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Hebrews 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Hebrews 5:1-6:20.

“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18).

Yesterday we learned the #1 key to getting God’s promised blessings. Faith. Believing that God’s way really will work and thus pursuing God’s plans. Today we learn the #1 reason we can have that faith.

God never lies.

Honesty is completely underrated in today’s world. But God’s honesty and commitment to His promises is profound. We do not have to worry that He will go back on what He has said. We do not have to fear that He will change the rules midstream. We can give ourselves whole-heartedly and with reckless abandon to God and His way because we know He will do what He says. We do not have to go behind Him, checking up on Him. We can just act based on His promises knowing fully that He will keep up His end.

How great is that?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Hebrews 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Hebrews 3:1-4:16.

“For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened” (Hebrews 4:2).

In the Old Testament, we read of those who rebelled against Moses and through that against God. We learn of those who wandered in the wilderness and died on their way to the Promised Land. But why? Why did they miss out on the blessings God had promised? God wanted to bless them. God planned to bless them. Did God somehow fail?

No.

Rather, they heard God’s Word. They listened to God’s promises. They simply didn’t believe them. Because their hearing was not coupled with faith they did not pursue God’s plans. Because they did not pursue God’s plans, they missed out on God’s promised blessings.

We need to take heed of this. The gospel has been given into our hands. It is filled with wonderful promises for each of us. However, the blessings it promises are not universally applied. Only a select few will actually enjoy these blessings that God has promised everyone. What is the distinction? Is it about race? gender? class? education? No. It is about faith. Only those who couple their hearing with faith will enjoy God’s blessings because only those who couple their hearing with faith will pursue God’s plan to accomplish that blessing.

Today, I need to increase my faith. God’s way really does work. The more I believe it, the more I’ll live it. The more I’ll enjoy the blessings He offers.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Matthew 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 5:1-6:34.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the  pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-10).

Blessed are the poor in spirit; not blessed are the self-reliant.

Blessed are those who mourn; not blessed are the comfortable.

Blessed are the meek; not blessed are those who demand their rights.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; not blessed are those who hunger and thirst for fame, money, power, privilege, or even mercy and grace.

Blessed are those who are merciful; not blessed are those who demand justice.

Blessed are those who are pure in heart; not blessed are those who want enough Jesus to get to heaven but not enough to really be different from the world.

Blessed are the peacemakers; not blessed are the grudge holders.

Blessed are those who are persecuted; not blessed are those who are only loved or simply ignored.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Mark 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

“And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region” (Mark 5:16-17).

Wow! This is too much like me some of the time. Here they were looking at an obvious miracle. A man had been cleansed of a demon. He had been crazy and destructive. Now he is clothed and in his right mind. But all these people can see is the missing pigs. Instead of being able to see the good Jesus could do for them, they could only see the sacrifice they had to make for this great blessing. Sadly, they decided to hang on to the rest of their pigs rather than let Jesus continue to be a blessing in their society.

That is where I am too often. I know there is blessing in time in the Word, time in prayer, time in discussion with others, time in sharing with others, but too often all I can see is the tv shows I’ll miss, the games I won’t play, the alone time I won’t get, etc. I too often choose the empty, wasted, worthless pigs in my life rather than Jesus who can provide real blessing.

Interestingly, this is the only place where Jesus told a man to tell everyone what God had done for Him. I’m thankful that Jesus continues to leave a reminder for me. The key for me is to take that reminder.

So, today, I want to choose Jesus and not the pigs. (By the way, this is Gentile country, so the pigs do not necessarily represent something that is always bad. I’m not saying I’m never going to watch tv or play games again, just saying I need to keep it in perspective.)

What will you choose today?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Revelation 21:1-22:21.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” (Revelation 22:14).

Who is blessed? Not those who kept their robes free from every stain. Not those who never fell, soiling their robes in the mud. Not those who never rubbed their robes against the dusty earth. Rather, those who have washed their robes. Those who have surrendered to the Lamb and to His blood (Revelation 7:14). His blood does not leave an uncleanable stain, but rather makes us unstainably clean. 

We are blessed not because we have kept ourselves clean but because we went to Jesus to be cleansed. He grants us the right to the tree of life. What Adam lost, we regain in Jesus. While Adam was cast out of the garden and held at bay by the angel with flaming sword, we may enter the city of God through the gates by the blood of Jesus Christ. We may splash in the living water and sup from the tree of life. We may sing praises with the angels of God.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

What father among us would give his children a snake or a scorpion when they are asking for a fish or an egg. Even though we can mess things up pretty royally, we’re generally smarter than handing our child a rattlesnake or scorpion. Generally.

However, the great thing is that for God it is not “generally.” It is always. This teaching in Luke 11:11-13 is a powerful statement about God. God gives good gifts. He doesn’t give bad gifts.

Here are the two really important aspects of this that I have to learn.

1) Even when I think the gift is bad, I need to trust God that it is good. That is, some tough things happen in life. Sometimes I have a hard time figuring out how what is going on is really good for me. In fact, I may not be able to figure it out. That is when I simply have to trust God. His gifts are good. Since He’s God, He can see the good from them. Since I’m not God, I can’t always see the good. But His gifts are good.

2) This text says God won’t give me a snake when I ask for a fish and He won’t give me a scorpion when I ask for an egg. Here’s the great thing. Sometimes, due to my own immaturity, I’ve asked for the snake and the scorpion without realizing it. God will give me the fish and the egg anyway. God’s gifts are good.

We can trust God. When things aren’t going our way, that is when we need to simply trust that our refuge really is taking care of us. He really is helping us grow. His way will work best if we just trust it. All I know is this, when I quit trusting God and start trying to fix things on my own, I really mess them up. Today, I’m going to trust that God’s gifts really are good. One day I may see that. Today, I’m just going to walk by faith.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 4:1-5:13.

1 Corinthians 4:7 caught my attention today. “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

If I understand this verse properly, Paul’s point is the Corinthians were boasting as if the message they taught was simply given directly to them instead of something they were given by teachers like Apollos and especially, Paul. Yet, they were boasting as if they had no teachers.

However, the statement itself hit me. How many different ways could this statement apply to me? Did I come up with the message I teach? Absolutely not. It came from the scripture. I like to consider myself creative. I like to think I have great sermon ideas. However, if I’m doing my job right, they aren’t mine. I received them from the Lord through His word. The same could be said about any of these blog posts. What about my physical strength and abilities? Do I do these things on my own? Absolutely not. It is by God that I live, move, and have my very being. How can I act like I haven’t received this strength from God. What about my family, my friends, my brethren? Are they not also a gift from God. In fact, what about every good thing I can think of? Can I act like there is anything I have accomplished on my own as if I didn’t receive it as a blessing from God? No.

That is why, as Proverbs 3:6 says, I must acknowledge God in all my ways. I need to give thanks consistently, continually, and constantly. How can I act as if I have something I have not received?

***Question: What are you thankful for today?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Matthew 7:1-8:34.

I am struck by Matthew 7:11. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?”

It doesn’t say, “How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who want them?”

It doesn’t say, “How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who need them?”

It says, “How much more will you Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?”

How many of God’s blessings do we miss out on because we simply did not ask? Don’t worry, I understand God may say no to our requests. Asking God is not a blank check. However, I also understand God wants to bless us. He wants to give us good gifts. How many of them do we miss simply because we did not ask?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

II Corinthians 9:8-12 (ESV)

God has not blessed me so I can hoard what I have been given. Certainly, as Ecclesiastes taught, I am allowed to enjoy my blessings. But, I must remember that the main reason for which God has blessed me is so I may be a blessing to others. 

This is not the health and wealth gospel that performs good deeds selfishly only to receive more. No. This is the true gospel that points out God entrusts more to those with whom He can actually trust more. So often, we want and want and do not have because we only want for ourselves. We will be amazed how much God will bless us if we simply become channels for blessings to others. 

Of course, when I am not selfishly concerned about what I have and only about how I can help others, if God is not blessing me with something, I’m still content. The question is not how much I have, but how am I helping others.

I know this is tough to remember when every newspaper and television show is warning us that the sky is about to fall in financially. But this is God’s will for us no matter what our nation’s economy.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC