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