Read TITUS 1:1-9

New parents quickly realize the fragility and dependency of the new life entrusted to them. A newborn requires protection, love, and nourishment, and a growing child will need godly parents to provide education, discipline, and leadership.

The church also needs godly leadership for healthy spiritual maturity. Paul wrote to his “true son in our common faith” (v. 4), Titus, in order to help the fledgling churches in Crete along this path of spiritual growth. After an introduction reminding Titus of “the hope of eternal life” (v. 2) and Paul’s own apostolic call, Paul’s primary concern was one of church organization: to “appoint elders in every town” (v. 5).

Paul delineated the qualifications for being an elder. In the moral realm, an elder must be “blameless” (v. 6)—not in the sense of being sinless, but of being upstanding in the public community. An elder should also be “faithful to his wife” (v. 6). In an age when adultery and womanizing were commonly accepted, Paul called leaders of the church to marital faithfulness. Leadership ability was also important. Elders’ children should “believe” (v. 6) and not lead lives of licentiousness and disobedience. One who cannot govern his own family is ill-suited to govern God’s family.

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Read 3 JOHN 1-8

The Letters of John have a kind of telescopic effect, each letter focusing further in. First John addresses the general Christian community, 2 John addresses a particular church and its concerns, and 3 John addresses an individual leader named Gaius. Though we know very little about this man, 3 John provides us with important lessons about the Christian faith.

We learn, for example, that “the elder” was delighted to hear about Gaius’ faith (v. 1). Notice that the letter commends Gaius not just for doctrinal correctness (“faithfulness in the truth”) but also for a total life of faith (“how you continue to walk in it”). Here was a man who lived out his faith toward others. Gaius’ displays of Christian love were so wellknown because “some believers came and testified” (v. 3) about it.

We are not given many details, but it appears that Gaius had demonstrated love by hosting other Christians who were traveling through the area. In an Empire where Christianity was a minority religion and often viewed with suspicion, hospitality was a true blessing to traveling Christians. These individuals may have been strangers to Gaius (v. 5), but he received them in great love, and a report had made its way back to the elder.

Gaius clearly took his faith seriously, and the letter uses the occasion to praise Gaius in his work and to encourage him to remain steadfast in it. John reminds Gaius that these strangers had gone out “for the sake of the Name” (v. 7), that is, as traveling missionaries. Of course, such people would receive “no help from the pagans” (v. 7), which is why it was all the more important “to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth” (v. 8).

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Read 1 JOHN 4:7-12

A church member once told the pastor that the church should have a sign out front warning people away, and then launched into a litany of complaints about all the problems within the congregation: gossip, cliquish mentalities, selfish behavior—and too many complainers!

How contrary this is to the picture of Christian life in today’s reading. The shining attribute of the Christian community should be love, a theme that will continue for the next few days. In fact, the community is twice addressed as “beloved” (also translated as “dear friends,” vv. 7, 11); and Scripture calls us to love one another three times in six verses.

While this should underscore the call to love one another, God’s own love is mentioned twice as much—six times! In other words, the foundation for Christian love is that “God is love” (v. 8). Central to God’s love is the coming of Jesus Christ as an atonement for sin. If we want to know anything about love, we must first look to the true source and example: the Father’s sending the Son into our world.

Notice the important connection with yesterday’s point, that those who are from God must confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This affirmation is not merely an intellectual belief; it is the very basis of Christian communal life. When the Incarnation becomes the basis for our love, we demonstrate that we are “born of God” and know Him (v. 7). It means that “God lives in us” (v. 12). But most importantly, it means that God’s love “is made complete in us” (v. 12). That is, if people want to know God’s love, they should be able to look to God’s people as the expression of that love.

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This Sunday you have an opportunity to embody Scripture’s call to love one another as God has loved us. As you worship with the community of the “beloved,” avoid self-serving conversations and actions. Instead, find someone in need and focus on serving them rather than having your own preferences as the priority.

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Read 1 JOHN 4:1-6

Many people might remember the litmus test from high school chemistry lab. Strips of litmus paper are dipped into a liquid solution to determine the acidic or base levels of that liquid. In general, if the paper turns red, the solution is an acid. If it turns blue, it is a base.

Just as the chemistry litmus test reveals acids and bases, so also a spiritual litmus test will “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (v. 1). In the ancient world, many teachers and self-proclaimed prophets vied for the Christian community’s attention. Here was a test for the spirit behind the teaching: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God” (vv. 2–3). Only those who acknowledge the full divinity and the full humanity of Jesus are from God. In fact, the spirit that denies these truths “is the spirit of the antichrist” (v. 3).

Believers may be tempted to despair when they observe so many false spirits proclaiming error around them. The forces arrayed against God and the truth seem so powerful and even wellaccepted. Scripture offers a reassuring reminder: there is victory over these false spirits “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (v. 4).

While these false teachers claim to be speaking for God, in truth the world’s viewpoint has utterly penetrated their own thinking. They are not from God, but “from the world” (v. 5). In the end the community of believers must not worry about popularity, only about adhering to the truth from God which they have been given.

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The messages bombarding us can be confusing. The next time you wonder about a message you hear, test it with today’s spiritual litmus test. If the message affirms who Jesus is—fully God and fully human—it is from God. If it denies those truths, no matter how popular it is, avoid it as “the spirit of falsehood” (v. 6).

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Read 1 JOHN 2:12-17

When a worried child expresses doubts about their own worth or their parents’ love, what does any responsible parent do? They comfort the child by repeating over and over again a message of reassurance and encouragement. The same seems to be the case in the first part of today’s reading. Speaking to a community whose confidence about their own relationship with God may have been shaken, John offers a repeated message of reassurance and encouragement. And while the “children,” “fathers,” and “young men” may be specific age groups, these designations may also be a way of addressing the entire community. Regardless of their spiritual progress, whether new to the faith or longtime Christians, the truth is the same.

First, they “have been forgiven on account of his name” (v. 12). The problem of sin has been dealt with once and for all. Second, because of the forgiveness they have in Christ, they “know him who is from the beginning” (vv. 13a, 14b). Despite any doubts, their relationship with God is genuine. Finally, because they have been strengthened by forgiveness and relationship with God, they “have overcome the evil one” (vv. 13b, 14c). The victory that belongs to Christ is theirs by virtue of their relationship with Him.

As a result, the last part of our reading spells out the practical implications: “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (v. 15). The warning about the “world” here refers to the domain of Satan: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (v. 16). Because we belong to God, our loyalty and love should be with Him, not with the sinful lusts and possessions of the world. Only the one who abides in God will “live forever” (v. 17).

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Do you know people who need Scripture’s reminder that they can find forgiveness in Christ? That He offers genuine relationship and spiritual victory? Encourage and reassure someone today about the truth of the gospel. Consider writing a note, making a phone call, or even stopping for a visit to make God’s message to them real.

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Read 1 JOHN 2:3-11

In the early church, Gnostic Christians claimed to have a “special knowledge” that set them apart as super-spiritual. Many commentators have suggested that the secessionists of 1 John were a similar group who claimed a special spirituality because of their “superior knowledge.”

As our passage today demonstrates repeatedly, true spiritual maturity lies not in claims of knowledge or personal experience of God, but in the way one lives. Knowledge of God will be demonstrated by obedience to Christ’s commands and by walking as Jesus did.

In fact, this is not a “new command” at all, but one given “since the beginning” (v. 7). The command to love God and neighbor has its roots in the Old Testament (see Deut. 6:5; 19:9). The command itself is not new, but the scope has been enlarged. The call to love has been embodied in the person of Jesus and His command to all followers: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Quite naturally, then, our reading ends by linking together obedience to God’s commands and our love for one another. Those who claim to walk in the light of Christ are identified by how they treat “a brother or sister” in Christ (v. 9). Love for others is not what brings you into a saving relationship with Christ, but it is a tangible sign of that relationship. Conversely, “anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness . . . because the darkness has blinded them” (v. 11). In short, the true test of an authentic relationship with God is not an empty claim of “knowledge,” but a life marked by obedience to Christ’s command to love one another.

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Confession of sin can be difficult, even painful. But Scripture shows us that confession is essential to fellowship with God. Spend time today asking the Holy Spirit to show you areas of sin. Then confess those sins before God in repentance, knowing that He has promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1:9).

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Read Numbers 32

At noon on May 22, 1889, more than 50,000 people poured into the Oklahoma Territory, rushing to stake their claims to cheap land offered by the federal government. It was the beginning of the Oklahoma Land Rush. Those who illegally slipped into the territory early were called “Sooners,” which became the state’s nickname.

The Reubenites and Gadites came to Moses to stake their claims to land on the east side of the Jordan River. This land had been conquered as part of Israel’s early military victories. The problem, from Moses’ perspective, was that allowing them to do so might discourage the rest of the nation from obeying God and entering Canaan, thus repeating the previous generation’s disobedience (vv. 6–15).

How could he approve their request and yet avoid this danger? The Reubenites and Gadites responded with a wise solution: They promised to cross the Jordan River with the rest of the nation, going to war along with their brothers even though their inheritance was already won. This answered the obedience question, showing their genuine commitment to God’s plan and promise. It also answered the political question, showing their genuine commitment to the other tribes and acknowledging that the entire nation had won the land to which they now wished to stake a claim (v. 18).

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Read Numbers 22:1-23:26

You might remember Francis the Talking Mule, star of seven popular movies during the 1950s. Francis was a U.S. Army mule who befriended a young soldier named Peter. Francis would talk to Peter—but only to Peter, which of course led to many humorous and difficult situations.

The only donkey that has actually talked in real life belonged to Balaam. Balaam was a pagan diviner or soothsayer, a person who claimed to be able to foretell the future and to have some influence with the gods and divinities.

The Moabites and Midianites were petrified. They had heard of Israel’s recent victories and feared they would be next to be overrun by the “horde” (22:4). They felt they needed supernatural help, and they decided to pay for Balaam to use his skill to pronounce a curse on their enemies. Though Balaam was not a follower of God, apparently he knew His voice when he heard it. The Lord told him not to dare to curse people whom He had blessed (22:9–12). Despite his greed (see 2 Peter 2:15–16), Balaam at first obeyed, perhaps out of fear or concern for his reputation—a curse that didn’t work would be bad for business. But when offered a higher price, he couldn’t resist moving in the desired direction.

The famous episode with his talking donkey took place on the way to deliver his curses (22:21–35). God mercifully sent this miraculous warning to impress upon Balaam the seriousness of His previous command not to curse Israel (23:19). His “path [was] a reckless one” (22:32), flirting with disobedience. In a bit of divine comedy, Balaam ended up not cursing but blessing the Israelites multiple times!

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As Balak and Balaam discovered, God is the King of kings, whether or not people or nations acknowledge His rule or even believe in His existence. Praise the Lord today for His sovereignty. Rejoice that you can have a personal relationship with God. And thank Him for His guidance and protection in your life.

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Read Numbers 8

Expositing Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, New Testament scholar D. A. Carson wrote: “In much contemporary evangelism, there is little concern for whether or not God will accept us, and much concern for whether or not we will accept him. Little attention is paid to whether or not we please him, and much to whether or not he pleases us. . . . As a result, there is far too little stress on God’s character and the requirements of the kingdom, and far too much stress on our needs.”

Today’s passage presents an instructive contrast. In order to serve in the tabernacle, the Levites were required to meet God’s standards for purity and holiness. Following the dedication of the tabernacle, the next step was the consecration of the Levites.

The Levites’ one-day ceremony was rich with spiritual symbolism. Water—sprinkled and used for bathing and washing clothes—represented cleansing. There was even a special recipe and ritual for preparing holy water (see Lev. 19:9). Shaving their entire bodies signified completeness. Bulls were offered as a sin offering and burnt offering to make atonement. The laying on of hands indicated substitution—they represented the nation (vv. 10, 16–18). And their public presentation by Aaron, the high priest, showed that they were now prepared and qualified for service.

Males served between the ages of 25 and 50. It appears that there was a five-year period of training, with full service beginning at age 30 (4:3). Perhaps because the job was physically strenuous, retirees could assist or perhaps stand guard, but no more than that. What an honor it must have been to be a Levite, but also a serious responsibility with God-given standards. The same is true for ministry today.

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Specifically pray for the leaders of your church by name. Ask the Lord to keep them strong in faith as they lead the congregation. Pray for their purity of heart and obedience to God. Pray that they may have the physical health and strength for ministry. And ask the Lord how you can encourage and support them and their families.

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Read Revelation 19:1-10

Sometimes our future eternal life with God can seem far away, belonging more to the realm of fairy tales than to the ordinary rhythms of everyday life. But as God’s people, the priorities of eternity should set our priorities. We daily seek to live according to the aims of heaven, and we pray, as Jonathan Edwards prayed, “Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs!”

In today’s passage we see that one of the main activities in our future life with God will be praying together with the fully assembled people of God. Prayer is not merely asking God for something we don’t have. Prayer is presenting our desires to God with thanksgiving. In eternity, the gathered people of God join their voices to express their greatest desire—the exaltation of Jesus—and to give God thanks for His gift of salvation. Their meditation on the great things God has done for them gives rise to an eternal prayer meeting.

God’s people in heaven are freed from sin and human weakness. No more do they struggle against their desires— sometimes asking for good things with wrong motives—or offer their prayers mixed with doubt. No more do they fall asleep mid-prayer or put off prayer time until tomorrow. The vision in Revelation 19 is thoroughly triumphant. The multitude speaks to God with both body and soul, with resounding shouts and untiring energy.

The prayer leader in the new heaven and new earth will be Christ Himself. He is the voice from the throne (v. 5) calling His people to praise, and He is the subject of their roaring, rushing, thundering Hallelujahs. Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem in Luke 19 was only a dim foretaste of His welcome among the multitudes who will dwell with Him forever. The humble, roadside hosannas of Jesus’ disciples will be amplified by His people into eternity.

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If praying together is an important part of life in the new heaven and new earth, it ought to be an important part of life now. God’s Word holds forth the prospect of eternal corporate worship as encouragement to gather before His throne right now. Use times of prayer with others as a way to train your heart for eternal life with God.

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Read Acts 4:23-25

On December 25, 1914, during World War I, a remarkable display of kindness happened between opposing armies. The so-called Christmas Truce was an unofficial ceasefire that found German and Allied troops climbing out of their trenches, warily at first, to exchange food, sing carols, and even play a friendly soccer match. The soldiers who shook hands on the battlefield that day demonstrated human compassion and testified to their hope for future peace.

The Christians in today’s passage had also been battered recently by their enemies. Peter and John had just been released from prison, where they had been unjustly detained for preaching the gospel. Receiving them back, the church prayed together. Their prayer is starkly honest, acknowledging to the Lord the frustration of being opposed by raging nations and wicked rulers (vv. 25–26).

But the church does not pray without hope. They began their prayer by addressing the Lord of all creation who created all things and rules over them by His sovereign power. They also confessed that even the wicked forces that fight against them did so only under the power and permission of the Lord (v. 28). They knew that Satan and his angels are subject to One greater than themselves. We can learn from the early church’s prayerful example to be honest before the Lord and to be honest about the Lord.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this prayer is found at its conclusion. We might expect the disciples to pray for the total obliteration of their enemies. Instead, we find them interceding for boldness to proclaim the gospel and power to work miracles among the unconverted. In short, they asked God to make His enemies His friends.

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Jesus instructed us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Though most of us don’t experience persecution the way early Christians did, we still might be surrounded by people who hate our Savior. Spend time praying for unbelievers, asking God to reconcile them to Himself and make them His friends.

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Read James 5:13-20

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the list of diseases and impairments that He healed is diverse. Leprosy, paralysis, fever, and unexplained bleeding (see Matthew 8) were cured. Blindness (Matt. 9:27–29), deafness (Mark 7:31–35), and abnormal swelling (Luke 14:1–4), and more were all included in the work done by the Great Physician. When those we love are sick and suffering, we might wish we could find Jesus of Nazareth still walking the earth. But James 5 reminds us that we will always have recourse to the One who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (see Ps. 103:3).

In today’s passage, James gives instruction for the church member who is seriously ill, exhorting the elders of the church to intercede for the sick person. Prayer for the sick is first of all the priority of church leaders, but James quickly follows this with a general call to “pray for each other” (v. 16). In some ways, God’s promise in this passage is mysterious. In answer to our intercession for a suffering fellow Christian, He promises to “make the sick person well,” to “raise them up,” and to forgive them (v. 15). It is difficult to tell from these words whether we ought to expect physical or spiritual healing. Many scholars believe that the ambiguity is deliberate. If we are tempted to overlook physical healing in our intercession, James gives us encouragement to ask God for bodily healing. If we are tempted to skip over spiritual healing, James reminds us of the precious gift of spiritual wellness.

Even if we never see physical healing granted to our loved ones in this life, we will certainly rejoice in it in heaven. As commentator Daniel Doriani explains, “The Lord will heal all his people sooner or later.” The Great Physician will one day ensure all His people are whole and well.

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James commends “the prayer offered in faith” (v. 15). Christian faith is placed in Christ alone. Our prayers of faith do not depend on our boldness but on Christ’s goodness, not on the hope for a certain result but on the God who does all things well. Like the paralytic’s friends (Matt. 9:1–7), humbly bring your loved ones to Jesus.

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Read Ezra 10:1-12

In January 1907, in what is now North Korea, more than one thousand Christians met for a worship service. During the prayer time, many became convicted of sins they had committed against one another. The subsequent outpouring of confession, which spilled over into the surrounding community, was the beginning of a season of growth and revival in the Pyongyang church.

Today’s passage recounts when God’s covenant people fell under conviction of sin. After leaving Babylon, the Israelite exiles began to rebuild their lives in Jerusalem. But almost immediately, they learned that the Israelites who had arrived ahead of them sinned against God by intermarrying with their ungodly neighbors (Ezra 9:1–2).

Ezra, as the priest of God’s people, took the lead in pouring out prayers of confession for this widespread sin in his community. So, too, church leaders have a responsibility to intercede for the members of their churches. When sins like pride, racism, and spiritual apathy invade our congregations, our leaders must publicly confess them and ask God for forgiveness.

Not only did Ezra make intercession, prayers of confession were also in the hearts of “a large crowd of Israelites— men, women and children” (v. 1). In an episode similar to the days of Josiah, when all the people humbled themselves after the long-lost book of the law was read (2 Chron. 34:8–33), Ezra’s entire community gathered to repent. When our churches are troubled by quarreling, our love for outsiders is weak, or our zeal for worship grows dim, we should gather to pray for forgiveness.

Having each voiced our confession, we join together to pray that we might all be restored to fellowship with our holy God and with one another.

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One account of the Pyongyang revival says: “All through the city men were going from house to house, confessing to individuals they had injured, returning stolen property and money, not only to Christian but to heathen as well, till the whole city was stirred.” Ask God to give you and the members of your community a spirit of prayerful repentance.

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Read Acts 2:1-41

Sociologist Christian Smith has studied the religious lives of American young adults and found them to be highly individualistic. Many believe “religion need not be practiced in and by a community.” Statistics documenting declining church participation support his findings that Americans increasingly believe that other people are not essential to an individual’s faith.

That idea stands in stark contrast to the communal Christianity we see modeled for us in the book of Acts. After that first Resurrection Sunday, the early followers of Christ did not scatter to their own private spiritual disciplines. Instead, the 120 believers found themselves almost constantly together, especially for prayer. Having received Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, they confidently prayed together for the promise’s fulfillment.

The first church prayed together, and the Lord answered them together. On the day of Pentecost, “they were all together in one place” (v. 1) when tongues of fire came upon them and the prophesy of Joel came to pass: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. . .Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28, 29). As a community, God’s people were blessed.

But the answer to their prayers was not only for their own edification. The coming of the Holy Spirit equipped and empowered the church to proclaim Christ to those around them—and those as far away as the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). In a single day, the infant church grew by 3,000 people. Doubtless, those thousands of people who first trusted Christ at Pentecost gave thanks to the Lord for the community of praying believers who had first gathered in one place to intercede for their salvation.

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Private prayer is a priority of the Christian life (see Matt. 6:6), but when we pray together we multiply our thanks to God. Paul encourages the practice of praying together with others for others: “Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (1 Cor. 1:11). Look for opportunities to pray in community.

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Read Luke 22:31-46

A segment of the BBC series Human Planet depicts two fishermen harvesting rare goose barnacles from dangerous rocks along Spain’s northern coast. The men are attached to one another by ropes and take turns descending to the base of the rocks between onslaughts of violent waves. As one man gathers barnacles, he depends on the other to shout a warning when a particularly large breaker approaches and to pull him to safety if necessary.

Our calling as Christians often brings us into potentially dangerous situations. We struggle not against flesh and blood—or waves and rocks—but against spiritual forces of evil that seek to destroy our souls (see Eph. 6:12). To survive unhurt, we too must be constantly vigilant, both for ourselves and for others.

Jesus knew the vulnerabilities of His disciples. Earlier He had taught them to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13). Now, on the Mount of Olives hours before His death on the cross, He reminded them that they would face a renewed onslaught of spiritual danger for which they must be prayerfully alert.

They failed at watchfulness, however. The evening advanced, and fatigue won. Thankfully, they were not alone. While their prayerful vigilance faltered, Christ’s never does. He is so alert and earnest in His prayers that His anguished sweat was “like drops of blood” as it fell (v. 44). While Peter failed to consider his danger, Jesus was praying for his spiritual safety (vv. 31–32). While the disciples snored, their intercessor was pleading for them.

Temptation presses us, but today’s passage strengthens us. We have been given warning of danger and help to escape it. We have someone who joins us in prayer.

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Puritan theologian John Owen wrote, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Are you aware of the danger of sin? What sins are particular temptations for you, your family, your church, or your community? Take a few moments today to pray for the Lord’s help to escape these temptations, and be encouraged by the thought that Jesus is praying alongside you.

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Read Ephesians 6:10-20

On the first Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, crowds of people gathered shouting Hosannas for Jesus the Messiah. But not everyone was jubilant. As our key verse today notes, the chief priests and teachers of the law reacted to the cries of even little children with resentment and anger. They knew public praise had great power, and they quickly tried to stop it.

Today’s passage places prayer among the spiritual weapons that God gives to His people for their spiritual battles. While our visible and immediate troubles—unemployment, family discord, illness—sometimes seem like our most pressing concerns, Paul reminds us that our most dangerous enemies are ones we cannot see. Whether or not we always realize it, “the powers of this dark world” and the “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12) constantly attack the godly. To wage war against them, we need a special set of weapons. Earthly blades and bullets would be useless against the demonic arrows of Satan, so our Godgiven equipment is uniquely spiritual. To battle evil, Christians have an arsenal stocked with faith, truth, righteousness, and peace. And we have the powerful weapon of prayer, not only for ourselves but also through intercession for “all the Lord’s people” (v. 18) who are fighting the same battle. As theologian John Calvin commented, “We ought to fight by our prayers and supplications.”

Our spiritual war is often frighteningly intense, but these verses give us great confidence. The Savior who crushed Satan by His death on the cross has given us the most effective tools for the battle. By His Spirit, we are able to be strong and stand our ground. By His mighty power, even the praises of little children can shut the mouth of the Evil One (see Ps. 8:2).

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We may not always feel like soldiers, but God’s people are engaged in battle against the spiritual enemies of sin, Satan, and our own evil desires. Praying with and for one another is one of the pieces of our God-given spiritual armor. Take up the weapon of prayer with confidence, knowing that God will use your intercession to accomplish great things.

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