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November 5
Words of Hope

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:113-120 | Ezekiel 12:1-14:11 | Hebrews 7:1-17 | Proverbs 27:3

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:113-120

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114 NIV)

We serve a God of Hope (Rom 15:13). His word is a message of hope. Whatever our circumstance, we can always run to God’s word and find shelter, comfort and encouragement.

A few years ago, I heard David Bryant at the College of Prayer encourage us to be messengers of hope. He repeatedly reminded us to “preach the pink passages.” He explained that he had Bible, in which he had marked all the verses that should cause us to hope with a pink highlighter. He paged through his Bible for us and it was obvious that nearly every page of his Bible had verses highlighted in pink. Many pages were…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 4
Sanctuary

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:105-112 | Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 | Hebrews 6:1-20 | Proverbs 27:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’” (Ezekiel 11:16 NIV)

The people of Israel had strayed far from God and broken the covenant again and again. God had been incredibly patient with them, but after years and years of their rebellion and disobedience his patience had found it’s rightful end. It was time for judgment.

In apocalyptic words and images, Ezekiel describes the judgment of God. But in all of the creative imagery, he does not leave the people without a word of…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 3
Growing Up or Growing Old?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:97-104 | Ezekiel 7:1-9:11 | Hebrews 5:1-14 | Proverbs 26:28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 5:1-14

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:11 NIV)

I’ve heard it said that “Some people grow up in the Lord, others just grow old in the Lord.” Unfortunately sometimes this is the case. There is a big difference between “growing up” and “just growing old” in the Lord. Growth and maturity require more than years of “pew time,” they require years of diligent learning, application and obedience.

Paul urges…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 2
Watch and Pray

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:89-96 | Ezekiel 3:16 – 6:14 | Hebrews 4:1-16 | Proverbs 26:27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 3:16-6:14

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 3:12-13 NIV)

The watchman had an important and difficult job. Taking his place high upon the wall of the city where he could see, he would spend the night watching for impending danger. The protection of the city was in his hands.

God is looking for spiritual watchmen, like Ezekiel. Primarily this is a calling to intercession. Just as it takes time for the eyes to adjust to the darkness, so our “spiritual eyes” must be developed by sufficient time in God’s presence. If we are…

Open Up Your Heart

November 1
Encouragement

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:81-88 | Ezekiel 1:1 – 3:15 | Hebrews 3:1-19 |
Proverbs 26:24-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 3:1-19

“See to it that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the Living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV)

The children of Israel drifted little by little into sin and unbelief. The tests of faith eventually led them to rebellion. The drifting led to hardened hearts and they missed out on the Promised Land. They didn’t enter into the rest that had been promised to them if they would listen and obey.

It is a dangerous thing to drift, to compromise, to rebel and to find one’s heart grow hard because of the deceitfulness of sin…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 31
Drifting

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:73-80 | Lamentations 4:1-5:22 | Hebrews 2:1-18 | Proverbs 26:23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 2:1-18

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1 NIV)

Growing up in Minnesota, I spent a lot of summer days on the lake. We used to love to take inner tubes from big tractor tires and float on them on the water. Often we would just lie on top of the inner tube enjoying the sun and the waves. If you weren’t paying attention you would find yourself drifting farther and farther from shore. Eventually it was possible to drift so far that you would be dragged away by the strong currents and have a very hard time getting back.

Drifting is subtle and it is…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 30
Great is Thy Faithfulness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:65-72 | Lamentations 2:20 – 3:66 | Hebrews 1:1-14 | Proverbs 26:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Lamentations 2:20-3:66

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Lamentations as a book is always hard for me to get into. But I have come to appreciate the importance of the lament in prayer. It is one of the most healthy ways for us to deal with difficult circumstances.

In the lament, we openly and honestly pour out our heart to God. We tell him what we are going through and how we feel about it. We get it all “out on the table”.

If we were to leave it there, and not go further, it would…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. E-book available from the kindle store at Amazon.com

October 29
Tears

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:57-64 | Lamentations 1:1 –2:19 | Philemon 1-25| Proverbs 26:20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Lamentations 1

For these things do I weep, My eyes flow with tears: Far from me is any comforter who might revive my spirit. (Lamentations 1:16 NIV)

Jeremiah is sometimes called “the Weeping Prophet.” His Lamentations are a prime example. But Jeremiah had reason to weep. He had been given a ministry of calling Judah to repentance, and they refused to listen. They continued on in their idolatrous ways without thought of God. Anyone who has been in ministry knows the frustration of people who don’t hear the message that to us seems so urgent. There are times when all you can do is weep and pray that God will somehow get through…

October 28
Devoted to Good Works

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:49-56 | Jeremiah 51:54-52:34 | Titus 3:1-15| Proverbs 26:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 3

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.” (Titus 3:8 NIV)

Believers should be “devoted to good works.” Paul makes that point repeatedly in these verses (2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). In particular he points out that they should devote themselves to good works that would help out those in urgent need (3:14).

It is impossible to gain salvation by good works (though many people have been led to believe that is the way to salvation). Paul’s clear statement of Ephesians 2:8-10 is reaffirmed here: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 27
It’s Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:41-48 | Jeremiah 51:1-53 | 2 Timothy 2:1-15 | Proverbs 26:17

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 2

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14 NIV)

The orange juice growers had a series of commercials that ended with this line: “It’s not just for breakfast anymore.” It was their way of telling us that orange juice…