The Daily Six
A 6-minute video every weekday
to help you go deeper in your experience with God.
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As we continue our year-long study of the Old Testament called “Knowing God,” we are exploring the kings of Israel, learning about “Finding the Heart of God.” |
Each day this week, our brand-new Daily Six episode will be published at 4:00 a.m. each weekday morning. Read and study these passages that show us how God works in our lives to change how we think and live and approach God confidently, asking Him these questions in prayer:
- Where do you want me to slow down and trust you no matter what?
- How can you develop patience and trust within my heart? Will you?
- What difficulties in my life do you want me to surrender to you?
**If you are currently receiving the daily reminder emails, you do not need to re-register.
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Monday, March 9 – “Chosen… But Not Yet”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 16:1-23 Are you willing to wait for the Lord? In whatever plans God has for your life, are you willing to wait—even in very difficult situations—for God to bring it to pass? We see in 1 Samuel 16:1-23 David learning to submit to God and wait on His timing and trusting the Lord even in great hardship. A heart after God is not passive; it actively trusts. Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 16:1-23. |
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Tuesday, March 10 – “When I Cannot Control the Giants”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 17:1-50 What (or who) are the giants in your life that you cannot see a way to overcome? How far are you willing to trust God for His ability to win in your life through Him? A Philistine giant named Goliath taunted the armies of Israel with a challenge: a one-to-one, hand-to-hand combat between one Israelite and Goliath could determine the entire outcome of the war. No Israelite soldier was willing to face his certain death to take on this giant enemy. But young David knew the strength of his God. With nothing by a handful of stones familiar to his days as a shepherd, David took on the monster and won, not by his own strength, but by God’s. Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 17:1-50. |
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Wednesday, March 11 – “Having Enough Confidence in God”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 18:5-12 Where are the limits of your confidence in God? What circumstances or threats to your security would cause you to doubt God’s presence and care for you? After God gave David a stunning victory over Goliath, the people of Israel began to celebrate him as much greater and more powerful than King Saul. This attention on the young man angered Saul deeply. As David was playing the harp in Saul’s court, the king attempted to kill David… twice. While most of us would run from the first sign of danger, David continued to serve Saul with trust in the Lord. He had enough confidence in God’s promise for his life to not flee. Having a heart for God is more than just loving the Lord; it is profoundly trusting Him. Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 18:5-12. |
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Thursday, March 12 – “Sparing My Enemy’s Life
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 18:10-12 and 1 Samuel 23:14 – 24:4 If you were given the opportunity to fix a great trouble in your life, would you seize it instantly? Or would you wait on the Lord for wisdom and empowerment? Saul sought more intently to kill David as his bitterness and jealousy grew. David fled throughout the desert rather than to confront Saul. One day, as David and his companions were hiding deep in a cave, he was given a serendipitous chance to settle the problem once and for all. By “chance,” Saul came alone into the cave so he could relieve himself in privacy. But instead of seizing the miraculous opportunity to kill Saul and save himself, David chose to leave matters to God. Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 18:10-12 and 1 Samuel 23:14 – 24:4. |
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Friday, March 13 – “So Pure Before the Lord”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 24:1-20 How much help does God need from you and me to accomplish what He intends to do? Are your ambition, strength, and efforts necessary, or can God do it alone? David was given a tremendous opportunity to end the horrific injustice of being hunted by King Saul even though he was innocent of any wrongdoing. But David chose to trust the Lord to deliver him instead of taking matters into his own hands. The mercy David showed Saul brought the mad king to his own point of surrender, where he finally understood God’s plan for David to be the future king. Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 24:1-20. |
Previous Weeks for our "Best Of" Daily Six Readings and Meditations
Monday, March 2 – “Surrendering Our Ambition”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 9 - 10
Where do you have plans, ideas, and ambitions that might not be the best God desires for you? How easy is it for you to surrender those to God and trust Him?
We see in 1 Samuel the pride and control-filled life of King Saul eating away and the health of Israel and himself. God wants better for us. If we will surrender to Him, we can learn from these passages to trust God and not live by our flesh.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 9 – 10.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 9 - 10
Where do you have plans, ideas, and ambitions that might not be the best God desires for you? How easy is it for you to surrender those to God and trust Him?
We see in 1 Samuel the pride and control-filled life of King Saul eating away and the health of Israel and himself. God wants better for us. If we will surrender to Him, we can learn from these passages to trust God and not live by our flesh.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 9 – 10.
Tuesday, March 3 – “Anointed… Even After Sin”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 10:1-11 and 1 Samuel 19:23
In the places where you know you have failed the Lord, how well do you recognize the grace and mercy of God? Do you trust He has a good path forward for you?
God had given King Saul a spiritual gift of prophecy—the supernatural ability to hear the word of God and speak on behalf of God to the people. It was part of the special anointing for Saul’s ministry as king. But even as Saul’s life would spiral into deep sin that ultimately cost him his leadership position, God continued to graciously anoint him with prophetic words. God will deal with our sin—sometimes with life-changing discipline and judgment. But His love for us, His mercy over our sinful hearts, and His ability to use us is never completely lost.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 10:1-11 and 1 Samuel 19:23.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 10:1-11 and 1 Samuel 19:23
In the places where you know you have failed the Lord, how well do you recognize the grace and mercy of God? Do you trust He has a good path forward for you?
God had given King Saul a spiritual gift of prophecy—the supernatural ability to hear the word of God and speak on behalf of God to the people. It was part of the special anointing for Saul’s ministry as king. But even as Saul’s life would spiral into deep sin that ultimately cost him his leadership position, God continued to graciously anoint him with prophetic words. God will deal with our sin—sometimes with life-changing discipline and judgment. But His love for us, His mercy over our sinful hearts, and His ability to use us is never completely lost.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 10:1-11 and 1 Samuel 19:23.
Wednesday, March 4 – “The Partial Obedience of Ambition”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 15:17-26
Where are you committed to the Lord, but only partially? Where do you keep the commands of the Lord in mind, but then only fulfill them halfway?
During a season of very harsh warfare, God commanded Saul to utterly destroy the wicked Amalekites. It was a brutal instruction based on God’s wisdom that the Amalekite’s evil had reached a point of no return. Saul won the battle and did most of what God wanted. But he spared King Agag and kept many of the spoils for himself and then tried to cover it up with religious sacrifice. The Lord rebuked Saul, saying that He prefers obedience far more than our religious activities.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 15:17-26.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 15:17-26
Where are you committed to the Lord, but only partially? Where do you keep the commands of the Lord in mind, but then only fulfill them halfway?
During a season of very harsh warfare, God commanded Saul to utterly destroy the wicked Amalekites. It was a brutal instruction based on God’s wisdom that the Amalekite’s evil had reached a point of no return. Saul won the battle and did most of what God wanted. But he spared King Agag and kept many of the spoils for himself and then tried to cover it up with religious sacrifice. The Lord rebuked Saul, saying that He prefers obedience far more than our religious activities.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 15:17-26.
Thursday, March 5 – “Running Ahead of God”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 10:8 and 1 Samuel 13:7-14
When you see wisdom from the scripture or sense God speaking to you, do you jump right into doing things, or do you wait on the Lord in patient prayer?
The prophet Samuel instructed Saul to wait one week for him to join him at Gigal where he would lead a worship sacrifice for Saul and his military men. When Samuel did not arrive on time, and Saul’s men were getting restless and fearful, Saul took matters into his own hands and led the worship experience without the prophet. While this spiritual activity may seem well-intended, it demonstrated a pattern in Saul’s life of destructive impatience, ambition, and selfish control.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 10:8 and 1 Samuel 13:7-14.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 10:8 and 1 Samuel 13:7-14
When you see wisdom from the scripture or sense God speaking to you, do you jump right into doing things, or do you wait on the Lord in patient prayer?
The prophet Samuel instructed Saul to wait one week for him to join him at Gigal where he would lead a worship sacrifice for Saul and his military men. When Samuel did not arrive on time, and Saul’s men were getting restless and fearful, Saul took matters into his own hands and led the worship experience without the prophet. While this spiritual activity may seem well-intended, it demonstrated a pattern in Saul’s life of destructive impatience, ambition, and selfish control.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 10:8 and 1 Samuel 13:7-14.
Friday, March 6 – “The Heart God Wants”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and 1 Samuel 16:1-11
Do you look to your own external qualities as your source of strength, or do you truly consider the inner places of your heart to be more important?
When God sought a new king to replace the fallen King Saul, He sent the prophet Samuel to find someone whose heart was pure. He did not look to the natural strengths of a mighty man. Rather, He looked to the heart of a soft, broken, and humble man—someone far better suited to lead Israel and depend on the Lord. God is always looking for our heart to be fully towards Him. This is our strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and 1 Samuel 16:1-11.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and 1 Samuel 16:1-11
Do you look to your own external qualities as your source of strength, or do you truly consider the inner places of your heart to be more important?
When God sought a new king to replace the fallen King Saul, He sent the prophet Samuel to find someone whose heart was pure. He did not look to the natural strengths of a mighty man. Rather, He looked to the heart of a soft, broken, and humble man—someone far better suited to lead Israel and depend on the Lord. God is always looking for our heart to be fully towards Him. This is our strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and 1 Samuel 16:1-11.
Monday, February 23 – “Surrendering Our Pride”
Read slowly and carefully Proverbs 16:1-19
Where do you depend upon your own strength and abilities to navigate the complexities of your life? How do these strengths hold up? Is there a better way?
We often use pride as a cover to protect ourselves from our lack of confidence in ourselves and even others. If we will submit our trust to God, we can learn to let Him reshape our hearts as we trust and submit to Him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Proverbs 16:1-19, where the Lord challenges how we see ourselves and how we try to lead out lives in pride and control.
Read slowly and carefully Proverbs 16:1-19
Where do you depend upon your own strength and abilities to navigate the complexities of your life? How do these strengths hold up? Is there a better way?
We often use pride as a cover to protect ourselves from our lack of confidence in ourselves and even others. If we will submit our trust to God, we can learn to let Him reshape our hearts as we trust and submit to Him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Proverbs 16:1-19, where the Lord challenges how we see ourselves and how we try to lead out lives in pride and control.
Tuesday, February 24 – “What Seems Right to Me”
Read slowly and carefully for a second day Proverbs 16:1-25
Are fear and insecurity ever behind your impulse to try to control the details of your life? How well do you trust that the Lord is better at directing your steps?
We humans have a constant impulse to make plans and to control whatever we can to bring about the outcomes we desire in life. But the scripture counsels us that it is ultimately the Lord who determines the course of our life and our circumstances. The way that seems right to us may indeed lead us to a more destructive outcome, not because God is being arbitrary towards us. Rather, it is because our own ideas about life are far inferior to the wisdom God has. We are blessed when we choose to trust God rather than ourselves!
Click here for today’s The Daily Six for a second day from Proverbs 16:1-25, where we can learn to submit to God’s wisdom and leadership instead of our own.
Read slowly and carefully for a second day Proverbs 16:1-25
Are fear and insecurity ever behind your impulse to try to control the details of your life? How well do you trust that the Lord is better at directing your steps?
We humans have a constant impulse to make plans and to control whatever we can to bring about the outcomes we desire in life. But the scripture counsels us that it is ultimately the Lord who determines the course of our life and our circumstances. The way that seems right to us may indeed lead us to a more destructive outcome, not because God is being arbitrary towards us. Rather, it is because our own ideas about life are far inferior to the wisdom God has. We are blessed when we choose to trust God rather than ourselves!
Click here for today’s The Daily Six for a second day from Proverbs 16:1-25, where we can learn to submit to God’s wisdom and leadership instead of our own.
Wednesday, February 25 – “All Things Through Christ, Not Me”
Read slowly and carefully Philippians 3:3-9 and 4:13
Where do you lack confidence in yourself? How about confidence in God? Where do you fear that things will not go well for you if you let go of control?
When we manage all the aspects of our life by our own efforts, emotions, ideas, and wisdom, we are living from what the New Testament calls “the flesh,” or in some more modern translations, “the sinful nature.” Our natural human impulse to control is not rooted in submissive trust of God, but rather our human nature, which is corrupted by sin. When we put our confidence in God rather than our flesh, then everything I do can be done through Christ’s strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Philippians 3:3-9 and 4:13, where we discover how to surrender living in our flesh and develop a trust that all things can be done in Jesus Christ.
Read slowly and carefully Philippians 3:3-9 and 4:13
Where do you lack confidence in yourself? How about confidence in God? Where do you fear that things will not go well for you if you let go of control?
When we manage all the aspects of our life by our own efforts, emotions, ideas, and wisdom, we are living from what the New Testament calls “the flesh,” or in some more modern translations, “the sinful nature.” Our natural human impulse to control is not rooted in submissive trust of God, but rather our human nature, which is corrupted by sin. When we put our confidence in God rather than our flesh, then everything I do can be done through Christ’s strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Philippians 3:3-9 and 4:13, where we discover how to surrender living in our flesh and develop a trust that all things can be done in Jesus Christ.
Thursday, February 26 – “Being Like Everyone Else”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 8:1-8
Do you trust God to lead you in a way that is different than everyone else in the world? Do you benchmark your life against others, or can you trust God alone?
When God led Israel to the Promised Land and established them as a secure nation, His plan was to lead them by spiritual leaders who would seek the face of God, not by corrupt politicians. But fear and comparison to others led them to desire a political king. When they demanded this of God, He gave into them. But He revealed to Samuel that they were rejecting God’s plan for their lives.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 8:1-8, where we see how the pressures to fit in and do things the way the world does scuttles God’s ability to do His best in us.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 8:1-8
Do you trust God to lead you in a way that is different than everyone else in the world? Do you benchmark your life against others, or can you trust God alone?
When God led Israel to the Promised Land and established them as a secure nation, His plan was to lead them by spiritual leaders who would seek the face of God, not by corrupt politicians. But fear and comparison to others led them to desire a political king. When they demanded this of God, He gave into them. But He revealed to Samuel that they were rejecting God’s plan for their lives.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 8:1-8, where we see how the pressures to fit in and do things the way the world does scuttles God’s ability to do His best in us.
Friday, February 27 – “What We Asked For”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 8:9-18
What are the outcomes you experience when you do things in your own strength?
In spite of His better judgement, God gave into the people of Israel when they demanded to be led by a corrupt politician rather than spiritually minded judges who would seek Him in prayer. God knew the outcome would be painful. But He never violates our free will. When we choose to navigate life in our flesh—in our own impulses of human control—negative outcomes will likely occur. God wishes to spare us of these. He warned Israel; they would not listen. We would do better to seek His wisdom in the scriptures and live by His strength, not ours.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 8:9-18, where we discover the outcomes of living in our own strength and wisdom.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 8:9-18
What are the outcomes you experience when you do things in your own strength?
In spite of His better judgement, God gave into the people of Israel when they demanded to be led by a corrupt politician rather than spiritually minded judges who would seek Him in prayer. God knew the outcome would be painful. But He never violates our free will. When we choose to navigate life in our flesh—in our own impulses of human control—negative outcomes will likely occur. God wishes to spare us of these. He warned Israel; they would not listen. We would do better to seek His wisdom in the scriptures and live by His strength, not ours.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from 1 Samuel 8:9-18, where we discover the outcomes of living in our own strength and wisdom.
Monday, February 9 – “Only What My Father Says”
Read slowly and carefully John 8:28-30 and John 14:23-31
Who do you listen to in your life? What are the voices that influence you—social media, politics, friends, family, your own head? Could you listen only to the Lord?
This week, as we continue to study “Hearing the Voice of God,” we will look at who Jesus listened to. He only spoke and lived as the Father taught him. We can learn this also.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 1:1-13, which tells how Jesus first hear the voice of God and what God said—revealing to us what it means to be a son or daughter of God.
Read slowly and carefully John 8:28-30 and John 14:23-31
Who do you listen to in your life? What are the voices that influence you—social media, politics, friends, family, your own head? Could you listen only to the Lord?
This week, as we continue to study “Hearing the Voice of God,” we will look at who Jesus listened to. He only spoke and lived as the Father taught him. We can learn this also.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 1:1-13, which tells how Jesus first hear the voice of God and what God said—revealing to us what it means to be a son or daughter of God.
Tuesday, February 10 – “As God Sent Jesus, So Also You”
Read slowly and carefully John 20:19-31
How do you think God spoke to Jesus? Do you imagine it being more powerful than how He speaks to you? Are you sure this is correct?
When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples, blessed them, and began to give them instructions about what to do next. At this point in their discipleship, they were ready to carry the story of Jesus forward to others. So, Jesus sent them. But he highlighted that how he was sending them was exactly how God had sent him. The same leading, the same power that Jesus had is also given to us. As we follow God’s leadership in our lives, we hear just like Jesus did.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 16:15-20, which tells how Jesus promised his disciples great power and strength from the Lord when he sent them to carry on the Gospel.
Read slowly and carefully John 20:19-31
How do you think God spoke to Jesus? Do you imagine it being more powerful than how He speaks to you? Are you sure this is correct?
When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples, blessed them, and began to give them instructions about what to do next. At this point in their discipleship, they were ready to carry the story of Jesus forward to others. So, Jesus sent them. But he highlighted that how he was sending them was exactly how God had sent him. The same leading, the same power that Jesus had is also given to us. As we follow God’s leadership in our lives, we hear just like Jesus did.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 16:15-20, which tells how Jesus promised his disciples great power and strength from the Lord when he sent them to carry on the Gospel.
Wednesday, February 11 – “That Your Joy May Be Complete”
Read slowly and carefully John 15:9-17
Does the time you spend with God bring you an abundant experience of joy, or do you sometimes feel like you are just going through the motions of religion?
Our relationship with God will bear the fruit of thorough and complete joy because our relationship is rooted in deep and unconditional love. When we love God enough to joyfully obey whatever He has told us—to include obedience to the scriptures and loving one another—our joy will become complete. It will be the same joy Jesus has rising up within us as we follow his voice and know him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:18-22, which tells how Jesus explained the joy we can have when we practice prayer and fasting in the right way—in a new and living way and not in the dead cycles of religion.
Read slowly and carefully John 15:9-17
Does the time you spend with God bring you an abundant experience of joy, or do you sometimes feel like you are just going through the motions of religion?
Our relationship with God will bear the fruit of thorough and complete joy because our relationship is rooted in deep and unconditional love. When we love God enough to joyfully obey whatever He has told us—to include obedience to the scriptures and loving one another—our joy will become complete. It will be the same joy Jesus has rising up within us as we follow his voice and know him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:18-22, which tells how Jesus explained the joy we can have when we practice prayer and fasting in the right way—in a new and living way and not in the dead cycles of religion.
Thursday, February 12 – “Slowing Down to Hear”
Read slowly and carefully Exodus 20:8-11 and Mark 2:23-28
How well do you slow down? In our fast-paced, pressure-filled suburban life, how well do you create the space to be with God in a restful posture?
By placing the concept of keeping a weekly Sabbath in the Ten Commandments, God elevated to a level of core human morality the command to be purposeful with rest in our relating with God. If we want to hear the Lord speak into our lives, we must slow down and allow God’s presence to have restful space. While God is present with us even while we go about our busy day--and we should learn to relate with him there, too—we cannot only meet with God in our hurry.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:23-28, where Jesus explained the Sabbath as a tool given to us to relate better with the Lord.
Read slowly and carefully Exodus 20:8-11 and Mark 2:23-28
How well do you slow down? In our fast-paced, pressure-filled suburban life, how well do you create the space to be with God in a restful posture?
By placing the concept of keeping a weekly Sabbath in the Ten Commandments, God elevated to a level of core human morality the command to be purposeful with rest in our relating with God. If we want to hear the Lord speak into our lives, we must slow down and allow God’s presence to have restful space. While God is present with us even while we go about our busy day--and we should learn to relate with him there, too—we cannot only meet with God in our hurry.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:23-28, where Jesus explained the Sabbath as a tool given to us to relate better with the Lord.
Friday, February 13 – “Religion vs. Relationship”
Review and soak carefully in all of Mark 2:1-28
How do you spend time with God every day without it becoming a religious hardship? How do you stay close to the Lord with joy in the grace of God?
Throughout this teaching on how to hear the voice of God, we have continued to discover and emphasize the importance of regular, focused, intentional time with God in His Word and in prayer. It is the only way to truly know and relate with God. Building a regimen to your life to ensure you make room for God is essential. However, regimens can turn quickly into religion instead of relationship. We need to learn the heart of Jesus that is all grace and forgiveness, and from there, step into daily commitment of slowing down, seeking him, and abiding in him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:1-28, where Pastor Chris tells his own story of moving from dry and lifeless religion into abundant, joyful relationship with God.
Review and soak carefully in all of Mark 2:1-28
How do you spend time with God every day without it becoming a religious hardship? How do you stay close to the Lord with joy in the grace of God?
Throughout this teaching on how to hear the voice of God, we have continued to discover and emphasize the importance of regular, focused, intentional time with God in His Word and in prayer. It is the only way to truly know and relate with God. Building a regimen to your life to ensure you make room for God is essential. However, regimens can turn quickly into religion instead of relationship. We need to learn the heart of Jesus that is all grace and forgiveness, and from there, step into daily commitment of slowing down, seeking him, and abiding in him.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:1-28, where Pastor Chris tells his own story of moving from dry and lifeless religion into abundant, joyful relationship with God.
Monday, February 2 – “Be the Sheep Who Knows His Voice”
Read slowly and carefully John 10:1-16
Have you ever had a moment where you were certain God was speaking or revealing something to you? What made you aware of this? What was it like?
This week, we continue to study “Hearing the Voice of God.” As God speaks to us, He is often revealing a path of growth ahead. Jesus told us that when we belong to him, we do indeed already know how to hear his voice. But we may not yet recognize it. We need to learn to cultivate that ability to hear and understand what God is saying to us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 7:31-37, which tells a parallel story of a man whom Jesus healed of his inability to hear and speak. While we may not need a physical healing to our ears, we do indeed need the Lord to open our ability to hear him!
Read slowly and carefully John 10:1-16
Have you ever had a moment where you were certain God was speaking or revealing something to you? What made you aware of this? What was it like?
This week, we continue to study “Hearing the Voice of God.” As God speaks to us, He is often revealing a path of growth ahead. Jesus told us that when we belong to him, we do indeed already know how to hear his voice. But we may not yet recognize it. We need to learn to cultivate that ability to hear and understand what God is saying to us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 7:31-37, which tells a parallel story of a man whom Jesus healed of his inability to hear and speak. While we may not need a physical healing to our ears, we do indeed need the Lord to open our ability to hear him!
Tuesday, February 3 – “Reject the Father of Lies”
Read slowly and carefully John 8:25-47
Where do you think the devil has influenced your view of self through deception? What do you believe about yourself that is not how God sees things?
Satan is known as “the accuser”; he has mastered the art of twisting the truth of how God sees us into a lie of condemnation. This deception causes us to miss what God wants to say and what He has called us to do and to be. We are unable to hear God’s voice because His voice contradicts the lies we have been fed by Satan all our lives. We can reverse this deception and begin to hear God’s vision for us when we also recognize the dishonest voice of the devil and see his distorted view of ourselves as false—and God’s view of us as absolute truth.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 8:31-38, which tells a parallel story of how Peter had succumbed to the deception of the devil in his life over a particular subject.
Read slowly and carefully John 8:25-47
Where do you think the devil has influenced your view of self through deception? What do you believe about yourself that is not how God sees things?
Satan is known as “the accuser”; he has mastered the art of twisting the truth of how God sees us into a lie of condemnation. This deception causes us to miss what God wants to say and what He has called us to do and to be. We are unable to hear God’s voice because His voice contradicts the lies we have been fed by Satan all our lives. We can reverse this deception and begin to hear God’s vision for us when we also recognize the dishonest voice of the devil and see his distorted view of ourselves as false—and God’s view of us as absolute truth.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 8:31-38, which tells a parallel story of how Peter had succumbed to the deception of the devil in his life over a particular subject.
Wednesday, February 4 – “Cast Down Imaginations”
Read slowly and carefully 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Do you know what your part is to overcome the deception the devil has placed over your view of self? How do you combat those lies with the truth of God?
Satan’s aim to deceive us and block out God’s voice in our lives can and must be brought down. His lies are merely an imagination, but when they take root in our hearts and mind, they can become so strong that they keep a hold on us. We have the Word of God as a spiritual weapon to counteract and bring down these strongholds and imaginations as we choose to submit to Jesus’ truth.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 11:20-26, which tells a parallel story of how Jesus modeled faith that can move mountains in our lives. When we need false ideas to come down, faith is the mechanism!
Read slowly and carefully 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Do you know what your part is to overcome the deception the devil has placed over your view of self? How do you combat those lies with the truth of God?
Satan’s aim to deceive us and block out God’s voice in our lives can and must be brought down. His lies are merely an imagination, but when they take root in our hearts and mind, they can become so strong that they keep a hold on us. We have the Word of God as a spiritual weapon to counteract and bring down these strongholds and imaginations as we choose to submit to Jesus’ truth.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 11:20-26, which tells a parallel story of how Jesus modeled faith that can move mountains in our lives. When we need false ideas to come down, faith is the mechanism!
Thursday, February 5 – “Receive the Holy Spirit” Read slowly and carefully Luke 3:15-18, Acts 1:4-8, and Acts 2:1-18
Have you been empowered by the Lord to do the spiritual work and win the spiritual battles in front of you? What empowerment do you need from him?
Before his disciples could effectively carry out God’s calling on their lives, Jesus told them they needed to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, which John the Baptist called a “baptism of the Holy Spirit” (which is different from water baptism at salvation). Once we have overcome the enemy’s lies about ourselves, and we have understood our calling from God, the next step is to seek the Lord—and wait for Him—to baptize us (overflow upon us) in the Holy Spirit.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 1:1-11, which tells this story and shows how Jesus told his disciples to wait for this baptism!
Have you been empowered by the Lord to do the spiritual work and win the spiritual battles in front of you? What empowerment do you need from him?
Before his disciples could effectively carry out God’s calling on their lives, Jesus told them they needed to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, which John the Baptist called a “baptism of the Holy Spirit” (which is different from water baptism at salvation). Once we have overcome the enemy’s lies about ourselves, and we have understood our calling from God, the next step is to seek the Lord—and wait for Him—to baptize us (overflow upon us) in the Holy Spirit.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 1:1-11, which tells this story and shows how Jesus told his disciples to wait for this baptism!
Friday, February 6 – “Receive His Boldness”
Read carefully Acts 4:13-31
Do you have a fierce boldness to fulfill whatever God calls you to, or are you fearful that you are not equipped to carry out God’s will for your life?
As soon as the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began their mission of fulfilling God’s call upon them, they met instant resistance and trouble. The very people they had been called to reach with the good news of Jesus persecuted and threatened them. Instead of shrinking back in fear, however, they sought God for another round of Holy Spirit empowered capability. God gave them boldness to face their fears and continue to minister in His strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 4:14-37, which tells this story and shows us how the Holy Spirit poured boldness into the disciple’s lives.
Read carefully Acts 4:13-31
Do you have a fierce boldness to fulfill whatever God calls you to, or are you fearful that you are not equipped to carry out God’s will for your life?
As soon as the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began their mission of fulfilling God’s call upon them, they met instant resistance and trouble. The very people they had been called to reach with the good news of Jesus persecuted and threatened them. Instead of shrinking back in fear, however, they sought God for another round of Holy Spirit empowered capability. God gave them boldness to face their fears and continue to minister in His strength.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 4:14-37, which tells this story and shows us how the Holy Spirit poured boldness into the disciple’s lives.
Monday, January 26 – “Called into the Kingdom”
Read slowly and carefully Mark 1:14-20
What does it look like to distinctly follow Jesus in your life? Do you follow with more than just an intellectual agreement? Do you know where he is calling you?
When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to follow him, it was not a random call from a stranger. They likely knew him well as they all lived in the same small fishing town of Capernaum. What attracted them to leave behind their profession and commit to following Jesus was what he offered them—life in an entirely new kingdom, a new way of living.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 1:14-20, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Read slowly and carefully Mark 1:14-20
What does it look like to distinctly follow Jesus in your life? Do you follow with more than just an intellectual agreement? Do you know where he is calling you?
When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to follow him, it was not a random call from a stranger. They likely knew him well as they all lived in the same small fishing town of Capernaum. What attracted them to leave behind their profession and commit to following Jesus was what he offered them—life in an entirely new kingdom, a new way of living.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 1:14-20, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Tuesday, January 27 – “You Can Be Changed”
Read slowly and carefully Mark 2:13-17
Do you trust that God is willing to meet you with mercy wherever you are, even if it is a place of brokenness, sinfulness, or discouragement? What is His goal?
When Jesus called Levi (later known as Matthew) to follow him, he was living the life of a mobster, ruthlessly extorting money out of helpless victims under the cover of the Roman government’s corrupt tax system. Jesus’ call had no conditions attached. And yet, his intention was not to let Levi languish in his destructive lifestyle. He knew that if Levi answered his call, he would be changed.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:13-17, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Read slowly and carefully Mark 2:13-17
Do you trust that God is willing to meet you with mercy wherever you are, even if it is a place of brokenness, sinfulness, or discouragement? What is His goal?
When Jesus called Levi (later known as Matthew) to follow him, he was living the life of a mobster, ruthlessly extorting money out of helpless victims under the cover of the Roman government’s corrupt tax system. Jesus’ call had no conditions attached. And yet, his intention was not to let Levi languish in his destructive lifestyle. He knew that if Levi answered his call, he would be changed.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 2:13-17, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Wednesday, January 28 – “Receive Your Calling”
Read slowly and carefully Mark 3:3-19
Do you believe that God has called you specifically for a great purpose? Do you believe He has appointed you, sent you, and empowered you? Why or why not?
When Jesus chose his twelve disciples to follow him and be his team, Mark records that Jesus called “those he wanted” (Mark 3:13). This echoes Ephesians 1:4-5 which tells us that God chooses us according to His “pleasure and will.” Jesus wants us, and then appoints us, sends us, and empowers us to do mighty things in his name. The question is whether we will believe this and step into it.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 3:3-19, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Read slowly and carefully Mark 3:3-19
Do you believe that God has called you specifically for a great purpose? Do you believe He has appointed you, sent you, and empowered you? Why or why not?
When Jesus chose his twelve disciples to follow him and be his team, Mark records that Jesus called “those he wanted” (Mark 3:13). This echoes Ephesians 1:4-5 which tells us that God chooses us according to His “pleasure and will.” Jesus wants us, and then appoints us, sends us, and empowers us to do mighty things in his name. The question is whether we will believe this and step into it.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 3:3-19, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Thursday, January 29 – “Sent with Authority”
Read slowly and carefully Mark 6:6-13
Do you trust God enough to follow Him wherever He wants you to go? Do you trust that He has equipped you with everything you need to be victorious?
Jesus sent his twelve disciples in pairs to travel around the region and spread the Gospel. But more than that, he empowered them with authority over evil spirits—evil influences in the lives of other people. He told them to take nothing with them for their journey, which forced them to recognize that they could be successful only with God’s help. When we understand both the authority God has given us in Jesus’ name and His provision to empower our success, we are able to go with strength into our world and make a profound impact for God.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 6:6-13, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Read slowly and carefully Mark 6:6-13
Do you trust God enough to follow Him wherever He wants you to go? Do you trust that He has equipped you with everything you need to be victorious?
Jesus sent his twelve disciples in pairs to travel around the region and spread the Gospel. But more than that, he empowered them with authority over evil spirits—evil influences in the lives of other people. He told them to take nothing with them for their journey, which forced them to recognize that they could be successful only with God’s help. When we understand both the authority God has given us in Jesus’ name and His provision to empower our success, we are able to go with strength into our world and make a profound impact for God.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Mark 6:6-13, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Friday, January 30 – “Would You Trust God?”
Read carefully Acts 9:1-19
Before you trusted Christ, how hardened was your heart? How hard is it now? Are you more ready to follow and trust the Lord than others might readily perceive?
Saul (Paul)’s encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus demonstrates that God can instantaneously get ahold of anyone whom He perceives is ready to respond. When Saul trusted Christ, God called Ananias to go minister the Word of God and healing to him—who had been murdering Christians. God asked Ananias to trust His plans and agenda for Saul. Ananias put his own safety at risk to do so, believing that wherever God leads, it is indeed trustworthy and good.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 9:1-19, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Read carefully Acts 9:1-19
Before you trusted Christ, how hardened was your heart? How hard is it now? Are you more ready to follow and trust the Lord than others might readily perceive?
Saul (Paul)’s encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus demonstrates that God can instantaneously get ahold of anyone whom He perceives is ready to respond. When Saul trusted Christ, God called Ananias to go minister the Word of God and healing to him—who had been murdering Christians. God asked Ananias to trust His plans and agenda for Saul. Ananias put his own safety at risk to do so, believing that wherever God leads, it is indeed trustworthy and good.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from Acts 9:1-19, which tells this story and shows us how Jesus can speak and call to us as well.
Monday, January 19 – “Pouring Out My Soul”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 1:1-20
When your longings go unfulfilled, how do you react? What are your emotions? Do you carry them to the Lord? Or do you withdraw from God in disappointment?
Under great oppression from a terrible family situation, and being barren and unable to have children, Hannah approached the Lord in bitterness of soul. But she poured out her heart in faith, and God heard her.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 9:14-29, which tells a parallel story of a father begging Jesus for help with his son, and discovering how to have more faith!
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 1:1-20
When your longings go unfulfilled, how do you react? What are your emotions? Do you carry them to the Lord? Or do you withdraw from God in disappointment?
Under great oppression from a terrible family situation, and being barren and unable to have children, Hannah approached the Lord in bitterness of soul. But she poured out her heart in faith, and God heard her.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 9:14-29, which tells a parallel story of a father begging Jesus for help with his son, and discovering how to have more faith!
Tuesday, January 20 – “Responding to the God Who Knows”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 1:21 – 2:11
Do you believe that God hears your prayers? More than just “hearing” in the sense of noting them, does He hear them deep in His heart and react to them?
As Hannah poured out to God her heartache of family bitterness and unfulfilled longings, God heard her (see 1 Samuel 1:6-19). Ultimately, her desires were fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her reaction to God’s provision can be an example to us. Rather than simply being thankful and moving on with her life to enjoy this gift, she returned to God what God had given her. She committed her son to a life of unique consecration. Her heart profoundly shifted from pain to a bold recognition of the strength and direction the Lord provided to her… and us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:24-30, which tells a parallel story of a woman who had great faith even in the midst of disappointment and persecution. Jesus is overjoyed at her expression of bold faith.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 1:21 – 2:11
Do you believe that God hears your prayers? More than just “hearing” in the sense of noting them, does He hear them deep in His heart and react to them?
As Hannah poured out to God her heartache of family bitterness and unfulfilled longings, God heard her (see 1 Samuel 1:6-19). Ultimately, her desires were fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her reaction to God’s provision can be an example to us. Rather than simply being thankful and moving on with her life to enjoy this gift, she returned to God what God had given her. She committed her son to a life of unique consecration. Her heart profoundly shifted from pain to a bold recognition of the strength and direction the Lord provided to her… and us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:24-30, which tells a parallel story of a woman who had great faith even in the midst of disappointment and persecution. Jesus is overjoyed at her expression of bold faith.
Wednesday, January 21 – “Contempt or Consecration?”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 2:12-26
Why do you engage in religious practices? Do you seek the Lord for what He can bring to you, or do you seek Him to discover careful surrender and obedience?
Hophni and Phineas were deeply religious men, serving in the tabernacle as priests of the Lord. And yet, their hearts were far from the surrendered consecration modeled by Samuel. For them, religion was a source of consumption where they could gain whatever they desired (in their case, choice foods and sexual pleasure). When we use worship and church life to gain what our flesh desires, we miss the surrendered and obedient life God wants for us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:1-8, which tells a parallel story of a Jesus addressing the insufficiency—and the deceived hearts—of the highly religious Pharisees. Focus on the practices and traditions of religion do nothing to truly cleanse our hearts.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 2:12-26
Why do you engage in religious practices? Do you seek the Lord for what He can bring to you, or do you seek Him to discover careful surrender and obedience?
Hophni and Phineas were deeply religious men, serving in the tabernacle as priests of the Lord. And yet, their hearts were far from the surrendered consecration modeled by Samuel. For them, religion was a source of consumption where they could gain whatever they desired (in their case, choice foods and sexual pleasure). When we use worship and church life to gain what our flesh desires, we miss the surrendered and obedient life God wants for us.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:1-8, which tells a parallel story of a Jesus addressing the insufficiency—and the deceived hearts—of the highly religious Pharisees. Focus on the practices and traditions of religion do nothing to truly cleanse our hearts.
Thursday, January 22 – “When God Changes His Promise”
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 2:27-35
Do you believe there is a consequence to your life when you hang on to hardness or are disobedient to the Lord? How does this square with the grace of God?
God had chosen Eli and his family and promised to them an everlasting blessing as they served the Lord. And yet, Eli turned a blind eye to the wickedness of his sons as they became corrupt priests in the tabernacle. While God is abundantly merciful, He cannot pour honor upon those who dishonor Him. What had been a promise of long-standing blessing, God had to take that promise away.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:6-13, which tells a parallel story of the Pharisees nullifying the work of God in their lives by twisting the traditions and commandments of the Lord.
Read slowly and carefully 1 Samuel 2:27-35
Do you believe there is a consequence to your life when you hang on to hardness or are disobedient to the Lord? How does this square with the grace of God?
God had chosen Eli and his family and promised to them an everlasting blessing as they served the Lord. And yet, Eli turned a blind eye to the wickedness of his sons as they became corrupt priests in the tabernacle. While God is abundantly merciful, He cannot pour honor upon those who dishonor Him. What had been a promise of long-standing blessing, God had to take that promise away.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 7:6-13, which tells a parallel story of the Pharisees nullifying the work of God in their lives by twisting the traditions and commandments of the Lord.
Friday, January 23 – “Speak, For I Am Listening”
Read carefully 1 Samuel 3:1 – 4:1
Have you ever heard the voice of God in your life? How would you know if God was speaking to you? Do you have faith to listen in your heart for God’s whisper?
Many believers are intimidated when they hear of people “hearing the voice of God.” Our impressions of what that means—and how we can gain that experience—may often be unrealistic and not indeed how God speaks. When Samuel heard God calling him, he thought it was something natural, like his mentor Eli calling his name. He quickly realized something else was going on and turned his heart to listen. God’s voice is subtle and internal for those who hunger.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 9:1-10, which tells a parallel story of Peter, James, and John seeing Jesus in all his glory—they heard from God Himself on a mountain. But how should that change our model of praying? Join us to see!
Read carefully 1 Samuel 3:1 – 4:1
Have you ever heard the voice of God in your life? How would you know if God was speaking to you? Do you have faith to listen in your heart for God’s whisper?
Many believers are intimidated when they hear of people “hearing the voice of God.” Our impressions of what that means—and how we can gain that experience—may often be unrealistic and not indeed how God speaks. When Samuel heard God calling him, he thought it was something natural, like his mentor Eli calling his name. He quickly realized something else was going on and turned his heart to listen. God’s voice is subtle and internal for those who hunger.
Click here for today’s The Daily Six from the Gospel of Mark 9:1-10, which tells a parallel story of Peter, James, and John seeing Jesus in all his glory—they heard from God Himself on a mountain. But how should that change our model of praying? Join us to see!
Monday, January 12 – “Acknowledging God”
Where do you find it hard to forgive yourself? What are the barriers to you feeling a sense of freedom to walk closely with the Lord in joy and intimacy with God?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 9:2, John 3:19-20, and 1 John 1:7, our Best of The Daily Six and “Verses of Victory” that can lead us to abundant life in Jesus. Today we discover the concept of light—that God is revealing Himself as “right” in all His ways, and that I can follow His ways to find a renewed and righteous life.
Where do you find it hard to forgive yourself? What are the barriers to you feeling a sense of freedom to walk closely with the Lord in joy and intimacy with God?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 9:2, John 3:19-20, and 1 John 1:7, our Best of The Daily Six and “Verses of Victory” that can lead us to abundant life in Jesus. Today we discover the concept of light—that God is revealing Himself as “right” in all His ways, and that I can follow His ways to find a renewed and righteous life.
Tuesday, January 13 – “Agreeing with God”
If you were to trust God to thoroughly forgive and cleanse your sins, how would you perceive yourself differently? Would it be easier to approach Him?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 1 John 1:9. Confessing our sins is a key prerequisite to experiencing the forgiveness and cleansing that comes from the Lord. But we often misunderstand what confession means. For most of us, we think this means to “name” the sin—to make a list for God of what we have done wrong. But the Greek word used in the New Testament reveals something different. True confession is to come into “agreement with God” about the true nature of our sin. It is to release our self-justification and come into dependency for His healing. Agreement with God not only opens the door for forgiveness, but for a thorough change and cleansing.
If you were to trust God to thoroughly forgive and cleanse your sins, how would you perceive yourself differently? Would it be easier to approach Him?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 1 John 1:9. Confessing our sins is a key prerequisite to experiencing the forgiveness and cleansing that comes from the Lord. But we often misunderstand what confession means. For most of us, we think this means to “name” the sin—to make a list for God of what we have done wrong. But the Greek word used in the New Testament reveals something different. True confession is to come into “agreement with God” about the true nature of our sin. It is to release our self-justification and come into dependency for His healing. Agreement with God not only opens the door for forgiveness, but for a thorough change and cleansing.
Wednesday, January 14 – “Aligning with God”
What might you “feel” is right about your life, but it actually isn’t? Are there any thoughts and ideas that you need to surrender and accept that they are untrue?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Acts 3:19 and Romans 2:4. When we “repent,” we change our mind about a circumstance, behavior, idea, or belief. We choose to think differently—to think as God thinks. Not only do we agree with God’s view as we learned to do yesterday, but we also align ourselves with God in how we think, feel, perceive, believe, and behave. Refreshing from the Lord will be the result as we take on a new perspective about our lives!
What might you “feel” is right about your life, but it actually isn’t? Are there any thoughts and ideas that you need to surrender and accept that they are untrue?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Acts 3:19 and Romans 2:4. When we “repent,” we change our mind about a circumstance, behavior, idea, or belief. We choose to think differently—to think as God thinks. Not only do we agree with God’s view as we learned to do yesterday, but we also align ourselves with God in how we think, feel, perceive, believe, and behave. Refreshing from the Lord will be the result as we take on a new perspective about our lives!
Thursday, January 15 – “Approaching God Believing”
When you think of approaching God, what are the emotions you experience? Do you feel shame or disdain? Or do I know deeply of His love and mercy for you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4:16. When we “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” we approach the fullness of God believing properly. We don’t just mindlessly skip into His presence, but rather we step towards Him with a full understanding of the fair trade (our sins / His life) that He made on the cross. Believing properly, we approach with confidence in His mercy and grace, thankfully, boldly, and joyfully.
When you think of approaching God, what are the emotions you experience? Do you feel shame or disdain? Or do I know deeply of His love and mercy for you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4:16. When we “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” we approach the fullness of God believing properly. We don’t just mindlessly skip into His presence, but rather we step towards Him with a full understanding of the fair trade (our sins / His life) that He made on the cross. Believing properly, we approach with confidence in His mercy and grace, thankfully, boldly, and joyfully.
Friday, January 16 – “Abiding with God”
Do you feel a responsibility to manage your behavior towards what God wants? Is this a joyful awareness, or a heavy-laden burden of guilt and shame?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ezekiel 36:26-27, Ephesians 2:8-10, and Hebrews 4:10. When we “enter God’s rest”, we no longer try to manage or improve our behavior solely by an effort of our will. We rest from our own work and begin to depend on God for His work of craftsmanship in our lives. We abide in a relationship of trust with the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed in our hearts to move us (empower us) to live in alignment with Him. In this rest, I lean upon God’s role in my transformation; my role is to surrender, repent, and seek Him for it.
Do you feel a responsibility to manage your behavior towards what God wants? Is this a joyful awareness, or a heavy-laden burden of guilt and shame?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ezekiel 36:26-27, Ephesians 2:8-10, and Hebrews 4:10. When we “enter God’s rest”, we no longer try to manage or improve our behavior solely by an effort of our will. We rest from our own work and begin to depend on God for His work of craftsmanship in our lives. We abide in a relationship of trust with the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed in our hearts to move us (empower us) to live in alignment with Him. In this rest, I lean upon God’s role in my transformation; my role is to surrender, repent, and seek Him for it.
Monday, January 5 – “The Path to Real Rest”
What do you need to let go of and stop working so hard for? Where might you need to stop trying to control or micromanage things? How can you find rest?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 3:11, 3:18 and 4:1-12, continuing our Best of The Daily Six and the path to true rest. As we studied last week, God rested from His own labors, and so can we. The Word of God can help us do this as we gain new perspective. God’s point of view revealed in scripture will lead us to a new way of life.
What do you need to let go of and stop working so hard for? Where might you need to stop trying to control or micromanage things? How can you find rest?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 3:11, 3:18 and 4:1-12, continuing our Best of The Daily Six and the path to true rest. As we studied last week, God rested from His own labors, and so can we. The Word of God can help us do this as we gain new perspective. God’s point of view revealed in scripture will lead us to a new way of life.
Tuesday, January 6 – “Can I See This Differently?”
What areas of stress or difficulty in your life are you perhaps viewing wrongly? If you could see these troubles from God’s perspective, what might look different?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Romans 8:28-30. Our stress points, troubles, and concerns may not be as large and overwhelming as we think when viewed from the truth revealed in scripture that they are merely “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17) when compared to the fullness of God’s work and identity in our lives. We are challenged to “fix our eyes on what is unseen” versus the natural world we can see, as God operates in our lives in unseen and powerful ways. If we could see our situations from God’s perspective, they might look vastly different than they do to us today.
What areas of stress or difficulty in your life are you perhaps viewing wrongly? If you could see these troubles from God’s perspective, what might look different?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Romans 8:28-30. Our stress points, troubles, and concerns may not be as large and overwhelming as we think when viewed from the truth revealed in scripture that they are merely “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17) when compared to the fullness of God’s work and identity in our lives. We are challenged to “fix our eyes on what is unseen” versus the natural world we can see, as God operates in our lives in unseen and powerful ways. If we could see our situations from God’s perspective, they might look vastly different than they do to us today.
Wednesday, January 7 – “How Can You “Get Yours?”
What are you striving towards with the majority of your life efforts? Where do you invest your best energies? What are you aiming to achieve?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Lamentations 3:23-25 and Psalm 119:57-64. Much of our efforts in life are to be sure we can secure what we need and want from the world—our “portion” of the good things in life, financial security, and social standing. But the things of this world are not as secure and life-giving as we may think. If we perceive God as our most important inheritance and consider vibrant intimacy with God as our deepest goal, we will redirect the energies and efforts of our lives to find a much deeper, more lasting joy in the Lord.
What are you striving towards with the majority of your life efforts? Where do you invest your best energies? What are you aiming to achieve?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Lamentations 3:23-25 and Psalm 119:57-64. Much of our efforts in life are to be sure we can secure what we need and want from the world—our “portion” of the good things in life, financial security, and social standing. But the things of this world are not as secure and life-giving as we may think. If we perceive God as our most important inheritance and consider vibrant intimacy with God as our deepest goal, we will redirect the energies and efforts of our lives to find a much deeper, more lasting joy in the Lord.
Thursday, January 8 – “Is “Do Not Worry” Even Possible?”
What is it that you are most worried or fretful about in your present life? If you sought God with the same intensity, how might faith change your perspective?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 6:25-33. Most of us spend an enormous amount of time and energy striving towards and monitoring our success in achieving resources for our family, status in our careers, money for retirement or material possessions we desire. But Jesus challenged us that the animal kingdom does not fret over these things in the same way we do—and yet, the Lord ensures their provision. We would do well to seek God as our first and foremost resource and trust that He will do the rest.
What is it that you are most worried or fretful about in your present life? If you sought God with the same intensity, how might faith change your perspective?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 6:25-33. Most of us spend an enormous amount of time and energy striving towards and monitoring our success in achieving resources for our family, status in our careers, money for retirement or material possessions we desire. But Jesus challenged us that the animal kingdom does not fret over these things in the same way we do—and yet, the Lord ensures their provision. We would do well to seek God as our first and foremost resource and trust that He will do the rest.
Friday, January 9 – “When God Works Counter-Intuitively”
How much effort do you regularly put into seeking God? How much joy do you find in seeking God? Are there times when prayer and worship seem dry?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 84:1-7. When we allow our minds to be renewed by God’s Word, and we no longer think the way the world does, how we view our life will be counter-intuitive to our old way of thinking. And yet, it will become a new place of great joy and abundance. God’s way is not like ours. It is better, more joy-filled, and healthier. We should seek this way of thought with everything we are by dwelling daily in His presence!
How much effort do you regularly put into seeking God? How much joy do you find in seeking God? Are there times when prayer and worship seem dry?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 84:1-7. When we allow our minds to be renewed by God’s Word, and we no longer think the way the world does, how we view our life will be counter-intuitive to our old way of thinking. And yet, it will become a new place of great joy and abundance. God’s way is not like ours. It is better, more joy-filled, and healthier. We should seek this way of thought with everything we are by dwelling daily in His presence!
Monday, December 29 – “Don’t Fall Short of Real Rest”
Are you tired and in need of rest? What hardness of unbelief might be holding you back from intimacy with God? Is any neglect of God blocking you from peace?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:12-14 and 4:1-12, continuing our Best of The Daily Six with the rest offered to us. Unbelief hardens our heart and keeps us restless. When God took the first Sabbath (see Genesis 2:2), He released control and let His work be enough. We find this same rest by softening our hearts in faith.
Are you tired and in need of rest? What hardness of unbelief might be holding you back from intimacy with God? Is any neglect of God blocking you from peace?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:12-14 and 4:1-12, continuing our Best of The Daily Six with the rest offered to us. Unbelief hardens our heart and keeps us restless. When God took the first Sabbath (see Genesis 2:2), He released control and let His work be enough. We find this same rest by softening our hearts in faith.
Tuesday, December 30 – “The Law That Gives Rest”
What are the benefits you gain in your life from being in God’s Word? What habits and activities draw you closest to God? Do you engage these habits daily?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Psalm 119:1-32. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119 which describes all the benefits and outcomes of dwelling closely with God in His Word. While many of us may feel like making time for personal and intimate interaction with God is another chore that adds to our hurried and stress-filled like, the scripture promises the opposite. Those who know the Word well enough to live by its instructions will find rest, abundance, and blessings that offer far more peace than anything else.
What are the benefits you gain in your life from being in God’s Word? What habits and activities draw you closest to God? Do you engage these habits daily?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Psalm 119:1-32. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119 which describes all the benefits and outcomes of dwelling closely with God in His Word. While many of us may feel like making time for personal and intimate interaction with God is another chore that adds to our hurried and stress-filled like, the scripture promises the opposite. Those who know the Word well enough to live by its instructions will find rest, abundance, and blessings that offer far more peace than anything else.
Wednesday, December 31 – “How God Accomplishes His Plan”
What do you believe God wants to accomplish in your life? What stands in His way from fulfilling this? What promise does He make to fulfill His will in you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 55:1-13. The scriptures reveal that God will accomplish what He intends through the power of His Word. When the Word of God is received into a soft and ready heart--which is developed by seeking God with all that we are—it will supernaturally fulfill its intention. The Word has power in and of itself; it will bring satisfaction, peace, and abundance to us. But we must turn to God and seek His Word’s influence in our lives. God will accomplish His desires when we allow Him.
What do you believe God wants to accomplish in your life? What stands in His way from fulfilling this? What promise does He make to fulfill His will in you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 55:1-13. The scriptures reveal that God will accomplish what He intends through the power of His Word. When the Word of God is received into a soft and ready heart--which is developed by seeking God with all that we are—it will supernaturally fulfill its intention. The Word has power in and of itself; it will bring satisfaction, peace, and abundance to us. But we must turn to God and seek His Word’s influence in our lives. God will accomplish His desires when we allow Him.
Thursday, January 1 – “How Faith Reveals Reality”
How well do you understand the mechanics of where faith comes from and what it accomplishes in us? How can we maximize God’s good promises for us?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 4:12 and Romans 10:12-17. When the Word of God is given full access to our hearts, it will help us discern truth from deception, the spiritual from the flesh. It will lead us to the life of abundance we truly want. This happens as our faith is developed and strengthened by hearing the Word deeply in our soul. As faith deepens, our ability to see the reality of spiritual things is awakened, giving us a new perspective—a more accurate perspective—to live our lives from.
How well do you understand the mechanics of where faith comes from and what it accomplishes in us? How can we maximize God’s good promises for us?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Hebrews 4:12 and Romans 10:12-17. When the Word of God is given full access to our hearts, it will help us discern truth from deception, the spiritual from the flesh. It will lead us to the life of abundance we truly want. This happens as our faith is developed and strengthened by hearing the Word deeply in our soul. As faith deepens, our ability to see the reality of spiritual things is awakened, giving us a new perspective—a more accurate perspective—to live our lives from.
Friday, January 2 – “Have You Found the Treasure?”
Do you recognize any of the negative traits in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 existing in your life? How might the scriptures help you overcome these traits?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Timothy 3:1-17. Human nature often leads us to selfish, unloving, and ungodly attitudes and behaviors. Some of these mindsets are not readily obvious to us as they are common to all people. One of the more powerful aspects of scripture is its ability to forcefully expose the sinful aspects of our hearts so that we can turn to God, and with His help, correct our course. When we heed the correction the Word brings, it helps prevent the negative traits of humanity from rising up within us.
Do you recognize any of the negative traits in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 existing in your life? How might the scriptures help you overcome these traits?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read 2 Timothy 3:1-17. Human nature often leads us to selfish, unloving, and ungodly attitudes and behaviors. Some of these mindsets are not readily obvious to us as they are common to all people. One of the more powerful aspects of scripture is its ability to forcefully expose the sinful aspects of our hearts so that we can turn to God, and with His help, correct our course. When we heed the correction the Word brings, it helps prevent the negative traits of humanity from rising up within us.
Monday, December 22 – “How Hungry for God Am I?”
Are there desires, responsibilities, activities, or pursuits in your life that might be taking priority over your relationship with God? Are there places in your heart where God is a distant “second place”? How can you move God to “first”?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 6:1-10 and Matthew 13:1-23, returning to our very first Daily Six to explore the condition of our heart. A vibrant relationship with God calls for a listening heart that longs to know Him and seek Him with everything we are. To have this relationship, our heart must hunger to seek God. Jesus revealed that the softened heart is not natural. We must choose a soft and open heart.
Are there desires, responsibilities, activities, or pursuits in your life that might be taking priority over your relationship with God? Are there places in your heart where God is a distant “second place”? How can you move God to “first”?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 6:1-10 and Matthew 13:1-23, returning to our very first Daily Six to explore the condition of our heart. A vibrant relationship with God calls for a listening heart that longs to know Him and seek Him with everything we are. To have this relationship, our heart must hunger to seek God. Jesus revealed that the softened heart is not natural. We must choose a soft and open heart.
Tuesday, December 23 – “What is the Condition of My Heart?”
Do you have an open and ready heart for seeking the Lord? Or do you have a distracted heart? A shallow heart? A hardened heart? Can you tell the difference?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:18-25 and Psalm 139:1-24. God knows us quite intimately and already understands the condition of our heart. But to make our own choice to have a soft and open heart towards the Lord, we need Him to help us overcome hardness that is the result of evil spiritual realities arrayed against us. David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24 for God to reveal what might not be readily obvious to him. Our openness to know the Lord is dependent on His help to release our distractions, deepen our hunger for Him, and break up our hardness, apathy, and disinterest in Him.
Do you have an open and ready heart for seeking the Lord? Or do you have a distracted heart? A shallow heart? A hardened heart? Can you tell the difference?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:18-25 and Psalm 139:1-24. God knows us quite intimately and already understands the condition of our heart. But to make our own choice to have a soft and open heart towards the Lord, we need Him to help us overcome hardness that is the result of evil spiritual realities arrayed against us. David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24 for God to reveal what might not be readily obvious to him. Our openness to know the Lord is dependent on His help to release our distractions, deepen our hunger for Him, and break up our hardness, apathy, and disinterest in Him.
Wednesday, December 24 – “Good Things that Lead Us Astray”
As you look over the patterns of thought, habits, and rhythms of your life, where do you see God’s Spirit at work in you? Where do you see the works of the flesh?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:24-30 and Galatians 5:19-25. In the Middle East of Jesus’ day, there was a plant known as “darnel” that in its early stages of growth looked just like wheat. Jesus told a parable of an enemy sowing darnel seeds in a farmer’s field. In a previous parable, Jesus revealed that our hearts are the soil into which the Word of God is planted. But the enemy is also at work to sow counterfeit seeds into our hearts—things that look good but are not from the Lord. To overcome this, we must learn to walk in the Holy Spirit.
As you look over the patterns of thought, habits, and rhythms of your life, where do you see God’s Spirit at work in you? Where do you see the works of the flesh?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:24-30 and Galatians 5:19-25. In the Middle East of Jesus’ day, there was a plant known as “darnel” that in its early stages of growth looked just like wheat. Jesus told a parable of an enemy sowing darnel seeds in a farmer’s field. In a previous parable, Jesus revealed that our hearts are the soil into which the Word of God is planted. But the enemy is also at work to sow counterfeit seeds into our hearts—things that look good but are not from the Lord. To overcome this, we must learn to walk in the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, December 25 – “Jesus Quietly Working in Us”
Where do you feel insufficient in your spiritual life? Where do you feel weak, incapable, insufficient or even sinful? Can you trust God to help you overcome?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:31-33 and Isaiah 55:6-13. This Christmas Day, can you turn to the Lord for His wisdom, help, power, and leadership to bring you victory over every unhealthy place in your life? This is why He came to us as a baby in the manger—not to just be a warm story of love, but to be a God of transformation for us. His Word will accomplish this if we let it penetrate us. Even the tiniest input of His Word will be powerfully at work even when we don’t see it or perceive it. All we must do is open up and seek Him.
Where do you feel insufficient in your spiritual life? Where do you feel weak, incapable, insufficient or even sinful? Can you trust God to help you overcome?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:31-33 and Isaiah 55:6-13. This Christmas Day, can you turn to the Lord for His wisdom, help, power, and leadership to bring you victory over every unhealthy place in your life? This is why He came to us as a baby in the manger—not to just be a warm story of love, but to be a God of transformation for us. His Word will accomplish this if we let it penetrate us. Even the tiniest input of His Word will be powerfully at work even when we don’t see it or perceive it. All we must do is open up and seek Him.
Friday, December 26 – “Have You Found the Treasure?”
How much is the Kingdom of God worth to you? Have you discovered great value of Jesus in your life? What would be willing to give up to know Him more?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:44-46. If you were to discover a huge box of gold coins in a field, wouldn’t you want to own that property so those coins could be yours? Jesus told a parable of just this—that when a man found a great treasure, he sold all that he had to buy it. The Kingdom of God thriving in our life is just such a treasure. But to have it fully, we must give surrender our priorities, ideas, thoughts, and rhythms of life to Him.
How much is the Kingdom of God worth to you? Have you discovered great value of Jesus in your life? What would be willing to give up to know Him more?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Matthew 13:44-46. If you were to discover a huge box of gold coins in a field, wouldn’t you want to own that property so those coins could be yours? Jesus told a parable of just this—that when a man found a great treasure, he sold all that he had to buy it. The Kingdom of God thriving in our life is just such a treasure. But to have it fully, we must give surrender our priorities, ideas, thoughts, and rhythms of life to Him.
Monday, December 15 – “Life from a Cut Down Stump”
What stands in your way from believing in God’s restoration in your life? Are there insecurities, insufficiencies, failures, fears, hurts, or disappointments that you need to exercise faith in God’s restorative work? What are those barriers?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 11:1-11 and Isaiah 43:18-19. We often have damaged beliefs that keep us from realizing our fullest potential in God: I’ve sinned too much; I have too much junk in my past; there isn’t enough good in me for God to work with. But God has created a powerful life in Jesus that grows victory in every broken place.
What stands in your way from believing in God’s restoration in your life? Are there insecurities, insufficiencies, failures, fears, hurts, or disappointments that you need to exercise faith in God’s restorative work? What are those barriers?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 11:1-11 and Isaiah 43:18-19. We often have damaged beliefs that keep us from realizing our fullest potential in God: I’ve sinned too much; I have too much junk in my past; there isn’t enough good in me for God to work with. But God has created a powerful life in Jesus that grows victory in every broken place.
Tuesday, December 16 – “God Will Not Break You Off”
Do you have a faulty image of God where you feel He is harsh? Where do you need to believe that God is filled with restorative mercy and grace for healing?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 30:18 and Joel 2:25. We can often feel like we don’t have enough faith, or that we don’t believe well enough for God to work within us. Some of us may feel like we are “too far gone” for God to use us or do much with our lives. Some feel week. Some feel too deeply wounded. But these are damaged beliefs. They are not what the scriptures reveal about the heart, character, and nature of God towards us. Where we experience depression, discouragement, apathy or dismay, God sees the person He can restore us to be. He is always tender and encouraging to us.
Do you have a faulty image of God where you feel He is harsh? Where do you need to believe that God is filled with restorative mercy and grace for healing?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 30:18 and Joel 2:25. We can often feel like we don’t have enough faith, or that we don’t believe well enough for God to work within us. Some of us may feel like we are “too far gone” for God to use us or do much with our lives. Some feel week. Some feel too deeply wounded. But these are damaged beliefs. They are not what the scriptures reveal about the heart, character, and nature of God towards us. Where we experience depression, discouragement, apathy or dismay, God sees the person He can restore us to be. He is always tender and encouraging to us.
Wednesday, December 17 – “Changing Our Source of Strength”
What are you trusting as your primary source of strength? Is it your competency, education, wisdom, intellect, wealth, or political ideology? Or does your strength uniquely come from God? How do you practically experience this?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 31:1 and Isaiah 50:10-11. While none of the sources listed above are bad things to have in our lives or to feed into and grow, they cannot replace God as the first and foremost “go-to” for help, growth, and healing. In Isaiah 50, God warns the people of Israel to not depend on their own strength for victory and guidance in their lives--a very common impulse of most humans. Instead of trusting our own capabilities or the protection and help of others, we should first look to God for His support.
What are you trusting as your primary source of strength? Is it your competency, education, wisdom, intellect, wealth, or political ideology? Or does your strength uniquely come from God? How do you practically experience this?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 31:1 and Isaiah 50:10-11. While none of the sources listed above are bad things to have in our lives or to feed into and grow, they cannot replace God as the first and foremost “go-to” for help, growth, and healing. In Isaiah 50, God warns the people of Israel to not depend on their own strength for victory and guidance in their lives--a very common impulse of most humans. Instead of trusting our own capabilities or the protection and help of others, we should first look to God for His support.
Thursday, December 18 – “What Am I Building?”
What do you think might be the 21st century version of idolatry? Are their idols in your life? What are they? How do you recognize them? How do they replace God?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 44:12-20. The Israelites repeatedly created idols to worship. It seems odd to us to bow down and pray to something built by human hands. But our natural tendency to look to anything but God to supply our needs is not uncommon. In modern times this might be our relationships, status, wealth, reason, or accomplishments. If we trust these and lean of them rather than God, it can mislead us away from Him.
What do you think might be the 21st century version of idolatry? Are their idols in your life? What are they? How do you recognize them? How do they replace God?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 44:12-20. The Israelites repeatedly created idols to worship. It seems odd to us to bow down and pray to something built by human hands. But our natural tendency to look to anything but God to supply our needs is not uncommon. In modern times this might be our relationships, status, wealth, reason, or accomplishments. If we trust these and lean of them rather than God, it can mislead us away from Him.
Friday, December 19 – “Am I Out of Alignment?”
What might God want to reveal to you in terms of where you are out of alignment with Him? Does your life stay in line with His ways, or do you stray from Him?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 1:18-20 and Romans 1:16-18. There is a tension revealed in scripture between the radical, merciful, gracious love of God and His call to repent of the places where we live contrary to His ways. We would do well to consider what aspect of our lives need to be more aligned with God so that we can experience His grace while also living with and experiencing the goodness of His power working in us!
What might God want to reveal to you in terms of where you are out of alignment with Him? Does your life stay in line with His ways, or do you stray from Him?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Isaiah 1:18-20 and Romans 1:16-18. There is a tension revealed in scripture between the radical, merciful, gracious love of God and His call to repent of the places where we live contrary to His ways. We would do well to consider what aspect of our lives need to be more aligned with God so that we can experience His grace while also living with and experiencing the goodness of His power working in us!
Monday, December 8 – “Five Ways to Use the Bible”
How hungry are you for God’s revelation of truth? Are you open to being corrected by Him? Do you want your life to be directed by Him or by yourself?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:1-17. We need to learn how to be “in” God’s revelation of truth every single day. But for many of us, the Bible can be daunting and perhaps even intimidating. Others may become complacent with the Word, feeling we have all we need to know.
How hungry are you for God’s revelation of truth? Are you open to being corrected by Him? Do you want your life to be directed by Him or by yourself?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:1-17. We need to learn how to be “in” God’s revelation of truth every single day. But for many of us, the Bible can be daunting and perhaps even intimidating. Others may become complacent with the Word, feeling we have all we need to know.
Tuesday, December 9 – “Slow Down and See Something”
Can hope and hardship coexist at the same time? How would your perspective change if you chose to express hope even while struggling with something?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Lamentations 3:19-33. Jeremiah was a prophet who chose a posture of hope in the Lord even while watching the greatest horror unfold. His beloved city of Jerusalem was smoldering in ruins after a vicious attack from a foreign enemy. His friends and family were carried away into exile to a land hundreds of miles away. And yet, while Jeremiah sat on a hillside watching the city burn, he expressed hope in God’s mercy that was “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). The pain he openly confessed included this bold declaration of hope. We should look to the Word of God for nuggets of hope in the specific situations where we struggle.
Can hope and hardship coexist at the same time? How would your perspective change if you chose to express hope even while struggling with something?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Lamentations 3:19-33. Jeremiah was a prophet who chose a posture of hope in the Lord even while watching the greatest horror unfold. His beloved city of Jerusalem was smoldering in ruins after a vicious attack from a foreign enemy. His friends and family were carried away into exile to a land hundreds of miles away. And yet, while Jeremiah sat on a hillside watching the city burn, he expressed hope in God’s mercy that was “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). The pain he openly confessed included this bold declaration of hope. We should look to the Word of God for nuggets of hope in the specific situations where we struggle.
Wednesday, December 10 – “Get This Hidden in our Hearts”
How do you memorize things that are important to you? Are there Bible verses important enough that you have memorized them? Why or why not?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Psalm 119:1-16. David knew that God’s Word could not guide his day-to-day decisions unless it was embedded deeply in his heart. The Word will not be our source of life and strength if its truths and specific directives are not committed to our memory. We cannot depend only on the encouragement that comes from hearing someone else speak of God’s Word. We must know it ourselves and use it.
How do you memorize things that are important to you? Are there Bible verses important enough that you have memorized them? Why or why not?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Psalm 119:1-16. David knew that God’s Word could not guide his day-to-day decisions unless it was embedded deeply in his heart. The Word will not be our source of life and strength if its truths and specific directives are not committed to our memory. We cannot depend only on the encouragement that comes from hearing someone else speak of God’s Word. We must know it ourselves and use it.
Thursday, December 11 – “Don’t Be Defeated… Be Victorious”
Are you presently standing firm and strong against the attacks of Satan in your life? What is your source of strength—or weakness? How does God help you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ephesians 6:10-18 and Matthew 4:1-11. We are instructed in Ephesians 6 to be strong in the Lord and to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. But this strength is not our own and it is not of ourselves. To be strong in the Lord’s power requires that we stand firm in the way He instructs us to—wearing confidently our salvation, God’s revealed truth, a righteous and sincere heart, and leveraging the Word of God as our weapon.
Are you presently standing firm and strong against the attacks of Satan in your life? What is your source of strength—or weakness? How does God help you?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ephesians 6:10-18 and Matthew 4:1-11. We are instructed in Ephesians 6 to be strong in the Lord and to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. But this strength is not our own and it is not of ourselves. To be strong in the Lord’s power requires that we stand firm in the way He instructs us to—wearing confidently our salvation, God’s revealed truth, a righteous and sincere heart, and leveraging the Word of God as our weapon.
Friday, December 12 – “Pray with Power”
When you pray, what do you say? Do you simply make requests to God, or do you leverage the Word of God as a weapon to defeat doubt and the devil?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The Bible tells us that we have been seated with Jesus in a position of authority in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 2:6). Since our life battles are mostly from the spiritual realm (see Ephesians 6:12), we should learn how to leverage the authority given to us in spiritual battle, tearing down ideas and strongholds the enemy has placed in our minds. We do this by using the scripture as our source of authority and praying the Word of God into our circumstances. Try it!!
When you pray, what do you say? Do you simply make requests to God, or do you leverage the Word of God as a weapon to defeat doubt and the devil?
Click here for today’s The Daily Six as we read Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The Bible tells us that we have been seated with Jesus in a position of authority in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 2:6). Since our life battles are mostly from the spiritual realm (see Ephesians 6:12), we should learn how to leverage the authority given to us in spiritual battle, tearing down ideas and strongholds the enemy has placed in our minds. We do this by using the scripture as our source of authority and praying the Word of God into our circumstances. Try it!!
Monday, December 1 – “Our Next Five Weeks”
How is the Word of God useful to you? How do you use it? What results have you seen in your life as you spend time in the Bible?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Word of God is useful to making us wise; let’s engage the Word with purpose and passion!
How is the Word of God useful to you? How do you use it? What results have you seen in your life as you spend time in the Bible?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Word of God is useful to making us wise; let’s engage the Word with purpose and passion!
Tuesday, December 2 – “Repent and Believe”
What does it look like to distinctly follow Jesus? More than intellectual agreement with doctrine, what does it mean to follow him with your life? Are you following?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:14-20. When Jesus called his first disciples to follow him, he promised them an abundant life in a brand-new kingdom—the Kingdom of God. But he told them that the path to that new way of living began with repentance and faith. The call to follow Jesus starts with a pivot. It is recognizing that life as it is presently lived is inadequate. It is putting our faith down upon the new way that Jesus models and that we follow.
What does it look like to distinctly follow Jesus? More than intellectual agreement with doctrine, what does it mean to follow him with your life? Are you following?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:14-20. When Jesus called his first disciples to follow him, he promised them an abundant life in a brand-new kingdom—the Kingdom of God. But he told them that the path to that new way of living began with repentance and faith. The call to follow Jesus starts with a pivot. It is recognizing that life as it is presently lived is inadequate. It is putting our faith down upon the new way that Jesus models and that we follow.
Wednesday, December 3 – “Use His Authority”
What is the pathway to spiritual victory and abundance in your life? What is your part? What is God’s part? Do you have these roles properly distinguished?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:21-28. Very early in his ministry, Jesus demonstrated that his goal was not just getting folks into intellectual alignment with theological truth. He kicked off his earliest ministry efforts by squarely addressing the spiritual affliction and bondage that even some religious people had with evil spirits. A man in Jesus’ synagogue likely didn’t even know he was spiritually oppressed; but the evil spirit that held him in bondage immediately recognized Jesus’ authority. As he delivered this man from his spiritual bondage, Jesus demonstrated that the pathway to freedom is not in our own muscled up efforts of self-actualization or religious activity. Freedom comes exclusively from the power of Jesus.
What is the pathway to spiritual victory and abundance in your life? What is your part? What is God’s part? Do you have these roles properly distinguished?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:21-28. Very early in his ministry, Jesus demonstrated that his goal was not just getting folks into intellectual alignment with theological truth. He kicked off his earliest ministry efforts by squarely addressing the spiritual affliction and bondage that even some religious people had with evil spirits. A man in Jesus’ synagogue likely didn’t even know he was spiritually oppressed; but the evil spirit that held him in bondage immediately recognized Jesus’ authority. As he delivered this man from his spiritual bondage, Jesus demonstrated that the pathway to freedom is not in our own muscled up efforts of self-actualization or religious activity. Freedom comes exclusively from the power of Jesus.
Thursday, December 4 – “Heal the Sick”
Is Jesus truly willing to heal you? Does he want to help you? Or is he too busy with bigger problems? Or are you not righteous enough for him to want to help you?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:29-34 and Mark 1:40-45. Jesus provides healing for what we truly need. Our real need may be different than we first think. Jesus’ healing of the man with leprosy focused both on his willingness to heal and his relational presence with the man, touching him first—which was a deep emotional need for this isolated and outcast brother.
Is Jesus truly willing to heal you? Does he want to help you? Or is he too busy with bigger problems? Or are you not righteous enough for him to want to help you?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:29-34 and Mark 1:40-45. Jesus provides healing for what we truly need. Our real need may be different than we first think. Jesus’ healing of the man with leprosy focused both on his willingness to heal and his relational presence with the man, touching him first—which was a deep emotional need for this isolated and outcast brother.
Friday, December 5 – “Pray”
How do you spend your mornings? What are your daily routines around hygiene, meals, commuting, etc.? Does God fit into those habits anywhere?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:35-39. If we want our lives to be powered by Jesus, we need to do what he did. Sandwiched in between powerful movements of the supernatural in his life, Jesus’ rhythm was to engage focused prayer at a key moment each day. Power in anything we do in life comes from our rhythms—the habits of what we do on a regular basis. Can you make a commitment to lock in a daily rhythm of prayer and time in God’s Word?
How do you spend your mornings? What are your daily routines around hygiene, meals, commuting, etc.? Does God fit into those habits anywhere?
Click here for today’s Daily Six as we read Mark 1:35-39. If we want our lives to be powered by Jesus, we need to do what he did. Sandwiched in between powerful movements of the supernatural in his life, Jesus’ rhythm was to engage focused prayer at a key moment each day. Power in anything we do in life comes from our rhythms—the habits of what we do on a regular basis. Can you make a commitment to lock in a daily rhythm of prayer and time in God’s Word?
Jesus said, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, & with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matt. 22:37-39
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