During a particular feast, some Jews went looking for Jesus and had many complaints about Him. Jesus explained that the teaching He shared had come from above and that whoever was willing to do God’s will would know whether the doctrine was from God, or if Jesus spoke on His own authority. With motive to kill him, they pretended to not be adversarial, but Jesus addressed their inconsistencies in applying the Law of Moses (John 7:10-23). Finally, he said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). This passage is often cited to support the idea that we have a right to judge people and that we should do so using the principles of God’s word. However, this is not (at all) what is happening in this passage! These unbelieving Jews had inaccurately assessed Jesus’ motives and had been very inconsistent in their application of Moses’ Law, especially concerning Jesus’ work. Therefore, when Jesus says to “not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment,” He means that we must accurately assess situations and not unnecessarily impugn other people’s motives. Let us prayerfully concern ourselves with accurate assessments of our interactions with others, while also seeking to apply the proper principles from God’s word, in a consistent manner.

20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 

22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 

23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

~ John 7:20-24

Holy God, I understand that sometimes, with my limited wisdom, I may wrongly assess situations, even when I know the truth of Your word. Lord, I desire to fully comprehend the truth of Your word and make consistent and accurate applications of it! Please help me to reason Scripture properly and make reliable observations of other people’s actions and motives. Only you can see what lies within the hearts of individuals. I know that you want me to be perceptive, as you have cautioned me about identifying false teachers by the fruit they bear (Matthew 7:15-20). So, I ask you to open my eyes to gain accurate views of my surroundings and to grant me the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions that align with your will. Amen.

After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with only five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-14), many people came to see Him the next day. However, Jesus rebuked them for their motives in seeking Him. He explained that what He offers concerns spiritual sustenance, leading to spiritual life, rather than physical blessings that only provide for the physical side of life. Many refused to accept Jesus’ teaching that day, and in fact, many left Him (John 6:22-66). We can only imagine how sad that day was for Jesus. He turned to His apostles and asked if they too were going to leave. But Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). In the past, some churches tried to attract people by offering free food, refreshments, and social functions. Nowadays, it’s common to see churches providing contemporary forms of entertainment and things that cater to the physical wants of people, such as rock/R&B music, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts. However, those who seek Jesus must have pure motives in seeking and accepting the spiritual blessings that He offers. If Jesus were to reveal our motives in following Him, would we turn away and stop walking with Him? Or would we joyfully accept Him (and His word) as the bread of life?

26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 

27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 

31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 

33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.“

~ John 6:26-35

Holy God in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Father, I have come to realize that Jesus has the ability and willingness to provide for both my physical and spiritual needs. Your words have revealed many truths that have touched me deeply, exposing even the thoughts and intentions of my heart (Hebrews 4:11-13). I acknowledge that some of the sayings in Your word are difficult to accept, but I trust that You only provide what is good for my soul, and I am willing to follow You even when it may be challenging. I am inspired by the example of the apostles who clung to your Son during the pivotal moments in His ministry and am aware that there will be similar pivotal moments in my walk with You. I pray for courage to choose the right course of action, always, abiding with You and Your Son. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

John 3:16 is one of the most frequently quoted passages of the Bible. Many suppose that by simply believing in Jesus as the sacrificial Savior, one can inherit eternal life. However, it’s important to note that Jesus said whoever believes in him SHOULD NOT PERISH but have everlasting life. Even the demons believe in Jesus and tremble (James 2:19). Moreover, we must not ignore the context of this passage. Earlier in the same chapter, Jesus told Nicodemus that unless one is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). He further stated that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, they cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). And after speaking the words of verse 16, Jesus commends “he who does the truth” while coming to the light “that his deeds may be clearly seen.” Even believing in Jesus is “the work” of God (John 6:29), and Jesus would later commission His apostles to teach others “to observe all things” He commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, we should come to Jesus, not only believing in Him as our necessary Savior, but also accepting Him as the Lord and Master of our life!

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 

21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

~ John 3:16-21

My prayer, Jehovah hear. I am striving to follow Your will, Lord, and I humbly ask You to guide me in putting to death my old self and accepting Your will for my rebirth (Romans 6:3-6; Acts 8:22-24). Just like the apostle Paul, who died daily (1 Corinthians 15:31), I promise to continue putting to death my earthly desires and passions (Galatians 2:20). Please help me to fully understand the spiritual realities and forces that exist in the unseen, just like Nicodemus! I commit to making You the Master of my life, and I come to You with an open heart. Please protect and lead me in all your ways. It is in Jesus I pray, amen. 

Immediately before Nadab and Abihu’s death, their father (Aaron) was “careful to do as the Lord had commanded Moses” and did things “according to the prescribed manner” (Leviticus 9:10, 16). Their disobedience towards God’s instructions about sacrifices shows that God punished them FOR DOING WHAT HE HAD NOT COMMANDED, which is AS BAD AS DOING WHAT HE HAD SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN! This passage highlights the importance of carefully following God’s commands and the consequences of neglecting them. Although God didn’t continue to strike priests dead every time they disobeyed, this sin occurred right after the consecration and at the beginning of their work. If God had not made His point clear at this stage, then the negligence would have spread rapidly. There is no doubt that God had the right to punish those disobedient priests and destroy them.

1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 

3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’” So Aaron held his peace.

~ Leviticus 10:1-3

Holy God. You are my Rock. The God of my salvation. May I learn from the lesson of Nadab and Abihu and always approach You with reverence and holiness, especially during worship. Please grant me wisdom to understand Your commands, examples, and inferences as they are revealed in Your word. I never want to offer service to You in a presumptuous manner or go beyond what is written. I am grateful for Your word and the blessings that come with abiding in You, but I am also aware of the great responsibility that comes with it. Please help me to maintain a sober and focused mind in these things. I also ask that You help me communicate these needs to my neighbors so that together we can honor and glorify You acceptably. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, amen.

Among children, I find it easy to humble myself due to their innocence and purity. It is humbling to perceive these traits within them, as I know that these same traits within myself have been tainted through years of sinful conduct. Older people are also easy to humble myself before, as they have lived a long life and have a wealth of experience and wisdom to share. However, the real challenge when it comes to humility is being around our peers, those who are our contemporaries. We tend to compare our own experiences and ways of thinking and doing things with theirs, and this can be a dangerous thing. Our egos must be held in check because the Lord does not want us to compete with our peers to achieve a greater position over them.

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 

25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 

26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 

27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

28 But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 

29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 

30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

~ Luke 22:24-20

Holy God and Father in heaven. Thank You for the lessons gleaned from Your holy word concerning pride and humility. The Apostles argued about who among them was the greatest. You reminded them that the desire for greatness is common among worldly leaders, but that is not the behavior You expect from Your servants. I desire to emulate Your Son and serve others with a humble spirit. Please help me cultivate a servant’s heart! I am grateful for the progress I have made in my journey with You so far and ask for Your continued blessings. May I be content with what You provide in my life and remain closely connected to You through your Son, Jesus. May that connection be the driving force in how I conduct myself among others! Amen.

The covenant offered to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai was based on actual obedience and not just lip service. God was presenting them with a particular way of life and character that He wanted for His people. To know and possess this life and character, one must be taught and follow the teachings. While the terms of God’s covenants have changed with each dispensation, the desire for this kind of relationship has remained the same. This relationship is expressed in the Bible as “I will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Peter’s statement that Christians are to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” corresponds to this point (1 Peter 2:9). Christians are those who have accepted the new covenant offered by Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 7:12; 8:8-9).

3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. 

8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. 

9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”

~ Exodus 19:3-9

Holy God and Father in heaven. Great is Your faithfulness! Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins. I want to become a part of Your covenant, Your royal priesthood, Your holy nation, and Your special people (2 Peter 2:9). I wish to live my life fully devoted to You (Romans 12:1-2). Through Jesus’ teachings and example, You have shown me the kind of character You want me to have. I pray that I will be obedient to You in all things and not just provide lip service (John 14:15). I resolve now to do everything that You have spoken! Please grant me wisdom and strength!! Moreover, guide me along the path that You have for me with mercy and grace!!! Amen.

Many believe and do things in the name of religion without having proper authority. For instance, some believe that baptism is merely an outward sign of one’s inward faith. However, where is this even mentioned in the Bible? Another example could be the use of the sinner’s prayer. Can we even find the sinner’s prayer in Scripture? If not, then we must ask ourselves whether it is from heaven or men. If we do not have heavenly authority to do something in the name of religion, then we are acting under the authority of men alone, which is dangerous territory. Therefore, if we want to do anything in the name of Jesus, we should ask ourselves: “Is this from heaven or men?” This question could help us evaluate whether our actions are in line with the teaching of Jesus.

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 

28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 

30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

32 But if we say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 

33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

~ Mark 11:27-33

Holy Father in Heaven. You are the one and only true God. You alone are wise, and I desire to always do what is right in Your sight. I understand that man’s ways cannot direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). I am also aware that You desire for me to walk in sincerity and truth (Joshua 24:14-15). So, I humbly ask that You sanctify me and all those who seek to follow You in Your truth (John 17:17). At times, I may be tempted to do things that seem noble but may not align with Your will. I trust in Your abundant mercy and grace for the humble. However, I also understand that Your word is meant to guide me to do things the right way – that is, Your way (Matthew 7:21-27). Therefore, I ask for Your guidance in seeking authority in all the things I say and do. I pray all of this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“We all have our cross to bear.” This is an idiomatic expression that refers to an unpleasant or painful situation that one must accept and deal with. However, in the first century, the people in Palestine would have understood this illustration in a completely different way. Even a twelve-year-old child, upon observing a man being forced to carry his cross, driven by Roman soldiers, would have known that the man was going to face his death, and no one would ever see that man again. 

“They sold their soul to the devil!” Another expression that we do not give much thought to. People often joke about doing such things. Would you be willing to “sell your soul to the devil” to receive fame and fortune? Would you compromise your godly morals and spiritual wellness, just to increase your worldly pleasures? Jesus was not casual with His words, but rather, He was very specific when inferring that one man’s soul is worth more than the whole world! 

“I hate it, but that’s what Jesus said.” Do we ever say anything like that to soothe one’s emotional response to the word of God? For instance, if someone is in an adulterous marriage, do we read Matthew 19:1-12 only to add, “I hate it, but that’s what Jesus says”? If so, we are distancing ourselves from the words of Jesus, which means we are also distancing ourselves from Him. May that never be the case! Instead, let us be sorrowful that someone has found themselves to be in sin and prayerfully help them to see God’s remedy for the situation.

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 

37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

~ Mark 8:34-38

Dear God and Father, I pray to You to help me put an end to old habits that sometimes cause me to stumble. I know it’s what You want from me. Please guide me to renew my mind every day and bring me closer to You (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:31). I desire this more than anything. I don’t want to trade my integrity for worldly pleasures, either. Instead, I want to live a life of sacrifice that pleases You. Help me to embrace Your ways as You have revealed them in Your word. May I always hold tightly to You and your Son, Jesus; and may I never be ashamed of my faith. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Joseph faced many challenges that could have led him to abandon his faith and become a pessimistic person. However, he persevered and remained a faithful servant of God! Joseph’s unwavering commitment and hard work are a great inspiration, particularly to young people who are often confronted with trials and temptations. He serves as an excellent role model for young people to demonstrate that even in the face of adversity, one can remain steadfast and strong.

20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 

22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 

23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

~ Genesis 39:20-23

Holy God, I thank You for Your mercy and grace that are in Jesus. I also thank You for the example of Joseph. There have been times in my life when false accusations against my integrity have made me discouraged and tempted to give up. But Joseph’s story inspires me to persevere with faith and hard work. Despite being mistreated by his brothers, enslaved, and wrongfully accused of crimes he did not commit, he remained faithful to You and committed to doing his best. Please grant me the strength to emulate his example. May You be with me, and WHATEVER I DO, I ask that You make it prosper… Please, Lord. All to Your Glory. Amen.   

In Exodus 21:32, it is mentioned that the price set by Moses to redeem a slave who had been killed or disabled was thirty pieces of silver. This implies that the price for a strong young man should have been much higher. The traders who bought Joseph for twenty pieces of silver could make a profit on the deal. However, by selling Joseph for such a low price, the brothers demonstrated just how much they hated Joseph. We can only imagine the horror that Joseph faced when he was taken away from his father, who loved him, only to face the hatred of his brothers. He was then sold as a slave into a foreign land, as documented in Genesis 42:21.

23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 

24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 

26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 

27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 

28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

~ Genesis 37:23-28

Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I’ve noticed that sometimes when people within a group dislike each other, they try to keep their animosity and actions hidden from those in positions of authority. However, they don’t usually hide their actions from those who share their feelings and plans with them. I hope to always have a pure heart and be wise enough to avoid sinning by hating, let alone conspiring against, anyone. Moreover, when others sin against me, may I have the mind of Christ in praying for their soul, and not harbor any bitterness against them (Matthew 5:43-48; Hebrews 12:15-16). Please help me to be complete in these things. It is in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.