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Published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio www.standardpub.com Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in reviews, without the written permission of the publisher.

Printed in: United States of America Project editor: Margaret Williams Cover design: FaceOut Studio Interior design: Andrew Quach All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (The Message) are taken from The Message. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV™) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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January

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. —Proverbs 16:3

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January 1

Tasting God’s Word

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him (Psalm 34:8, King James Version).

Scripture: Psalm 34:4-14 “I don’t like that.” Many times I heard this when I placed new foods on our dinner table. I realized that children are reluctant to try new foods; mine were no exception. Because of this, we adopted a rule in our home.

Each person was to taste at least one spoonful of everything on the table. It was amazing how foods they supposedly “didn’t like” became favorites after the first taste.

Sometimes folks are quick to say, “I can’t read that.” They believe that reading the Bible is difficult, even though they have never given it a good try.

But after that first taste, so many begin to love partaking of the Word as a regular mode of living.

My husband told the children, “If your mother went to all the trouble to fix this for you, then you can go to all the trouble to taste it.” It’s difficult to imagine all the goodness of God unless we first taste it ourselves. And, for further encouragement, the psalmist tells us the words of Scripture are sweet to the taste, even sweeter than honey.

Heavenly Father, You have given me words to live by, words that will comfort and encourage me. I pray that You would guide me as I read and study them this day. I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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January 2

The Way He Chooses

What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose (Psalm 25:12, King James Version).

Scripture: Psalm 25:12-22 Me? You want me to have a speaking ministry? These were the thoughts rolling around in my head. I never before considered a speaking ministry, but the more I prayed and listened for God’s answer, the more I knew He was leading me into another avenue for service. I’d taught Sunday school and Bible studies for many years. Now it appeared that God was revealing a new direction for me.

The Scriptures inform us that God will lead us in the way He has chosen.

And, thankfully, He will never ask us to do anything He has not equipped us to do. He will give us the tools—the spiritual gifts, strength, and wisdom—for the task, no matter what the ministry may be.

The Bible offers countless examples of the ways He prepares people for His work: David had a sling, Dorcas had a needle, Samson had a jawbone.

Similarly, God called Moses for a special mission. This great shepherd of God’s people initially had great doubts, but he followed the way that God chose for him. With doubts, I began a speaking ministry, but the doubts soon faded. What way has God chosen for you?

Dear Lord, I thank You for showing me the pathways to tread. In your strength, may I be an effective servant for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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January 3

Standing in Awe

Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him (Psalm 33:8, King James Version).

Scripture: Psalm 33:8-18 “Wow, there really are stars!” At the age of 10, after I received my new glasses, I saw the stars for the first time. What an awesome sight. Such beauty and majesty to behold!

Because of my poor eyesight, I had been unable to see the multitude of those twinkling lights in the night sky. I thought people were making up stories about stars and airplanes. I would usually respond with something like “Sure” or “Yes, of course” whenever someone mentioned something I could not see.

A kind of spiritual blindness sometimes hinders us from seeing the beauty of God. Other times, we fail to notice the wonders of creation because we’re just too wrapped up in our own lives. We fail to see and stand in awe of His beauty and goodness toward us.

Mother cried when she realized I’d never seen the stars. How it must hurt God when His children gloss over the beauty of His world, along with the care and love He has for each of us. Why not stop for a moment today to really see the beauty of God’s creation—and savor the wonders of His gracious blessings in Your life?

Heavenly Father, help me to see not only the beauty of this world, but also the glory of Your plan of salvation for me. Through Christ I pray. Amen.

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January 4

Obeying God

The midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive (Exodus 1:17, King James Version).

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-21 The manager put the report back on my desk and gave me this instruction: “Just change the inventory a little. Show we sold more of the promotional suits and drop some of the other sales.”

I knew he wanted to look good in the company supervisor’s eyes, but this was wrong. “I’m sorry, Mr. Smith. My ethics just won’t let me do as you ask.” Although he was displeased with me, he did allow me to give an accurate report to the supervisor.

When Pharaoh told the midwives in Egypt to kill all the baby boys, they had a problem. They knew they were responsible to God and that His was a higher authority. However, what would Pharaoh do if they disobeyed?

While our superiors may condone certain behaviors, it is God’s law we are to obey. Today, employment relationships can bring us many problems, especially when supervisors ask us to do something we know is wrong.

Just as the midwives must choose Pharaoh or God, we frequently face similar choices. Whom do we obey?

Lord, thank You for Your laws and guidance. Help me always remember that I am accountable for my actions, that I must sometimes say “No,” even at great personal cost. I pray through my deliverer, Jesus. Amen.

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January 5

Somebody Has to Follow

Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses (Joshua 1:17).

Scripture: Joshua 1:10-18 The Israelites didn’t exactly obey Moses in all things . . . but they should have. Somebody has to follow. After all, there can’t be leaders without followers.

The Bible everywhere tells us that. Take, for example, those who followed David, both in exile and on the throne. Or consider the men and women who went where Jesus went, all over Galilee and then up to Jerusalem. In our Scripture passage today, we read of those who pledged Joshua obedience upon entering the land of promise. Somebody has to follow.

A dean at a woman’s college sent a questionnaire to parents of prospective students. “Is your daughter a good leader?” one of the questions asked.

After the responses came in, the dean wrote to the parents of a particular applicant: “Thanks for sending your daughter to be a member of our firstyear class. Inasmuch as the class numbers 325, and we’ve already been assured of 324 leaders, we are delighted your daughter is coming along to be a follower.”

Dear God, as a disciple of Jesus, may I follow Him where He goes in that part of the world where I live. In His name I pray. Amen.

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January 6

Faith Gets the Job Done

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days, and the walls came crashing down (Hebrews 11:30, New Living Translation).

Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-31 Read the 11th chapter of Hebrews and you come away feeling you can do just about anything—if you have faith. “By faith . . . by faith . . . by faith . . .” the cadence goes on and on. Sacrifice offered, blessing given, deliverance managed, exodus accomplished, victory achieved—all by faith.

By faith mountains are moved, Jesus said. Faith is best understood as response, our response to God’s faithfulness. Who God is, what God does, comes first. Faith responds to the character and action of God, both of which are revealed and, ultimately, experienced as trustworthy.

We are led to faith by the evidence of God’s grace and power. We lift the sails because we’ve seen God send the wind. As someone has put it: “Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.” And the uplook of faith produces the outlook of confidence.

Faith as response is why Jeremiah could buy a field in Anathoth, Elijah could see rain in a cloud the size of a man’s hand, and two midwives could refuse to obey the wicked command of a powerful pharaoh.

Dear God, by faith I go forward each day. Faith takes fear out of my challenges, puts love in my relationships, brings hope to my plans, and gives power to my walk.

Thanks be to You, through Christ my Lord! Amen.

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January 7

Word Gets Around

We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt (Joshua 2:10, New Century Version).

Scripture: Joshua 2:8-11 Rahab became Israel’s ally because she had heard what God had done.

God’s reputation preceded Him. Drying up a sea, eliminating a couple of formidable kings, ruling Heaven and earth—all this God had done. All this Rahab had heard. And hearing stories about God’s greatness made Rahab a believer.

Dr. Peter Joshua, renowned minister and evangelist, was won to Christ by the witness of one girl. An unemployed actor, he slept in alleys at night and accepted handouts by day. One evening, in London’s Hyde Park, he saw a Salvation Army girl standing up to speak. Wanting to give her support, he found himself her only audience. Instead of speaking, she began singing a hymn about the worthlessness of the world compared to the glories and goodness of Christ.

Looking Joshua in the eye, she quoted several Bible verses, turned, and went her way. Peter Joshua received Christ. Word got around to him. Word gets around to us.

Dear God, thank You for those who told me the story of Jesus. I stand on the shoulders of their witness, looking into the face of Your glory. Their testimony is my creed, their words my life. What they told to me, I tell to others. In the holy name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.

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