Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 8/2/22  Matthew 13:12, For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. The one who “hath” the Word of God is the one who lives it; they’ve incorporated it. If we don’t do what we know, we really

don’t have it, and we’ll lose even that. Are you obeying or just “being exposed to” the Bible?                         Matthew 16:9, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Repeated c. 16 times) How could we tell if we have a hungry ear? Do you read your Bible and check off on a list, or, do you read and re-read when, A) you realize that your mind was focusing on a dozen other things besides His Word, or, B) do you read the passage again because you didn’t notice anything or the Holy Spirit didn’t speak to you at all? Are you serious about hearing from God?

- Wednesday, 8/3/22  Psalm 74:1a, O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? It’s human to feel forsaken, and to deem it “for ever.” (Bible giants felt it.) A solid spiritual walk won’t prevent these feelings, but will keep us from overreacting because of them.                                    Acts 4:24, And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.  When badly threatened and hit hard by life, they reminded themselves that God is God. Saying this our loud to Him will build/reinforce our faith when occurrences attempt to shake it.

- Thursday, 8/4/22  Psalm 136:2, O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. Doing the first half of the verse tickles God’s heart. The second half of the verse will tickle ours, IF we’ll dwell on it.                             Proverbs 3:17, [Wisdom’s] ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Do you import peace or problems? Are the drama mama at home and at work? Contentious Ken? Angry Ashley? Whining Winnifred? Negative Nel? Is the situation happier before you come in or after you arrive? Do you bring in sunshine and chirping birds or monsoons and mosquitos? People with wisdom are “pleasant” and “peaceful.”

- Friday, 8/5/22  Acts 4:29, And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word... They didn’t pray for results or relief of their own difficulties, but for effort.  Results are His business, as is the situations of His kids.                               Matthew 15:12, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. (Gut punch time...) Honestly, for you and the Holy Spirit to discuss: are you more prone to first notice, and then emphasize (at least mentally) your own faults, sins, shortcomings, and mistakes...or those of others?

- Saturday, 8/6/22  Acts 10:5-6, [Cornelius] send men...and call for ...Peter...by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Cornelius was a man hungry to know God, yet the angel wouldn’t tell him how to be saved. God’s plan is for saved sinners to tell lost sinners. Are you with God on that?                                Proverbs 5:1, My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding. There is no age reference for this son. (Rehoboam was 40 when he took the throne.) Middle-aged, veteran saint: are you still open to learning wisdom? From your old parents, despite their mistakes with you? From a younger pastor or SS teacher? From a college student? We’re even to learn wisdom from ants. (See Proverbs 30.) Bottom line: what’s your mindset toward learning, adding to yourself, and changing what you’ve “always done”?

- Sunday, 8/7/22  Psalm 80:1, Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock.  1) The Shepherd has a different agenda, sees a different viewpoint, and knows more of what the sheep need and want than the sheep. 2) Leading implies something changing. Have you had/done any God-led changing in the last year? Did you follow? or balk? Submit or counter-propose?                          Psalm 79:1-2, O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Two thoughts came to my mind as I read this today: 1) Whatever our situation, it could be A LOT worse. We need to express a LOT more gratitude and a LOT less complaining.  2) God’s chastisement on His kids is not a pretty thing. The pain is FAR worse than the pleasure of sin. Please come back to Him.

- Monday, 8/8/22  Psalm 80:19, Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. We don’t need more money, better health, more security, fewer problems in order to fix our situation: we NEED God. And He demands holiness and submission. So, are you honestly, shooting yourself in the foot regarding your wants? He WILL have His way. Get right and get serving... “more and more as you see the day approaching.”                            Psalm 139:3, Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Picture a puppy, THRILLED that his master is home: bouncing up and down, running in circles around your feet, grabbing a ball and dropping it and making the master trip. “Play with me, master!! I’ve been waiting all day for you!!”  THAT is what this verse pictures. So, stop what you think YOU need to do, and “play with God.”