us to worship God.

Reflect & Pray

How have you experienced the prompting of the Holy Spirit? How do you see the Spirit at work in your life?

Faithful God, please help me to have a tender heart, that I might respond to Your Spirit’s nudges of grace. For further study, read The Promise of Presence: John 14 at odbm.org.

Today’s Insights

As Jesus was about to return to His Father (John 16:5), He comforted His disciples and promised to send them the Holy Spirit, “the Advocate” (v. 7). When the Spirit came, He would “guide [them] into all the truth” (v. 13). Believers in Christ receive the Spirit when they trust in Him for salvation (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13). We can rely on the Spirit’s guidance in our day-to-day lives to convict us of sin and remind us of the truth (John 14:26; 15:26). As He did with the disciples, the Spirit will provide the words we need to honor Christ in difficult circumstances (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12). We can ask God to give us a responsive heart to respond to the nudging of the Spirit.

For further study, read: The Promise of Presence

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Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

Today’s Scripture

Philippians 3:17-21

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When I was young, I loved going to Chick-fil-A, a US-based fast-food restaurant, for waffle fries and sweet tea. When, as an adult, I moved to another state, I was shocked to discover there weren’t any locations for hundreds of miles! On family road trips, we’d even plan our routes to allow for stops at Chick-fil-A, all the while hoping someday one would open closer to home.

Longing. We all experience it. Sometimes we don’t actually need what we long for, such as a favorite restaurant. Other times, our longings reflect deeper, more desperate yearnings.

Writing to the Philippian believers, Paul reminded them to live their lives in light of their deepest longing—Christ’s return and the full coming of His kingdom (Philippians 3:20). Jesus’ coming would make everything whole and transform believers to be like Him (v. 21).

Rather than merely longing for what can’t bring lasting satisfaction, Paul says it’s this coming reality that believers “eagerly await” (v. 20)—the day when there will be no more suffering, when we’ll see Jesus face-to-face.

Knowing our longings will one day be satisfied gives us the hope we need to live for Christ each day (vv. 12-14).

A Chick-fil-A recently opened a few miles from my house, a small reminder that a much more important longing will one day be fulfilled. Until then, we wait.

Reflect & Pray

What do you long to see Jesus make right? What do you most anticipate about your future with Jesus?

Dear Jesus, please fill us with hope as we wait for Your return.

Today’s Insights

When Paul wrote Philippians, he was writing from prison (1:13). While there, he also wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, which are referred to as the Prison Epistles. How did the apostle endure such difficult times? In part, by focusing beyond that moment to when he’d see his Savior and in part by focusing on others. While imprisoned, his heart was breaking for those who were living in opposition to the gospel: “As I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). His tears demonstrated his concern for others. Our hope in Jesus and concern for others can lift us beyond our present circumstances to lives of hope and purpose as we wait for our longings to be fulfilled when Christ returns (vv. 14, 21).

For further study, read: All Things New

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The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22

Today’s Scripture

1 Samuel 21:10-15

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In the semifinals of his high school wrestling tournament, Dave cracked a rib on his right side. He won the match but wondered how he’d survive the championship with a damaged ribcage.

In the finals, Dave limped out to the mat on his left, uninjured leg. So his opponent targeted Dave’s left leg throughout the match. Dave protected his right side and won.

Another “Dave” used deception to extract himself from a tough situation. David had been fleeing a murderous King Saul. He found refuge among Israel’s enemies, but word soon got to the enemy king that David was a Hebrew war hero (1 Samuel 21:11). Fearing for his life, David “pretended to be insane . . . making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard” (v. 13). The ploy worked (vv. 14-15).

Good people can debate such tactics and arrive at different conclusions. But Psalm 34 sheds light on David’s experience. There, David credited not his deception but God for his deliverance. He sang, “I sought the Lord, and he . . . delivered me from all my fears” (v. 4). And again, “This poor man called, and the Lord . . . saved him out of all his troubles” (v. 6). David had sought safety with the Philistines, but he found his only reliable refuge when he turned to God (vv. 8, 22).

Reflect & Pray

When have circumstances caused you to take desperate measures you regretted? How does turning to God first change your response?

Dear Father, when I rely on my own cleverness, I get into trouble. Please help me see my challenges as an opportunity to turn to You.

Today’s Insights

When “the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled [Saul] with depression and fear” (1 Samuel 16:14 nlt), David was enlisted to soothe him by playing the lyre (v. 23). The king “liked him . . . and David became one of his armor-bearers” (v. 21). But Saul’s admiration for him was short-lived. After David defeated Goliath (ch. 17), Saul was overtaken by jealousy and tried to kill him (18:6-11). In chapter 21, David is on the run from Saul and hiding among the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. He “pretended to be insane” (v. 13) because it was believed that harming someone who was insane would bring misfortune. Even as David took desperate measures to escape death, his psalms exhibit his trust in God. He wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). When trouble strikes, we too can put our trust in God.

For further study, listen to the following devotional: Presented without Fault

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The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Matthew 13:44

Today’s Scripture

Matthew 13:44-46

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James threw a long rope with a powerful magnet tied to it into the waters of a New York lake. The “magnet fisher” was stunned when he pulled out a grimy safe filled with stacks of muddy one-hundred-dollar bills. Police said James could keep the money since it wasn’t linked to a crime. Some of the bills were in such poor condition they couldn’t be authenticated, though he hoped to salvage as much of the money as possible to perhaps buy a home.

Finding hidden treasure is exciting, and Jesus told a parable about a man who did just that: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44). The man recognized the value of the treasure he’d found and was willing to sell all his possessions to purchase the field.

As we consider that parable, no amount of wealth or possessions could pay the debt we owe for our sins. Only Jesus could pay the incredible price to redeem us and to reconcile us with His Father, through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Earthly treasures may be nice, but they can be lost, stolen, or destroyed. We can gratefully accept Jesus’ supreme sacrifice for us and His free gift of eternal life, knowing that living in heaven with Him is our great reward.

Reflect & Pray

Why is Jesus so precious to you? Why are you willing to let go of your old life to spend eternity with Him?

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving me the true treasure of heaven when I placed my faith and trust in You.

Today’s Insights

The two parables in Matthew 13:44-46 appear amid the telling of several parables on the kingdom of heaven (vv. 1-52). After Jesus told the first parable of the sower (vv. 3-9), His disciples asked why He always spoke in parables (v. 10). His answer was telling: “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (v. 11). He told the disciples, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (v. 16). Then He explained the parable (vv. 18-23). The disciples desired to know the true meaning of Christ’s words, and their desire was rewarded. They’d left everything to follow Him. In essence, they were living out the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (vv. 44-46). They’d found the true treasure because they were receptive to the gospel. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive the free gift of eternal life with Him—the true treasure of heaven.

For further study, feel free to browse through our resources at the store: Reclaim Today Guide – Ecclesiastes

http://www.odb.org

I think of you through the watches of the night . . . because you are my help. Psalm 63:6-7

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 63:1-8

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When I was a kid and got up in the middle of the night, I often found Mom sitting in her chair in the living room. The glow of the table lamp revealed a book on her lap—her Bible. My mom had trouble sleeping because of her insomnia and chronic pain, but she made good use of her time. We rarely spoke those nights. I was too sleepy to do anything but nod and shuffle down the hall. But I know Mom connected with God in those quiet early morning hours, and God spoke to her.

How can we find moments to know God more fully? We don’t have to wait for a sleepless night, of course. Jesus left His companions to spend time talking alone with His Father (Mark 1:35).

The Scriptures say, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). And David’s poetry often reveals how he sought out an intimate relationship with God to praise Him for who He is (63:1-8).

The world is loud, and we’re often distracted by the noise. It claims our attention and demands our participation. That’s why we need to actively seek out the quiet moments rarely found in the chaos of family life or the busyness of work. We find God in the stillness.

He’s awake. He’s listening. And He’s always ready to spend time with those who seek Him.

Reflect & Pray

What distractions keep you from finding time for conversation with God? What’s a good way to prepare your heart to “be still” before Him?

Dear Jesus, please teach me to seek You out and rest in Your presence. Help me to put aside the distractions and to praise You for who You are.

Today’s Insights

Psalm 63 portrays someone who actively pursues God. David declares, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you” (v. 1). He praises Him because His “love is better than life” (v. 3). The psalmist discovers that satisfaction isn’t found in what can be held in our hands, but in who can be known. He valued time with God even more than the satisfaction received from eating the finest of foods: “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (v. 5). The language of thirst, longing, and clinging reveals a relationship pursued with intensity and love. Psalm 63 reminds us that intimacy with God grows as we seek God in stillness.

For further study, listen to the following podcast: Be Still

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[Our high priest] has been tempted . . . just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15

Today’s Scripture

Hebrews 4:14-16

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My father-in-law was a gunner in a bomber over Europe during World War II. His plane was shot down and he was captured, spending several months as a prisoner of war. Jim rarely spoke of the experience, but those who knew him before the war said that he’d been a happy-go-lucky young man with a beaming smile. His war experiences turned him into a moody, withdrawn person.

Trying to understand his experience, I read Masters of the Air, Donald Miller’s description of the air war over Europe. Miller helped me grasp the physical and psychological price paid by these airmen. His book increased my compassion for my father-in-law.

The writer of Hebrews wrote of our “great high priest” (4:14)—Jesus Himself—who did much more than merely gain understanding of our struggles. He lived among us, learning how we feel in every situation. Hebrews tells us, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (v. 15). Think of it! Jesus knows what we endure. He’s been tempted just as we are.

Learning to have a heart of compassion like Jesus is a great way to show His love to those who need Him. May God give us, by His Holy Spirit, an understanding heart that reaches out to others in love and mercy.

Reflect & Pray

Who do you struggle to have compassion for? How can you develop a more understanding heart?

Dear Father, please forgive me for being harsh with others. Teach me the grace of compassion so they might see Your love in me.

Today’s Insights

The letter to the Hebrews explains what Jesus did for us, but to better appreciate that, it’s important to understand the system of sacrifice instituted in Leviticus (4:1–7:10). In Hebrews, the writer affirms the humanity of Christ who, though fully God, “had to be made like [humans], fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (2:17). The writer explains, “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood . . . why was there still need for another priest to come?” (7:11). Jesus’ humanity and His divine nature enable Him to “empathize” with us in “our weaknesses” (4:15) and to redeem us once for all from our sins. Because He empathizes with us, we can seek His help as we reach out to those around us. In the process, we point them to Christ, our once-for-all sacrifice.

For further study, read: Who Is Your Neighbor?

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I want to know Christ. Philippians 3:10

Today’s Scripture

Philippians 3:10-16

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After getting fired from his job without prior notice, Wil became so depressed that he admitted himself into an inpatient mental health facility. Then one day, after weeks with no progress, he was taking his daily walk when his therapist, seeing him, smiled and called out, “I bet I’ll beat you to the community room.” Wil recalls, “That small act triggered something inside of me.” Suddenly he felt he had a purpose. Walking fast, he raced his therapist to the room and won. To his surprise, having one inspiring goal and meeting it gave him hope—a key to his recovery.

The apostle Paul understood the power of a clear goal. “I want to know Christ,” he told church members (Philippians 3:10). He wanted to know the power of the resurrected Jesus, for that power would help the apostle become more like Him. To achieve that aim, Paul followed one strategy: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13-14). Feel like you’re falling short? God helps us refocus our goals as we “live up to what we have already attained” in Christ (v. 16).

Paul’s goal, therefore, wasn’t focused on earthly things. He knew that “our citizenship is in heaven” (v. 20). With this eternal perspective in view, we find new hope to thrive in Christ.

Reflect & Pray

What goals do you have? How might you need to change them to align with Christ’s purpose?

Please shape my goals, dear Father, so they inspire me to know Jesus.

Today’s Insights

Paul is driven by his urgent passion “to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). He wants to “know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection” (vv. 10-11). Being transformed to be like the resurrected Jesus requires us to pursue that goal with everything we have (vv. 13-14, 17). Yet even as we “press on toward the goal” (v. 14), we know it’s only possible through complete reliance on God. He’ll help us shape our goals so that we’ll know Him better. One day, we’ll be resurrected and will finally reflect Him perfectly (v. 21).

For further study, read: 3 Tips for Discerning God’s Will

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A gentle answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1

Today’s Scripture

Proverbs 15:1-6

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“Close it up. I’ve seen enough.” Those were the words of an older, experienced beekeeper to me one afternoon when I was learning how to tend a hive. My movements had been quick and forceful, causing vibrations that alarmed the bees and resulted in a growing swarm around my head. Even though I was trying to care for them, I was only making them angry. My friend proceeded to show me the importance of moving “softly,” using gentle motions that were less likely to disturb the bees. Today (years later), when I go into a hive, my motions are so much smoother that my wife tells me it almost looks like I’m dancing.

Sometimes difficult conversations are like dancing with bees. When others are upset and emotions are tense, reacting angrily only makes matters worse. As King Solomon observed, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Responding kindly and peacefully to those who are irritated or unreasonable may take time to learn. But because gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit at work within us (see Galatians 5:22-23), with God’s help we can make progress in it.

These days I’m learning to pray for wisdom and gentleness whenever I go into a hive or a difficult conversation. When we walk with God into tense moments, our “help in trouble” is never far away (Psalm 46:1).

Reflect & Pray

How can God help you react gently to someone who’s angry? What will you say to someone who needs a gentle response from you today?

Dear Jesus, please help me to gently share Your love in the ways I respond to others today.

Today’s Insights

Wisdom is one of the great themes of the Bible. In fact, in Old Testament wisdom literature, poetry is designed to show the difference between wisdom and folly. This is often done through the poetic device of parallelism. In antithetical parallelism, a verse will contain two lines that contrast with one another, as seen in Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This device is found throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and makes a vivid case for living a life of wisdom in a world wracked by foolishness. The book of Proverbs offers practical advice for how to use our words wisely. We can ask God for wisdom when we don’t know how to respond in difficult situations. In the New Testament, James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (1:5).

For further study, read: Guided by the Spirit

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Hollow and deceptive philosophy . . . depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

Today’s Scripture

Colossians 2:6-15

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In Santa Fe, New Mexico, thousands gather each year to burn Zozobra—a fifty-foot towering effigy stuffed with their worries, bills, and regrets. They shout, “Burn him!” as they hope the flames will devour their anxieties and troubles and reset their lives. The ritual reflects a deep human longing to be cleansed of fear, shame, and failure. It’s dramatic. But it’s also powerless. Fire can destroy paper but not guilt. It can consume ashes but not shame.

The apostle Paul wrote, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). He reminded his readers that they shouldn’t trade Jesus for empty substitutes, and he explains why: Christ is the visible “image of the invisible God” (1:15), is supreme over creation (1:16), fully God in human flesh (2:9), and victorious over “every power and authority” (v. 10). Because of His death and resurrection, we’re “rooted and built up in him” (v. 7), and fully alive and forgiven by Him (v. 13). Human rituals and cultural ceremonies can mesmerize a crowd, but only Jesus can cancel sin’s debt and break its grip forever.

Instead of yielding our burdens to rituals and traditions, let’s surrender them to Christ. He alone frees us from captivity and fills us with hope.

Reflect & Pray

How can human rituals be dangerous substitutes for Christ? In what ways does He offer us freedom from them?

Dear Jesus, only You can truly set me free.

Today’s Insights

Paul wrote, “[God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith . . . and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel” (1:22-23). The apostle is combatting false teaching here—probably Gnosticism. Among its claims were that Christ didn’t have a physical body. This isn’t a biblical teaching, as it denies the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul warned, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy” (2:8). As he said, “You were dead in your sins” but now “God made you alive with Christ” (v. 13). When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for our sin, we become free from sin’s burden.

For further study, read: Teach Us to Pray

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After all, God is in heaven, and you 
are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 nlt

Today’s Scripture

Ecclesiastes 5:1-5

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In a TED Talk, Celeste Headlee outlines “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation.” One of those might appear to be counterintuitive: In order to have good conversation, we need to listen. Often when the other person is talking, we aren’t really listening to them but forming in our minds what we next want to say. Headlee quotes author Stephen Covey: “Most of us don’t listen with the intent to understand. We listen with the intent to reply.”

Scripture has much to say about listening, especially when it comes to God. Ecclesiastes is rather blunt: “Keep your ears open and your mouth shut” (Ecclesiastes 5:1 nlt). It reminds us that God knows a whole lot more than we do—“God is in heaven” (v. 2)—so it’s wise for us to listen to Him. A verse in Proverbs seems to resonate with the quotes from Headlee and Covey: “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions” (18:2).

What does this mean for us? As we come before God in prayer, we would do well to make time to actually listen to Him, not just rattle on with our lists of concerns and worries. And as we find ourselves in conversations with others today, we might be surprised at how our relationships deepen when we’re really listening to them, not just figuring out what we want to tell them.

Reflect & Pray

When it comes to listening, how might you think 
differently about your prayer time with God? 
How can you take more time to listen to Him?

Dear God, please help me to truly listen to others. I want to make time in my prayers to really listen to You.

Today’s Insights

Having the posture of a listening and responsive heart is an important part of prayer. We often hear from God as His Spirit nudges us to the Scriptures (John 14:26), which challenge us to listen to and obey His words and enlighten us to wisdom for the challenges of life. This may explain why obey and listen are the same word (shema) in Hebrew. To hear God and not obey Him is the greatest of follies. In 1 Samuel 15:22, Saul is chastened by Samuel’s words: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice.” These words echo Ecclesiastes 5:1: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.” Today, the Spirit can help us take time to listen to what God is saying to us when we pray.

For further study, read Teach Us to Pray.

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The Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. Judges 11:29

Today’s Scripture

Judges 10:17–11:8, 29

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He was the doctor who never turned away a patient—even if some couldn’t pay him and even though he himself had experienced rejection from society. In spite of Harold’s outstanding record in his medical studies, no hospital in London hired him because of the color of his skin. So in 1913 he opened his own practice in his home, often treating the poor for free. Dr. Harold Moody spent his life helping those discriminated against, earning him the title “Britain’s Martin Luther King.”

Dr. Moody shows that our life need not be determined by the rejection of others. Scripture also shows us this truth in the story of Jephthah. Although a mighty warrior, Jephthah was rejected by his half brothers and driven away from their town. They told him, “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family . . . because you are the son of another woman” (Judges 11:2). “So Jephthah fled from his brothers” and settled in another area (v. 3).

Although his family rejected him, God didn’t. When an enemy made war on Israel, it was Jephthah that the people turned to for help (vv. 4-6). They said, “Be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites” (v. 6). God used and helped Jephthah to subdue their enemy (vv. 29, 32-33) and to later lead Israel (Judges 12:7).

When we’re rejected by others, let’s keep trusting and obeying God. It’s how He sees us and what He wants us to do that matters.

Reflect & Pray

How does rejection affect you? How does God’s acceptance of you encourage you?

Thank You, Father, for Your love and acceptance.
For further study, read The Peace that Jesus Brings at odbm.org.

Today’s Insights

Jephthah the warrior was rejected by others, but God used him for His purpose (Judges 11:2-3, 29). Jesus also understood rejection. He was rejected by the people of His hometown of Nazareth, who doubted His authority (Mark 6:1-6). He was rejected by the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders who plotted to kill Him (3:6). Many of His followers deserted Him (John 6:60-66). For a time, His siblings failed to believe He was the Messiah (7:5). His disciple Judas Iscariot betrayed Him (18:2-3). At His trial, the people shouted for His crucifixion (Mark 15:13). When we face rejection, we can bring our pain to Him knowing He understands. He sees us, loves us, and accepts us.

For further study, read: The Peace that Jesus Brings

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Will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills 
and go to look for the one that wandered off? Matthew 18:12

Today’s Scripture

Matthew 18:10-14

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The movie Sully depicts the heroic landing of a stalled passenger plane on New York’s Hudson River. As Captain “Sully” strode off the rescue ferry, he told an official, “I need to know who’s hurt and how badly and I need a count. One hundred fifty-five. That’s my number. That’s passengers and crew.” The man said, “Okay. How about you?” Sully replied, “I’ll answer that question when we’ve counted to one hundred fifty-five.”

Jesus is interested in a count too. He’s the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one lost sheep. When He finds it, He “is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off” (Matthew 18:13). This doesn’t mean the one lost sheep counts more than the others. But there is the joy of relief when it’s found. As Sully’s passengers rejoiced to escape almost certain death, so heaven celebrates when someone receives salvation.

Do you know any lost sheep? Anyone who seems particularly unreachable? Pray for them. Seek to share the love of Jesus with them. Don’t give up until they’re in the fold.

Sully badgered anyone who would listen, “I need a count. We’ve got to have a count.” At long last, an official entered the hospital room where Sully was being examined. He smiled. “Got a count. One hundred fifty-five.”

Reflect & Pray

Who are three people who need Jesus you could pray for on a regular basis? How might you share the love of Jesus with them?

Dear Jesus, please help me to see Your “sheep” like You see them.

Today’s Insights

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18 are a direct reflection of God’s concern for those in need of Him. The example of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep (vv. 12-14) shows the seeking nature of God. The essence of verse 14—“your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish”—is seen in 2 Peter 3:9, where Simon Peter says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This was Christ’s own mission in coming to this world—to seek with the heart of the Father. He said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). As we pray for those who need Jesus, we’re joining God in His great work of rescue.

For further study, read: The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel

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