June 14, 2023

Wednesday

Trust in God

Luke 16:13

⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

Psalm 40:4

The word binary has gained popular credence in the digital age. Binary can mean “one or the other” or “on or off.” The first transistors were binary switches, either “open or closed.” The notion of binary decisions has given rise in the computer age to phrases like, “You can’t be a little bit pregnant/bankrupt/honest.” You either are or you aren’t.

Jesus made a binary statement in Luke 16:13 when He said it is impossible for a servant to serve two masters: God and money. If you are serving God, your heart can’t be set on money, and vice versa. Blessing comes to the one who chooses to trust and serve God instead of trusting in himself, in money, or in worldly wisdom. Blessed is the man who trusts in God (Psalm 40:4) and in His Word (Psalm 1:1-3). Our daily challenge is to weigh our trust: Is our trust in God or in ourselves?

If you are facing a faith-challenge today, make sure you aren’t trusting in two things at the same time. Trust in God and be blessed.

A point to ponder…

As long as we continue to trust to our own abilities and activities we shall avail nothing.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Read the Bible through in a year

Psalms 1-8

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 13, 2023

Tuesday

The Cleft of the Rock

1 Peter 2:4-10

³ For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.”

Psalm 31:3

Northern General Robert McAllister is chiefly remembered for the nine hundred letters he wrote home describing his experiences in the American Civil War. On April 11, 1864, he wrote his wife, Ellen: “One day I was riding out to hunt a safe place to fire at a target. I rode up on a little bluff; and as I reached the summit, I heard a voice. On looking down into a stone quarry I saw two of our boys earnestly engaged in prayer. I turned away as quietly as possible, thinking how delightful it was to find such deep religious feeling in my regiment.”

We’re in a spiritual battle every day, but nothing is more powerful than a quiet faith that finds a stone quarry in which to pray, perhaps with a fellow believer. The Bible says: “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).

A point to ponder…

I bowed down by the root of a tree and thanked God for His protecting care over me and my regiment that day and asked continuance of it through the day that was about to dawn upon us.

General Robert McAllister at Chancellorsville

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 40-42

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 12, 2023

Monday

Tribulation Now

Romans 5: 1-5

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

Romans 5:2-3

When the Bible speaks of tribulation, it isn’t always talking about the coming Great Tribulation. The English term tribulation comes from a Latin word meaning “to press or squeeze.” Jesus warned all His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We also find this word in Paul’s writings. In Romans 5, he tells us that when we are justified by faith, we have: (1) peace with God—verse 1; (2) access to grace—verse 2; (3) assurance of glory—verse 2; (4) and reversal of grief—verses 3-4. Paul wrote, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (verses 3-4).

That doesn’t mean we’re glad when tribulation comes. It means we’re glad for the knowledge that whenever we find ourselves in trouble, God knows how to manage it and redeem the circumstances. Whenever we face troubles, we’re in the zone of grace. Trust God and let Him use trouble to produce perseverance, character, and hope in your heart.

A point to ponder…

f we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.

Warren Wiersbe

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 38-39

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

Weekend Wisdom

June 10– June 11, 2023

3 Guidance for Knowing God’s Will

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.”

Psalm 119:105-107

How can you know God’s will? How can you get on the right path and stay on it? There is a lot of confusion about this. Here are three, absolutely guaranteed, you-will-be-on-the-right-path guidelines. Because God wants His will to light your way every day.

First, God’s will is found in His Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible lights up your path. It helps you navigate the way ahead.

When you are uncertain or feel like you’re in a really dark place, turn on the light of God’s Word. Pick it up and open it. Make this your daily practice, so you’re not just randomly reading, but beginning to know where the answers are. Keep a list of particular passages that have given you direction. The Scriptures help you see where your feet are standing, and perhaps more importantly, where you’re heading on the path in front of you.

Here’s the second guideline. Along with spending regular time in God’s Word, you can find further light on His will through godly counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” People often think, I don’t want to ask anyone for their input. I know what I want to do. If I ask someone for advice, they might tell me my plan is a bad idea! The Bible says a foolish person doesn’t get counsel from others before they make an important decision. Don’t be indecisive—or decisive on your own. Seek the wise input of those who have proven to be trustworthy.

Third, the Spirit of God leads us. Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Many people want the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but they don’t seek godly counsel or the Word. Yet these are the very tools the Spirit of God uses to guide you.

If you don’t fill up on the Word and wise counsel, you’re not giving the Spirit much to work with. You’re left with only a subjective sense of “the-Lord-told-me-to-do-this.” God will not tell you to do something contrary to His Word and contrary to the godly wisdom of others. If you insist on deciding against God’s Word and wise counsel, the results will be entirely your own fault.

These three guidelines together are a powerful decision-making combination. You can say, “I’ve been in the Word, and I’m getting counsel from wise, godly people. The Spirit Himself is bearing witness with my spirit” (see Romans 8:16).

Start with Scripture, include wise counsel and reliance on God’s Spirit, and your testimony will be, “He guides me.” When life is difficult, you want to know you have sought God’s guidance every step of the way.

Points to ponder…

• When do you most struggle with living your life under the will of God?
• Which of these three: the Word, wise counsel, and God’s Spirit, do you need to include more consistently when making decisions?

Saturday’s Reading

Job 32-34

Sunday’s Reading

Job 35-37

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 9, 2023

Friday

Treasure!

Psalm 119:161-168

¹⁶² I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”

Psalm 119:162

A few years ago, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasn’t worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. Inside was $4,000!

That’s nothing compared to the treasure you’ll find when opening the covers of the Bible. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. Think of every promise as a precious stone. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold.

The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your path—but only if you read it and heed it. Start today!

A point to ponder…

To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life.… Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day.

M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 29-31

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 8, 2023

Thursday

Faithful Fathers: David

Psalm 51: 1-12

¹³ And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”

2 Samuel 12:13

It is not a matter of “if,” but of “when”—that moment when a father realizes he has sinned against his child. Perhaps it’s a moment of anger or a promise not kept, or a prolonged occupation with other things besides fatherhood leading to a loss of intimacy. Regardless of the reason, the failure brings a need for one thing, perhaps the hardest in a father’s life: confessing sin to a child and seeking forgiveness.

King David was far from a perfect father. Two of his sons, Amnon and Absalom, called David’s fatherhood into question by their acts. But the one thing David learned to do in perhaps his hardest moment was confess his sins. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and was complicit in the death of her husband, his sins were found out. To his credit, David confessed his sins to Nathan, the prophet, and to God in the heartfelt words of Psalm 51. David had many sons, most of whom we know little about. But we know they had a father who learned, painfully, to say, “I’m sorry.”

If you need to confess a failure to your child today, follow David’s example as a faithful father.

A point to ponder…

The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession.
Richard Sibbes

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 24-28

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 7, 2023

Wednesday

What If?

Psalm 19: 7-11

⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

John 6:68

In 1994, Dr. D. James Kennedy co-authored a book with an arresting title: What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? The book detailed how Christianity has changed the world: mercy and compassion; education; government; sexuality; work ethic; healthcare; the arts; and more.

We can also ask, “What if the Bible had never been written?” After all, Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God (John 1:1-2) and Scripture is the written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the revelation of God to man through the Living Word and the written Word that has changed the course of history. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. By 1975, more than five billion copies were in print. As of October 2017, the whole Bible has been translated into 670 languages, the New Testament into 1,521 languages, and Bible portions into 1,121 other languages. What would the world be like today if the Bible hadn’t been written and compiled under God’s direction?

What would your life be like without the Bible? Thank God today for the written Word of God that is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105).

A point to ponder…

The Bible is God’s book, not man’s book.

J. Gresham Machen

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 21-23

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 6, 2023

Tuesday

Create an Anti-Fear File

Deuteronomy 31: 1-8

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

Did you hear about the little boy with two lines in a play? He was supposed to say, “It is I. Be not afraid.” But when he got on stage, he blurted out, “It’s me. And I’m scared!”

God doesn’t want us to go through life scared. He gives us tools for living confidently in the world. He gives His Word. The Bible is filled with verses designed to assist us in combating personal fear and worry.

If your mind is anxious and fearful, try something like this. Grab a stack of 3” x 5” cards and search God’s Word for verses of assurance. Create your own Anti-Fear File. Write down the words of Scripture that speak most to you and keep them close. Read them aloud. Choose a fresh verse each day and keep it where you can see it. Begin memorizing the verses one by one, sharing them with others.

Oh, yes—you might include this one: “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’” (Matthew 14:27).

A point to ponder…

If fear dominates your life, ultimately it destroys everything God wants to do for you.

David Jeremiah

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 17-20

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 5, 2023

Monday

Excellent Spirits

Ezra 3: 1-6

³ And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

Ezra 3:3

Chaplain Kenneth Best served in World War I. One day he held a communion service at 6 a.m., hoping to minister to the men before the firing started; but the enemy started their attack early. Though Best didn’t expect anyone to show up at the service, he felt responsible to be there if they did, despite the danger.

“To my surprise, regardless of shrapnel, about 100 men were present. Never shall I forget my first service under fire. We all felt God’s good providence watched over us, for not one was hit. We are all in excellent spirits.”¹

Some days are frightening, and we’re surrounded by circumstances that could make us anxious. But as we go about the work God has assigned us, He is among us. He is able to keep us in excellent spirits today.

A point to ponder…

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.

John Newton

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 14-16

I love you!!!

¹From A Prayer for Gallipoli: The Great War Diaries of Chaplain Kenneth Best

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

Weekend Wisdom

June 3– June 4, 2023

In the Trenches

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

² And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

³ And when the tempter came…

Matthew 4:1–3a

Faith is as practical as you can get. It’s not ivory tower, abstract, feel-good thinking. Faith is for real life in the trenches. Let’s look together at the life of Jesus and see how Christ Himself used faith at the point of temptation to gain victory.

Some people argue that as God, Jesus couldn’t experience true temptation to sin. False. The Bible teaches that Jesus was severely tempted. Hebrews 4:15 reassures us that Jesus gets it: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” When facing temptation, Jesus didn’t use His divine powers to say no. Within the confines of His humanity, He was victorious by faith. In fact, using His deity is exactly what Satan was tempting Him to do, but Jesus refused. “And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread’” (Matthew 4:3). Satan appealed to Jesus’ hunger, since He hadn’t eaten for forty days, and tempted Him to prove Himself, but Jesus said no: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (4:4). Jesus exercised faith in the Word of God to repel the attacks of the evil one.

“HAVE FAITH IN THE PROMISES OF GOD’S WORD.”

Think how vulnerable Jesus was. He had been fasting in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. Undoubtedly, he felt hungry, tired, and lonely. In His humanity, He was facing off against Satan.

Satan crafted three, appealing temptations: turn stones into bread, throw Yourself down from the temple, and receive the kingdoms of the world from me if You worship me. Upon inspection, that last temptation appears to be a weak one, yet in it lies a lesson for us: In the heat of temptation, the offer may appear attractive, but when you stand back from it, you can see how ridiculous it is. In desperation to ruin Jesus’ perfect, sinless track record, Satan offered Jesus everything He had made and already owns. In His humanity, Jesus was susceptible to that temptation, yet He saw through the façade and realized it was not a part of His Father’s plan.

As each temptation presented itself, Jesus used only one weapon to fight it: faith in the Word of God.

Temptation #1: “Command these stones to become loaves of bread,” said Satan (Matthew 4:3).
Jesus said no and quoted Deuteronomy 8:3: “Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

Temptation #2: “Throw yourself down,” suggested the evil one (Matthew 4:6).
Jesus said no and quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.”

Temptation #3: “Fall down and worship me,” Satan invited (Matthew 4:9).
Jesus said no and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13: “It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.”

Three temptations. Three biblical answers. A perfect example of the power of faith in God’s Word.

Notice that this isn’t faith in faith, that cultic, deceptive message of faith in the power of faith itself. The Bible doesn’t teach that there’s any power in what you say simply because you say it with confidence. That would be blind faith. The power of faith is in the object of our faith: God’s Word. If what we say is from God’s Word, and in the depth of our being we believe it, then we will find incredible power. Like Jesus, we can have faith in the promises of God’s Word.

Points to ponder…

• Why is it comforting to know that Jesus was tempted just as we are?
• What are some common temptations you face? Think of some verses from God’s Word that address those temptations and arm yourself.

Saturday’s Reading

Job 8-10

Sunday’s Reading

Job 11-13

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 2, 2023

Friday

Sowing Lies

Romans 16: 17-27

²⁰ And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Romans 16:20

The apostle Paul ended his letter to the Romans by warning them against false teachers. He wrote, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). He accused the deceivers of using smooth speech and flattering words, but, he said, “Be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil” (verse 19). Then he assured them the God of peace would shortly crush Satan under their feet.

Paul must have been thinking of the first prophecy in the Bible about the coming Messiah when we’re told Christ will bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).

The devil is sowing his lies everywhere, and false teachers show up in classrooms, videos, books, websites, slogans, cable channels, and political campaigns. Sometimes they even climb into the pulpit. But Satan’s lies cannot deceive those who are growing in the knowledge of God, and his attacks can’t destroy those kept by the power of God.

There is nothing Satan can throw at you that you cannot overcome, nor any stronghold he can build that Jesus can’t overthrow.

A point to ponder

You don’t have to be the victim because you can choose to live in the victory that God promises you as an overcomer.

Sheila Walsh

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 5-7

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

June 1, 2023

Thursday

Faithful Fathers: Abraham

Genesis 15: 4-6

²³ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

James 2:23

We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her “perfect father,” understanding that “perfect” was not intended to be taken literally. But how about a book titled The Righteous Father? The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham.

Righteous doesn’t mean sinless, of course. We know that Abraham wasn’t perfect. But he did manifest some qualities that every father should emulate. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). And when he believed God, “[God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. Second, as a result of Abraham’s trust in God, he became a “friend of God” (Isaiah 41:8). Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Living in right standing with God? That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises.

Follow Abraham’s example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God.

A point to ponder…

Friendship is the marriage of affections.
Thomas Watson

Read the Bible through in a year

Job 1-4

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 31, 2023

Wednesday

Love Like Jesus

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

John 13:34

When parents’ inconsistencies are pointed out by their children, they are tempted to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Fair enough; standards are standards. But the better outcome is for parents—for us all—to act the way we want others to act.

Jesus did that. His motto might have been, “Do as I say and as I do,” since His words and actions were always consistent. For example, He used His own love for His disciples as an illustration for how they ought to love one another. When we read the apostle Paul’s words about unconditional love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we realize we are reading a description of how Jesus loved others. He was patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not prideful, not rude or self-seeking or easily angered. Instead, He forgave, rejoiced in the truth, protected, trusted, hoped, and persevered. When Paul says we are to love that way, he is saying, “Love as Jesus loved.”

When faced with a love-challenge in your relationships, ask, “How would Jesus love in this situation?”

A point to ponder…

You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies. 
Corrie Ten Boom

Read the Bible through in a year

Esther 6-10

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 30, 2023

Tuesday

Never Alone

Jeremiah 23:2-3

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”

Psalm 139:2-3

Grief counselors recommend listening when comforting the suffering. Listening is a selfless, empathetic act, a way to be silently present: “You are not alone in your pain; I am here with you.”

God is like the listener—always there, listening to our thoughts and words, letting us know we are not alone. He is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Nowhere in the Bible is God’s “very presence” more beautifully expressed than in Psalm 139:1-16. When David was troubled by the adversaries of God who sought to discredit Him, he poured out his heart to God. In doing so, David recounted all the ways God was present with him, always ready to know and understand his thoughts. God was omnipresent—always and everywhere present—to David and had been from the moment of his conception in his mother’s womb (verses 13-16).

If you find yourself alone today, or in a troubling place, know that God and His great and precious promises are with you (2 Peter 1:4).

A point to ponder…

God is either a present help or He is not much help at all.

J. B. Phillips

Read the Bible through in a year

Esther 1-5

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 29, 2023

Monday

Two-Fold Peace

Philippians 4: 6-7

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Romans 5:1

Since 1992, The Innocence Project has seen more than 350 wrongfully convicted people exonerated and freed from prison (and more than 150 actual perpetrators convicted). When someone is released from prison after years of incarceration, they experience profound peace of heart and mind. But peace of mind comes only after they have experienced peace with the criminal justice system.

There is a two-fold peace in the Christian’s experience as well. We are promised the peace of God when we commit our troubles and requests to Him, peace that will guard our heart and mind as we abide in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7). But we can only experience the peace of God because we have peace with God. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Both are important, but there is an order: first, peace with God; then, the peace of God. Both are gifts of grace, worthy of praise to Him.

If you are seeking God’s peace in your life, make sure you have peace with God first. Both are ours through faith in Christ.

A point to ponder…

When we lack the peace of God, we should turn to our peace with God.

Robert M. Horn

Read the Bible through in a year

Nehemiah 12-13

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

Weekend Wisdom

May 27– May 28, 2023

Joy Maker

⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19:8

Two people were walking along the road to Emmaus, a town not too far from Jerusalem, only hours after Jesus had been resurrected. All of a sudden, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them, as if out of nowhere, though they didn’t yet recognize who He was.

As they discussed with this Stranger their perplexity concerning the events of the last three incredible days, Jesus began explaining to them what was truly happening. And here’s how He did it: “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

You’re probably familiar with the story. “The Road to Emmaus.” But why did Jesus--who is the Son of God, who is the Word of God--not just talk with them off-the-cuff, unscripted, from His own body of knowledge? Why involve the Scriptures at all in this conversation?

Answer: Because He wanted them to see--two disciples who would need to go on without Him after Jesus returned to heaven in a few days--that the Word could be trusted. It was accurate. It was reliable. And its truth alone, even in His physical absence, could give them something they couldn’t get anywhere else: a passion, a delight, and a “rejoicing” of the heart. Remember? “They said to each other, ‘Did our hearts not burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures’” (Luke 24:32)?

And it’s just as true today.

“The precepts of the Lord” are able to give you joy as you receive them, believe them, treasure them, and stay with them--as you order the entirety of your life around them. God’s divine principles, by virtue of being 100 percent accurate and essential in all they assert, set a “right” path through the maze of life that causes your heart to rejoice.

Let me give you an example. Among the Bible’s many precepts is the following principle: one man with one woman for life. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). I’m telling you--get this precept right, and your life is headed for joy. Think of all the worldly principles that circulate in our culture which contradict and compromise the rightness of this precept. How many people’s lives testify to the truth that wrong principles, when applied to life, lead to the opposite of joy? In how many ways does each of our experiences prove the assertion--whether by God’s grace or our own folly--that “the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes”?

The Word of God brings light to the darkness in every human heart. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “Whoever follows me,” Jesus said, “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). He has given His Word for many valuable reasons. One of the sweetest is that He has promised us through it a path that leads to joy.

Points to ponder…

• Write down any principle from Scripture that you remember as having brought you joy.
• How can you be intentional this week about digging deeper into the treasure of God’s Word?

Saturday’s Reading

Nehemiah 8-9

Sunday’s Reading

Nehemiah 10-11

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 26, 2023

Friday

Eternity's Capital

Revelation 21:22-27

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;”

Revelation 21:10-11

Travel websites offer lists of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll usually find Prague high on the list. Paris, of course, makes the cut, as does Florence, Italy. But even the cities with the greatest sites are filled with filth, crime, heartache, and division. It’s ironic that multitudes of people in the most beautiful cities in the world are lonely and miserable.

Revelation 21 and 22 are travel guides for the city whose builder and maker is God. The Bible describes in literal terms the great city that will be eternity’s capital. It’s a city whose architecture is crafted of jewels, whose streets are paved with gold, whose walls are clear as glass, and whose light is generated by the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus. In the center of the city resides the throne of God and issuing from the throne is a river that irrigates the park containing the tree of life.

If you like to travel, investigate what the Bible says about this city. If you don’t like to travel, think of this city as your heavenly home.

A point to ponder…

To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here.

Jonathan Edwards

Read the Bible through in a year

Nehemiah 7

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 25, 2023

Thursday

Chapter Eights: Romans 8—New Life in the Spirit

Romans 8:1-11

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 8:5

Our mind is the barometer of our soul. If your mind is filled with lustful fantasies, ambitious schemes, bitter memories, or anxious worries, it’s a sign you are focused on “the things of the flesh.” The Bible tells us to set our mind on the things of the Spirit, which means reading the Bible and meditating about the Lord Jesus.

Scripture memory and biblical meditation are therapeutic. It’s not necessary to memorize a Bible verse to meditate on it. But diligent Christians come across certain passages that are so life-transforming they must be written on the tablets of the heart.

Romans 8 is full of such verses, including the promise in verse 28 about God working all things for our good. Try finding a Bible verse, repeating it several times a day, writing it on sticky notes, and learning it. Train your mind to focus on the things of the Spirit, for He keeps those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him.

A point to ponder…

May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day.
Kate B. Wilkinson

Read the Bible through in a year

Nehemiah 4-6

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© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 24, 2023

Wednesday

New Earth

Revelation 21:1-2

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

Revelation 21:1

A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere “up there” in the heavens. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. As Peter wrote, we look for a “new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

In his vision of the future, the apostle John saw that “new heaven and a new earth,” our new domain being pictured as the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:1-2). Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the result—a new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. The beautiful imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 lets us know that the new earth will be a place that reflects the glory of God throughout.

Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). The New Jerusalem, on the new earth, is that place.

A point to ponder…

Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death.

William Gurnall

Read the Bible through in a year

Nehemiah 1-3

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 23, 2023

Tuesday

Creation Care

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Genesis 1:28

Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Many countries’ coastlines are littered with plastic and debris, and there is an “island” of plastic more than the twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean where currents have accumulated the debris. Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed.

Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. Though mankind was given the mandate to “have dominion over” (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. When God’s mandates go unfulfilled on earth, God’s glory is diminished. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body.

When you see opportunities to care for creation—nature or your own body—do so as a way of glorifying the Creator.

A point to ponder…

The creation is both a monument of God’s power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom.

Thomas Watson

Read the Bible through in a year

Ezra 8-10

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© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 22, 2023

Monday

Hello Heaven!

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

¹³ Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

¹⁴ Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

2 Peter 1:13-14

Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. He wasn’t discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. He spoke of “looking forward to these things.” and “[looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13-14).

Life is full of hardships and heaviness. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. We have a purpose for being here—to refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. But we’ll soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! Goodbye hardship and heaviness. Goodbye trials and troubles. Hello Jesus! Hello heaven! Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem!

During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. If you’re prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne.

A point to ponder…

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there.

Harriet Buell, in her hymn “A Child of the King”

Read the Bible through in a year

Ezra 4-7

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

Weekend Wisdom

May 20– May 21, 2023

Pointed Attack

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

I’ve never been in a sword fight and I don’t expect to be. But if I ever were, I’d want my sword to be the sharpest one in the match, wouldn’t you? I mean, swords in battle are meant to be sharp. That’s basically the whole “point,” right? It’s also why this biblical “two-edged sword” metaphor works as well as it does, because God’s Word is so sharp that it never fails to cut to the heart of the matter.

You’ve probably noticed that. Haven’t you had one of those experiences--whether you were sitting in a small group Bible study, or hearing the Scripture taught in a public setting--where you wondered how the messenger knew exactly what was going on in your life? But here’s the reality: they didn’t know. That’s the living, active Word of God in operation, “piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow”--a physical analogy that illustrates a spiritual truth.

And here’s why this quality of the Bible is so absolutely vital in our lives.

Most of us are dealing with fruit problems rather than root problems. We don’t like digging deep down inside, where the real sources of our problems lie--exposing our true selves, being convicted of sin, receiving what’s truly needed to motivate us to change. So without the Word in action, we’re left managing life unproductively on a fruit level instead of more effectively on a root level. And as long as we stay there on the surface, avoiding the “sword,” it just means another failing crop will always grow up to replace the one we picked off.

Take substance abuse, for example, or any addictive behavior. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem is the emptiness that’s inevitably created by attempting to live without God at the center. Only the truth of God’s Word can help expose that.

Or consider poor financial habits, such as maxed-out credit cards. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem is idolatry, thinking that something material or experiential can satisfy you in a way that only a surrendered life to the Lord actually can.

Think about conflict, whether in your marriage, your workplace, or anywhere else. That’s a fruit problem. The root problem may reside in any number of underlying areas, such as anger, hurt, selfishness, bitterness, pride, unforgiveness, rebellion, etc.

See the difference?

If you wonder why you keep going round and round with the same struggles but rarely see any lasting change--if you wonder why you keep having the same frustrating conversations with the same people, over and over--the reason could come from the difference between fruit and root. But the answer comes from embracing your need for the Word--“living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword”--penetrating deeply enough inside until corrupted roots can be pulled up and replanted, and a steady crop of new fruit can be produced.

Take up this gift of the Sword, and let it do its powerful work in you.

Points to ponder…

• When was the last time you felt the work of the Sword, and how did you follow up on it?
• Think of one new way you can engage with the Word beyond what you’re already doing. Write it down, and prayerfully commit to it for thirty days.

Saturday’s Reading

2 Chronicles 35-36

Sunday’s Reading

Ezra 1-3

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 19, 2023

Friday

Your Spiritual Family Tree

2 Timothy 1:3-5

⁵ For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.”

Psalm 61:5

When Joe Tarakjian’s surgery left him in a wheelchair, he kept occupied by exploring his family tree. Joe studied genealogical sites, found relatives online, and followed every lead. He learned his great-grandparents had fled genocide by traveling from Armenia to Syria, then to France and America. “It was so gratifying to meet a 90-plus-year-old relative who you never spoke to before and you hear them light up when talking about your own mother,” he said.

Those who know Christ have another family tree—the lineage of people who led us to faith. We’re spiritual descendants of the message of the apostles and of the Pentecost converts in the book of Acts. The testimony of Jesus has crossed the generations to reach us.

Perhaps we can’t trace this spiritual lineage very far until we can inspect the archives in heaven, but maybe you know who led you to Christ. Maybe you can find out who led that person and the one before. We have two thousand years of martyrs, heroes, and servants behind us and future generations before us. What a heritage and what a blessing! Let’s rejoice in that today.

A point to ponder…

I am deeply indebted for the godly heritage I receive, and I pray that it will be passed on.

James Draper

Read the Bible through in a year

2 Chronicles 32-34

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 18, 2023

Thursday

Chapter Eights: Matthew 8—New Opportunities

Matthew 8: 23-27

²⁷ But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

Matthew 8:27

Matthew 8 describes a day in the life of the Savior. Having preached His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, Jesus came down the hill to find a leper needing healing (Matthew 8:1-4). He entered Capernaum where a centurion approached Him about a paralyzed servant (verses 5-13). He ducked into a house to find Peter’s mother-in-law suffering a fever, which He healed (verses 14-15). The whole town turned out with their sick and possessed (verses 16-17), and Jesus used the occasion to talk about the cost of discipleship (verses 18-22). He got into a boat so tired He fell asleep. When a storm arose, the disciples awoke Him and He stilled the winds and sea (verses 23-27). Arriving on the other side, He cast demons from two men in the Gergesenes (verses 28-34), and the whole city came out to meet Him.

And you think you’ve had a busy day!

Every day brings new opportunities to serve Jesus. It’s possible to be too busy, but better busy than bored. There’s nothing more exhilarating than giving each day to the Lord and waiting to see what He will do with it.

A point to ponder…

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Frances Havergal

Read the Bible through in a year

2 Chronicles 28-31

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich

May 17, 2023

Wednesday

Promises Kept

2 Peter 1:4

⁵⁶ Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.”

1 Kings 8:56

In golf, a do-over shot is called a mulligan. And the initial stroke doesn’t count on the scorecard. Oh, how we wish there were mulligans in life! Especially when it comes to broken promises—ones we made or ones that were made to us. Broken promises are painful and regrettable. We would give anything to make those promises come true.

One thing we never have to worry about with God is broken promises. The Bible is filled with testimonies of the dependability of His words to us. His words are true and eternal; they reflect His own character. After Solomon finished dedicating the temple in Jerusalem, he declared to the people that not one word of God’s promises had gone unfulfilled. God had established His people in their land as He promised He would. All of God’s “exceedingly great and precious promises” to us will be kept—everyone (2 Peter 1:4).

Is there a promise of God to which you are clinging? Don’t let go. His Word is true and sure.

A point to ponder…

God promises to keep His people, and He will keep His promises.

C. H. Spurgeon

Read the Bible through in a year

2 Chronicles 25-27

I love you!!!

© 2000-2023 B. Michael Goerlich