TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 10:13-31
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. - Luke 18:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Exclusive country clubs won't let just anyone join. Initiation fees can cost $100,000 or more, with additional monthly dues that exceed $10,000. Other clubs insist on a referral from an existing member. Entrance into these clubs requires certain qualifications.

Today we begin a study that examines the stories of children in the Bible. We will focus on what they reveal about God and His relationship to us, as well as lessons from these children that apply to us all, whether young or old. In the story of Jesus welcoming the little children, we discover that the qualifications for entering the kingdom of God do not include riches or popularity.

This story appears in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (cf. Matt. 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17). People brought young children to Jesus for His prayers and blessings, and the disciples demonstrated their frustration by rebuking these people. To understand the perspective of the disciples, it's helpful to remember that in that culture children had very little status or rights. The disciples were trying to protect Jesus' time and energy and guard His status.

Jesus, though, welcomed the little children; verse 16 gives the warm description that “he took the children in his arms.” Jesus was not too busy to extend love and value even to those disregarded by the rest of society. He then made a point about the kingdom of God: one must be like a little child in order to enter it (v. 15). Jesus was outlining the qualifications required: acknowledging that we have no spiritual status or rights and recognizing that we need Jesus.

In all three Gospels, this story is immediately followed by the story of the Rich Young Man (vv. 17-22). He sought to enter the kingdom of God, but he wanted to rely on his wealth and status. He was unwilling to become like a little child, totally dependent and in need of a Savior. The little children received a blessing from Jesus, but the Rich Young Man went away sad.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you understand what is required to enter the kingdom of God, the way to “inherit eternal life?” (v. 17). God does not screen out people on the basis of wealth or status. He welcomes all those who recognize that apart from Jesus, they have no hope of salvation. If you have never acknowledged your need for Jesus, let today be the day when you come to Him as a humble child and trust Him to save you. If you would like to talk to someone about salvation, you can call 1-800-NEED HIM.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 21:8-21
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. - Psalm 116:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a report released in May by the National Center on Family Homelessness, nearly 1.2 million U.S. children have “precarious” living arrangements, meaning that they share housing with friends or relatives, or live in a family who pays an extremely high percentage of income for housing. Another 330,000 children are completely homeless, living either in shelters or on the street. Our story today examines a child whose precarious living arrangement became homelessness. His story becomes a story of God's incredible grace.

Ishmael was surrounded by circumstances beyond his control. He was half-Egyptian, and he and his mother, the slave Hagar, lived with his father Abraham. His family could certainly be described as dysfunctional; Abraham's wife Sarah had a history of mistreating Hagar (see Genesis 16). Once Sarah's own son, Isaac, was born, she hated the idea that Ishmael might share in the inheritance, and she ordered Abraham to send away both him and Hagar. Ishmael became homeless, a victim of jealousy and power.

Ishmael was not the child that God had promised to Abraham, yet God extended grace to him (vv. 12-13). As Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the desert, all hope seemed lost. Hagar's pain in verse 16 is heart-wrenching; she sobbed in grief, expecting her son to die. But God heard his cry and responded, keeping His promise both to Hagar (Gen. 16:10) and to Abraham (v. 13). God repeated His promise again to Hagar, telling her that Ishmael would not only survive this desert experience, but also become a great nation (v. 18). Ishmael's name means, “God hears,” and God proved He was still the “God who sees me,” still hearing the cry of those in desperate circumstances (cf. Gen. 16:13). God's faithfulness was evident in the life of Ishmael. As he grew into adulthood, God was with him (v. 20). God had chosen Isaac as the son of Abraham that would be the son of promise, but He extended His grace outside the chosen line to preserve, protect, and prosper Ishmael, the other son of Abraham.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Children in need fill our neighborhoods and communities. Some need food, some need academic help, and some need loving adult mentors. Consider how you might extend the love and grace of God to them. You could volunteer at a local food pantry or tutor some children at the library. You might assist an afterschool program with adult leadership or even just with snacks. God cares for the children who appear to fall through the cracks, and we can show them His love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 17:7-24
Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth. - 1 Kings 17:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
Few things are more excruciating than the grief of a parent who experiences the death of a child. It wrenches the natural order—parents expect their children to outlive them. According to The Mother's Report, published by Save the Children, every day 26,000 children die around the world, many from malnutrition and its accompanying diseases.

The mother in our passage today knew the piercing pain of losing a child. The widow of Zarephath was not an Israelite, yet she was the one chosen by God to provide for His prophet, Elijah (v. 9). In return, God miraculously provided food for her and her son during the famine. She was not among the chosen people of God, yet she gave generously in obedience to God's command.

And then tragedy struck. Her only son stopped breathing and died (v. 17). She poured out her grief in an interrogation of Elijah: “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” (v. 18). Like those in sorrow before and after her, she begged to know, “Why?” Elijah's prayer revealed his own confusion. This woman had been obedient and generous. Why had God allowed this to happen (v. 20)?

God responded to Elijah's cry and restored life to the boy. The prophet carried him to his mother: “Look, your son is alive!” (v. 23). This amazing event confirmed Elijah's identity for the widow, and she recognized the truth from the Lord that he represented. Interestingly, God did not explicitly answer the questions of Elijah and the mother. He raised the boy to life, but He did not explain why all this happened.

A few principles emerge from this story. First, God cares about the suffering of mothers over the death of their children. He is not emotionally aloof. Second, the miracle of restored life confirmed the identity of Elijah, God's prophet, and the truth that he spoke. Although Elijah and the widow didn't know it, there is more to this story, which we'll see in the coming days.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when we hear a statistic that 26,000 children die each day. Though we might not be in a position to dramatically reduce that number, we can each do something to reach out to children and their families who are suffering. Some ideas include sending cards to children in hospitals, volunteering and visiting children, and financially giving to hospitals who provide specialized care for sick children. And all of us can intercede in prayer as Elijah did, asking God to do a mighty work of healing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6
Because you have seen me, you have believed. - John 20:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
Proof is a concept we can understand. We say, “The proof is in the pudding.” We respond when asked for proof of identification or proof of insurance. We believe that deeds will prove whether words were true. Proof gives us confidence that we aren't falling for a scam.

The story of the son of the Shunammite Woman ends with dramatic proof. This story contains some parallels to our reading yesterday of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. In this passage, the prophet Elisha was offered hospitality by a wealthy woman in the town of Shunem. This town in the tribal area of Issachar was situated near a major thoroughfare and would have been a convenient place to stay as Elisha traveled about the country in his ministry. The Shunammite, recognizing that Elisha was a man of God, went beyond providing meals; she and her husband built an addition to their home for him!

In response to her generosity, Elisha offered to help the woman in some way.

Realizing that she had no children, he told her that she would have a son in the next year. The promised son was born—but then as a child, he suddenly died (4:20). The Shunammite immediately went to Elisha, who came to the boy. Elisha prayed and stretched himself over the boy, and life returned to him. In a manner similar to the story yesterday, Elisha returned the boy to his mother.

Later, Elisha warned the woman and her family to leave the area during a severe famine (8:1). Seven years later, the woman returned, and she sought to regain the land and house that she had left. This scene was beautifully orchestrated: God had Elisha's servant, Gehazi, at the right place at the right time. He was in the middle of describing the powerful works of Elisha. Just as he said that Elisha had restored the dead to life, the Shunammite entered. Gehazi pointed to her—and her son, who had been dead but who was now standing there very much alive—as proof of Elisha's ministry. Amazed, the king granted the woman's request and more.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we saw yesterday, God's restoration of life to this son was proof of His power. This story provides a foretaste of the resurrection of God's Son, Jesus, whose living flesh was proof of His claims and evidence that God had provided salvation for all who believe. If you have time for additional reading this week, read through John 20: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 7:11-22
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. - Luke 7:22
TODAY IN THE WORD
From age 16 to 18, Frank Abagnale flew over one million miles to 26 countries—for free. He would dress in an airline pilot's uniform, carry false identity papers, and go through the crew entrance, saying that he needed to “deadhead” (the term for flights that crew make when they are not on duty) to another city. He would present forged payroll checks to support his lavish lifestyle. Frank looked and sounded the part, but he was not who he claimed to be.

The question of identity appears in our reading today as well. Over the past few days, we've seen that God cares about the plight of children, even rescuing them from death. In the stories of the sons of the widow of Zarephath and the Shunammite woman, we also see that God used these events to confirm the identity of His prophets, Elijah and Elisha.

The parallels of those accounts and our story today are striking. The only son of a widow had died (v. 12). Jesus was moved by compassion and touched the coffin. The son sat up and began to talk. In a phrase almost identical to those in our stories the past two days, Luke says that “Jesus gave him back to his mother” (v. 15). Finally, the crowd responded with recognition that this miracle echoed the healings of the great prophets.

The crowd was right—to a point. The Gospel of Luke clearly establishes this miracle as something that puts Jesus in the line of Elijah and Elisha. Yet it doesn't stop there. As word spread, followers of John the Baptist asked Jesus, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (v. 20). The crowd had been content to call Jesus a great prophet, but John the Baptist wanted to know the real identity of Jesus. Are you the Messiah, the Christ? Jesus responded by quoting from Isaiah 61. This work substantiated His claim. He was no impostor. He was Christ the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The stories from the past few days of these sons who die before having life restored can help give us a measure of comfort during our grief. First, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus all recognized the grief as legitimate. They responded to the mothers with compassion. Second, as readers of Scripture we see some of God's great work through these events, even if the mothers and sons themselves never knew how God was using their lives to point forward to Jesus. We may not know “why” on this earth, but we do know “Who” is in control.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 5:21-43
Don’t be afraid; just believe. - Mark 5:36
TODAY IN THE WORD
Parents use a time-honored technique to get their hesitant children into the swimming pool for the first time. Dad stands a few yards from the edge, opens his arms, and says, “Jump to me!” The idea, of course, is that the fearful child will not focus on the unknown depth of the water or the scary notion of going under the water—or even the water at all. The child will focus on the secure arms of Dad, and jump to him.

This principle of trust seems simple when we think of young children jumping into a pool. It can be far more challenging for us when we are jumping into life's deep end, and we struggle to fixate on the strong arms of our Father instead of the unknown depth. In our reading today, Jesus encountered a desperate father with a gravely ill daughter, and we see more of what it means to trust God.

The father, Jairus, begged Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus agreed to go with him. But as they made their way to Jairus's home, Jesus was interrupted by a suffering woman who longed to be healed. She believed that even a touch of His clothes could heal her. But Jesus stopped His procession after sensing that something had happened (v. 30). When she came forward, Jesus acknowledged her great faith and sent her on her way, free from her anguish. Imagine how Jairus felt during this exchange! He knew his daughter didn't have much time. Jesus had agreed to come, and now He was having a conversation with someone else! His worst fears were realized when he got word that indeed, his daughter had died. Jesus was too late.

Jesus responded to Jairus and this news in an interesting way. He didn't make an excuse or an argument or an explanation. He simply told Jairus, “Don't be afraid; just believe” (v. 36). By the time they reached the home, the grieving rituals were in full swing. Jesus entered the house, took the girl's hand, and instructed her to get up. And immediately she did, fully healed and restored to her parents.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps you or someone you love is struggling with the depth of life's difficulties. Jesus doesn't ask us to pretend that these circumstances aren't real or hard. But He does ask us to trust Him. If you are struggling to hold on to God's strong arms at this time, spend time reading the Psalms that capture honest crying out to God. It might be helpful to memorize some psalms to help you keep your focus on the Lord. Psalm 40 is a good place to start, and you can find other psalms that directly apply to your struggles.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 16:16-34
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a 2004 report from the U.S. State Department, human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity. Each year, around 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked—and 50 percent of those are children. Sometimes children are kidnapped; others are lured with false promises of lucrative work. Instead, they become indentured servants in mines, sex workers, child soldiers, or sweatshop slaves.

Exploiting children for profit is not new, and our reading today includes the story of a slave girl whose owners were making a great deal of money from her demon-possessed powers.

As the book of Acts recounts how Paul and Silas started the church in Philippi, we are introduced to a diverse assortment of people. First was Lydia, the wealthy woman who believed the gospel and opened her home to the missionaries; second was the slave girl, who could not have been more opposite to Lydia. She had no control over the fortune she was producing, and no status in the city. The work of God in both Lydia and the slave girl reminds us that the gospel can transform anyone, whether rich or poor, slave or free.

The spirit that controlled this girl was known as a truth-telling spirit, and her owners used her to tell fortunes. But this spirit also began proclaiming the truth about Paul and Silas; day after day the girl would follow Paul and his companions shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (v. 17).

This was, in fact, the truth. But Paul was not content to let the truth about him and his mission be proclaimed as a means to support evil and to profit from this girl's slavery. In the name of Jesus, he commanded the spirit to leave her, freeing her from her demon-possession. But freeing her from the spirit also meant depriving her owners of their profits. Furious, they brought legal charges against Paul and Silas. They valued greed over deliverance.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul understood the value of this girl's life—not just her profits. Will we stand for the value of life, even when others profit from its abuse and destruction? Abortion destroys thousands of lives every day in the United States, and many people profit from it, whether financially, socially, or politically. We certainly need to be prayer warriors on this issue. Perhaps you could also support a crisis pregnancy center in your area by volunteering, donating needed supplies, or giving financially.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Judges 11:29-40
When a man makes a vow to the Lord . . . he must not break his word but must do everything he said. - Numbers 30:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2004, an outbreak of polio swept through children in northern Nigeria. Vaccinations are used worldwide, and the disease has largely been eradicated. But in the Nigerian state of Kano, rumors spread that the polio vaccine was intended to make the children sterile or even give them AIDS. Despite pleas from neighboring countries and world health leaders, several Nigerian states boycotted the vaccine for several years. Thousands of children paid the price, becoming crippled or even dying from polio.

For the past several days, we've examined stories of children in the Bible that demonstrate God's care for children, especially those in distress, and we've seen how we can trust our God to be faithful. Today we turn to look at several stories that illustrate ways that children pay the price of their parents' decisions.

In today's reading, Jephthah prayed to the Lord to ask for victory in battle over the Ammonites. So far, so good: Jephthah acknowledged his need for divine assistance in defeating these oppressors of Israel. Then Jephthah made a vow to God—if given the military victory, he would offer “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me” as a burnt offering (v. 31). While this might seem generous, it was unnecessary; the Law didn't require any burnt offering for such an occasion.

Tragically, the first thing from his house to meet Jephthah was his daughter, his only child (v. 34). The price of his impetuous promise would be paid by this young girl. Jephthah's daughter did not argue or beg him to go back on his word to the Lord. She demonstrated understanding that a vow to God is a sacred commitment; God had fulfilled Jephthah's request, and now he had to follow through (v. 36).

Jephthah's daughter paid the price for his unwise oath. But in the larger context, the book of Judges depicts a culture spiraling out of control, becoming increasingly evil, and devastating those who are most helpless, like the young daughter of Jephthah.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The choices made by parents have consequences for their children. Even if you have no children of your own or your children are grown, each of us faces choices that impact the culture around us, sometimes in ways we might not realize. Are we living in a way that promotes spiritual health and life for the children around us? Do we acknowledge our dependence on the Lord? Do we make rash commitments without counting the cost? Ask God to make you a source of spiritual blessing for the children in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 6:14-29
If anyone causes one of these little ones . . . to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned. - Matthew 18:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last year, police in Philadelphia arrested a man who used his 6-year-old nephew to steal from student backpacks at the University of Pennsylvania. The police noted that it was the third time in six months that they had apprehended thieves who used children as pickpockets.

Today's reading presents a chilling account of a parent willfully encouraging a child to do evil. Herodias used her daughter to accomplish the fate she wanted to befall John the Baptist.

The daughter of Herodias lived in a toxic family environment. Her uncle, Herod, had married her mother. John the Baptist had denounced the illicit marriage for the adulterous union that it was. His courageous stand for truth outraged Herodias; she “nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him” (v. 19). Herod was willing to placate her by imprisoning John. But Herod was also afraid of John and refused to have him executed. This daughter lived in a household comprised of a seething, plotting wife and a weak-willed, intemperate husband.

When Herodias saw her chance to take advantage of her husband's ego (and likely drunkenness), she had no qualms about using her daughter to get what she wanted (v. 24). Her daughter could get away with doing what she couldn't. Not only did Herodias want vengeance on the prophet who had dared to question her moral conduct, she also implicated her daughter in the plot to destroy him.

Sadly, the daughter of Herodias willingly complied with the scheme. As instructed, she asked for John's head on a platter, “right now” (v. 25). The trap for Herod worked; he didn't want to be embarrassed in front of his guests. He knew that John was “a righteous and holy man,” but in the battle between saving face and saving John, his pride won (v. 20). The daughter of Herodias achieved her mother's evil intentions and delivered the proof of John's death.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our hearts should be grieved whenever children are exploited for evil ends. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against Satan's desire to cause a little one to sin. Moms in Touch is a network of mothers who meet weekly to pray for the schools their children attend. Some churches do regular prayer walks through their community, praying for the families and children who live there. Spend time today praying for the children in your family, church, and community, that they would be protected from evil influences.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 27:1-28:5
“First sell me your birthright.” “What good is the birthright to me?” - Genesis 25:31-32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jan Dahlin Geiger, a financial planner in Texas, says that the average inheritance is spent within five years. This makes sense with smaller amounts of money that people use to pay off a car loan or mortgage. But some beneficiaries of large bequests manage to spend even vast sums quickly. John Harvey, seventh Marquess of Bristol, died at the age of 44 after spending about $70 million on drugs and parties.

In our reading today, we discover another young man who didn't value his inheritance and gave it up. The story of Jacob and Esau demonstrates that our choices reflect our values.

Jacob and Esau were conceived as God's answer to the prayer of their father, Isaac (Gen. 25:21). Tension flared between the brothers from the very beginning, even before birth. Esau reflected the preferences of his father; Jacob was Rebekah's favorite, and he mirrored her activities and interests. Genesis 25:29-34 describes the fateful exchange that revealed the priorities of the two brothers. Esau, tired and hungry, demanded some stew from Jacob. Jacob, seeing an opportunity to manipulate his brother, insisted that Esau trade his birthright for stew. The birthright was more than just a financial inheritance. It included spiritual blessings and the designation as the favored son through whose line the blessings would flow. Esau was willing to sacrifice long-term blessing for short-term satisfaction. He valued material things like stew over spiritual blessings.

The events in our passage today happened some years later. It seems that Esau had forgotten about his oath to trade his birthright for lentils, and now desired the blessing of his father (v. 39). But Jacob and Rebekah had not forgotten, and they enacted a scheme to deceive Isaac and ensure that Jacob received the blessing of the birthright. The Bible doesn't candy-coat the methods used by Jacob and his mother. Later in life, Jacob was painfully deceived by his own sons (see Gen. 37:29-35). Despite his lies and deceit, though, God honored the blessing given by Isaac, and Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You might be worried about what sort of legacy you will leave your children and grandchildren. Perhaps you've seen your 401K or other investments plummet in the last year, and you fear you won't have the financial resources you expected. A financial inheritance can be a blessing, and we should exercise wisdom with our financial planning. But even greater is a legacy of spiritual values and priorities. All of us can strive to pass that along to our loved ones, no matter the state of the stock market.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 4:1-26
By their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pauline and Esther Friedman were identical twins. Growing up in Sioux City, Iowa, the two girls were inseparable. They played together, went to college together, and even had a double wedding. But then their relationship hit a nearly insurmountable obstacle. Esther became an advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Three months later, Pauline started her own advice column—and she offered it to the Sioux City Journal at a reduced rate if they would agree not to run her sister's column. The two sisters, better known by their pen names of Ann Landers and Abigail van Buren, began a feud that lasted at least a decade. They never regained their close relationship.

Our reading today contains the story of the first children in the Bible. Sadly, the account of Cain and Abel is not a happy tale. The setting for the conflict occurred when they each brought a sacrifice to the Lord. The text emphasizes that Abel gave generously: he offered the “fat portions” from some of his “firstborn” animals (v. 4). Cain, on the other hand, offered merely “fruits” (v. 3).

Cain reacted to God's evaluation of the offerings with anger and pouting (v. 5). At this point, God graciously confronted Cain about his offering and his attitude and warned him to battle the sin that threatened to overtake him. Cain's fate was not decided; he had a choice to repent and turn from his sinful actions and attitudes. Instead of repentance, though, Cain chose revenge.

After his lackluster sacrifice and anger, Cain compounded his sin with premeditated murder and then lying to God. The Lord responded to these choices with judgment: Cain was exiled from that place and from God's favor (v. 14). Even in judgment, though, God showed mercy by protecting Cain's life. Cain apparently passed along his disregard for God to the rest of his family (vv. 23-24). The chapter ends with a final note of grace, as God allowed Adam and Eve to have another son, and a spiritual revival ensued (v. 26).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Cain persisted in sinful choices; God persisted in mercy. God allows us to suffer the consequences of our sin, but even in this dark story of conflict and rivalry and murder, God continued to show His boundless grace: He warned Cain, protected Cain, and gave Adam and Eve another son. If you are battling sin today, you do have another option. Confess it to the Lord and rely on His power and forgiveness. Ask Him to help you turn from that path and choose to do what is right. God delights to shower grace on His people.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. - Proverbs 12:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dave Cullen's book Columbine seeks to explain the truth about what had really happened during the tragic school shooting. Based on diaries and other evidence, he concluded that one of the killers, Dylan Klebold, was a depressed teenage boy, while the other killer, Eric Harris, was a manipulative psychopath who wanted to destroy all humans. Eric could manipulate Dylan into helping to plan the massacre, and Dylan could feel important by being part of a grand plan. Their friendship was a lethal combination.

The adage, Choose your friends wisely!, should have been heeded by Amnon in our reading today. He began to swoon over his beautiful half-sister, Tamar, to the point that he became lovesick. If only the story had stopped there, with a smitten young man in love with a beautiful girl. But the text tells us the critical turning point: “Now Amnon had a friend . . .” (v. 3).

Amnon's friend was his cousin, Jonadab. He played on Amnon's sense of entitlement as the son of King David, suggesting that Amnon just take what he wanted. His plan was disgusting, both its deceit and its violation of Tamar, but Amnon willingly agreed to follow it. His destruction began when he decided to follow the bad advice of his friend.

We don't know much about Jonadab, but we do know that he was allowed to be in the presence of King David (v. 32). Instead of suggesting his vile scheme, he could have suggested that Amnon ask the king for permission to marry Tamar. He could have used his influence in a positive way, but chose not to.

Amnon discovered that what he thought he wanted didn't satisfy him after all (v. 15). He compounded the sin of raping Tamar by refusing to then stay with her (v. 16). Scripture says that David was furious but records no effort on his part to punish Amnon. Tamar's brother, Absalom, bided his time until he had the opportunity to kill Amnon and unleash destruction on David's entire kingdom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our children today are surrounded by messages like those from Jonadab: “Take what you want!” “You deserve it!” “Sex is no big deal!” “Who cares what anyone else thinks?” “Sometimes you have to lie and cheat to get ahead!” David appeared oblivious to the destructive influences in his family—are you so involved in the lives of your children or grandchildren that you know their friends? Don't be afraid to give them wise counsel and encourage them to do what's right. And pray for their protection from bad friends.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 24:1-27
Keep my commandments in your heart, for they will . . . bring you prosperity. - Proverbs 3:1-2
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1853, Charles Loring Brace was shocked to see gangs of children roaming the streets in New York City, some selling rags or matches, many orphaned or abandoned. He founded the Children's Aid Society to place the children with rural farming families. Between 1854 and 1929, more than 100,000 children were sent by train to a new life. Two of these orphaned boys, Andrew Burke and John Brady, became the governors of North Dakota and Alaska.

Joash didn't seem to have a promising start in life. His family was plagued by violence; his own grandmother wanted to kill him as a baby in order to gain control of the kingdom of Judah (see 2 Chronicles 22). He survived due to the quick thinking of his aunt and uncle who hid him in the temple.

His uncle, Jehoida, was a priest who had a heart for God (see 2 Chron. 23:3). His courage led to the installation of Joash as the rightful king of Israel at the age of seven. Joash followed the wise counsel and spiritual instruction of Jehoida, and initiated a much needed restoration of the temple (v. 4). It included physical repairs to the structure, but it was more than just a building project. His grandmother, Athaliah, had permitted Baal worship to flourish, and the restoration of the temple was a spiritual undertaking as well (v. 7).

Joash instructed the people to give money to the temple project, which was an act of spiritual obedience to God (v. 9). As money came in, Joash ensured that skilled craftsmen performed the highest quality work. As long as Jehoida lived, the temple was a place to worship and honor the Lord (v. 14).

After Jehoida died, however, Joash began to listen to other advice. The temple was again abandoned and Baal worship resumed. The Lord even sent a prophet to warn Joash; he responded by ordering the prophet—the son of his mentor Jehoida!—to be assassinated in the courtyard of the temple. For that sin, God brought judgment and death to Joash (v. 24).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God cares less about our biological biography than our spiritual heart for Him. If you had a loving family who guided you in the things of the Lord, thank Him for that blessing. But perhaps your spiritual mentors were outside your family—a Sunday school teacher, a friend, or a neighbor. Thank God that He put people in your life to give you wise counsel and godly instruction. If possible, send these individuals a note of thanks for the way that they helped to shape you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33
While he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. - 2 Chronicles 34:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Yesterday we studied the story of Joash, and at first the story of Josiah in our reading seems like an echo: a father is a disastrous king and is killed, his young son becomes king, and he starts his reign committed to God. But although they had similar dysfunctional family backgrounds and tremendous responsibility as a child, the story of Josiah takes some significantly different turns.

Josiah's biography reads like an account of spiritual milestones. When he was eight years old, he became king. At age 16, he began to seek God. At age 20, he began to destroy the entrenched centers of Baal worship throughout the nation. At age 26, he launched repairs of the temple. His life was described by this stirring spiritual commendation: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (v. 2).

The most dramatic event occurred during the restoration of the temple. The Book of the Law was found—which immediately signaled the serious state of spiritual decline in the nation. The Law had been given to Moses and was the foundation of their identity as God's people—how had it been lost to begin with? And how had no one realized that it was lost before this?

Josiah demonstrated the reality of his heart for God. When he heard the Law read to him, he reacted with repentance and alarm that the people had strayed so far from the Lord (v. 19). He was spiritually perceptive enough to know that the people deserved God's judgment, and indeed the prophetess Huldah confirmed that God would fulfill His word and bring destruction on the nation of Judah for their spiritual rebellion and idolatry.

God would keep His promises to judge persistent sin, but He also extended grace to Josiah for his humility and responsive heart (v. 27). The destruction would not come until after the death of Josiah. He led the nation in renewing their covenant with the Lord, and they followed God for the rest of Josiah's rule.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Josiah's story shows us the importance of leadership—and that a spiritually sensitive and perceptive heart can be nurtured even in young people. You might be young, or just young at heart, but all of us can seek God, respond to His Word, and repent of our sin. Even if you aren't the leader of a nation, you are surrounded by people in your family, church, and community who can be inspired by your heart for God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 13:4-13; 15:36-41
Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
At the age of 22, Franklin Graham was drinking, partying, and smoking marijuana and had been expelled from a Christian school and college. His father, Billy Graham, confronted him, “I want you to know that your mother and I sense there is a struggle for the soul of your life, and you're going to have to make a choice.” After re-reading the Gospel of John, Franklin committed his life to Christ. Today he heads Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Thankfully, a slow start to our spiritual journey doesn't end the story. Today we're studying the story of John Mark, whose first foray into ministry didn't go well.

John Mark grew up in a home of Christ-followers (see Acts 12:12). He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey as a helper and stayed with them through their time in Cyprus, but then left to return home to Jerusalem (13:13). We aren't told specifically why he quit and failed to continue on in this ministry (15:38).

When Paul and Barnabas decided to embark on another trip, Barnabas suggested taking John Mark along again. But Paul had no interest in another repeat of John Mark's desertion. They decided to part ways; Barnabas took his cousin John Mark and followed the original plan to visit the places from their first journey, and Paul took Silas and went to Syria.

The willingness of Barnabas to give him another chance bore fruit in John Mark's growth in ministry. In Paul's letters, references to John Mark grow increasingly warm. He sent greetings and instructions to the church in Colossae to welcome him (Col. 4:10); he identified John Mark as a fellow worker (Philem. 24); and at the end of his life he requested that John Mark visit him, because “he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). John Mark was also close to the apostle Peter—many scholars believe this enabled him to write the Gospel of Mark (see 1 Peter 5:13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Barnabas was known as a great encourager (see Acts 4:36; 11:22). His willingness to encourage and mentor John Mark helped to transform him from spiritual failure to spiritually fruitful. Is there a young person in your life who needs encouragement? Can you extend a second chance to someone who feels rejected or worthless? Rather than pointing out the flaws and weaknesses, try to help someone see his or her strengths and potential for Christian service. Willingness to invest in someone's life will pay spiritual dividends.