The reading for this week:
Sunday (Epistles): 2 Corinthians 6-8
Monday (The Law): Exodus 21-24
Tuesday (History): 2 Samuel 10-14
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 54-56
Thursday (Poetry): Job 37-38
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 32-36
Saturday (Gospels): Luke 1-2
There is a lot to gather from the History part of the reading this week. The stories of David & Bathsheba as well as Amnon & Tamar are both very strong examples of what sexual immorality looks like and the pain that it causes.
David was "browsing" one day and let his eyes rest on a beautiful woman bathing in his sight (unbeknownst to her). Knowing who she was (a married woman) after inquiring of her, he sent for her, slept with her and they conceived. Through a series of bad choices, David ends up murdering Bathsheba's husband.
Amnon (David's son) fell in love with his half-sister Tamar. She was unmarried and chose to save herself for marriage (as the Law commands). Amnon faked an illness and requested of David that Tamar come to him and care for him. Tamar obeyed the king and cared for her brother. Having her all to himself, Amnon forced himself sexually upon Tamar, and despite her pleas and reasoning (even offering herself in marriage!) to stop, he raped her.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:15-16 "Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her "Get up and get out!" "No!" she said to him. "Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me."
Observation: There are just so many things wrong with this situation (and the Bathsheba situation) that it would be impossible to break down in this forum. But the focus today is on the selfishness that is sexual immorality. Both David and Amnon had a strong desire to do the wrong thing, and their wants for immediate gratification took full precedence over common sense and justice. David used his power and influence to woo Bathsheba. Amnon used deception, his familial connections and physical strength to take Tamar's innocence. Having been caught in their sins, both men resort to more vile behavior. The immediate 180 degree turn from love to hate really reflects the hearts of all who seek sexual gratification and then throw away the other person after the physical act is completed.
Application: "How dangerous is one look?" Our eyes can be deceived by what we think we know, and in many cases wanting is much more passionate and fun than having. When we look, we are only taking into consideration a very small part of a very big picture. Everyone has a story- we all have dreams, pain, experiences, hopes and more- the essence of who we are. Using people in such a narrow minded and intimate fashion for selfish purposes means short term (but false) gains for us- and intense pain for those we have used. Whether we view an image on the internet or engage in a full blown affair, the core purpose is selfish- and it can very well lead to extreme results such as the ones in these two stories.
Prayer: Father we ask for the wisdom to see your Creation as you designed it to be. What the eyes see is great as it all has been created by You, but what may be in our hearts can distort that beauty. We ask for the strength to fight the temptation of immediate gratification and the discernment to see the path we are on with regards to our actions. May the Spirit guide us back to the path that leads to You. Amen.
This week is a little more heavy than usual, but the weight of these stories as they pertain to the struggles of people today hopefully helps you as it helps me.
Have a great week and God Bless!
-Mike
Monday, May 9, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Week 18: The blessing of affirmation
This week, the reading plan is as follows:
* Sunday (epistles): II Corinthians 4-5
* Monday (the Law): Exodus 17-20
* Tuesday (history): II Samuel 5-9
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 51-53
* Thursday (poetry): Job 35-36
* Friday (prophecy): Jeremiah 27-31
* Saturday (gospels): Mark 15-16
This week's S.O.A.P. is from II Samuel:
Scripture
10. And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 11. Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with carpenters and stone-masons to build him a palace. Hiram also sent many cedar logs for lumber. 12. And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel. [II Samuel 5:10-12]
Observation
We can draw several observations from this passage:
a) There is a direct connection between David becoming more and more powerful, and the LORD being with him - verse 10.
b) Because David became more powerful, other powerful people -- like king Hiram of Tyre -- connect with him, and bless him with material blessings - verse 11.
c) When David sees the material blessings, he realizes that the LORD has confirmed him as king over Israel - verse 12.
Application
Oftentimes in my own life, it takes a while for me to realize that the LORD is with me in all that I do. I'm waiting for some sort of blessing to occur, kind of as an affirmation from God that He does support what I'm doing. Even though we know the LORD is always with us, and will never leave us or forsake us because of His promises, as human beings we are sometimes uncertain, and we need affirmation and confirmation from our Heavenly Father.
The good thing is: God knows our weakness, and our desire for affirmation, and He gives it to us, just like He gave it to David. I've experienced this blessing many times myself. There have been a couple life-changing events in my life, where I was uncertain whether or not I had made the right decision. Each time, I was waiting for the LORD to bless and affirm my decision, and each He did! We have an amazing God, who affirms and blesses his children beyond measure.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your blessings, and for your affirmation in times when I am uncertain. Please help me to trust you more and more, even if the affirmation comes later or in different ways I did not anticipate. I thank you for who you are and all that you do in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
Dick
* Sunday (epistles): II Corinthians 4-5
* Monday (the Law): Exodus 17-20
* Tuesday (history): II Samuel 5-9
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 51-53
* Thursday (poetry): Job 35-36
* Friday (prophecy): Jeremiah 27-31
* Saturday (gospels): Mark 15-16
This week's S.O.A.P. is from II Samuel:
Scripture
10. And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 11. Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with carpenters and stone-masons to build him a palace. Hiram also sent many cedar logs for lumber. 12. And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel. [II Samuel 5:10-12]
Observation
We can draw several observations from this passage:
a) There is a direct connection between David becoming more and more powerful, and the LORD being with him - verse 10.
b) Because David became more powerful, other powerful people -- like king Hiram of Tyre -- connect with him, and bless him with material blessings - verse 11.
c) When David sees the material blessings, he realizes that the LORD has confirmed him as king over Israel - verse 12.
Application
Oftentimes in my own life, it takes a while for me to realize that the LORD is with me in all that I do. I'm waiting for some sort of blessing to occur, kind of as an affirmation from God that He does support what I'm doing. Even though we know the LORD is always with us, and will never leave us or forsake us because of His promises, as human beings we are sometimes uncertain, and we need affirmation and confirmation from our Heavenly Father.
The good thing is: God knows our weakness, and our desire for affirmation, and He gives it to us, just like He gave it to David. I've experienced this blessing many times myself. There have been a couple life-changing events in my life, where I was uncertain whether or not I had made the right decision. Each time, I was waiting for the LORD to bless and affirm my decision, and each He did! We have an amazing God, who affirms and blesses his children beyond measure.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your blessings, and for your affirmation in times when I am uncertain. Please help me to trust you more and more, even if the affirmation comes later or in different ways I did not anticipate. I thank you for who you are and all that you do in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
Dick
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Week 17: Becoming "God-Confident"
This week we finish the first third of 2011...and that means by the end of this week we will have read nearly a third the Bible.
This week's reading unfolds like this:
* 2 Corinthians 1-3
* Exodus 13-16
* 2 Samuel 1-4
* Psalms 48-50
* Job 33-34
* Jeremiah 22-26
* Mark 13-14
As we've come to expect, we cover a lot of diverse territory in our daily Scripture texts. But one overarching theme comes out again and again: namely, that we are to trust God in all our ways.
Scripture
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5).
Observation
Paul learned through experience that the deliverances he experienced during his missionary journeys and the successes he realized were not of his own making. They were the result of God's work in his life.
Moses and Israel learned the same lesson when God parted the waters so they could pass through the Red Sea on dry ground.
David learned this when he waited on God to receive his kingdom rather than taking matters into his own hands after King Saul turned on him and drove him into the wilderness.
The Psalmist rightly declared:
"People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
"This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings" (Psalm 49:12-13).
Job lost everything and learned this through his sufferings.
The people in Jeremiah's day, who refused to learn this lesson, were told they would become exiles in a foreign land for 70 years.
And Jesus promised his disciples that they need not worry beforehand about what to say to their persecutors, "Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11).
Application
I admit that I am most overwhelmed by the stresses of life when I try to deal with them by myself. This past week I was in San Diego, tending to my parents' estate. As trustee, I've been shouldering the responsibility to make everything go as smoothly as possible. While I was there, I learned that the people buying my parents' home had an inspection done that revealed several major problems with the 43-year-old house, which made it uncertain whether they would continue with the escrow.
My brother-in-law, a faithful Christian man, said, "Just remember who's in charge." When he said that, the first thing I thought was, "Yes...I know who is in charge...I AM!" But then I realized he was assuring me that God was in control and I need not worry.
That brief exchange made me realize just how much of that burden I had taken on myself rather than prayerfully relinquishing it to the One who is sufficient for all things!
As I write this blog, it is still uncertain whether escrow will close. But God is in control. No matter the outcome, God will help everything work out the way HE wants it to work out. And that's what matters.
What burdens are you carrying? In what ways are you trusting in yourself instead of God?
This week's Scripture reading calls us back to one central imperative of the Christian life: we must trust God in all things...great and small!
Prayer
O Lord, help me be quicker to unload my burdens on you rather than trying to carry them myself. Forgive me for my lack of trust...and help me to trust you completely! In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
This week's reading unfolds like this:
* 2 Corinthians 1-3
* Exodus 13-16
* 2 Samuel 1-4
* Psalms 48-50
* Job 33-34
* Jeremiah 22-26
* Mark 13-14
As we've come to expect, we cover a lot of diverse territory in our daily Scripture texts. But one overarching theme comes out again and again: namely, that we are to trust God in all our ways.
Scripture
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5).
Observation
Paul learned through experience that the deliverances he experienced during his missionary journeys and the successes he realized were not of his own making. They were the result of God's work in his life.
Moses and Israel learned the same lesson when God parted the waters so they could pass through the Red Sea on dry ground.
David learned this when he waited on God to receive his kingdom rather than taking matters into his own hands after King Saul turned on him and drove him into the wilderness.
The Psalmist rightly declared:
"People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
"This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings" (Psalm 49:12-13).
Job lost everything and learned this through his sufferings.
The people in Jeremiah's day, who refused to learn this lesson, were told they would become exiles in a foreign land for 70 years.
And Jesus promised his disciples that they need not worry beforehand about what to say to their persecutors, "Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11).
Application
I admit that I am most overwhelmed by the stresses of life when I try to deal with them by myself. This past week I was in San Diego, tending to my parents' estate. As trustee, I've been shouldering the responsibility to make everything go as smoothly as possible. While I was there, I learned that the people buying my parents' home had an inspection done that revealed several major problems with the 43-year-old house, which made it uncertain whether they would continue with the escrow.
My brother-in-law, a faithful Christian man, said, "Just remember who's in charge." When he said that, the first thing I thought was, "Yes...I know who is in charge...I AM!" But then I realized he was assuring me that God was in control and I need not worry.
That brief exchange made me realize just how much of that burden I had taken on myself rather than prayerfully relinquishing it to the One who is sufficient for all things!
As I write this blog, it is still uncertain whether escrow will close. But God is in control. No matter the outcome, God will help everything work out the way HE wants it to work out. And that's what matters.
What burdens are you carrying? In what ways are you trusting in yourself instead of God?
This week's Scripture reading calls us back to one central imperative of the Christian life: we must trust God in all things...great and small!
Prayer
O Lord, help me be quicker to unload my burdens on you rather than trying to carry them myself. Forgive me for my lack of trust...and help me to trust you completely! In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Week 16: Holy Week
Here is the reading material for this week:
Sunday (Epistles): ! Corinthians 15-16
Monday (Law): Exodus 9-12
Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 26-31
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 45-47
Thursday (Poetry): Job 31-32
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 17-21
Saturday (Gospels): Mark 13-14
This week means a lot to two faiths: Christianity & Judaism.
For Christians, this week marks the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as his betrayal and swift execution at the hands of the Pharisees. Christian faith is really based on the events of this week and the following Sunday (Easter). This is the week Christians proclaim that Jesus Christ was the Son of the One Living God, He died for the sins of all people past, present and future, and He rose from the dead.
For Jews, this week marks the Passover. This is the celebration of God's release of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. This is the time the nation of Israel took its first steps together as a true nation and began to establish itself as promised by God to Abraham. The Exodus readings last week and this week cover the Passover, some regulations of the Passover as well as the crossing of the Red Sea.
This Friday evening at Woodhaven Community Church @6:30pm is an opportunity to gather as a church body to remember the sacrifice God made for the sake of His children: Us. We hope to see you there.
Have a great week- next week will be some really Good News!!!
-Mike
Sunday (Epistles): ! Corinthians 15-16
Monday (Law): Exodus 9-12
Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 26-31
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 45-47
Thursday (Poetry): Job 31-32
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 17-21
Saturday (Gospels): Mark 13-14
This week means a lot to two faiths: Christianity & Judaism.
For Christians, this week marks the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as his betrayal and swift execution at the hands of the Pharisees. Christian faith is really based on the events of this week and the following Sunday (Easter). This is the week Christians proclaim that Jesus Christ was the Son of the One Living God, He died for the sins of all people past, present and future, and He rose from the dead.
For Jews, this week marks the Passover. This is the celebration of God's release of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. This is the time the nation of Israel took its first steps together as a true nation and began to establish itself as promised by God to Abraham. The Exodus readings last week and this week cover the Passover, some regulations of the Passover as well as the crossing of the Red Sea.
This Friday evening at Woodhaven Community Church @6:30pm is an opportunity to gather as a church body to remember the sacrifice God made for the sake of His children: Us. We hope to see you there.
Have a great week- next week will be some really Good News!!!
-Mike
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Week 15: Dialogue with God
This week, the reading plan is as follows:
* Sunday (epistles): I Corinthians 13-14
* Monday (the Law): Exodus 5-8
* Tuesday (history): I Samuel 21-25
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 42-44
* Thursday (poetry): Job 29-30
* Friday (prophecy): Jeremiah 12-16
* Saturday (gospels): Mark 9-10
These passages contain a lot of dialogue / arguing with God. In Exodus 5-8, we see Moses arguing with God (see for example Ex.5:22 & 6:12). In I Samuel 23:11, we see David plead with the Lord to answer him on some practical issues. In Job 29-30, we see Job make his final case to defend his innocence before the Lord. In Jeremiah 12, we see Jeremiah complaining to God. In I Corinthians 14, we see Paul give instructions on speaking in tongues - which is speaking to God directly (1 Cor.14:2).
When you read these passages, at first it might seem somewhat disturbing to see so many different people talking with God in so many different ways, sometimes even calling Him out because they don't agree with what He does. But you know what... God actually likes to have this dialogue with us, because He cares deeply about us. He is our Father, and we are His children, and He wants his children to talk to him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can call you Abba, Father. We thank you that we are your children, and that we can talk to you just like we can talk to our earthly fathers and mothers and family and friends. When we are upset, you want us to share that with you. When we are sad, you are there to listen and comfort us. And when we have praises, Lord we want to bring them all to you, for you are worthy of all our praise. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wishing you many meaningful dialogues with Him this week.
Dick
* Sunday (epistles): I Corinthians 13-14
* Monday (the Law): Exodus 5-8
* Tuesday (history): I Samuel 21-25
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 42-44
* Thursday (poetry): Job 29-30
* Friday (prophecy): Jeremiah 12-16
* Saturday (gospels): Mark 9-10
These passages contain a lot of dialogue / arguing with God. In Exodus 5-8, we see Moses arguing with God (see for example Ex.5:22 & 6:12). In I Samuel 23:11, we see David plead with the Lord to answer him on some practical issues. In Job 29-30, we see Job make his final case to defend his innocence before the Lord. In Jeremiah 12, we see Jeremiah complaining to God. In I Corinthians 14, we see Paul give instructions on speaking in tongues - which is speaking to God directly (1 Cor.14:2).
When you read these passages, at first it might seem somewhat disturbing to see so many different people talking with God in so many different ways, sometimes even calling Him out because they don't agree with what He does. But you know what... God actually likes to have this dialogue with us, because He cares deeply about us. He is our Father, and we are His children, and He wants his children to talk to him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can call you Abba, Father. We thank you that we are your children, and that we can talk to you just like we can talk to our earthly fathers and mothers and family and friends. When we are upset, you want us to share that with you. When we are sad, you are there to listen and comfort us. And when we have praises, Lord we want to bring them all to you, for you are worthy of all our praise. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wishing you many meaningful dialogues with Him this week.
Dick
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Week 14: The Ultimate Paradox
This week's reading takes us into deep and rich spiritual water. It unfolds like this:
*Sunday: 1 Corinthians 11-12
*Monday: Exodus 1-4
*Tuesday: 1 Samuel 16-20
*Wednesday: Psalms 39-41
*Thursday: Job 27-28
*Friday: Jeremiah 7-11
*Saturday: Mark 7-8
We learn in 1 Corinthians that though we are many and diverse, we are called and gifted by the Holy Spirit to form one body, the church.
In Exodus we see God calling a reluctant Moses into a ministry of deliverance that would forever change the world.
In 1 Samuel we see the prophet anointing David, who appears to be the most unlikely of candidates to serve as Israel's next king. And in the Psalms we read the writings of a spiritually mature David, and realize why he was God's choice.
In Job we see the most righteous of all human beings alive at that time enduring the most strenuous of suffering.
In Jeremiah we see people who know what's right refusing to do what's right.
In Mark we hear Jesus telling us that the road to the cross is the way to life.
In other words, we are presented in this week's readings with several stunning paradoxes:
*Unity is realized amid diversity
*Fear and reluctance precede heroism and victory
*The most insignificant people in the eyes of human beings are the greatest in God's
*The most upright of God's people endure the grimmest of suffering
*There's often a disconnect between knowing truth and living truth
These are all challenging paradoxes to be sure, but the ultimate paradox occurs in our reading from Mark...
*Whoever loses their life gains it, but whoever gains it loses it
Scripture
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:34-36).
Observation
This is nothing less than revolutionary teaching! It makes no earthly sense. Our world teaches us to watch out for number one, to seize the day, to be the masters of our destinies. In a word, we are taught to "gain the whole world" (or whatever part of it we can).
The way of Jesus is counterintuitive...paradoxical. It's not the way we naturally lean. To obey this teaching, we have to act in a manner contrary to every self-preserving, self-promoting, self-aggrandizing instinct.
Application
This teaching should give each of us a spiritual gut check. Am I living for Christ or am I living for myself? Am I seeking to magnify the name of Christ with my life or am I trying to make a name for myself (to try and do both is to work at cross purposes with the gospel!)? Am I taking up the cross of submission or the crest of success?
Prayer
Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
*Sunday: 1 Corinthians 11-12
*Monday: Exodus 1-4
*Tuesday: 1 Samuel 16-20
*Wednesday: Psalms 39-41
*Thursday: Job 27-28
*Friday: Jeremiah 7-11
*Saturday: Mark 7-8
We learn in 1 Corinthians that though we are many and diverse, we are called and gifted by the Holy Spirit to form one body, the church.
In Exodus we see God calling a reluctant Moses into a ministry of deliverance that would forever change the world.
In 1 Samuel we see the prophet anointing David, who appears to be the most unlikely of candidates to serve as Israel's next king. And in the Psalms we read the writings of a spiritually mature David, and realize why he was God's choice.
In Job we see the most righteous of all human beings alive at that time enduring the most strenuous of suffering.
In Jeremiah we see people who know what's right refusing to do what's right.
In Mark we hear Jesus telling us that the road to the cross is the way to life.
In other words, we are presented in this week's readings with several stunning paradoxes:
*Unity is realized amid diversity
*Fear and reluctance precede heroism and victory
*The most insignificant people in the eyes of human beings are the greatest in God's
*The most upright of God's people endure the grimmest of suffering
*There's often a disconnect between knowing truth and living truth
These are all challenging paradoxes to be sure, but the ultimate paradox occurs in our reading from Mark...
*Whoever loses their life gains it, but whoever gains it loses it
Scripture
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:34-36).
Observation
This is nothing less than revolutionary teaching! It makes no earthly sense. Our world teaches us to watch out for number one, to seize the day, to be the masters of our destinies. In a word, we are taught to "gain the whole world" (or whatever part of it we can).
The way of Jesus is counterintuitive...paradoxical. It's not the way we naturally lean. To obey this teaching, we have to act in a manner contrary to every self-preserving, self-promoting, self-aggrandizing instinct.
Application
This teaching should give each of us a spiritual gut check. Am I living for Christ or am I living for myself? Am I seeking to magnify the name of Christ with my life or am I trying to make a name for myself (to try and do both is to work at cross purposes with the gospel!)? Am I taking up the cross of submission or the crest of success?
Prayer
Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Monday, March 28, 2011
Week 13: Freedom...
Here is the schedule for this week:
Sunday (Epistles): 1 Corinthians 9-10
Monday (Law): Genesis 48-50
Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 11-15
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 36-38
Thursday (Poetry): Job 25-26
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Mark 5-6
Here is my SOAP for the week:
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is constructive.
Observation: What a wonderful country we live in. We are pretty much free to do whatever we want. We are free to go for the American Dream, free to worship in our own manner and free to speak our minds. We are also free to make mistakes, free to make a fool out of ourselves and also free to be wasteful and sinful. What this verse is saying to me is "Just because you can do something does not mean that you should do it." What are the consequences of our actions, our words and our thoughts?
Application: I tend to sometimes get caught up in the "culture wars" in America. Issues like abortion and homosexuality tend to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotion where two opposing sides volley venom back and forth in an effort to "win" their battle. I have to remind myself in the heat of these discussions that there are real people out there who struggle with these issues in their lives. Society tells them that these issues are "permissible," and therefore good. What I cannot do is judge people based on issues like these, nor can I engage in a meaningful discussion with them by pounding them over the head with Scripture. As much as I see their need for a Savior, I must take the log out of my own eye so I can see MY OWN need for a Savior. We are all on the same team. And because of that we need to work through this thing called life together if we are all to experience indescribable freedom in Heaven.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I just want to thank you for your Word. I want to thank you for the simple verses, the ones that may take only ten seconds to hear but much longer to digest. I am in need of your grace today and will need it tomorrow. I ask in Your Name that grace is given to others who may not know you, that they will know you and be saved. I also ask in Your Name that grace is also given to those who do know you, but have a hard time focusing on You. The gift of freedom is a great gift, but I am asking for the wisdom to use this gift for how it was intended. Thank you for being a great and loving God, and I pray all of this in Your Name. Amen.
Have a great week!
In Him,
Mike
Sunday (Epistles): 1 Corinthians 9-10
Monday (Law): Genesis 48-50
Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 11-15
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 36-38
Thursday (Poetry): Job 25-26
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Mark 5-6
Here is my SOAP for the week:
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is constructive.
Observation: What a wonderful country we live in. We are pretty much free to do whatever we want. We are free to go for the American Dream, free to worship in our own manner and free to speak our minds. We are also free to make mistakes, free to make a fool out of ourselves and also free to be wasteful and sinful. What this verse is saying to me is "Just because you can do something does not mean that you should do it." What are the consequences of our actions, our words and our thoughts?
Application: I tend to sometimes get caught up in the "culture wars" in America. Issues like abortion and homosexuality tend to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotion where two opposing sides volley venom back and forth in an effort to "win" their battle. I have to remind myself in the heat of these discussions that there are real people out there who struggle with these issues in their lives. Society tells them that these issues are "permissible," and therefore good. What I cannot do is judge people based on issues like these, nor can I engage in a meaningful discussion with them by pounding them over the head with Scripture. As much as I see their need for a Savior, I must take the log out of my own eye so I can see MY OWN need for a Savior. We are all on the same team. And because of that we need to work through this thing called life together if we are all to experience indescribable freedom in Heaven.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I just want to thank you for your Word. I want to thank you for the simple verses, the ones that may take only ten seconds to hear but much longer to digest. I am in need of your grace today and will need it tomorrow. I ask in Your Name that grace is given to others who may not know you, that they will know you and be saved. I also ask in Your Name that grace is also given to those who do know you, but have a hard time focusing on You. The gift of freedom is a great gift, but I am asking for the wisdom to use this gift for how it was intended. Thank you for being a great and loving God, and I pray all of this in Your Name. Amen.
Have a great week!
In Him,
Mike
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