Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jonah 1-2
NT: Jude
W&W: Song of Solomon 6

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jonah 3-4
NT: Revelation 1
W&W: Song of Solomon 7

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Micah 1-2
NT: Revelation 2
W&W: Song of Solomon 8

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Micah 3-4
NT: Revelation 3
W&W: Psalm 143

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Micah 5-6
NT: Revelation 4
W&W: Psalm 144

Today’s Reflection:

The story of Jonah is a classic story in the Old Testament. You remember it don’t you? Jonah got swallowed up by a big fish when he was trying to get away from God. The fish spit him up on shore, but not until Jonah prayed this prayer: “With a song of thanksgiving, I will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD” (Jonah 2.9)

Several minutes ago I spoke with a friend who underwent surgery two weeks ago. After the surgery I had visited him at home and he was getting along great. But in the ensuing days, he suffered quite a bit of post-surgical pain and complications. He told me, "I cried out to the Lord in those days, and he was certainly there with me." Even in suffering and pain, my friend found the presence of the Lord reassuring.

Whether it's Jonah in the belly of a fish, my friend in the grip of post-surgical pain, or you in the midst of trials, we have so much to be thankful for.

I trust that you, dear reader, are singing a song of thanksgiving today. I hope that your thanksgiving hasn’t already faded away. Even in trying circumstances – even from the belly of a fish – we can find something for which we can be grateful: salvation comes from the LORD. I challenge you to read that, not as a declaration of the origin of salvation (although it is certainly that), but read it as an affirmation of certainty that your salvation is indeed coming from God! Even now!

I missed last week, but below are the daily readings for those wanting to catch up!

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Amos 3
NT: 1 John 3
W&W: Song of Solomon 1

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Amos 4-5
NT: 1 John 4
W&W: Song of Solomon 2

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Amos 6-7
NT: 1 John 5
W&W: Song of Solomon 3

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Amos 8-9
NT: 2 John
W&W: Song of Solomon 4

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Obadiah 1
NT: 3 John
W&W: Song of Solomon 5

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 13-14
NT: 2 Peter 1
W&W: Psalm 139.1-16

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Joel 1
NT: 2 Peter 2
W&W: Psalm 139.17-24

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Joel 2
NT: 2 Peter 3
W&W: Psalm 140

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Joel 3
NT: 1 John 1
W&W: Psalm 141

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Amos 1-2
NT: 1 John 2
W&W: Psalm 142

Today’s Reflection:

Peter wrote to the early church to “Make your calling and election sure…” (2 Peter 1.10). We need to follow Jesus and check our bearings. The marks of a disciple help us to do just that. They serve as compass points to guide us in the way and to provide us feedback for the progress we are making. You can make your calling and election sure by asking yourself:

• Is my life centered on God, on knowing and worshiping him?
• Am I developing Christian relationships, reaching out to and supporting my brothers and sisters in the family of God? Do I show genuine family love?
• Am I growing in Christ, becoming more like him in love and holiness and sacrifice and service? Do I study his Word? Am I changing or stagnant?
• Do I live as a responsible citizen in all the “arenas” of my life? Do I go out to be salt and light in this world?
• Have I been sowing seeds of partnership with God and his people, faithfully giving, praying, inviting and serving in the church?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
2 Peter 1.3a: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him.

Where Do You Buy Your Gold?

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 9-10
NT: 1 Peter 4
W&W: Psalm 137

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 11-12
NT: 1 Peter 5
W&W: Psalm 138

Today’s Reflection:

Have you seen those commercials: “Where do you buy your gold? I buy mine at Rosalind Capital…” Well, I’ve got a better place to get a more stable investment.

All week I’ve been anxious to get to this entry because it is so important to me. You see, life is not always easy, and faith (true faith) is never automatic. Our faith is tested and in the testing we discover that it is of greater worth than gold! Good news in today’s economic climate!

Each morning as I pray, I “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes” (Ephesians 6.11). One piece of the armor is “the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (v. 16). As I put on this “faith as a breastplate” (1 Thessalonians 5.8), I often recite a passage that has come to be one of my favorites:

1 Peter 5.6-11: “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Yes, the devil is busy throwing flaming arrows at God’s children, but as long as I put on the shield of faith, as long as I stand firm in the faith, those arrows will never mortally wound me, will never pierce my heart.

Take heart, my friend. You are God’s child.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 Peter 5.10-11: And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

God Remembers!

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 7-8
NT: 1 Peter 3
W&W: Psalm 136

Today’s Reflection:

Today’s Psalm (136) says:
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever…
23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate. His love endures forever.

As I read that, I was reminded how God has remembered me in my low estate. Because of that, I have confidence with the Psalmist to say “His love endures forever!

In times when the enemy would lie to me, saying I…

• Was without hope
• Had no reason for confidence
• Teetered on the edge of falling
• Didn’t have a friend who cared
• Would never find meaningful service again
• Faced an empty future

God was with me! Yes, in those times of low estate, he remembered me! He loved me!

And even now – though I am low in many ways – his love endures still!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 Peter 5.10-11: And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister By Night

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 5-6
NT: 1 Peter 2
W&W: Psalm 135

Today’s Reflection:

This Psalm was from yesterday’s reading, but I couldn’t resist it:

Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.

The second phrase of verse 1 jumped out at me: “…who minister by night in the house of the Lord…”

It’s easy to praise the Lord in the confidence of sunlight. It’s a joy minister to my brother who walks in the daylight of happiness. But, do I minister by night in the "house" [We are God’s house…] of the Lord? When my friend is discouraged and discouraging, when she is depressed and depressing, do I minister in the night of her soul? Or, do I avoid her, saying, “She's a real downer. I don’t want to hang around her!”

Ask yourself:

• Do I offer God’s hope when the darkness of despair falls over a brother or sister?
• When the light fades, am I the light of the world for my friend?
• When understanding ceases, do I – with confidence – point people to the One who works in all things for our good?
• When silence prevails, do offer words of encouragement and direction?
• When loneliness stalks the shadows, am I a friend who chases away isolation?
• When fear lurks around every bend, do I walk with my brother, holding light in hand to guide the way?
• When sorrow wounds the heart of my friend, do I walk with him through the valley of the shadow of death?

Friend, I challenge you and myself: minister by night in the house of the Lord!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 Peter 5.10-11: And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Answered by a Stick of Wood

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 3-4
NT: 1 Peter 1
W&W: Psalm 134

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 5-6
NT: 1 Peter 2
W&W: Psalm 135

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 7-8
NT: 1 Peter 3
W&W: Psalm 136

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 9-10
NT: 1 Peter 4
W&W: Psalm 137

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 11-12
NT: 1 Peter 5
W&W: Psalm 138

Today’s Reflection:

“They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood” (Hosea 4.10b).

The prophet Hosea warned the people not to be surprised when they received council as helpful as that from a stick of wood because they were looking for answers from idols made of wood. The same is true for us.

If we look on the bad side of things with suspicion and doubt, we will be answered by suspicion and doubt. But, if we are looking for good, we will find answers of trust and faith. It’s the old “Is your glass half empty or half full?” question.

If we insist on for “justice” then “justice” will be our answer. But, if we have an eye for mercy, the answer we receive will point us in the way of mercy. We will find that the ancient beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” will be a self-fulfilling reality.

If we seek our answers in things that end in death, we will ultimately be given over to death. But, if by faith in Jesus Christ and his resurrection, we look for answers in life-giving, God-believing principles, we will find life in God. Bob Dylan said it like this: “He not busy being born is busy dying.”

Where are you looking for answers? Remember, you will get your answers from where you look for answers. The answers may or may not be right, but you will always get them where you seek them.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 Peter 5.10-11: And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Go Your Way

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 11-12
NT: James 4
W&W: Psalm 132

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Hosea 1-2
NT: James 5
W&W: Psalm 133

Today’s Reflection:

The book of Daniel ends with an interesting verse: "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance" (Daniel 12.13).

Daniel – an Old Testament prophet – had been given much insight into the future, but God made it plain to him that the future was God’s not Daniels. Daniel would die; he would “rest.” But he also made it clear that Daniel could look forward to that rest.

We, too, can look forward to that rest. And, that prospect gives us peace in our days on earth. We can leave the future in God’s hands – we must leave it in his hands – for we will not be around to “fix” all that needs fixed!

It would be good for you (and me!) to heed the instructions given Daniel:

• Go your way: Live your life. Follow God. Stay the course he has given you.
• Till the end: The way you are walking, the life you are living will come to an end.
• You will rest: You will sleep in death.
• And then: Death is not the final ending, but points forward to another end.
• At the end of the days: All days will end.
• You will rise: There is coming a certain resurrection!
• To receive: It will be given to you. You can neither buy it nor deny it.
• Your allotted inheritance: It is yours personally. Yours by the decisions you have made and the life you have lived.

So, friend, “Go your way.”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
James 1.22: Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

What's Bugging You?

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 10
NT: James 3
W&W: Psalm 131

Today’s Reflection:

What’s Bugging You? With what are you concerned? The Psalmist wrote: “I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me…” (Psalm 131.1b).

As I get settled into a new ministry, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of changes that I must make due to the distance between this church and previous assignments. Not physical distance, but the methodical differences that are required.

Even so, I am content here in Bethel, Ohio. It is a good place to be. I know that trials will come. God calls pastors because people face difficulties and sheep need a shepherd – even when they would rather roam free. But, I also know that God will give me grace to meet and overcome every challenge we as a church face and I as a pastor face.

Recent developments in my life have begun teaching me that I have at times been concerned with the wrong things. God is teaching me to be more concerned about people and less concerned about the church. After all, it is Jesus’ church and he will build it. My ministry is about people. One by one. Need after need. Joy upon joy.

Visions of “greatness” and “wonderful accomplishments” are laid aside for a simple shepherd’s heart. I like that. Give me more and more the heart of the Great Shepherd, O Lord!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
James 1.22: Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Zeal with Knowledge followed by Deeds

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 9
NT: James 2
W&W: Psalm 130

Today’s Reflection:

Sunday night at Bethel Nazarene Church was fun! Our church hosted a community event to get to know the school board candidates and to get our questions about the levy in Bethel-Tate Township answered.

I began the night by sharing a devotional thought from Proverbs 19.2: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” It seems that our political process has a lot of zeal now that is driven by party affiliation instead of genuine knowledge. I shared that the purpose of our time together Sunday was to gain knowledge in order to vote from an informed perspective.

After the board candidates took time to speak to the assembly, our school board president talked for a few minutes about the levy. When he was done, the school superintendent shared a few thoughts. Then, the president and superintendent – along with the school treasurer – answered some questions from the congregation. It was great to have this forum to hear about the candidates and the levy. I hope to host this again in the future. (Hope it’s not a levy again, but we’ll see if this one passes or not…)

I am reminded that a follower of Jesus Christ is one who goes out in citizenship. Our relationship with Jesus is not confined to the property or service times of the local church. No, we are called to go out from our times and places of gathering to live as responsible and contributing members of our communities.

James – the brother of the Lord and the de facto leader of the church in Jerusalem – wrote a letter to the early church which has been preserved in the Bible in book which bears his name. In chapter 2, James shares that the only way our faith is real is for it to be lived out in tangible ways: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?... Someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

Are you involved in your community? Are you going out to live as a contributing and responsible member of your family, workplace, school, and neighborhood? Anything less than that is less than Christian!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
James 1.22: Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Messing with the Margins

Monday’s Scripture Readings:OT: Daniel 7-8
NT: James 1
W&W: Psalm 129

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:OT: Daniel 9
NT: James 2
W&W: Psalm 130

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:OT: Daniel 10
NT: James 3
W&W: Psalm 131

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:OT: Daniel 11-12
NT: James 4
W&W: Psalm 132

Friday’s Scripture Readings:OT: Hosea 1-2
NT: James 5
W&W: Psalm 133

Today’s Reflection:
The Apostle James wrote to the church: “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1.22).

Yesterday, at Bethel Nazarene Church, Dr. Jim Johnson of Point Loma Nazarene University challenged us to “Mess with the Margins.” Preaching from the story of blind Bartimaeus, Dr. Johnson reminded us that we are surrounded by people who are in the margins – neglected by our culture and forgotten by the church. Though Bartimaeus was such a man, Jesus was not satisfied to leave him in the margins. Instead, the Lord engaged him and his brokenness, and by so doing he called the church to engage the marginalized of our day.

As the service began, Phyllis – one of our members – challenged us to engage the marginalized by providing Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless shelter in Batavia. After the service, our people responded generously in money, food and time. At the conclusion of the service, Hillary - a high school senior and a very talented artist – stood before us to ask for our support as she engaged the marginalized at an orphanage in Chactee, Guatemala. She will soon be presenting her works at an art show and all the proceeds will to go to the orphanage. It was amazing that Stan – the soloist – chose a song about Blind Bartimaeus to sing – not knowing the speaker’s text and topic! God put the service together! He wanted to get our attention!

The evidence leads to the verdict that God indeed has the attention of Bethel Nazarenes. I’m humbled to be a part of what God is doing in and through the lives of these Christ-followers. They are not just hearers of the word when it comes to messing with the margins. They are doers. God has challenged me. How about you?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:James 1.22: Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.