- Tuesday, 7/5/22 Amos 6:1a, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria... The term “at ease” is a negative term referring to an arrogant calm. For each of us: is there even a hint of a
“better than thou” attitude in us? Search your hearts, with the Holy Spirit and the light of the Bible. We’re to be like Christ, right? Psalm 111:5, He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. What promises have you made to others or to Him that you’ve allowed to slip? Promises to your spouse? Kids? SS class? At the altar? I’d bet if you’d take a walk and sincerely tell Him you’d turn things around and then ask Him to remind you of anything, He would...
- Wednesday, 7/6/22 Psalm 39:2, I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. I wonder if this verse might teach that speaking positive things (to another [encouragement], to self [truthful positives], to God [praise]), is somewhat of an inoculation to depression. Psalm 113:3, From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. If this is to be done, how could you and I do it? What could you do to remind yourself to praise God upon awakening and upon climbing into bed? A note pinned to your pillow? A note taped to your morning meds/vitamins? On the bathroom mirror? On the toilet lid? Maybe wrapped around your toothbrush? Brag on Him for what He’s done...however you can.
- Thursday, 7/7/22 Psalm 40:13, Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. Selfishly, would God benefit from changing your circumstances? Would He see more holiness, souls, giving, or forgiving from you? Or, is it just that you’re not comfortable? Psalm 40:3, And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. This is one of 8 times God references “a new song.” Don’t automatically dismiss must just because it’s new. As with everything, filter it through the Bible: does it exalt God or man? Does it teach or promote holiness and God’s other priorities? Does it mention salvation by Christ’s blood? Does it praise God specifically? Is the melody/tune/style more suited to a Bible preaching, soul-winning church or a bar party? Is the song doctrinally right? Does it draw or convict sinners? Would the spiritual giants from yesteryear like the words? (That’s the same as getting counsel from one more spiritual than ourselves.)
- Friday, 7/8/22 Philippians 1:1a, Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ... Oh that I could accurately describe myself as a “servant of the Lord” and not have to do it tongue-in-cheek or with an “LOL” afterwards or be fearful of someone scoffing and revealing a shameful secret about me. Luke 13:7, Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? Just an observation: if it’s been more than 3 years since you’ve born any fruit (i.e. a soul won to Christ, or at least passed out tracts or done something to spawn another spiritual life), there may be an axe in your future...
- Saturday, 7/9/22 What constitutes a “good church”? One thing is negative preaching. Jesus mentioned specific sin and judgment A LOT, and spoke more of Hell than of Heaven. Luke 13:5, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Are you where He would have you be? Amos 8:4-5, Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? God was scolding the people for a very American practice: their “weekends” were just interruptions to their schedule of commerce. Is Sunday a primary focus for you or just a day with a different schedule? We need to make more of what God deems vital. Make tomorrow different than last week.
- Sunday, 7/10/22 John 21:15b, ...Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. Very simply: how long has it been since you said the words, “I love You” to Jesus? What about to your spouse? kids? “But I’m just not an emotional person...” You get pretty emotional during football season when the ref makes a bad call... Luke 19:40, And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Some of us are less spiritual than the rocks. God deserves verbal praise (bragging on Him for His actions.) Verbalize it while alone, with loved ones, and, eventually, among the lost.
- Monday, 7/11/22 Numbers 11:1ab, And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled. The complaining “germ” is inside all of us, and the unchanging God still hates it. “Learn to be content.” “In everything give thanks.” Control the thinking. Numbers 11:25, And the Lord...took of the spirit that was upon [Moses], and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Oh that His Spirit, with the obvious inevitable results, would rest upon us!! The first step is desire: do you want that? Will you speak for Him? Will you practice “confrontational soul winning”? (That’s His agenda: if we WON’T participate in His main heartbeat, why would God give Him and His power to us?
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