Evening Scripture Proverbs, Chapter 31 The sayings of King Lemuel — an inspired utterance his mother taught him. Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel — it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Evening Reflection Have you ever encountered a season of change and thought, Why am I not where I want to be?” From education to careers or callings and relationships, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others, or even former versions of ourselves. Not only that, it’s as if we expect instant transformation on demand. When we operate in this way, we have to admit it’s frustrating. No matter how hard we work, it’s still never good enough. But what if God never asked us to be anyone except the person He created us to be? When you think about your life, what areas are you still growing in? Are there places where you wish growth would happen faster? I know there often is for me. But instead of putting myself down, I’m learning that growth is a process. The person God created me to be has many different seasons, but they’re all still me. And guess what? They’re all still you, too. I used to hate when people would compare themselves to the Proverbs 31 woman. Not because she wasn’t admirable, she was, but because becoming her felt impossible. The reality is, the Proverbs 31 woman wasn’t born this way. But over time, she became her. The next time you’re tempted to compare yourself to others, or even former or future versions of yourself, reflect on these questions: What qualities is God developing in me right now? Where have I seen growth in my life over the past year? Am I focusing more on my shortcomings or God's faithfulness? Though a lengthy passage, Proverbs 31 reminds us that God develops strength, wisdom, and character over time. Spiritual growth is a process, not a destination, and no matter what, our identity is found in who God created us to be, not in our achievements. God is still working in us even when we can't see immediate results. God is still working in us, even if we don’t like the versions of ourselves we presently are. Tonight, as you prepare for rest, don’t knock yourself down for who you aren’t; remember who you’re still becoming. Then, ask yourself these questions How have I seen God's hand shaping me recently? What expectations do I need to surrender to Him? How can I trust God's timing for my growth? Evening Prayer Dear Jesus, Tonight, I want to thank you for creating me with purpose. Instead of seeing the Proverbs 31 woman as a threat or an impossible goal, let me see her as someone I can become and grow into over time. I surrender my desire to rush the process of growth, and I trust the work you’re doing in my life. Help me to rest in your love and grace as you continue to shape me. I love you, Lord. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Evening Scripture Matthew, Chapter 25 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Evening Reflection Delays make us lose hope. God promises reward, that all things work together for good for those who love and follow him. Yet his timing works differently than our expectations sometimes, and it seems like something we desire or hope for will never happen. We get discouraged or distracted or simply caught up in other things. Galatians 6:9 tells us to not grow weary in doing good. Why? “… for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” If we don’t lose heart. The Bible says “don’t give up” or something similar hundreds of times, which means we all need this encouragement. Matthew 25 includes three parables, each with encouragement for reward and a warning for losing heart. If we maintain our inner spiritual life, we get to attend the heavenly wedding feast. If we continue to invest our gifts and the Gospel into the world, then we get even more Kingdom wealth. If we give to the needy and marginalized, we enter heavenly glory. And we are warned the opposite is true. If we give up on any of those, we get punishment and separation. We will reap what we sow in the Kingdom. Our work for Christ won’t be in vain. God is faithful to fulfill his promises. Let us not lose heart in our season and see the harvest he so desires to give us. Evening Prayer Heavenly Father, Strengthen my heart when delays tempt me to lose hope. Help me trust your timing and remain faithful in doing the good work you’ve put before me. Guard me from discouragement, distraction, and weariness. Fill me with confidence that your promises are true and you will bring a harvest in the right season. Teach me to invest my gifts, share your Word, and care for those in need with perseverance and joy, expecting you to keep your promises. Keep my eyes fixed on Christ and the eternal reward you have prepared for your people. Make me steadfast and faithful until the day I see your harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. 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Evening Scripture Romans, Chapter 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Evening Reflection Many Christians seem to find the cross of Christ much easier to grasp than the Holy Spirit of Christ dwelling within us. Oh sure, you say you have faith in Christ – but living that out in your everyday life can be a challenge. We can certainly explain Christ’s sacrifice for us, but we struggle to explain the Holy Spirit within us. As you look at your life, do you wonder how you could still be living the way you do? How can you have the Holy Spirit within you when you still feel jealousy, anger, or lack of compassion? How about the occasional lies? Or maybe you feel a bit too focused on what the world offers. Then, add in all of your worries – kids, jobs, finances, diagnoses and more – and somehow it doesn’t feel like the Holy Spirit is at work in you, right? Sometimes you question, both yourself and God. How can God still love me when I live this way? Well, Paul tells us to have faith – and our faith will overcome all of those things. Like when you travel, you can’t fly the plane, instead you must trust the pilot. God is so much more. In Romans 1 we learn all people face judgment for sin (v. 18-32.) But first and foremost, Paul declares that the gospel is the “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (v. 16) and through the gospel, God’s righteousness is revealed “by faith from first to last” (v. 17). Faith allows us to replace God’s judgment with peace and a gateway to His grace. Salvation is not earned by anything you could possibly do or not do. Salvation is through trust in Jesus – through faith in Him. When you truly grasp this, you can then be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). You can stop your striving, end your fear, and begin trusting God’s promises. Yet, faith is not just for salvation, but for the way we live. Paul quotes Habakkuk and tells us “The righteous will live by faith” (v. 17). Through Christ, you are righteous. It means knowing the gospel – trusting Christ and walking in the Spirit (Romans 8:2), guided by God’s truth rather than our fears, our worries of failure, or of God’s wrath. Evening Prayer Father, Please help me to live as you would have me live, with a foundation of faith in Jesus. Help me to trust in the righteousness of Christ rather than my own strength and my own actions. Help me to live my life by the fruit of His Spirit. With compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Evening Scripture Psalm, Chapter 127 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves. Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. Evening Reflection Watching endless DIY and cooking shows, it becomes clear that the quality of one’s work can be subjective. There are varying views and opinions on the creator’s skill and expertise. Colors, tastes, styles, workmanship, craft, and more are all up to personal and group evaluations. Even when we do our very best, it may not meet another’s standards or expectations, although we may have wholeheartedly and tirelessly labored and sweated over it. Still, no matter how much effort and time we put into it, or how long we work, it may not meet someone else’s expectations. Yet, we don’t have to be discouraged if we’re entrusting our work to the Lord, doing it unto Him, to the best of our ability. We know that it’s His approval that truly matters. Pleasing God is a higher calling than pleasing others, especially when we realize that their eyes may have varying values, viewpoints, ideas, and expectations, the kind that change over time. Yet God’s standards remain the same, constant, steady, not ever leaving us feeling insecure, wondering if we’ll meet His expectations. When we entrust our work to the Lord – unlike the uncertainties, ups-and-downs, and ever- changing plans that often come when working for men and women – we can trust His calm and stable guidance of our hands, ideas, and skills. We know that He leads us with His wisdom and knowledge so that we can lean on Him, rather than our own understanding. We trust Him to keep us on the right track with our work. Evening Prayer God, Thank You that I can come to You, asking for Your help and entrusting my work hourly, daily, and even minute-by-minute to You. Lead me each day, and throughout the night, too, in my labor to follow Your leading and to yield to Your purposes and plans for my work. Let the work of my hand glorify You in all that I do. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Evening Scripture Luke, Chapter 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Evening Reflection The parable of the Prodigal Son, as it is commonly called, is one of the most profound teachings in Scripture. Yet its truth is one we often miss. We tend to focus too much on the prodigal, the wayward child. We describe his insult to his Father, the lure of dissolute living, and his decision to run away from home. But this wonderful parable is not about the child at all; it is about the loving Father. Jesus tells a story of a father, who despite the insult and rejection received from both of his children, longs to receive them into his home. Both children reject the Father. The younger child squanders his inheritance, parties hard, and loses everything. He comes home in disgrace, believing himself to be no more worthy than a common slave. The older child, the dutiful one, is no better. He clearly distains his Father, stating that he sees him as an enslaving tyrant. Both children live in a state of distance from their grace-filled Father. But to these children, the Father acts in astounding love. Instead of rejecting the children – something that would have been seen as culturally appropriate, he receives them. Instead of lambasting them, he loves upon them. And even though they are far off, standing in darkness, the Father goes out to meet them. To the younger child while he was still on the road, and to the elder while he stands in the darkness. What this Scripture teaches us is that no matter what has transpired in our lives, or how many times we have rejected God’s presence, Our lord comes to meet us. God forgives our sin, wraps us in robes of grace, and welcomes us into his eternal home. Our heavenly Father is rich in love, and abounding in mercy. All you need to do is be willing to come home. Evening Prayer Gracious Father, There are simply no words to describe your lovingkindness. I cannot fathom how deep your mercy is, as you willingly come to me despite all the twists and turns of my life. When I am faithless, you O God remain faithful. When I reject you, you refuse to reject me. Always you make the invitation for me to come and dwell in the house of your eternal love. Lord, in this moment, I turn to you. I place before you any wandering I have done, any sin I have committed, trusting that your grace covers all. As you received the prodigal, Lord Jesus, please receive me, and help me to live as your precious and beloved child. This I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.