FOCUS OF THE MONTH (FOM)
PLANTING GODLY SEEDS
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK (SOW)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. — Psalm 1:3 KJV
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. — Psalm 1:3 ESV
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
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ESV Translation Philosophy
The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on “word-for-word” correspondence, at the same time taking full account of differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and exact force of the original.
In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed a “thought-for-thought” rather than “word-for-word” translation philosophy, emphasizing “dynamic equivalence” rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A “thought-for-thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive views of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.
Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between “formal equivalence” in expression and “functional equivalence” in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Within this framework, we have sought to be “as literal as possible” while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence. Therefore, to the extent that plain English permits and the meaning in each case allows, we have sought to use the same English word for important recurring words in the original; and, as far as grammar and syntax allow, we have rendered Old Testament passages cited in the New in ways that show their correspondence. Thus in each of these areas, as well as throughout the Bible as a whole, we have sought to capture all the echoes and overtones of meaning that are so abundantly present in the original texts.
As an essentially literal translation, taking into account grammar and syntax, the ESV thus seeks to carry over every possible nuance of meaning in the original words of Scripture into our own language. As such, the ESV is ideally suited for in-depth study of the Bible. Indeed, with its commitment to literary excellence, the ESV is equally well suited for public reading and preaching, for private reading and reflection, for both academic and devotional study, and for Scripture memorization.
PRAISE & WORSHIP
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Sunday, March 2, 2025 – JESUS – OUR PLACE OF REST – Psalm 32:1-7
Our Daily Bread Focus: Life struggles; Rest
Today’s Insights
Luke 10:27-37 features one of Jesus’ more widely known parables—the Good Samaritan. What makes it so remarkable is that Samaritans were outcasts. As a result of Assyria’s invasion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Israelites intermarried with Assyrians, resulting in this mixed-race people.
Though hated by the Jews, Samaritans were clearly people Christ cared about, as seen not only in this parable but also in John 4:1-42 in His encounters with a Samaritan woman and in Luke 17:11-19 with a Samaritan leper. God’s care for the Samaritans is just one example of the comprehensive nature of His love described in John 3:16.
Today’s Devotional
One winter day in Michigan, a delivery man noticed an elderly woman shoveling snow off her driveway. He stopped and convinced the eighty-one-year-old to let him finish the job. Concerned that he’d be late delivering his other packages, she retrieved another shovel. They worked side by side for almost fifteen minutes as her neighbors watched from afar. “I’m thankful you helped me,” she said. “You’re God-sent.”
During a conversation with an expert in the law, Jesus redefined the concept of loving our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37). When Jesus asked him to interpret the law he knew so well, the expert said, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (v. 27).
Then Jesus shared a story about two religious leaders who ignored a robbery victim. But a Samaritan—a person most Jewish leaders in those days considered inferior—sacrificed to help the man in need (vv. 30-35). When the expert of the law realized that the one who had mercy on the man had loved like a neighbor, Jesus encouraged him to do likewise (vv. 36-37).
Loving others isn’t always easy or convenient. But as Jesus overwhelms us with His love, He’ll help us love all our neighbors like the Good Samaritan did.
Reflect & Pray
How has God shown you His love through an unexpected neighbor? Who can you show God’s love to in a practical way this week?
Dear Jesus, please give me opportunities to love all the people You created and who call my neighbors.
Today’s Insights
Luke 10:27-37 features one of Jesus’ more widely known parables—the Good Samaritan. What makes it so remarkable is that Samaritans were outcasts. As a result of Assyria’s invasion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Israelites intermarried with Assyrians, resulting in this mixed-race people.
Though hated by the Jews, Samaritans were clearly people Christ cared about, as seen not only in this parable but also in John 4:1-42 in His encounters with a Samaritan woman and in Luke 17:11-19 with a Samaritan leper. God’s care for the Samaritans is just one example of the comprehensive nature of His love described in John 3:16.
Today’s Devotional
One winter day in Michigan, a delivery man noticed an elderly woman shoveling snow off her driveway. He stopped and convinced the eighty-one-year-old to let him finish the job. Concerned that he’d be late delivering his other packages, she retrieved another shovel. They worked side by side for almost fifteen minutes as her neighbors watched from afar. “I’m thankful you helped me,” she said. “You’re God-sent.”
During a conversation with an expert in the law, Jesus redefined the concept of loving our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37). When Jesus asked him to interpret the law he knew so well, the expert said, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (v. 27).
Then Jesus shared a story about two religious leaders who ignored a robbery victim. But a Samaritan—a person most Jewish leaders in those days considered inferior—sacrificed to help the man in need (vv. 30-35). When the expert of the law realized that the one who had mercy on the man had loved like a neighbor, Jesus encouraged him to do likewise (vv. 36-37).
Loving others isn’t always easy or convenient. But as Jesus overwhelms us with His love, He’ll help us love all our neighbors like the Good Samaritan did.
Reflect & Pray
How has God shown you His love through an unexpected neighbor? Who can you show God’s love to in a practical way this week?
Dear Jesus, please give me opportunities to love all the people You created and who call my neighbors.
Today’s Insights
In Acts 3:12-25, Peter preached the gospel to a crowd after healing a lame beggar. Regarding the people’s part in Jesus’ death, he said: “This is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer” (v. 18). These prophets included David (Psalm 69:4, 21), Isaiah (Isaiah 50:6; 53:4-11), and Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10; 13:7).
In Psalm 22, David expresses words that Christ cries aloud from the cross (v. 1; see Matthew 27:46), His mistreatment (Psalm 22:6-8; see Matthew 27:27-31, 41-44), and the dividing of His garments (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35). Peter’s words in Acts 3:17-18 are reminiscent of Joseph’s words to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Today’s Devotional
Moses with horns? That’s the way he’s depicted in Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture completed in 1515. Two horns protrude from Moses’ hair just above his forehead.
Michelangelo wasn’t alone—many Renaissance and medieval artists depict Moses that way. Why? It has to do with the Latin translation of the Hebrew Bible available at the time, which described Moses’ radiant face after being in God’s presence (see Exodus 34:29). The original language uses a word related to “horns” to describe “beams” of light shining from Moses’ face, and the Latin Vulgate Bible translated it literally. Moses was “misread.”
Have you ever misread someone? After a man unable to walk from birth was healed by Peter in Jesus’ name (Acts 3:1-10), the apostle told his fellow Israelites that they had misread Jesus. “You killed the author of life,” he said pointedly, “but God raised him from the dead” (v. 15). He continued, “This is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer” (v. 18). Peter even said Moses had pointed to Christ (v. 22).
It was “by faith in the name of Jesus,” a “faith that comes through him,” that the man’s life was transformed (v. 16). No matter how we’ve misunderstood Him or what our past contains, Christ welcomes us when we turn to Him. The author of life stands ready to write new beginnings for us!
Reflect & Pray
How have you misread Jesus? What will help you understand Him even better today?
Thank You, Jesus, for always understanding and loving me.
For further study, read The Point of It All—Why We Might Miss Jesus.
Today’s Insights
The context of Isaiah 40’s description of God’s power as creator (vv. 12, 22, 26) is one of bringing comfort to His people: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem” (vv. 1-2). After their experience of suffering in exile, God’s people needed reassurance that He was still willing and able to care for them. God through Isaiah asked, “ ‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ . . . Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?” (vv. 25-26).
The question of who created the heavens likely directly challenged the commonly held belief in Babylonian and Canaanite religion that stars in the heavens represented gods. Isaiah’s question not only dismisses the idea that any gods could be compared with the true God but went further by arguing that what were believed to be gods were merely His creations.
Today’s Devotional
In February 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope made another remarkable discovery. Beyond where humankind had previously been able to peer into the universe, it discovered six new galaxies. This discovery upended much of what we know about space. One astronomer remarked, “It turns out we found something so unexpected it actually creates problems for science.” An astrophysicist said almost apologetically, “There is nothing wrong with not knowing.”
It seems that God continues to surprise us all. The prophet Isaiah, long before the advent of space telescopes, seems to be talking directly to the scientists of today: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is . . . the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28). He goes on, predating that astrophysicist’s words, “[God’s] understanding no one can fathom” (v. 28).
But if we stop there, we miss the beauty of this passage. He who is unfathomable is not impersonal. He who created those six galaxies, and all the others (v. 26), is the same God who “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (v. 29). The God of the universe is also the personal God who helps those who hope in Him to “soar on wings like eagles” (v. 31). Rest assured, the unfathomable God is the one we do know—the one who speaks into our lives with power and strength.
Reflect & Pray
What does it mean to you to think of God as unfathomable yet personal? How is He personal to you?
God of the universe, thank You for being my heavenly Father. I place my hope in You to provide me wisdom and strength.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 – NOT EASILY OFFENDED – Proverbs 19:8-13
Daily Bread Focus: Humility; Love for others; Mercy
Scripture(s): Matthew 6:14-15; Micah 6:8; James 1:19
Today’s Insights
God told Solomon, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:12). Over time, Solomon authored many of the proverbs. His divine wisdom, however, didn’t prevent him from great acts of foolishness. In Deuteronomy 17:16-17, God warned that when Israel had a king, he wasn’t to multiply horses (a symbol of military security) or foreign wives (political alliances for security of the throne).
The clear implication was that the king was to find his security in God—the one true king of Israel. Solomon foolishly ignored those warnings, acquiring so many horses that he needed to build cities for their keeping and care (1 Kings 10:26). In addition, he accumulated seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (11:3). These women turned Solomon’s heart away from God (v. 4). Due to Solomon’s foolishness, God dealt with him in judgment (vv. 9-13).
Today’s Devotional
When I entered my church after several months of quarantine, I was excited to see members I hadn’t seen in a while. I realized that some members, especially older ones, just wouldn’t be back—some due to safety reasons and others, unfortunately, because they’d passed from this life. So I was quite excited when I spotted an older couple coming into the sanctuary and taking their normal seat behind me. I waved at them both. The man returned my greeting, while his wife stared at me without even smiling. I was hurt and wondered why.
It was a few Sundays later that I observed the same woman (who hadn’t returned my greeting) being helped by a friend who was showing her when to stand or sit—acting as her caregiver. My old church friend was apparently very sick and hadn’t recognized me. I’m glad I didn’t approach her or even get upset when she didn’t return my enthusiastic greeting.
Proverbs offers a lot of advice for living wisely, and not being easily offended is one of its gems. In fact, it says “sensible people . . . earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (19:11 nlt). Choosing not to get offended and learning to “control [our] temper” (v. 11 nlt) can bring us honor. It may require patience and “wisdom” (v. 8), but the rewards also are well worth getting over ourselves and choosing to love others.
Reflect & Pray
When were you offended by someone’s actions? When is it the right thing to overlook an offense?
God of mercy, thank You for overlooking the times I’ve offended You. Please give me the wisdom to do the same for others.
Today’s Insights
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus promises to provide for our needs. One of the most dramatic examples of God’s comprehensive care took place in the desert as the Israelites journeyed to the promised land. They were totally dependent on the divine Shepherd during their forty-year trek. And, just as God provides for the birds (Matthew 6:26) and clothes the flowers (vv. 28-29), He provided food for His people and clothing that didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy 8:3-4)!
Moses explained the purpose of the wilderness classroom: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna . . . to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (v. 3). Our physical cravings are meant to reveal a deeper, spiritual dependence on God whose words sustain us. We can spend our energy focused on His interests, knowing He’ll take care of all our needs (Matthew 6:33).
Today’s Devotional
Nancy feared the future, seeing only trouble. Her husband Tom had fainted three times during a hiking trip in rural Maine. But doctors at a small nearby hospital found nothing wrong. At a larger medical center, where doctors conducted additional tests, they also found no problem. “I was very afraid,” Nancy stated. As her husband was released, she questioned the cardiologist one last time, asking, “What do we do now?” He gave her words of wisdom that forever changed her outlook. “Go live your life,” he said. “It wasn’t in a flippant way,” Nancy recalls. “It was his advice to us.”
Such guidance captures Jesus’ instruction in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25). Such guidance doesn’t say to ignore medical or other problems or symptoms. Instead, Christ simply said, “Do not worry” (v. 25). He then asked, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (v. 27).
The prophet Isaiah offered similar wisdom. “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come’ ” (Isaiah 35:4). For Nancy and Tom, they’re inspired now to walk more than five miles a day. No longer walking with worry, they step out with joy.
Reflect & Pray
What’s your greatest fear? How can giving your worry to Christ enhance your life?
If I’m feeling worried today, dear Jesus, please grant me confidence to give my fear to You as I live out Your peace.
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – THE LIST IS LIFE – Numbers 26:1-4, 20-22
Our Daily Bread Focus: Bible Study; Big Story of the Bible; Salvation
Today’s Insights
The Bible contains a variety of lists, including several genealogies. But rather than being boring data, they provide relevant information. Jewish genealogies typically don’t include women, but five are included in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1: Mary, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba). In addition, all except Mary were most likely gentiles.
Some had histories that could have made them unmentionable in such a list. For example, Tamar slept with her father-in-law, Judah (Genesis 38), and Rahab was a prostitute (Joshua 2:1). Yet by their inclusion, we see that God used imperfect, sinful people to fulfill His purposes.
It’s not surprising that we learn much from such lists, for 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Today’s Devotional
Hunched over a manual typewriter, Itzhak Stern worked through the night, tapping out names—1,098 in all. The names comprised a list of Jewish workers protected from the Nazis by factory owner Oskar Schindler. Clutching the document, Stern declared, “The list is an absolute good. The list is life.” Those named on its pages would survive the Holocaust. In 2012, it was estimated that the descendants of the survivors numbered 8,500.
The Bible contains its share of lists. We tend to skip them. Too many names; too much repetition. We might even say today’s reading is . . . boring. “The descendants of Judah by their clans were: through Shelah, the Shelanite clan; through Perez, the Perezite clan . . .” (Numbers 26:20). Who cares?
God cares! “These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt,” says the historical record (v. 4). Soon the people would inhabit the land promised to them. And one day, Messiah would come from this very clan of Judah. The list is life, not only for the Jewish people but for all who trust in Jesus.
We know of Oskar Schindler’s list from the powerful film Schindler’s List and historical records. We know of God’s great salvation from the story recorded for us in the Bible. As we read the Scriptures, may His Spirit show us the worth of even the lists. They have something to say to us too.
Reflect & Pray
What portions of the Bible are the most boring to you? How might you read even these sections with new eyes?
Dear God, please help me read the Bible carefully. May Your Spirit guide me to see the value in each verse.
Gain the tools necessary to study any part of the Bible carefully.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
PRAY MORE, WORRY LESS!
“Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change.” — as quoted by TobyMac, an American Christian Rapper and Singer.
I recently read this quote and thought it was the answer for uncertain times when people are worried about their jobs, the high cost of living, and the liberties we took for granted, which the new administration is now taking away.
There’s too much uncertainty this year, but we waste energy and time when we worry. When we worry, we give ourselves over to anxiety and let it rule us. We allow our mind to dwell on it instead of on God.
When we worry, we talk to ourselves about things we cannot change, but when we pray, we trust in the One who made the universe, who is all-powerful.
He cares about our every need. Instead of our anxiety, we can be confident that God works for the good of those who love and trust Him.
Like the verse in Philippians 4:7 says, when we pray, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. What a tremendous promise! So, let’s stop worrying and start praying!
Turn your WORRY LIST into a PRAYER LIST. Why?
Because worry never changes things. Prayer does.
Prayer always works.
CHRISTIAN-BASED MOVIE OF THE MONTH
***The Daily Devotionals are taken from Our Daily Bread Ministries and the Scriptures are from the BibleGateway.***
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