DTS Devotional - NET Bible readings with Reg Grant (audio)

Happy Hogmanay (Matt. 5:14 - 16)

Reg Grant — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

The fires of Hogmanay, a Scottish new year’s eve tradition, signify putting the darkness behind you and carrying forward the sacred flame of hope for a better world. It’s a good time to spread the light. “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14 – 16) Share the light of the gospel today. Happy Hogmanay!

Playing With Lions (Is. 11:6)

Reg Grant — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book, was born in India this day in 1865. The lead character in the story, an Indian boy named Mowgli, is brought up by wolves and becomes Master of the Jungle. It’s one of the all-time great stories of make believe for children. But the Bible tells us that a time will come when children will actually play with wild animals. “A wolf will reside with a lamb, and a leopard will lie down with a young goat; an ox and a young lion will graze together, as a small child leads them along.” (Is. 11:6) God’s kingdom is real. It’s coming. And that’s no fairy tale.

Refusing to Yield (Mark 8:34)

Reg Grant — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, made the mistake of insisting that the church remain free of state control. Because he refused to yield, he was murdered in the very cathedral where he served on this day, in 1170. The Lord Jesus calls each of us to that kind of radical commitment. “Then Jesus called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34) Stand firm for righteousness starting today. No matter what. That’s what it means to take up your cross and follow Him.

The Garden of Eden (Song of Solomon 4:9)

Reg Grant — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

December 28 was a cold, drizzly day in 1974, the kind of day when Adam and Eve left the garden. I climbed in the car for the ride to church, thinking how different life was going to be after this day had passed. The events unfolded slowly, in a series of snapshots – until the doors opened at the rear of the sanctuary and I saw Lauren, my bride. “You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride! You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.” (Song of Solomon 4:9) Thirty years ago today, I found the garden. For wherever Lauren is, there is Eden.

Box Money (Prov. 19:17)

Reg Grant — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Do you know what today is? It’s Boxing Day, of course, the day after Christmas! In the early days of Christianity, it was customary for heads of houses to give small sums of money to their servants “to put into the charity box” at church on Christmas day. The day after Christmas, the priests would distribute the “box money” to the poor. Happy Boxing Day! “The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed.” (Prov. 19:17) We have received so much. Let’s look for an opportunity to give to someone who can’t give back. Happy Boxing Day!

Lulu Flemming (James 4:10)

Reg Grant — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Ever hear of Lulu Fleming? She was the daughter of a slave. She was valedictorian of her class at Shaw University and became the first Black person appointed a career missionary by the woman’s American Baptist foreign Mission Society of the West and later earned a degree in medicine from the Pennsylvania Woman’s Medical College. She sailed for Africa in 1887 where she poured out the rest of her brief life in the Lord’s service. “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10) Not many folks have ever heard of Lulu Fleming. Down here, that is.

Humility's Payment (Phil. 2:5 – 7)

Reg Grant — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Humility doesn’t pay much, but it earns what can never be bought – respect, honor, and true greatness. “You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.” (Phil. 2:5 – 7) Praise God today that he humbled Himself by consenting to come to us as one of us, to die for us – and to live again. God bless you, and have a truly great Christmas.

A Wish Never Made (1Cor. 13:11, 12)

Reg Grant — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

White Christmas. Berlin wrote it. Crosby sang it. And for the most part, since we lived on a ranch in south Texas, I dreamed it. I wished for it. When it finally did snow that one Christmas Eve, it was even better than I had dreamed. “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face.” (1Cor. 13:11, 12) Jesus is the Christmas wish you never made, but always wanted. May your wish come true tonight. Merry Christmas.

No Strings Attached (Luke 11:11, 12)

Reg Grant — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Artist Salvador Dali, was a huge Marx Brothers fan. In 1936, Dali sent a surprise Christmas gift to Harpo Marx. It was a harp - with barbed wire strings. Not exactly what Harpo would expect to find in a harp. It worked, but only as a joke. Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t joke around when it comes to giving us what we need. “What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11, 12) This Christmas, thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ. the perfect Christmas gift with no strings attached.

When Love Shines Through (Eph. 4:15)

Reg Grant — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Feeling a little “Grinchy” this Christmas? Dr. Seuss reminds us that even Grinches can change when love shines through: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! ‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!’ And what happened then – in Who-ville they say is that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day!” Eph. 4:15 – “But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.” Good news: Christ has more in store for you today than any store can hold.

Your Life Script (Psalm 139:16)

Reg Grant — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

A few days before Christmas in 1965, Lee Mendelson told Charles Schulz. "I think I just sold A Charlie Brown Christmas to CBS!" "Really? What's that?" Schulz asked. "It's a Charlie Brown Christmas show, which you have to write in four days." Shultz scrambled to write the script. Isn’t it great God doesn’t scramble to write your life script? “Your eyes saw me when I was an unborn fetus. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence.” (Psalm 139:16) Charlie Brown’s Christmas came together in the last minute, but not yours.

Hidden Plans (Isaiah 29:15)

Reg Grant — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg grew up in New York City seeing the Nutcracker each Christmas season. But one year, she had to sneak away from mom to see the show. She left their apartment, saw the Nutcracker, and got back before mom – only she didn’t have her keys. Whoopi was caught! Do you ever think, “What’s the big deal, no one will know?” The prophet Isaiah warns us not to sneak around on God. “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord.” (Isaiah) 29:15. You may sneak out to that forbidden place. You may even get back. But, you’re not fooling Him. He knows. Keys or no keys, He knows.

Looking for Loopholes (2 Tim. 3:16 and 17)

Reg Grant — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

The agnostic W.C. Fields was thumbing through a Bible on his deathbed. “What are you doing?’ a friend asked. Fields looked up. "Looking for loopholes,” he said. He died Christmas morning – looking in the right book, but for the wrong answer. “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) I hope someone catches you reading the Bible this Christmas. And that you can tell them why.

A Great Discovery (Luke 2:11)

Reg Grant — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

The shepherds were simply going about their daily routine. Everything was typical, normal, until the messenger of God appeared. "Today, in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) They gathered their stuff and ran to Bethlehem. There, they discovered not just a baby in a manger, but the Great Shepherd Himself. During this Christmas season, what does God want you to discover? What may He want you understand? Be like the shepherds. Listen to God and respond. Go quickly. Don't wait. Who knows what God has waiting for you this Christmas!

Waiting for What? (Luke 2:30- 32)

Reg Grant — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

It’s almost Christmas and I can hardly wait. But I caught my self the other day, thinking, “Wait for what, exactly? To get another present? To eat more turkey and pie? What is it that I’m waiting for?” The old man Simeon had waited a long time for Christmas to come. When he finally got to hold the baby Jesus in his arms in Luke 2 he said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30- 32) What are you really waiting for this Christmas? I hope you find Him.