Tag: teachable moment

June 19, 2023

June 19th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 9

Highlight Verses:

“Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I can so relate to Peter. I don’t even have to be frightened to stick my foot in my mouth.

Today is a case in point. I have said in the past that Juneteenth commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation. That’s not precisely correct.

June 19th, 1865 was the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, TX, essentially reaching to the ends of the Union. The proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863.

Some might take offense at my technical inaccuracy.

In relation to Peter’s comments, Mark chose to include a parenthetical explanation, but Jesus makes no comment. Instead he just moves on – awkward moment overlooked.

How do you choose to react when you hear something insensitive or inaccurate (or both)?
Do you seek to be both accurate and sensitive in your writing and speaking?
Can you move on when you make mistakes?
May 27, 2023

May 27th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Joshua 4:1-9

Highlight Verse:

“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Several years ago on this weekend, I was visiting Washington, DC and found myself in Arlington Cemetery. There was a general flow toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I followed the crowd and ended up in the amphitheater listening to a Memorial Day speech from the President.

While he was not the person I voted for, I found myself agreeing with him as he expressed the country’s gratitude for all the people who gave their lives for our freedom. He made sure that they were remembered for their sacrifice.

Today’s passage shows how Joshua memorialized God’s participation in bringing Israel into the Promised Land. He wanted to be sure the people did not forget God after they settled in the land.

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

Has Memorial Day become just an excuse to barbecue and take a day off work?
How will you remember those who sacrificed for your freedom?
May 24, 2023

May 24th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 1-2

Highlight Verse:

““Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you don’t think God has a sense of humor, read this again!

But then I realize that I can be like Elkanah.

I get so focused on myself and my situations that I don’t understand when things aren’t going well for those around me.

But God listened to Hannah. He answered her prayer. He provided.

Through Hannah, God provided Israel with Samuel. Samuel led Israel through a crucial time in its history including the anointing of King David.

Are you like Hannah? Can you trust God to provide when you cry out for help?
Are you like Elkanah? Can you opened your eyes and ears to try to understand how your loved ones are feeling?
May 16, 2023

May 16th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 33-34

Highlight Verse:

“Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is another one of those stories that’s too messed up not to be true.

I’ll admit, I went into this praying, “Lord, what on earth can I pull out of this?”

Then the word “desperately” popped out at me.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

The Lord knows I have.

We think, “if I don’t settle for this person, I’ll never get married.” Or “I need a car so I have to accept these finance terms.”

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

We don’t think things through.

We agree to foolish terms.

In Shechem’s case, it cost his life and the lives of all the men in his town.

Is there anything that you are desperate about today?
Is there something you can do to recognize that your “desperate” situation may not be as desperate as you think?
Can you trust God instead of a foolish decision to get you out of those situations?
March 16, 2023

March 16th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 11

Highlight Verse:

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is honestly how I feel after reading some chapters.

Almost this whole chapter dealt with the role of 1st Century Israelites in the salvation of the Gentiles. It was confusing especially since I know very little about 1st Century Israelites.

After reading through the Bible many times and doing many classes and studies, I know the Bible quite well. I dare say that my theology is rather thorough and reasonably accurate to the Bible.

That said, with all the many different theological opinions out there, I am sure, when I get to heaven, I’ll find out that I was dead wrong about something. We most likely all will.

For that reason, I do two things.

First, I go into these daily readings and studies with an open mind, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak correction to my mind when I see that I had something wrong.

Second, I give a lot of latitude for differences of opinion about what a scripture means. I go by the old saying “In the essentials – unity. In the non-essentials – diversity.”

Salvation by grace through acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus alone, and the God breathed authority of Scripture are two things I consider essential.

Everything else – let’s talk about it.

Is there anything that you believed for a long time and then found to be wrong?
Is there anything else you would add to the essentials list?
February 3, 2023

February 3rd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Isaiah 13:19 NIV

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”

Kind of makes you wonder what these prophets were up to.

Their job was to inspire people to follow God more closely through God given words, often offering a bit of God’s higher view or plan.

Here, God wanted to encourage His people to keep following and not give up since their oppressors would fall.

While these prophecies may seen tedious to read, they are part of a bigger picture that set up the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus.

Can you read this while imagining you are part of a nation oppressed by the object of the prophecy?

Would it encourage you?

How would your encouragement of others differ today? (Hopefully you’re not prophesying the doom of nations today).
January 22, 2023

January 22nd, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Psalms 10-12

Highlight Verse:

“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”

Psalms 10:1 NIV

Is it okay to question God? Is it okay to be mad at God?

If you’re a parent, are your kids ever mad at you? Do they question you? Does that bother you? If it does what about it bothers you?

If God is our Father, I believe that He can handle it when we question Him and even express our frustration to Him as long as we do it with respect.

As a dad, I would rather know when my kids are frustrated with me.

Usually, that can be turned into a teachable moment

in which I can explain the reasons behind my decisions or opinions.

Of course, there’s a big difference between me and God.

Sometimes I’m wrong.

God is always right.

But I think He also takes our frustrations and turns them into teachable moments. Some of the greatest things I’ve learned in this life have come out of times of frustration and even anger.

As far as I can recall, every time David writes verses like this, he comes around to God’s point of view by the end of the Psalm.

We can relate to his occasional frustrations. We can learn from what God teaches him.

What lessons have you learned in the times of frustration?

How have you managed to maintain respect for God while expressing those frustrations?

Tag: teachable moment

I can so relate to Peter. I don’t even have to be frightened to stick my foot in my mouth.

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

If you don’t think God has a sense of humor, read this again!

But God listened to Hannah. He answered her prayer. He provided.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

This is honestly how I feel after reading some chapters.

For that reason, I do two things.

Everything else – let’s talk about it.

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”

Is it okay to question God? Is it okay to be mad at God?

Usually, that can be turned into a teachable moment

Sometimes I’m wrong.

God is always right.