Week 45: Presenting our Gifts

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25, Hebrews 6:1-20, Psalm 105:16-36, Proverbs 27:1-2
• Monday: Ezekiel 12:1-14:11, Hebrews 7:1-17, Psalm 105:37-45, Proverbs 27:3
• Tuesday: Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 27:4-6
• Wednesday: Ezekiel 16:42-17:24, Hebrews 8:1-13, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 27:7-9
• Thursday: Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10
• Friday: Ezekiel 20:1-49, Hebrews 9:11-28, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 27:11
• Saturday: Ezekiel 21:1-22:31, Hebrews 10:1-17, Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 27:12

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Hebrews:

 

Scripture: Hebrews 7:26

"He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart from sinners, and he has been given the highest place of honor in heaven."

Observation:
The book of Hebrews is somewhat difficult to understand at times. The author spends a lot of time explaining the principles of the Jewish priesthood, and how Jesus is the perfect high priest. What exactly does that mean, the fact that Jesus is a high priest? Well, for that we have to go to Hebrews Chapter 5 verse 1, where we find a 'definition' of what a high priest is:

"Now a high priest is a man chosen to represent other human beings in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers their sacrifices for sins."

So a high priest is chosen, and his main function is to represent other human beings in their dealings with God. The two main tasks a high priest performs for people are described here: 1. The high priest presents their gifts to God, and 2. he offers sacrifices for their sin.

Application:
The fact that Jesus is our high priest, means that he is the one who represents us in our dealings with God. According to the definition above, this means that He presents our gifts to God, and He offers sacrifices for our sin, which He did once and for all on the cross. I knew that Jesus offered sacrifices for my sin (himself, holy & blameless), but what struck me was the other task that the high priest does for us: He presents our gifts to God. What gifts are these? Well, I think these gifts could be our acts of service, our love for one another, our monetary offerings, etc. Whatever we bring to honor God, Jesus presents that gift to the Father. How awesome is that when you think of it?

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for representing us in our dealings with God. There is no better ambassador we could have than you. We love you and praise you, and want to offer our lives as a living sacrifice to honor you. In your name we pray. Amen.

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Dick

Week 44: Electing to do the Right Thing

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19
• Monday: Lamentations 1:1-2:22; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20
• Tuesday: Lamentations 3:1-66; Hebrews 1:1-14; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 26:21-22
• Wednesday: Lamentations 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:23
• Thursday: Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26
• Friday: Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 26:27
• Saturday: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 5:1-14; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Titus:

Scripture: Titus 3:1, 2
"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone."

Observation:
When I read these verses this morning, it occurred to me how relevant they are for Americans at this stage of the political calendar. Candidates are challenging the records of incumbents and incumbents are challenging the qualifications of their challengers. There is a lot of mud-slinging in all directions. It is easy for Christ-followers to get caught up in the disrespectful, uncharitable spirit of partisan rancor.

I am reminded of an earlier time in my pastoral life when several members of the church I served put bumper stickers on their cars that had disparaging remarks about the president that was in office at the time. This bothered me, so I said something about it in one of my sermons. I quoted this passage and said that God calls us to submit to our leaders and to respect them in ways that honor Jesus Christ. After the service a man approached me and said, "I respect the president's office, but not the man." I answered, "Think about it…it is impossible to respect the office of the president while disrespecting the president that occupies the office."

Application:
Today I want to sit with this passage and let its teachings soak into my soul. I want to be ready do obey and do what is good rather than slandering those in office (or those running for office). I want to rise above all forms of mud-slinging and be a model of love and humility. And after the elections, I want to honor, pray for, and respect whoever ends up in office.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, I thank you that I live in the United States. I pray for this country and its leaders…and I pray that you will help us be examples of love and humility throughout the final stages of this election period, for Jesus’ sake. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 43: The Forgotten Virtue

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Jeremiah 37:1-38:28; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 25:28
• Monday: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2 
• Tuesday: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 26:3-5 
• Wednesday: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8 
• Thursday: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12
• Friday: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16
• Saturday: Jeremiah 51:1-53; Titus 2:1-15; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 26:17 

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of 1 Timothy:

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

"But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."

Observation:
When I read this text today, it made me think of the time I was visiting a new church and the pastor opened his message with the question, "Who wants to get rich?" Almost half the people enthusiastically raised their hands. I thought to myself, "What a creative way to begin a message on the deceitfulness of riches and the need to replace our desire to 'get rich' with the godly contentment."

Contentment is a virtue that is both overlooked and misunderstood. When people in our day and age say they are satisfied with their station in life (with the job they have or with the car they drive or whatever), they are often marked as lazy or "willing to settle for the status quo – the mediocre."

Our culture lauds ambition over contentment (as though they were mutually exclusive). Our world induces us to "dress for success" and "aspire to greatness" and to take steps to assure that we claim as big a piece of life's pie as we can get.

Godly contentment is simply not on the world's radar…which is unfortunate because, according to the Bible, it is the key to true success.

Someone has said it this way: 'True success is not having what you want, but wanting what you have."

Godly contentment is not lazy because it will never let us rest until we have found our true north in living wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ. Godly contentment strives for a treasure that the world does not recognize…and will not rest until it lays claim to it. Its home is in Jesus and Jesus' call. Its destination is true life. It is not distracted by the festooned phoniness of wealth and success, which is destined to perish. And when it finds what it is looking for, it knows…we know.

We know that we are at rest in the arms of the One who will never leave us or forsake us.

Application:
Today I want to make a point of not projecting myself into a future of "better things." I want to celebrate the goodness of my life the way it is now. I want to make the most of the present moment. Today I will love my life the way it is…period. I will cherish "now." I will enjoy today as the gift it is. I will be Jesus' man here and now, resting in the Great "I AM." It strikes me that when God revealed himself to Moses…and for the first time named himself for the human race…he said, "My name is, 'I Am that I Am.'" God is God to us in the present tense. He is not "I Was" or "I Will Be."

I can't seize upon contentment by dwelling on my past accomplishments and failures…and I can't find it by yearning for or trying to predict what is not yet. Godly contentment is a virtue that we can embrace only in the present.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please envelop me with a contentment that makes no earthly sense, as I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,

Chuck

Week 42: Innocent Birds

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Jeremiah 23:21-25:38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Psalm 84:1-12, Proverbs 25:15
• Monday: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 25:16
• Tuesday: Jeremiah 28:1-29:32, 1 Timothy 1:1-20, Psalm 86:1-17, Proverbs 25:17
• Wednesday: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1-15, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 25:18-19
• Thursday: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 25:20-22
• Friday: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 25:23-24
• Saturday: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32, 1 Timothy 5:1-25, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 25:25-27

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Psalms:

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-4
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young -- at a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God! 4 How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.

Observation:

In last week's SOAP we talked about the song "I will boast". This week's reading of Psalm 84 connects us with another famous song "Better is one day in your courts". The first two verses of this Psalm are also the opening verses of that song. The writer of the Psalm proclaims his love and desire for God's house, the Temple. He longs to enter the courts of the LORD, yes, he even faints with longing. His heart is burning to be in the presence of the LORD. With his whole being he is shouting joyfully to the living God.

The verse that caught my eye, though, is verse 3: Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young -- at a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God! The psalm writer paints a picture of birds that were simply flying in and out of the temple. Unlike people, who had to come through the gates at certain times (and not even all people were allowed to enter) birds didn't have any restrictions. They could simply fly in and out. Even build a nest near the altar and raise their young there!

Application:

To me, this picture of innocent birds flying in and out of the temple, is a beautiful picture of how God wants us Christians to live: simply come into his presence without any restriction or obstacle. Simply build your nest near His altar, and raise your young in his house. Simply come to Him, the fount of our blessing, and live in the shadow and protection of his wings. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we can come to you as innocent birds. Through Jesus Christ, You allow us into your presence. Through Him, you see us faultless, perfect and holy, even though we know we are not! Thank you for the peace we find in you. How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praise. In Jesus Name, Amen.

As you go about your week, enjoy God's presence. Sing his praise, and know that He loves you unconditionally.

In Him,

Dick

Week 41: Boast in God Alone

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26, Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 24:27
• Monday: Jeremiah 10:1-11:23, Colossians 3:18-4:18, Psalm 78:56-72, Proverbs 24:28-29
• Tuesday: Jeremiah 12:1-14:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 24:30-34
• Wednesday: Jeremiah 14:11-16:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13, Psalm 80:1-19, Proverbs 25:1-5
• Thursday: Jeremiah 16:16-18:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3, Psalm 81:1-16, Proverbs 25:6-8
• Friday: Jeremiah 19:1-21:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 25:9-10
• Saturday: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, Psalm 83:1-18, Proverbs 25:11-14

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of the prophet Jeremiah:

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let those who boast boast about this: that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

Observation:
The LORD (YHWH) is speaking to his people directly through the prophet Jeremiah. He tells them not to boast in their strength or riches. Anyone who wants to boast needs to boast in this one thing... that they understand and know the LORD. The transliterated Hebrew word for 'boast' is Halal, which means to 'glory', or 'shine'. God is making his point clear here: his people shouldn't glorify themselves, but only bring glory to Him.

Application:
I know these verses pretty well, as we sing a song at our church called 'I will boast' by Paul Baloche, that  has put these words of Jeremiah to music. Yet, when I read these words again, I was struck by the phrase: "...let those who boast boast about this: that they understand and know me...". It struck me, because I'm not the most vocal person when it comes to boasting about God in public. Yes, I've shared the Good News with those who don't know Him, but there have been plenty of times when I 'glorify' myself, or like to bask in the glory of my own accomplishments, strength, riches, and so on. God wants us to glorify Him alone. I need to be more conscious to boast about the fact that I understand and know Him.

God also tells us some key characteristics about Himself, that He likes to be known for: kindness, justice and righteousness. God delights in these, and He delights in it when his children exercise these attributes here on earth.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I do want to boast in You alone. You are the giver of strength, riches, and everything else. Keep us from glorifying ourselves, and help us to bring glory to you alone, and your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week. For those at Woodhaven Community Church: I encourage all of you to take on the Transformeter Challenge. Simply be willing to join a group and go through the challenges, and let God complete the transformation in you!

In Him,

Dick

Week 40: Living the Atonement Life

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

*Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12
*Monday: Isaiah 62:6-65:25; Philippians 2:19-3:3; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 24:13-14
*Tuesday: Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16
*Wednesday: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20
*Thursday: Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-17; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22
*Friday: Jeremiah 4:19-6:15; Colossians 1:18-2:7; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 24:23-25
*Saturday: Jeremiah 6:16-8:7; Colossians 2:8-23; Psalm 78:1-31; Proverbs 24:26

This week's S.O.A.P. reflection is taken from Philippians:

Scripture: Philippians 2:12, 13
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Observation:
When Jesus emptied himself of the privileges and prerogatives of Deity to become a human being and when he followed through on the Father's plan to give himself as a sacrifice for human sin on the cross, he achieved what theologians call "atonement"—a word whose meaning, at least in part, is suggested by its three components: "at-one-ment." When Jesus became a human being, lived a sinless life, and then took upon himself the punishment for sin by dying a sinner’s death, he achieved forgiveness for all who embrace him in saving faith. But there’s more to the atonement than forgiveness…

The atonement has as much to do with how we live now as it does about "going to heaven when we die."

In 2:6-11, the Apostle Paul quoted a hymn that the early church sang. It is one of the richest pieces of theology in the New Testament. (As a side note, I would point out that this passage shows us that deep theology can be taught through our songs and hymns…if we are intentional enough to use our music that way…a point that writers of sacred music in previous generations understood better than many of today's popular song writers.) After citing this rich reflection on Jesus' incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, Paul begins the next phrase with the word “therefore.”

In other words, everything Paul says in verses 12 and 13 about living a godly life is based on the atonement, which he expressed in the previous verses.

Application:
We are to live atonement lives. Our lives are to be living, breathing instances of at-one-ment with God. Paul explains how we do that. We "work out our salvation with fear and trembling," which does not mean that we are trying to earn salvation through our works. There is a world of difference between "working for" and "working out."

What does it mean to work out our salvation? It means that we learn to live our lives in union with God. Paul says in this passage that God is in us…willing and acting in ways to fulfill his good purpose. That's why there is "fear and trembling!" It is an awesome thing to be in union with the Living God!

The atonement of Jesus puts us at one with the God of the universe! When a person becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, he or she is filled with the Holy Spirit, which means that God takes up residence in that person…and he or she is never alone again!

Today I want to sit with the reality of the atonement and realize afresh that being "at one" with God makes all the difference in the world as to how I live.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it is an awesome thing to be union with you, the Living God! Please help me not take that lightly. Teach me what you want of me as I seek to work out my salvation in harmony with you. Thank you so much that Jesus' atonement achieves the forgiveness of sin, for without that, I could not exist in your presence at all! But now that you have brought me into union with you, please help me to be sensitive to your promptings and to live a life of obedience and joy. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a wonderful week in God's word!

Faithfully,

Chuck

Week 39: Living Promises

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

*Sunday: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35
*Monday: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2
*Tuesday: Isaiah 45:11-48:11; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 24:3-4
*Wednesday: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6
*Thursday: Isaiah 51:1-53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7
*Friday: Isaiah 54:1-57:14; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8
*Saturday: Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10

This week's S.O.A.P. reflection is taken from Isaiah:

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,
 you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;
 the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,
 the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Observation:
One thing I love about reading Scripture in the One-Year format is the combination of readings from the Old and New Testaments. When I first read this passage from Isaiah, I had my professor hat on and interpreted it in its historical-cultural context. I understood the prophet to be addressing Israel during a particularly difficult point in its history. These prophetic words were life giving and hope infusing. But they were written for a certain people at a specific point in history.

However, when I read the passage from Ephesians 2, which states that Jesus united the Jews and Gentiles into one people through his body on the cross, I realized afresh that God’s words through Isaiah speak directly to me in the here-and-now!

It's a beautiful thing to hear God speak directly to us: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine." It is wonderful to hear God's comforting promise, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown." No matter what I face in life, I can rest assured that God will deliver me from it. And I can take these promises to the bank because they bear the signature of “the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Application:
I want to sit with this word from God today and let it soak into my being. I want to let its soothing warmth wash over me and wring every ounce of stress from my soul. This is God’s word to me...and to you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, your word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It is as current today...and as meaningful to your people today...as it was when you first spoke it to your inspired writers. Today I rest in you and in your grace. Because you are my God, I have nothing to fear...and I have every reason to rejoice, no matter what my circumstances are. Thank you most of all for Jesus, who secures my salvation and brings all your promises to life. Amen!

Have a great week reading God's word!

Faithfully,
Chuck