- Tuesday, 9/29/20 Proverbs 26:3, A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Foolish people have to be
MADE to comply. Do you? Does the threat of “getting a write up” keep you in line at work? Is the trouble always the fault of the authority over-reacting? What about your initial offense that caused the "over reaction"? In short, are you a fool set for your own agenda, or a servant for Christ? Psalm 18:20, The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. Of course, none of us deserve a single blessing from the Lord, but He does reward us for trying. Introspective question: is your level of righteousness growing, shrinking, or static? The pull of the world, the flesh, and the Devil are always downward, so if we are simply trying to “stay on track,” we’ll deteriorate. It’s comparable to treading water in a river: you’ll go downstream just as surely as if you were actively swimming that way. Growing or getting worse...those are the only two choices. So, what is your NEXT step upward?
- Wednesday, 9/30/20 Psalm 18:39, For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Yes, “the battle is the Lord’s,” but we still must play our part. Most often, He will do NOTHING if we don’t try. He’ll win the victory, but we have to show up to the battle...which is scary and hard. 2 Kings 3:11a, But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? Three armies are in dire trouble: in the desert with no water, but Jehoshaphat still wanted to inquire of God (note: he didn’t say, “ask for a miracle.”) Lesson: when you know there’s nothing to do, still go talk to God through His men and ask for directions. Maybe you’re not seeing something that’ll be obvious to them.
- Thursday, 10/1/20 Psalm 19:1-2, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Having God speak to you should be a daily occurrence. Do you “just put your time in reading the Bible” or do you profit from that time? Ask for help if you feel your time is less than productive. DAILY...yes, He means that. Why do bad things happen to us? For you, is it often a matter of bad luck, or the boss doesn’t like you, or “I’m not appreciated,” or “they’re out to get me”? I’ve been there. Here’s another possibility (warning: blunt thought ahead): Proverbs 28:5a, Evil men understand not judgment. Maybe, we don’t see what’s really happening out there because of what’s wrong in here.
- Friday, 10/2/20 Psalm 19:3, There is no speech nor language, where [the heaven’s] voice is not HEARD. A reminder (especially to me) that God’s creations speak of Him daily. Turn off the TV, put down the phone, turn off the music, and get off your blessed assurance and go listen. Genesis 30:1, And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. It’s been true since time began: if we rely on exterior circumstances and other people to bring us happiness and satisfaction, we’ll be sorely disappointed. We must get our eyes off of ourselves, and go make someone else’s day, and God’ll make ours.
- Saturday, 10/3/20 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. You’ve heard; you obey; are you obeying “more and more”? More than last year? More than you "have to"? It’s a hard question to categorize and answer, but we MUST guard against complacency: we’re never obedient enough. Do you feel as if God has forgotten you? Genesis 30:22, And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. We look at the word “remember” and think that it means replacing “forgetfulness.” No, remembering simply puts the issue back on the “current” screen. When we close a file on our computer, we don’t delete it (forget or dismiss it), we store it in the hard drive, and then recall it to the desktop later. We re-member it; we bring it back to the “here and now.” God hasn’t forgotten you: He’s still got you. Your issue, for whatever reason, is not what He thinks needs to be dealt with today. So, go on serving while trusting...He’s got your life well in hand.
- Sunday, 10/4/20 Mark 9:35, And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. “Lord, help me to serve more willingly, more fervently, and more happily.” Whom could you serve this morning? Greet different people at church; express gratitude for the lesson and sermon; speak sweetly to your family. Psalm 98:1, O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. A new awareness of His marvelous deeds demands a new song. Are you aware of what He's done for you? Newly, freshly aware? Then praise to Him is the minimum we can do, but telling others of His awesomeness is the right thing to do.
- Monday, 10/5/20 Where are you today? Got a hard path to trod? Psalm 23:4, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. He WILL do His part: He’s with you and I, and we must do our part: controlling our fears...hard, but doable. 2 Kings 17:13a, Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways... Just a thought: would the Lord be testifying FOR you or AGAINST you? (Remember, Israel and Judah were His people: symbolic of us, the saved.) Would He be more likely to be on the side of the prosecution or the defense? Oh, I know that in the eternal realm that we’re justified and “we have an advocate...,” but in the temporal realm? You, looking at your recent life: would the Lord be accusing you or defending you? Is this verse more likely to be your summation, or Job 1 where He brags on Job? Along the same vein, who's more like to bring your name up: the Lord to brag or the Devil to accuse? (Ouch!)
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