Yesterday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 34
NT: 2 Corinthians 11
W&W: Ecclesiastes 8
Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 35-36
NT: 2 Corinthians 12
W&W: Ecclesiastes 9
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 37-38
NT: 2 Corinthians 13
W&W: Ecclesiastes 10
Today’s Reflection:
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth
- his eyes not seeing sleep day or night - then I saw all that God has done.
No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun.
Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning.
Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
Ecclesiastes 8.16-17
Solomon, The Teacher, was endowed by God with wisdom exceeding all his contemporaries. Yet, even he realized that what God does can never be totally understood by men. Still, he applied his mind to know wisdom and understand the purpose of man’s labor of life. He did so because – as he had stated earlier – “Wisdom is better than folly.”
So, even though you may not fully understand a subject, search it out as best you can! A thimbleful of understanding is far better than a bucketful of misunderstanding!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Moving on to Romans 3.22: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Words and Actions (Talking and Walking)
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 33
NT: 2 Corinthians 10
W&W: Ecclesiastes 7
Today’s Reflection:
How many times have we rolled your eyes at one who boasted of what he was going to do? Or how many of us have boasted about things we planned to do? And, don’t you find it humorous when sports teams or players “trash talk” about how they are going to defeat their opponents only to be defeated themselves? The words of the Old Testament ring true in this regard: “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off” (1 Kings 20.11).
In my message on Sunday, I preached about the time that Jesus healed the paralytic (Mark 2). Before he healed him, he pronounced that the man’s sins were forgiven. Those “religious muckety-mucks” who were in the congregation that day got a little incensed: “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Jesus responded in an interesting way. He observed that it is much easier to say “Your sins are forgiven” than it is to say “Rise up and walk” to a paralyzed man. The results the first pronouncement cannot be observed and measured, but the results of the second one can be observed and measured.
From today’s New Testament reading, an alternate translation of 2 Corinthians 10.13 and 15 reminds us not to boast about “things that cannot be measured.” Instead we should boast about (report on) what can be observed and measured:
• Results, not intentions
• Actions, not motives
And, I would add, this “boasting” should be of such a kind that the results speak for themselves.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.22: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
OT: Jeremiah 33
NT: 2 Corinthians 10
W&W: Ecclesiastes 7
Today’s Reflection:
How many times have we rolled your eyes at one who boasted of what he was going to do? Or how many of us have boasted about things we planned to do? And, don’t you find it humorous when sports teams or players “trash talk” about how they are going to defeat their opponents only to be defeated themselves? The words of the Old Testament ring true in this regard: “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off” (1 Kings 20.11).
In my message on Sunday, I preached about the time that Jesus healed the paralytic (Mark 2). Before he healed him, he pronounced that the man’s sins were forgiven. Those “religious muckety-mucks” who were in the congregation that day got a little incensed: “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Jesus responded in an interesting way. He observed that it is much easier to say “Your sins are forgiven” than it is to say “Rise up and walk” to a paralyzed man. The results the first pronouncement cannot be observed and measured, but the results of the second one can be observed and measured.
From today’s New Testament reading, an alternate translation of 2 Corinthians 10.13 and 15 reminds us not to boast about “things that cannot be measured.” Instead we should boast about (report on) what can be observed and measured:
• Results, not intentions
• Actions, not motives
And, I would add, this “boasting” should be of such a kind that the results speak for themselves.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.22: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Enjoy Life!
Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 32
NT: 2 Corinthians 9
W&W: Ecclesiastes 6
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 33
NT: 2 Corinthians 10
W&W: Ecclesiastes 7
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 34
NT: 2 Corinthians 11
W&W: Ecclesiastes 8
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 35-36
NT: 2 Corinthians 12
W&W: Ecclesiastes 9
Friday’s Scripture Readings:OT:
Jeremiah 37-38
NT: 2 Corinthians 13
W&W: Ecclesiastes 10
Today’s Reflection:
In today’s Worship and Wisdom reading (Ecclesiastes 6), The Teacher encourages us to enjoy the things God has given us. This advice impacts us in two distinct ways:
1. God made us to enjoy his creation! Don’t think that it is somehow “unspiritual” to enjoy, family, hobbies, friends, and life itself. We just need to remember, as Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth: “Those who buy something [should live] as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world [should live] as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7.30b-31). Enjoy these things, but don’t hold on too tightly!
2. As we enjoy what we have, we should guard against continually seeking more. Do we really need the latest model, the flattest screen, the fastest computer, the longest drive? Don’t keep seeking bigger, better, faster. Enjoy what you have! Enjoy it now!
I close this posting with a thought from today’s New Testament reading: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9.8)
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Moving on to Romans 3.22: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
OT: Jeremiah 32
NT: 2 Corinthians 9
W&W: Ecclesiastes 6
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 33
NT: 2 Corinthians 10
W&W: Ecclesiastes 7
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 34
NT: 2 Corinthians 11
W&W: Ecclesiastes 8
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 35-36
NT: 2 Corinthians 12
W&W: Ecclesiastes 9
Friday’s Scripture Readings:OT:
Jeremiah 37-38
NT: 2 Corinthians 13
W&W: Ecclesiastes 10
Today’s Reflection:
In today’s Worship and Wisdom reading (Ecclesiastes 6), The Teacher encourages us to enjoy the things God has given us. This advice impacts us in two distinct ways:
1. God made us to enjoy his creation! Don’t think that it is somehow “unspiritual” to enjoy, family, hobbies, friends, and life itself. We just need to remember, as Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth: “Those who buy something [should live] as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world [should live] as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7.30b-31). Enjoy these things, but don’t hold on too tightly!
2. As we enjoy what we have, we should guard against continually seeking more. Do we really need the latest model, the flattest screen, the fastest computer, the longest drive? Don’t keep seeking bigger, better, faster. Enjoy what you have! Enjoy it now!
I close this posting with a thought from today’s New Testament reading: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9.8)
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Moving on to Romans 3.22: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Godly Sorrow
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 28-29
NT: 2 Corinthians 7
W&W: Ecclesiastes 4
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 30-31
NT: 2 Corinthians 8
W&W: Ecclesiastes 5
Today’s Reflection:
Some thoughts from Thursday’s New Testament reading:
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7.10). Because of that we can say with Paul – of ourselves or our friends – “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it… I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended…” (vv. 8-9, emphasis mine).
Godly sorrow should lead to:
Godly sorrow honors God and seeks genuine reconciliation through humility and repentance. Otherwise the sorrow is just a cover up for ungodly feelings. God doesn’t want us to dwell in sorrow, but through it to get to a place of joy and peace and victory. Sorrow is indispensable in that process, but it is the means, not the end of the journey.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
OT: Jeremiah 28-29
NT: 2 Corinthians 7
W&W: Ecclesiastes 4
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 30-31
NT: 2 Corinthians 8
W&W: Ecclesiastes 5
Today’s Reflection:
Some thoughts from Thursday’s New Testament reading:
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7.10). Because of that we can say with Paul – of ourselves or our friends – “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it… I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended…” (vv. 8-9, emphasis mine).
Godly sorrow should lead to:
- Repentance over past failures
- Earnestness and eagerness to do what is right
- Indignation with yourself leaving a bad impression on others
- Alarm that you fell into sin
- Longing to be restored to full communion with Christ and his Church
- Concern that your behavior hurt others or led them astray
- Readiness to do whatever it takes to make it right
- A renewed sense of devotion to living a holy and uplifting life
- A desire to be encouraged in yourself and an encourager to others.
Godly sorrow honors God and seeks genuine reconciliation through humility and repentance. Otherwise the sorrow is just a cover up for ungodly feelings. God doesn’t want us to dwell in sorrow, but through it to get to a place of joy and peace and victory. Sorrow is indispensable in that process, but it is the means, not the end of the journey.
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
May You Be Pleased to Give Them to Me
Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 27
NT: 2 Corinthians 6
W&W: Ecclesiastes 3
Today’s Reflection:
Several years ago I was in the habit of praying the scripture found in Psalm 2.8: “Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
God reminded me of that in this morning’s Old Testament reading: “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people… and I give it to anyone I please” (Jeremiah 27.5).
God made Bethel and the people in it and around it. He will give this community to anyone he pleases.
Oh, God, give them to me! Give me their ears. Give me their hearts. Enable me to speak Your Word to them and enable them to hear. Give me these souls to feed and nurture, to love and care for, to win and disciple.
Do this so that they may become disciples of Jesus Christ:
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
OT: Jeremiah 27
NT: 2 Corinthians 6
W&W: Ecclesiastes 3
Today’s Reflection:
Several years ago I was in the habit of praying the scripture found in Psalm 2.8: “Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
God reminded me of that in this morning’s Old Testament reading: “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people… and I give it to anyone I please” (Jeremiah 27.5).
God made Bethel and the people in it and around it. He will give this community to anyone he pleases.
Oh, God, give them to me! Give me their ears. Give me their hearts. Enable me to speak Your Word to them and enable them to hear. Give me these souls to feed and nurture, to love and care for, to win and disciple.
Do this so that they may become disciples of Jesus Christ:
- Knowing God in Worship
- Showing Love in Friendship
- Growing up in Discipleship
- Going Out in Citizenship
- Sowing Seeds of Partnership
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
How's Your Sight, II
Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 26
NT: 2 Corinthians 5
W&W: Ecclesiastes 2
Today’s Reflection:
In Ecclesiastes, The Teacher said, “Wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness” (2.13). Even in his personal despondency and his despair of finding meaning in life, The Teacher saw that it is better to follow the path of wisdom and the way of light. The Teacher saw that wisdom was better than folly, light better than darkness – just on the basis of this life, not considering what comes after. How much more should we who know eternal life through Christ seek the path of wisdom, for we know that our physical death does not end our quest for God.
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes that we have even more cause for hope and assurance and meaning: “If the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan [as did The Teacher!], longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling [longing for hope and meaning] because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked… Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (5.1-3, 5)
How thrilling to know that there is a house we will one day inherit, a house that will stand forever!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
OT: Jeremiah 26
NT: 2 Corinthians 5
W&W: Ecclesiastes 2
Today’s Reflection:
In Ecclesiastes, The Teacher said, “Wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness” (2.13). Even in his personal despondency and his despair of finding meaning in life, The Teacher saw that it is better to follow the path of wisdom and the way of light. The Teacher saw that wisdom was better than folly, light better than darkness – just on the basis of this life, not considering what comes after. How much more should we who know eternal life through Christ seek the path of wisdom, for we know that our physical death does not end our quest for God.
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes that we have even more cause for hope and assurance and meaning: “If the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan [as did The Teacher!], longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling [longing for hope and meaning] because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked… Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (5.1-3, 5)
How thrilling to know that there is a house we will one day inherit, a house that will stand forever!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Monday, August 3, 2009
How's Your Sight?
Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 25
NT: 2 Corinthians 4
W&W: Ecclesiastes 1
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 26
NT: 2 Corinthians 5
W&W: Ecclesiastes 2
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 27
NT: 2 Corinthians 6
W&W: Ecclesiastes 3
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 28-29
NT: 2 Corinthians 7
W&W: Ecclesiastes 4
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 30-31
NT: 2 Corinthians 8
W&W: Ecclesiastes 5
Today’s Reflection:
In today’s Worship and Wisdom reading, The Teacher says: “the things that are done under the sun… are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1.14). When I read that it struck me that throughout the centuries of man’s existence, cities have been built, nations have prospered, technology has increased, and history has been made. All these accomplishments of great men and women will pass away. But what is done by a boy or girl of 10 years of age who accepts Christ as Savior will outlive not only these things but all things! Praise be to God!
The New Testament reading is related: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4.18). In agreement with The Teacher, Paul, the writer of 2 Corinthians, says that we must lift our eyes above the immediate and proximate which presses in on us. We can “see” the eternal unseen things only through the eyes of faith. But this sight is one of inestimable worth and benefit.
The Psalmist said it thus: “I lift up my eyes…” Look, up, friend. You will find hope in heaven!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
For August we are going to commit Romans 3.21-25 to memory. Let’s start with v 21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
OT: Jeremiah 25
NT: 2 Corinthians 4
W&W: Ecclesiastes 1
Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 26
NT: 2 Corinthians 5
W&W: Ecclesiastes 2
Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 27
NT: 2 Corinthians 6
W&W: Ecclesiastes 3
Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 28-29
NT: 2 Corinthians 7
W&W: Ecclesiastes 4
Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 30-31
NT: 2 Corinthians 8
W&W: Ecclesiastes 5
Today’s Reflection:
In today’s Worship and Wisdom reading, The Teacher says: “the things that are done under the sun… are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1.14). When I read that it struck me that throughout the centuries of man’s existence, cities have been built, nations have prospered, technology has increased, and history has been made. All these accomplishments of great men and women will pass away. But what is done by a boy or girl of 10 years of age who accepts Christ as Savior will outlive not only these things but all things! Praise be to God!
The New Testament reading is related: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4.18). In agreement with The Teacher, Paul, the writer of 2 Corinthians, says that we must lift our eyes above the immediate and proximate which presses in on us. We can “see” the eternal unseen things only through the eyes of faith. But this sight is one of inestimable worth and benefit.
The Psalmist said it thus: “I lift up my eyes…” Look, up, friend. You will find hope in heaven!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
For August we are going to commit Romans 3.21-25 to memory. Let’s start with v 21: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
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