Personal Weakness

Daily Devotional, November 30

Personal Weakness

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John 8:1-11
They kept demanding
an answer, so He stood
up again and said, “All
right, but let the one who
has never sinned throw
the first stone!” (v.7).

Last November, the news about Tiger Wood’s numerous extramarital affairs began to leak out.
It became evident that the golfer with the squeaky clean image wasn’t so perfect after all.

Since then, there has been a growing debate over whether or not the media is being too hard on Tiger.
Some say he deserves a public shellacking. Others point out that other famous people have been serial
womanizers. They question why the media seems to look the other way when it comes to some other celebrities’ sexual indiscretions, while Tiger gets trashed. John records the account of the morning when a group of Jewish religious leaders tried to draw Jesus into a moral debate (8:1-11). While Jesus was teaching in the temple, they brought in a woman who had committed adultery—publicly accusing her before the people (v.3).

After reminding Jesus that the Law of Moses called for her to be stoned, they asked Him what He thought
they should do with her (vv.4-5). John tells us that the religious leaders were looking for Jesus to say something
that would discredit Himself (v.6). If He didn’t condemn her, He would be disagreeing with Moses. If He was too
harsh, He might take a hit in the eyes of the masses that were attracted to His teaching.
Jesus brilliantly avoided the trap they had set by pointing out the sinfulness of the woman’s accusers. He
said, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (v.7).

Instead of discussing the moral failures of those who make headline news, let’s remember that we all have weaknesses—places where sin can more
easily infiltrate and ruin our lives. By humbly acknowledging our weaknesses to God and others, we can better avoid sins that will destroy us and our
witness for Jesus. —Jeff Olson

more›
Who can say, “I have
cleansed my heart; I am
pure and free from sin”?
(Proverbs 20:9).

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Honey Dripping

Daily Devotional, November 29

Honey Dripping

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Psalm 19
They are more desirable
than gold, even the finest
gold. They are sweeter
than honey, even honey
dripping from the comb
(v.10).

In Eugene Peterson’s Eat This Book, he tells the story
of his 7-year-old grandson Hans who appeared to
be devoutly reading his New Testament as he sat on
a park bench. The boy’s eyes moved back and forth
across the pages of the Bible, denying the fact that he
had not yet learned how to read.

Similarly, we can consistently “read” God’s Word
without comprehending its message for our lives.
In Psalm 19:7-11, David lifts up the matchless wisdom of
God’s Word. He makes six statements about it, in which
each contains the phrase “of the Lord.” The title “Lord”
is from the Hebrew word Yahweh—the covenant name
of God. God is relational and He speaks to us in His
Word. David reveals this important truth about Scripture: It
proceeds from God Himself.

So the way we read the Bible is vital. Do we read it
merely for information, principles, or truths that we can
use to live better? Or do we read it in order to listen to
God and respond in prayer and obedience?
In Psalm 19, David also lists four qualities of the Bible
(perfect, trustworthy, right, clear), and the four results
of following its truth (reviving the soul, making wise the
simple, bringing joy to the heart, giving insight for living).
Notice that the whole person is affected—the soul, the
mind, and the heart.

No wonder David proclaims that God’s Word is “more
desirable than gold, even the finest gold” (v.10). Yes, Scripture is infinitely more
precious than anything this world has to offer. And it’s “sweeter than honey, even
honey dripping from the comb.” This imagery encourages us to savor God’s
Word, to eat the book and truly take in its life-changing, life-sustaining wisdom.
—Poh Fang Chia

more›
• Psalm 119:11
• 1 Peter 2:2
• James 1:22-25

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Possible

Daily Devotional, November 26

Possible

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Romans 12:9-21
Do all that you can
to live in peace with
everyone (v.18).

A benefit of being a teacher, I know that
Thanksgiving vacation is always an anticipated
respite from the routine of waking early, grading
papers, and planning lessons. What I hadn’t planned for
was the impending disagreements that would arise from
our two children being home in close quarters with extra
time. No matter how much I tried to reason with them,
they couldn’t seem to agree on anything. They were
focused on each other’s faults, while denying their own.
A glutton for punishment, I grounded them from media
for several days. Much to my delight, the arguments
waned and they suddenly remembered that they actually
liked each other.

As living sacrifices—set apart, transformed—believers
in Jesus are to become living, breathing reflections
of God’s will (Romans 12:1-2). In the quietness of our
devotional time with the Lord, this goal stirs our hearts. In
the day-to-day of relationships, however, it can seem to
be downright impossible.
As I deal with my children, I often hear the Lord
speaking to me about my relationships with others. It
takes two to fight (Proverbs 20:3). You can’t choose
how others act, but you can choose how you respond
(Matthew 5:38-39). Be kind, whether it’s deserved or not
(Proverbs 31:26). Like my children, I can either trust the
wisdom of the One who knows far more than I do or I
can rely on my own perspectives (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Godly love doesn’t come by finding perfect relationships; it comes when I
first choose to deal with my own faults (Romans 12:9). Relational peace is not
avoidance. It’s a decision to act on the things for which I am responsible, while
placing the things I cannot change in the hands of Jesus. I must trust a God for
whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37; Mark 9:23). —Regina Franklin

more›
Turn away from evil
and do good. Search
for peace, and work
to maintain it
(Psalm 34:14).

next›
Is there a relational conflict you’ve been
trying to control through your own actions or
words? What can you do “as much as
possible” to improve the situation? What aspects
of this conflict need to be surrendered to Jesus?

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Faith Of Our Fathers

Daily Devotional, November 25

Faith Of Our Fathers

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Ephesians 6:1-4
Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger by
the way you treat them.
Rather, bring them up
with the discipline and
instruction that comes
from the Lord (v.4).

I was reading upstairs when my neighbor came to pick
up his son. The child must not have wanted to go yet,
for I heard his small voice declare, “Someone’s going
to die!” My neighbor did not correct his little boy, but
smiled sheepishly as he steered him toward the door.
This father is failing his son. As the God-appointed
authority in his child’s life, he is teaching his son that it’s
okay to disrespect all authority figures—including God.

Our experience with our earthly father inevitably forms
of our view of God. In his book Faith of the Fatherless,
Paul Vitz observes that many of the world’s leading
atheists—such as Nietzsche, Hume, Russell, Sartre, and
Camus—grew up without fathers. Could the absence of
their earthly fathers explain why it was so hard for them to
believe in the existence of a heavenly Father?

If you grew up with an absent or abusive father, you
will tend to project this bad experience upon God. But
if you realize this natural bent, you may be able to lay it
aside. Recognize that you’re the victim of bad parenting
and seek out a father figure who can restore your faith in
God. Above all, start with God, allowing His revelation
(rather than your difficult childhood) to define what it
means to be a father. Believe Jesus when He says that
“your heavenly Father already knows all your needs”
and is eager to “give good gifts to those who ask Him”
(Matthew 6:32; 7:11).

If you’re a father, know that how you love your children will determine their
perception of God. Being a good dad does not guarantee that your children will
love God, but a bad dad can certainly cause them to struggle in their relationship
with Him. Ninety percent of parenting is just showing up, but the other 10 percent
matters too. —Mike Wittmer

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The Picture of Pride

Daily Devotional, November 23

The Picture of Pride

Hoping to catch a prowler, the South Wales police published his image in a local newspaper. But the burglar was unsatisfied with the photo, so he submitted a better one, featuring him standing in front of a police vehicle! Police later captured and detained the criminal, thanks to his arrogant stunt. You might say his glamour shot led to a mug shot.

Like this bigheaded bandit, King Uzziah's oversized ego did him in. It's a shame too, because Uzziah was somewhat of a renaissance man. He defeated the Philistines, cultivated vineyards, fortified Jerusalem, and outfitted his elite military forces with some mighty fine weapons. Aided by God, his fame spread far and wide. When Uzziah became powerful, "he also became proud, which led to his downfall" (2 Chronicles 26:16). He barged into the temple and personally ignited incense on the altar. Only the priests were allowed to do this, and when they tried to kick him out, Uzziah "became furious" (v.19) and raged at them.

Uzziah wasn't the only one who was angry, God stepped in to defend the temple workers, zapping Israel's ruler with a case of leprosy. Instantly, Uzziah's status changed from famous king to lowly outcast. He lived "in isolation in a separate house" for the rest of his life (v.21), and lost his political power. Uzziah's life was a picture of this truth: "[God] will punish the proud" (Isaiah 2:12).

Still, like the conceited king, we're all prone to adopting an inflated view of ourselves and getting angry with people who try to set us straight. Fortunately, when we "humble [ourselves] under the mighty power of God" (1 Peter 5:6), we don't have to suffer the destruction that ultimately accompanies self-importance (Proverbs 16:18). Picture this, God loves a humble heart! , Jennifer Benson Schuldt

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Spiritual Pursuit

Daily Devotional, November 22

Spiritual Pursuit

On this day in 1963, the world was shocked by the news that John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, had been killed by an assassin's bullet. Though it's not as well known or remembered, Christian author C. S. Lewis passed away the very same day. Even fewer will remember that Aldous Huxley, author of the book Brave New World, died from cancer during those same 24 hours.

In 1954, Huxley published a lesser-known book titled The Doors of Perception, which described his experimental use of the mind-altering drug mescaline. Huxley was one of the first to write about using hallucinogens to pursue spirituality. His book inspired the popular rock band The Doors, known for their use of LSD, to name their group after Huxley's book.

Granted, Huxley and his admirers were looking in all the wrong places, but they were on an important pursuit. God made us in such a way that we're naturally drawn to spirituality (Job 32:8). And there is no greater spiritual pursuit than worshiping God.

A Samaritan woman once asked Jesus to settle an ancient dispute about the best place to worship God (John 4:19-20). Samaritans contended it was on the top of Mount Gerizim, while the Jews said it was on the temple mount in Jerusalem. Jesus told her that a day was coming where people could worship God anywhere they wanted to as long as they worshiped "in spirit and in truth" (vv.21-24).

There's no denying that people can get high on LSD or some other mindaltering drug, but they will never enter the heights of true spirituality by taking that path, not to mention the devastating effects it can have on the mind and body. It's only by worshiping God wholeheartedly, on the basis of who Jesus is, that we experience His life-altering power and presence. , Jeff Olson

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Deja Vu

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, NOVEMBER 19

1 Samuel 26:10 ESV NASB

David also said, “As the LORD lives, surely the LORD will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish.

Deja Vu

David was caught in a living nightmare. Once again, Saul was hot on his heels. The king had taken 3,000 of Israel’s elite troops and was hunting David down in the wilderness of Ziph. The events in 1 Samuel 26 have a sense of déjà vu about them—they’re remarkably similar to what took place in chapter 24.

In the first encounter, David was retreating as Saul was advancing. But in chapter 26, Saul’s soldiers are camped out and David is on the offensive. His scouts located Saul’s camp and David, accompanied by at least two men, goes to check it out. What’s he up to? we wonder. Surely, he won’t attempt to assassinate Saul, for he was conscience-stricken when he previously cut off a portion of Saul’s robe (24:5).

David had come for Saul’s spear and water container, and that was all. He commanded Abishai not to kill Saul for basically the same reason (v.9) he verbalized in 24:6,11. But David went beyond what he had said before, assuring Abishai, “Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle” (26:10). After his experience with Nabal and Abigail (ch.25), David knew that God could accomplish His will in any number of ways.

It’s important to note that David didn’t simply know that God defends His own. He believed it. His whole plan hung on it. He staked his life on it. We see from his example that faith and action go hand-in-hand. His plan was totally dependent on God for success. In 1 Samuel 26, David dealt with a similar situation with greater confidence and wisdom than in chapter 24. Can that be said of us? How are we living out the wisdom He has taught us through previous life experiences? —Poh Fang Chia

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