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2 Thessalonians 2-3 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:18.

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15).

Nothing is much more discouraging than seeing brethren who disregard the Word of the Lord, especially if their lives don’t seem to be falling apart. I mean, sure, it’s one thing if they are being disobedient but everything is a mess for them. Then we can say, “See, God’s way works and yours doesn’t.” But when they seem to be living the good life, have a good job, looks like a decent family, making lots of money but not putting God first, then we start to get a little discouraged. We begin to wonder, “Does God’s way really work? Their way seems to be working okay.”

Paul says not to be discouraged. Don’t grow weary in doing good even when others around you are not doing good. Instead of letting hypocritical brethren bring you down, take note of them and avoid them. However, don’t be arrogant over them. Don’t treat them like enemies. Rather, warn them like brothers.

Here is the point. Doing good is right no matter the outcome. Doing bad is wrong no matter the outcome. Don’t let what others are doing bring you down. Serve the Lord and avoid those who discourage you with their impenitent sins. Yet, don’t shut the door on them. Rather, shine the light for them to a better way. Above all, stay encouraged that doing the right thing is the right thing. Don’t get tired of that. Just do the next right thing.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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

Mark 13-14 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 13:1-14:72.

“Peter said to him, ‘Even though they all fall away, I will not’” (Mark 14:29).

I believe Peter was absolutely sincere when he made this promise. He could not possibly imagine any future event that would make him fall away from Jesus. He was ready to die with Jesus. There was no way he would deny his Master. I’m certain that is true because the guy who pulls out his sword in Mark 14:47 and struck the high priest’s servant was Peter (cf. John 18:10). Peter was ready to fight. He was ready to die. But he was only ready to die on his terms. When Jesus told him to put his sword away, he was confused. He couldn’t understand. He was ready to die in a fight, but it never occurred to him that death might come without a fight. He fled.

How many times have I said, “I’ll never do that”? How many times have I thought that there was some line I would never cross? How many times have I told God, “No matter what, you can count on me to avoid such and such”? Or how many times have I said, “Alright, God, I’ve got this figured out. I’ll never do that again”? How incensed I would get if someone suggested I needed to be a bit more humble. “Oh no, no matter what anyone else does, I’ll never do that (again). How dare you think that of me.” How puffed up with pride. How much I have tried to stand on my own feet. And it was as if Satan was just waiting for that opportunity so he could kick my legs out from under me.

I’ve had to learn some humility. God is teaching me to turn away from rash promises and rather to say, “By God’s grace, I haven’t done that yet. I pray that God will keep me from it.” That reminds me that I have to rely on God and His strength if I will keep from whatever it is. If I ever start relying on me, I realize I will do whatever it is I’m committed to not doing (cf. Romans 7:14-24).

So, today, I’m not making God any promises. Rather, asking God to fulfill His promise to me and grant me the strength to overcome.

Keep the faith today 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.

Mark 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 11:1-12:44.

“And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?” But you have made it a den of robbers’” (Mark 11:17).

So much for the mild-mannered, Caspar Milquetoast Jesus. This is the “I’ll be back” Jesus. He overturns tables. He clears out cheats. He runs off the insincere. What kind of emotions do you think we would have been able to read on His face in the midst of all this?

What I can’t help but think about is I Corinthians 6:19. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In one sense, my body is a house of God. What does that mean for me? Is God’s house a house of prayer? Or have I made it into a robbers’ den? Or have I made it in to some other kind of den?

Am I willing to ask Jesus to overturn the money-changing tables in my own heart? Am I willing to ask Him to take up His scourge and cleanse me of the den of wickedness that is in my own heart? Or do I want the Caspar Milquetoast Jesus who just sadly looks the other way? The latter leaves me in my sins, in guilt, shame, misery, and despair. The former is painful, but I’ve learned it is less painful than just leaving the robbers’ den in my heart. Only being willing to let God do whatever it takes to cleanse me and keep me on His path works for me (cf Psalm 141:3-5).

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.

Mark 1-2 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 1:1-2:28.

“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17).

Can you imagine going to the doctor because you are not feeling well, but covering up the festering wound that is the heart of the infection because it embarrasses you to actually be sick? That would be ridiculous. And yet, that is exactly what I want to do with Jesus.

I need to rethink the advice I hear from my constant internal image consultant. That little inner voice tells me I need to cover up my sinfulness. I need to hide it. I need to present myself as righteous. I need to demonstrate that I’m good enough. Then Christ will want me. But that is not at all what He says. He wants sinners.

That is great. That means He is calling me. I can run to Him. I can show Him my sins and He will work on them. I can let Him in to see the real me. More than that, I can let me see the real me. I can pull off my blinders, take a long hard look at what I need to hand over to Jesus to clean up.

He is not asking for the few, the proud, the righteous. He is calling those who will admit they are sinners in need of a Savior.

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.