Too Much Freedom

These days I’ve noticed that in America we have combined our freedom in Christ with our Constitutional freedoms. We take scripture from the Bible and use it out of context to suit our needs. We exclude people from our church or small groups because they’re not “Christian material.” We overlook the poor because “they’re really not bad off, they’re scamming us.” And so many other reasons that I will not list right now. 

We need to heed this passage. God is watching and He knows our motives. Is Christ your focus? Is serving Him by serving His people your purpose? When you do a life inventory each night, are you able to say, I am living for God without needing to rationalize your actions for the day? 

Your answers to these questions are important. A life in Christ means sharing Him with others. How many people do you encounter each day that are destined for hell with no one seeking to share the Good News with them? If you say zero, you’re lying to yourself. 

Ask God to open your eyes so you can share Him with this fallen world. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 7:13

13 Woe to them, because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 7

God Will Forgive Me

In 2000 I was stationed in Seoul, South Korea. One Monday morning I was talking to a brother in Christ. He told me that he had willfully sinned over the weekend. He said, “I knew God would forgive me.” 

I told him to never do that again. Willful disobedience is more dangerous than we imagine. Look at the story of Achan found in Joshua 7. Notice the ramifications his sin had. They reached far beyond himself. 

I shared Joshua 7 with my friend in 2000. If you ever forget the story of Achan, use this morning’s passage as a reminder. God wants us to be obedient, more than He wants our sacrifices. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 6

Made For This

This morning in the Our Daily Bread devotional that I read I came across this passage. It reminded me that we are all created for works that God has prepared for us in advance. 

What does that mean? It means while you’re complaining about the “unfair” life you’re living, you could easily be hindering the very reason you were created. 

In John 12, Jesus is explaining why it was necessary for Him to die. He understood what we must grasp, God’s plan is for the salvation of man. Without it, we are destined for eternal separation from God. He doesn’t want that and neither should you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 12:27

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 5

Is This Us

As I read this passage, I could not help but think of the state of America. I see the division that exists in our country and think how can we believe we are a Christian nation amidst such division. Recently someone said there are over three hundred churches in the city or county where I live. The impact of churches in this area is minimal. We are a nation who claims to love Christ, yet our churches typically have no impact or a negative impact on society. 

Notice how God treated the Israelites’ disobedience. It begs the question, why do we believe we will not be held accountable for our disobedience as a nation and as an individual. We cannot find an occurrence in the Bible where acts of disobedience went unpunished. Adam was cast out of Eden, Moses could not enter the Promise Land, David’s son died as an infant, and many more people in the Bible held accountable for their disobedience. 


I encourage you, spend quiet time with God. Ask Him to search your heart to find areas in your life in which you are disobedient. Then ask Him to give you the strength to change. 

Repent and seek God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 4:1-2

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 4

Purchased By God

This passage is a reminder of the cost of disobedience. Hosea is paying a price to have his wife returned to himself. Let that marinate. Gomer is Hosea’s wife, yet her actions have caused Hosea to pay a price to have her returned to a right relationship with him. 

Can you see the symbolism? When you are willfully disobedient, it’s like you’re slapping God in the face. You know better but won’t do better. You would never want your family and friends to treat you that way. Don’t treat God that way. Do the right thing and be an example that leads others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 3:2-3

2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley.3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 3

Who Helps You

As a parent, it can be tough to hear your children say, “You never help me!” It seems like all your efforts go unnoticed by the people you love more than life. 

Reading this passage brought that thought to my mind. The book of Hosea will put our disobedience front and center in our lives. The question we must answer is will we make the changes in our lives to honor God and forsake our own desires. Well, will you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 2:8

8 She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold—which they used for Baal.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 2

Pay Attention

The book of Hosea gives us a glimpse of how God “felt” about Israel’s disobedience towards Him. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is a metaphor of the relationship between God and Israel. No matter how faithful God is, Israel continued to seek the “comfort” of other gods. 

Although it may be difficult, take a look at your life. Have you placed other gods before God? Be honest, without rationalizing. If you have, destroy the “alter” you have built and return to Him. His love endures forever and His forgiveness is long. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 1:2-3

2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 1

End Times Prophecy

When I was a kid, there were several movies about the end of times. As I grew, I saw more and more of these type movies. Each one giving its interpretation of what the end of this age will be like. 

Today, I never worry about that. It is irrelevant what the end of times will look like if you have placed your trust in Christ and live for Him by obeying all He commands. You may have to endure hardship but so what. Jesus did it. If He did, we have to do it if we are faced with it. 

What are your thoughts on end times prophecy? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 12:8

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 12

Trust In The Lord

Recently my “life verse” is in several things I’m reading or hearing. If you know me well, then you know I speak Proverbs 3:5-6 over my life in the most difficult circumstances. 

I want to encourage you to lean on the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted, He leaned on the Word. When Jesus identified Himself to the people in the Synagogue, He leaned on the Word. When He was on the cross, He leaned on the Word. 

If Jesus Christ spoke the Word over His life, that’s what we should do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 11

Keep Waiting

One thing I tell people in my life is to be patient. God moves at His pace, which is the best pace. He knows when we need what we need and He gives it to us at that time, never before and never after. 

My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. It is my reminder to focus on God and not on what I think. God’s wisdom and timing is so far beyond our comprehension that we may as well say we are completely ignorant about what God is doing. 

In this passage we learn that Daniel prayed and his prayer was heard immediately. An angel of the Lord was dispatched immediately. However, due to spiritual warfare, the answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed. This may easily be the case for you. 

No matter your circumstance, keep waiting for God, patiently. He will never let you down. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 10:12-14

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 10

Prayer & Fasting

When’s the last time you prayed and fasted as you took something before the Lord? We know Daniel was a man who sought God in all he did. He was willing to give up his life for his faith in God. So, if he prayed and fasted we should as well. 

Jesus was asked by His disciples why they were not able to cast out a demon from a young man. Jesus responded by telling them that type can only come out by prayer. Some manuscripts say “prayer and fasting.” If Jesus taught it and Daniel did it, we should do it as well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 9:3

3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 9

Gabriel

As you read Daniel 8, you will see a familiar name, the angel Gabriel appears. This is the same angel who appears in Luke 1 to tell of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. I love this connection because it is a reminder that God is at work continuously and He doesn’t change. 

Consider this as you ponder what your are doing in Jesus’ name. God is consistent. God is faithful to His word. God does nothing randomly. If you find yourself jumping from thing to thing to thing, odds are it isn’t God guiding you. We have no evidence of Him doing that. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 8:15-16

15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 8

Prophecies In Daniel

The first six chapters of Daniel tell a story of the life of Daniel. Beginning with chapter seven, the book of Daniel is a prophecy of what’s to come.

I encourage you to take your time as you read these last six chapters of Daniel. Seek God and ask Him for understanding. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 7:26-27

26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 7

Honor God Regardless

As you walk with God, you will be given plenty of opportunities to dishonor Him. When those opportunities arise, do not take them. Yes, you will feel alone because “everyone else is doing it.” Yes, you will feel left out because, “you’re the only one who doesn’t have it.”

So what! When you honor God, God will honor you. It’s His nature. Think about the words of Romans 5:8. Paul tells us that while we were sinners Christ died for us. That’s the type of love God has for you. Why would you dishonor Him when He loves you at your worst?

Daniel honored God even though he knew that continuing to do so would cost him his life. Are you willing to honor God in this way? Christians around the world face life or death persecution daily. Recently over a thousand were killed for their beliefs. We do not have that problem here in the United States. Therefore, I encourage you to honor God as “loud” as you can with how you live for Him and how you share the Good News about Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 6:10

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towardJerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 6

Knowing But Not Doing

In this chapter of Daniel, we see the result of knowing what the right thing to do is but not doing it. Daniel reminds the King of what happen to his predecessor. He explains that the King acted in arrogance because he knew better but did not do better. 

What areas of your life do you choose your way over God’s way? Spend time meditating on this matter. Ask God to show you areas of your life where you are choosing what you want over what He wants. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 5:22-23a

22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven.”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 5

Give God The Glory

Never assume that you alone are the reason for your success. James tells us that every good and perfect gift is from the Lord. Unfortunately, King Nebuchadnezzar forgot this. He was warned a year before he lost his kingdom for a time. He was told exactly what was going to happen and he STILL tried to take full credit for his success. 

Do you struggle giving God all the glory? Spend time in meditation about this. Make sure you are not kidding yourself. Pride is slick. It will ease into your life and hide in the corners of your mind slipping in and out of your thoughts. If you do not push it completely out of your life, you could easily end up like King Nebuchadnezzar. Is that what you want? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 4:28-30

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 4

Arrogant Amnesia

Yesterday we read about King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream being interpreted by God through Daniel. The king was so happy that he promoted Daniel and his three friends. However, in this chapter it seems like the king forgot the might of the God Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego served. He challenged God.

I call this arrogant amnesia. His arrogance clouded his mind and gave him the confidence to say, “what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” He knew the God they served is all-powerful, yet he felt superior. 

What about you? Do you ever make decisions knowing full well God would not want that for you? How do you justify your disobedient decision? Spend time quietly reflecting on this. Ask God to point out these areas in your life. Once you’ve identified them, ask God to remove them. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 3:13-15

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 3

God’s Gang

I am blessed to be a part of a small group we call The Christ Crew. We pray for each other. We share our hurts with each other. And we praise God with each other. As I read Daniel 2, I realized that long before The Christ Crew existed, God’s Gang walked the earth. 

Notice when Daniel gets this “impossible” task he goes to his friends to have them join him in prayer. After God reveals the dream to Daniel and he is honored by the king, Daniel ensures that his friends are honored as well. 

This is the type of friendship that I cherish. I want friends who point me to Jesus Christ. I want friends who forgive me for all my shortcomings. I want friends who keep it real with me so I don’t walk myself off a cliff that I can’t see but they can. Moreover, I want to be that friend for others. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 2:17-18; 48-49

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon,while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 2

Be Resolved In Christ

Welcome to the book of Daniel. I pray that the faith examples we will read about over the next twelve days will help you increase your faith. 

In this passage we see Daniel stepping out in faith by choosing to honor God, even at the possible loss of his life. 

What faith challenge do you face? Be resolved in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 1:8

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 1

An Unceremonious Ending

King Saul was the first human King of Israel. He made several decisions against what God would have him do. Ultimately, his death was unceremonious. 

As I read this chapter, I thought about the life of Saul. I thought about his reluctance to take the throne and the arrogance he displayed once he got it. 

I thought, “Have I behaved like that?” I pray that I have not, but if I have, I pray that God would reveal this sin and lead me to repentance. I encourage you to pray this prayer as well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Samuel 31:2-4

2 The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. 3 The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.

4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.”
But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

Today’s Reading:

1 Samuel 31