WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER 2020

TUESDAY 29 TH DECEMBER 2020

MONDAY 29 TH DECEMBET 2020

SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2020

SATURDAY, 26TH DECEMBER,2020

FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020

THURSDAY 24 TH DECEMBER 2020

WEDESDAY 23RD DECEMBER,2020

TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 2020

MONDAY 21 TH DECEMBER 2020

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FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER 2020

THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER, 2020

WEDNESDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 2020

TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 2020

MONDAY 14 DECEMBER,2020

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020

SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER, 2020

FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 2020

THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2020

WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER,2020

TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2020

MONDAY 7 DECEMBER,2020

SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER, 2020

SATURDAY, 05TH DECEMBER, 2020

FRIDAY 04 DECEMBER 2020

THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER, 2020

WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2020

TUESDAY, 1ST DECEMBER, 2020

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 2020

SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER, 2020-FGSLC,IMPROVEMENT,DESTINYHELPERIKE25,KSPPROMISE,KSPCONFERENCESOBOLO,PROPHETANDIKNOW

2.  CONFERENCE CALL

 

KSPCONFERENCE PROPHET, POKU NTI AND SOBOLO

SATURDAY 28TH NOVEMBER, 2020

FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER, 2020

THURSDAY 26TH NOVEMBER, 2020

WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER, 2020

TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 2020

MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER, 2020

SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER, 2020

SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER, 2020

FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER, 2020

THURSDAY 19 NOV. 2020

WEDNESDAY, 18TH NOVEMBER, 2020

TUESDAY 17 TH NOV. 2020

MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER, 2020-BORROWED SHOES

 

November 16

Borrowed Shoes

Bible in a Year:

• Ezekiel 3–4
• Hebrews 11:20–40

Serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13

Today's Scripture & Insight:

In the chaos of fleeing his home during the California wildfires of 2018, Gabe, a high school senior, missed the state-qualifying cross-country race for which he’d been training. Missing this meet meant he wouldn’t have the chance to compete at the state meet—the culminating event of his four-year running career. In light of the circumstances, the state athletics board gave Gabe another chance: he’d have to run a qualifying time by himself, on a rival high school’s track, in “street shoes” because his running shoes were in the charred rubble of his home. When he showed up to “race,” Gabe was surprised by his competitors who’d come to supply him with proper shoes and to run alongside him to ensure he kept the pace necessary to be entered in the state meet.

Gabe’s opponents had no obligation to help him. They could have given into their natural desires to look out for themselves (Galatians 5:13); doing so might have improved their own odds of winning. But Paul urges us to display the fruit of the Spirit in our lives—to “serve one another humbly in love” and to demonstrate “kindness” and “goodness” (vv. 13, 22). When we lean on the Spirit to help us not act on our natural instincts, we’re better able to love those around us.

By:  Kirsten Holmberg

Today's Scripture

Galatians 5:13–26(NIV)

Insight

We’re all born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12, 14), but those who place their trust in Jesus for salvation are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) and receive a new nature (1:13; Titus 3:5). This new “divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) is “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). In Galatians 5, Paul warns that our flesh (sinful habits) continues to oppose the indwelling Spirit (v. 17). To “put to death” our earthly nature (Colossians 3:5), we must walk and live by the Spirit, keeping in step with Him as He leads and directs us (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25).

Reflect & Pray

How are you showing the “fruit of the Spirit” in the way you treat others? How can you better love your “neighbor”?

Dear God, my natural desire is to look out for myself. Help me to serve others out of love for You.

SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER, 2020-NO IMPOSSIBLE OBSTACLES

 

November 15

No Impossible Obstacles

Bible in a Year:

• Ezekiel 1–2
• Hebrews 11:1–19

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Today's Scripture & Insight:

As an adult leader, I arranged a student field trip to an obstacle course. We instructed students to slip into safety gear and scale an eight-foot wall. Those who went first encouraged each climber to trust the harness and keep moving forward without looking down. One of our students stared at the barrier as we secured belts and buckles around her waist. “There’s no way I can do this,” she said. Affirming the strength of her harness, we encouraged her and cheered when she climbed up the wall and stepped onto the high platform.

When we face problems that seem impossible to conquer, fears and insecurities can cause doubts. The assurance of God’s unchanging might, goodness, and faithfulness creates a strong harness of trust. This confident assurance fueled the courage of the Old Testament saints, who demonstrated that faith trumps our need to know every detail of God’s plan (Hebrews 11:1–13, 39). With conviction, we seek God earnestly, often standing alone when we trust Him. We can adjust the way we approach our challenges by viewing our circumstances with an eternal perspective—knowing our trials are only temporary (vv. 13–16).

Focusing on the steep climbs in life can prevent us from believing that God will bring us through. But knowing He’s with us, we can harness our uncertainties by faith as we trust God to help us overcome obstacles that once seemed impossible.

By:  Xochitl Dixon

Today's Scripture

Hebrews 11:1–6,13–16(NIV)

Insight

The book of Hebrews was written with Jewish readers in mind. They saw themselves as physical heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Before hearing about Jesus, they identified with a visible land, city, and temple. Now, they’re facing the fears and unknowns of following Jesus, and some were having second thoughts (10:32–39). So an inspired author used a familiar list of ancestors to remind his readers that they weren’t the first to put their hope in an unseen God (11:1). Emphasizing faith over sight, this letter from beginning to end offers reasons to keep our eyes on Jesus (12:1–3).

Reflect & Pray

How can you become more courageous in the face of an impossible task?  How do you feel when you’ve accomplished something you didn’t think you could do?

Father, thank You for being the Author and Perfecter of my faith, so that the measure of my faith when I face obstacles is reliant on Your strength, not my own.

SATURDAY 14 TH NOVEMBER, 2020

FRIDAY 13 NOV. 2020

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 2020-THE LONG WAY

 

November 12

The Long Way

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 51–52
• Hebrews 9

God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.

Exodus 13:17

Today's Scripture & Insight:

As his peers were promoted one by one, Benjamin couldn’t help but feel a little envious. “How come you’re not a manager yet? You deserve it,” friends told him. But Ben decided to leave his career to God. “If this is God’s plan for me, I’ll just do my job well,” he replied. 

Several years later, Ben was finally promoted. By then, his added experience enabled him to do his job confidently and won him the respect of subordinates. Some of his peers, meanwhile, were still struggling with their supervisory responsibilities, as they had been promoted before they were ready. Ben realized God had taken him the “long way around” so that he would be better prepared for his role. 

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 13:17–18), He chose a longer way because the “shortcut” to Canaan was fraught with risk. The longer journey, note Bible commentators, also gave them more time to strengthen themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for subsequent battles. 

The shortest way isn’t always the best. Sometimes God lets us take the longer route in life, whether it’s in our career or other endeavors, so that we’ll be better prepared for the journey ahead. When things don’t seem to happen quickly enough, we can trust in God—the One who leads and guides us.

By:  Leslie Koh

Today's Scripture

Exodus 13:17–18(NIV)

Insight

After more than four hundred years of slavery in Egypt, the march to the Promised Land for the children of Israel begins in Exodus 13. In this act of departure, both a prophecy and a request are fulfilled. The prophecy was delivered by God to Abraham at the establishment of His covenant with the patriarch. In Genesis 15:13, God warns that “for four hundred years” Abraham’s descendants would be “strangers in a country not their own and . . . enslaved and mistreated there”—but God would deliver them from that oppression. That deliverance is realized here in Exodus 13. In Genesis 50:25, Joseph requested that his remains be taken to the land of promise and be buried there. Exodus 13:19 tells us that this request hadn’t been forgotten by his people. Joshua 24:32 records the burial.

Reflect & Pray

How might God be strengthening you by letting you take the “longer way” in life? How can you remind yourself to keep trusting Him?

Loving God, You know how I feel when things don’t seem to happen quickly enough. Grant me the patience to trust in You and in Your sovereign plan and purpose.

WEDNESDAY 11-11-20-RETURNING HOME

 

November 11

Returning Home

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 50
• Hebrews 8

In distant lands they will remember me . . . and they will return.

Zechariah 10:9

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Walter Dixon had five days to honeymoon before he shipped off to the Korean War. Less than a year later, troops found Dixon’s jacket on the battlefield, with letters from his wife stuffed in the pockets. Military officials informed his young wife that her husband had been killed in action. Actually, Dixon was alive and spent the next 2.5 years as a POW. Every waking hour, he plotted to get home. Dixon escaped five times but was always recaptured. Finally, he was set free. You can imagine the shock when he returned home!

God’s people knew what it was to be captured, moved far away, and to long for home. Due to their rebellion against God, they were exiles. They woke each morning yearning to return, but they had no way to rescue themselves. Thankfully, God promised He’d not forgotten them. “I will restore them because I have compassion on them” (Zechariah 10:6). He would meet the people’s relentless ache for home, not because of their perseverance, but because of His mercy: “I will signal for them . . . and they will return” (vv. 8–9).

Our sense of exile may come because of our bad decisions or because of hardships beyond our control. Either way, God hasn’t forgotten us. He knows our desire and will call to us. And if we’ll answer, we’ll find ourselves returning to Him—returning home.

By:  Winn Collier

Today's Scripture

Zechariah 10:6–12(NIV)

Insight

For a relatively short Old Testament book, Zechariah is quoted extensively in the New Testament. There are at least seventy-one quotations, with thirty-one found in Revelation. Twenty-seven are found in the Gospels (fourteen in Matthew, seven in Mark, three each in Luke and John), with many occurring in the accounts of the last week of Jesus’ ministry. Zechariah 9–14 speaks of a human king (9:9–10) and a divine king (14:1–17). It also points to a figure whose suffering brings redemption (12:10–13). With the incarnation of Jesus these images are brought together into one person. As the son of David, Jesus could claim the human throne. As God in human form, Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the heavenly king who comes to earth, including suffering for the sins of the world and bringing forgiveness. When He comes again, He’ll bring His kingdom to earth.

Reflect & Pray

Where do you sense exile in your life? How are you hearing God calling you, showing you how to return home?

God, I feel far away from You. I know You’re near, but I feel so distant. Would You help me to hear Your call? Would You bring me home?

TUESDAY 10 TH NOVEMBER, 2020-THE TRIUMPH OF FORGIVENESS

 

November 10

The Triumph of Forgiveness

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 48–49
• Hebrews 7

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Psalm 32:1

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Mack, having struggled with drug abuse and sexual sin, was desperate. Relationships he valued were in disarray, and his conscience was beating him up. In his misery, he found himself unannounced at a church asking to speak with a pastor. There he found relief in sharing his complicated story and in hearing about God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Psalm 32 is believed to have been composed by David after his sexual sin. He compounded his wrongdoing by devising a sinister strategy that resulted in the death of the woman’s husband (see 2 Samuel 11–12). While these ugly incidents were behind him, the effects of his actions remained. Psalm 32:3–4 describes the deep struggles he experienced before he acknowledged the ugliness of his deeds; the gnawing effects of unconfessed sin were undeniable. What brought relief? Relief began with confession to God and accepting the forgiveness He offers (v. 5).

What a great place for us to start—at the place of God’s mercy—when we say or do things that cause hurt and harm to ourselves and others. The guilt of our sin need not be permanent. There’s One whose arms are open wide to receive us when we acknowledge our wrongs and seek His forgiveness. We can join the chorus of those who sing, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (v. 1).

By:  Arthur Jackson

Today's Scripture

Psalm 32:1–7(NIV)

Insight

The book of Psalms contains various types of songs, including worship, thanksgiving, creation history, and salvation history. One common type is the lament psalm, where the singer grieves over something. In many of David’s songs of lament, he mourns that his life is under attack, first by Saul and then later by Absalom. In Psalm 32, however, David isn’t lamenting the attacks of others but rather his own sinfulness and failures. Though the Scriptures don’t tell us specifically, many scholars connect Psalm 32 with Psalm 51 and David’s repentance following his sin with Bathsheba. Nevertheless, this lament quickly shifts to a song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness, kindness, and restoration. While it’s appropriate to grieve over our spiritual failures, it’s also appropriate to celebrate God’s great mercy. David does both in Psalm 32.

Reflect & Pray

Where do you run when you find yourself burdened by something you’ve done or said? When someone comes to you who’s struggling with guilt, how do you advise them?

Father, forgive me for the times when temptation has won in my life. Help me always to run to You for forgiveness and to seek the forgiveness of others when needed.

MONDAY 9 TH NOVEMBER, 2020-DOING OUR ROLE

 

November 9

Doing Our Role

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 46–47
• Hebrews 6

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.

1 Peter 4:10

Today's Scripture & Insight:

When two of my grandchildren tried out for the musical Alice in Wonderland Jr., their hearts were set on getting leading roles. Maggie wanted to be young Alice, and Katie thought Mathilda would be a good role. But they were chosen to be flowers. Not exactly a ticket to Broadway.

Yet my daughter said the girls were “excited for their friends who got the [leading roles]. Their joy seemed greater cheering for their friends and sharing in their excitement.”

What a picture of how our interactions with each other in the body of Christ should look! Every local church has what might be considered key roles. But it also needs the flowers—the ones who do vital but not-so-high-profile work. If others get roles we desire, may we choose to encourage them even as we passionately fulfill the roles God has given us.

In fact, helping and encouraging others is a way to show love for Him. Hebrews 6:10 says, “[God] will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people.” And no gift from His hand is unimportant: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

Imagine a church of encouragers diligently using their God-given gifts to His honor (Hebrews 6:10). That makes for joy!

By:  Dave Branon

Today's Scripture

Hebrews 6:9–12(NIV)

Insight

The author’s statement of expecting “better things” (Hebrews 6:9) for the Jewish believers seems to be referring to the previous description of harsh judgment for those who fall into apostasy (vv. 4–8) and return to Judaism. In verse 9, the author shifts to a warmer tone, referring to them as “dear friends” and addressing them in the second person (“your”). He expresses confidence that they’ll remain steadfast.

The phrase “better things” also alludes to the heart of the book’s message. Writing to an audience of Jewish believers who had faced—and may still be facing—persecution (10:33–36), the author strives to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Old Testament promises. Christ is far “better” than any other person or belief, past or present, in which they could put their hope (6:11–12). Despite the cost, Jesus was more than worthy of their complete devotion.

Reflect & Pray

Do you know someone who received a position, task, or role you wanted, yet could use your encouragement? Why is it good to thank God for the tasks He’s given you in serving others?

Sovereign God, help me not to focus on the roles of other, but to serve You in the sacred calling You’ve given me. Enable me to help others by a word of encouragement for what they do for You.

SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER, 2020-PEOPLE FORGET

 November 8

People Forget

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 43–45
• Hebrews 5

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way.

Deuteronomy 8:2

Today's Scripture & Insight:

A woman complained to her pastor that she’d noticed a lot of repetition in his sermons. “Why do you do that?” she queried. The preacher replied, “People forget.”

There are lots of reasons we forget—the passage of time, growing older, or just being too busy. We forget passwords, names of people, or even where we parked our car. My husband says, “There’s only so much I can fit in my brain. I have to delete something before I can remember something new.”

The preacher was right. People forget. So we often need reminders to help us remember what God has done for us. The Israelites had a similar tendency. Even with the many miracles they’d seen, they still needed to be reminded of His care for them. In Deuteronomy 8, God reminded the Israelites that He’d allowed them to experience hunger in the wilderness, but then provided an amazing superfood for them every day—manna. He supplied clothing that never wore out. He led them through a wilderness of snakes and scorpions and provided water from a rock. They’d learned humility, as they realized how totally dependent they were on God’s care and provision (vv. 2–4, 15–18).

God’s faithfulness “continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5). Whenever we find ourselves forgetting, we can think about the ways He’s answered our prayers, and that reminds us of His goodness and faithful promises.

By:  Cindy Hess Kasper

Today's Scripture

Deuteronomy 8:2,10–18(NIV)

Insight

Deuteronomy 8:10–18 comes from the second (and lengthiest) of Moses’ three sermons to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 5–26). Verse 3 is a key verse in Deuteronomy 8, where Moses said: “[God] humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna . . . to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” This sheds light on Jesus’ instruction to us about how to pray: “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).

Reflect & Pray

In what areas do you struggle to trust God? What Bible verses help you to remember how much He cares for you?

Dear Father, thank You for always being faithful. Help me to trust You in whatever I face today.

SATURDAY 7 NOV.2020-LEAVE THE RESULTS TO GOD

 

November 7

Leave the Results to God

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 40–42
• Hebrews 4

Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:20

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Years ago, I was invited to speak to the residents of a university’s fraternity house. They had a reputation for rowdiness so I brought along a friend for support. They were in a celebratory mood, having just won a football championship. At dinner, chaos reigned! Eventually, the president of the house announced: “There are two guys here that want to talk about God.” 

I rose on rubbery legs and began to tell them of God’s love, and the room grew still. There was rapt attention. A vigorous and honest Q & A followed. Later, we started a Bible study there, and in subsequent years many received salvation in Jesus.

I recall many days like that when I “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18), but there were other days when it was I who fell—flat on my face. 

Luke 10 tells of Jesus’ disciples returning from a mission to report great success. Many had been brought into the kingdom, demons were put to flight, and people were healed. The disciples were pumped! Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” But then He issued a caveat: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (v. 20).

We delight in success. But we may despair when we seem to fail. Keep doing what God has called you to do—and leave the results to Him. He has your name in His book!

By:  David H. Roper

Today's Scripture

Luke 10:1,17–20(NIV)

Insight

Luke 10:1 tells us that Jesus sent “seventy-two others” ahead of Him. These “others” were in addition to the twelve disciples He sent out in Luke 9:1–6. This means that Jesus sent at least eighty-four people ahead of Him to deliver His message to the people.

In response to the disciples’ enthusiasm over the demons being subject to them in His name (10:17), Jesus tells of seeing Satan fall from heaven (v. 18). The imagery recalls the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 14:12. He tells of how the postexilic remnant of Israel will taunt Babylon saying, “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” Judaism associated the downfall of Satan with the coming of the Messiah. The subjugation of demons to Jesus’ name and power were proof that He was indeed the Messiah. 

Visit ChristianUniversity.org/CA202 to learn more about Jesus as the Messiah.

Reflect & Pray

Picture your name written on God’s heart. How does that encourage you to carry on when things go well? And when things go wrong?

Thank You, God, when You grant me victory over my enemies, but also help me to be strong when I fail. I’m grateful to be in Your family.

FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER, 2020-THE SWEETEST HARVEST

 

November 6

The Sweetest Harvest

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 37–39
• Hebrews 3

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.

John 15:5

Today's Scripture & Insight:

When we purchased our home, we inherited an established grapevine. As gardening novices, my family invested considerable time learning how to prune, water, and care for it. When our first harvest came, I popped a grape from the vine into my mouth—only to be disappointed with an unpleasant, sour taste. 

The frustration I felt about painstakingly tending a grapevine, only to have a bitter harvest, echoes the tone of Isaiah 5. There we read an allegory of God’s relationship to the nation of Israel. God, pictured as a farmer, had cleared the hillside of debris, planted good vines, built a watchtower for protection, and crafted a press to enjoy the results of His harvest (Isaiah 5:1–2). To the farmer’s dismay, the vineyard, representing Israel, produced sour-tasting grapes of selfishness, injustice, and oppression (v. 7). Eventually, God reluctantly destroyed the vineyard while saving a remnant of vines that someday would produce a good harvest. 

In the gospel of John, Jesus revisits the vineyard illustration, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). In this parallel imagery, Jesus pictures believers in Him as grapevine branches connected to Him, the main vine. Now, as we remain connected to Jesus through prayerful reliance on His Spirit, we have direct access to the spiritual nourishment that will produce the sweetest fruit of all, love.

By:  Lisa M. Samra

Today's Scripture

Isaiah 5:1–7(NIV)

Insight

Isaiah (whose name means “Yahweh is salvation”) had an interesting beginning to his prophetic ministry. In Isaiah 1–5, the prophet pronounces a series of “woes” upon Israel. The Bible Knowledge Commentary tells us that a woe “is an interjection of distress or of a threat voiced in the face of present or coming disaster.” In chapter 6, following the death of King Uzziah, the prophet is ushered into the throne room of the living God, and the scene is so overwhelming that he now declares a woe upon himself. Isaiah says, “Woe to me! . . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (v. 5). Upon seeing God, Isaiah became deeply aware of his own brokenness, not just the brokenness of the nation.

Reflect & Pray

How does remaining connected to Jesus produce love in your life? What are the other blessings of being connected to Him?

Jesus, thank You for creating good fruit in my life as I remain connected to You. May Your life flow through me to produce an even greater harvest of love.

THURSDAY 5TH NOVEMBER, 2020-DESTROY THIS HOUSE

 

November 5

Destroy This House

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 34–36
• Hebrews 2

Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.

John 2:19

Today's Scripture & Insight:

In Pontiac, Michigan, a demolition company bulldozed the wrong building. Investigators believe that the owner of a house scheduled to be demolished nailed the numbers of his own address to a neighbor’s house to avoid demolition. 

Jesus did the opposite. He was on a mission to let his own “house” be torn down for the sake of others. Imagine the scene and how confused everyone must have been, including Jesus’ own disciples. Picture them eyeing one another as He challenged the religious leaders. “Destroy this temple,” Christ said, “and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). The leaders retorted indignantly, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” (v. 20). But Jesus knew He was referring to the temple of His own body (v. 21). They didn’t.

They didn’t understand He’d come to show that the harm we do to ourselves and to one another would ultimately fall on Him. He would atone for it.

God has always known our hearts far better than we do. So He didn’t entrust the fullness of His plans even to those who saw His miracles and believed in Him (vv. 23–25). Then as now He was slowly revealing the love and goodness in Jesus’ words that we couldn’t understand even if He told us.

By:  Mart DeHaan

Today's Scripture

John 2:13–25(NIV)

Insight

The magnificent temple built by Solomon for God (1 Kings 6) was plundered and destroyed in 586 bc. When exiles of Israel returned after the Babylonian captivity (538 bc), the temple was rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel (c. 516 bc). Over the years, however, this rebuilt temple also was ravished and destroyed. In 19 bc Herod the Great initiated the refurbishing of the structure, and it came to be known as Herod’s Temple. Though functional in Jesus’ day (see John 2:13–22), it wasn’t completely finished until ad 64, only to be destroyed again in ad 70 by the Romans.

Reflect & Pray

What emotions do you usually associate with Jesus’ “cleansing of the temple”? How can you see something more merciful and compassionate now that you understand what Jesus meant?

Father in heaven, please help me to believe that You're always working in the background doing far more—and much better—than I know or understand.