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GROWING TOGETHER, FOR NOW Opening Prayer Loving Father, I am many things to many people, but in your sight, I am your child. Thank you, Lord. Read Matthew 13:36–43 The Parable of the Weeds Explained 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the […]

WHEAT, WEED, SEED, YEAST Opening Prayer Father in heaven, I am grateful for the gift of another day. Where you lead, may I gladly follow. Read Matthew 13:24–35 The Parable of the Weeds 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his

MAZES AND MAPS Opening Prayer Sovereign Lord, lead me to follow you in joyful obedience this day. May your will be my desire. Read Matthew 13:18–23 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown

PROTEST, PRAYER, PRAISE Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, I choose you. Be the first goal, the main reason, the primary agenda I have in my life. Read Psalm 13 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?    How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I wrestle with my

THE KINGDOM STORIES BEGIN Opening Prayer Lord, I pray that I will be informed about your Word, but more than that, I will be transformed by it. Read Matthew 13:1–17 The Parable of the Sower 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got

THE POINT OF NO RETURN Opening Prayer Holy God, cause me to listen carefully, ponder thoughtfully, and commit wholeheartedly to you. I want to please you. Read 1 Samuel 15:17-35 17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And

REGRET AND REJECTION Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, I rejoice that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Grant me the inner peace that comes from being centered on you. Read 1 Samuel 15:1–16 The Lord Rejects Saul as King 15 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen

A RASH DECISION Opening Prayer Eternal God, I thank you for the gift of another day. As I wait before you, speak your word to me. Read 1 Samuel 14:24–52 Jonathan Eats Honey 24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food

A RISK THAT PAYS OFF Opening Prayer Lord, free me from over-familiarity with the Scriptures. Open my eyes to see truths that I might overlook. Read 1 Samuel 13:23 – 14:23 Jonathan Attacks the Philistines 23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash. 14 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young

THE TEST OF WAITING Opening Prayer God of the ages, I celebrate the truth that you are the God of the present and of the future, too. Read 1 Samuel 13:1–22 Samuel Rebukes Saul 13 Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[b] two years. 2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel;