Psalm 19 - Interesting that David here speaks of God's work in creation alongside His Law. These often seem like two different motifs. What David is showing us in a creative way here is that God's Law, or will is not limited to the behavior of humans. This both shows the awesome depth and breadth of God's power and will, and also that any attempts to make God's will for our lives a relative thing hold no ground.
Joshua 4:1-24 - God repeats some of His miraculous work for this new generation of Israel.
Acts 9:23-43 - I'm often tempted to wish I could do miracles. Maybe it would make my job a lot easier. But the truth is that the miracle is never a fail-safe for gaining disciples. Even Peter in Joppa is only able to have "many believe". That's not everybody. It also seems like the woman through her good deeds drew many into a position of faith when Peter did arrive.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 26 - The Time of the Church
Psalm 142 - I often think of witness in terms of using my voice to tell people the good news, but here David gives witness to his hope in God even in the midst of suffering.
Joshua 1:1-18 - It sounds really exciting for Joshua here at the beginning of his leadership. But there's an irony to the words of the Israelites, "Just like we followed Moses we will follow you." Oh great, just what Joshua needs. Rebellion. Whining. Discord. Yet Joshua can also rely on another continuity. God says, "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you."
Acts 8:1-25 - Simon the magician recognizes that the disciples are the real deal.
Joshua 1:1-18 - It sounds really exciting for Joshua here at the beginning of his leadership. But there's an irony to the words of the Israelites, "Just like we followed Moses we will follow you." Oh great, just what Joshua needs. Rebellion. Whining. Discord. Yet Joshua can also rely on another continuity. God says, "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you."
Acts 8:1-25 - Simon the magician recognizes that the disciples are the real deal.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 23 - The Time of the Church
Psalm 102 - Even in this psalm of lament there is hope. Hope in the power of God. Hope in the mercy of God. Hope for the one in suffering. Hope for the generations to come.
Proverbs 27:1-24 - As I've mentioned in a previous post regarding the proverbs, it's not ideal to read them in chapter length chunks. A better way to read this chapter particularly is to spread out the verses throughout the day and read a proverb or two at a time. That said, here are few today's that I found particularly meaningful:
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
14 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
John 20:1-18 - The disciples saw the empty tomb and believed. We may be tempted to give them a hard time since they still had not understood the scriptures and Jesus' words, but the truth is they hadn't seen Jesus yet and they believed.
Proverbs 27:1-24 - As I've mentioned in a previous post regarding the proverbs, it's not ideal to read them in chapter length chunks. A better way to read this chapter particularly is to spread out the verses throughout the day and read a proverb or two at a time. That said, here are few today's that I found particularly meaningful:
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
14 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
John 20:1-18 - The disciples saw the empty tomb and believed. We may be tempted to give them a hard time since they still had not understood the scriptures and Jesus' words, but the truth is they hadn't seen Jesus yet and they believed.
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22 - Time of the Church
Psalm 84 - Beautiful psalm about wanting to be in the presence of God. I appreciate the simplicity of the words about the sparrow who makes a home in God's house.
Proverbs 25:1-22 - This section is again filled with lots of bits of wisdom. For example, a soft tongue breaks a bone. Jesus quotes one of these proverbs and Paul another, the one about being asked up by the king, and the one about heaping burning coals on your enemies head. The one that struck me most this morning is at the beginning. "It is the glory of God to conceal things." What do you think he means?
John 19:23-42 - John is emphatic about Jesus' confirmed death; a recognition that right away people would try to claim that if he was alive afterward he couldn't have died. In reading this in the middle of June I am caught off guard. I'm used to celebrating little Easters every Sunday, but today is like a little Good Friday as we are left with Jesus' death in the reading.
Proverbs 25:1-22 - This section is again filled with lots of bits of wisdom. For example, a soft tongue breaks a bone. Jesus quotes one of these proverbs and Paul another, the one about being asked up by the king, and the one about heaping burning coals on your enemies head. The one that struck me most this morning is at the beginning. "It is the glory of God to conceal things." What do you think he means?
John 19:23-42 - John is emphatic about Jesus' confirmed death; a recognition that right away people would try to claim that if he was alive afterward he couldn't have died. In reading this in the middle of June I am caught off guard. I'm used to celebrating little Easters every Sunday, but today is like a little Good Friday as we are left with Jesus' death in the reading.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
June 18 - Time of the Church
Psalm 62 - If prayer is part of your devotion today consider waiting in silence for a bit.
Proverbs 20:5-25 - "A faithful man who can find?" I wonder what the author means when he says "It is a snare to say rashly 'It is holy', and to reflect only after making vows."
John 17:1-26 - Jesus prays for you and me.
Proverbs 20:5-25 - "A faithful man who can find?" I wonder what the author means when he says "It is a snare to say rashly 'It is holy', and to reflect only after making vows."
John 17:1-26 - Jesus prays for you and me.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June 17 - Time of the Church
Psalm 1 - Sometimes it's hard for me to believe this psalm when I see the wicked prospering in this life. Is there other Scripture that can help us navigate this?
Proverbs 17:1-28 - 5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker, 9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
John 16:17-33 - Jesus says, "take heart, I have overcome the world" shortly before he is going to be crucified. He doesn't say I will overcome the world, it's as good as done. This is also our hope even when the world around us is full of tribulation. Jesus has indeed risen and is bringing back with him a new creation. He has overcome the world.
Proverbs 17:1-28 - 5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker, 9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
John 16:17-33 - Jesus says, "take heart, I have overcome the world" shortly before he is going to be crucified. He doesn't say I will overcome the world, it's as good as done. This is also our hope even when the world around us is full of tribulation. Jesus has indeed risen and is bringing back with him a new creation. He has overcome the world.
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15 - Time of the Church
Psalm 139 - God is at once beyond all understanding and at work in everything, and also knows us individually from before our creation in the womb.
Proverbs 15:1-29 - As I read this section of proverbs I found myself saying, "yeah, yeah, I know this stuff." The key of course with wisdom is not to know it, but to have it.
John 15:12-27 - It's interesting that the commandment to love is followed by the reality that the world will hate. As Jesus' followers we may be in positions where others will hate us, or more accurately, Jesus. How does this affect our lives day-to-day?
Proverbs 15:1-29 - As I read this section of proverbs I found myself saying, "yeah, yeah, I know this stuff." The key of course with wisdom is not to know it, but to have it.
John 15:12-27 - It's interesting that the commandment to love is followed by the reality that the world will hate. As Jesus' followers we may be in positions where others will hate us, or more accurately, Jesus. How does this affect our lives day-to-day?
Friday, June 12, 2009
June 12 - Time of the Church
Psalm 51 - "Then I will teach transgressors your ways..." Even as David's sin is a matter between him and God, God's restoration never stays simply between the two of them. God's grace drives David to teach others of the mercy of God. This Psalm is intensely personal, and yet universal in its scope.
Proverbs 10:1-23 - Reading this many verses in a row from Proverbs can start having the redundancy affect. In fact, much of it seems obvious. This collection of proverbs was probably not meant to be read in huge chunks, but rather meditated on in its parts. The words that are obvious to our minds have to make the transition to becoming habits in our lives. Wisdom isn't just something you know, but is intended to permeate all that you are. This makes the connection of Jesus as our wisdom even more profound.
John 14:1-17 - How seriously do we take Jesus' promise here? "If you ask anything in my name I will do it." Of course some of us get confused into thinking he said "ask anything you want," but there's also a strain of thought that leads to us to think we shouldn't ask anything. Jesus invites us to pray boldly for our needs, our neighbors and the coming of his kingdom.
Proverbs 10:1-23 - Reading this many verses in a row from Proverbs can start having the redundancy affect. In fact, much of it seems obvious. This collection of proverbs was probably not meant to be read in huge chunks, but rather meditated on in its parts. The words that are obvious to our minds have to make the transition to becoming habits in our lives. Wisdom isn't just something you know, but is intended to permeate all that you are. This makes the connection of Jesus as our wisdom even more profound.
John 14:1-17 - How seriously do we take Jesus' promise here? "If you ask anything in my name I will do it." Of course some of us get confused into thinking he said "ask anything you want," but there's also a strain of thought that leads to us to think we shouldn't ask anything. Jesus invites us to pray boldly for our needs, our neighbors and the coming of his kingdom.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
June 11 - Time of the Church
Psalm 16 - David rightly reminds me that I have no good apart from God. This doesn't mean that the gifts I have are not good, but they only find their goodness in being from God's hand.
Proverbs 9:1-18 - Lord give me wisdom to learn from criticism.
John 13:21-38 - Loving each other as Jesus has loved us is a tall order. Lord give me faith to follow you and to be restored like Peter.
Proverbs 9:1-18 - Lord give me wisdom to learn from criticism.
John 13:21-38 - Loving each other as Jesus has loved us is a tall order. Lord give me faith to follow you and to be restored like Peter.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 9 - Time of the Church
Psalm 117 - When I first looked at this psalm I thought there was some mistake. How could it be that short? Something must be missing? There's no explanation of why we should praise God or how He has shown His steadfast love for us. I guess it's kind of assumed. Sometimes we feel the need to fill in the blanks all at once, but the beauty of Scripture is that you can sum up the Gospel simply, ala John 3:16, and still not scratch the surface of the depths of God's goodness. In witnessing our faith we don't always need to give the full story, but we might want speak in a way that gets others asking, "What more is there?"
Proverbs 8:1-21 - Wisdom calls to us.
John 12:36-50 - Many believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it.
Proverbs 8:1-21 - Wisdom calls to us.
John 12:36-50 - Many believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it.
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8 - Time of the Church
Psalm 103 - Beautiful summary of God's power and mercy.
Proverbs 5:1-23 - God's wisdom is not arbitrary. This advise to the younger does not become obsolete with time.
John 12:20-36 - It's amazing that the voice from heaven comes for the benefit of the people, and some think it was thunder. Similarly, when the disciples speak at Pentecost some people think they're drunk. When we speak God's Word some will hear it and some won't. God encourages us to speak knowing that the Spirit works through us, but reminds us not to be discouraged if our word doesn't take root.
Proverbs 5:1-23 - God's wisdom is not arbitrary. This advise to the younger does not become obsolete with time.
John 12:20-36 - It's amazing that the voice from heaven comes for the benefit of the people, and some think it was thunder. Similarly, when the disciples speak at Pentecost some people think they're drunk. When we speak God's Word some will hear it and some won't. God encourages us to speak knowing that the Spirit works through us, but reminds us not to be discouraged if our word doesn't take root.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pentecost - Thursday
Psalm 97 - This psalm really helps us to understand where creation stands in relation to its creator. The wonders of nature can never be our focus in themselves, because they point to God.
Numbers 24:1-25 - Balaam has been called to curse Israel, but because he only listens to God, he blesses them three times. Talk about pressure from Balak, and Balaam isn't even one of the Israelites. He doesn't get to go back to his friends and be comforted by them, he simply goes his own way.
Luke 23:1-25 - What causes Pilot and Herod to become friends?
Numbers 24:1-25 - Balaam has been called to curse Israel, but because he only listens to God, he blesses them three times. Talk about pressure from Balak, and Balaam isn't even one of the Israelites. He doesn't get to go back to his friends and be comforted by them, he simply goes his own way.
Luke 23:1-25 - What causes Pilot and Herod to become friends?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Pentecost - Wednesday
Psalm 89:1-18 - Powerful song of praise
Numbers 23:4-28 - Is God like a man that He changes His mind? This was a topic for discussion at one of our Seminary Symposiums. A symposium is basically a conference to have speakers and debate over a topic. We talked about whether God changes His mind. Well, of course the text here assures us that He does not, and it does so in the context of God's blessing Israel. This is good news for us as we have assurance when God claims us as His own through Baptism, faith and forgiveness. But there are instances in Scripture where it seems God might be able to change His mind. Recall, His anger at Israel following the Exodus where He wants to destroy Israel and start over with Moses. Moses appears to talk Him out of this, of course using God's words as the focus. What are your thoughts?
Luke 22:47-71 - "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer." This is often how I feel when talking with people about Jesus. We figure if we know the right things to say, or ask the right questions we'll be able to convince people that Jesus is who he says he is. At times this task seems daunting. Ultimately though, we know that the Spirit works, so that the centurion at Jesus' death confesses the truth, and Saul who persecutes the Church becomes Jesus' most outspoken spokesman.
Numbers 23:4-28 - Is God like a man that He changes His mind? This was a topic for discussion at one of our Seminary Symposiums. A symposium is basically a conference to have speakers and debate over a topic. We talked about whether God changes His mind. Well, of course the text here assures us that He does not, and it does so in the context of God's blessing Israel. This is good news for us as we have assurance when God claims us as His own through Baptism, faith and forgiveness. But there are instances in Scripture where it seems God might be able to change His mind. Recall, His anger at Israel following the Exodus where He wants to destroy Israel and start over with Moses. Moses appears to talk Him out of this, of course using God's words as the focus. What are your thoughts?
Luke 22:47-71 - "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer." This is often how I feel when talking with people about Jesus. We figure if we know the right things to say, or ask the right questions we'll be able to convince people that Jesus is who he says he is. At times this task seems daunting. Ultimately though, we know that the Spirit works, so that the centurion at Jesus' death confesses the truth, and Saul who persecutes the Church becomes Jesus' most outspoken spokesman.
Pentecost - Tuesday
Psalm 42 - The psalmist asks again and again why he is troubled. He appears to be having a conversation with himself. We get here a picture of internal struggle, that is easy for us to relate to. Christianity is often accused of being too positive or ignoring problems. But here we see the struggle between knowing the truth of the hope we have while still suffering under sin.
Numbers 22:21-23:3 - Balaam says, "I have sinned, for I did not know you stood in the road against me." I was thought ignorance was bliss, but Balaam doesn't see it as an excuse. Most of us certainly would. I didn't know any better God, you can't be mad at me. In the New Testament Paul talks about this issue as well. He says that all people are without excuse when it comes to recognizing God and His place. Ignorance is far from bliss, and I pray that God would keep it from me, and enable me to share Him with those around me who are without excuse.
Luke 22:24-46 - I was surprised by Jesus words that Satan demanded to have Peter. I didn't remember this part from Luke. I always tend to think of Peter's denial as the lowest point for him, and it is pretty low. But its remarkable that Satan wanted even more, and that Jesus prayed for him. We know that Jesus is speaking on our behalf, justifying us to the Father, but I never thought of Jesus praying for us in other ways. It is a comfort to know that even though we face trials Jesus prays that our faith will not fail.
Numbers 22:21-23:3 - Balaam says, "I have sinned, for I did not know you stood in the road against me." I was thought ignorance was bliss, but Balaam doesn't see it as an excuse. Most of us certainly would. I didn't know any better God, you can't be mad at me. In the New Testament Paul talks about this issue as well. He says that all people are without excuse when it comes to recognizing God and His place. Ignorance is far from bliss, and I pray that God would keep it from me, and enable me to share Him with those around me who are without excuse.
Luke 22:24-46 - I was surprised by Jesus words that Satan demanded to have Peter. I didn't remember this part from Luke. I always tend to think of Peter's denial as the lowest point for him, and it is pretty low. But its remarkable that Satan wanted even more, and that Jesus prayed for him. We know that Jesus is speaking on our behalf, justifying us to the Father, but I never thought of Jesus praying for us in other ways. It is a comfort to know that even though we face trials Jesus prays that our faith will not fail.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Pentecost - Monday
Psalm 5 - "But I through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you." Notice how all things are directed to God here. Part of this psalm is what we would call imprecatory, meaning it calls for God to destroy the psalmists enemies. This can be hard to stomach, especially when we consider Jesus' words to love our enemies. But this call to God is actually an act of faith. Rather than the psalmist seeking to take justice into his own hands, he gives all things over to God.
Numbers 22:1-20 - It's amazing that Balaam is not an Israelite yet Yahweh is his God. In line with our psalm we see that God is in control of all things.
Luke 22:1-23 - What is the Passover and why is it significant that Jesus will go to the cross during this festival?
Numbers 22:1-20 - It's amazing that Balaam is not an Israelite yet Yahweh is his God. In line with our psalm we see that God is in control of all things.
Luke 22:1-23 - What is the Passover and why is it significant that Jesus will go to the cross during this festival?
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