The Daily Reflections: Their Purpose and How You Can Help

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

Psalm 19:7-8

I have just begun my sixth year as the main author of the Daily Reflections. I consider the opportunity to write these reflections as one of the great blessings of my life. How grateful I am to be able to study God's Word carefully, to consider how it speaks to our lives today, and then to share with you what I have discovered.

At the beginning of each calendar year, I like to devote one day's reflection to a discussion of the purpose of the Daily Reflections. I want to help you use the reflections well in your life. Also, I want to give you a vision for helping us fulfill the mission of the Daily Reflections.

The Purpose of the Daily Reflections

Psalm 19:7-8 epitomizes the purpose of the Daily Reflections. These devotional writings are meant to revive souls, make wise the simple, bring joy to the heart, and give insight for daily living. Regular reading of, reflection upon, and praying in response to Scripture will help us know God more truly and intimately, thus renewing us and giving us new vision for life. God's Word also reveals basic values and guidance for living, thus enabling us to live purposefully and fruitfully.

Explaining a Few Essentials of the Daily Reflections

If you're new to the Daily Reflections, and we were delighted to welcome almost 5,000 new subscribers in 2012, you might appreciate a brief explanation of how I choose the biblical passages each day. My ultimate goal is to work systematically through the entire Bible, passage by passage. During the week, I focus on some book of the Bible, alternating back and forth between Old Testament and New Testament. On the weekends, the Daily Reflections are based on the Psalms. Thus, we pray through the entire Psalter once every year and a half (or so). In certain seasons of the Christian year, the reflections might follow an appropriate theme (hope in Advent, for example).

Recently, I have been moving slowing through the New Testament letter known as Ephesians. My leisurely pace reflects both the incredible depth of this book and the fact that I am writing a commentary on Ephesians. As you may recall, I invited those who receive the Daily Reflections to participate with me in this project by sharing your biblical insights, questions, and applications. I have been collecting your input and will continue to do so as we move forward in Ephesians.

No matter the section of the Bible we're studying, each day will offer a biblical passage and a short excerpt, a few paragraphs of exposition, some questions for further reflection, and a model prayer. You can read the whole reflection in about five minutes. Or you can spend more time by reading the whole biblical passage on which the reflection is based and considering the additional questions. I conclude each reflection by sharing with you one of my personal prayers. Thus, sometimes they include supplications that fit my particular situation in life, such as "Help me to be a better father." I realize that not everyone who receives the reflections will pray in just this way. But all of us can pray for God's help in our relationships with family members. I'm hoping to model intimacy with God by my own example.

You Can Help Us Fulfill the Mission of the Daily Reflections

Of course, the most vital way you can help us fulfill the purpose of the Daily Reflections is by using them to grow in your relationship with God. But, if you find them to be a valuable resource, you might also help us by telling others about them. Many of our readers use the "Send to a friend" link in each email to forward reflections to friends or family members. Others share the reflections by using the "View and share online" link, which allows for quick posting to Facebook or Twitter. Some churches and parachurch organizations link to The High Calling and encourage their members to sign up for the Daily Reflections. I would ask simply that you let folks know about this resource when it seems appropriate.

You can also help by praying for me, that I will be faithful to God's Word as I study, pray, and write, and that I will be wise in the connections I make between biblical truth and our lives today. I'm always glad to hear from you, whether you have questions, concerns, or simply want to say "Thanks."

I pray that God will use the Daily Reflections in your life to help you grow in your relationship with him and in your ability to live your faith in the world each day.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: How has regular reflection upon God's Word enriched and deepened your faith? Are there some specific ways you would like to grow in 2013? Can you think of anyone in your life who might benefit from knowing about the Daily Reflections?

PRAYER: Thank you, gracious God, for your truth revealed in Scripture. Thank you for how it revives our souls and makes us wise. Thank you for how your Word delights us and helps us to live well each day.

Help me, dear Lord, to be immersed in your Word each day. May it shape my thinking and my feeling, my dreams and my actions. May it draw me into a deeper relationship with you and help me to live as your disciple in every facet of my life.

With the friends who receive these reflections, I ask, dear Lord, that you guide me by your Spirit. Help me to discern and speak the truth. May I be faithful to your Word in all that I write. And may I be led by you to address the issues and concerns of my fellow "reflectors." May the Daily Reflections glorify you and contribute to your kingdom work in this world.

I pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen.