Read Matthew 22:34-40.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (v. 37).

Man was made to love God. Instead, we are twisted by the selfishness of sin to love ourselves. Love degenerated from a principle of life to a passion. Love as a primary word in defining/describing Christianity goes beyond an emotion that may change with circumstances. It is a purposeful seeking the best interest of another. It is the conquering of all contrary dispositions involving the total person. Emotion may at times accompany the purpose of the heart but it is not the primary distinguishing characteristic. We do not “fall in love” with God, but we set our hearts to love him through an exercise of the will. It is the greatest commandment because we are the most like God and his love for us in fulfilling it. It is the greatest commandment because it demands the mind and the will. This resolve to love positions us to love him more as we know Him because it provides the moral foundation that supports greater love. It is well to remember that the giving and repeating of this commandment precedes both Calvary and Pentecost. With Calvary in view and Pentecost empowering, fulfilling this greatest commandment should be within the reach of all who purpose to find its realization in their lives. (William E. Snider)

“Christian love is not merely an emotional experience
which comes unbidden and unsought;
it is a deliberate principle of the mind and
a deliberate conquest and achievement of the will.”
— William Barclay

Read Galatians 3:22-25.

"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (v. 25).

How did you come to faith in Christ? Most of us have a story of people who helped us, sermons that convicted us, circumstances that influenced our decision. Seldom have I heard people say that the law of God had a part in bringing them to faith. But in our reading for today, Paul says that it was the law of God that served as a tutor to bring each of us to Christ? How does that work?

Paul himself answers that question in Romans 7:7. The law of God showed Paul that his life was missing the mark. We all needed someone or something to get our attention that we were on the wrong road. It is so easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that all is well – that we are as good as we need to be. It is God's Word that becomes the mirror to show us what is truly in our hearts.

Have you looked in the mirror today? Not the one that shows you if your hair is out of place, but the one that shows you what your priorities are; that shows you whether your goals in life reflects God's plans for you. If so, did your look in the mirror make you change anything in your life? James 1:24 reminds us that many people look at the mirror of God's law, see their faults, then forget what they saw. They fail to listen to the tutor, so ultimately fail the course. (Gordon L. Snider)

Lord, help me to listen to my tutor today!

Read Ephesians 4:14-16.

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (v. 15).

Don’t be tossed around by every doctrinal breeze. Keep focused on the scriptures and the beliefs that spring from them.Being led astray in what one believes will soon carry him astray from proper practice.

One way of keeping focused is for believers to talk openly about ideas and proposals that arise. When decisions are to be made in a church, for example, those who make up the congregation should be frank in speaking about the ideas presented, especially if the proposed changes might turn the church away from biblical principles. Speaking the truth clearly, “in love,” helps focus on truth and avoid the pitfalls of erroneous doctrines.

The same can be true in personal relationships. The Bible seems to indicate that we should be willing to “speak the truth in love” if we see a brother going astray. Warning him about the direction he is taking will be a blessing to him. Once a pastor recalled a time when he began dating a young woman who did not possess Christian character. He had a rather difficult time of it before realizing his danger and cancelling the relationship. Later a friend told him how glad he was for the break-up. “Why didn’t you speak to me earlier?” the young man asked. “You would have saved me a lot of heartache.” (Steven E.Hight)

Speaking truth in love helps us stay on track.

Wednesday, June 9
Read Ezekiel 28:24–26.

   “And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have            executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God” (vs. 26).

“They shall dwell with confidence” is a great, encouraging statement but Satan tries to hollow out its significance by throwing circumstances and people in our pathway that make personal confidence seem like an impossible dream. But note that it is stated that “I am the Lord their God.” That is the ground of our confidence. The verse above also indicates that whatever is happening in our lives, God is fighting for us; we need not seek vengeance on those who may despise us and tell lies about us, for God is judging, and his judgment is always equitable and righteous.
When God steps into our circumstances, He doesn’t come for a brief visit, but He comes pledging security and the promise of long-term dwelling in His presence.
Today, if your confidence seems to be on shaky ground, take new hope, understanding that the Lord is our God, and He will make us dwell in safety. (Leonard L. Sankey)

“O Sun of Righteousness, arise, the hosts of sin annoy;
O bind our hearts in stronger ties, And bid us sing for joy.”
— Mary B. Wingate

We are strong, and stand, in the power of His might.

Read Genesis 28:10-15

“And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” (v. 15)

   Isaac prayed the blessing of his father, Abraham, upon his son Jacob, and admonished him not to take a wife from among the Canaanites, but go to Pandanaram to seek a wife.  With this blessing, and in obedience to his parents, Jacob set off on what had the appearance of a lonely voyage.  He was heading for a place he had never been, looking for an uncle he had never met, and seeking a wife among a people he had never known.  In the face of the “unknowns” the LORD spoke, assuring Jacob that He would be with him throughout the journey.

Life is filled with “unknowns” and the future can appear foreboding in light of our life quests. Friends, even family, cannot always be with us when we need someone.   Jesus seemed to realize this for He promised “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  (Matt. 28:20) It is a promise of fellowship similar to what Jacob received; no task or hardship has to be faced alone. We can share our cares and concerns, our struggles and successes, our trials and temptations; in so doing the promise of His presence bolsters us!  (Rodney Stearns)

“Walk in the light! So shalt thou know

That fellowship of love,

His Spirit only can bestow

Who reigns in light above.

                              -- Bernard Barton

The blessing of fellowship is felt

through the practiced awareness of His presence!

Read Isaiah 25:1-5. 

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress,

a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,

when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" (v. 4).

    As a youngster, and even through my teens, I loved spending time deer hunting with my dad, even though he had some very strict rules about being in the woods. Specifically, dad allowed no noise in the woods – no talking, foot noise in the leaves, etc. On the day in question, we were on top of a ridge in the Copper Basin of southeast Tennessee – a long, difficult walk from the car. It began to rain. Again, remember the rule – no talking! Dad stood up and motioned for me to follow. No, we were not headed toward the car; instead, we were heading in the opposite direction. No questions – just follow! After we had walked a while, dad stopped, moved behind me, turned my body to face off the trail, and gently pushed me off the trail. After we had walked a few yards, his hands on my shoulders told me first to squat, and then move forward. Only then did I see what he had known all the time. The big tree standing in front of us had a huge hollow hole at the bottom of the trunk! I crawled in, stood up, and he crawled in after me and sat at my feet. Dad knew where there was "a shelter from the storm." My job was to obey in silence.

I wish I always followed God as implicitly as I did my dad that day. But I confess, in the storm, I often would rather talk – ask questions. But He, better than my dad, knows the place of shelter from the storm. But accessing that place may require me to get down on my hands and knees, and crawl! (Gordon L. Snider)

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;

he shall set me up upon a rock" (Psa. 27:5).

Read Acts 2:22-38.

 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (v. 36).

   Peter's testimony led to this comment, just four verses later: "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." This message reverberates throughout twenty-first-century society. The world continues to crucify Jesus, rejecting his lordship, deity, and salvation. But does this mean we should keep silent, for fear of being misunderstood, maligned, or even persecuted? I think not. Look what happened when Peter was faithful to proclaim a warning. Yes, many took his message to heart and turned to the Christ of Calvary.

I am a teacher. Yes, all those aptitude tests diagnose me as "creator/teacher," so I really could not avoid having spent nearly forty-five years in the classroom – from elementary through college. Teachers tend to be persistent, especially when trying to ensure their pupils have learned, not just listened to a lecture, participated in a learning activity, or completed an assignment. We watch for signs that the learning outcomes have been achieved. We even list them with this preface: "By the end of this course, you should be able to…" Can you imagine how Peter must have felt when his faithful teaching/testimony resulted in positive outcomes?

Open your mouth and let God's Spirit speak through you,

Then stand back and rejoice in amazement at what He will do. (R. B. Kuhn)

Proclaim HIS message without hesitation, with confidence…always.

Read Luke 21:10-16.

"For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" (v. 15).

     Most of us look at trouble as all bad. We avoid it if possible. Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. Agabus prophesied (Acts 21:11) that Paul would be bound and imprisoned when he went to Jerusalem. Paul said he was "ready… to die... for the name of the Lord Jesus." He went, was arrested, witnessed to Jews, Gentiles, high ranking officials, and prison guards. He was ill-treated and later died for his testimony. Eternity will reveal millions perhaps who will be in heaven because of his witness those last days of his life as a prisoner. Paul said he suffered the loss of everything and counted those things but rubbish that he might win Christ.
Savanye found Christ as Savior in one of our churches in Haiti. A bitter enemy put a machete to Savanye's throat, demanded him to renounce the church, the pastor, and the president of Haiti. Savanye boldly refused and remained faithful! God delivered him. He serves cheerfully and faithfully today
Many have been turned to Christ simply because someone "lived it." The statement is made: "I want what that person has!" (Mark J. Surbrook)

Life is a series of attitudes and adjustments.
Adjustments depend on attitudes.
Our attitudes determine our measure of usefulness,
our measure of peace, and the destiny of souls.
                                                                                    — Karl Paulo

Read Acts 19:30-41. 

 "But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (v. 34).

    Mob mentality is not a new concept! There are a couple of characteristics of this phenomenon seen both in our text and our society. First, it leaves those in its grasp much less inclined to think logically and independently. Second, it creates the illusion that the smaller group is the enemy. Mob mentality was active in the Ephesus of our text and is often seen in the protests that take place in American cities.

But before we condemn those who give us to such reasonless actions, let's remember that church history is full of examples when people who called themselves the church committed atrocities and justified them either with misused Bible texts or church governing rules. Even in Jesus' day, the Sanhedrin declared, "We have a law, and by our law, he ought to die" (John 19:7).

It is easy when someone upsets the "status quo" for mob mentality to take over, and for the larger group to take actions that are neither necessary nor logical or biblical. The church should stand against sin, but it should also stand against mob mentality!

"Lord, help me not to condemn anyone today simply because my group does!

Help me instead to exercise righteous judgment" (John 7:24). (Gordon L. Snider)

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.

           “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” (v. 9).

   “You’re an awesome gardener! These are gorgeous!” my friend gushed over the dahlias, roses, and celosia I had brought her. I hesitated to accept the compliment as I felt I honestly didn’t deserve the praise. I’m an amateur at this gardening thing. I experiment each year, and much of my garden’s success is almost accidental. I can only take credit for purchasing, planting, and watering. Sometimes I overwater. Sometimes I forget to water. Sometimes I prune too much. Sometimes the light isn’t right. Sometimes even my best efforts fail to save a plant. All I can do is try. I cannot force a plant to grow. So, when something blooms beautifully, I get quite excited!
   Watching plants grow and flowers bloom is deeply moving. It is a reminder of the principles mentioned in today’s Scripture reading. Ministry is a lot like gardening. When trying to reach others for Christ, there is a little we can do and a lot that is in God’s hands. But if I quit doing my part – if I quit “watering my flowers” – and quit preparing for my Sunday school class, quit interacting with my neighbors, etc., I am guaranteed failure. God asks me to do my part…all I can do. Then, when combined with the “sunshine” of His love, He multiplies my efforts and the results can be truly beautiful! (Shawna J. Wright)

                                        We must work hand-in-hand with God to reach and teach souls.