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God, I want to be more like You. You are loving and merciful, steady and faithful. Thank You for being my God. for being more brilliant, righteous, and gracious than I can comprehend. It's Your kindness that leads me to repentance. to want to follow You with my whole heart. Today, I am looking to You to teach me. Thank You for helping me, even when I'm stubborn or difficult. I love you! in Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: NUMBERS 17-19 MARK 6:30-56 THE BUDDING OF AARON'S STAFF Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to the people’s murmuring and complaining against you.” DUTIES OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES you and your sons alone will be held responsible for violations connected with the priesthood. The Levites must join you in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle, but no unauthorized person may assist you. “You yourselves must perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar. SUPPORT FOR THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES THE WATER OF PURIFICATION JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. JESUS WALKS ON WATER He intended to go past them, 49but when they saw him walking on the water. Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped.

2 KINGS 4:31-35 Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. 33He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the Lord. 34Then he lay down on the child’s body. as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again! Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” 37She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs. INSIGHT Elijah’s actions show the intensity of his prayer (2 Kings 4:33). Prayer is a spiritual activity that engages the human mind, heart, soul, and spirit. Since we’ve been commanded to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 nkjv), we know that prayer can happen any place, at any time, under any condition. The life of Jesus illustrates that the place and posture of prayer may vary. Mark 1:35 pictures an early-rising Jesus going to “a solitary place” to pray. The prelude to selecting the twelve apostles was an all-night prayer meeting on a mountain (see Luke 6:12). When faced with the horrors of crucifixion, Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. Matthew describes the back-and-forth movements of Jesus between His prayer spot and His weary disciples (26:36-46). Even as He encouraged Peter, James, and John to watch and pray with Him, it’s likely that prayers to His Father continued to reverberate in His heart. Today, we can be assured that God hears our prayers and will help us.

By: Arthur Jackson

PRAYER WALK I was stuck. I’d written half of a devotional article when my thoughts dried up. “God, what should I do?” I prayed. Remembering research that found that our creative output is boosted by an average of 60 percent when we walk, I headed out to the trail behind my house and continued my conversation with God. Thirty minutes later I was refreshed. I returned to my keyboard and finished the entry.

In 2 Kings 4:18-35, we read that Elisha and his servant, Gehazi, responded to a Shunammite woman’s plea to help her dead son. At Elisha’s instruction (v. 29), Gehazi laid his staff on the child (v. 31). Elisha prayed. Then he laid on top of the boy. At last, “Elisha . . . walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy . . . opened his eyes” (v. 35).

Scripture doesn’t tell us why Elisha “walked back and forth,” nor does it say what he was thinking. What we do know is that when Elisha’s prayers weren’t answered, he didn’t give up. It’s not difficult to picture him talking to God in this urgent situation.

What do you do when you’re stuck at a dead end and don’t know what to do? Perhaps a “prayer walk” is in order. Whether we head out to a trail for a walk or pace back and forth in our home, connecting to God when we’re in need brings answers that address our circumstances.

By: Elisa Morgan

REFLECT AND PRAY Where are you stuck? How might you communicate with God in this situation so that He can direct you?

Dear God, when I find myself in stuck spots, please help me to walk with You. in Jesus' name, Amen.

MORE OF HIM, MORE LIKE HIM Desiring Him Beyond the Motions of Worship

Observation

In verses 1-3 of Isaiah 58, God wanted Isaiah to vehemently call out a group of people. How did these people act on the outside? What image did they project?

What kind of fast does God not desire (verses. 4-5)? What kind does He desire (verses 6-7)?

Reflection

Based on the previous answers, complete the sentences below: --God does not desire a fast that is______________ --To God, true fasting is____________

What are the results of true fasting and worship (verses 8-14)?

Application

How does hypocrisy manifest in your worship of God? Acknowledge them before God, and resolve to have a change of mindset.

What steps will you take this week to practice true fasting and worship? Prayer Pray to Jesus, confessing wrong practices and motives in fasting, worship and prayer. Surrender your heart to produce religious deeds acceptable to Him.

1 SAMUEL 15:22 22But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.