October Day 4

Jeremiah 7–9 – The people in Judah did not honor God with their lives. They failed to obey him but thought their temple attendance and religious behavior could save them. Religious behavior isn’t what God desires. He wants obedience and faithfulness. The false prophets gave the people a false hope by telling the people what they wanted to hear and that they were fine. We must tell the truth about what God says and be grateful for those who speak the truth even when it isn’t easy to hear. The only thing we should find confidence in is knowing God and understanding his truth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–15 – Things in life are seasonal and cyclical. It is important for us to learn to enjoy the seasons we are in and to understand the cycles of life and live wisely in each cycle. God has created us for so much more than the seasons in cycles. An eternal view can help us endure and even enjoy each season and cycle.

John 1:35–42 – John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah when he looked at him. God gave him eyes to see Jesus for who he was. Jesus invited John’s disciples to come and see for themselves where Jesus was staying, but it was really an invitation to come and see for themselves who Jesus was. When they recognized him as the Messiah, they invited others to come and see for themselves. When we see Jesus for who he is, we should respond by inviting others to come and see for themselves.

James 2:1–13 – We should not show favoritism to those who are rich or can benefit us the most. We shouldn’t let those who are wealthy determine how we do ministry. God is the one who does that. If wealth begins to drive our decisions, then wealth has taken the place of God. The wealthy often create the most resistance because they often believe their wealth should position them to have power. They have lost sight of the one who gave them all that they have in the first place and don’t recognize they are only managers of God's money. We should love and minister to people equally, regardless of financial status. God loves people because they are people, not because of their financial status.