Tag: repentance

February 19, 2024

February 19th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 8

Highlight Verse:

“He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

They run all my words through a filter that tells them “It’s just another way the church manipulates people.”

So, do I give up on these people?

Never!

But I realize that I will never get through to them on my own power or intelligence.

I need to pray.

And pray.

And, you guessed it, pray!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

I do not believe that God would ever force anyone into heaven.

But I do believe that He will give them a chance to truly hear the Gospel, especially when people are fighting against the forces of evil that are trapping them.

Do you have loved ones who do not understand when you present the Gospel to them?
Are you going to battle for them in prayer?
February 18, 2024

February 18th, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

”The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

And then come the consequences.

The lies to cover it up.

The relationships damaged.

The mental and emotional damage from dealing with guilt.

The physical damage from neglecting or essentially poisoning our bodies.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.
- We all sin, but if we are honest with God, He is faithful to forgive those sins for those who trust Him.
- If we are honest with trusted friends, we avoid many of those sins through accountability.
- If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we can’t live perfect lives in our own power.
So, yes, “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.”

Are there any areas where shame or greed has kept you from honesty?
Do you have friends with whom you can be completely honest?
February 9, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 37-39

Highlight Verse:

“So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know I usually lean toward the more obscure verses, but I couldn’t resist this. This is my favorite part of Ezekiel.

As part of a student ministry leadership meeting, we were asked what our best memory of serving students was.

For me, the best times by far have been when getting to the end of a teaching time and having students respond by putting their faith in Jesus.

I believe that is a modern-day equivalent of Ezekiel’s life-giving words.

Seeing new life come into the life of a student is no less wonderful than the valley of dry bones coming back to life.

It is not my words but the work of the Holy Spirit touching lives.

I count it a privilege to be able to speak to students but that is certainly not the only way God uses to speak life into people.

The Holy Spirit can use something as simple as a t-shirt or bumper sticker to start someone down the right path.

Acts of kindness, living out God’s love to people, go a long way toward drawing people to God.

And consistent friendship is priceless in the Holy Spirit’s book.

When have you seen God speak life through you?
Are there ways that you would like God to use you to bring life to people?
February 3, 2024

February 3rd, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Peter 3:8-18

Highlight Verse:

”But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.“
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m writing this on Groundhog Day. Three guesses as to what movie we watched as a family tonight…

Yup, you got it – Groundhog Day.

Which is kind of ironic, watching a movie about someone for whom one day is lasting many days on a day when I read about a day being like a thousand years. (No, I did NOT pick the reading because of the movie).

In the movie, Phil doesn’t move on to the next day until he makes Groundhog Day perfect.

In reality, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. Instead, He provides the perfection through the sacrifice of Jesus.

So what’s delaying God’s return?

He’s waiting for everyone to have a chance to accept His sacrifice.

He’s been waiting for generations.

He may choose to wait for many more generations.

Or He may return tonight.

He alone sees the big picture and knows the right timing.

While we cannot fathom what that looks like, we would do well to work toward the same goal as God – that all may know Him.

What does that goal look like in your life?
What can you do to hasten the day of God’s return?
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 15, 2024

January 15th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 3

Highlight Verse:

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I believe in giving a legacy of faith to my children.

That said, my children, just like every other person in the world, must have their own faith.

I hope and pray for that faith to be in Jesus. But, if it isn’t their own faith, it means nothing to them.

The church I grew up in was more about culture than faith. Everyone there would identify themselves as Christian but that didn’t mean they had faith in Jesus. For many it was just the cultural group they associated with.

The same was true in the Hebrew faith in Jesus’ time.

There were many who were culturally and often genetically Hebrew but never took the time to really think about faith.

John the Baptist saw that and hit them right between the eyes with that fact.

And many came to faith for the first time because of it.

What are some ways that we can confront those who mistake culture for faith without driving them away?
How deep does your faith go? Is it a culture you identify with or God in whom you place all your trust?
January 14, 2024

January 14th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 7

Highlight Verse:

”Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭7‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is step one in protecting yourself from seduction.

First, let me make it clear that seduction comes in many forms.

This chapter focuses on a seductress tempting a young man. If you are a young man, that is a very tough temptation to fight off.

Your temptation may be very different.

Maybe those snack cakes are calling your name.

Or that one drink too many (which for me would be one drink) could be whispering to you how good it would feel.

Whatever your temptation, the key expressed in this verse is getting very familiar with wisdom long before the temptation arises.

That way, when that temptation arises, wisdom steps right up and blocks its path.

I’ve know several people who wanted to know wisdom so much that they read a chapter from Proverbs every day. That took them through the Book of Proverbs every month.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Have you experienced the protection of wisdom against temptation? Can you share about it?
What has worked for you to make wisdom more and more familiar to you?
January 9, 2024

January 9th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 37-38

Highlight Verse:

“Then he made the sacred anointing oil and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of a skilled incense maker.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭37‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I remember cooking some particularly good applewood bacon one day and wondering if that was what heaven was going to smell like.

I don’t think the people of that time would have considered that a good smell since pigs were considered unclean.

But I am sure the incense and fragrant anointing oil smelled good to them.
Why would they have these fragrances?

Water was in scarce supply. Baths, outside of the ceremonial washings, were rare. Incense and oils would have covered most of the smells that would have wafted through the camp creating a cleaner, more holy atmosphere for the Tabernacle.

Part of me wants to say that is analogous to Jesus covering our sins but that would not be true.

Unlike the aromas of the Tabernacle, Jesus takes our sin and completely removes it.

He doesn’t just make us smell clean. He makes us clean.

So, burn your incense and light your candles. Put on your cologne and perfumes. Just know that you don’t need them to make you clean. Only trust in Jesus, accepting His sacrifice can do that.

Do you act like your sins are covered or removed?
How will knowing that Christ removes your sin affect the way you live your life?
December 17, 2023

December 17th, 2023
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 3

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have taught many a child who is eager to answer each of my small group discussion questions, ready to show how much he/she knows.

I’ve been that kid/adult many times myself.

How many times do I need to remind myself to get back to basics?

Here’s the basics in regards to wisdom:
- My wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s.
- It is wiser to fear God than to know a lot about Him.
- All the knowledge in the world is useless if I don’t turn away from evil.
I’ll just keep it that simple – because it is.

Do you struggle with pride about how much of the Bible you know (like I do)?
How do you remind yourself to fear the Lord and turn away from evil?
November 27, 2023

November 27th, 2023

Monday – Gospel

Reading – Matthew 23

Highlight Verse:

“So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s confession time again.

While I strive to always practice what I teach, there have been times when I catch myself doing something that I just taught students not to do.

Even more common, I’ll be studying for a lesson when I realize that I need to change a behavior if I want to teach the lesson honestly.

I’ve jokingly said, “Do what I say, not what I do.” But, I know that’s not the way to works.

People, especially children, will follow what you do far more often than what you say.

So, those of you who catch people acting differently than they teach, make sure you find the correct path and follow it.

And those of us who teach – and that includes all parents – watch out for how you act. Make sure it lines up with what you teach.

And if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to fess up and change your behavior.

Have you ever caught yourself acting differently than what you teach?
Have you been able to change that behavior? Share your experience that we all may do better.

Tag: repentance

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

Never!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.

For me, the best times by far have been when getting to the end of a teaching time and having students respond by putting their faith in Jesus.

I count it a privilege to be able to speak to students but that is certainly not the only way God uses to speak life into people.

I’m writing this on Groundhog Day. Three guesses as to what movie we watched as a family tonight…

He’s waiting for everyone to have a chance to accept His sacrifice.

While we cannot fathom what that looks like, we would do well to work toward the same goal as God – that all may know Him.

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.

That said, my children, just like every other person in the world, must have their own faith.

There were many who were culturally and often genetically Hebrew but never took the time to really think about faith.

John the Baptist saw that and hit them right between the eyes with that fact.

This is step one in protecting yourself from seduction.

Your temptation may be very different.

Whatever your temptation, the key expressed in this verse is getting very familiar with wisdom long before the temptation arises.

But I am sure the incense and fragrant anointing oil smelled good to them.Why would they have these fragrances?

Unlike the aromas of the Tabernacle, Jesus takes our sin and completely removes it.

How many times do I need to remind myself to get back to basics?

People, especially children, will follow what you do far more often than what you say.

And if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to fess up and change your behavior.

But I am sure the incense and fragrant anointing oil smelled good to them.
Why would they have these fragrances?