Randy Davis is Director of Missions for the Saline Association in Harrisburg, IL.
Check out “How to Grow Your Church” on the “Grow” page at
www.edhandkinsministries.com .
September 30 Who’s Listening to Whom?
“And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 7:13 NASB
Today’s Readings: Zechariah 7, 8, 9
Luke 13
When I was in high school I had to watch Cool Hand Luke, a film starring Paul Newman. One of the classic lines in the movie was uttered by the prison captain, “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” I don’t know about you, but on more than one occasion, I’ve experienced a “failure to communicate.”
Sometimes it happens in our relationship with God. When Zechariah received God’s revelation, God said there was a communication failure. His people had failed to listen to Him. They had hardened their hearts and now God was not going to grant them their request.
I’ve learned that when it seems God is not hearing my prayers it’s probably because of sin in my life. I’ve not been willing to hear God speak to me. The most important thing for me to do is to seek God’s forgiveness and then allow Him to speak to me. Then I have confidence that He will hear my prayer.
Prayer: Ask God to reveal your sin, seek His forgiveness, and listen to Him. Then He’ll hear your prayer. Randy Davis
October 1 I Can’t Do It!
"And I will strengthen them in the LORD, And in His name they will walk," declares the LORD. Zechariah 10:12 NASB
Today’s Readings: Zechariah 10, 11, 12
Psalms 126 Luke 14
As a child growing up I soon learned not to say, “I can’t.” Whenever I would do so my father would say, “What’s your last name?” I’d reply, “Davis.” He would then tell me I could do it because I was a Davis.
God promised Israel that one day they would be restored to the Promised Land. It must have seemed impossible. Imagine all that would need to happen for that to become a reality: delivery from bondage, packing, gathering of the people, a leader chosen, and the enormity of the journey. “Lord, we can’t do it!”
But the Lord promised to strengthen them so they could return to the Promised Land. They would find their strength in obeying Him and trusting in Him.
Sometimes your struggles may seem more than you can bear. The promised future seems impossible to reach. But obedience to the Lord and faith in Him will bring you through the struggles to the promised future.
Prayer: Ask God to strengthen you and to deliver you from your struggles. Obedience and faith in Him will change “I can’t” to “I can!”
Randy Davis
October 2 The Great Physician
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3 NASB
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 13, 14
Psalms 147, 134 Luke 15
While in high school I developed allergies that kept me from doing just about anything outside. Ten years later I was still struggling with those allergies. I had been to several allergists and tried different medications. The parting words of the doctors were, “You’ll just have to stay inside.”
Finally, someone recommended a new doctor who had great success treating allergies. In just a matter of weeks I was once again able to enjoy life outside. I just had to find the right doctor.
But how do you heal a broken heart: one that is ravaged by sin or despair? When you’ve tried everything you know to do, and listened to the advice of everyone with whom you’ve consulted, the passage for today offers good news. God can heal the brokenhearted. No matter what the wound, God can bind it up. So take your broken heart to Him. He’s the Great Physician who loves you so much that He wants to make you whole again.
Prayer: Father, it hurts so bad! I just want to crawl in your lap and ask you to “kiss it and make it well.” Father, I’m trusting you today to do that for me. Amen Randy Davis
October 3 Whom Do You Serve?
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Luke 16:13 NASB
Today’s Readings: Ezra 5, 6 Psalms 138
Luke 16
I grew up in a pastor’s home. During my teen years my mother would, on occasion, ask me if I knew what I wanted to do with my life. My quick response had to do with the idea of anything would be better than being a pastor. I saw it as a lot of hard work, with long hours and not much pay. During my first year of college I answered the call to vocational ministry, but I sometimes still struggle with the issue of two masters.
I suspect we all struggle with that issue. I’m told that Americans are wealthier than seventy-five percent of the rest of the world. So, when I read this verse of Scripture I wonder if we have really come to grips with what Jesus is saying. If our spending habits indicate we use most of the wealth God has provided us for our needs, then it may be time to re-think the issue of who we serve.
Prayer: Ask God to reveal to you areas of your life where you may be serving the god of wealth. Randy Davis
October 4 Forgive, and Forgive Again
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him. Luke 17:3-4 NASB
Today’s Readings: Esther 1, 2
Psalms 150 Luke 17
I had heard about it happening to others, but it hadn’t happened to me—until that day. One Sunday I was talking to a man who professed to be a Christian. He was harboring ill feelings toward someone and when I talked with him about forgiving that person he said, “I’ve forgiven him, but I’ll never forget what he has done.”
Jesus tells us to be on guard. It seems to me that we are quick to rebuke someone when we think they have sinned, but we’re a lot slower to offer forgiveness—even the first time. Here Jesus says we are to forgive them over and over. Perhaps the greatest mark of believers is our ability to forgive, even when we have to do it again and again.
Prayer: Father, thank you for forgiving me again and again. Help me to forgive others, even when I have to do it over and over.
Randy Davis
October 5 Serving God
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 NASB
Today’s Readings: Esther 3, 4, 5, 6
Luke 18
When I was in college I took philosophy and learned that one of the great philosophical questions is: Why does man exist? It seems that the greatest question for me, as a Christian is: Why me, Lord? I’ve asked that question more than once.
Esther must have asked that same question. Her people, the Jews, were about to be eliminated. Her uncle Mordecai seemed to have the answer. Perhaps God had put her there just for the occasion at hand.
I suspect that happens in the lives of all believers. We arrive at a point in time when we wonder why we are there. Perhaps, like Esther, God has put us there just for the occasion at hand. He has gifted us and brought us to that specific point in time to complete an assignment that will bring honor and glory to Him. What is it God wants you to do for Him today?
Prayer: If you’re asking, why me Lord, consider asking what is it He wants you to accomplish in your current circumstance.
Randy Davis
October 6 A House of Prayer
Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, "It is written, 'AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN." Luke 19:45-46 NASB
Today’s Reading: Esther 7, 8, 9, 10
Luke 19
When computers first entered my life I learned about “GIGO,” “garbage in, garbage out.” I soon learned to understand that much more than I cared to do so. The computer could only give me back what I put in.
Are we filling our lives with garbage? Jesus was talking about the place where the Jews worshiped, a physical temple. I suspect we have a tendency to apply this verse to physical places of worship, but aren’t our bodies the temple where the very Spirit of God resides?
Saying we should be houses of prayer indicates that prayer should be a major focus of our lives. Most of us spend more time on our cell phones than we spend in prayer with God. It takes us longer to read the news in the paper or on our favorite news website than it does to offer our prayers to God.
We rob God of time He wants to spend with us. Be honest. Could our Lord say you are a house of prayer?
Prayer: Father, I want to be a house of prayer. Teach me how to pray.
Randy Davis