March 12, 2010- Right vs. Right

Scripture to read today:
Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

Scripture that spoke to me:
Deuteronomy 19:11-13
“But suppose someone is hostile toward a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders him and then flees to one of the cities of refuge. In that case, the elders of the murderer’s hometown must send agents to the city of refuge to bring him back and hand him over to the dead person’s avenger to be put to death. Do not feel sorry for that murderer! Purge from Israel the guilt of murdering innocent people; then all will go well with you.

Observation:
There were many laws about what to do with a murderer. Most depended on the heart of the murderer- if he intended to kill or not. This part of the law says to not feel sorry for a murderer who deliberately kills- and that he must be killed!

Application:
This is what makes Jesus special. Not only does he not condemn the people who were murdering him, but he forgave them. He felt sorry for them because of their ignorance. Jesus often did things that seemed totally opposite from Jewish law. But He came to show us the right way to do things.

Prayer:
Lord, I don’t understand some of the contradictions in the Bible, but I find I don’t have to. I just need to look to Jesus. Thank you for sending us a Savior to show us the right things to do. Amen.

February 12, 2010- Leaving Your Mark

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 18; Leviticus 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 19:11-12
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Observation:
Paul was able to show Christ to so many people in so many ways. Here we see another extraordinary way that God performed miracles through Paul, so much that Paul didn’t even have to be present in order for God to work.

Application:
I know that God works through those who believe in Him. How much does He do through us that we don’t see? I remember reading about Dr. Livingston, where he came out of the African bush and claimed that he didn’t lead a soul to Christ. But imagine all that God did through him that he didn’t see and didn’t know about. We never know how our presence in someone’s life is going to affect them later. I hope I leave a positive mark that can be used for good, even if I never know about it.

Prayer:
Lord, let me leave a trail of Your love wherever I go, for You to use whenever it is appropriate whether I even know about it or not. Amen.

December 8, 2009- Spreading the Good News by Example

Scripture to read today:
1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Timothy 1:3-4
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:
Paul is reminding Timothy to pray for the people- from kings on down- for their salvation. That is their main mission. He then goes on with a litany of the way good people and leaders are supposed to act and live.

Application:
I think this goes along with my problem from yesterday. First, I need to pray for this man and pray for the ability to forgive him. Second, I need to remember how good people act- not stirring up controversies but showing people the way to Christ. I can’t let one person make me question my motives or my ability to do so.

Prayer:
Lord, this is hard. It is hard to look at a person in leadership to you and think they’re wrong, or mean, or evil, even. Help him, and help me, be the very best examples we can be for You, so that Your light shines through. Amen.

November 22, 2009- Words and Actions

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.

August 25, 2009- God of Good and Bad Times

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.

August 13, 2009- Changer or Changee?

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.

July 7, 2009- The Living Word

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.

June 14, 2009- Happy in Christ

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.

June 12, 2009- WWJD

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.

May 31, 2009- Be Nice to those who are Mean

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.