- Tuesday, 9/28/21 Matthew 21:18, Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. Basic doctrine: Jesus didn’t cease being God while in His body, but He ceased “acting like” God. His body was just like ours: It needed
sleep, food, comfort. He understands our daily difficulties. He “gets” you. Acts 27:11, Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. While the preacher’s word is not necessarily “the final word” on a subject, we ought to regularly be in the habit of getting his counsel. And yes, while some preachers think they know exactly what everyone else should/should not to do in every situation, it’s wise to at least allow the preacher to have “veto power” over our decisions. Let them tell you what not to do. “If you go this way, you’ll regret it in 10 years...” Make sure you have a well-worn path to the pastor’s door.
- Wednesday, 9/29/21 James 1:23, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. I’m guessing that each of us could go up a notch or two in implementing what we hear and read. Let’s resolve to do it. Malachi 1:7, Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. The attitude of the people indicates a hardness of heart and an attitude that we often likewise have today; an attitude of, “How much do I HAVE to do,” instead of “How much COULD I do?” “How close to sin can I get,” vs. “How righteous could I be?” “What does God command, TO THE LETTER,” vs. “What does He prefer in principle?” This attitude is demonstrated in our dress, our attitude toward alcohol, our respect for leadership, our general behavior, our poor marriages, obedience to all levels of authority, our respect level for government and church officials, our unwillingness to forgive and the shifting of blame away from ourselves. God is NOT happy with such behavior from His people. Do ALL you can, not as little as you have to.
- Thursday, 9/30/21 Malachi 3:7, Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? How can we get back close to God when we’ve drifted away or sprinted away? God gives the answer: V8, Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Jesus pierces right to the heart of the matter: get your money right with God. Tithe, give to missions, give in the special offering. God said it, not the preacher... Job 2:1-2, Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Basic doctrine: Satan, right now is either on the earth or in Heaven. He’s never yet been in Hell. And, when he goes to Hell/Lake of fire, he’ll not go as a security officer on the wall guarding “his territory”; he’ll go as a maximum security inmate.
- Friday, 10/1/21 James 2:1, My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. Since it’s in the Bible, all of us must have a tendency to do this. I would think it’s OK to go the third mile for dear friends, but beware of not going the second mile for anyone. Psalm 7:11, God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. God calmly and properly deal with His children, but He allows His anger to creep in when preparing to deal with the wicked: He’s on a slow (but sure) boil. V12, If [the wicked] turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
- Saturday, 10/2/21 Psalm 7:1a, O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Re-putting our trust in the Lord should be at least a daily choice. CHOOSE to put your trust in Him today, and vocalize it to Him and others. Psalm 8:3, When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained... How long has it been since you’ve done this? Take a long walk in nature, day and/or night, and just purposefully notice, enjoy, and compliment your God’s handiwork.
- Sunday, 10/3/21 Genesis 12:13, [Abraham said to Sarah], Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. It’s never right to do wrong in order to do right. Proverbs 3:25, Be not afraid of sudden fear... Don’t fear fear. Don’t get discouraged when you’re discouraged. Don’t fall to pieces when you fall to pieces. Don’t throw up your hands and quit when you throw up your hands and quit. Remember that you’re human; you’ve got a sin nature; you’re still growing; you’re not a finished product. Christ is aware of that...you be too.
- Monday, 10/4/21 Proverbs 29:7, The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. “Lord, help me to be far more concerned about others’ situations, burdens, fears, and problems. You’ll take care of me; help me to be Your vessel to care for others.” Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but FOOLS DESPISE wisdom and INSTRUCTION. (For an honest self-evaluation): how receptive are you to instruction? To changing how you currently do or think about things? I’m especially referring to work: how easy is it to get you (& I) to do our tasks the “new way” as outlined by corporate or the boss? (Sorry to meddle on a Monday...) (Have a good work week!!)