Sunday – Poetry
Reading – Proverbs 30
Highlight Verse:
“Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed.”
Proverbs 30:11-12 NLT
Don’t want to be filthy and unwashed (or any of the other nasty things in the following verses?
Let’s honor each of the moms in our lives today!
Nuff said.
Saturday – Open Topic
Reading – Mark 6:1-6
Highlight Verse:
“Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.”
Mark 6:3 NLT
It just so happens that this passage is in the lesson I am planning to give to middle school students this Wednesday.
The people of his hometown refused to believe Him.
Think about it.
There is nothing that you can do that will make Him love you any less.
He will allow you to reject Him, but He will never reject you.
You can walk away from God, but He will never walk away from you.
Have you ever felt like there was no way that God could ever forgive the things you have done?
What helped you overcome that feeling?
If you haven’t overcome that, what is holding you back?
Friday – Prophets
Reading – Hosea 7-8
Highlight Verse:
“Their arrogance testifies against them, yet they don’t return to the Lord their God or even try to find him.”
Hosea 7:10 NLT
When I started reading today’s chapters, I thought, “this is kinda harsh.”
The Good News of the Bible is that there is forgiveness and new life for all who put their trust in Jesus.
Then I got to this verse.
The majority of the people of Israel did not trust in God.
In fact, they were outright rejecting Him in favor of “foreign Gods” and wild living.
Hosea doesn’t say.
But he is writing to someone.
That would have been a tough lesson to learn. But it beats not learning it.
Have you ever had to learn things the “hard way” through tough life experience?
What, if anything broke the chains of evil for you?
Thursday – Letters
Reading – James 5
Highlight Verse:
“But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.”
James 5:12 NLT
I’m a storyteller.
I tend to add emphasis to my stories through colorful description, painting a picture that is sometimes more vivid than the original.
Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
If we are completely honest, there’s no need to invoke heaven or earth to back our decisions.
Just be honest.
Did any other verses jump out at you in James 5?
Share what you saw!
Wednesday – History
Reading – 1 Chronicles 16-18
Highlight Verse:
““Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in.”
1 Chronicles 17:4 NLT
We’ve all had a taste of it.
You have a great idea.
Your friends all think it’s great.
You put things into motion to make it happen.
Then you hit the brick wall.
So, what does David do with disappointment?
Read the rest of that chapter.
He gave thanks for all the good things God did for and through him.
How do you handle disappointment?
What do you think you could learn from David?
Tuesday – Pentateuch
Reading – Numbers 3-4
Highlight Verse:
“When their names were recorded, as the Lord had commanded through Moses, each man was assigned his task and told what to carry. And so the registration was completed, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
Numbers 4:49 NLT
Apparently, the jobs for the Levites were allotted to individuals right down to who carried which post.
I have worked within ministries and currently work as an outside contractor within a city government, and I can tell you that I have never seen this level of organization.
Some would say they are organized, but not to this level (though our church comes pretty close).
How would things be different if we were that organized?
As a person with OCD, I’d like to think it would be amazing!
I honestly admit that I think it would be a good standard to strive for.
What is your opinion?
Is detailed organization a Biblical standard to strive for?
Or would Jesus want us to be more relaxed in our methods?
Monday – Gospels
Reading – Luke 19
Highlight Verse:
“He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!””
Luke 19:40 NLT
Last night, we had a night of worship at our church. It was awesome.
Throughout the week, many more will be singing God’s praises.
There’s people right now cranking the worship tunes as they drive and sing.
There are students in chapels raising their voices.
The walls in a thousand prayer closets bear witness to words of thanksgiving and praise.
Where do you like to worship the most?
Where is the most unique place you have worshipped?
Sunday – Poetry
Reading – Proverbs 28-29
Highlight Verse:
“Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.”
Proverbs 29:8 NLT
Comments posted afterward mocked the officers with “how many officers does it take” jokes and people ridiculing that town’s police force.
The truth was the man being chased had just beaten his wife and struck an officer as he fled.
I happened to be in a police sargents’ office when I saw the post (fixing a copier). They mentioned that if one officer was chasing the subject, the chances of that subject being injured were much higher. With multiple officers, there was much more control in the situation.
There are those who will always try to stir up unrest.
We can bring calm to situations through reasoned, fair, and non-accusatory input, not inserting ourselves into arguments but by spreading accurate positive information when the situation calls for it.
Have you been able to shed light on a negative situation?
How did it turn out for you?
I should note that as I went to post this, an inflammatory political post followed by an argument came up. Inserting even positive information in that sort of argument is likely just to stir up more argument.
Saturday – Open topic
Reading – Luke 19:1-10
Highlight Verse:
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Luke 19:5 NLT
I wanted to find a verse about someone who was physically impaired today. It was harder than I thought it would be.
Jesus healed everyone who was “crippled” or blind and who wanted to be healed.
That said, he only healed one of the people gathered at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5). We are left to assume that he was the only one who turned to Jesus for healing. Jesus respected the wishes of those who didn’t want to be healed or who insisted on taking care of themselves.
Zacchaeus, on the other hand, was healthy but short.
Just within my own little family, there is about a foot difference in height between shortest and tallest, several different hair colors, introverts and outgoing, and a wide variety of interests and talents.
We represent a variety of political views, sometimes completely opposed to each other.
Likewise, God created each human on the planet with unique characteristics.
And, like Zacchaeus, God isn’t interested in making us alike.
He wants to make each of us a part of His family.
Like with any family, we may not always agree.
What do you do when you have a hard time getting along with a fellow believer?
How would it change things for you if you looked at others through Jesus’ eyes – with a love that is willing to give everything that they might live?
(Oh, and by the way – May the Fourth be with you!)
Friday – Prophets
Reading – Hosea 5-6
Highlight Verse:
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6 NLT
Religion demands that we follow rules.
Religion required Israelites to give sacrifices.
Religion is full of rituals.
While many rituals were born out of relationship, when they are empty,
The bottom line is God wants a personal relationship with each of His children. Obedience, sacrifice, and rituals should be a result of that relationship, not a desperate attempt to gain that relationship.
It makes me think of when God ran.
Being welcomed into God’s family is as close as turning to Him.
How do you feel about the rituals and rules commonly found in Christianity?
What motivates you when you obey them or ignore them?
Walk in the Light 