Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 5:13 The Message—But his servants caught up with Naaman and said, “Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn’t you have done it? So why not this simple ‘wash and be clean’?”
Today’s Word: Simple
Today’s Prayer: Dear Father God, how human Naaman was to want to hear something grandiose from the prophet instead of a simple instruction. The truth is your ways are simple, but like Naaman many of us find them difficult to accept. Thank you for forgiving all of our sins no matter how awful they are. How simple, how loving, how wonderful, and how marvelous are your ways, O Lord. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 4:13-15 The Message—Through Gehazi Elisha said, “You’ve gone far beyond the call of duty in taking care of us; what can we do for you? Do you have a request we can bring to the king or to the commander of the army?” She replied, “Nothing. I’m secure and satisfied in my family.” Elisha conferred with Gehazi: “There’s got to be something we can do for her. But what?”  Gehazi said, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man.” “Call her in,” said Elisha. He called her and she stood at the open door.
Today’s Word: Satisfied
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, it amazes me that even though she obviously wanted a child she was secure and satisfied with what she had. Her focus was on what she had and not on what she lacked. Her story reminds me of Psalm 37:4 that says in part ‘if I delight in you, you will give me the desires of my heart.’ That’s what I desire, Lord, to focus on you in such a way that you can line my will up with yours. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 22:20-22 The Message--God said, ‘How can we seduce Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead?’ Some said this, and some said that. Then a bold angel stepped out, stood before God, and said, ‘I’ll seduce him.’ ‘And how will you do it?’ said God. ‘Easy,’ said the angel, ‘I’ll get all the prophets to lie.’ ‘That should do it,’ said God. ‘On your way—seduce him!’
Today’s Word: Control
Today’s Prayer: Dear Father God, you are always in control. No one can stop you from accomplishing your will and you can use anyone you wish to get the job done. It is my desire to cooperate with you and never disregard your importance as Ahab did. That’s why I read your Word every day so I can know you and have a better understanding of your will for my life. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-16 The Message--God said, “Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael; make him king over Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi; make him king over Israel. Finally, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Elijah went straight out and found Elisha son of Shaphat in a field…
Today’s Word: Comfortable
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord you commanded Elijah to anoint three men. He anointed only one, his successor. Am I like that? Obeying only the instructions I choose to hear or those I’m comfortable with? I wish I could say no. I guess it could comfort me that I am in good company with Elijah, but it doesn’t. Instead I stand corrected by today’s scripture. Forgive me Lord. Give me the strength to do better. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 18:36-37 The Message—When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”
Today’s Word: Servant
Today’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for allowing me to be your servant. I’m not comparing myself to Elijah, but it is an honor to be used by you at any level and to see your mighty work performed however you choose to do it through me. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 17:22-24 The Message –Three times he stretched himself out full-length on the boy, praying with all his might, “God, my God, put breath back into this boy’s body!” God listened to Elijah’s prayer and put breath back into his body—he was alive! Elijah picked the boy up, carried him downstairs from the loft, and gave him to his mother. “Here’s your son,” said Elijah, “alive!” The woman said to Elijah, “I see it all now—you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks—a true word!”
Today’s Word: Representative
Today’s Prayer: Father God, what a powerful story. I am focused on the woman’s words: “When you speak God speaks – a true word!”  2 Corinthians 5:20 says that I am Christ’s ambassador and you will make your appeal through me. I pray that I am always a willing and capable representative for you to work through. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 12:26 -28, 32 The Message – But then Jeroboam thought, “It won’t be long before the kingdom is reunited under David. As soon as these people resume worship at The Temple of God in Jerusalem.” So the king came up with a plan: He made two golden calves. Then he announced, “It’s too much trouble for you to go to Jerusalem to worship. Look at these—the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” To top it off, he created a holy New Year festival to be held on the fifteenth day of the eighth month to replace the one in Judah, complete with worship.
Today’s Word: Fear
Today’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for this great example of what fear can do to anyone who loses sight that it was you who gave them the assignment. If Jeroboam had trusted in you instead of his own ability, he would never have made the golden calves. Wow! What a great lesson. Anytime I get my eyes on myself instead of you, I could fall into the same trap of fear and control. Help me remember the truth of who I am in Christ. Amen.

Today’s Scripture:  1 Kings 11:1-3 The Message – King Solomon was obsessed with women. Pharaoh’s daughter was only the first of the many foreign women he loved—Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite. He took them from the surrounding pagan nations of which God had clearly warned Israel, “You must not marry them; they’ll seduce you into infatuations with their gods.” Solomon fell in love with them anyway, refusing to give them up. He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines—a thousand women in all! And they did seduce him away from God.
Today’s Word: Obsession
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, the first Commandment says I am to have no other gods before you. That means you must be my only obsession, the first love of my life. If I don’t put you first I can’t even begin to love others as I should. How sad for Solomon that he lost his way, and how sad for his wives. How could he truly love them when he had so many? Help me stay obsessed with you, Lord. I don’t want to lose my way. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 8:59-61 The Message –“And let these words that I’ve prayed in the presence of God be always right there before God, day and night, so that he’ll do what is right for me, to guarantee justice for his people Israel day after day after day. Then all the people on earth will know God is the true God; there is no other God. And you, your lives must be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path he has cleared, alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day.”
Today’s Word: Personal
Today’s Prayer: Dear Father God, Solomon knew how up close and personal you intended your relationship to be with all people. I am so thankful for the intimate friendship we have. You are my strength and my salvation, my protector, comforter, and guide. I can’t even imagine what my life would be without you. Amen.