WORDS OF THE WEARY
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Posted:Sep 23, 2016 3:23 am
Last Updated:Sep 23, 2016 3:23 am 18081 Views
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Read: Isaiah 50:4–10
Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 1–3; Galatians 2
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. Isaiah 50:4
A few days after his father died, 30-year-old C. S. Lewis received a letter from a woman who had cared for his mother during her illness and death more than two decades earlier. The woman offered her sympathy for his loss and wondered if he remembered her. “My dear Nurse Davison,” Lewis replied. “Remember you? I should think I do.”
Lewis recalled how much her presence in their home had meant to him as well as to his brother and father during a difficult time. He thanked her for her words of sympathy and said, “It is really comforting to be taken back to those old days. The time during which you were with my mother seemed very long to a and you became part of home.”
Help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to others.
When we struggle in the circumstances of life, an encouraging word from others can lift our spirits and our eyes to the Lord. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (50:4). And when we look to the Lord, He offers words of hope and light in the darkness.
Heavenly Father, help me to hear Your word of hope today. And help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to others, pointing them to You.
Kind words can lift a heavy heart.
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THE GATES OF WORSHIP
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Posted:Sep 22, 2016 3:09 am
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2016 3:09 am 15851 Views
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Read: Psalm 100
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 10–12; Galatians 8
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
When you enter some of the greatest cities in the world, you can encounter famous gates such as the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin), the Jaffa Gate (Jerusalem), and the gates at Downing Street (London). Whether the gates were built for defensive or ceremonial purposes, they all represent the difference between being outside or inside certain areas of the city. Some are open; some are closed to all but a few.
The gates into the presence of God are always open. The familiar song of
Psalm 100 is an invitation for the Israelites to enter into the presence of God through the temple gates. They were told to “shout for joy” and “come before him with joyful songs” (vv. 1–2). Shouting for joy was an appropriate expression when greeting a monarch in the ancient world. All the earth was to sing joyfully about God! The reason for this joyful noise was that God had given them their identity (v. 3). They entered the gates with praise and thanksgiving because of God’s goodness and His steadfast and enduring love which continues through all generations (vv. 4–5). Even when they forgot their identity and wandered away from Him, God remained faithful and still invited them to enter His presence.
The gates into God’s presence are still open, inviting us to come and worship.
The gates into God’s presence are still open, inviting us to come and worship.
What should motivate us to worship God? What statement of praise could you give to God today?
The gates into the presence of God are always open.
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FIERY TRIALS
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Posted:Sep 21, 2016 1:44 am
Last Updated:Sep 21, 2016 1:45 am 15157 Views
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Read: James 1:2–12
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 7–9; 2 Corinthians 13
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2
Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.
Similarly, trials—pictured as fire in the Bible—are necessary for our spiritual health and growth
(1 Peter 1.7; 4:12). James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2
It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This growth not only equips us for living, but it also enables us to more accurately reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.
In the hands of our Father, our trials can achieve His purposes for our good and for His honor. They can shape us into the likeness of His .
Father, teach me to trust You for the strength to endure difficulties and the faith to wait for Your good purposes to be accomplished in me.
Faith is seeing God in the dark and in the light.
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CONNECTING THE DOTS
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Posted:Sep 20, 2016 2:12 am
Last Updated:Sep 20, 2016 2:13 am 15226 Views
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Read: Luke 24:13–32
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 4–6; 2 Corinthians 12
Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27
In the 1880s French artist Georges Seurat introduced an art form known as pointillism. As the name suggests, Seurat used small dots of color, rather than brush strokes of blended pigments, to create an artistic image. Up close, his work looks like groupings of individual dots. Yet as the observer steps back, the human eye blends the dots into brightly colored portraits or landscapes.
The big picture of the Bible is similar. Up close, its complexity can leave us with the impression of dots on a canvas. As we read it, we might feel like Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. They couldn’t understand the tragic “dotlike” events of the Passover weekend. They had hoped that Jesus “was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21), but they had just witnessed His death.
The Bible shows a God who loves us more than we can imagine.
Suddenly a man they did not recognize was walking alongside them. After showing an interest in their conversation, He helped them connect the dots of the suffering and death of their long-awaited Messiah. Later, while eating a meal with them, Jesus let them recognize Him—and then He left as mysteriously as He came.
Was it the scarred dots of the nail wounds in His hands that caught their attention? We don’t know. What we do know is that when we connect the dots of Scripture and Jesus’s suffering (vv. 27, 44), we see a God who loves us more than we can imagine.
Jesus laid down His life to show His love for us.
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Worth Of Calories?
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Posted:Sep 19, 2016 4:53 am
Last Updated:Sep 19, 2016 4:54 am 15083 Views
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Read: Philippians 4:4–9
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 1–3; 2 Corinthians 11:16–33
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
I love egg roti prata, a popular pancake in my country of Singapore. So I was intrigued to read that a 125-pound (57 kg) person must run 5 miles (8 km) per hour for 30 minutes to burn 240 calories. That’s equivalent to only one egg roti prata.
Ever since I started working out in the gym, those numbers have taken on a new significance for me. I find myself asking: Is this food worth the calories?
The mind is formed by what it takes in.
While it is wise to watch our food consumption, it is even more important to watch our media consumption. Research shows that what we see can stay in our minds for a long time and influence our behavior. It has a “clingy effect,” sticking to us like that stubborn fat we find so hard to lose.
With the wide variety of media content surrounding us today, we need to be discerning consumers. That doesn’t mean we read only Christian literature or watch only faith-related movies, but we are careful about what we allow our eyes to see. We might ask ourselves: Is this worth my time?
In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul tells us in essence, “Feed your eyes and minds on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.” This is a “diet” worthy of what Christ has done and is doing in us.
Are my viewing habits enhancing my life or are they drawing me away from things that really matter? Help me, Lord, to make wise choices.
The mind is formed by what it takes in. Will Durant
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A PLEASING AROMA
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Posted:Sep 16, 2016 4:20 am
Last Updated:Sep 16, 2016 4:20 am 14961 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 2:12–17
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 25–26; 2 Corinthians 9
We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15
A perfumer who works in New York declares that she can recognize certain combinations of scents and guess the perfumer behind a fragrance. With just a sniff she can say, “This is Jenny’s work.”
When writing to the followers of Christ in the city of Corinth, Paul at one point used an example that would have reminded them of a victorious Roman army in a conquered city burning incense (2 Cor. 2:14). The general would come through first, followed by his troops and then the defeated army. For the Romans, the aroma of the incense meant victory; for the prisoners, it meant death.
A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ.
Paul said we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ’s victory over sin. God has given us the fragrance of Christ Himself so we can become a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise. But how can we live so we spread this pleasing fragrance to others? We can show generosity and love, and we can share the gospel with others so they can find the way to salvation. We can allow the Spirit to display through us His gifts of love, joy, and kindness (Gal. 5:22–23).
Do others observe us and say, “This is Jesus’s work”? Are we allowing Him to spread His fragrance through us and then telling others about Him? He is the Ultimate Perfumer—the most exquisite fragrance there will ever be.
Do others recognize the work of God in my life? Am I spreading the fragrance of Christ? How?
A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ.
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HELPING EACH OTHER
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Posted:Sep 15, 2016 3:22 am
Last Updated:Sep 15, 2016 3:22 am 14702 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3–7
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 22–24; 2 Corinthians 8
[God] comforts us . . . so that we can comfort those in any trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:4
“The body of Christ” is a mysterious phrase used more than 30 times in the New Testament. The apostle Paul especially settled on that phrase as an image of the church. After Jesus ascended to heaven, He turned over His mission to flawed and bumbling men and women. He assumed the role of head of the church, leaving the tasks of arms, legs, ears, eyes, and voice to the erratic disciples—and to you and me.
Jesus’s decision to operate as the invisible head of a large body with many parts means that He often relies on us to help one another cope during times of suffering. The apostle Paul must have had something like that in mind when he wrote these words: “[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:4–5). And all through his ministry Paul put that principle into practice, taking up collections for famine victims, dispatching assistants to go to troubled areas, acknowledging believers’ gifts as gifts from God Himself.
Lord, show me who needs my encouragement today.
The phrase “the body of Christ” expresses well what we are called to do: to represent in flesh what Christ is like, especially to those in need.
Dear Lord, thank You for always being faithful to comfort me when I’m hurting. Show me who needs my encouragement today.
God’s presence brings us comfort; our presence brings others comfort.
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BEYOND TIME
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Posted:Sep 14, 2016 4:48 am
Last Updated:Sep 14, 2016 4:49 am 14875 Views
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Read: John 6:53–69
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 19–21; 2 Corinthians 7
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68–69
During 2016, theater companies in Britain and around the world have staged special productions to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Concerts, lectures, and festivals have drawn crowds who celebrate the enduring work of the man widely considered to be the greatest playwright in the English language. Ben Jonson, one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, wrote of him, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”
While the influence of some artists, writers, and thinkers may last for centuries, Jesus Christ is the only person whose life and work will endure beyond time. He claimed to be “the bread that came down from heaven . . . whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” v. 58.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of eternal life.
When many people who heard Jesus’s teaching were offended by His words and stopped following Him (John 6:61–66), the Lord asked His disciples if they also wanted to leave
(v. 67). Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68–69).
When we invite Jesus to come into our lives as our Lord and Savior, we join His first disciples and all those who have followed Him in a new life that will last forever—beyond time.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of eternal life in fellowship with You today and forever.
Jesus is the of God, the Man beyond time, who gives us eternal life.
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READY FOR A CHANGE?
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Posted:Sep 13, 2016 12:32 am
Last Updated:Sep 13, 2016 12:32 am 14934 Views
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Read: Galatians 5:16–25
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 16–18; 2 Corinthians 6
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control. Galatians 5:22–23
Self-control is probably one of the hardest things to master. How often have we been defeated by a bad habit, a lousy attitude, or a wrong mindset? We make promises to improve. We ask someone to hold us accountable. But deep inside, we know that we don’t have the will or the ability to change. We can talk, we can plan, we can read self-help books, but we still find it difficult to overcome and control many of the things that are inside us!
Thankfully, God knows our weakness, and He also knows the remedy! The Bible says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). The only way to gain self-control is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us.
God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.
In other words, our key focus is not effort but surrender—to live moment by moment submissively trusting in the Lord rather than in self. Paul says this is what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16).
Are you ready for a change? You can change, for God is in you. As you surrender control to Him, He will help you bear the fruit of His likeness.
I am in need, Lord, of Your power so that I might change and grow. I surrender myself to You. Please help me to understand how to be submissive to You that I might be filled with Your Spirit.
God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.
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READY FOR THE WEDDING
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Posted:Sep 12, 2016 4:55 am
Last Updated:Sep 12, 2016 4:56 am 14927 Views
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Read: Matthew 25:1–13
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 13–15; 2 Corinthians 5
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Matthew 25:13
“I’m hungry,” said my eight-year-old . “I’m sorry,” I said, “I don’t have anything for you. Let’s play tic-tac-toe.” We had been waiting over an hour for the bride to arrive at the church for what was supposed to be a noon wedding. As I wondered how much longer it would be, I hoped I could occupy my until the wedding started.
As we waited, I felt like we were enacting a parable. Although the vicarage where we live is a stone’s throw from the church, I knew if I went to fetch some crackers, the bride could come at any moment and I would miss her entrance. As I employed many distraction techniques with my hungry , I also thought about Jesus’s parable about the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1–13). Five came prepared with enough oil for their lamps to stay lit as they waited for the bridegroom, but five did not. Just as it was too late for me to dash back to the vicarage, so it was too late for the young women to go and buy more oil for their lamps.
What does waiting for Jesus’s return look like in your life?
Jesus told this parable to emphasize that we need to be prepared, for when He comes again we will give an account over the state of our hearts. Are we waiting and ready?
What does waiting for Jesus’s return look like in your life? Have you left something undone that you could attend to today?
We need to be ready for Christ to come again.
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