Scripture to read today:
Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16
Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Observation:
Paul says this to the people of Corinth to have them take notice of their actions. Many felt that, since Jesus forgives, they could do whatever they wanted as long as they asked forgiveness for it.
Application:
It isn’t enough just to run to Jesus for forgiveness. If He is truly in your heart, you’ll live each day for Him- at least with an effort to be the best you can be. That doesn’t mean that you’ll never sin, but you’ll not plan to sin just to ask forgiveness for it later. That includes letting people into your life who may help you stray off the path. It is so tempting to think that you’ll change them into someone good, but more often that not, one small thing will lead to something larger.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to know who I need in my life. I do want to help others, lead them to You. But let me be strong enough to withstand coming across someone who may try to lead me away from You. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah 32; 1 John 4
Scripture that spoke to me:
1 John 4:16-18
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Observation:
Love is what binds us to God. The love we have for Him, the love He has for us, and the love we have for each other. True love overcomes fear- if we have love, if we have God, there is no need to fear anything. Jesus had real love- he didn’t like what a lot of people were doing, but He loved them enough to sit and talk with them, explain things to them, and die for them.
Application:
I think of all different kinds of love- the love I have for my family, for my friends, for things (and yes, don’t we say “I love my car” or “I love french fries” and such?) Much of that love is conditional. We love our friends until they say something nasty about us, or until they betray us, and then we hate them instead. We love our family, but as my cousin pointed out yesterday, there are some unlovable people in our family, too. And even french fries let me down! What we should have is true love for each other. The kind that doesn’t fear- or doesn’t care- if we are loved in return (because we are loved by God!) The kind of love that uplifts those around us. And this is hard, because I’ve been hurt many times by people I love, and there is a real tendency to not stick my heart out there again to get it crushed. But real love doesn’t fear. Real love just loves because it can’t do anything else.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to love others, and You, with a real love that isn’t scared. And help me include people who have hurt me and people I don’t like very much. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7
Scripture that spoke to me:
John 7:4
You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”
Observation:
Jesus’ brothers are trying to convince him to go to the festival and show what he can do. Their thinking is, if he can do such miraculous things, he should do them and become famous. Jesus’ answer, of course, is that his time has not yet come. He wasn’t there to put on a show, or be famous, but to tell the world of God’s goodness.
Application:
We’d opt for the show. I’m pretty sure that if I could do just one of the miracles Jesus did, I’d want to show off. I’d want people to see what I could do. The difference is, Jesus was showing what God could do- not he himself. I struggle with that- I give God the credit sometimes, but I like the accolades from people who tell me I do a good job.
Prayer:
Forgive me Lord for wanting the praises when they should all be Yours. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
2 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3
Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Kings 13:18-19
Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
Observation:
Elisha told Jehoash (King of Israel) to take the Lord’s arrows and strike the ground. Because the king chose to strike the ground three times, he would only win three times. He could have chosen to hit the ground once or 10 times, but he didn’t know what the rules were.
Application:
Do we know the rules, or make them up as we go along? The choices we make – even seemingly small decisions – have an effect on the future. And at times, the “rules” are only revealed after our choice.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be mindful of how the things I do today affect me tomorrow. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
2 Kings 11; 2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6
Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Observation:
We mistake this quote sometimes, turning it so that MONEY is the root of all evil. In fact it says the LOVE of MONEY is the root of all evil. People, eager to make money, turn to manipulation, theft, deceit, corruption- all things of this world and not of the faith- to obtain it. The consequences of this is grief.
Application:
So there has to be a fine line in there somewhere. We can’t live without money- without food, shelter, clothing, etc. But when is enough enough? When can we be pleased with what we have and not want more? And when does wanting more become a problem? I think it is when, in the wanting, we compromise our morals. When we cheat or lie or steal to get what we want. I also believe it is when money (or possessions) become more important than God. Even if we’ve been honest in our business, if it is consuming us, taking us away from spending time with God, then it is a problem.
Prayer:
Lord, please see that all my needs are met, and a few of my wants, but don’t let things come between us. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3
Scripture that spoke to me:
Colossians 3: 5-6, 12
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming… Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Observation:
Paul’s words are easy, but in practice they’re a seemingly insurmountable mountain. Turning away our own nature is, well, unnatural. But Jesus cane to show us that is can be done. He set an example for us to follow, even if we fall short.
Application:
I had a conversation with a friend today about giving everything to God and not taking it back. Why is our nature so hard to overcome? I want to do it all myself, on my own strength. I want to make the plans, set them in motion, and see them through. Oh, I say I trust God, but I want Him to do things my way! To do something that goes against my most innate desire, even if it is the right thing to do, is so very hard. But that is what sets us apart as Christians- we don’t live for this world. We understand that the things we gain in this life aren’t gained forever- it is what we store up in heaven that remains.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me get over myself sometimes. Help me get out of my own way and on to what You have planned. Amen
Scripture to read today:
Song of Solomon 5; Song of Solomon 6; Song of Solomon 7; Song of Solomon 8; Philippians 1
Scripture that spoke to me:
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.
Observation:
Solomon is giving us some attributes of love (much like Paul did in 1 Corinthians 13.) Love is everlasting; unquenchable; unable to be bought. Love burns like a mighty flame.
Application:
Since my divorce, I’ve struggled with what love is- or more importantly, how to know when I’ve found it. I questioned if I ever really loved; I’ve wondered how not to make the same mistakes again. I have come to discover that love gives- but true love should give equally. In my marriage, I did all the giving. And it got to the point that he demanded so much more than I could give- the basket was empty, because he wasn’t putting in his share. So I began to think that couples should give equally. But that isn’t right either- because love doesn’t keep score. Love shouldn’t say “I did this for you now you do this for me.” So I come back to the “unable to be bought” part of today’s reading- each gives all they have to the other, and there is an abundance.
Prayer:
Lord, temper my heart so that I am not blinded by pretty words or blue eyes, but can see true love when it comes along. Let me be blessed with the kind of love that Jesus has for me. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Proverbs 28; Proverbs 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16
Scripture that spoke to me:
Proverbs 29:9, 11
If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Observation:
Look at the action of fools- they rage and scoff, they vent their anger. Wise people control themselves and don’t let their emotions take over their judgment.Which is often hard to do. The ability to think and reason goes away if your emotions get too turbulent.
Application:
I think back to all the court action I had to bring on my ex (and still may, he is thousands of dollars behind on his child support) and it was like taking a fool to court! He leads with his emotions. I managed to stay cool (really, numb, but cool nonetheless!) It helped, because I was able to remember things on the spot that helped with my case. This is often hard to do though, in cases where you’re just confronting a friend or a co-worker. If I haven’t had time to reign in those emotions, I can’t think straight.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be wise, and be able to control myself in all situations. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Proverbs 22; Proverbs 23; Proverbs 24; Romans 14
Scripture that spoke to me:
Romans 14:17-18
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Observation:
Paul points out that what one man considers right, another considers wrong. And they’re both right! Those who believe they sin by eating a certain food will sin in their hearts if they eat it. Those who think that drinking wine is wrong will feel guilty if they drink wine. But the kingdom is not determined by what we eat or drink, but by believing in Jesus and serving Him.
Application:
Scott and I got in a deep discussion about sin last night. We both agree that sin is anything that separates you from God. For instance, he believes that drinking is a sin for Him because of where it leads him and how it separates him from Christ. I can have a glass of wine at book club or out with friends and it does me no harm. It is not a sin for me. I have a tendency to separate myself from God by focusing more on other people than on Him. Therefore, I have to watch to balance my time with God and my time with others, for my enabler tendencies get in the way of my relationship with Him.
Prayer:
Lord, lead us closer to You. Remove the obstacles, which we create for ourselves, that separate us from fully loving and worshiping You. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Proverbs 4; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6; Romans 8
Scripture that spoke to me:
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Observation:
God is the omnipotent, all-powerful, mighty Lord! Yet He cares for each of us as His own children. We are blessed to have such a wonderful, caring Father. Yet we struggle to get more, we worry needlessly, we turn away from the Father to lead our own lives.
Application:
I needed this reminder today. I played the “If, then” game with myself last night. “If I lose my mother, then God will comfort me.” “If Scott leaves my life, then God must have someone even better in mind.” “If Brandon goes off to college and never comes home, then I have done my job.” Things like that. I went on and on- but it comes down to the fact that I know God is in control, and He has better plans than I could ever have! So I don’t need to worry, I just need to pray and listen and find what He has planned for me.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for loving me and wanting what is best for me. I know that if I follow Your ways, that I need not worry, because You have the plan already. Please continue to bless me and my family. Amen.
