Your Nightly Scripture

Evening Scripture Psalm 100A psalm. For giving grateful praise.Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Evening Reflection We open locked doors with keys. I need the fob in my pocket to start the car. These days, a website requires more than a password; it sends me a special code. God often feels far away. Elusive. Yet Psalm 100 gives us the key, the fob, the password, and the code. All to enter his presence. Praise and thanks. Gratitude allows us entry to his presence in the heavenly places, symbolized here by courts and gates. The psalmist likely wrote this about worshipping in Solomon’s Temple, complete with gates and courts (inner, outer). Revelation gives us a vision of God’s throne room, surrounded by praising angels (4:8). To reach God, we must pass through those magnificent beings, lifting up his name. There’s no other way. Psalm 100 gives us reasons to praise. He made us; we didn’t make ourselves. We are the sheep of his pasture. The Lord is good, and his mercy is everlasting. All these eternal things exist beyond our current, temporary situation. God is worthy to be praised simply because of who he is and who he’s made us. Even when we don’t feel like it, he alone is worthy of thanks and praise. As we long to enter his presence, the place of blessing and life, let us lift up his name and experience his love. Evening Prayer Heavenly Father,I come to you with praise and thanksgiving, the key you have given us to enter your presence. I lift up your name above my feelings and circumstances. You made me. I belong to you. You paid for me with your living blood to redeem me. We are the sheep of your pasture. You are good, and your mercy endures forever.Open my heart to see beyond what is temporary and fix my eyes on your eternal truth. Teach me to walk through your gates with gratitude and stand in your courts with joy. Let my praise join in with the angels in heaven, declaring you are holy.Father, I draw near to you with worship, even when you feel distant. Draw near to me. I choose to thank you, worship you, and rest in your presence today.In Jesus’ name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 Philippians, Chapter 4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Evening Reflection If you’ve come across this tonight, it’s because the Lord wants you to know that worry is not from Him; however, He understands, in our frailty, that worry is part of the human condition. We see throughout the Bible that God meets worry with the confirmation that He is in control. He sees the circumstances and situations. He is not surprised by where you find yourself, even though you may be. He isn’t wrestling with how He’s going to make a way forward for you. He knows the way forward. He knows what you need and when you will need it. We read in Philippians 4 a letter of encouragement, exhortation, and prayer. We see God speaking clearly through Paul's writing, reminding believers not to be anxious but to be faithful in prayer. Knowing that we can bring all our requests to the Lord, we do not need to feel shame but should be overcome with gratitude and thanksgiving that we have a Savior to whom we can bring our anxieties. Within the prayers of our burdens and thanksgiving, we will find peace. Real peace. The fullness of God’s guardianship over our hearts and minds. He will give us what we need to bring us through the valley. He will prompt us to meditate on the things that are lovely, pure, honorable, and excellent. Reminding us that what God has put into motion in creation and us as His created image bearers will be taken care of. Evening Prayer Father,As evening comes and the world seems to shut down, my racing thoughts do not. Please, help me find peace in your presence. Remind me that you are a God of listening. You hear the cries of our hearts, and you lead us to what is true. I pray for rest and a release of the anxieties I carry. You ask me to carry nothing but your light, rid me of the load I’m carrying that you’ve not asked me to bear.In Jesus’ name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 Joshua, Chapter 1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” Evening Reflection Moses would be a tough act to follow. We can certainly understand Joshua’s hesitation and lack of confidence here. Not only was he trying to muster up the courage to obey God in a very difficult calling, but comparison would be impossible to resist given his circumstances. God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous several times. Repetition in Scripture is never coincidental and always important. Here, God is telling Joshua what to proclaim over himself …instructing him to adjust his perspective and choose to see himself the way God sees him. The following portions of tonight’s text are worth repeating, and marinating in … “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” – Joshua 1:5-6 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9 When we remember who God is, and what He’s done …both in our own lives, personally, and historically throughout the pages of Scripture, we are able to see differently through a godly perspective that allows us to be strong and courageous in obedience to God. So much of this depends on meditating on God’s Word, as He commanded Joshua, “day and night.” Evening Prayer Father God,Thank you for the instructions you provide through Scripture. Your Word, as the Psalm says, “is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” It illuminates the direction of your will for every single day of my life, and I could not survive without it. Help me to remember your truth and see through your perspective as I walk through my days, God. May the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit dwell in my through Christ Jesus, give me courage and strength to accomplish your purposes for my life and bring glory to your name,In Jesus’ Name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 Colossians, Chapter 2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Evening Reflection Our Scripture tonight encourages believers to know the truth and stand firm on what they have been taught. Paul, the author of Colossians, employs Christ-followers to be rooted in Christ. He writes, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). When I think about being rooted, I am reminded of the Mesquite tree. These specific trees thrive in harsh desert environments, and it is their root systems that set them apart. Their taproots can grow down over 100 feet to find water! The root system of the Mesquite is essential for its survival. The roots have to find living water to both grow and flourish. How can we make sure our roots are growing deep in Christ? First, we can start by being taught about Him. Psalm 92:12-13 writes, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” If you want your roots to grow, get plugged into a Bible-believing church! Next, we see Paul encourage us to “overflow with thankfulness.” First, we must remember the ways He has blessed us. Isaiah 46:9 declares, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” When we recall God’s faithfulness and authority in our lives, gratitude naturally flows. A heart of gratitude is a humble heart, rooted deeply in Him. Finally, we must continue to die to the flesh and keep our eyes focused on Christ (Colossians 2:20). The ways of the world, selfish ambition, greed, lust, contentment, pride (the list goes on!) will only kill the root system of your faith. But pursuing the way of Christ, His kingdom, righteousness, and love for Him and others, will cause your roots to go deep and wide. When the drought comes, the dark night, or the storm approaches, you will be unshakable. Stay deeply rooted in Him! Evening Prayer Father,This is my desire: to know you and grow in you deeper tonight. Root me in Christ! If there is anything in the way of my faith growing deep like roots in you, show me. Reveal to me any hindrances that are causing me to stumble. Forgive my sins and renew my faith. Lead me to eternal water, and may I grow into a living testimony of your love, grace, and strength in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 Isaiah, Chapter 65 “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat; who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— both your sins and the sins of your ancestors,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” This is what the Lord says:“As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say,‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live.Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen.You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name.Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God.For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food.They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. Evening Reflection We often carry into the night the weight of the day’s worries, regrets, and painful “former things.” Nighttime can easily become a breeding ground for amplifying our problems and for dredging up the memories we’d rather forget. However, Isaiah 65, particularly verses 17-19, invites us to think in a completely new way. As we read Isaiah 65, the promise of new heavens and a new earth appears to speak only of future events. But, this newness of life is available to us for today, rather than being an out-of-reach tomorrow. Three times this passage in Isaiah uses the word “create.” God is the Creator of the earth and the heavens, acting not just at the beginning of time but as the Giver of life today. God is making all things new—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. As believers in Christ, we participate in God’s creative work here and now. We are becoming new creations. Each morning His steadfast faithfulness allows us to be restored by His compassion and His mercies. Each day, we are moving closer towards the promise of a glorious future where the pains of the past will finally be forgotten. Reflect on the newness that God has brought to your life today. Think of just one thing for which you can be glad and rejoice. The Creator, your heavenly Father, holds the world, the heavens, and your life in His creative hands. Your glorious future has already begun. Evening Prayer Lord God,As I lay down to sleep tonight, I want to release the day’s worries and the “former things” of the past that so often plague my night. Guard my mind as I rest and quiet the anxious thoughts that keep me awake. Instead, I choose to focus my thoughts on Your abundant mercies, and all that You are currently making new in my life. Thank You for being the Creator who never stops making all things new. I surrender this day into Your hands, knowing that You are working even while I sleep. I place my hope and trust in You, believing that beautiful and joyful newness will rise out of what seems hopeless and regretful. Renew my soul tonight. In Jesus’ name.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 11One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.” One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say. Evening Reflection Have you ever prayed for something, only to be surprised when it happened? Or, maybe you’ve prayed for something, but didn’t really believe it could be true? Maybe it was praying to get an “A” on a test you didn’t study for long enough. Or maybe it was something you prayed for for so long that you gave up believing things could ever look any different. I know I did. We don’t mean to, but over time, pain and life experiences can taint our view of healing. They can also taint our view of what it means to pray and trust the Lord. For nearly a decade, I suffered from excruciating periods. When doctors told me I was “normal,” I shook my head in disbelief. I felt like the woman in the Bible who bled for 12 years and spent all she had just to end up worse than before. But then, after two surgeries, my pain significantly lessened. I was in awe. I’d prayed not to be in pain for so long that pain itself became my home. Let me be clear: I still have pain and chronic pain. Endometriosis, just one of many conditions I possess, is no joke. But the pain has gotten better. And that is what I think this passage in Luke 11:1-13 reminds us of: not to give up on hope through prayer. In Luke 11, we see Jesus teaching His Disciples how to pray. This is less about the exact words and more about the condition of our hearts. It’s about asking God to provide for our daily needs (notice it doesn’t say weekly) and learning to trust Him continually. We must continue seeking and knocking, but the healing, the answer to prayer, and the solution we’ve been asking for are ours for the taking. But we must continue to trust. Today, I wonder how many of us trust in this way. Do we keep asking, seeking, knocking, and finding, or have we given up? Do we pray for our daily bread, or try to cram Jesus in when we have time and think 5 minutes will be enough to feed us for an entire week? As you prepare for rest, ask yourself these questions honestly. Then, share your findings with the Lord. Remember, you and I can learn to pray with trust, but we also need to believe when we do. Evening Prayer Dear Jesus,Learning to pray with trust is a daily practice. Help me to do this well and to grow in my relationship with you as I do. When I struggle, I redirect my gaze to you. I love, praise, and thank you, Lord.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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 Romans 6What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Evening Reflection It doesn’t happen all at once. It isn’t as if we are suddenly changed. Don’t we wish. We know those weaknesses we hate are still there – buried deep. Don’t they surprise us sometimes? Our words or even our thoughts? Temper? Gosh, we wish we hadn’t gossiped. And that grudge we’re holding onto? Here is the thing – it should be a bit of a relief that Paul had those very same issues. (Romans 7:15-16) Sometimes he just didn’t understand why he felt a certain way or did the things he did. Argghhh! You know you shouldn’t. You know it’s wrong, and God expects more of you…right? Oh, wait, maybe God doesn’t. God knew exactly who and what you were when you were saved – and He still claimed you. He still gave you new life in Him. The simple fact that you know what is wrong and what is right means you are walking in a new life. It is a new you – and yeah, you’re gonna have to get a bit used to it, aren’t you? You are saved now, and it didn’t have a darned thing to do with anything you did or do – but because of what Christ did for you. And yes, you are special now – not because of what you do or don’t do, but because you belong to Him. And Jesus promised that no one can snatch you from His hands – and that no one will snatch you from His Father’s hands. (John 10:28-29) The promise we see in Romans 6 is that your old self was crucified with Christ. Sure, parts still hang around for now – but because you have died with Him, you have been freed from sin. You are dead to sin, but alive in Christ Jesus. Sin is no longer your master – regardless of the temptations or even occasional missteps - you are no longer under the law. You have a new life in Christ! You are under His grace! Evening Prayer Lord,I know that without you, I cannot be the person you want me to be. I cannot live the life you want me to live. But I know with the help of your Spirit, I can grow in this new life and become the person I want to be in Christ. Lord, I surrender everything to you. Help me to step aside and let your Spirit teach me and guide me.Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Psalm 96Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Evening Reflection Every day we wake up to a new set of unknowns. A day can start off like any other, but then change in an instant. The unpredictability can cause worry and stress to rule the day. But as children of God, we have confidence in the One who truly reigns. It’s hard to understand why some days are easier than others. I wish every day could bring smiles instead of tears, laughter instead of mourning. But if we look at each day in light of who God is in our lives, we will find reason to praise, no matter what today looked like. Psalm 96 is a song about God’s sovereignty—reminding us that God is in control, no matter what the circumstances are. So as nighttime approaches, let’s refresh our thoughts with three reminders from this passage of Scripture. Sing to the Lord.Whatever difficulties we face in our waking hours, we can choose to end each day with a song of praise in our hearts. Recognize the Lord.God forever remains on his throne—he is the Alpha and Omega. He ruled in the beginning, and his reign will never end. The Lord is coming!We can rejoice in the truth that God did not leave us without hope. His son Jesus is coming again one day. There is no better reason to be glad. We are not promised a predictable life. Jesus himself told us we would have trouble, yet he also declared, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Tonight’s Scripture assures us that whatever happened today, we can find rest because God still reigns over all. Evening Prayer Dear God,Some days are harder than others. I want to rest in the truth of who you are in my life instead of being at the mercy of unpredictable days. Put a new song in my heart, Lord. Give me the strength to lift my voice in praise, no matter what today looks like. I am encouraged when I remind myself that you are sovereign. Knowing you are in control relieves me of the worry and stress I carry from things I can’t control. You are my Provider, Healer, and Miracle Worker. Praise your name!Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

EVENING SCRIPTURE Matthew 11After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” EVENING REFLECTION This passage is popular and well known; it speaks a word of a blessed word of invitation: “Come to me, if you are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Do you need rest this night? Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase called “The Message” puts the invitation this way: “Are you tired? Worn out?: “burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you will recover your life; I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me, watch how I do. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” This is an experience that Jesus brings into all our lives. There are often many weights that we carry, burdens that lie on our shoulders. In the ancient world, this was called a yoke. A yoke was a large wooden bar that would be placed across the shoulders of oxen as they plowed a field. It was large, heavy, and kind of burdensome. This became an apt image of the spiritual burdens that people so often carried. These spiritual burdens weary our souls – and when we are wearied, there is only one place to go. We go to Jesus. Jesus says come to ME, learn from Me! Hear ME tell you the truth of grace. Jesus positions himself as the spiritual authority in our lives, and his authority is rooted in your life, a truth grounded in grace, mercy, and love, not in duty or obligation. To learn from Jesus, we need to open our hearts to his voice. Jesus’ words can bring us comfort when we feel in a state of discomfort; peace when we feel that life is spinning out of control; and, in those times when we feel lost or alone, Jesus' gentle words can settle us, calm us, and restore us. As you end the day, take a few uninterrupted minutes to spend time with Jesus. Dare to believe that he is with you. Hand him whatever struggles or stresses that you carry in the moment and open your life to his word of truth. The more you let his words sink into us, the more you will find spiritual fulfillment and blessed rest. EVENING PRAYER Gracious Lord Jesus,Weariness comes in many guises. I can easily be anxious about what I cannot control; I can find myself worried about the tasks and demands that fill my life; And then there are the times where I spend so much energy trying to earn your grace that I am too tired or preoccupied to receive it.And so, in this moment, Lord, I stop all my strivings. And I put down all my worries. I quiet myself in your presence, and I release to you all that I carry. Lord, I place my life before you, and I take up your invitation simply to come, as I am. I dare to believe that as you invite me, so you receive me. Help me hear your life-giving word. As I rest my body, may my soul be at rest in your love. I pray all this in your holy name.Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Psalm 46God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Evening Reflection No matter what kind of craziness is going on in the world around us, even when it seems like it’s spinning out of control and crumbling before our eyes, we can find peace in the midst of it. For those who don’t know the Lord, it doesn’t seem possible, but to those who know the Prince of Peace, we’ve experienced it over and over again. We’ve learned and come to know that God truly is our refuge and strength in ever-present trouble, even more and especially so when we can’t control what’s happening around us. When it seems like there is no place to run or turn, or a lifesaving buoy to grab onto, or a bomb shelter to run to, there is God; ever present, strong, and faithful, offering us peace when it doesn’t look possible, quieting our hearts and minds while chaos spins around us. Whether it’s a world that feels spinning out of control with wars, rumors of wars, natural and man-made disasters happening around us; or personal life turmoil tangled up in anxiety, stress, disappointment, and more occurring deep within us; or when it seems like our relationships, careers, and possessions are all falling apart in front of us, still, we can find peace because God is here for us. With God, we find a peace that prepares us, sustains us during the most difficult of times, and leads us in victory to overcome the world. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Evening Prayer God,My heart takes comfort in knowing that whatever is going on around me, within me, and on the earth, whether personal or in the world in general, I can come to You and find peace; the kind of peace that is more than my mind can comprehend and goes beyond my own understanding. Because Your peace is real and available to me, no matter what trouble is surrounding me or inside of me, I can come to You and find peace.Amen Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. 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.