Thursday, April 29.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? Many people may not recognize their greatest error until after death, when their expectation of life in heaven is replaced by the horrible reality that they are denied entrance for rejecting Christ.

Nicodemus was a man who had built his life on knowing and doing the right things. As a Sanhedrin member (one of the highest ranks for a Pharisee) he appeared incredibly righteous from man’s perspective. Surely he was destined for heaven. What a shock it must have been when Jesus said the only way to see the kingdom of God was to be born again. Nicodemus hadn’t done anything to be born physically, and now he was being told there was nothing he could do to be born again, either. And no matter how many good deeds he had done, they could never get him into the kingdom of God.

The false belief that we can earn our way to heaven is still prevalent today. Churches are filled with people who think they are saved by participating in religious activities and living a moral life. But if we believe this lie, we will be greatly disappointed after death. The only way to be saved from eternal disaster is to be born again by believing in Jesus.  

Memory verse: James 4:17

“Your positive actions combined with positive thinking results in success.” Shiv Khera

Wednesday, April 28.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered the Court of Gentiles (the only area that non-Jews could enter) and pushed through the hordes of customers haggling with merchants over livestock and doves used for sacrifices. Other pilgrims crowded around money changers’ tables, protesting unfair rates of exchange for the temple currency. The temple had become an open-air market.

The Lord had seen enough, so He stormed through the court, upending tables and overturning traders’ chairs. Picture Him driving animals toward the gate, past a throng of people scrambling for scattered money, and finally blocking the way so merchandise couldn’t be carried through the temple.

The people must have been astounded. They expected the Messiah to judge their oppressors, not His own people and their temple. Then Jesus reminded them of a scripture they’d apparently forgotten. “Is it not written,” He said, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers’” (Mark 11:17).

Jesus’ actions showed that no one should impede or interfere with those God calls to be saved. This week, consider people you know who need the eternal life Jesus promises. How can you help clear the way for them to worship?

Memory verse: Mark 11:16.

“If you focus on success, you will have stress, but if you pursue excellence, success will be guaranteed.” Deepak Chopra

Tuesday, April 27.

Have you ever suddenly awoken in the middle of the night with a heavy burden on your heart? Sometimes this kind of weight is from the Lord and will be lifted when He has accomplished His purpose, for example, an impulse to pray or a strong motivation to do God’s will. Other burdens are caused by sin and weigh us down until we confess them.

But regular, daily burdens are not for us to carry. We tend to think of worries as our lot in life, like responsibilities we’re to handle without “bothering” God. But really our lot is to walk obediently with God and trust Him to do the heavy lifting in our life. Scripture says we are to cast every burden on Him (1 Peter 5). We must identify the concern, surrender it into His care, and have faith He will sustain us as He has promised.

Relinquishing our grasp on burdens does not mean we stop thinking about them. We still prayerfully bring them to God, listen for His guidance, and bless His name for bearing worries on our behalf. But our concerns won’t destroy us if they’re set on God’s shoulders. Are you carrying a heavy load? God wants to hold it and you in His hand.

Memory verse: Psalm 68:19.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember an airplane takes off with the wind, not against it.” Henry Ford

Monday, April 26.

Life’s “Goliaths” come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities, such as an unhappy relationship, a rebellious child, a difficult job, a pile of debt, or an uncontrollable habit. But if we avail ourselves of God’s power, then we, like David, can ultimately gain victory over a seemingly insurmountable problem.

Notice that David declared victory over Goliath before the battle even began (1 Samuel 17:46). His confidence came from …

Remembering times in the past when the Lord protected and strengthened him, such as moments when a lion or bear threatened his flock. As he faced the fearsome giant, David wisely recalled how faithful God had always been. Strong convictions about the Lordand what He could do. David knew he had full access to his Father’s storehouses of power, courage, and wisdom. Practical habits that bolstered his faith.David had spent hours alone in the wilderness, listening to God’s voice. So he knew how to discern what the Lord was telling him to do.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:37.

Success is how hard you bounce when you hit bottom.” George S. Patton

Friday, April 23.

Burnout is a term heard frequently today. It describes a lack of motivation that results when something produces frustration or exhaustion instead of inspiration. This often happens in high-stress jobs, long-term relationships like marriage, and even in the church. Every year there are pastors who walk away from their work because the joys of ministry are overshadowed by the difficulties. This type of weariness is something most Christians struggle with at some point in life.

Timothy was experiencing burnout. As the pastor of the church in Ephesus, he was being worn down by the constant battle for the truth that was under attack by false teachers. For this reason, Paul wrote to him with encouragement to “kindle afresh” his spiritual gift (2 Timothy 1:6).

In the same way, sometimes the pressures of daily life, hardships, physical ailments, or relational conflicts can make us feel spiritually dry and empty of zeal. Although an ebb and flow of emotions is normal, a persistently dry spiritual life is a reason for concern. To rekindle the fire, we need the fuel of God’s Word and His Spirit. Pray with the psalmist, “Revive me according to Your word” (Psalms 119:25).

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 1:6

Every true revival has had its earthly origin in prayers.” R. A. Torrey