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From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 8
Worry or Trust?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 6:1-3 | Genesis 18:20-19:38 | Matthew 6:25-7:14 | Proverbs 2:6-15

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:25-7:14

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV).

We all have needs, the most basic of which are described in this passage: “what shall we eat?” “what shall we drink?” “What shall we wear?” and “where will I live?” So, what do we do when we find ourselves in need?

Recognize that God knows that you need these things (32). There is no need to get worried or anxious about it. God knows that you need these things. Most of our worry and anxiety is over things that will never happen, or over things that have already happened and which cannot be changed. Don’t worry about tomorrow, “each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well. He doesn’t mean we should be irresponsible. Bills need to be paid, matters need to be dealt with. Yet, we can get so busy worrying about things that we lose all energy for the things that really matter: kingdom things—God’s priorities. We can get so busy worrying that we neglect the steps of obedience that are before us.

Worry saps our energy and keeps us from accomplishing much anything. It is counterproductive. Instead of worry, there is one more thing we must do: we should pray. Jesus tells us to “ask, seek and knock.” Powerful promises are given to us if we will seek the Lord in prayer. Instead of becoming depressed and worried, take it to the Lord in prayer. Trust him to give you peace and joy despite your circumstances. Walk in obedience to his commands and look expectantly for his provision.

You can worry or you can trust God. You can’t do both. He is asking you to trust Him. That means putting behind your worries and calling to him in prayer; continuing to press on with his work and will whatever circumstances you may find yourselves in at the moment. He knows your needs, but he wants you to come in faith, expectantly and persistently (asking, seeking knocking) for His provision.

Open your heart: ask, seek, knock. Wait expectantly for his provision: he does care for you!

Loving, Caring, Heavenly Father, help me to hand over my concerns to you. Enable me to turn my anxious thoughts into hope-filled prayers. Help me trust you even when the circumstances seem overwhelming. I look to you to provide, as you have promised. Amen.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 7
Too Good to be True

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 5:4-12 | Genesis 16:1 – 18:19 | Matthew 6:1-24 | Proverbs 2:1-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 16:1 – 18:19

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son” (Genesis 18:13-14 NIV).

How could she help but laugh? It seemed too good to be true. “So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘after I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?'” She had longed for a child for many years. Now, well after her childbearing years were over, God promised that she would bear a son.

The promise had come earlier, of course (but it was impossible then too). She had given up hope and had even come up with an alternative scenario (remember Hagar and Ishmael?). Abraham bargained with God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” But Ishmael was not God’s answer to the promise.

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac (meaning Laughter). Indeed he would be the laughter of an old couple that had no hope of their own—a source of joy that only the God of the impossible could bring.

God said it best: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” How true. When confronted by the improbable, even the impossible, we too may laugh. Often God’s promises seem too good to be true. But we serve a God who is able to do the improbable, even the impossible. Therefore the laughter should not come from doubt, but from the joy that flows from hope (Rom. 15:13).

Open your heart to the amazing possibilities that God has in mind for you. Find joy in your relationship with the God who promises you the improbable and does the impossible.

Almighty God, I stand amazed at your ability to do the impossible and your desire to use the improbable. May I always find laughter and joy in the process of seeing your will worked out in my life. Amen.

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 6
Waiting in Expectation

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 5:1-3 | Genesis 13:6 – 15:21 | Matthew 5:27-48 | Proverbs 1:29 – 33

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 5:1-3

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly (Psalms 5:3 NIV).

We all know the struggle the Psalmist describes. We pray and pray and wonder if God is listening. We lay our requests before the Lord and wait eagerly for the answer.

Waiting with expectation is the difficult but necessary condition of the heart that would get the ear of God. It demonstrates our faith in the unseen promises despite the circumstances we see. It reveals the kind of faith God delights in and rewards: persevering faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We don’t like to wait. And the waiting is made even more difficult when our expectations are not being met (at least not on our time table). Sometimes God makes us wait expectantly for a long time. It is easy to become disappointed in the process. It often seems easiest to just give up. The Psalmist refuses to give up. He continues to look up with eager expectation.

God will not always meet our expectations. Sometimes he has other plans, and in those times disappointment can seem overwhelming. We can become angry and bitter. Sometimes we lash out at God. We sometimes try to run away.

But when God does not meet our expectations, it is because he has other plans—better plans. That does not mean they will be the plans we desire—and some of the best roads are the most difficult roads—but they will be best. The things that can cause us to become angry and bitter are meant to make us grow and become better. The greatest opportunity for growth comes in the times when we “walk in the dark” and the only hand we can hold on to is God’s. Sometimes, even his hand is hard to find. But he is there even in the long, lonely dark night of the soul.

Wait expectantly. Wait eagerly. Don’t become discouraged by the wait. Don’t become disappointed when your hopes are not met. God often has eternal purposes for things that we cannot see. He is good and he loves you—and whatever plans he has for you are bound to be better than anything you could ever hope for.

Patient Heavenly Father, remind me that my waiting is not in vain. Fill me with patient expectation and help me not to give up hope. Hear me as I wait upon you. Amen.

From Open Up Your Heart by jeff Syverson

January 1
Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 1:1-6 | Genesis 1:1 -2:25 | Matthew 1:1 – 2:12 | Proverbs 1:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night (Psalm 1:1-2 NIV).

Remember the children’s story about the tortoise and the hare? The “slow and steady” tortoise won the race. When it comes to reading the scripture the same principle is true. It is good to take it slow and meditate on the scripture. Notice that the blessing here is for the one who takes the time not only to read but also to meditate on the scripture all day long.

As we begin this year of reading the scripture together, let me encourage you not to just rush through the scriptures. Read them slowly and meditate on them. Open your heart as you read them to all that God has for you today. He always has a fresh word for each day if you take the time to listen.

As you read, meditate, and apply the Word of God to your life, as you delight in it, you will find the blessing described here. You will be like a well-watered tree: fruitful, growing and healthy. You will know that the Lord is watching over your way and directing your paths.

Don’t miss out on the blessing. Take it slow and steady. Meditate, listen, apply and obey. You will see the blessing of God in your life. You have His word on it.

Dear heavenly Father, teach me to read your word slowly, carefully and prayerfully. Teach me to meditate, listen, apply, and obey. I open my heart to all that you would teach me today. Amen.

December 31
Hallelujah!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 150:1-6 | Malachi 3:1-4:6 | Revelation 22:1-21 | Proverbs 31:25-31

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 150

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, [4] praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, [5] praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord  (Psalm 150:3-6 NIV).

The reason I began writing these devotionals about 10 years ago was to encourage the congregation I pastored then (Faith Alliance in Middletown, OH) to join me in reading the Bible through in a year. Down through the years others have joined in reading through the scriptures. Now there are people around the world reading the Bible with me. I do hope the devotionals help to encourage you. More importantly, I hope that they encourage you to dig in the text, opening your mind and heart for God to speak to you through his word.

For many of you, you are finishing up reading through the Bible over the course of this past year. That is reason to shout “Hallelujah!” May I encourage you to read through the Bible with me again next year? I do hope that you will continue to open up your heart daily as we read through the scripture from cover to cover. Perhaps you’ve joined in from time to time, let me encourage you to jump in with both feet and read through the Bible this next year.

The texts today, too, demand a shout of Hallelujah! God has given us a beautiful picture of heaven, eternity, and Christ ruling and reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You may not have understood every detail in the book of Revelation, but I hope that it has caused you to stand in awe of our majestic God and to look with anticipation to all that he has planned. Malachi too, points us to the coming of the King in his glory. Hallelujah!

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All history will find fulfillment in his glorious plan.

He really does have a good plan for each of our lives, and that is found in the life eternal and abundant that he freely offers to each of us.

Rev. 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Are you thirsty? Do you hear his call? Then open your heart to Him, and experience the free gift of the water of life: Life that is eternal, Life lived to the full. Open your heart to the one who comes “with healing in his wings.” Hallelujah!

Father, thank you for how you have been at work in my life this year. May I continue to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ as I open my heart to you daily. Amen.

December 30
A Glimpse of Heaven

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 149:1-9 | Malachi 1:1-2:17 | Revelation 21:1-27 | Proverbs 31:10-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 21

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4 NIV).

Clearly, heaven is a place of indescribable beauty: Precious stones of every sort; streets of gold; gates made of a single pearl. The beauty of the scene described is just about impossible to imagine–and I sense in John’s words that the beauty he is seeing is much more than his words can begin to describe.

More glorious than the beauty of the place is the beauty of the one who is seated on the throne. No need for sunlight, because of the glorious splendor of the radiance of the Father and the Son.

But what makes heaven even more glorious is the nature of our relationship with God. He himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We will be with God. He will be with us. We will be his people. The words suggest a greater intimacy than is possible in our lives here and now.

Try to grasp the beauty of heaven as you read through the text. Stand in awe of the beauty. Then try to grasp the beauty of the one seated on the throne and the Lamb. Worship them. This is your eternal occupation. But you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to get started. We can begin now.

Come rule and reign, Lord Jesus! Make us worshippers here as we anticipate worship in eternity. Amen.

December 29
All Creatures

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:7-14 | Zechariah 14:1-21 | Revelation 20:1-15 | Proverbs 31:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 148:7-14

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens (Psalm 148:13 NIV).

It is interesting how all the readings today come together. Zechariah tells of a “day” when the Lord will rule and reign. Revelation 20 describes the culmination of that day when Jesus will rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It will be in that day, when the words of the Psalmist find their ultimate expression: when all creatures of our God and King will worship Him!

In Psalm 148 all creation joins in praise to God—what could be more fitting? From the angels of heaven to the sun, moon and stars—all creation joins in worship of the creator. Sea creatures of all kinds, wild animals, cattle, small animals, birds; they all join the song of praise! Lightning, thunder, hail and wind all make a joyful noise! Don’t forget the mountains and hills and trees—they were created to praise too! Kings of the earth join in praise along with princes and rulers from all nations. Young men and women, Old men and children—everyone joins in the song!

It is good and right for us to praise the name of the Lord. “His name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” God reigns. Let the earth be glad. Let’s join the angels and worship God our King!

Come, Lord Jesus, rule and reign in me this day. Come, Lord Jesus rule and reign over kings and lords. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring the new creation—let all creation join in praise. Amen.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 28
King of Kings!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:1-6 | Zechariah 12:1-13:9 | Revelation 19:1-21 | Proverbs 31:1-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 19

[6]“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready . . . [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:6-7, 16 NIV).

In his first coming, Christ came humbly as a babe in a manger. When he comes again, he will come boldly in all his glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In this, another of the great worship hymns of Revelation, all of creation worships as the King of Kings comes in his glory. Imagine what it will be like to hear all creation singing “Hallelujah” as John described it: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

Since the fall of man in the garden, all of creation has been waiting in anxious anticipation of this day. The suffering and pain brought on by sin is not forgotten by God. It will be vindicated as Jesus comes in his glory. Those who have endured persecution look to this day of victory. Indeed, all of creation waits for his coming: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

But they also celebrate the fact that the bride, the church of Jesus Christ (Christ-followers from all ages and all nations), has made herself ready. The Bride is ready. Cleansed and purified. Dressed in fine linen. Let the wedding celebration begin.

Rev. 19:7-8 (NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready, [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

It will be quite a celebration. Are you ready?

Lord God Almighty, you reign, Hallelujah! We worship you King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we look forward to your coming! Amen.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 27
The Good Shepherd

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 147:12-20 | Zechariah 10:1-11:17 | Revelation 18:1-24 | Proverbs 30:33

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 10:1-11:17

The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd. “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah” (Zechariah 10:2-3 NIV).

The image of a shepherd leading his sheep is a familiar theme in Scripture. Here the shepherds of God’s people are being chastised for not leading the people as they should.

It is an incredible responsibility to be a leader of people. The leader is not only responsible for his or her own actions—but is also to lead the people under their care in the right direction.

How had the leaders of Judah been doing? Not very well. The political “shepherds”—the Kings of Judah—were, on the whole, a miserable lot who more often than not led the people further and further into idolatry.

The spiritual leaders weren’t doing much better. The prophets are chided for bringing false comfort. Under the leadership of priests and prophets, the people of God regularly drifted away from the worship of the LORD to worship and serve idols made by human hands. Therefore God’s people “wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”

Still God is not done with his people. He tells them that he, himself, will come to lead them as their shepherd. He, himself, would come to lead and guide them onto the right path.

Jesus picks up this image as the “Good Shepherd” as recorded in John’s gospel. He is the good shepherd who even lays down his life for the sheep.

Earthly leaders do often fail us. Yet God is with us to lead us and guide us (Psalm 23), and he has given us the good shepherd in Jesus to love and care for us. Follow his lead.

Good Shepherd, lead us each day in your truth. Guide us on the right path. Keep us from wandering. Amen.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 26
Rejoice Greatly!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 147:1-11 | Zechariah 9:1-17 | Revelation 17:1-18 | Proverbs 30:32

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 9

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9 NIV).

One of my favorite parts of the Holiday season is listening to Handel’s Messiah. It is a beautiful work that weaves together so many of the prophetic texts that point to the coming of the Messiah. One such text is taken from this chapter; perhaps you have heard Handel’s musical setting to “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.” As so much of the prophetic scripture, these verses point to the coming Messiah. They find their fulfillment as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Zechariah knew that the coming Messiah was reason for his people to rejoice.

In Jesus, the prophecies find fulfillment. He is the Messiah, gentle and riding on a donkey. Years before it comes to pass, Zechariah envisioned the gentle King and rejoiced. Indeed, the celebration of Christ’s coming to earth is a reason for all of us to rejoice. So rejoice, O daughter of Zion! As another great Christmas hymn says so well: “Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing!”

Jesus, we rejoice in your coming to the earth in the Incarnation. We find joy in your presence in our lives as Emmanuel. We look with hope to your coming again. Amen.