Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 46
NT: Hebrews 6
W&W: Psalm 121
Today’s Reflection:
In today’s Old Testament Reading, God said – through the prophet Ezekiel – “When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate” (Ezekiel 46.9).
I wonder why God said that. Wouldn’t it just be easier to come and go by the same door? After all, the people undoubtedly parked their chariots as close to the door as possible so that they could hurry off after worship!
But God said something different. Take time to enter into God’s presences and stay there a while. You don’t need to do everything with an eye on the clock. By coming in one gate and going out the other, the people had to pass completely through the temple and be exposed to the full measure of God’s presence among them. And, part of that full measure of God’s presence was his presence in the lives and hearts of fellow worshipers.
When we worship, wouldn’t it be good to do that at least metaphorically? Wouldn’t it be right to avoid just coming in and sitting down and getting up to leave? Wouldn’t we be better off if we took time to “pass through” God’s family and thereby enjoy his presence? We miss much of God when we miss interacting with the people of God. So I challenge you: get to know some new people. Don’t get stuck in a rut or get caught in a hurry. The rewards of new friendships are amazing!
At Bethel Church of the Nazarene, we recently completed an assessment to determine the level of engagement in our church. One of the questions asked of our church-attenders was this: “Do you have a best friend at church?” Experience teaches us that we all need friendships in order to stay connected to our churches and engaged in the mission of our churches. God purposely designed the Christian journey so that we wouldn’t have walk it alone.
So: Come on in! Get to know me, and let me get to know you!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 121: 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
What an Honor!
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 45
NT: Hebrews 5
W&W: Psalm 120
Today’s Reflection:
In speaking of the Old Testament high priests, the writer of Hebrews says, “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5.4). The writer goes on to say that even Christ himself did not take the honor of high priest upon himself. He, too, was appointed by God.
As I think about that, I realize a couple things:
First of all, I realize that serving God and his people is an honor! What greater honor could one have than to serve in the courts of the king of kings and Lord of Lords? What greater trust and confidence could be shown than to entrust the welfare of the King’s family to a servant? Thank God for the honor of his call!
Then, I realize that it is not only me as a pastor – but all of us who are called by God to serve his people as priests. I firmly believe that God has made us all to be priests together in the household of God. We are to serve God and his people in ways that he calls. No one skates by without serving. God calls us all. If you think that you have nothing to offer God and his people in service, go to the scripture that I often think of: “By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder!” (1 Corinthians 15.10) God has made you what you are to serve him!
What honor to serve the King! What freedom to be what he has made us to be!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 121: 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
OT: Ezekiel 45
NT: Hebrews 5
W&W: Psalm 120
Today’s Reflection:
In speaking of the Old Testament high priests, the writer of Hebrews says, “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5.4). The writer goes on to say that even Christ himself did not take the honor of high priest upon himself. He, too, was appointed by God.
As I think about that, I realize a couple things:
First of all, I realize that serving God and his people is an honor! What greater honor could one have than to serve in the courts of the king of kings and Lord of Lords? What greater trust and confidence could be shown than to entrust the welfare of the King’s family to a servant? Thank God for the honor of his call!
Then, I realize that it is not only me as a pastor – but all of us who are called by God to serve his people as priests. I firmly believe that God has made us all to be priests together in the household of God. We are to serve God and his people in ways that he calls. No one skates by without serving. God calls us all. If you think that you have nothing to offer God and his people in service, go to the scripture that I often think of: “By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder!” (1 Corinthians 15.10) God has made you what you are to serve him!
What honor to serve the King! What freedom to be what he has made us to be!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 121: 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Help Me!
Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 44
NT: Hebrews 4
W&W: Psalm 119.169-176
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 45
NT: Hebrews 5
W&W: Psalm 120
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 46
NT: Hebrews 6
W&W: Psalm 121
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 47
NT: Hebrews 7
W&W: Psalm 122
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 48
NT: Hebrews 8
W&W: Psalm 123
Today’s Reflection:
The Psalmist said, “May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts” (Psalm 119.173). What a comfort when you can pray that prayer! When I read that scripture, I realized that I have chosen God’s precepts, so I can ask for God’s help.
Today, I need God to help me, prepare messages, minister to people, recover from a long trip, keep things in perspective and get over this lousy cold. I believe he will do it because I have chosen to live according to his precepts.
Several years ago, I committed Psalm 121 to memory. Look at it below. I think you will agree that it is a good Psalm for today and every day!
What help do you need? Turn to God and his precepts! He will be your constant help.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 121: 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
OT: Ezekiel 44
NT: Hebrews 4
W&W: Psalm 119.169-176
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 45
NT: Hebrews 5
W&W: Psalm 120
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 46
NT: Hebrews 6
W&W: Psalm 121
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 47
NT: Hebrews 7
W&W: Psalm 122
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 48
NT: Hebrews 8
W&W: Psalm 123
Today’s Reflection:
The Psalmist said, “May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts” (Psalm 119.173). What a comfort when you can pray that prayer! When I read that scripture, I realized that I have chosen God’s precepts, so I can ask for God’s help.
Today, I need God to help me, prepare messages, minister to people, recover from a long trip, keep things in perspective and get over this lousy cold. I believe he will do it because I have chosen to live according to his precepts.
Several years ago, I committed Psalm 121 to memory. Look at it below. I think you will agree that it is a good Psalm for today and every day!
What help do you need? Turn to God and his precepts! He will be your constant help.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Psalm 121: 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 41
NT: Hebrews 2
W&W: Psalm 119.153-160
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 42-43
NT: Hebrews 3
W&W: Psalm 119.161-168
Today’s Reflection:
As leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009,” Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address. Today, I continue with part 3 of his address: “Ask Better Questions.”
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
We have seen that, Better Question #1 is “What is God calling us to be and do?” Better Question #2 is “What does our community need?”
But we have to go beyond planning to doing: Hence question 3:
Better Question #3: “What is our genuine response going to be?”
In this story, there are two sons with two very different responses.
1. One said yes but did no.
2. The other said no but did yes.
What we truly believe is what we do.
Anybody can say the right things, but if you don’t live it, you don’t truly believe it.
Things like this New View Leadership Conference won’t make a difference unless we do the right things.
Let’s ask better questions:
What is God calling us to be and do?
What does that look like at Bethel Nazarene Church? (What does our community need?)
What is our genuine response?
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
OT: Ezekiel 41
NT: Hebrews 2
W&W: Psalm 119.153-160
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 42-43
NT: Hebrews 3
W&W: Psalm 119.161-168
Today’s Reflection:
As leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009,” Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address. Today, I continue with part 3 of his address: “Ask Better Questions.”
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
We have seen that, Better Question #1 is “What is God calling us to be and do?” Better Question #2 is “What does our community need?”
But we have to go beyond planning to doing: Hence question 3:
Better Question #3: “What is our genuine response going to be?”
In this story, there are two sons with two very different responses.
1. One said yes but did no.
2. The other said no but did yes.
What we truly believe is what we do.
Anybody can say the right things, but if you don’t live it, you don’t truly believe it.
Things like this New View Leadership Conference won’t make a difference unless we do the right things.
Let’s ask better questions:
What is God calling us to be and do?
What does that look like at Bethel Nazarene Church? (What does our community need?)
What is our genuine response?
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ask Better Questions - II
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 40
NT: Hebrews 1
W&W: Psalm 119.145-152
Today’s Reflection:
As leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009,” Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address. Today, I continue with part 2 of his address: “Ask Better Questions.”
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
As we saw yesterday, Better Question #1 was “What is God calling us to be and do?” Accomplishing God’s purpose is not done in the same way in every setting: Hence question 2:
Better Question #2: “What does this look like for us?”
This second question in turn must be driven by another question: “What does our community need?”
The father in Jesus’ story told his sons to “Go.” They had to engage something beyond themselves.
They couldn’t work the vineyard remotely! They had to be in the vineyard.
We need to be in our community, asking, “Where are they?” and “Who are they?” and “What do they need?”
Author Roxberg says that there are two types of change:
1. Continuous change – things we go through that are changing all the time that require only adjustments to our thinking.
2. Discontinuous change – change so dramatic that it requires a whole new way of thinking.
We can’t assume we know the answers to those questions anymore because we are living in a world of “discontinuous change.”
What we needed, they don’t need. What was done for us may not work for them.
What we did before may not work anymore.
How will we know? We must “Go!” We have to get out into the vineyard!
Our planning and vision cannot flow any longer just from the church.
We must ask, “In our planning, how can we get connected to our community so we can understand what our community needs?”
We have to determine how we do that at BNC.
Let’s ask better questions: What does our community need?
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
OT: Ezekiel 40
NT: Hebrews 1
W&W: Psalm 119.145-152
Today’s Reflection:
As leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009,” Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address. Today, I continue with part 2 of his address: “Ask Better Questions.”
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
As we saw yesterday, Better Question #1 was “What is God calling us to be and do?” Accomplishing God’s purpose is not done in the same way in every setting: Hence question 2:
Better Question #2: “What does this look like for us?”
This second question in turn must be driven by another question: “What does our community need?”
The father in Jesus’ story told his sons to “Go.” They had to engage something beyond themselves.
They couldn’t work the vineyard remotely! They had to be in the vineyard.
We need to be in our community, asking, “Where are they?” and “Who are they?” and “What do they need?”
Author Roxberg says that there are two types of change:
1. Continuous change – things we go through that are changing all the time that require only adjustments to our thinking.
2. Discontinuous change – change so dramatic that it requires a whole new way of thinking.
We can’t assume we know the answers to those questions anymore because we are living in a world of “discontinuous change.”
What we needed, they don’t need. What was done for us may not work for them.
What we did before may not work anymore.
How will we know? We must “Go!” We have to get out into the vineyard!
Our planning and vision cannot flow any longer just from the church.
We must ask, “In our planning, how can we get connected to our community so we can understand what our community needs?”
We have to determine how we do that at BNC.
Let’s ask better questions: What does our community need?
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Ask Better Questions - I
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 39
NT: Philemon
W&W: Psalm 119.137-144
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 40
NT: Hebrews 1
W&W: Psalm 119.145-152
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 41
NT: Hebrews 2
W&W: Psalm 119.153-160
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 42-43
NT: Hebrews 3
W&W: Psalm 119.161-168
Today’s Reflection:
The past two Saturdays, leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009.” The purpose of this conference was to begin formulating a five year plan and specifically to come up with five special initiatives that we could accomplish before May 31, 2010 (the end of our business year).
Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address to open the conference. His council to us was to “Ask Better Questions.” I want to share with you my notes from Dr. Van Nest’s message.
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
Better Question #1: “What is God calling us to be and do?”
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
OT: Ezekiel 39
NT: Philemon
W&W: Psalm 119.137-144
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 40
NT: Hebrews 1
W&W: Psalm 119.145-152
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 41
NT: Hebrews 2
W&W: Psalm 119.153-160
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 42-43
NT: Hebrews 3
W&W: Psalm 119.161-168
Today’s Reflection:
The past two Saturdays, leaders from BNC (Bethel Nazarene Church) came together for the “New View Leadership Conference 2009.” The purpose of this conference was to begin formulating a five year plan and specifically to come up with five special initiatives that we could accomplish before May 31, 2010 (the end of our business year).
Doug Van Nest, our district superintendent delivered the keynote address to open the conference. His council to us was to “Ask Better Questions.” I want to share with you my notes from Dr. Van Nest’s message.
Dr. Van Nest spoke from Matthew 21.28-31, The Parable of the Two Sons:
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
Better Question #1: “What is God calling us to be and do?”
- The father is at the heart of the story.
- We must realize that our Father’s will defines our mission.
- He desires that we who love God and love others should be busy getting others to love God and love others.
- God has already told us the what!
- Churches spend a lot of time developing mission statements, etc. to frame how this what is to be accomplished, but the what is a given from God: Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations!
- Whenever we as a church consider a ministry, program, activity, or expenditure, we should ask ourselves, “Is this going to fulfill that purpose?”
- Often we as churches don’t ask this tough question because we are afraid it will reveal the fact that what we are doing is not fulfilling god’s purpose.
- We may like it – it may be fulfilling to us and our purpose – but it is not fulfilling God’s purpose.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
We are trying a whole Psalm this week – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Blogging and the Realities of Life
Last Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 32
NT: 2 Timothy 2
W&W: Psalm 119.89-96
Last Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 33
NT: 2 Timothy 3
W&W: Psalm 119.97-104
Last Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 34
NT: 2 Timothy 4
W&W: Psalm 119.105-112
Last Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 35-36
NT: Titus 1
W&W: Psalm 119.113-120
Last Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 37
NT: Titus 2
W&W: Psalm 119.121-128
Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 38
NT: 2 Titus 3
W&W: Psalm 119.129-136
Today’s Reflection:
Wow! I just got a dose of reality. I’ve been staying “just ahead” of my blog in recent days, and last week proved to me that sometimes life comes at you fast. I feel like I could have been in a Nation-wide commercial! I just wasn’t prepared for the demands of my schedule.
So, I apologize for not posting at all last week – especially since I am urging you to read the scriptures along with me! Today, I have posted last week’s scripture – in hopes that you tried to keep up and that all you need to do is confirm that you’ve read what you needed to. I also have posted today’s scripture so you don’t get behind for this week.
Be back tomorrow…
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Let’s try a whole Psalm today – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
OT: Ezekiel 32
NT: 2 Timothy 2
W&W: Psalm 119.89-96
Last Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 33
NT: 2 Timothy 3
W&W: Psalm 119.97-104
Last Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 34
NT: 2 Timothy 4
W&W: Psalm 119.105-112
Last Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 35-36
NT: Titus 1
W&W: Psalm 119.113-120
Last Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 37
NT: Titus 2
W&W: Psalm 119.121-128
Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 38
NT: 2 Titus 3
W&W: Psalm 119.129-136
Today’s Reflection:
Wow! I just got a dose of reality. I’ve been staying “just ahead” of my blog in recent days, and last week proved to me that sometimes life comes at you fast. I feel like I could have been in a Nation-wide commercial! I just wasn’t prepared for the demands of my schedule.
So, I apologize for not posting at all last week – especially since I am urging you to read the scriptures along with me! Today, I have posted last week’s scripture – in hopes that you tried to keep up and that all you need to do is confirm that you’ve read what you needed to. I also have posted today’s scripture so you don’t get behind for this week.
Be back tomorrow…
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Let’s try a whole Psalm today – the shortest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
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