Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Zephaniah 1
NT: Revelation 10
W&W: Psalm 150

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Zephaniah 2-3
NT: Revelation 11
W&W:

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Haggai 1-2
NT: Revelation 12
W&W:

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Zechariah 1
NT: Revelation 13
W&W:

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Zechariah 2-3
NT: Revelation 14
W&W:

Today’s Reflection:

At Christmas time, we celebrate the incarnation of God – God becoming flesh – in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John calls Jesus “The Word.” Jesus is God’s voice speaking words of hope and peace into our despair and turmoil. Today’s New Testament contains the following verse: “Then the voice I heard from heaven spoke to me once more: ‘Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land’” (Revelation 10.8).

Speak once more, O Voice from heaven!

• The scroll lies open, but I must go and take it. In order to know the content of what God speaks, I must be attentive and eager to hear from God. I must make every effort that I can. Yesterday, I challenge the congregation at Bethel Nazarene Church to give God the gift of our wonder by reading Luke chapter 1 and 2 every day this week and listen for the “voice” of God. Would you be willing to do that also? His Word will pay great dividends in your life – if you will give it the time and attention it deserves.
• The scroll is held by the angel who stands on the sea and on the land. The sea represents, fear, tempest, uncertainty. The land represents truth, fait, a firm foundation. The content of God’s message to us is equally valuable for times of peace and times of turmoil. We find in God’s Word – Jesus Christ – a haven in the storm and a foundation on which to build.

Yes, speak once more, O Voice from heaven!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
John 1.14a: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…

God Gives Knowledge and Understanding

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 1-2
NT: Hebrews 9
W&W: Psalm 124

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 3
NT: Hebrews 10
W&W: Psalm 125

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 4
NT: Hebrews 11
W&W: Psalm 126

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 5
NT: Hebrews 12
W&W: Psalm 127

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Daniel 6
NT: Hebrews 13
W&W: Psalm 128

Today’s Reflection:

The Biblical book of Daniel is the story of a young man of God who was a Jewish exile in Babylon. Included in his story is the account of three other devout Jews: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The story opens with the 4 men being educated and prepared for service to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. Quite an honor for exiled young men, but there was a problem. They were expected to eat wine and drink foods that were unacceptable to their Jewish customs. These four brave men took a stand and asked to eat just fruits and vegetables, thereby not defiling themselves with the meat of Babylon.

The king’s official charged with their development was reluctant to allow them to follow a fruit and vegetable diet, but relented to a trial period. Daniel and his friends proposed to the test, assured of the Lord’s blessing. Their courage was seen in the fact that they were willing to put God’s name on the line, saying in essence, “God if you don’t help us, your name will be maligned!” God did help them and they were healthier and wiser than the other young men who had entered the king’s service.

The Bible says, “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1.17). What an exciting prospect! To those willing to stand on principle and be faithful to him, God gives knowledge and understanding. He even gives visions and dreams to help us know the best course to take.

My prayer today is this: “God, I seek your light. Give me knowledge. Help me understand what I read and learn. Grant me a vision and plant a dream in my heart. Amen.”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Joel 2. 28-29, 31a: And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days… And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved;

Nobility - Is It in You?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 31-32
NT: Acts 18
W&W: Proverbs 26

Today’s Reflection:

Excerpted from New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language; College Edition:

Nobility, n. The state or quality of being noble; noble birth or state; exalted moral excellence; admirable dignity; majesty or augustness.
Noble, a. Famous, illustrious or great; distinguished by birth, rank, or title; of an exalted moral character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, or in the manner of expression, execution, or composition; stately or magnificent; of an admirable high quality; fine; choice; notably superior.

Excerpted from the Bible; Isaiah 31.8, NIV:
“The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.”

Nobility – is it in you? For the follower of Jesus Christ, the above verse answers the question:

• It starts with the person, what you are: “The noble man [woman]…” You must be first. For nobility to be in you, you must be a noble person. Look at the definitions above, and rejoice that you have been distinguished by the new birth. You have been conceived through the Holy Spirit in dignity and rank. You get the idea.
• It then works into your manner of thinking as exhibited in your plans: “makes noble plans …” When you are made noble through the new birth, all things become new, even your way of thinking. This happens by discipline and focus on moral and excellent truths and by exposure and relationship to the noble family of God. The more you focus on God and walk with Jesus, the more noble your plans (thinking) become.
• Nobility then is expressed in actions: “by noble deeds…” The noble intentions that spring from the heart of a noble man or woman end up in noble behavior. Again, look at the descriptors found in the above definitions. You are behaving as a member of the nobility.
• Such a man /woman continues in his/her nobility: “he stands.” Being a part of nobility is not something you do for a while and then move on to something else. The truly noble person stands in his nobility. His or her final state is assured and certain.

Be. Plan. Do. Stand. Nobility – is it in you?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.5-6: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

Deep Waters

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 23
NT: Acts 12
W&W: Proverbs 20

Today’s Reflection:
Proverbs 20.5 says, “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” There are three observations I make from this truth:

1. It is my privilege – and even calling – to be a man of understanding to draw out the purposes of others’ hearts. As I get older (and I hope wiser!) I realize how important it is to give back to others what has been given to me through the wisdom and influence of godly men. As God has used many people to help me find my way, I want to be used of God to help others find their way. That does not need to be done in a formal way, but can often be accomplished in day-to-day conversation.
2. I need to have a man of understanding do the same for me. I have blind spots. I sometimes neglect the gifts I have been given. I desire to have Christian relationships that provide feedback, counsel, and encouragement.
3. I should seek to understand myself in order to know the purpose for which God created me. As I meditate and read scripture and pray, God will give me understanding into his purposes for me. Also, I have discovered a great instrument that has helped me become more self-aware – in a God-honoring way. It is called Strengthsfinders©, and it has been developed by Gallup. I would urge you to investigate Strengthsfinders© for yourself.

On one occasion, Jesus told Peter to head out into the deep waters where he would catch some fish. We discover our created purpose in the deep waters of understanding. Take time to do that for yourself and for others.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1-4: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

Knowledge + Zeal

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 22
NT: Acts 11
W&W: Proverbs 19

Today’s Reflection:

Zeal, [from the Greek stem zeo – to boil]: Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in any cause or behalf; earnestness; fervency, enthusiasm. (New Webster’s Dictionary)

In the world, we can have zeal for many things:

1. finances (security, profits, etc.)
2. sports teams (Go bucks!)
3. pleasure (let your mind go here…)
4. individual freedom (not so much individual responsibility, though! We want big brother to take care of us…),
5. political ideologies (the environment, tolerance, choice defense, etc.)
6. morality (as we define it, of course!)
7. and many others…

The ancient wise man said in Proverbs 19.2, “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” As I read that scripture this morning, the Holy Spirit seems to be telling me to give heed to what I am zealous for. The KJV translation of 2 Timothy 2.15 comes to mind: “Study to show thyself approved.” I need to apply myself to understand what I get excited about and to get excited about the right things.

I like the order of Proverbs 19.2: start with knowledge and then add zeal. We need to keep the order right. First, know:

1. The Lord
2. People
3. The Word of God
4. The will of God
5. Yourself
6. Your World

Then allow the Holy Spirit to birth zeal in your soul for the things you know.

The Apostle Paul wrote, in Galatians 4.18, “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good.” Are you zealous for the right things?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1-4: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

What Do You Want for Lunch?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 38
NT: John 16
W&W: Proverbs 3

Today’s Reflection:
Yesterday, I enjoyed a little humor along with my lovely wife Lana and my oldest daughter, the beautifully expectant Jenny. Lana wanted to know what I wanted for lunch, but I didn’t want to answer her until I knew what my options were. Invariably, Lana knows what she wants me to have, something that fits that infamous category of things that “need to be eaten” or that is not in that other category of things we are “saving for supper.” So, if I don’t get it right, I have to keep wanting something different until I want what I can have! We laughed because Jenny does the same thing to Eric. Our lovely wives ask us what we want, knowing what they want us to want. I like to eliminate the middle steps and get all the information before I make my decision.

In many other areas, however, we try to make decisions without full knowledge. Our Old Testament reading today is the beginning of God’s reply to Job after Job has voiced his complaint about the unfairness of life. Given what Job had gone through, it was a reasonable complaint. In his reply to Job, however, God indicated that Job lacked knowledge. He was arriving at a conclusion without all the information: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38.2) God was simply saying: Job, you don’t have all the information!

It is hard to make right conclusions without all the information, isn’t it? Yet how often we conclude things about God and life without the benefit of full understanding. When we do so, we invariably arrive at faulty conclusions and lead ourselves toward anguish (as did Job) or arrogance (as did Job’s friends).

Incomplete information is a fact of life. The Bible says “For now we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13.12, KJV). But, we don’t have to feel helpless. We can ask God for wisdom, and he gives it generously, without finding fault (James 1.5). Remember to ask though, for we have not because we ask not!

Pray with me this morning: “Oh God, counsel me with your knowledge. Give me your light and understanding!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

Insight and Understanding

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 36-37
NT: John 15
W&W: Proverbs 2

Today’s Reflection:
Last week we began reading in the book of Proverbs, part of the Worship and Wisdom literature of the Old Testament. In chapter 1, Proverbs 1 taught us that the wise listen and learn.

Today, let’s consider Proverbs 2.3, 5: “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

As I read those verses, I prayed the following prayer:

Lord, I call out for:

• Insight – Help me to observe carefully all that is important around me and to appreciate the full implications of what I see.
• Understanding – Give me the ability to comprehend all that is behind what I see and to put all the pieces together.

When we pray like this, God will help us understand how important it is to respect and honor him in our lives. He will also give us greater knowledge of him in order to honor him even more!

Have a great day in the Lord!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

Listen and Learn

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 34-35
NT: John 14
W&W: Proverbs 1

Today’s Reflection:
If you are following the suggested scripture readings, today you will begin reading in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is part of the Old Testament text called “wisdom literature.” Mainly credited to Israel’s King Solomon – its principal author – Proverbs was actually written by several different contributors, much of it nearly 3000 years ago.

In Proverbs 1.5, we are counseled: “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Listen and learn. Great counsel, but so often unheeded in our culture today. Watch any cable news network for a while and you will see great evidence of this lack in our society.

Wise people listen. They know they don’t know it all. They know they can’t understand another’s point of view without first listening. They realize, “How can I learn from you unless I listen?” Even if our goal is to help someone, we must listen to know what they need. Also, if we want to convince someone, we must listen to know how to most effectively present our arguments. Or, perhaps we may want to join someone. Surely then we must listen in order to know what we are signing on to. Don’t you wish congress would have “listened” (by reading it!) a little before they voted for the stimulus package?

Wise people know that they don’t gain knowledge by speaking but by listening.

Listening, wise people learn. To do so, they must listen with an open mind. Otherwise it is just hearing noise. Wise people are open and changeable. They realize that their principles need not be compromised in order to learn from people with whom they disagree. They know that they can add to – not throw away – what they already know.

The New Testament counsels us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1.19b). Listening is first and fastest. Speaking comes next. Anger at times is appropriate, but it is last and will be very slow in coming if you first listen.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The Ripple Effect

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Nehemiah 13
NT: Luke 12
W&W: Psalm 52


Today’s Reflection:

“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services” (Nehemiah 13.14). Nehemiah was concerned that his work would outlive him. At the end of his illustrious leadership career, he wanted to know that he had made a difference that would extend beyond his life.

Like Nehemiah, I am concerned that my work lives beyond me. I want my work to last…

• Before God. It is a gift to him.
• Before men. To have lasting impact on people’s lives.
• After I’m gone. To be significant in usefulness to the house of God.
• So it can take root. God needs to plant it in fertile souls of the people I have served.

I’ve just finished reading a book loaned to me by a dear friend. The book, by Joseph Bentz, is entitled When God Takes too Long. I think I am going to buy it. It is worth the investment. I commend it as worth your time to read. Invest your time in it, even if you don’t have the time.

Although the book is filled with great practical truth, chapter 14, “Casting off the Boundaries of Time” was – as I like to say – “worth the price of admission.” The intent of the chapter is to help you see that your life does not cease to have impact after you die. You do not need to hurry to accomplish everything you can before you die because your life has a “ripple effect.” If we take the time for others, if we invest rightly in others’ lives, others will complete the work we have started. Conversely, if we view our lives rightly we will see that we have been given the privilege to complete the work of others.


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.6-7: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.