July 8

Today's Reading

Today's 1 Chronicles passage concludes with the assignment of territory to the priests, who served throughout the country, serving God and the people.

Paul's speech before King Agrippa, as we read today in Acts, is a masterful and passionate proclamation of the Gospel. Agrippa would have had the authority to release Paul, but Paul's appeal to the Emperor would surely have been forwarded to Rome. There was no turning back on that. Paul, then, used every opportunity to continue sharing the Gospel. What an example for us!

Psalms: David's spot as "a man after God's own heart" didn't insulate him from many trouble. As you read his Psalms, you realize that he often felt overwhelmed by the challenges of life. However, he kept crying out and trusting God. The Christian life is not one of painless joy, nor is one of constantly being strong in the midst of hardship; it's about struggles, stumbles, rejection and -- sometimes -- being totally unsure of what to do. Through it we keep learning to trust God.

Proverbs: Dear God, please remind me throughout the day to tame my tongue.

What is on your heart?