R. E. Gallion is pastor of the Ridgway First Baptist Church in Ridgway, Illinois.
You can check your church health at www.edhandkinsministries.com on the “Health” page.
October 7 Heart’s Desire
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Ezra 7:10 ESV
Today’s Readings: Ezra 7, 8 Luke 20
Call me biased, but I would rather hear my wife play the piano and sing over any professional recording artist out there. God has given her talent on the ivories and gifted her vocally, but her accomplishments have not come automatically.
Amy began learning to play the piano in second grade and stayed with it through college. She’s taken scores of piano and voice lessons and has devoted countless hours to practice and study.
Her talents have not been wasted. Whether playing for her own enjoyment, encouraging the church in song or teaching others, her heart’s desire has always been to use her gifts for the glory of the Lord. The gracious hand of God has surely been upon her.
Ezra’s work in rebuilding the house of God likewise prospered because his heart’s desire was set upon God’s glory. He loved to study the Word of God. He gladly followed God’s commands. He delighted in teaching the Lord’s statutes to others.
God is glorified in our desire for His Word – to study it, to do it and to teach it. May our hearts be so devoted to His glory!
Prayer: Ask the Lord to ignite a desire in your heart for His Word – to study it, to do it, and to teach it! R. E. Gallion
October 8 Daddy’s Boy
He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8 NIV
Today’s Readings: Ezra 9, 10
Psalms 131 Luke 21
My two-year-old son recently snuggled up next to me and announced softly, “You my best fwiend.” If that doesn’t make the heart of a Daddy melt then I don’t know what would. Later I heard him say the same thing to his stuffed doggy, but at least for the moment it was precious.
He’s definitely a “Daddy’s boy.” When I come home from work, the first thing he wants me to do is take off my coat and my shoes just to be sure I’m staying. When he awakens at night, he calls out for Daddy. When he wants to show off it’s, “Daddy, watch me!”
He wants to go where I go. He wants to do what I do. He watches me like a hawk and absorbs my every word. I guarantee that if anyone else would approach him and say, “Hey, little boy, I’m your Daddy. Come with me,” he would never go. He would run away and cling tightly to me.
Christian, you will never be led astray if you are following so closely after the Lord Jesus. Yes, many false prophets have come and will come, claiming to be Christ and declaring the time is at hand. Many people will be deceived. “Do not follow them!”
Like a “Daddy’s boy,” cling tightly to Jesus and love Him supremely.
Prayer: Ask the Father to mold you into a fully devoted follower of Jesus alone. R. E. Gallion
October 9 The Joy of Unity
Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NASB
Today’s Readings: Nehemiah 1, 2
Psalms 133 Luke 22
For many years our church has hosted a “Rabbit Fry” for the high school boy’s basketball teams. Ladies, have the night off, thank you. The men take over the kitchen duties.
To say we operate as a “well-oiled machine” hardly captures the drama and chaos of the scene. Some men focus on the flouring, flavoring and frying of the rabbits. Several peel potatoes with one hand and stir the gravy or check the corn with the other. One guy makes the tea while making sure the rolls don’t burn. Others set the tables, check the time, or simply try to stay out of the way.
The flurry of activity is dizzying, and not a one of us would ever admit to the need for a woman’s help. Yet somehow it all comes together. When forty teenage boys show up with appetites the size of Chicago, but leave filled and thankful, the rewards far outweigh the work.
Perhaps the greatest reward of the evening is the unity we men share in the kitchen. We focus on our common mission. We help each other in whatever ways necessary for the sake of our goal. We enjoy the camaraderie.
When the church dwells together in unity, focusing on our common mission, helping one another as needed, enjoying our fellowship in Christ Jesus – behold, how good and pleasant it is!
Prayer: Ask the Father to unite our hearts as joyful brothers and sisters in Christ. R. E. Gallion
October 10 Mercy and Grace
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV
Today’s Readings: Nehemiah 3, 4 Luke 23
I am a thief. In junior high the janitor once left the cafeteria storage room unlocked. I snuck in with a couple of boys and helped myself to some soda. I took a six-pack of Big Red and hid it in my P.E. locker. I don’t even like Big Red.
Then there was the time I handed the cashier a $10 bill for a $5 movie ticket and got back $15. I thought it must have been my lucky day.
Yes, I am a thief. For this crime and more I am just as guilty of sin as that man who hung on the cross next to Jesus at the place called The Skull. I am just as deserving of that same penalty.
How beautiful are the words of our Savior to the thief who confesses his sin and calls on the name of Jesus! Hanging on the cross to die for this man’s sins, Jesus looks on him with forgiveness and assures him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Oh how deep the mercy and grace of Jesus! How great His love! He mercifully saves sinners from death and graciously grants us to be with Him in Paradise! There is no greater hope for this dying world.
Prayer: Give thanks to God for His mercy and grace “that saved a wretch like me.” R. E. Gallion
October 11 Resurrection Hope!
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Luke 24:2 NASB
Today’s Readings: Nehemiah 5, 6
Psalms 146 Luke 24
Tom was a devoted servant of Christ. He was the one who took out the trash after church dinners, the one who helped the older members up the ramp and through the doors, and served behind the scenes in a million other ways. His career as a schoolteacher and administrator gave him the opportunity to make a lasting mark upon the lives of countless students. He and his wife had become actively involved in missions work and Disaster Relief.
He was a merciful and generous neighbor, a trusted advisor, a faithful husband, a godly father, an encouraging brother and a pastor’s true friend. His sudden death this past year has meant a heartbreaking loss to his family, the church and our community. Yet we do not grieve like those who have no hope.
Early on that resurrection morning, the women left for the tomb burdened with grief and sorrow. But they returned beaming with hope and joy. The stone had been rolled away! The Living One was not to be found among the dead! Jesus has risen!
That hope and joy are ours, as well, in spite of our grief. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Him. Because He lives, we also will live! We have a resurrection hope that has conquered the grave forever!
Prayer: May joyful thanksgiving fill your heart for the resurrection hope in Jesus. R. E. Gallion
October 12 Roaring to Life
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 HCSB
Today’s Readings: Nehemiah 7, 8 Acts 1
Do you remember giving oral book reports in high school? I dreaded them. This sick feeling would invade my stomach and I’d break out in a cold sweat. As the teacher looked to see whom she’d call on next I would sink down low into my chair praying somehow I would be missed. The only thing worse was taking showers after gym class.
For me to be a preacher today reveals nothing less than a display of the power of the Holy Spirit. Nobody would have ever voted me Most Likely to Become a Preacher. I would be miserably incompetent if I even tried in my own ability. God has called me to be His witness, and He has poured out His Spirit to empower me for the task.
A jet plane sitting on the tarmac looks impressive enough, but that’s not why it was built. When those powerful engines roar to life, the plane has all she needs to soar triumphantly and fulfill her calling.
Jesus commissioned His followers with an incredible mission. They were to wait for the gift promised by the Father – the Holy Spirit. As soon as they received His power, the church roared to life because of their witness.
Your ability to carry out the work Jesus has given you comes not from yourself, but from God. His mighty power enables you to accomplish His mission effectively.
Prayer: Ask the Father to let His power roar to life in your witness for Jesus today. R. E. Gallion
October 13 True Confession
But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in faithful love, and You did not abandon them.
Nehemiah 9:17b HCSB
Today’s Readings: Nehemiah 9, 10 Acts 2
Early in our marriage, I found strange amusement in making sarcastic comments and jokes around the house. My Dad had often said my humor was “smart,” though I was never sure why he wanted to call me “Aleck.” Unfortunately, I carried this into marriage.
Some of my sarcastic observations were at my own expense. These were occasionally funny. Some came at my wife’s expense. These were usually expensive.
The problem was my remarks put her down. They weren’t intentionally mean-spirited, but to her they hurt. When I saw through her obvious displeasure that I had said something stupid, I would apologize. The next time it happened, I would apologize again. The next time it happened…well, you see the pattern here. Such patterns are costly in growing a healthy marital relationship.
The Lord ultimately convicted me of my sarcasm. Instead of building up my wife, I was tearing her down. I had to truly confess my sin rather than excuse it and commit afresh to loving my wife as Christ loves His bride – the church. Thankfully, she did not abandon me.
The prayer in Nehemiah 9 exemplifies true confession. Though God’s people had rebelled against Him time and time again, they admitted their sin without excuse, called upon His mercy and committed afresh to following His ways. Our forgiving, gracious and compassionate Lord did not abandon them.
Prayer: Come to God in true confession, falling upon His mercy. He will not abandon you. R. E. Gallion