Amos McCarthy

Monday, February 15.

In the book of Hebrews, we find encouragement for God’s people to persevere and draw near to Him. When facing all kinds of difficulties, many of us have a tendency to power through in our own strength. But the reality is, that’s never effective, at least not for long. Instead, God wants us to come closer to Him.

All too often, our frustrations about life impact our ability to submit to God and be intimately connected with Him. Trusting our Father requires humility. We must remember He alone knows all. But we also need to keep in mind that He loves us more than anyone can grasp.

When we stay focused on Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing He’ll lead us through the hard places (Isaiah 41:10-13). As you continue walking with Him, trust that He already knows what will happen in your life, and that regardless of what lies ahead, He will never leave you.

Memory verse: Isaiah 41:10-13.

“There is no success without hardship.” Sophocles

Thursday, February 4.

The Bible is an amazing book because it is God’s words given to mankind in written form. Yet many people misinterpret it. Instead of diligently studying Scripture to discover what God means and how He wants us to live, some people search the Bible to find passages to support their preconceived ideas or preferred lifestyles.

Today’s passage was written to a young pastor named Timothy. Of all the duties a pastor has, the central one is to present the Word of God accurately to the church. But that doesn’t mean nobody else can, knowing how to properly interpret the Bible is a skill every believer should develop. Consider the diligence of the Bereans, who were commended for examining Scripture regularly to gauge the truth of messages preached to them (Acts 17:10-11)).

We aren’t free to interpret the Bible any way we want. The goal is to discover what God meant rather than to find a meaning we like. Remember, it’s our Father’s approval we are seeking, not our own or that of others. Therefore, let’s devote time to studying Scripture, use our resources to learn about context, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to the truth.

Memory verse: Acts 17:10-11.

“May your character preach more loudly than yours words.” Mohamed Ayyed.

Wednesday, February 3.

One Sunday a man approached me between services to share his story. He had been addicted to drugs and was leading a hopeless life when he heard a Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that one passage led him to place his trust in Jesus Christ.

We all have a story. Oftentimes the more we surrender to God, the more we see His hand in our life. And the more we watch Him work, the more we want to share with others what He has done.

The same was true of the disciples, who gathered around Jesus before His ascension. They heard His command to spread the gospel, make disciples, and baptize people from all nations. Surely this seemed like an overwhelming task for a handful of followers, but they obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christ undoubtedly motivated them to share the good news, and they also must have gained confidence from Jesus’ promise of His presence and power.

Are you passionately telling others about Christ? One of our highest callings is to tell others about Him. As was true for the early Christians, our own experience with the Savior is the most exciting and convincing story to tell.

Memory verse: Mark 16:15.

“God is more interested in your character than your comfort. Jentenzen Franklin

Tuesday, February 2.

Though we’ve considered some ways to identify false teachers, it’s not possible to avoid this destructive influence completely. The best defense is a foundation of faith that enables us to stand firm against the subversive pull of the world. So how can we build a stronger faith?

First, we must saturate our mind with the Word of God. Then the Holy Spirit will bring new insights and help us mature.

Second, it is wise to do as Ephesians 6:18 urges: “Pray at all times in the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit understands exactly what truth we’ll need and when, so continually turning to Him for guidance leads to our protection.

Third, we must abide in the love of God. Of course, believers cannot fall beyond the scope of God’s love, but we shouldn’t take His amazing grace for granted. With that in mind, guard your intimacy with Him and the time you spend in His presence.

Fourth, eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ. The thought that He could return at any moment helps us maintain an eternal perspective (1 John 3:2-3).

Though there is no magic formula for strengthening our faith, the steps laid out in today’s passage will guide us toward God and away from the snares of the world.

Memory verse: Ephesians 6:18.

“The true expression of Christian character is not in good-doing but in God-likeness.” Oswald Chambers