November 30: Psalm 1:3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.

In this case, “they” refers to those happy ones who delight in the ways of the Lord, and constantly meditate on his word. That word is the stream of water that keeps them vibrant and strong, even when the times are dry and the sun is hot. Their roots run deep, and their source of nourishment does not fail, season by season.

November 29: 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

When the Apostle Paul sat down to write this church, in about 51 AD, he could not have imagined that his words would become the first ever written in what would become the New Testament. These sentences are the closest thing we have to the life of Jesus and the earliest disciples. They were anxiously waiting for his return, and didn’t know when it would be. So are we, and Paul’s words are for us all—it will be when we least expect it, so stay alert and don’t lose hope. The day will come.

November 28: Matthew 20:33 They said to him, “Lord let our eyes be opened.”

As Jesus went about the country, into villages and towns, people in desperate need were drawn to him, especially the blind and lame. When the blind ones heard he was close by, a new hope came to life within them—maybe they could see? Somehow they had already seen with the eyes of the heart, and realized what many could not see, though their eyes were in perfect shape: the savior was close at hand.

November 27: Isaiah 24:16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the righteous one.

It fell to the prophet Isaiah to talk to his people about times of harvest, celebration, and praise. It also fell to him to warn about times of desolation, judgment, and tears. In every circumstance, the prophet sees with God’s eyes, and speaks with his voice. Sometimes sorrow, sometimes joy.

November 26: Psalm 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

The psalmists don’t think too highly of man-made idols, or of the nations that worship them. They have eyes and ears, but they certainly can’t see or hear, and they are not worthy of our gratitude and praise. On this national day of Thanksgiving, we return thanks to the one living God, our creator and sustainer.

November 25: 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…

The Apostle was writing an amazing description of the early Christian community—amazing because they were from all races and tribes, and many were anything but royalty. God’s chosen people, his nation of priests, had wildly expanded to include all who call upon the name of his son, Jesus. It was he who made them holy, not the circumstances of their birth or tribe.

November 24: Matthew 19:16 Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?

If only it were as simple as a good deed!! The man who asks Jesus this question already follows the 10 commandments closely, but is unable to give away his possessions and follow the Way as a disciple. Eternal life is all about the long haul with the Lord, not the Magic Deed.

November 23 1 Peter 1:8 Although you have not seen him you love him; and even thought you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with ...

... an indescribable and glorious joy.

This letter, written toward the end of the first century, was addressed to the first generation of Christians who had not been alive during the lifetime of Christ. The eyewitnesses were dying off, but the next generation was alive and on fire with the Good News. They saw him in the same way we do—in each other, in the poor, in the bread and wine, in the music, in the body.

November 22: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of ...

... the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever noticed that hope seems to go hand in hand with power? When we are hopeless, we are powerless every time. That’s why God is the God of hope, and the God of power.

November 21: Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like an ox.

The prophet looks forward to a time when all of creation will be healed, not just the human family. We are not there yet. The wolf would have to become something entirely unlike his very nature to embrace the lamb. It will be an awesome day.

November 20: Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Of course the New Testament is written in Greek, hence the Alpha and Omega. We can’t really expect Jesus to say , “I am the A and the Z!” But for all future non-Greek speakers, he makes it clear—in everything he starts and finishes, from A to Z he is there.

November 19: Matthew 18:4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus talks a lot about who is great and who is humble, who is the least and who is the most, who is big and who is little in His kingdom. It most always turns out that in every category, His kingdom is the opposite from ours.

November 18: Psalm 119:127 Truly I love your commandments more then gold, more than fine gold.

Psalm 119 is very, very long—176 verses. The whole thing, from beginning to end, is a song of praise for the laws of God, for his statutes, his promises, his rules, and the whole way of life that he commands. The psalmist loves the whole Word of his heavenly father. It is a Word of life for us as well, better then gold!

November 17: Revelation 21:4 Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.

Can we dare to imagine that kingdom? Can we dare to think that what we long for day and night will, in fact, come true for us in the reign of the Lord Jesus? Maranatha--Come, Lord Jesus.

November 16: 1 Maccabees 3:19 It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from heaven.

The Maccabees knew that God was with them, and they knew to trust in his might alone. Like King David long before them, they recognized that horses and chariots will not carry the day—the Living God will carry the day. And he did.

November 15: Acts 28:15 The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On...

...seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

Paul had written the Roman Christians a long letter, hoping to visit them, and meet them in person some day. When he actually did meet them, it was along the road into Rome and he was under arrest, in chains. What an amazing, joyous moment, when they came out to join him on that road, and to walk those final miles with him—fellow believers “welcoming” a brother to town.

November 14: Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, ”If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross...

...and follow me.”

Unfortunately, Jesus does NOT say to take up our picnic basket and follow him. It will be a cross for him, and it will be a cross for all those who would follow him. We could never even imagine doing it on our own. Thank God we don’t have to.

November 13: Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Before this wonderful word of comfort, describing God’s provision for us, the psalmist describes who he is talking to—the ones who make the Lord their refuge, who actually make him their dwelling place. Do we make the Most High our refuge? The angels do.

November 12: Revelation 19:9 And the Angel said to me, "Write this. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

We all have an idea of that “marriage supper.” Jesus himself eats at feasts and celebrations, and he teaches us by talking about feasts. He promises a feast in heaven—a banquet—and provides one here on earth at his altar. All are invited to feast with him. Here and now. Come.

November 11: Psalm 82:8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all nations belong to you.

We are all accountable to the Lord God—for our own individual thoughts, words, and deeds. We are also accountable for what happens in the groups that we belong to—the churches, schools, towns, states, and nations. In so far as we have influence, let it be an example of justice, peace, faith, and hope. God is counting on us to be the leaven in the bread.

November 10: Matthew 15:28 And her daughter was healed instantly.

A foreign woman believed in Jesus, and she believed that he was powerful enough to save her child. He was. He still is. And he is always the powerful one of mercy.

November 9: Nehemiah 9:6 And Ezra said, “You are the Lord, you alone.”

The priest Ezra re-minded the returning exiles of the story of God. He re-told and re-membered tales of God’s power, his creation of all things, his actions in history, and his love for his own people. Ezra called them to repentance and to worship. We all need the reminder—God alone is God.

November 8: Acts 24:21 It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.

The Apostle Paul preached in every location, to every group, with every possible technique to convince people that Jesus Christ had died, and then been raised from the dead. That resurrection—that Good News—is the heart of Paul’s gospel and the heart of our faith.

November 7: Revelation 17:14 The lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

A lamb is the animal sacrificed at the Passover festival meal every year. Jesus told Simon Peter to feed and care for his lambs—his weak children—after he was gone. Jesus also said that he is the shepherd that goes out looking for a lost lamb. But Jesus, the Lamb of God, is also savior, Lord, brother, and king. He is sacrificed and he reigns.

November 6: Psalm 69:33 For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.

We know that God always hears the cries of those in need—of widows and orphans, of the poor and the sick and the suffering. May we also hear their cries and reach out to them in mercy. May we be the instrument of our God, who loves them and loves us.

November 5: Psalm 71:18 O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.

It seems that the Psalmist was okay with being forsaken by God, just not yet—not until the message of salvation had been passed along to the children and grandchildren!! I, too, long to pass along that word, but even when I’m done, I’m counting on God’s steady presence and mercy. Do not forsake me, O God. Ever.

November 4: Matthew 13:57 Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.”

Jesus knows that those who are closest to the prophet are sometimes the least receptive to his or her prophetic work. The work of seeing as God sees and speaking as he speaks is hard, and often lonely. Is there a prophet in our town? In our house?