Bible Blog Post - 8/30/2020

Job 34:1-36:33

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

Psalm 44:1-8

Proverbs 22:10-12

God loves us so incredibly much that He has shown us His glory in the face of His son.  This love acts like a light in our lives driving out the darkness within and around us.  This does not mean that we won't encounter challenges throughout life, but it does mean that we will be better equipped to overcome them.  While our physical body will perish, whether we sin or not, life everlasting in the most glorious kingdom of all mankind is awaiting those who follow God's commands and spread the love and light of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we understand that sin is Satan's weapon and trap for us, but it's important to recognize that he only has as much power over our actions as we are willing to grant him.  In spiritual infancy, it is difficult to see how frequently Satan lures us in different directions, making choices that put the world before God; but as we become more spiritually mature, as we read God's Word daily and gain His wisdom, we are better able to identify when we are being led away from Him, and how to realign ourselves with what is true and what is right.  

Dear Lord, thank you for continuing to drive out the darkness in our hearts, and giving us the privilege of having the living Christ within us.  Please continue to speak to us and illuminate the path in which we are to follow.  Amen.

August 29: Of Letters to God

Job 31:1-33:33

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Psalm 43:1-5

Proverbs 22:8-9

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.  You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry…"

I am not a missionary like Paul was.  I am a father, a husband, a son and a brother, a colleague, a manager and a subordinate.  What, then, is my letter to God?  And if Paul wrote his by preaching to the Corinthians (and the Romans and the Galatians and so many others), how do I write mine?

Paul's letter to God is the story of the lives he touched.  What people forget, though, is that while he appears to have touched the Corinthians with grace, there were many he touched with pain and suffering, many who were hurt because of his touch, especially before God called him on the road to Damascus.  

The same is true with us.  For me, my Corinthians, the characters in my letter to God are my children, my spouse, my parents and siblings and their families, my in-laws, my friends and colleagues.  Like Paul, my letter has its ups and downs.  There are many times my touch was my temper, and my raised voice hurt my children, or taught them the wrong way to handle adversity.  There are times - even today, more than 50 years since I was born - that my touch was my disobedience to my parents.  Thankfully there have been many times when my touch has been a blessing as well.  

Despite my imperfection, I would like very much for my children - indeed all those around me - to come to know, or come closer to knowing Christ through our interactions.  How then to aspire to that in my sinfulness?  Thankfully Paul answers us again, in his admission: "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."

Father, I'd like my letter to be one that brings You joy than sadness, smiles instead of tears.  I can't be that person to my children, my wife, my parents and all I love on my own, though.  Like Paul, please give me the competence to write that letter.  

August 28: Of Fear and Whistling Happy Tunes

Job 28:1-30:31

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Psalm 42:1-11

Proverbs 22:7

Do you feel down?  Depressed?  Frustrated, angry, lost, worried?  Understandable, perhaps, when you think of everything going on - between the pandemic around the world (wave 1, 2 or 3 depending on where you are), the choice between risk of illness and death against risk of economic disaster, joblessness and hunger.  

But what about when things are going well - do you find yourself troubled, worried?  And do you feel guilty about it, when God already seems to have made your paths straight, and you are still worried about taking that first step?

You're not alone.  In today's NT reading, Paul seems to have that problem as well.  We read ow Paul went to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ and found that although the Lord had open a door for him, but he STILL had no peace of mind.  With Paul, we are in good company.  

In today's psalm, we find the answer.  The psalmist, too, is confused at his angst.  "Why, my soul, are you downcast?"  His prescription - put your hope in God.  Despite how you feel, "for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."

I like quoting my parents - fonts of God's wisdom, those two, and they have long tossed those pearls before the unheeding swine that I have been for so many years.  Today's pearl: "motion before emotion", a rule more elaborately explained in the song "I Whistle a Happy Tune", from "The King and I".  I quote: 

Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect

and whistle a happy tune, so no one will suspect 

I'm afraid…..

The result of this deception is very strange to tell

For when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well

It works like this: when you are fearful and downcast, give thanks and praise to God.  You may not feel like it - do it anyway.  And as you do it, and as you call to mind all that God has given, and all that He has done to deserve both thanks and praise, the fear and the downcast feelings are replaced with awe and gratitude.  

Father, during times of distress, both explicable and inexplicable, teach us to come to you with praise and thanksgiving, so we remember and realize Who it is that loves us, that cares for us, that watches over us.  To paraphrase the song again:

"We whistle a song of praise, and every single time

The happiness in that song, reminds us we need not be afraid."

Thursday, August 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

"But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not 'Yes' and 'No.' For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us -- by me and Silas and Timothy -- was not 'Yes' and 'No,' but in him it has always been 'Yes.' For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:18-22)


These verses are incredibly encouraging! We understand from the Scriptures that God is indeed faithful, and therefore His promises are completely faithful. While circumstances can change, our bedrock lies in the faithfulness and unchanging surety of God and His Word.

We understand that God's promises are "Yes" in Christ. Our connection and enjoyment of these promises comes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Whom God has set as a security deposit of His presence and our salvation. By abiding (remaining) in Christ and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will increasingly find those promises indeed to be "Yes" and "Amen."

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3,4)


Which of God's promises do you long to experience today? What Scripture could you review and reflect on for nurturing and strengthening today? This list provides a good starting point of the hundreds in the Scriptures:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/gods-promises-verses-in-the-bible/


Lord God, thank You for your very great and precious promises in the Scriptures. Thank You that Your faithfulness knows no end and that You have sealed us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Help us to live fully for Your glory. In Jesus's Name, amen.





________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

August 26

2 Corinthians 1

As we read through Paul's letters we see that God has given Paul a letter for us explaining how to live radically even when under tremendous pressure beyond our ability to endure. The key to it all, I think, I found in verse 9 where Paul says "we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." Brothers and sisters, no doubt we are in stressful times. In my own day to day routine I find it difficult to rest in the Lord and experience His joy and peace. Like everyone else, I react to the stress and anxiety that fills our world these days and I feel overwhelmed.  Then I remember, the joy and peace I'm looking for is nothing I can experience in my own strength and nothing that I can experience through the things of this world. Strength to get through some difficult days is hard to come up with and it makes me realize my dependency on God goes beyond  the necessary material things I need to just function. I think that's what Paul is trying to remind us of. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is the God we rely on to live a radically spirit filled life especially when the pressure of life is beyond our ability to endure. I don't know about anyone else reading this, but I walk on that edge of dependency everyday, and when I stop and whisper His name, Jesus always will meet me where I am.

Randi

Bible blog post 8/23/20

Job 8:1-11:20

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Psalm 38:1-22

Proverbs 21:28-29

There are people in this world that believe in karma, or "what goes around comes around" and "we get what we deserve"; in other words, if you do good, good will come back to you, and if you do wrong, it'll come back to get you.  This mentality reminds me of Job's friend's view on his circumstance.  While Job was mourning his losses and suffering through his afflictions, his friends, who meant well, couldn't get past their own understanding of God's will.  They accused Job of having done something to merrit the punishment he was receiving, despite Job's claims of being blameless.  In their opinion, Job wouldn't be enduring what he was if he hadn't done something wrong.  

God is the author of our lives, and Job understood this.  His plea was simply for the pain and suffering to end, as he was growing impatient with how much he had to endure.  He understood that God has the power to do anything, including putting trials in your life to test you.  The key thing is to maintain unwavering faith through challenging times.

God truly loves us and wants the best for us, but sometimes we go through experiences that just don't make sense.  There may be long, uncomfortable seasons that we face, but in these times we should look back at how Job remained faithful and patient during his time of extreme hardship.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all the blessings that you provide to us each day; both the ones we are aware of and those that take place behind the scenes. We understand that times of suffering lead to times of growth, both in faith and in character, just as Job experienced during his trials.  You are all-knowing and loving and would only place challenges in our lives that you know we can get through and grow from.  Thank you for being ever-present and always listening to our pleas through our trials. 

Amen

Amanda and Anthony

August 22: Of Eliphaz the Temanite and Sheldon Cooper

1 Job 4:1-7:21

1 Corinthians 14:18-40

Psalm 37:30-40

Proverbs 21:27

I am a huge fan of "The Big Bang Theory", a recently-concluded TV series about (funny enough for this day and age) stereotypes: a pretty, somewhat intellectually challenged blonde lady moves into an apartment across the hall from two uber-nerd Ph.D's doing research at CalTech.   

The show's main protagonist s the biggest, quirkiest nerd of the cast - Sheldon Cooper.  Sheldon demonstrates how it is possible to be so absolutely right and so completely wrong at the same time. He is factually correct almost 100% of the time - but almost as often he is emotionally, empathetically clueless.

That isn't just true for uber-nerds like Sheldon.  Normal people can be like that - as Eliphaz, Job's friend, demonstrates in today's reading.  Eliphaz is correct - man cannot be more righteous than God.  And yes, those whom God chooses to correct ARE blessed.  And of course God's hands will heal, and He will rescue us.

But nowhere in today's reading does Eliphaz acknowledge the anguish Job is feeling.  Nowhere does he offer the comfort a friend is uniquely positioned to give. And because he does not, the words he speaks, while correct, have little value to Job, do nothing to help ease his pain.  Had Job been more distant from God, Eliphaz's words would have done little to bring him closer; the absence of any action demonstrating any sense of empathy might have driven him further away.  

Contrast this with what happened at Lazarus's death and resurrection, in the context of something my dad has been trying to teach me: "They don't care that you know until they know that you care." Because "Jesus wept", they knew He cared…and so when He asked them to roll away the stone, they cared to see what He knew - and they did.  

Letting people know that we care - something that Sheldon Cooper, that Elphaz the Temanite, and that I could learn and apply so much better.  Father, when You choose for friends to have to struggle through hardship and tragedy, help us to remember that, in those circumstances, it is the empathy and the presence that helps so much more, that more effectively points them to you, than correct doctrine and right prescription.  Teach us to lead and to love, not with our minds, but with our hearts. 

April 21: Of Tough Jobs

Job 1:1-3:26

1 Corinthians 14:1-17

Psalm 37:12-29

Proverbs 21:25-26

Job is tough for me.  A good man, a righteous man, and God permits all that to happen to him.  The magnitude of what he faces is, to me, incomprehensible. The loss of all he'd worked for.  The loss of all he loved, with the exception of his wife.  And the loss of his wife's support, when she counseled him to abandon his integrity, to "curse God and die".  A man seemingly, truly alone with tragedy.  

I suffer the stereotypical male characteristics:  I like to reason, and I like to fix problems.  Sometimes, though, as is is the case with Job, things just don't make sense.  Worse, they are also simply beyond my ability to even begin to address, much less fix.  What to do then? Or, what not to do?

Perhaps first, we ought not to deny the pain, the agony, be it our own or our friends'.  Job didn't.  Job cried out his anguish, wishing that instead he'd never been born.  Even our Lord cried out "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani?"  God knew Job's pain.  He knows ours.  We don't need to try and hide it from Him. 

Perhaps also we might not try to solve, to fix what is clearly beyond us.  To me, this is difficult, thoroughly, unsatisfyingly futile.  I want things to get better.  But often, in these situations, it is neither my place nor within my ability to make things better, to even decide what "better" might be.  

Perhaps it is at this point that we might try, instead, to remind - or to remember.  It is at this point that, when I am lost in despair, I need a friend.  Not one who will tell me to abandon all hope, to "curse God and die"; but one who will look me in the eye and remind me, with the same faith, the same conviction that my pain may have chased out of my heart, that God is in control.  That this, too, shall pass - no idea when, but it will.  And that, some day, this may all even make sense.  But today, it makes sense to God - and He is in control.  

Father, when my circumstances make it impossible for me to see You, bring me a friend who will point You out.  And when my friends have the same need, grant me the grace to do the same.  

Thursday, August 20

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)


We often associate this passage with human relationships, particularly marriage, making it a common reading for marriages. It beautifully expresses the self-sacrificing, unfailing love that powers a healthy marriage and establishes a family, with Christ at the center.

Looking to its placement in 1 Corinthians, we should note that Paul's description of love falls between Chapters 12 and 14, which chiefly cover the diversity of spiritual gifts in the Church. In this light -- and given this chapter's introductory three verses -- it appears that Paul meant to provide guidance on the deployment of spiritual gifts and the proper motivation behind them.

As with any human gifting, we may be tempted to wield any spiritual gift in pride. While we may be rightfully grateful for whatever spiritual gifts God has given us, we should be careful to share them with the Body -- and in love. As Paul illustrates in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, love serves in humility and kindness, focuses on others' best interests, avoids recriminations and falsehood, and continues on in trust and hope.

Retreating to a higher-level view, the Scriptures clearly indicate that the "How?" matters as much as the "What?" In this specific context, Paul instructs the spiritually gifted Corinthians to build harmony and strength in the Body.

We can practice these verses in our homes, schools and workplaces, and in the church. Yet, we will fall short of achieving this lofty goal of loving well without the empowering and guiding Presence of the Holy Spirit. We may ask the Spirit to fill us and strengthen us for the day ahead each morning, after seeking cleansing through confessing our sins (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 1:9). In addition to providing wisdom and revelation through the Spirit, God has given us His Spirit so that Christ may be exalted in us and through us (Ephesians 1:15-23).


Lord God, thank You for pointing us to the appropriate means of living with others. Send Your Holy Spirit to Your Church today so that we may indeed reflect this calling and serve with kindness and humility. Thank You that Your way is right, good, and pleasing. Bring us clarity in our minds and hearts today so that we may better understand the privilege of loving You and loving others. In Jesus's Name, amen.

________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

August 19th

1 Corinthians 12

Every time I read this passage I think of a song we teach kindergartners. It's called "Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes", perhaps you've heard of it. It gives the kiddos a sensory break, gets them to move around a bit, and teaches them that all parts make up one complete whole. Just for fun I teach it first in English then in Spanish because it doesn't matter what language you speak, the concept of all parts make up one whole is the same. The same is true in the body of Christ. Each piece is part of whole. Each one of us is equally important in making up a complete and unified body. Each gift is given to us by the same God with the purpose of bringing Him glory and none are complete without the other. It is important to remember there is no other reason for the gift God has given each of us other than to work together as a united body in Christ with the sole purpose of bringing God glory. Brothers and sisters, if we miss this point, we've missed the fullness of being part of the body of Christ. We are complete and one when we use our gifts and talents to be effective for the Kingdom and bring glory to God. 

Randi

Bible Blog Post - August 18, 2020

Esther 1:1-3:15

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Psalm 35:17-28

Proverbs 21:19-20

TRUTH

How would you define the word, truth?  What does it mean to you?  What value does that word hold in your life?  

This morning, "truth" came up in discussion and I thought about how everything goes back to God's truth.  We use His Word (His truth) to govern our decisions; we find comfort in Him and His Word (His truth) because He promises us He will be there for us and guide us.

How can we choose something against God if we are choosing to live out His truth?

God always gives us a choice to choose Him in any and every situation.  Choosing what is right over choosing what is popular is key.  We aren't here on this earth to please others and appeal to them if it is at the expense of following our Father's commands.  I'm sure if we gathered as a congregation and wrote down all of the instances that we made worldly decisions instead of God-centered ones, we'd be here for a while typing away.  As I sit here thinking about worldly advice vs. God's truth, it makes me see how important it is to spread the Word.  Those friends who give you poor advice may actually think that their advice is sound and that they have your best interest at heart.  Let that sink in.  Frequently, people believe what they have to say is right, and have a narrow minded view of the truth.  And when I say "people", I am including myself.  Walking in my faith is a humbling experience, and I'm grateful to have a God who is willing to show me that much patience and teach me lessons that enable me to grow.  I think a good goal for us is when we are confronted with advice and opinions from others, we should think to ourselves, "I am a Christian and I believe what God has to say is true.  Does this align with what I know to be true?" and then make a choice of how we're going to direct our thoughts and actions.

In Esther, King Xerxes was enraged when his wife, Queen Vashti, wouldn't come to parade around in front of himself and the military leaders, princes, and nobles, when she was summoned.  He wanted to showcase her beauty, and she refused.  He was angry that she didn't follow his command, and while under the influence of alcohol, and with advice from wise men, he made an irreversible decision to give her title of queen to someone else.   When his command was not honored, it appears that his pride was hurt.  He made a rash decision and because it was a royal decree, even if he later regretted it, he would not have the option to reverse what he had done.  In today's day and age, in a world where society tells us to "drink and be merry", "stand up for ourselves", "don't let anyone treat you poorly", "have a voice", etc., it is important to make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it in God's name.  If having a voice means that you are dishonoring Him with the words you speak, you should silence your tongue.  If "standing up for yourself" is really another way of saying that you won't tolerate your pride getting hurt, I challenge you to think, "Who am I really standing up for?  Is it God, or my ego?"  While we may not relate entirely to King Xerxes, the man who found a new queen when his queen wouldn't come on command, we can probably relate to making quick decisions when we are angry.  Let us learn from these stories in the Bible and use them as fuel to pick up our crosses and walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, please help us to release any self centeredness that is anchored in our hearts, and please help us to use your truth as a sounding board.  We love you.  Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Psalm 35:17-28

Proverbs 21:19-20

TRUTH

How would you define the word, truth?  What does it mean to you?  What value does that word hold in your life?  

This morning, "truth" came up in discussion and I thought about how everything goes back to God's truth.  We use His Word (His truth) to govern our decisions; we find comfort in Him and His Word (His truth) because He promises us He will be there for us and guide us.

How can we choose something against God if we are choosing to live out His truth?

God always gives us a choice to choose Him in any and every situation.  Choosing what is right over choosing what is popular is key.  We aren't here on this earth to please others and appeal to them if it is at the expense of following our Father's commands.  I'm sure if we gathered as a congregation and wrote down all of the instances that we made worldly decisions instead of God-centered ones, we'd be here for a while typing away.  As I sit here thinking about worldly advice vs. God's truth, it makes me see how important it is to spread the Word.  Those friends who give you poor advice may actually think that their advice is sound and that they have your best interest at heart.  Let that sink in.  Frequently, people believe what they have to say is right, and have a narrow minded view of the truth.  And when I say "people", I am including myself.  Walking in my faith is a humbling experience, and I'm grateful to have a God who is willing to show me that much patience and teach me lessons that enable me to grow.  I think a good goal for us is when we are confronted with advice and opinions from others, we should think to ourselves, "I am a Christian and I believe what God has to say is true.  Does this align with what I know to be true?" and then make a choice of how we're going to direct our thoughts and actions.

In Esther, King Xerxes was enraged when his wife, Queen Vashti, wouldn't come to parade around in front of himself and the military leaders, princes, and nobles, when she was summoned.  He wanted to showcase her beauty, and she refused.  He was angry that she didn't follow his command, and while under the influence of alcohol, and with advice from wise men, he made an irreversible decision to give her title of queen to someone else.   When his command was not honored, it appears that his pride was hurt.  He made a rash decision and because it was a royal decree, even if he later regretted it, he would not have the option to reverse what he had done.  In today's day and age, in a world where society tells us to "drink and be merry", "stand up for ourselves", "don't let anyone treat you poorly", "have a voice", etc., it is important to make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it in God's name.  If having a voice means that you are dishonoring Him with the words you speak, you should silence your tongue.  If "standing up for yourself" is really another way of saying that you won't tolerate your pride getting hurt, I challenge you to think, "Who am I really standing up for?  Is it God, or my ego?"  While we may not relate entirely to King Xerxes, the man who found a new queen when his queen wouldn't come on command, we can probably relate to making quick decisions when we are angry.  Let us learn from these stories in the Bible and use them as fuel to pick up our crosses and walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, please help us to release any self centeredness that is anchored in our hearts, and please help us to use your truth as a sounding board.  We love you.  Amen

Monday Bible Blog Post August 17th

I invite you to set aside a few minutes and take a walk with me by reading this blog and I pray that you would be encouraged, feel loved and delight in knowing that God remembers you.

 

 

"Remember Me". (Nehemiah 13)

 

 

As I was going through the daily reading today and I couldn't get past these words spoken by Nehemiah in Chapter 13, "remember me".  He said it 3 times. I've been pondering these words all day and I recalled that others in the bible have also spoken these same words.

 

In Genesis 40 Joseph is in prison after being falsely accused and he interprets a dream for the cup bearer of Pharaoh telling him he will be freed.  After interpreting it he says "remember me".

 

In Judges 16 after Sampson lets the source of his strength be known his hair was cut, eye's gouged out and was made to be a prisoner of his enemies.  In this lonely weakened state he says to the lord "remember me".

 

In 1 Samuel 1 Hannah goes to the temple because, after what was likely years, she had not been able to conceive a child. She was desperate and from that desperation she spoke "remember me".

 

In Jeremiah 15 the prophet Jeremiah had been faithfully serving the Lord and speaking truth but finds himself up against evil and sees the Lord's judgement coming straight at the Nation without a buffer and he speaks "remember me".

 

In Luke 23 one of the criminals hanging crucified next to Christ rebuked the other mocking criminal, admitted his guilt and then spoke to Christ "remember me".

 

In Nehemiah 13 Nehemiah worked to rebuild a wall that was toppled by the enemy.  He also worked to rebuild the hearts of the people through truth and encouragement. He leaves for a bit only to return and find that people have easily forgetting the truths of God which caused their captivity and he speaks the words "remember me".

 

I see a common thread in all of these people's stories and where they were when they spoke the words "remember me".  Each one was in a place of weakness, of hurting, of struggle, of fear, of uncertainty, of doubt in their own abilities to right their situations.  There was no pride or position that had falsely puffed them up.  They each were facing an insurmountable struggle.  But rather than become hopeless they became hopeful and spoke the words, "remember me".

 

Asking God to "remember me" is not a selfish or self -centered statement.  It is not boastful.  It is not one that suggest God has forgotten.  No.  It is spoken by one who has reached a place of true brokenness a place of sincere humility.  It says I know how frail I am and how powerless I am against such struggle, ill will and evil in my world.  When Joseph, Sampson, Hannah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and the criminal on the cross spoke the words "remember me' it was from a humble heart that recognized their weakness next to the power and strength of their God.  They each recognized that their situations were bigger than they were able to grasp but not too big for God' s hands to work out.  Events seemed heavier than they were strong but not too strong for their all powerful God.  Life was more complicated than they could make sense of it but it was not too difficult for their God.  Circumstance had set up a roadblock that they were unable to move but for their God it was merely a threshold to walk over.

 

When we remember who our God is, how big he is compared to us and our circumstances, we can turn to him in our broken humble state and speak the words "remember me" and know he is there.

 

Psalm 115:12 reassures us, "The Lord remembers us and will bless us"

Psalm 40:17 says "Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me.  You are my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

 

What does this mean for you and I?  When life seem difficult, surrounded by struggles, uncertainty or too much to bear do not forget the God you serve.  He is still there, He is still faithful, He is still present, He is still working, He still sees you.  So, with this knowledge bring your humble heart to Him and speak the words "remember me" and let Him work in and through you.  Be encourage that you are not alone, you are not left to handle life in your own strength. 

 

I hope that you will take comfort in the God you serve.  May the stories of Joseph, Sampson, Hannah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, and the Criminal on the cross be an encouragement to you.  When you find yourself in their company, in the struggle, be sure to rest in the Lord and speak the words "remember me" because you have not been forgotten. 

Bible Blog Post - August 16, 2020

Nehemiah 11:1-12:26

1 Corinthians 10:14-33

Psalm 34:11-22

Proverbs 21:14-16

The Lord has shown His favor on me more times than I can even recognize.  This past week I have been thinking about how many times the Lord kept me out of harm's way, times when I could have easily been hurt and led further astray than I already was.  There were trials that I endured that didn't make sense, that didn't seem fair, but as I look back at what beautiful horizons those tribulations led to, I recognize that I am extremely blessed.  God didn't give up on me, no matter how many wrong turns I made.  

You see, God loves us so much that He allows us to experience growth in meaningful and long lasting ways.  Sometimes it does not seem fair, but in all honesty, if we got what we deserve, we wouldn't be headed to eternal life in His kingdom.  It's because of His love and Grace that we are given that opportunity.  We don't deserve it, we didn't earn it, it's His Grace, His gift.  During these trials we may plead for change, but it's a beautiful thing to recognize and embrace that He has it all under control.  Our responsibility is not to know everything that He has planned for us, our responsibility is to trust in Him and His plan.  When we walk in faith and walk in His Word, we need not worry.  His vision, His plan for our lives, is far greater than anything we could possibly envision for ourselves.

In Psalm 34, we see how tentative the Lord is to those who are righteous, how he draws toward the broken hearted and has mercy on them.  He is a loving father, Our loving Father, and while he is tender, he demands respect.  I see how much he has helped me along my walk as a Christian woman, and how much more progress I've made in certain areas when my focus was on Him.  It seems so simple in theory, but I'm sure we can all attest to how challenging it is to put our feelings in check at times and lean into His Word, His wisdom, His truth.  As I have been able to do that, I've seen monumental changes in my life, and I am learning to see the beauty in challenges that I face because it is during those times that I am more aware of how much Glory He pours into my life on a daily basis, and how much LOVE He has for me.

This week I pray that we all take quiet time each day to think of those difficult times that tried us, how the Lord showed His mercy on us, and how He paved the way for a better future.  Even in our toughest of days, we can find joy in His love and in His presence.  

Dear Lord, thank you for allowing us to wake up and breathe life today.  Thank you for our ability to read your Word without fear of punishment.  Thank you for allowing us to live in a society where we can access your Word easily.  Please continue to be a major influence in our daily lives so that we can take on challenges with the confidence and trust that You will pull us through. Amen.

August 15: It Isn’t About Running From, It’s About Running To

Nehemiah 9:22-10:39

1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13

Psalm 34:1-10

Proverbs 21:13

     No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 

- 1 Cor 9:13

Reflecting on my life, it seems as though all the temptation I've experienced can be grouped in two. 

The first type of temptation is the temptation to think I can leave the Lord, usually because of abundance.  This is when things are good, and I don't feel the need to pray as fervently, as regularly, because there doesn't seem to be an urgent need.  And that is when people usually find myself committing sins of indulgence - greed, gluttony, lust.  

The second type of temptation is the temptation to think the Lord has left me, usually because things have gotten so uncertain, so difficult, with seemingly no end in sight.  This is the temptation to hopelessness and despair, and it leads to an equally grievous sin: the denial of either God's nature (He doesn't love me) or God's existence.  This is when people usually give up - on professional commitments, on relationships (like being a parent or a spouse); sometimes even on life itself.  

I've seen the devastation of a broken marriage, of abandoned children, of a life ended by one's own hands.  It is terrible.  And it is so easy to read Paul's words above, but so tough to apply them when one is in the middle of the seemingly hopeless battle.  What to do?

Perhaps the answer isn't to try to NOT think about the problems.  Perhaps the problem is to think about something else.  Here, the psalmist has good advice:

I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

- Psalm 34:1, 4

Maybe the answer isn't to run from the problem; it is to run to the Lord.   When we fill our thoughts with Him, we leave no room in our minds for our problems.  When we praise Him, we remind ourselves Who it is that cares for us; when we seek Him, we give Him the opportunity to answer, to deliver us.   

Father, these times have been difficult for so many.  We lift up those that are in despair, who think their lives are hopeless and pointless, and beg You to speak to them, to remind them You exist, You love and You are there to see them - to see all of us - through.     

August 14: Of the 4 Rs: Relationship, Reading, Rejoicing and Remembering

Nehemiah 7:73b-9:21

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Psalm 33:12-22

Proverbs 21:11-12

Reading the book of Nehemiah to this point, the return to Jerusalem and reconstruction of the wall appears to be in response to a human desire - the wish to return, from captivity and exile, to the security of one's home.   In all we've read in this book to this point, every spiritual interaction appears to have been exclusively between Nehemiah and God.  That changed today, when Ezra reads from the Book fo the Law of Moses, which God had commanded Israel do.  Three observations:

1. READING.  This wasn't a quickie.  It involved time, attention and effort.  Ezra "read it aloud from daybreak till noon…and all the people listened attentively…". Relationships - the ones that mean anything to us - and acquaintances we want to develop into relationships - they require time, attention and effort.  

2. REJOICING.  This wasn't occasion for mourning.  Moments of reconciliation and reunification never are.  It appears some of the Israelites, when they realized Who God was, and how they'd neglected His Word and commands, were tempted to mourn and weep.  But while repentance may be called for, Ezra - in a foreshadowing of the father of the prodigal son - instructed the people not to mourn or weep.  "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks…for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

3. REMEMBERING.  To anchor the relationship for the future, we need to remember the relationship's past.  In Nehemiah 9:5-16 the Levites declared to God, and in so doing, reminded themselves, of all that God had done.  They reminded themselves why it was good to be in a relationship with God.  

Three takeaways for me today from Nehemiah, in order to grow my relationship with God.  Read.  Rejoice.  And Remember.  Father, today and always, give me the desire to strengthen my relationship with You the way the Israelites did.  

Thursday, August 13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020

"Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.... Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." (1 Corinthians 8:1,9)


In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul wrestles with a contemporary issue -- consuming food sacrificed to idols -- that bears relevance into the present. While the moral struggle may not be the same, we still have controversial topics that we face. Behind these questions, Paul highlights the prevalence of love over personal rights.

In the text, he carefully establishes that, without consideration of others' best interests, the eating of this food does not in itself cause moral defilement: "But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do." (1 Corinthians 8:8) Yet, the defilement instead comes if a brother or sister (or perhaps even one not yet in the Body) were to stumble as a result of the "exercise of your freedom."

That is, we cannot place our rights above the Kingdom and its current or prospective participants. That is, while we have received freedom in Christ, our freedom does not allow us to callously or selfishly disregard others' best interests.

We find joy upon properly prioritizing (J)esus, (o)thers, and (y)ourself. Mixing the order leads to an impossibility of spelling joy.

What controversies do you find particularly difficult to avoid? How could you resolve them while looking out for others' best interests and the best for God's Kingdom?


Lord God, thank You for providing clarity on controversial topics with this passage. Give us the strength and wisdom to wrestle with those controversies in front of us today and into the future. Help us to bring and give life to others and to honor You today and always. In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.


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August 12

Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty

I looked this verse up in different Bible translations and they all basically conveyed the same thought - if you plan things well they have a better chance of working towards your advantage, and when you rush into things, it costs you dearly. It sounds so simple and logical. Maybe this verse stood out to me because Antonio, the boys and I  were sitting around the table the other day talking about how it's been almost a year since we went to Virginia to see the food truck we were investing in for our new business. There was a lot of planning and many ups and downs in the journey. As I reflected over the process I realized that a major piece in the diligent planning of this venture was prayer. So as I read today's verse I came to the understanding that "profit" means so much more than what the numbers on a balanced profit and loss statement reveal. Profit is when God opens doors that no man close, and when we slip and fall the same God will pick us up and put us back on track. Profit is knowing that God is involved with what you're doing and we rest in His peace trusting He will provide. Thank you Jesus. I would just like to encourage everyone in this - diligent planning which leads to profit includes fervent prayer on your knees.

Randi 

Blog from Aimee - August 11

Bible Blog

Nehemiah 1:1-3:14

1 Corinthians 7:1-24

Psalm 31:19-24

Proverbs 21:4

Reading today's scripture was a powerful message and just how 1 Corinthians 7 speaks to us and our lives today.Relationships amongst people stood out to me and we see in the scriptures the rebuilding of relationships,which gives us hope on any relationship that may be broken or deemed lost. In Nehemiah the wall of Jerusalem was worn down but later in the story we see the wall can be rebuilt. We ourselves can tear things down it can be our faith or our love for God, our connection to church community, our family or spouse or the poor.

Is there an area in our lives that need rebuilding? An area that we can invite God and allow him to fulfill his works.

Having a "relationship" is a blessing, I pray that our relationships with each other grow and our relationship with God over exceeds the relationships we have on earth. May we honor God with our lives, actions and thoughts each day.

 I pray that we are not slow to learn the lessons God wants to teach us as seen in Nehemiah. I pray that we don't neglect worship, prayer, bible study and that we not treat people unjustly.

Amen

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you" Psalm 31:19

--

Aimee Spencer

Bible Blog Post - August 9, 2020

Ezra 8:21-9:15

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Psalm 31:1-8

Proverbs 21:1-2

Have you ever thought that you were doing something good, but in reality it was something to boost your ego or self image?  Did anybody ever call you out on your motives for your actions?  Whether you have or you haven't, as we read in Proverbs 21:2, God knows your heart and the motives behind your decisions.  

When we rely on others to fulfill us and give us a feeling of self worth, we can experience temporary ego boosts when positive things are said, but we can also be brought down if their feedback is negative.  We need to take time to stop and see what our motives are, and make sure that our intent is a reflection of what God would want to see.  When we align our actions with His word and seek only His approval, we can feel comforted knowing that we are doing it for the right reasons.

For example, when you do a good deed, do you keep it to yourself or do you find yourself telling others that you did it?  If you find yourself doing the latter, was your motive really to help others and honor God by your works, or was it more important to get recognition?

There seems to be a relative theme with worldly things and wanting to get noticed by others.  On social media, people post highlights of their lives and enjoy getting likes.  When you get caught up in wanting the world's acknowledgement, you're missing the audience who you should really be aiming to please - God.  One clear example in the bible happens in Matthew 6:16 when Jesus calls out the Pharisees for making it obvious that they were fasting.  While there may have been some good intent with their decision to fast, it was also important to them that others knew what they were doing.  So in a sense, they were trying to boost their self image.

This week, dig deep into yourself and look back to some things that you did recently.  Ask yourself what your motives were, and if they were for selfish reasons, lift them up to God in your prayers this week and ask Him to reveal any selfishness in your heart.  

As a challenge, try to do a good deed and stay as anonymous as possible.  Bonus points if the person receiving your good deed doesn't know it came from you. :)

Amanda and Anthony