1 John 5:11-12

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

For those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we should overflow with the life of Christ. Our pasts are washed clean by His forgiveness. Our present is filled with the joy of His presence. Our futures brim with hope.

In the Garden of Eden, God breathed life into Adam. After he bit into the forbidden fruit, we inherited death. But Jesus came to redeem our lives from destruction. We were dead in sin, but He came to dwell inside and breathe new life into us. We became new creations.

He has redeemed our lives from destruction and crowned us with loving kindness. Goodness and mercy follow us; the blessings of God chase us down and overtake us.

How can we not exude life if we are filled with The Life? Jesus assured us that, for every person who chooses to believe in Him, rivers of living water will burst forth from their hearts (John 7:38). That joy and exuberance cannot be contained!

Allow yourself to be swept up in the river of the Holy Spirit! Splash that living water on those who are thirsty and long for life overflowing.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May the living water rise up to fill you completely and burst forth to bless those who thirst for righteousness. Give praise for the abundant life found in Christ Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 41:17-43:13

New Testament 

Ephesians 2:1-22

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 67:1-7

Proverbs 23:29-35

https://www.jhm.org

1 John 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

After we prepare for conflict, we need to get ready for victory! No need to debate what God has declared. Every step brings us that much closer to His promise.

When God promised Jericho to the Israelites, He instructed them to march. Every circle around the walls gave them opportunity to prepare for victory. As they marched in silence, they must have remembered God’s faithfulness to them in the past.

If God delivered them from Pharaoh’s brick pit, He was well able to give Jericho to them. If He pushed back the waters of the Red Sea, He could surely topple these walls. If He could be a fire by night and a cloud by day, He could lead them to victory. Manna from heaven, water from a rock…God was with them, and He was for them.

With every lap, their faith grew. A shout was building. They believed that on the seventh day, when they lifted their hands, when their shout erupted, those walls would come down. Victory belonged to them!

As you march around your Jericho, get ready for victory. Rehearse the things that God has done for you in the past. Faith will bring down the walls to reveal His promise!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. As you recall God’s faithfulness in the past, remember that nothing is impossible for Him now. May your shout erupt in a roar that brings down every wall in the name of Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 39:1-41:16

New Testament 

Ephesians 1:1-23

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 66:1-20

Proverbs 23:26-28

https://www.jhm.org

1 Peter 4:12-13

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

God sees us as victors! He expects us to win because He has already won the war. Before we are crowned as conquerors, though, we must prepare for conflict.

No one escapes this life without conflict. God gave Jericho to the Israelites, but after the walls tumbled down, the real hand-to-hand combat began. Victory was still assured, but they contended for the promise of God.

In today’s verse, Peter warned the church to expect the fiery trial – nothing strange about it. His next words were “but rejoice.” No whining in war, complaining in conflict, or bellyaching in battle! But rejoice!

If there is an enemy in front of you, rejoice that God is about to reveal His glory in you, and exceeding joy will break out. No one revels in a struggle, but we have this assurance: at the end of every conflict, glorious rejoicing awaits.

Do not fear the fight! Stand in the power of His Word and the authority of His name. The God that fights for you is greater than whatever fights against you. The battle belongs to Him.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Your greatest victory is before you! Nothing is impossible because God has called you more than a conqueror. Fight in the power of His might!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 37:1-38:22

New Testament 

Galatians 6:1-18

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 65:1-13

Proverbs 23:24-25

https://www.jhm.org

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Focus and faithfulness go together like faith and works. Without works, our faith is dead. Without faithfulness, our focus fizzles.

An overwhelming lack of faithfulness exists around us. Temporary commitments abound. We find a world grown weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9). The moment that faithfulness runs up against discomfort, it fades.

True faithfulness is demonstrated in the difficult times. God desires a people who are faithful to read and obey His Word. He desires a people who pray continually – believing that He will respond. He wants a people who serve faithfully in even the small things. He wants a people who are faithful to bring their hearts to enter His gates with praise.

Faithfulness comes easily when life flows smoothly. But on the hardest day of your life, how do you remain focused and faithful? When trouble looms on every side?

You may not see the way through. Take one more step of faith. You may feel absolutely alone. Take one more step. When the darkness presses in, take one more step. Remain focused on the promise that He made to you. Remain faithful to take just one more step.

On the path that He opens before you, He waits with hands outstretched. He has not abandoned you. He is working everything out for your good.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Even in the difficult times, may God empower you with focus and faithfulness. May every step be one of purpose and perseverance until you possess the promise He has given!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 33:13-36:22

New Testament 

Galatians 5:13-26

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 64:1-10

Proverbs 23:23

https://www.jhm.org

Hebrews 12:1-2

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When facing our personal Jericho, we have learned that we must work while we wait. We must be faithful. While we are waiting, we must remain focused.

We all begin with energy and expectation, passion and purpose. But what do we do when those things begin to wane in the reality of our situations? When every step looks the same? How do we plow through the monotony?

For the Israelites, the solution was to have a vision. They saw their destiny up ahead – full of the promise and potential that God had stored up for them. They made it through day three – not because of the idea that they would do the same thing on days four, five, and six – but because they knew that day seven held the promise of a shout!

Some lose focus because of the pain in their past, the problem in their present, or the fear of the future. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus; He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He will lead us to the joy that He has set before us.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May God establish your steps and renew your vision for His promise. May you move forward in the strength and power of His name!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 30:12-33:12

New Testament 

Galatians 5:1-12

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 63:1-11

Proverbs 23:22

https://www.jhm.org

Hebrews 11:30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

The daunting walls of Jericho stood between the children of Israel and the Promised Land. If not for God, those walls were their mission impossible.

You may face the walls of a personal Jericho that are impossible for you to bring down on your own. But remember! God’s power begins where your strength ends. Even though every step of every lap must be walked before the wall crumbles, you walk by faith in a God Who makes the impossible possible.

Rather than analyzing the issue from every angle, choose to address your Jericho. You cannot change what you will not confront or finish what you are unwilling to begin. The victory of day seven only occurs after a first step is taken on day one. By faith, take the first teetering step that leads to freedom and laying hold of the promises of God to you.

One step in front of the other, one day after another we walk on by faith. When we march in God’s truth and in His way, a revolution of righteousness swells to sweep away the stubborn walls and carry us to victory. Our God makes the impossible our reality!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Step out in faith to see the walls of Jericho fall! May your faith grow with every step that you take, knowing that you are regaining ground that the enemy has stolen. By faith, take hold of the promises of God Who makes the impossible your reality!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 22:1-24:23

New Testament 

Galatians 2:17-3:7

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 60:1-12

Proverbs 23:15-16

https://www.jhm.org

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

As the Israelites prepared to take possession of the Promised Land, they stared up at the walls of Jericho. But in the middle of today’s difficult circumstances, God had some good news for Joshua.

As Joshua stepped into Moses’ leadership shoes, God assured Joshua that He was giving them the Promised Land. Every piece of land where Joshua’s foot fell belonged to him. No man would be able to stand before him all the days of his life. Just as God was with Moses, He was with Joshua. He would never leave nor forsake him.

As you march around your personal Jericho, be encouraged by the Good News. The afflictions of the righteous may be many, but the Lord delivers us from them all. If your heart is broken, remember that He has heard every prayer and has captured each tear in a bottle.

Weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning. No matter your affliction – physical to financial – God’s Word contains 3,000 promises that apply to you. He keeps His promises from generation to generation, and He will not fail you.

No matter how many laps you have circled around your Jericho, if you are walking in obedience and making every step one of faith, your shouting day is coming. One day soon, a roar will erupt. Your shout will go up, and those walls will come down!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May God’s promises take root and rise up in your spirit as you march around your Jericho. May His Good News carry you to your shouting day when the walls fall flat in the name of Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 19:1-21:17

New Testament 

Galatians 2:1-16

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 59:1-17

Proverbs 23:13-14

https://www.jhm.org

Psalm 107:14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.

At the border of the Cross, we find freedom. The weight of the world can crush the life out of us, can make it hard to breathe. Jesus has come to break away those chains and set us free indeed!

Bondage and chains can come in many forms – depression, broken relationships, ingrained habits, addictions, financial debt. While we may feel shackled to these things, God’s Word is not chained (II Timothy 2:9).

God sent Jesus to proclaim freedom to the prisoner. He sent Him to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19). For those who were under the dominion of darkness, He has called us into His marvelous light. For those bound in affliction and irons, He brings us out of the blackness – even the very shadow of death – and He breaks our chains in pieces (Psalm 107:14).

Remember Paul and Silas, bound in prison for preaching the Gospel of Jesus. In the midnight hour, they lifted their voices in prayer and songs as the other prisoners listened. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the very foundation of the prison. Every cell door flew open, and every single chain fell off of every single prisoner. Salvation and celebration broke out!

Jesus has come to shake the very foundation of the prison where you are bound. He will cut the bars of iron in two. He will break your chains in pieces. He will set you absolutely free.

Blessing: 

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, giving you His peace. Celebrate the fact that Jesus has broken all of your chains in pieces! The cell doors have flown open, and He has proclaimed freedom to the prisoner! You are free indeed in the mighty name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30

New Testament 

Romans 5:3-21

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 15:1-5

Proverbs 19:18-19

https://www.jhm.org

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Has your spiritual walk ever felt more like a crawl? Has your salvation seemed more like a struggle for survival? Do the words “overcomer” and “more than a conqueror” describe someone other than the person in the mirror?

Great news! Every promise in God’s Word was spoken to you. Every promise finds its divine YES in Jesus. He gets the final AMEN in your life that will give all the glory to God! If you want Him and are ready to do what He says, the Door is open.

He does not play favorites or pick and choose which one of His children receives a limited number of promises. Every good and perfect gift that comes down from the Father of Lights is available to you.

When you said yes to Him at the border of the Cross, you came into agreement with Him. Through Christ, everything became possible – for you. His blood washes away every imperfection – for you. His perfect love has chased away fear – for you. Every promise is available – for you. His YES and AMEN – for you.

No need to crawl, no need to hang on by a thread. When you look in the mirror, see an overcomer, see a child of God who is more than a conqueror, see someone destined to run in the path of His commands because He sets your heart free (Psalm 119:32).

Blessing: 

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, giving you His peace. Celebrate the fact that Jesus has broken all of your chains, that you are more than a conqueror through Him. He has set your heart free! Rejoice in His name… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34

New Testament 

Romans 4:14-5:2

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 14:1-7

Proverbs 19:17

https://www.jhm.org

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God has blessed us with borders, but these boundaries have not built walls between us. His ear is bent towards us. His arms are open. His heart longs for us.

He sent His Son to build a bridge back to Him. Through this Door, God is accessible and available to every single person. He is not angry. His face is not turned away.

Remember the story of the prodigal son? The father must have stood in the door, watching the road day, after day because when the son was still far away, he saw him. Did he slam the door? Did he turn away in disgust?

No! He was filled with compassion and flew down the road to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and called for a celebration even as his son cried out, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21). The lost was found. The one presumed dead was alive again.

If the road has taken you far away from the Father, He stands waiting for you at the Door. Turn around, and come home. If you are praying for the return of a loved one, He stands at the Door with you, waiting and watching and longing, too.

Blessing: 

Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming back us prodigals. I pray for those who have wandered far away from You. Please bring them home so that we can celebrate with the angels who rejoice over every sinner saved. In the name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36

New Testament 

Romans 1:18-32

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 10:1-15

Proverbs 19:6-7

https://www.jhm.org

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Centuries ago, God brought Abraham to stand under a night sky and urged him to count the stars. And He made a promise that, one day, Abraham’s descendants would be as innumerable as those twinkling points.

Thousands of years later at Jesus’ birth, the Light dawned on a people who sat in darkness, who lived in the shadow of death. When we invite Him into our hearts, this glorious treasure comes to live in our jars of clay.

God has chosen us to be the light of the world right here and right now. He calls us to be blameless and harmless in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, to shine like the stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15).

He is not looking for a perfect people. God is looking for a people willing to live by His truth, to speak out against evil, to reach out and ease suffering – to shine a Light.

When we submit our wounds and jagged pieces to Jesus, He comes to heal and reveal Himself. Through all of the cracked places in these jars of clay, His Light spills out to reach those around us who still sit in darkness.

Blessing: 

Heavenly Father, make me shine! Help me to stop hiding and submit all my broken pieces to You. Come heal and shine through me to reach others who are waiting for the Light to shine on their hurting places, too. In the name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18

New Testament 

Acts 28:1-31

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 9:1-12

Proverbs 19:1-3

https://www.jhm.org

Leviticus 23:3

Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

God did us a favor when He created the border of a Sabbath day. He did that for us…not for Himself (Mark 2:27).

He knew that our lives would move at breakneck speed, our calendars would be crammed, and we would overcommit. He knew we would need to rest and refocus.

Establishing a Sabbath in our lives causes us to recognize God’s governance of our time and helps us relinquish control to Him.

The Sabbath is a time for us to cease from regular daily activities. Set aside and resist the obligations and activity that consume most of your days. It offers us a sacred time to rest. We can sleep a solid eight hours, sit quietly, or doze in a hammock.

On this special day, do the thing that brings you joy, that recharges and rejuvenates you. Remember to spend time in God’s presence. Turn your heart to Him. Open your Bible, sing to Him or talk to Him in prayer.

As you take this step of obedience, expect to hear from Him. Anticipate a refresh and renewal for the upcoming week. Honor the Sabbath. It is His gift to you.

Blessing: 

Heavenly Father, You knew that I would need a break. Thank You for the gift of a Sabbath. Thank You for helping me stop to rest, contemplate Your goodness, and take time to do something just because it makes me happy. I trust You to help me accomplish everything in the other six days. In the name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14

New Testament 

Acts 27:21-44

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 8:1-9

Proverbs 18:23-24

https://www.jhm.org

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Satan is an enemy who attempts to draw us in, to bring us near. Since he is a roaring lion who walks about seeking whom he may devour, he knows that he needs to be close enough to pounce (1 Peter 5:8). When it comes to fleeing from temptation, Joseph provides us a prime example.

Young Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery; he was bought by Potiphar, the Egyptian captain of the guard. Because the Lord was with Joseph, Potiphar saw that everything he put his hand to prospered. He made him overseer of his household. Since he was a handsome man, he caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. Day after day, she attempted to seduce him. Day after day, he refused her. He would not stoop to dishonor Potiphar’s trust or to sin against God (Genesis 39:9).

One day, when no one else was around, as Joseph went into the house to work, she grabbed hold of his garment and would not let go as she tempted him yet again. He resisted her pleas, pulled away, and left his garment in her hand as he fled. There was no shame in running away!

The Apostle Paul said to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” He goes even further when he encourages young Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (I Timothy 6:12). When we submit to God and resist the devil, James tells us that Satan will flee from us (James 4:7)!

In all the places where Satan would seek to entice you to sin or where he would draw you close enough to pounce and devour, resist him. When we submit to God first, we do not stand to resist in our own power.

Blessing: 

Heavenly Father, help me to avoid even the appearance of evil in my life. Help me submit to You so that I may resist the devil and set him to flight. Help me to walk worthy of this holy calling. In the name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17

New Testament 

Acts 23:11-35

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 3:1-8

Proverbs 18:14-15

https://www.jhm.org

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Satan is an enemy who attempts to draw us in, to bring us near. Since he is a roaring lion who walks about seeking whom he may devour, he knows that he needs to be close enough to pounce (1 Peter 5:8). When it comes to fleeing from temptation, Joseph provides us a prime example.

Young Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery; he was bought by Potiphar, the Egyptian captain of the guard. Because the Lord was with Joseph, Potiphar saw that everything he put his hand to prospered. He made him overseer of his household. Since he was a handsome man, he caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. Day after day, she attempted to seduce him. Day after day, he refused her. He would not stoop to dishonor Potiphar’s trust or to sin against God (Genesis 39:9).

One day, when no one else was around, as Joseph went into the house to work, she grabbed hold of his garment and would not let go as she tempted him yet again. He resisted her pleas, pulled away, and left his garment in her hand as he fled. There was no shame in running away!

The Apostle Paul said to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” He goes even further when he encourages young Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (I Timothy 6:12). When we submit to God and resist the devil, James tells us that Satan will flee from us (James 4:7)!

In all the places where Satan would seek to entice you to sin or where he would draw you close enough to pounce and devour, resist him. When we submit to God first, we do not stand to resist in our own power.

Blessing: 

Heavenly Father, help me to avoid even the appearance of evil in my life. Help me submit to You so that I may resist the devil and set him to flight. Help me to walk worthy of this holy calling. In the name of Jesus… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17

New Testament 

Acts 23:11-35

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 3:1-8

Proverbs 18:14-15

https://www.jhm.org