- Tuesday, 10/16/17 2
Samuel 24:10, And David's heart smote him
after that he had numbered the people (and 70,000 men died.) David was an
old man here. We adults need to be as circumspect or more so than we ever have
been regarding sin. We never fully get over any of it...it lurks and WILL rise
again if neglected. Psalm
126 was written after the nation returned from Babylonian captivity/slavery..
V1: When the Lord turned again the
captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. I always wondered how the
famous v5-6 (They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed...) fit in,
and this just hit me: Of course they wept while being punished...but they
worked for God (showing repentance for their sin of 490 years of rebellion)
WHILE being punished. Don’t just sit and sulk and waste your “bad” times. Sow (work) in tears (due to judgment/chastisement) and you shall reap in joy (later.)
- Wednesday, 10/17/17 As
one enduring a very hard situation, I just got my bell rung by 1 Corinthians 15:19, If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable. I am guilty of doubting God in my trial,
but I just realized that I’m only looking “in
this life.” OUCH!!! 1
Corinthians 15:12, Now if Christ be
preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? If the Scripture gives evidences of ordinary
people’s prayers being answered, how say some that He won’t answer prayer? If
the Scripture tells of tender watch care, how say some that He doesn’t care
about them? If the Bible shows God intervening and protecting or vindicating
His people, how say some that God has turned a blind eye? If the Scripture
speaks of people in Heaven singing praises for how He conducted matters on
earth, how say some that it’s not worth it? (Preaching most of those to
myself...we’re all guilty at times...that’s why those stories are in the Bible.
They’re not there cuz God had to fill up a page quota for His publisher.)
- Thursday, 10/18/17
Psalm 119:54, Thy statutes have
been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. Very simply: how long has it
been since you sang a Scripture song? How can you rectify or improve your
efforts? Idea: Print the reference and first few words on a 3x5 card and keep
it in your pocket. Revelation
2:4a, Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee... V14, But I have a few
things against thee... God has “some things” against all of us. So, could
you tell me what sin/habit/action you are ACTIVELY working on adding or
deleting from your life? We all have them...our reformation starts with humble
agreement with the Lord about the need for change.
Sunday, 10/21/17 Psalm
119:32, I will run the way of thy
commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. While you’re waiting on God
to enlarge your heart, at the very least, you can WALK the way of His
commandments. Do what you can where you are with what you have while you
can...help someone today. Deuteronomy 11:1, Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God,
and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments,
alway. “Alway” would include on vacation; over Christmas break; at a
wedding or graduation or family reunion; at church; at home; on the
job...”alway” means then too...or, always.
- - Friday, 10/19/17 God
rang my bell again: Proverbs 16:20, He that
handleth a matter wisely shall find good. I’ve been doubting God BIG TIME
in my troubles: “Where are You? Don’t you care? Do something!” He says I’m
unwise: I must work to find the good IN and FROM my troubles...OUCH!! Never feel
that you make too much of the Bible. Psalm 138:2, I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy
lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU hast magnified thy word ABOVE all
thy name. God elevates it above His own name.
- Saturday, 10/20/17
Which verse more often describes you? Proverbs 16:27a, An ungodly man diggeth up evil. Or,
Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirreth up
strifes: but love covereth all sins. Are you more likely to let sleeping
dogs lie or stir the pot? Forgive and forget, or make it your business so no
one can forget? Bible
characters were made of the same stuff we are. Therefore, we can be encouraged
by their actions (they made it through their situations and show us how to do
so too), or we can be warned by them (this is how NOT to do it.) Psalm 138:8,
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for
ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Notice that in the first half,
David gives a statement of absolute certainty, and then in the last phrase,
expresses doubt. Have you ever flip-flopped so fast? On one hand, you know God
is good and doesn’t respect persons, but 5 seconds later you wonder if He cares
about you? Been there; done that...no, AM there; DOING that.
- Monday, 10/22/17 Psalm
143:7a, Hear me speedily, O Lord: my
spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me... After praying this, David made
several specific requests in v8-12, three for deliverance from the problems,
but six that he’d do right in the midst of the problems. Would God benefit from
answering you? Psalm
143:7, Hear me speedily, O Lord: my
spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go
down into the pit. 1God will do as God has
always done: that’s why the stories are in the Bible: to show us how He
acts. 2God knows your status and abilities. 3He
will do as He deems best. 4Guard your spirit: if you
quit, you lose the race and fail His test.
5Therefore, do
whatever you need to do to guard your spirit. How? Take care of yourself physically (get more
rest, eliminate the unnecessary, possibly do a diversion and relax.) Take care
of your soul (good music, laughter, love.) Take care of your spirit (extra
Bible [Psalms], don’t miss church, take a walk and pray, confess, praise, and
worship. Take care of ANOTHER (help someone else who’s having it rough.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bible thoughts from some others:
- Pro 12:1, Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof
is brutish. Willing learners gladly accept both instruction and reproof..
Those who refuse and rebel at correction and reproof are unwise, and are called
stupid.
- Matt 22:15, Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him
in his speech. The world will always
try to make us look and sound like fools.
- Pro 15:29, The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the
righteous. It pays to be godly and righteous in our living if we would
enjoy the Lord’s presence, and know that He hears and answers our prayers.
Eternity depends on faith in Christ: the other benefits our living.
- Ps 4:6, There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the
light of thy countenance upon us. As we get farther away from God in our
nation, the more we hear this question! If we ever needed the light of His
countenance to shine on us, it’s today.
- Matt 23:11, But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. God’s
standards for greatness is different from the world’s.
- Pro 20:11, Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and
whether it be right. Character and a strong work ethic is developed early and
is not there by accident. Much of it is taught my Mom before the child is a
year old.
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Contact me at baptistcity@gmail.com for information on subscribing to the weekly email or daily text messages from Terry.