Tag: Bible

February 2, 2024

February 2nd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 34-36

Highlight Verse:

”I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.“
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was a junior in high school, I had a job as a hand on a small farm. In the winter, one of my jobs was to feed the sheep.

I loaded a couple of bales of hay on an old pickup truck and hauled it to a hillside in the frozen pasture.

The moment the sheep heard that old International pickup come up the hill, they came running.

I told that story a few weeks ago to our middle schoolers when I taught a lesson about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

I didn’t realize that this concept was foretold in Ezekiel.

One of the things we learned about was that sheep recognize the sound of the shepherd’s voice and trust him since they knew that he protected them and led them to food and water.

Just like the sheep reacted to the sound of the truck, they know a good thing when they hear it.

Likewise, we can trust the voice of Jesus because we know he loves us and provides for us.

He is always faithful, even when we’re not.

We can trust His voice as we hear it in the words of the Bible.

When you hear or read the word of God, do you trust it completely?
Did you know that he will always lead you to what is good for you – never bad?
February 1, 2024

February 1st, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 4

Highlight Verse:

“We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What struck me in this verse is the fact that the writer of Hebrews apparently knew Scripture quite well but did not see importance in quoting chapter and verse or even book.

The answer to part of that is obvious to any Bible scholar. The Bible wasn’t divided into chapters until the 13th century. Verses didn’t arrive until the mid 16th century.

But the writer doesn’t even worry about book names.

I know the Bible pretty well.

But the number of verses that I can quote with their exact location is rather small.

Knowing the limitations of my memory, I have chosen to concentrate on remembering concepts and life lessons rather than exact verses with their references.

Some of you may be very good at memorization.

That’s awesome. I’ll even admit that I’m a bit jealous of that ability.

I would only suggest that you should understand the lessons from the Scripture that you read and get them into your heart.

That way, when trials and temptations come along (and they will), the way to get through them will be obvious.

If you are good at memorization, do you have a method that you could share with the rest of us to improve our memorization skills?
What are some verses that you have remembered and how has knowing them helped you?
January 31, 2024

January 31st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!””
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This story happened after God had spared Ahab because he had repented. By this time, Jehoshaphat, the good king of Judah, had made peace with him.

Jehoshaphat was so intent on keeping that peace that he went along with Ahab’s plans to survive despite what the prophet Micaiah had predicted. (Read the whole chapter for more details).

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

There are many nuances to this whole story.

To me, the bottom line is two fold.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

He did this when Ahab repented.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

Even though his clever plans fooled the enemy, God brought the arrow that broke Ahabs plans.

Have you ever tried to outsmart God? How’d that work for you?
Have you seen God pour out his grace and change the circumstances around you when you truly repented? Please share with us.
January 30, 2024

January 30th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

First thing that struck me about this verse is that it addresses the worshipper rather than the priests.

It says to “lay your hand on the animal’s head.”

In my mind, that makes the sacrifice more personal.

The fact that the worshipper is the one to slaughter the animal takes it one step deeper.

Keep in mind that this was the very beginning of the Hebrew system of sacrifices. Right from the start, God wanted the people to be personally involved in worship.

It reminds me of a friend in college who grew up in a much more traditional church. When I asked if she had a Bible or had any interest in studying the Bible, she just said that she just trusted what the priests said and had no need to find out more on her own.

That’s a concept that I cannot grasp.

Jesus paved the way for us to come directly to God. No priest needed.

It doesn’t get any more personal than that.

What would you say to friends who feel no need to get to know God personally?
How personal is your faith?
January 29, 2024

January 29th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 5

Highlight Verse:

“In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Having an advanced case of leprosy 2000 years ago was a certain death sentence.

There was no hope.

Compounding this, people would have done everything possible to avoid that person. They wouldn’t want any chance of catching what he had.

Jesus turned those attitudes on their head. Through his preaching and healing others, Jesus brought enough hope for the man to plead for healing.

Instead of avoiding him, Jesus touched the man.

In that touch and in His words came complete healing.

As disciples of Jesus, we have the ability to bring that hope and healing to a hopeless and dying world.

We need to be willing to bring Jesus’ words of hope and healing and not be afraid to reach out and touch the hurting with God’s love.

Are you in need of a touch from Jesus? Reach out to him!
Are you willing to bring the words and touch of Jesus to the world around you? Be bold!
January 28, 2024

January 28th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 9

Highlight Verse:

”Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

My father was just 5 years older than I am now when he passed away. Unfortunately, he did not live wisely most of his life and the cigarettes and alcohol did not do him any favors.

Even as I write this, I think of those who did live wisely who did not live long lives.

Just in the past year or so, I’ve lost two pastor friends to heaven. Both were about my age.

What about them?

I cannot begin to understand God’s reasoning for calling them and many others home.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

One of them I had the privilege of seeing a couple weeks before he passed. In his presence, though I knew he was in pain, I felt such a sense of peace.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.

In wisdom, these friends of mine were able to live out their days in joy and peace.

I pray for that joy in my life and in yours.

What is your take on this verse?
How has wisdom increased your days?
January 27, 2024

January 27th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10

Highlight Verse:

”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.“
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a fiction author, I have had to learn that I really need to know my characters’ identities. Who they are, how they think, and what they believe all govern how they act. When they act differently than who they are, they are less believable.

Our identity drives the choices we make.

We will act like who we believe we are.

The first sentence in today’s highlight verse points to the truth about what our true identity is.

We are God’s masterpiece.

When we truly start to believe that, we start to act it out.

Of course, we are all works in progress, but the more we embrace that truth, the easier it will become to live it out.

Do you see yourself as a masterpiece or a mistake?
If you have trusted God, do you know how God sees you?
How does one live like a masterpiece?
January 26, 2024

January 26th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 31-33

Highlight Verse:

”As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?“

Ezekiel 33:11 NLT

I will admit, I don’t always look forward to preparing these Friday lessons from the Prophets.

There’s a whole lot of judgement.

Sorrow and death are major themes of many of Friday’s chapters.

But there is a purpose to these doom and gloom chapters and that is summed up in this verse.

God’s heart is always for the good of His people. It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s downright terrifying.

But it all comes down to the main story of the Bible. That is the reconciliation of man to God through the loving mercy and grace of God.

Let’s never forget that He loves us so much that He went to the most extreme lengths to save us. Even as far as sacrificing His only Son.

Have you ever stopped to think about what the overall message of the Bible is?

Can you believe that God loves you beyond every measure?
January 25, 2024

January 25th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 3

Highlight Verse:

“Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My hands are pretty rough.

Years of working on copiers (my day job) with tools and harsh cleaners and washing my hands often have left my fingers calloused and dry.

A massage from me would feel like sandpaper.

In the same way, years of making excuses for sin and using the harsh tools of denial and even dishonesty can leave a heart calloused and dry.

When we start down that road, we usually know when we are doing something wrong. Over time and rationalizations, we may start to redefine sin. We build up such a defense against conviction that we no longer recognize it.

The simplest, most practical definition of sin I’ve heard is “anything that comes between you and God.”

Of course, there is forgiveness. But eventually a person may get to the place where they either don’t think they need forgiveness, or they don’t think they can be forgiven.

Let me make this clear. There is no sin that God cannot forgive short of denying His sacrifice.

Satan gives us guilt to drive us away from God and convince us to reason our sin away.

God gives us conviction, that we may be able to move ever closer to God.

Are there things that you have been rationalizing away even though you know they are putting distance between you and God?
Have you been wallowing in guilt thinking you sin is too much for God to forgive?
Can you trust God to do what He promised and remove the guilt of sin from you “as far as East is from the West”?
January 24, 2024

January 24th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 18-20

Highlight Verse:

“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve always been amazed that Elijah could oversee the spectacle of fire from God consuming his completely drenched sacrifice, defeat all the prophets of Baal, and correctly predict the return of rain after a severe drought, and then run for his life because of the queen’s threat.

I mean, it doesn’t make sense.

I would say to myself, “I would never do that.”

And then I stop to think about it.

How many times do I do that?

How many times have I seen God provide from my family and turn around and worry about getting the bills paid?

How many times have I seen God protect me from evil, yet I worry about safety?

How many times have I seen God heal my sickness, yet I stress about a little cough?

I’m not saying I should ignore finances, safety, health, or the million other stresses of life.

But why would I face them with a defeatist attitude?

I’ve seen so many victories in my life and I’ve seen God carry me through the defeats.

No matter what comes my way, I can be confident that God will deliver me or see me through.

What amazing victories have you seen in your life?
Can you look back at those victories and be confident that God will bring you though anything that comes your way?

Please share your stories. Here’s one of mine:

I moved to Colorado in 2006 in an old minivan. I left the Philadelphia area after my last day of work on a Friday evening. By 10pm, I had made it 230 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with all my possessions in that van when the engine threw a rod.

I got towed to the closest town and made it to a motel by about midnight. At that point all I could do was pray, “God, I’ve got nothing. This is all in your hands.”

I truly believe it was God who provided a mechanic and an engine and the finances for me to get back on the road. On top of that, He gave me a much needed 4-day break in the beautiful town of Somerset.

I’ve been here in Colorado going on 18 years now and God has blessed me here more than I could have imagined.

Now I can look back at that and not have to get to the “I’ve got nothing” moment to trust God completely.

Tag: Bible

I didn’t realize that this concept was foretold in Ezekiel.

We can trust His voice as we hear it in the words of the Bible.

What struck me in this verse is the fact that the writer of Hebrews apparently knew Scripture quite well but did not see importance in quoting chapter and verse or even book.

Knowing the limitations of my memory, I have chosen to concentrate on remembering concepts and life lessons rather than exact verses with their references.

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

First thing that struck me about this verse is that it addresses the worshipper rather than the priests.

Jesus paved the way for us to come directly to God. No priest needed.

It doesn’t get any more personal than that.

There was no hope.

Instead of avoiding him, Jesus touched the man.

We need to be willing to bring Jesus’ words of hope and healing and not be afraid to reach out and touch the hurting with God’s love.

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.

Our identity drives the choices we make.

But there is a purpose to these doom and gloom chapters and that is summed up in this verse.

Let’s never forget that He loves us so much that He went to the most extreme lengths to save us. Even as far as sacrificing His only Son.

My hands are pretty rough.

In the same way, years of making excuses for sin and using the harsh tools of denial and even dishonesty can leave a heart calloused and dry.

Let me make this clear. There is no sin that God cannot forgive short of denying His sacrifice.

And then I stop to think about it.

But why would I face them with a defeatist attitude?

No matter what comes my way, I can be confident that God will deliver me or see me through.

Please share your stories. Here’s one of mine: