Bible Reading Devotions

Did Gabriel Play Favorites?

2011-01-03T21:07:00.001-06:00

Scheduled Reading:
Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1-80; John 1:1-18

Did you notice that both Zechariah and Mary had a questions for Gabriel following his startling birth announcement? Zechariah asked "How can I be certain of this since my barren wife and I am old..." and Mary asked "How can this be, since I am a virgin..." But did you also notice that Gabriel had two very different reactions to the similar questions? Zechariah heard from an indignant warrior angel who pronounced him mute from that moment until the moment the promise was to be fulfilled. Mary experienced a patient teacher who carefully explained what Mary needed to know. Perhaps this warrants a closer look.

What do the two questions imply?
Zechariah's "how can I be certain..." demonstrates a lack of... well, certainty! Zechariah is not confident in either the accuracy of the message or the authenticity of the messenger. I can almost imagine Gabriel's incredulous reaction....
"Do you know who I am?? Was anyone else in here when you came in? Did you see me come in?? I am GABRIEL! HELLO! I have just been dispatched from the THRONE OF HEAVEN! ALMIGHTY GOD sent me to tell you this great news - and YOU are not CERTAIN as to whether I am for real???"

Compare that to Mary's "how will this happen?" Her question doesn't appear to be motivated from a skeptical heart. Instead, she implied that she was confident in the outcome. She was just perplexed as to how God was going to accomplish this in her. Regardless of her understanding, she was ready and willing to serve the Lord according to His will. Gabriel gave her what information she needed to know - information that would help her avoid her ancestor's mistake - - Abraham when he fathered Ishmael because he lost patience with the promise he believed by faith.

So what can we take away from this little noticed dichotomy? Never question God? Hardly. Both had questions. God has little patience for skeptical faith? That's probably more like it. Its not that we have to understand the HOW of everything God promises to do. But is that we are to be CERTAIN he WILL do everything He promises to do.

New Year New Plan

2011-01-03T20:09:00.000-06:00

This Blog is a work in progress. I started out trying to provide a daily devotional to supplement my church members' Bible reading schedule as we worked our way through the Bible in one year. Unfortunately, I didn't think about doing this until well into the year. So I initially planned to continue the devotionals after December and into the new year until I had devotionals for one full year. Then come about November a hectic pace sapped me of time for creative thought and the blog became sidelined.

Then, also in November, our staff really wanted to offer the challenge again since so many members provided such positive feedback over the experience. But this year we scaled the challenge back a little in an effort to encourage the success participation of more people.

So now I am excited to be a part of our challenge to read the New Testament through in a year. I have developed a schedule that will walk readers through the Gospels Parallel (or harmonized) between January through Easter (Late April). Then from May through December, we will read the remaining Epistles at a rate of a chapter a day. The entire schedule encompasses Monday through Friday readings, leaving the weekends free for catch up, getting ahead, or supplemental reading.

A schedule can be downloaded from our website at www.fbcsulphur.org. Look for the challenge anouncement on the left side, click it, and download the PDF of the schedule.

This year, I will attempt to provide regular supplemental devotional thoughts along the way. I'm not promising daily offerings, but I will give it my best shot!

Thanks for following!
Tom Bruce

The Eye in the Sky

2010-11-15T00:01:00.001-06:00

Scheduled Reading:
Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; Psalm 122:7-123:3; Proverbs 28:3-4; Hebrews 4:1-5:9

Selected Passage:
Hebrews 4:12

The Eye in the Sky is not just an Alan Parson's Project song.... (To listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1IXQ1pKl_Q - my generation of 80's fans will appreciate that). I am not about to try to throw my lot in with the scholars who have struggled to understand Ezekiel's vision of the wheels. However, a way to try to understand one aspect of the wheels - the fact that they and the cherubim were covered with eyes - is to say that the Lord God sees all and knows all; a fact not ignored by the New Testament writer of Hebrews 4:12 many years later.

God sees all and knows all about all. Everything is laid bare and vulnerable before HIM. We WILL give an account to HIM one day for all that he saw in our lives. That fact alone sends a shudder down my spine. The verse just prior to the mention that God knows and sees all is the fact that Scripture is alive and active; penetrating to the very heart of the matter; dissecting our thoughts and motives. His Word is infallible, authoritative, and gives life to those who heed it.

Spending time feasting on God's Word, letting it change our hearts, attitudes, and perspectives is the surest way to bring pleasure to the "eye in the sky" and bring a measure of hope and confidence to that day of reckoning we all so quickly approach.

2010-11-14T00:01:00.001-06:00

Sunday, November 14, 2010
Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Psalm 121:8-122:6; Proverbs 27:27-28:2; Hebrews 2:10-3:19

2010-11-13T00:01:00.001-06:00

Saturday, November 13, 2010
Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Psalm 121:2-7; Proverbs 27:25-26; Hebrews 1:1-2:9

Do Hard Things

2010-11-12T00:01:00.003-06:00

Scheduled Reading:
Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Psalm 120:2-121:1; Proverbs 27:22-24; Philemon 1-25

Selected Passage: same

Recently I acquired a book from Life Action Ministries called "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations". It is written by two young men, Alex & Brett Harris, twin brothers who took on challenges to do more with their life than the culture expected from them. They have since accomplished a great deal before the age of 19. Some of these things include leading efforts in a grass-roots political campaign, speaking to large international audiences, publishing a good-selling book, and authoring a popular blog for teens (http://www.therebelution.com)

All the passages in today's reading deal with doing the difficult; obeying God even when it is hard, even painful, to do so. It is easy to SAY we must be obedient. But when it comes to having to make willful decisions to obey God that will most certainly result in less comfort and security for US, we often have second thoughts, and third, and fourth, and so on until the urge subsides. (I speak from experience).

Here Ezekiel was "deeply distressed" by what he knew he had to do. The Psalmist spoke up for peace among a people who were bent on war; he was lied about and persecuted for his words and actions. The Proverb pointed out that only idiots don't respond to corrective pressure from the wise or the Spirit of God, but the pressure does come. And then Paul did a most difficult thing in sending Onesimus back to his rightful owner, even though he had no obligation to do so.

I leave it to you to examine how has God called you to obey Him in recent days. Has he called you to do something uncomfortable? Has He called you to go out on a limb? Has He called you to confront a person or a people like Ezekiel? Is He grinding some character flaw from you and are you resisting His refining work in you?

Do the hard thing: submit yourself to God and His leading. Obey Him with all your heart. Don't listen to your flesh scream "NO! ARE YOU CRAZY??" Yeah, you are. It's OK. The ways of the world (and our flesh) seem right, and God's sometimes make no sense to us. But trust HIM. He's right.

Never Satisfied (But We Keep Trying)

2010-11-11T00:01:00.002-06:00

Scheduled Reading: (click below)
Lamentations 3:8-5:22; Psalm 119:172-120:1; Proverbs 27:20-21; Titus 2:11-3:15

Selected Passage:
Proverbs 27:20

How easily we give up on those admirable or virtuous things toward which we should be ambitious. Weight loss goals, savings goals, efforts to share the Gospel with friends or family, etc. Yet how difficult it is for us to abandon our pursuit of those vices away from which we should flee. Our eyes are never satisfied, but we keep trying.

Consider our predisposition toward lust. I am not speaking of sexual lust exclusively. Our eyes can lust after many different things. To name a few: money, food, pornography, possessions, power, prestige, respect... Lust is eagerly wanting something that does not rightfully belong to you.(Click the link at "lust" at the beginning of this paragraph for a more comprehensive study of the word.) The implication of this proverb is that our lust will be our downfall. Our lust can never be satisfied, so don't even try. Crucify the flesh.

Curious thing about our crucified flesh though...
I find my flesh, though thoroughly crucified, quickly recovers and is perfectly healthy in a remarkably short period of time.

How to Trip Your Boss

2010-11-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

Scheduled Reading (click to read):
Jeremiah 52:31-Lamentations 3:7; Psalm 119:165-171; Proverbs 27:17-19; Titus 1:6-2:10

Selected Passage:
Titus 2:1-10

Attractive Gospel vs The Stumbling Block. How to trip your boss may not sound like a good idea, and it never is - not in a physical sense nor in the spiritual. In Titus 2 we read some specifics on what a virtuous man, woman, and slave (or in our case - employee) should look like. Specifically, I'd like to look at what a good employee looks like.

The single most emphasized characteristic Paul chose to point out is TRUSTWORTHINESS. Don't steal from your master. Since most people reading this devotional, or should I say, since both people who read this devotional, are not slaves, I will say that our closest application of this principle would be toward our bosses. Essentially Paul is saying that if we serve our bosses honestly and do not steal from him - either by cheating on our time or by stealing his product, supplies, or intellectual property - we make the Gospel attractive, and have a chance at reconciling him or her to The Lord God Almighty.

So this isn't a matter of watering down the Gospel to make it more appealing. It is a matter of obeying the teachings of Jesus to make our faith believable.

Our actions should make faith in Jesus more attractive. Jesus said that HE would be the stumbling block, not us. There are those who use this statement to justify extremely offensive actions such as saying "God hates fags" or bombing abortion clinics or burning copies of the Koran. I do not believe that this is what Jesus had in mind. Far from it. His Gospel is simple, yet unbelievable. It requires FAITH in Jesus. This requirement in itself is enough to cause many to stumble.

Jesus DID NOT mean that OUR actions should be an obstacle to people entering the Kingdom. In fact, the polar opposite is true. Once people encounter the obstacle of faith in Jesus, they should be able to look at others who claim they have placed their faith in Him for their salvation. When they do look at us, they should see a lifestyle that confirms such a belief.

To do anything else is to trip our boss into hell. It won't be faith in Jesus that keeps him or her out. It will be you and me - living out a life that denies OUR faith in Jesus - that sticks our foot out into their path. Woe to us who provide such an obstacle to those who would seek Jesus.

2010-11-09T00:01:00.003-06:00

Scheduled Reading
Jeremiah 52:1-30; Psalm 119:159-164; Proverbs 27:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:9-Titus 1:5

Selected Passage:
Jer 52:1ff

I found myself reading the account of the new king of Israel - Zedikiah with a great deal of hope and expectation for Israel and his new leader. Finally, after chapter after chapter of Jeremiah's warnings to repent or disaster will strike, to point of becoming wearisome for the reader- (imagine preaching that and listening to that constantly at the time!)- I was hoping for "a change we could believe in". After all, this was the GRANDSON of JEREMIAH! Surely he, of all people, could turn this thing around.

But what do we find out of this young, 21 year old, full of potential, ascendant to the throne? We found potential alright. Potential for more and greater harm in record time. He ended up with his city routed and destroyed and before having his eyes put out, he witnessed his own sons being executed by the King of Babylon. It was to be the last sight he'd see in his long miserable life to follow.

Such disappointment. Such a w3aste. The young ruler could have fulfilled his potential in the other direction. Instead, he chose the path of stiff-necked pride and determination to do things his way. In so doing, he destroyed his nation.

I leave to you to draw comparisons and your own conclusions as to how this applies to your own life and our nation.

2010-11-08T08:46:00.002-06:00

Monday, November 8, 2010
Jeremiah 51:9-64; Psalm 119:152-158; Proverbs 27:12-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8

2010-11-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

Scheduled Reading: Jeremiah 48:1-49:6; Psalm 119:133-138; Proverbs 27:5-6; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Selected Passage:
1 Timothy 6:20

Less Pointless Talking More Good Doing
We talk too much. Godless chatter, is what Paul called it. Seems to me often times church people are just as bad, if not worse, about it as non-church people. I've heard the expression "It's like a train wreck... you just can't help but watch." Sure, curiosity is natural. But many times a crises is looming, and there are those among us who seem almost eager for the trains to collide so they can watch the carnage that follows. They find it entertaining. I find it sickening; especially among God's people.

Perhaps we should "entertain" ourselves by keeping busy doing good for those hurt in the carnage of the crises instead of talking about them and how horrible it is. That is how Jesus did it. He touched the lepers. Jesus ate at the home of the sinners and tax collectors. Jesus told the "righteous" to go ahead, throw the first stone at the one caught in sexual immorality, if you are innocent of sin. Jesus didn't talk much, except to put the "righteous" in their place and restore the sinner by His grace.

Let the Church be more like Christ, and less like the accuser.
It occurs to me that Satan, the accuser, eagerly anticipates the chaos and carnage that follows a crises among God's people. He stands ready to condemn the sinner, accuse the innocent, and mock the Church.

Let the Church be more like Christ and less like the accuser: Less pointless talking, more good doing. Don't just drop the stones and walk away. Drop the stones and go to work restoring those hurt by the carnage of sin and the accuser.

2010-11-04T00:01:00.002-05:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Scheduled Reading: Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Psalm 119:126-132; Proverbs 27:2-4; 1 Timothy 5:3-25

Selected Passage: Proverbs 27:3

Dude, That's Heavy.

I can remember filling sand bags and placing them around my home to prepare for a forecast flood a few years back. We lived in a flood-way. This is different than a flood zone or a low-lying area prone to street flooding. A flood-way is the path of the moving flood water as it rises and drains away! My young son and I filled sand bags by hand at the local community sand pile provided for this purpose. We then loaded them up in the back of my pick up truck, hauled them to the house, and began to strategically stack them around areas we feared water would enter our house. The work was arduous. In fact, after the storm passed and the threat subsided, we stacked those sand bags behind our fence. The reason was so that we would at least not have to fill and haul them again when next needed.

Have you ever been taunted by idiots? If you lived through Jr. High School, then most definitely. Many workplaces have similar traits. The proverb compares the provocation of a foolish person to the heaviness of sand and stone. Hauling that sand was exhausting work. The labor of it was wearisome. Even as an adult, I have endured Jr. High-like work environments, where only adults were present. Working & ministering in such an environment was indeed wearisome labor. But we all do what we must.

The author of that Proverb doesn't offer any advice on how to deal with it. He just acknowledged the problem. At least we can take comfort in knowing that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and that God can work even that out for His glory and our good. That alone makes it worth enduring to the end.

Oh, what's that you ask? Did my house flood? No. No, the forecast flood waters were greatly exaggerated that day. The effort didn't go to waste though. God is glorified today with this illustration, my son and I bonded over the project, and we had a waiting supply of sandbags, just in case.

See? God if faithful... in everything.

Some Things Never Change

2010-10-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 32:1-44; Psalm 119:87-93; Proverbs 26:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-2 Thessalonians 1:4

Selected Passage:
Psalm 119:89-93

Some Things Never Change

Well, I know ONE thing never changes... and that is the eternal & living Word of God. This Psalm extols that marvelous fact very well.

It is eternal - lasting forever.
It stands firm in the heavens - stable and strong where there is no other stability or strength.
It continues through all generations - though the generations change, have worship wars, and strange hair styles, God's Word always applies.
Want proof? Take a look at the how the very Earth is established and endures beyond explanation. (Evolutionists cannot come up with even a remotely satisfactory explanation outside of an Ingenious Creator - not just an intelligent designer)
His law endures - No matter what is legislated or persecuted or warred against (jihad, for example) - His law endures, applies and is proven right.
ALL THINGS serve to glorify Him - even those determined and purposed not to, those too will bow the knee.
His law has the power to preserve those who will heed it.

So, are you looking for stability, certainty, something dependable? Look no further than your nearest Bible.

Open it.

Read it.

Devour it.

Learn it.

Memorize it.

Obey it.

Share it.

Teach it.

No One Knows

2010-10-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 29:24-31:40; Psalm 119:81-86; Proverbs 26:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-5:10

Selected Passage:
1 Thessalonians 4:13ff

No one knows the day or the time when the Lord Jesus will return for His church. But what a glorious day that will be! No more tears. No more worries. No more sickness and death. Death will be swallowed up in victory. Sin will be utterly defeated. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!

In just this week,

I have gotten word of 3 faithful, generous, and active church members struggling to make ends meet in this depressed economy
reports are getting to me of those whose hearts have been revived (myself included) facing a barrage of discouragement, troubles, and abuses - some at the hands of fellow church members.

Just yesterday I had 3 different people ask me "are we going back to the way things were before revival?"

Even today, I struggled to open God's Word to hear from Him. But I'm glad I did.

All our griefs, no matter how trivial or how great become annoying distractions in the light of His imminent return and great glory. I say again... come quickly, Lord!

God Bless America

2010-10-27T06:00:00.009-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 27:1-29:23; Psalm 119:74-80; Proverbs 26:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-4:8

Selected Passage:
Jeremiah 29:7

There is a popular movement among Christians today away from traditional church settings and duty to country toward a more house-church setting with a disposition toward separatism from government. I must admit that the philosophy has intrigued me. I have sat up, on occasion, late into the night debating the concept with dear friends in the faith who hold tightly to the philosophy. Their arguments are very convincing.

On one hand, they long for the simpler days - when "doing church" was not so... so... complicated... so cumbersome... so bureaucratic... Their desire resonates with me. It sounds nice. But just today, JUST NOW, I realized we DO have that in the modern church! We just call it Sunday School! Our Sunday School classes come together into a common community where we worship together in mass, and we call that "church".

On the other hand, this movement is also away from loyalty to country and toward loyalty to Christ alone. This was a tenet of the philosophy that I understood the least. In my view, my loyalty to Christ is first and my loyalty to country exists only as long as my country is loyal to my Savior. I have always felt like it was my duty to impact our society (and government) to help us remain loyal to Christ as a nation. I still do.

Never have I believed that Christians should legislate maters of faith. Nor should we condemn the non-believer for not living a Spirit-filled life. But influence society - as salt influences food, as light influences a room or a path - definitely.

And today, we read in Jeremiah 29:7 - God instructed the Israelites to assimilate into their captor's godless nation, even to seek its peace and prosperity and to pray for the nation. The reasoning: if the nation is blessed and prospers, they, too, will be blessed and will prosper. So I believe we are on solid Biblical ground when we say "God Bless America."

So, what's the take away? Here it is: Go to Sunday School, stay for church and pray for America!

Who Dat, don't be makin' no sense?

2010-10-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 13:1-15:21; Psalm 119:35-41; Proverbs 25:23-25; Philippians 4:1-23

Selected Passage: Philippians 4:1-23:

Who Dat, don't be makin' no sense?

Paul certainly practiced what he preached! In Philippians 4, he started off instructing his readers to always rejoice in the Lord, being gentle, knowing that our Lord Jesus is near. That perspective should help us not be be anxious about anything. If our perspective is that the Lord is near, then it will come natural for us to bring our worries to Him. After all, our control of our circumstances is an illusion. He alone is in control. He alone can deliver. He alone can bring about His glory and our good out of difficult situations. With this perspective, we have that inexplicable peace, that defies comprehension. The watching world simply cannot understand such peace in the midst of hardship. THAT RIGHT THERE can bring God the glory due Him! Our hardships become worth it on that basis alone! Hence the title: Who Dat, be don't makin' no sense? in respect to our beloved Saints!

But the benefits do not stop there! Paul says that when we are careful in this area, God PROTECTS our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus! I don't know about you, but my stray thoughts often gravitate to my worries. What a relief when we realize we can give those to Him - who can do something about it for His glory and my good - and then I am freed up to concentrate on more worthwhile things, like:

whatever is true,

whatever is noble,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable

things that are excellent or praiseworthy

as Paul admonishes us to do.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, Paul demonstrated how he himself is held to that same standard for his worries. (spacing and punctuation added for emphasis & clarity)

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances:

I know what it is to be in need,

I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Counter Intelligence

2010-10-20T02:00:00.000-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 10:17-12:17; Psalm 119:29-34; Proverbs 25:21-22; Philippians 3:1-21

Selected Passage: Proverbs 25:21-22

Counter Intelligence

When I was a kid, I can remember getting so angry at one of my brothers that all I could think about was getting even. Finally, my oldest brother must have tired of hearing about my diabolical plots against the sibling. Whether he realized he would suffer some sort of blame for what I had in mind or he just knew my scheme would only back fire, or whether he was really trying to teach me a spiritual principle, I'll probably never know. But, I have never forgotten what he said.

My brother brought his Bible to me and showed me Romans 12:17-21 . He helped me understand that it wasn't my place to take revenge on my brother, whom God loved too. He also pointed out that God will do a much better job of defending me or getting even than I could ever hope to do. In fact, if I let GOD do it, I couldn't get in trouble for it!

Good advice. Now, 30 or so years later, I have no idea what started the quarrel. I am sure it was just good clean fun between siblings that was starting to get out of hand. I honestly have no idea if God avenged me or not. It really doesn't matter. The point is that my oldest brother taught me a very valuable lesson that day. It was a lesson that had nothing to do with revenge. He taught me that Scripture has the answer to every problem or concern I could ever face. He taught me to seek God's counsel before I act. He taught me that if I have God's Word hidden in my heart, I will be able to avoid sinning against Him, and save myself from regret.

But the Scripture he used in that teachable moment was counter-intuitive. My heart, my mind, my sinful nature were all screaming "GET EVEN!" If I had asked my friends, they would have helped my plot my next move. (I doubt they would have come to comfort me in the punishment from my parents that would have surely followed!) The Bible was the only source of counter-intelligence to be found. And my brother showed it to me. I listened. I learned. The choice was mine to make.

Thanks, John, for taking the time to teach your pesky little brother to seek the answers he needs from the Word of Life. You always were and still are a good brother and friend. I am a blessed man to have two great older brothers and parents who love each other and the Lord with all their hearts.

2010-10-19T02:00:00.000-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Jeremiah 8:4-10:16; Psalm 119:22-28; Proverbs 25:18-20; Philippians 2:1-30

Selected Passage:
Philippians 2

It has been over a month now since our revival services at FBCS came to a conclusion. But the heat from the revival flames can still be felt. In fact, just last night, by all reports I have heard, the revival was still quite evident in the congregation. I rejoice with the one who accepted Christ's offer of salvation from the penalty of sin last night!

During the days of revival we learned about obedience to Christ, no matter the personal cost. Many of us took the badly needed steps toward reconciliation and forgiveness between our brothers and sisters in Christ. I find that still happening in many people's relationships today, even a month later. I pray it will continue. Because only then will the Spirit's power among us be sustained and continue His purifying work among us.

I know from my own experience, how gut-wrenchingly difficult it can be to swallow our pride and start those difficult conversations. I pray that some how we will all continue to summon the strength and courage to do those difficult things to which God leads us to do. "Let us not grow weary in doing good" has taken on a new dimension for me these days.

2010-10-18T11:06:00.000-05:00

Monday, October 18, 2010
Jeremiah 7:1-8:3; Psalm 119:16-21; Proverbs 25:16-17; Philippians 1:9-30

2010-10-15T02:00:00.000-05:00

Friday, October 15, 2010
Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Psalm 118:25-119:2; Proverbs 25:8-10; Ephesians 5:3-20

Selected Passage: Jeremiah 2:36-37

Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? Seems like an odd question from the weeping prophet, Jeremiah. Isn't he calling the people to repentance?

2010-10-12T02:01:00.001-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Isaiah 60:1-63:6; Psalm 118:6-11; Proverbs 25:1-2; Ephesians 2:14-3:13

Selected Passage: Isaiah 58

The Church of the Walking Dead
Wow, revival has continued at FBCS for over a month now. It is hard to believe that our Life Action Ministries team has been gone now for just under 30 days. But the effects of their leadership and God's stirring here are still very much with us. We seem to be developing the habit of applying the scripture "confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed" on a weekly basis now.

As I thought about it, I began to be concerned. It seems that so many of us now are struggling with our fleshly desires. Our sinful natures are taking control again - even with a vengeance, it would seem. At first I worried that we were headed back to the way things were. We had crucified our fleshly desires, and had reckoned ourselves dead to sin, but somehow those dead things were resurrecting everywhere! In my mind, it was beginning to look like a scene from some cheap horror flick "The Church of the Walking Dead" or something! But I thought again...

No! The way things were before, were exactly the same except for ONE thing...Before, we ignored the problems. We kept silent. We pretended that everything was OK. And we CERTAINLY did NOT "confess our sins to each other", lest we be judged!

No indeed! Things are NOT the way they were before. It's just that when we confess our sins to each other, the healing begins. It's not pretty. It's not pleasant to watch, but it is beautiful at the same time. Broken and contrite hearts before God almighty are not despicable in His sight!

I say, let's keep on confessing our sins to each other so that we may be healed! Come in Lord Jesus. Come in!

2010-10-11T09:33:00.001-05:00

Monday, October 11, 2010

Isaiah 56:9-59:21; Psalm 117:1-118:5; Proverbs 24:32-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:13

Blessings All Mine, with 10,000 beside!

2010-10-07T02:01:00.000-05:00

Scheduled Reading
Isaiah 44:24-47:15; Psalm 115:12-18; Proverbs 24:22-24; Galatians 4:1-20

Selected Passage: Mixed
Blessings All Mine with 10,000 beside!

I find it remarkable how so often these seemingly random selections of Scripture reading that appear in our schedule on the same day speak complimentary with each other. Of course, I am not sure why I am so surprised... there are no contradictions to be found in the 66 books of the inspired & living Word of God!

Today, is just such an example.

In Isaiah 46 the prophet speaks of God rescuing and sustaining His fallen chosen nation, Israel.
In Psalm 115 the writer extols the blessings of almighty God.
In Proverbs 24, well, OK, maybe not a perfect example!
In Galatians 4, we are heirs with Christ, no longer slaves to sin!

Yes, indeed, God delights in blessing His children, but I don't believe it is for the same reasons as many of our "health and wealth" gospel preachers say. I honestly do not believe that God is all that concerned with my comfort, my health, my wealth, my retirement. I do believe He is all about His glory! And rightly so. It is His glory that draws us to Him, so that we may be saved in the first place!

To the degree that my life, my health, my possessions will glorify Him - that is the degree to which I want His blessings. To the degree that I will allow those things in my life to glorify ME, that is the degree to which I want Him to with-hold them from me.

To HIM alone be the Glory!

Is History Repeating Itself?

2010-10-05T02:01:00.000-05:00

Scheduled Reading:
Isaiah 41:1-42:25; Psalm 114:7-115:5; Proverbs 24:17-19; Galatians 2:11-3:5

Selected Passage: Isaiah 41:20-25

Which of you will listen to this
       or pay close attention in time to come?

Is History Repeating Itself?
Is history repeating itself? Is history repeating itself? Where have I heard that before? The more things change, the more things stay the same. How true. Isaiah was describing the calamity that befell Israel, God's CHOSEN nation. That nation enjoyed God's favor and protection for many years. Then, they got fat and happy, content and over-confident, arrogant and idolatrous. God removed his hand of protection, for their own good. He allowed other nations to over-power them, removing their comfortable contentedness. He stripped every ounce of self-reliance from the nation of Israel. Isaiah painted a terrifying scenario:

²² But this is a people plundered and looted,
       all of them... hidden away in prisons.
      ...with no one to rescue them;
      ...with no one to say, "Send them back."
²³ Which of you will listen to this
       or pay close attention in time to come?
²⁴ Who handed... over Israel to the plunderers?
       Was it not the LORD,
       against whom we have sinned?
       For they ... did not obey his law.

Imagine this were us, in the coming days or weeks. The USA attacked by godless nations. Our citizens carried off and hidden away in prisons... with no one to insist on our safe return. Will any of us listen or pay attention IN TIME TO COME? Who will it be that could do this to our nation? Is it not the LORD against whom we have sinned? We do not obey his law or even respect the sacrifice he has freely given for all who would believe.

So I ask again... is history repeating itself?

Mutually Exclusive?

2010-10-04T02:03:00.000-05:00

Scheduled Reading
Isaiah 39:1-40:31; Psalm 114:1-6; Proverbs 24:15-16; Galatians 1:10-2:10

Selected Passage: Galatians 1

Mutually Exclusive?

I find it Interesting how Paul contrasted trying to please men with serving Christ. In fact, he implied that the two are mutually exclusive! How foolish it is, then, for me to even try to please men! For it would seem that to do so, I would have to stop serving Christ.

Since I find myself often trying to please men, I do find comfort in this passage in that, when servants of Christ are truly serving (or trying to serve) Christ, we tend to be pleasing toward each other. It is usually when one of the servants of Christ is being rebellious, disobedient, or misled that we can find ourselves in conflict. And for this, God has also made provision - forgiveness and reconciliation.

So, there we go again - keeping short accounts with God and each other - quick to forgive, quick to reconcile, quick to move on and back to serving God and each other! Praise be to God for His glorious grace and provision!