Your Nightly Scripture

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.

Evening Scripture Revelation, Chapter 3“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Evening Reflection It’s an honor and a burden to recognize that Christ opens doors for us that no man can shut. Such a gift requires an intentional, black-and-white decision. We are left with little room but to obey or disobey, to step into our calling or to shy away from it in the name of comfort or social appearance. But obedience doesn’t require our strength. In fact, Revelation 3:8 reveals that God rejoices over us even in our weak obedience, in giving Him our hearts and allowing Him to do the spiritual heavy lifting. After all, His ability to be the good, sovereign, and almighty God that He is has never rested on our capacity to stay spiritually strengthened at all times. I recognize this reality most when it’s time to go to bed, when my brain knows it needs to unwind and disconnect from the day, but my soul has a list of failures that, in my opinion, need more than honest confession. They need me to feel miserable, guilty, and ashamed. They need me to carry my inadequacies on my sleeve to keep pride at bay. I guess I fall victim to this performance-based hamster wheel because I’ve always been fearful of being the lukewarm Christian we see in this evening’s passage, in verses 15-16. I don’t want my life to be an intolerable, nose-scrunching distaste in God’s mouth. It’s easy to believe that the Christian who is on fire for the Lord is the one making the fewest mistakes, but it’s actually the one who refuses to be indifferent (v 19), who gives faith feet, even if they are weak, wobbly, afraid, and tired from the fight. Keep walking, friend. Remain faithful to the end. Your good, good God sustains you. Evening Prayer Jesus,Thank you that you are not only compassionate in my weakness, but you use my shortcomings to declare your Kingdom and bring heaven to earth. Your faithfulness to my redemption remains until the end. As a sinner, I recognize that I don’t deserve to take part in your glorious plan in such a way, yet I won’t deny your grace. I won’t shy away from the freedom you offer my forgiven heart. Rather, I will unwrap this gift with gratitude and obey your calling no matter how I feel or what I believe I can or can’t offer.Lord, put my fears to rest as I trust that your salvation isn’t something I can earn. Help me remember that it’s a gift free to all who respond in faith, even when their faith isn’t steady and sure.Thank you for your work on the cross and your victory over the tomb. May we rest in your kind, sustaining, powerful resurrection today.In your holy name, Lord God,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 Proverbs 22 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. Saying 1Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you.Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? Saying 2Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. Saying 3Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Saying 4Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Saying 5Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. Saying 6Do you see someone skilled in their work?They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. Evening Reflection Life throws a million curveballs. Sometimes it feels as if they all come at once, and by the grace of God, as they do, the Lord promises to pour out His wisdom, which flows forth as we navigate the issues that come with them. In Proverbs 22, we’re told, “That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.” We can trust in God’s heart to be faithful despite what we may be walking through. Ponder the life of David in the Bible, or even what the disciples, who carried the gospel to many nations, endured. Curveball after curveball. Choice after choice. They could either trust in the heart of God as they faced disparity and circumstances that asked much of them, or they could falter and fall into tremendous worry and fear. They chose to trust. They trusted the wisdom of God to carry them through whatever was presented to them that day. I think that’s one of the greatest things we learn from scripture: they didn’t know much of what was coming, and when faced with big asks from God or the persecution of man, most often they kept walking forward. You have the same invitation to do so. You can trust in God's wisdom and instruction. Not out of fear, but knowing that out of His great love for you, He has given you a book full of wisdom and the Spirit of God to lead you as you journey out your faith in the day-to-day. No matter what tomorrow holds, trust the heart of God to guide you. The wisdom of the Lord and confidence in who He says He is will carry you through anything. Evening Prayer Father,Thank you for the wisdom you generously pour out over me. As the curveballs of my life come, help me to keep my eyes on you as the faithful guide. Make me a brave and bold disciple in the places you have me. Make my life a great witness, one marked by faith in who you are. You are the one constant in my life. You are my only hope. Lead me in your ways and make known to me where your Spirit is leading me.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 Matthew, Chapter 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Evening Reflection The Spirit of God is a sending spirit. Think of a spaceship sitting on a launchpad. What a waste to have it sit there indefinitely. Its entire purpose is to be launched up and out. God enters the story of humanity time and again to bring transformation and good change. The Lord encountered Abraham and sent him to wander a land his descendants would one day inherit. God delivers the Israelites from slavery to a land of promise. God so loved the world that he sent his Son to teach, save, and reconcile us back to himself. What else could the Son of God do but send his disciples out to do the same? It’s the nature of the Spirit he gave them, to go out into all the world and preach the same Gospel Christ did. In Matthew 28, the writer shares what we call the Great Commission, Jesus sending out his disciples to continue the Kingdom mission he began. In John 20:21, Jesus says, “As the Father sent me, so I send you,” and he breathes on them the Holy Spirit, as he received from the Father before his ministry after baptism. We haven’t been given the Spirit to sit in pews but to go and bring hope to others. Could be across the street or around the world. But you have the same sending Spirit to empower you with the Gospel of Peace. Where’s your mission field? Evening Prayer Heavenly Father,You have given me your Spirit, a sending Spirit, and I choose to go. Don’t let me grow comfortable or still when you call me out. Fill me with courage to carry the Gospel into the places you led, across the street or across the world. Open my eyes to the mission field you’re sending me to, and open my heart to people who need hope. As you sent your Son, and as he sent his disciples, now send me. Empower me with the Gospel of Peace, your truth, and your love. Let my life reflect your purpose to reconcile all things back to yourself through Christ.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 Acts, Chapter 9Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. Evening Reflection Have we ever experienced an “Aha” moment, where, in an instant, we seem to suddenly understand something that had been completely hidden from us before? Maybe Jesus hasn’t come to us in a flash of light from heaven, but He has reached out in ways that have changed our lives. A changed life is the fruit of Salvation in Jesus Christ. Like Paul, it doesn’t matter if we have the most frightening or worst reputation around, when Jesus calls us by name, drawing us into His presence, our hearts and minds are transformed in a moment. Transformed not just on the inside, but a transformation that flows out through our words, actions, and attitudes. True renovation of our hearts brings both inward and outward change, where we no longer speak or live as we did before, and our actions reveal the transformation that has occurred deep within us. As Peter’s reaching out to others drew many people to believe in God, so can our transformed lives do the same in the lives of those we meet on life’s journey. Once our lives are transformed by God’s grace, as with Paul and Peter, our faith begins to overflow, reaching out to and spreading the Good News of Salvation to everyone we meet. Maybe not in the miraculous, dramatic, public ways God moved through their lives, but in visible, noticeable, tangible ways that those around us take notice. Evening Prayer God,Here I am, by Your grace, change me, I ask, transform my heart and mind so that others will see that You are real in my life. Like Paul, remove the scales of spiritual blindness from my eyes so that I might see You clearly. Strengthen and empower me, O Lord, to boldly share who You are and how You have transformed my life. Let Your life flow through me, reaching out and drawing those around me who need You to the transformational life You give.Amen. How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion. 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 Psalm 95Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did.For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest.’” Evening Reflection Listen, are we hearing His voice? If not, maybe we’re in our own wilderness time, and it seems like God is distant, like He isn’t interested in what’s going on in our lives? It can seem that way to us at times, when we don’t seem to be hearing His voice. During those times, it is when we need a heart check-up, so we don’t soon find ourselves in a desperate situation, a critical 911 kind of place, with no time to spare. When it seems we can’t hear God, it’s vital to check our hearts, because hardness of heart has a way of creeping in unknowingly. It’s so difficult to detect within ourselves, too, especially if we’re not looking for it, as it takes over more space in our hearts, developing a hard shell that eventually mutes the voice of God in our lives, just when we need Him the most. Tonight and this coming week, we can take steps to reach out and listen for God’s voice by reading His word, spending time in prayer, and opening up our hearts to hear Him. We can ask Him to shine His bright light into our hearts to cleanse, soften, and expose hidden things that have welcomed hardness in us. Because God searches the earth, from one end to the other, looking for hearts turned towards Him, it’s not too late for hardened hearts. We can purposefully turn our hearts towards Him in repentance, away from the hardness, asking Him to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Evening Prayer God,I want to hear your voice in my life. Open my spiritual ears to hear You speaking to me. Shine Your light into my heart, cleansing and softening it to listen for Your voice. Free me from the dullness of hearing to tune my heart and mind to hear Your voice. Strengthen me to humble myself and to be willing to release the hardness of my heart. Teach me to know Your ways. Fill my heart, mind, and lips with joy to praise, worship, and to kneel down before You.Amen. How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion. 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.