20-20 Blog

Today’s Reading: Genesis 44–46; Luke 18

A steward does what his or her master asks.

Genesis 44: 1–2 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. ² Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

A steward doesn’t operate on his or her own agenda, but follows the master’s instructions. There is a sense of authority and humility about a steward. This is a person who gets things done, but is not interested in personal glory.

All of us are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. What if we viewed our life and possessions that way? It would take away the need to strive. It would give us a different perspective—a healthier perspective, for sure. Just thinking that way today makes me feel calm, less anxious about my day. I’m am God’s steward. He has given me time and resources to accomplish the purpose for which I was born.

May I prove to be a faithful steward today, for the glory of my God and Master.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Lamentations 1; Lamentations 2; Obadiah 1; Revelation 14 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Lamentations 1:9 She played fast and loose with life, she never considered tomorrow, and now she’s crashed royally, with no one to hold her hand:

Revelation 14:3–5 They were bought from earth, lived without compromise, virgin-fresh before God. Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering.

Observation:

In these two descriptions found in Lamentations and Revelation, we see opposite characteristics. Lamentations describes a person who was more concerned with personal pleasure. “Fast and loose” would describe someone who isn’t honest or reliable, someone who is self centered. This person does not consider tomorrow and only lives for today.

In Revelation another kind of person is described. This person lives without compromise to God’s principles. This person follows Jesus wherever he leads and is completely honest.

Application:

Every day I have a choice to live a life without compromise to integrity and dependability. I have a choice whether to follow where Jesus leads me today.

Tomorrow is coming where the choices I’ve made today will matter for eternity. What will I choose today?

Prayer:

Father God, give me the inner strength to walk with integrity today, and to walk where Jesus leads, for nothing else matters more than this.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1; Ezekiel 2; Ezekiel 3; Revelation 2 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Revelation 2:29
Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.

Observation:

In Revelation 2 John hears God’s words to the churches. Here are some things that stood out to me:
vs 2–4 “I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why?

vs 10 “Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.”

vs 13 “I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan’s throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan’s turf.”

vs 19–20 “I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day. But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion?

vs 23 “I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what’s coming to you.”

vs 24 “scorn this playing around with the Devil that gets paraded as profundity”

Application:

God looks at my actions and my motives. I am completely transparent to him. He asks me to be real, to be faithful, and to endure to the end.

There are two deaths that most of us will face. Unless Jesus comes back first, we will all experience physical death, but the second death is the one of most concern. Jesus asks me to be faithful and to not quit, even if it costs me my life.

Prayer:

Father God, keep me faithful in my actions and motives.

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Today’s Bible Reading:Nahum 1; Nahum 2; Nahum 3; John 5 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

John 5:36 But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.

Observation:

God gave Jesus certain tasks to complete, and as he completed them, it showed that God was working through him.

Application:

God has given me certain tasks to complete. Each person has a calling, and even a season where God is asking him or her to walk a certain path and complete a certain job.

If I look at my tasks as God-given, they take on much more meaning. Suddenly they’re not trivial or unimportant. Completing them in a godly manner shows that God is working through me, and it’s a witness to others.

Prayer:

Father God, I can only walk one day at a time. Help me to complete my God-given tasks today with diligence and cheerfulness.

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Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

2 Chronicles 19:11 (Jehoshaphat to the leaders of Judah) “Be bold and diligent. And God be with you as you do your best.”
Colossians 4:17 (Paul to church leaders) “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”

Observation:

I found it interesting that the same basic command is given to leaders in the Old Testament and the New Testament: Do your best—your very best. God does promise to do mighty things for us, but that doesn’t take away our responsibility to do our best, our very best.

Application:

I can’t do my very best tomorrow. I can only do my very best right now. This moment. Am I doing the things that will move me, my business, and the Kingdom of God forward right now? Or am I frittering my time away on pleasant, but unprofitable, activities?

Prayer:

Father God, help me keep on track today. I’ve laid out my schedule for the day to the best of my ability, and now it’s up to me to stay on task and do my best. My very best.

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Today’s Bible Reading:Daniel 1, 2; Revelation 16

Scripture Focus:

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Observation:

Daniel and Joseph are two of my favorite Bible characters because they were both dealt a cruel and unjust blow during the height of their youth, yet they both determined to remain faithful to God.

Faithfulness takes different forms, depending on the circumstances. Joseph became the best slave he could be, and he avoided sexual temptation. Daniel determined not to eat food that was most likely offered to idols first.

Both young men were used of God as a positive force in the great scheme history.

Application:

Oh, that I would be as faithful during times of small inconveniences or large disasters! It starts with a decision—a decision to remain faithful in spite of the circumstances.

Prayer:

Father, help me see the bigger picture when I encounter trouble, and help me take the high road.

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