- Tuesday, 9/6/22 Matthew 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Nine blessed’s are listed. Each of them lists a condition that could be construed
as a negative but which then causes the blessing. We must choose whether we focus on the negative, or on what the negative is producing. Proverbs 3:3-4, Let not mercy and truth forsake thee...So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Our sinful, wicked natures have NO desire to have mercy (mercy given & asked for) and truth ready at-hand. Our sinful selves are MUCH more comfortable and desirous of having criticism, vengeance, and pride toward others, and our own thoughts and selfishness toward truth. If we have and use “mercy and truth” it’ll be on purpose, and it’ll be difficult. But, I like the sound of finding “favor and good understanding” in both man’s and God’s sight.
- Wednesday, 9/7/22 2 Corinthians 2:4, For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. Paul had to write harsh, biting words because of their sin, but it broke him up to do it. Parents, does it grieve you that you have to spank your kids? I lost 2 of mine because of too much discipline and not enough tenderness...Learn from me. Proverbs 4:1-2, Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. A note for teachers and dads: it’s easy for all of us, because of our inherent pride, to put the blame for a lack of learning upon the learner. But, very simply, is what you are trying to teach “good stuff” or half-baked? And, the way that you’re teaching...would you listen to you teaching like that?
- Thursday, 9/8/22 Psalm 72:1, Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. It’s still early today. You can do and think and decide and work and interact and drive and talk in your own strength using your own mind or you can choose to use God’s. Your choice... 2 Samuel 24:15, So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. God HATES pride, even in His favored children. Seventy thousand funerals; 70,000 widows; over 100,000 orphans... Pride is the attitude that we deserve a certain level of status, possessions, or treatment. Look for it in your heart, and attack it like you would a snake in your house. He hates pride. You and deserve hell-fire; ANYTHING that we get that’s better than burning is more than we deserve.
- Friday, 9/9/22 Psalm 74:1a, O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? I read this and thought of those who might feel like the psalmist did: abandoned by the One who said He’d never do that. Dear brother or sister, life is cyclical: you will come out of the valley. Make sure you don’t have any sins to clean up when you do. Call me if I can help you. Psalm 38:13-15, But I, as a deaf man, heard not [the words of the critics]; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. The psalmist kept his mouth closed despite accusations from friends and enemies. Why did he do that? Why was he able to do that? Because of his trust in the Lord. (Notice the word, “for.”) This’ll sting: maybe, to whatever degree we talk about or respond to the critics, to that same degree we are lacking faith. This may be a good measuring stick...that shows how far short we (I) so often fall.
- Saturday, 9/10/22 Psalm 38:18, For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. Iniquity is the permission and justification we give ourselves to sin: we must admit to it also. How do we “will” to be sorry? By thinking of the hurt our sin caused God and others. Admitting it came from a rebel’s heart. To the Lord (& those whom you’ve offended): name the sin, confess it, and forsake it. 1 Kings 3:3, And Solomon loved the Lord walking in the statutes of David his father: ONLY he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. All of us have our own “only-ies.” Let’s strive to identify them, confess them, and eradicate them. God used Solomon greatly. This verse was given just a few verses before God appeared to him in a dream and offered him carte blanche. God will still use us, but that doesn’t mean that He isn’t aware of, or is overlooking, our “only-ies.” He is patient, but demanding. What is it that He’s been on you about getting right? Don’t think that His forbearance means He’s given you a pass: He hasn’t.
- Sunday, 9/11/22 1 Kings 8:36, Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk... Got a sinful habit you’re trying to eliminate? Cover to cover, the Bible teaches we’re to replace bad with good, NOT just eliminate bad. 2 Corinthians 6:17, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you... Being a godly Christian is more than improving the outward, it’s more than visible conformity to rules, b-u-u-u-t-t-t God STILL commands us to be separated from the world. We’re to talk, work, dress, forgive, recreate differently than the world. They should see an obvious difference about us, but a difference NOT to show ourselves “better than they,” but a difference that reflects a love for our God and an awareness of His desires for His children. So, though it may not be trumpeted as much these days, are you acting differently than the world?
- Monday, 9/12/22 2 Corinthians 7:6, Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus... “Comfort” means “with strength.” When we need it, He promises to give us strength, not necessarily encouragement. And, notice, he uses people to give it. Look for it...wait for it... 1 Kings 10:8, The queen of Sheba said, Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. A simple thought: are you happy at church? Your pastor isn’t Solomon, but he still is wise: how receptive are you to what he says? How present are you? Do you fiddle with your phone during the songs or sermons? Remember, there are multitudes without a loving pastor and millions without a single copy of the Bible. Let’s hit the red reset button on how good we hav