MAY 30, 2025 FRIDAY
Entry: 4:00am, Commonwealth, QC
VERSE OF THE DAY:
2 CORINTHIANS 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
THE URGENCY OF GIVING
Have you ever waited to do something you knew was the right thing to do?
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, the church in Corinth needed correction. In the ninth chapter, Paul focused on a promise the Corinthians had made a year before to help struggling Christians in Jerusalem. Not only had the Corinthians made this promise—to collect an offering and send it to Jerusalem—but they were so eager in their pledge, they had inspired other churches to follow their lead.
However, the Corinthians were taking a long time to follow through on their promise, and in the meantime, their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem were suffering. Not only that, their eagerness to give had waned, and they were no longer setting the generous example they had before. So Paul wrote:
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
When we are reluctant to give, we miss out on the chance to bless others. Disobedience can harden our hearts toward others. We can hold on to what we have because we think we know best.
Instead, when you give with urgency, Paul says, “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). He will bless you “so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Now, that may not always mean God will enrich you financially. But it does mean that God will always provide you with the means to be generous—with your time, energy, and money. And because God does not wait to provide for us, we shouldn’t wait to provide for others.
Today, look for opportunities to show your generosity and share the good gifts God has given you—and when you see one, don’t wait to act! Instead, give with a cheerful spirit.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
When you feel prompted to give-your time, talents or treasures- do so with joy! You are God's representative, and He wants to work through you. Today, look for opportunities to show generosity and share the good gifts God has given you.
God, thank You for all the blessings You have given me. I want to live a life that honors You and is generous with what I have. Guide me to opportunities where I can fulfill other's needs with my time, my energy and my finances. Help me to serve those around me with a generous heart-a heart that reflects Your nature. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
1 CHRONICLES 10-12
JOHN 11:30-57
THE DEATH OF SAUL AND HIS SONS
Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
DAVID ANOINTED KING
DAVID TAKES JERUSALEM
David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.
DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN
THE MIGHTY MEN JOIN DAVID
“We are yours, O David,
and with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
and peace to your helpers!
For your God helps you.”
Then David received them and made them officers of his troops. For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 39And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them.
JESUS WEEPS
Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus wept.
JESUS RAISES LAZARUS
Jesus said: "Take away the stone. Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44The man who had died came out, Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.
PSALM 69:6-15
SAVE ME, O GOD
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
7For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
that dishonor has covered my face.
8I have become a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother’s sons.
9For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
it became my reproach.
11When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to them.
12I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
and the drunkards make songs about me.
13But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14Deliver me
from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters.
15Let not the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the pit close its mouth over me.
INSIGHT
Psalm 69’s vivid description of a “servant” (v. 17) of God enduring unjust suffering parallels Isaiah’s description of a suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Although the psalmist refers to personal “guilt” (Psalm 69:5), this could be an indirect way of confessing general innocence—that is, God knows everything the psalmist is guilty of and knows none of it could justify such treatment.
In the New Testament, Psalm 69 is frequently quoted in reference to Jesus. He was hated without cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:25), consumed by zeal for God’s house (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17), carried insults intended for God (Psalm 69:9; Romans 15:3), and given vinegar to drink as He neared death (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:29). Jesus knew “the depths” as no one else could, and He helps us as we face them.
By: Monica La Rose
IN THE DEPTHS
San Fruttuoso Abbey is nestled in a cove off Italy’s northwest coast. Accessible only by boat or foot, it’s a secluded gem. But even more treasure hides in its bay. As divers venture into the sea and descend fifty feet down, the figure of a man starts coming into view. This is Christ of the Abyss, the world’s first underwater statue, placed in 1954. The bronze figure depicts Jesus in the depths, His hands raised to heaven.
The depths. Maybe you’ve experienced them. “I sink in the miry depths,” Psalm 69 says, “I am worn out calling for help” (vv. 2-3). Mocked by his foes and estranged from his family (vv. 4, 7-12), the psalmist found no comfort in others (v. 20) and feared his misery would “swallow” him up (v. 15). Whether it’s sin or sadness that takes us there, the depths are life’s moments of dark despair.
Thankfully this isn’t the last word on the depths. For while they’re cold and lonely, there is one who can be found in them (139:8). And He will rescue us from their chilly waters. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths” (30:1).
As that sculpture reminds us, when we’re sinking under the world’s weight, we’re not alone. Jesus by the Spirit is there in the depths, His hands raised high—ready to meet us and lift us out in time.
By: Sheridan Voysey
REFLECT AND PRAY
How have you experienced “the depths” in the past? How might Psalm 69:15 be pivotal in getting through them?
Dear Jesus, thank You for meeting me in the depths. Please lift me out with Your love, grace, and power. In Jesus' name, Amen.
ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A STUDY IN ACTS
ACTS 21
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Friends implored Paul not to go to Jerusalem, where it was prophesied he would be bound. He was later beaten by Jews in the temple and arrested by Roman soldiers.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Understandably, Paul’s friends couldn’t bear the thought of the pain that awaited him in Jerusalem; he had diligently poured himself into their lives. Yet Paul couldn’t be dissuaded from what he knew to be God’s will, even though he didn’t fully understand it at the time. Their worst fears became a reality when Paul was bound in chains and taken away. God would give Paul a platform before crowds and rulers to proclaim the name of Jesus, which was possible because here, he chose God’s will over his welfare.
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND?
We know God can bring something good out of any situation He allows (Rom. 8:28), but it’s hard to grasp that suffering might sometimes accompany his purpose. Missionaries and church planters often move to extremely dangerous areas or have harsh environments – because God led them there! How in tune are you with the leading of the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to obey the Lord, even in difficult matters? Before you make the next decision based on your preferences or comfort, ask God to direct you. Then pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and choose His will, no matter what.
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