Day 253

         This week’s theme is on courage.  In the readings this week, we will read about the courage of people like Esther and Mordecai whose actions saved the Jewish people.  We will also examine the courage of the Jews who began to return to Jerusalem after the time of captivity to rebuild the temple of the Lord.

Daniel 10:1-12:13; Ezra 4:24-5:1; Haggai 1:1-15.  “Courage to Change”

         In the past few years I have watched Dr. Phil on a number of occasions.  I appreciate his bluntness and what I call “dr-phil-isms.”  One of my favorite “isms” is when he asks his guest “how’s that working for ya?”  Having read Haggai again, I realize that he didn’t come up with the question.  Apparently, God used that question as an effective tool to show His people that they were not meeting His standard (Hag. 1:5, 7).
         This question is a tool to help someone see the deficiency in their own actions.  Once that objective has been accomplished, the real work of change begins. Zerubbabel and the remnant of God’s people responded in obedience and had the courage to change. 
         We all will realize at some point that either our actions, beliefs or thoughts will need to be changed because they are in conflict with God’s will.  The question you are faced with is, do you have the courage to change?  To make a change requires admitting mistakes and humbling ourselves to see that God’s way is best.
         May you have the courage to do just that.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?