"Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." -- Psalm 126:4-5

This prayer is one of trust and hope.  Sometimes, when things seem hopeless, we have a tendency to give in, give up, and despair about what is or what is to come.  But the people of God do not live in hopelessness, for their faith is one of hope.  So when darkness envelops you, look beyond the clouds to the light that they block.  The clouds may come, and even stay awhile, but by their nature, they are temporary vapor merely concealing that which is behind them and unchanging.

Readings:  Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-14; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." -- Proverbs 29:11

Have you ever done anything you wished you could take back?  Ever said anything that couldn't then be unsaid?  Oh to get those moments back when we hurt someone we cared about and change the course of our relationships and even our lives... regret.  How often, when this has happened to you has it been in moments of passion and anger... just letting your unfiltered self let loose without concern or even awareness of the consequences of such actions?  Dwell on this text and learn from it.  Next time you're about to speak in anger or in a hurtful way, pray to God for self-control.  It is the way of wisdom.

Readings:  Hosea 4:1-5:15; 2 John 1:1-13; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 29:9-11

"An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad." -- Proverbs 29:6

Sin (when we stumble, mess up, wrong another, hurt ourselves, etc.) is a reality of life.  Sin is part of our nature, because we are not perfect.  Sin is that which destroys the world.  Some people aren't aware of this fact, and sin with abandon, not realizing the damage they're doing. Others are hyper-aware of it, and dwell on their sins and the sins of everybody else... to the point that becomes sin itself.  If you've ever been caught in a lie, you can probably relate to this proverb.  Our motivation to not sin should not be based on the fear of God's wrath, but rather on the consequences of our sins.  I believe that God desires us to flee from sin, not because it might hurt God, but because it hurts us, his created children.  That's the way God loves us, and it's why he's shown us the way through Jesus Christ.  So go... and sin no more.

Readings:  Hosea 1:1-3:5; 1 John 5:1-21; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 29:5-8

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." -- 1 John 4:8

In my opinion, this is one of the most important verses in all of Scripture.  It is here that we come to understand who and what God is.  God is love.  I'm occasionally asked about the fate of non-believers.  And  whenever asked about afterlife matters, my answer is consistently, "I don't know."  I am not God, and anyone who claims to know is suffering an identity crisis.  They must be confusing themselves with God, for only God knows what comes after we die.  But here is what I believe:  God is love.  If you love, God is in you.  Maybe you are an atheist and you claim that there is no God.  My question to you would be to please define what you mean by "God".  If you and I are having a conversation, and I mention "God", it is this one revealed to us in 1 John: God is love.  So if you tell me you don't believe in God, and yet you love... then I would say you do believe in God, but you just don't know it.  For if you love, then God is working through you to reveal himself to those you love.  But if you don't love and don't even have the capacity to love, then I might believe you... but I'd love you anyway.

Readings:  Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4

"Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." -- 1 John 3:18

Who was the first person to conceive of the notion that "actions speak louder than words"?  We know that it's been around for thousands of years now, but I continue to be baffled how as a species, we humans have great difficulty learning from the generations that have come before.  We live as though we were the first and the last, and we're definitely not the former, and probably not the latter.  We do quite well building upon technological advancements, but why are we so slow to grow on the moral side of it?  We're still babies it seems.  Remember, they will know we are Christians by our love.

Readings:  Daniel 11:2-35; 1 John 3:7-24; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 29:1

"I lift my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." -- Psalm 121:1-2

Great Psalm then, a great psalm now:

Worship and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzJH4YeqfuQ

Readings:  Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28:27-28

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." -- 1 John 2:9

We talk a good talk when it comes to right and wrong, God and spirituality, and other lofty topics.  But then when life is real and in our face, we have no problem it seems speaking poorly of our fellow man. Look at the "news" we watch... consider the way we drive on the roads... listen to the gossip we support, even if its through our silence.

If we are going to bear the emblem of Christ, we must do so through showing God's love and grace to others as it was shown through Christ himself.  Otherwise, it's all just for show.  Let's be real.

Readings:  Daniel 8:1-27; 1 John 2:1-17; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 28:25-26