Scripture to read today:
Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13
Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 11:18-19
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Matthew 23:34
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Observation:
Both John and Jesus came to the people with some things that they didn’t want to hear. No one wants to be told they’re wrong- especially if they thing they’re right! So the answer must be “they have a demon.” But look past their words to their actions. That’s where you see the goodness and rightness. The words were right too, but the actions is where you got to see that fact.
Application:
I talk a lot. I enjoy a good conversation- and I know how to listen as well. I’m sure my mouth says many things, and I hope they are all true. But I’m even more hopeful that my actions back up my words. It is hard to always do the right thing, and I know there are times that I fail miserably. But I have other people watching me for the right way to live. If I want my kids to be good people, I have to set an example. I can’t just tell them how to live and then go live some other way.
Prayer:
Lord, let my words and my actions be a reflection of You to others. Help me not be proud that I am right but pleased that I am not wrong. Let me resist the temptations of this world. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38; Jeremiah 39; Psalm 79; 2 John 1
Scripture that spoke to me:
Jeremiah 39:16
“Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
Observation:
The Lord says “my ways are not your ways” ((Isaiah 55:6) and here we see that the Lord is using disaster, not prosperity, to bring about His ways. We usually think that the Lord is all happiness and good times and that He will show Himself through good things only. But His ways are not our own, and sometimes He uses calamity to get our attention.
Application:
Looking back through my life, God has used the tough times to draw me closer to Him. Seems like when things were good, I didn’t lean on Him as much. When life got tough- or even when life was about to change (even for the good- like in marriage, children, etc.)- I drew closer to Him. I don’t believe that God will miss a chance to be closer to us. He’ll use the bad things that happen to bring about His purpose just as much as the good. Sometimes, it might even work better!
Prayer:
Lord, please use every experience in my life, good and bad and all those in between, to draw me closer to You. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Jeremiah 13; Jeremiah 14; Jeremiah 15; John 15
Scripture that spoke to me:
Jeremiah 15:19
This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
Observation:
The Lord is speaking to Jeremiah about what he must do to serve the Lord and be saved from the coming destruction. Speak good words, serve God, and don’t be influenced by the things going on around you. The Lord goes on to tell Jeremiah that he will be attacked, but the Lord will protect him.
Application:
It is so hard to live in this world and not be influenced by the things around you. It is one reason I stayed out of the teacher’s lounge when I was a teacher. That is where the teachers all went to whine about things and complain about the students. I learned that it didn’t take too long before I was whining and complaining, too. It was hard to speak good words and be a good influence there. I could leave the teacher’s lounge and be much better off. But what happens when, like Jeremiah, you can’t escape? How do we stay strong and be the one who influences, not the one who is influenced?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the strength to stand firm in You and proclaim Your word. Let me be the one who sets the example, not the one who is influenced by others. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Hosea 10; Hosea 11; Hosea 12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4
Scripture that spoke to me:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Observation:
We have a living Word- it applies just as much today as it did 2000 or more years ago. It gets down to the business of living in this world- and it gives us a way to tell if our hearts are right.
Application:
I’ve been doing this Bible study for over a year now. It has let me see just how living the Word truly is. Most days I find a verse that just speaks something to my heart about what I need to be doing, or be aware of. It is relevant to my life just as it was to the early Christians.
Prayer:
Lord, you are so good. You are able to speak to us through ancient texts and yet, speak to us as individuals today. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13; 2 Chronicles 14; Philippians 4
Scripture that spoke to me:
Philippians 4: 12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Observation:
Paul went through a lot in his life. He was rich, a Pharisee who condemned Christians until he met Christ himself; then he gave everything up to further the kingdom. He lost it all to gain it all. In prison, his possessions were meager. He knew hunger, he knew bounty, and he learned the secret to being happy in everything- Christ.
Application:
I’d make a horrible divorce counselor. I have had the opportunity on occasion to talk to newly separated women about their situation. But I can’t get to the places they are, in many cases, because I was never there. I was never in that pit of despair. Oh, I was plenty sad and scared and worried, but Christ was there beside me telling me that everything was ok. I want to give that to these women, who look at me like I have two heads or something. I don’t think you can just tell others about Christ, you have to show Him to them. And most often, they see Him in you.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be a reflection of Christ to others. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; Philippians 2
Scripture that spoke to me:
Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Observation:
Jesus came to earth to show us the way- to give us an example of the way we should be living. He didn’t come as God’s equal. He didn’t come as a king to be served, but as a servant to all.
Application:
A lot of people run around with WWJD on their keyrings, or bracelets, but really, what would Jesus do? He would love; He would show compassion; He would invite people to dinner that no one else would invite to dinner! Is that really what we would do? Oh, I think I have compassion for others, but I still view them from some lofty pedestal, glad that their problems aren’t touching me. I am nice to everyone I meet, but I don’t know about having dinner with some of them. WWJD? A lot better than I’m doing. I just need to keep the example of Jesus in my mind each day and strive to imitate Him a little better.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to us so that we would know how to live forever. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Proverbs 16; Proverbs 17; Proverbs 18; Romans 12
Scripture that spoke to me:
Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Observation:
God gets to take care of those who do wrong- not us. If we do wrong back to someone who has wronged us, then we’re wrong, too. And God will view us just as He does them. This says be kind to those who have wronged you- it will surprise them, humble them, confuse them, maybe even humiliate them some. That’s your revenge.
Application:
Boy, did I need this lesson today! The ex didn’t come to his own son’s graduation- and son is highly upset at him. But we’re learning that lashing out doesn’t help. It only makes us feel worse. Brandon did tell his father how upset he was, that he couldn’t find time to attend this major milestone in his son’s life, but stopped short at saying he’d never speak to him again. We’ve been trying to follow this verse…. but boy, it is HARD to do!
Prayer:
Lord, help us to be more loving and less angry and the people who have wronged us. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3
Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
Observation:
Paul knew the problems that came from idleness. Idle people have a lot of time on their hands and lend that time toward gossip. They also are not productive, and rely on someone else to produce for them. Idleness breeds more idleness- I call it inertia (a body at rest stays at rest!) Paul saw the wickedness in this and strongly encouraged the people to stay away from idle people.
Application:
I’ve felt idle lately. I just don’t want to do anything. I think it is because it has rained so much, and rain just does something that makes me want to sleep But I have- I mowed the grass yesterday, and I’ve done my walking, and it feels better to get up and move than it does to give in to the idleness (although I did sneak a small nap on Sunday!) But I’m not an idle person. I work. I don’t depend on the government or anyone else to buy me food. I don’t have a lot of time to be lazy and take naps and things. There’s too much going on. I’m busy. But sometimes in that busyness, I have to find time to rest. I also have to caution against being so busy that I don’t get anything done for God.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to not be idle. Also, help me balance work with time to rest. And let me see the difference between working for You and just being busy. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28
Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Observation:
This is the Great Commission- where Jesus is sending His disciples out to tell the world about all they have learned from and about Him. It is what Christians are still called to do to this day. Spread the word that Jesus lives, and He is the Son of God.
Application:
I don’t think we do a very good job of this most of the time. It is hard to stand out there and say “I’m a Christian” in a room full of unbelievers. But maybe that isn’t exactly what Jesus intended for me. I don’t have the gift of making pretty speeches. I’m a happy person- kind, content, accepting- and when people meet me they want to know what makes me so peaceful. Then I tell them about Jesus and the love I get from Him. In other words, they want what I have. Now don’t misunderstand me- I’m way not perfect, and this doesn’t always happen. I lose my temper now and then, or speak ill of someone or pass along gossip, and all that will blow my chance at speaking of Jesus. We have enough hypocrits in the world, and I really don’t want to be one of them. I’m just doing the best I can. If we all try to pass along the love of Jesus, that is the best we can do in most cases. We’re not going to win people to Jesus by preaching or moralizing at them, although some people may always know the right things to say. (I usually know the right thing to say a day late!)
Prayer:
Lord, help me to keep my love during those trying times, and to remember that everything I do reflects You to someone else. Amen.
Scripture to read today:
Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3
Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Corinthians 3:3
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Observation:
There was a time when people would carry a letter of introduction for themselves to a new person- a letter of recommendation from someone else to show that this was a good person whom the person might then welcome into his home. Paul is saying that we, as Christians, are a letter from Christ- that is written on our hearts for all to see.
Application:
I have never looked at it this way before- if Christ is recommending me to others, how do they know that? It has to be by what they see in my heart! Christ has written himself on my heart for others to see. So do they see Him? Or have I hidden him under layers of pride and selfishness? Since Christ has written on my heart for all to see, I want Him to shine through!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for claiming me as Your daughter. Let everyone I come in contact with be able to see You through my heart and through my actions. Amen.
