“If you repent, I will restore you,” said the Lord through Jeremiah. Repentance is turning away from sin to the Lord’s ways.

When a teenager, I witnessed a head-on crash as a vehicle going the wrong direction [two drunks on New Year’s Eve] killed an entire family on a freeway. Their car went right past us and ended the innocent lives of two parents and five children.

Going the wrong direction has consequences. Also, alcohol and driving are a deadly combination.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we turn to you. Protect us from the devastation of sin. Restore us and keep us headed in the right direction on every issue of life.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 14-16

This was a question asked by both Jeremiah and the author of Psalm 73, probably Asaph.

In life’s journey, we can assimilate skewed values of what true prosperity is. Nevertheless, the accumulation of wealth is a common definition of prosperity. The godly are tempted to look with jealousy upon those who have more than they.

Asaph wisely concludes, “But then I understood their end.” This is the healthiest perspective we can hold, giving God the chance to use this lifetime to teach us what true prosperity is, and to be content with His provision for us.

Meanwhile, witness to the ungodly.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I’m grateful for what You have provided. Grace me to get my eyes off earthly wealth, and to trust Your provision for me completely.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 11-13

Jeremiah identifies these as the things God delights in. He cautions the wise not to boast in their wisdom, nor the strong to boast in their strength, nor the rich to boast in their riches.

Above all, the worshipper who KNOWS the Lord can trust and find comfort in his relationship with God. Worldly wisdom, carnal strength, and temporal riches will all fail.

Take only the name of Jesus with you. He is kind, just, and righteous.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, my life is in You.  When I am tried, I will trust in Your wisdom, Your strength, and Your provision. You are my All in All.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 8-10

“And it will go well with you.”

This was a message the Lord communicated to His people through Jeremiah.

Simple, instant obedience is a profound thing. This is one of the prime objectives in raising children. Parents so clearly see how vital it is for children to learn this lesson early. So much progress can be made toward greater goals when the elementary lesson of obedience is learned.

Without it, life is HARD.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, grace me to be a wise teacher. Through my influence, cultivate healthy patterns of obedience in my subordinates.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 6,7

Jeremiah identified corruption in business dealings as a reason God’s people incurred His wrath. If fact, it’s as if His Spirit was patrolling the streets looking for any who conducted their business honorably.

Too often we overlook little indiscretions, failing to uphold the high standard of integrity that pleases the Lord.

When God’s Spirit performs an audit on our records, a clear conscience will be a great reward. “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, teach us the value of integrity in our business. We want our finances to please You.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 4,5

God shows His ability to shape the destiny of a person as we read Jeremiah’s story. Even before he was born, God’s plan for his future was in play.

Granted, we are not all Jeremiah’s, but the Word implies a similar divine predisposition is available to those who claim God as their Heavenly Father.

As I watch my young grandchildren play, I marvel at the characteristics they possess. The God Who shaped them in the womb will use their uniqueness to accomplish His purposes in the earth.

I prayed for that.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, to be used by You is possibly the greatest reward we can experience. We give You our lives, our futures. Take our offspring and use them for Your Kingdom.

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 1-3

“O that You would REND [tear open] the heavens and COME DOWN … come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!” [Is. 64:1,2]

God is capable of a power demonstration that has never yet been seen. As His people continually cry out for His intervention, His cup becomes fuller and fuller.

The theme for the National Day of Prayer is, “Wake up, America.” Let us awake and cry out to our Heavenly Deliverer.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, hear the cry of Your people for a mighty visitation of Your Power and Your Spirit.

DAILY READING: Isaiah 62-66

The promise of everlasting joy is given to the Lord’s people in Isaiah 61. Although there is some dispute about whether the Church or the Jews are the recipient of these promises, it doesn’t make much spiritual sense to me that God would withhold from His Church all that Christ came to bring.

In that God is no respecter of persons, I hereby receive the promise of everlasting joy. What a glorious future we have in Christ.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for the abundant life You brought to us and the exemption from the penalty of sin that You purchased on the cross.

DAILY READING: Isaiah 59-61

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” God’s tabernacle is with His people. He wants to live in them. He loves all the nations, and has extended His salvation to all people groups.

All are invited to come to His offer, regardless of their skin color or language. He loves them. He understands them. He wants them to live with Him for eternity.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, reach out to the nations through me, my giving, my prayer, and my witnessing. Let me see them as You do.

DAILY READING: Isaiah 56-58

Isaiah brought to us many of the Old Testament scriptural foundations upon which the New Testament presents the complete gospel. A sacrifical Savior, atonement for sin, the foretelling of the Church, and the work of the Holy Spirit are all defined in the prophets writings.

Believers can maintain a healthy perspective by conducting periodic reviews of these valuable passages.

DAILY PRAYER: Father, thank You for the inspired words gifted to us through the canon of scripture. We cherish it.

DAILY READING: Isaiah 53-55