- Monday, 4/22/19 2 Samuel 16:11, And David said...Behold, my son...seeketh my life...let [Shimei] alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. David felt abandoned by God. We can never tell the depth of another’s hurt feelings. Be VERY slow to judge how deeply someone “should” be grieving or what is “normal” based on how you grieve or feel you would handle their situation.
2 Samuel 14:13, And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. Gut check time: who is it that you’ve broken fellowship with? Could it TRULY be said that you’re acting like your Heavenly Father would have you? He made the first (million) steps toward the guilty...can’t you make a dozen or two? David needed some motivation to try to make up to Absalom. He didn’t do enough...but he did take a step. FIX the relationship...100 years from now it SURE will seem silly not to have done so.
- Tuesday, 4/23/19 In a fight/battle, the oppressed looks for, and accepts help from anywhere: even former adversaries. Psalm 121:1, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Look to the church even if “THEY” let you down before. Christian, bury old grudges: we’ve a wounded comrade. 2 Samuel 23:16, And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord. And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. This story always bothered me. If I had just done a great deed for someone and then they poured it out, I would feel insulted. I had this thought: David took the water and went alone and, to God, refused to drink. He poured it out in private.
- Wednesday, 4/24/19 1 Corinthians 13:3, And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Where are you on the “Love Meter”? I mean, toward the unlovely? The unjust? The wicked? The backslidden? The angry? The “different”? The socially ignorant? God loves them...we’re supposed to... 1 Corinthians 15:10ab, But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all... What an arresting thought: has the grace of God which has been given to you been in vain?? Might God shake His head looking at you?
- Thursday, 4/26/19 1 Corinthians 14:12, Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Whom have you edified recently? Could you tell me how? When? Where? Are you even trying to do so? Or, is that not “your specialty”? Is that for the Pastor? 1 Corinthians 15:10a, But by the grace of God I am what I am. We must never forget this. Oft times, our flesh starts to take credit for little things... NO!! Our standing, our resistance, our desire to do rightly...ALL is because of HIM. We’re dirt and will be til we see Him.
- Friday, 4/27/19 1 Corinthians 16:14, Let all your things be done with charity. Hmmm...all things would include our parenting, our treatment (TODAY) of our spouse, our driving (oops, meddling alert!), our interactions with coworkers, our phone call, to the creditors or debtors...hmmm, did God REALLY mean “ALL THINGS”??? 1 Corinthians 16:19-20a, The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Remember, Corinth was a VERY carnal, messed up church filled with erroneous doctrine, blatant sin, factions, and in-fighting, yet this is how other believers felt toward them. Do you and I and our church today have this attitude, or do we isolate and castigate and embarrass and shame those who aren’t “as strong” as strong as we are? I wonder who is really strong...
- Saturday, 4/28/19 1 Corinthians 15:10b, ...his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all... Point blank: why did He save us? We’re to be like Him, and He is all about “seeking and saving that which was lost.” Are you an active soul winner? Get back to it; increase your effort and effectiveness; or learn it. Everything else in the Christian life is ancillary: it is to HELP us win souls. Opinions are like belly buttons:
we’ve all got them and they should be kept hidden. I think this; you think that...and it absolutely doesn’t matter. Proverbs 22:21b, ...that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Opinions are like armpits: we’ve all got them and they usually stink. What matters is what God says. Instead of sharing your heart or giving a piece of your mind...why not search the Scriptures and relay what the Master says?
- Sunday, 4/29/19 Psalm 105:3b, Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. The sentence structure caught my attention: “(You) LET the heart of others rejoice.” I wonder how often I squelch people’s joy/good day with my negativity. If someone shares a positive, do you “counterbalance” it with a negative? Proverbs 22:1, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. We know exactly how much we make; we rejoice over a $.25 raise; we’re careful about our 401(k)s; we make sure we claim every deduction...and we tell jokes that push the envelope of propriety; we tithe to the exact penny and no more; men, we’re not careful with our eyes; ladies, you wear clothing that draws undue attention to your body; we do a hundred things that (could) damage our names. And we say “we love the Lord with all our hearts”?? Ouch!!!
- Monday, 4/30/19 Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Simple thought: think about, dwell on, and emphasize the things you have in common with another instead of focusing on and highlighting your differences. With spouse, kids, boss, pastor... Psalm 135:4, For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Jacob & Israel were the same person. Jacob was the birth name and meant “trickster,” whereas Israel means “prince.” Hallelujah that God will choose us when we’re FAR less than perfect and change us into royalty. What a gracious, generous God!!! Are you trying to impress God with your good deeds so as to merit Heaven? The One Who has never sinned is not impress-able by you...except for faith. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” If you don’t know 100% for sure that you’re going to Heaven, please let me show you from the Bible how to know that. What have you got to lose?
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