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Here is today’s Bible reading:  Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27.

Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge.

My walk with God impacts more than just me–it is a source of blessing for my wife and children as well.  One of the best things I can do for my family is to run hard after God.

John 4:50 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”
The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

Why is it so hard for me to take Jesus at his word?  I greatly respect the faith of this man and desire to emulate it.

Here is today’s Bible reading: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25.

Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV) 
    But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. [17] Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Ruth is such an example of loyalty.  She lived for more than just herself.  She was a woman of principle and conviction.  We need people like Ruth today. 

Here is today’s Bible reading: Judges 19:1-20:48; John 3:22-4:3; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 14:22-24. 

John 3:30 (NIV)
He must become greater; I must become less.

If I am growing in Christ, my self is continually fading into the background so that when people look at my life, they no longer see me, but see Jesus instead.  When people look at you, who do they see?  

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21.

John 3:19-21 (NIV)
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

One of the means of God shining light into our lives is through community–specifically, small groups where we mutually humble ourselves by being transparent.  This light reveals our sin and spurs us on to holiness.  Without this light and accountability, we will make little progress in Christlikeness.  Are you living in the light of this kind of community.  If not, how will you pursue it?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2:1-25; Psalm 103:1-22;
Proverbs 14:17-19.

Judges 16:20-21 (NIV)
[20] Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”
He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
[21] Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison.

With the Holy Spirit, Samson could not be stopped.  Without the Holy Spirit, Samson was powerless.  The same is absolutely true of us.

Friday night was the exhibition for Anna’s gymnastics team.  Rather, than being a competition, it was more of a showcase of their skills.  Anna won an award for being the hardest working gymnast on the team.  I am a proud papa.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16.

Judges 13:8 (NIV)
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”

How I echo this prayer, especially as my kids become teenagers.  “God, we beg you, teach us how to bring up our children.”  God answered Manoah’s prayer, and He will answer ours.  One thing I am learning is that I need to pray more for my kids and seek to control them less.  What are you learning?

Four months down.  Great work.  Keep at it.  If you are monumentally behind, just pick up where we are today.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Judges 11:1-12:15; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14.

Psalm 101:3 (NIV)
I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.

The eyes are the gateway to the soul.  That upon which we set our eyes influences us more than we know.  If you set your eyes on material things, you will become a materialistic person.  If you set your eyes on sensuality, you will become a lustful person.  On the other hand, if you set your eyes on Jesus, you will become a Christlike person.  In this age of media, there are many vile things that vie for our attention.   What is your game plan for what you put before your eyes?  Do your standards reflect those of Christ?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Judges 9:22-10:18;  Luke 24:13-53; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 14:11-12.

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

Left to ourselves, we will destroy ourselves.  And what’s worse, while we do it, we will think we are so wise.  How foolish.  Thank God He sent His Son to save us from our sinful selves.  Our remedy is found in today’s NT reading:

Luke 24:45 (NIV)
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

May God open he minds of the lost to see the Truth of Scriptures and the reality of their lostness.