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Scripture reading for May 29th: John 18:1-24

John recorded the account of Jesus’ arrest and questioning in the early morning hours of His final day.  What is amazing to me as I read, is the total control that Jesus exhibits.  He becomes a prisoner, but maintains His ability to lead and direct the events according to the plan of the Father.

First, as the officials came in the night with torches to the Garden, Jesus asked them who they were seeking.  Whey they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth”, Jesus told them plainly that He was that person.  As Jesus spoke this to them, the power of God caused these men to fall helplessly to the ground.  Jesus asked them a second time who they wanted and the answer was the same. “I told you that I am He,” Jesus answered.  “If you are looking for Me, then let these men go.” (John 18:8)  Jesus was in charge and the men, who were officials of the ruling Sanhedrin, let the others go.  This was all in accordance with Jesus’ prayer and words, “I have lost none of those you gave Me.” (John 18:9) (John 6:39) (John 17:12)  Not only was He in charge, He was acting in accordance with plans made with the Father before time began!

As Peter stood up to defend Jesus, swinging his sword and cutting off the ear of Malchus the High Priest’s servant, Jesus firmly told Peter to put his sword away.  He took control, healing the ear with a single touch!  (Luke 22:51)  “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given to Me?” (John 18:11)  Jesus knew the suffering that He must endure to complete the mission that the Father had given Him.  He was in complete control and willingly let these men take Him into their custody to fulfill His goal!

As Jesus stood before Annas,  He answered their questions politely.  He was struck in the face by one of the officials and rebuked.  Jesus still answered politely.  (John 18:22-23)  He was a man who was in charge, even though bound and under arrest!

Have you surrendered your life to this Jesus?  Jesus is the Son of God and He perfectly obeyed the Father in drinking the cup of suffering and sin on our behalf.  He was the King of Kings, but served His subjects by doing for them what they couldn’t do for themselves!  Let Him take charge today!

Scripture reading for July 6th: Proverbs 5-9

Men have a propensity to be easily seduced by women.  Beautiful women have been the downfall of many a man, even men of God.  Solomon knew this well!  He, himself, was the product of his father’s enticement and adulterous affair with his mother, Bathsheba.   The child conceived during the actual adultery died, but King David married Bathsheba and they were blessed with a son,Solomon, who became heir to his father’s throne.  Thankfully, God doesn’t hold grudges!  (2nd Samuel 12:19-25)

Solomon, himself, married seven hundred wives and had another 300 concubines from many foreign nations.  He violated the advice God had given him and these wives led him astray spiritually.  (1st Kings 11:1-6)  He got into idolatry and did evil in God’s sight because of being seduced by foreign women.  Solomon had great wisdom from God, but failed to heed it and was led astray.

“My son, pay attention to wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.  For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps lead strait to the grave.” (Proverbs 5:3-5)

Solomon plainly warns us of the dangers of adultery and sexual sin.  Adultery is always a form of idolatry.  We are worshiping our own desires and lusts by satisfying them illicitly.  We are taking what belongs to someone else and using it for our own pleasure.  Our stream meant for life (semen) becomes like sewage in the streets! This a vivid description of adultery!  This fountain should be blessed by sharing with your wife alone!  This action of adultery leads to bitterness, pain, and death!  There may be promises of honey and oil, but they are lies!

We often think that no one will find out about our lustful trysts.  Solomon warns us that this will be exposed in the whole assembly.  Sins will surely find us out because a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord!  (Proverbs 5:21-23)  The evil deeds of a wicked man hold him like a trap and death will come eventually because of his folly.  We need to heed the loving words of advice from our Lord and escape the trap of the adulterous woman!

Scripture reading for May 21st: Job 8-10

Job’s dilemma of suffering the loss of his family, property, and health in such a short time caused much pondering of heart and brought his friends to sit with him.  Job had been the greatest man of the East!  (Job 1:3)  He now was a sad and broken man suffering terribly.  He maintained his innocence of known sin and his trust in God throughout this ordeal.  He had many questions and no real answers!  His friends were sincerely trying to help, but their frame of reference was past experience (Eliphaz) and now in today’s reading, logic.

Bildad the Shuhite had been listening to Job and Eliphaz discuss his plight.  Bildad rebuked Job and began by citing God’s justice.  He flatly stated that Job’s children got what they deserved when they were killed by the mighty wind.  God punished them for their sins because God is always just!  It was just logical when looked at in this way.  Bildad encouraged Job to plead with the Almighty if he was pure and upright and God would restore him.  The implication was that he was not really pure, but needed God’s mercy himself if he was to be restored.

Job responded to Bildad with some agreement.  He knew that although he was unaware of known sin, he still carried shame before God.  He knew of God’s greatness and his insignificance in comparison.  Job tells of the greatness of God and how easily God could crush him because of His strength.  If it was His justice, Job felt he would also be in trouble.  (Job 9:19)  Job longed for a mediator who could bridge the gap between man and God.  Someone who could “lay his hand on both of us.”  (Job 9:33-35)  Someone who could remove God’s rod of wrath from Job would enable him to speak without fear.

This deep inner longing of Job is in the heart of every man.  We long for a way to bridge the gap between our small world of sin and suffering and the great world of God and his strength and justice.  We know we are guilty and suffer here on this earth because our disobedience.  We know that punishment awaits us later because of God’s justice.  We also know that we are eternal beings because eternity is in our heart.  Without help, we struggle to figure it out!

Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3

Is there anything too hard for the Lord?  We often think that we are in such a hard place that nothing or no one can help us.  It is easy at times like this to give in to negative thinking and complaining.  Attitudes, however,  are so important to faith!  We who know the Lord must keep control of our attitudes in the midst of trouble in order to see the salvation of God.  That’s what is going on in our reading today!

The Moabites had rebelled against the new King of Israel, Joram.  King Joram had asked the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom to help him.  They decided to travel through the desert of Edom to attack.  After a seven day march without water, their animals and the men were dry.  King Joram got negative and started to complain. (2nd Kings 3:8-11)  King Jehoshaphat wisely asked for a prophet of the Lord to ask of God directions.  Elisha the prophet was with the armies and came forward.

King Joram again complained that the Lord was bringing them out there to die and Elisha was disgusted with him.   However, because of a godly king, Jehoshaphat, Elisha asked for a harpist and then began to prophesy.  “This is what the Lord says:  You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water and you and your cattle and other animals will drink.  This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; He will also hand Moab over to you…” (2nd Kings 3:16-18)

By faith they began to dig in the desert!  By the next morning, water filled the ditches!  It was an easy thing for the Lord!  Water flowed in the desert and the morning sun made it look like rivers of blood to the Moabites.  They attacked and were soundly beaten by the three kings as the prophet had said!  (2nd Kings 3:24-27)

Faith comes by hearing the Word of the Lord.  Our attitude can stop up the hearing of God’s word if we are not careful.  We must not become drunk on the circumstances, but seek God in all circumstances.  He can make a way in the desert and bring water from hidden resources.  Nothing is too hard for the Lord when we trust Him as our source!  We have to do the digging after the seeking!

Scripture reading for January 6th: Genesis 12-14

Abram and his nephew Lot were prosperous in the new land God had taken them to. Abram had built an altar to the Lord in Bethel  and began to call upon the Lord. (Genesis 13:3-4) Lot and his herdsmen began to quarrel with Abram’s herdsmen. Abram was a peacemaker and decided they should separate. He gave Lot the choice of where he would settle. Lot had his eyes on the fertile plain and the city of Sodom. Sodom was a wicked city and the men there were sinning greatly in the sight of the Lord. (Genesis 13:13)

After Lot had moved, the Lord spoke to Abram, telling him to lift up his eyes and look in each direction. All that he could see would be given to him and his descendants forever! God reaffirmed that He would make Abram’s offspring as numerous as the dust of the earth. God encouraged Abram to walk through the land and survey it. Abram moved his tent near Hebron and built an altar to the Lord there. (Genesis 13:18) God blessed Abram for his faith and willingness to let God lead him to where he was supposed to be. This is a helpful hint for us in our walk. We can be selfish and reach out to take, or we can more wisely worship the Lord and follow Him!

Some time later, we find some kings attacking Sodom and carrying off Lot and his family, as well as the goods of Sodom.  Abram took his men and went in pursuit.  He recovered all the people plus the goods.  (Genesis 14:16)  As he returned, both the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), came to meet Abram.  Melchizedek, a priest of the Most High God, met Abram with bread and wine and blessed him.  Abram responded by giving a tithe of everything to this mysterious priest and king.  (Genesis 14:20)

Jesus Christ is said to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek, having the power of an endless life!  (Hebrews 7:15-17)  As a priest, Jesus intercedes for us before the throne.   (Romans 8:34)  He served His disciples bread and wine at the Last Supper and told them to do it often in remembrance of Him.  (Matthew 26:26-29)  He is also King of Kings and will reign in the Jerusalem during the millennium!  (Revelation 20:4-5)  Jesus alone is worthy of our worship, tithes, and dedication!

Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 10-13

When we look at the world we live in and the formidable troubles that face all mankind, it is easy to become fearful and worry.  Demonic forces are everywhere and it appears that they are winning.  Pornography is prevalent everywhere.  Terrorism and bloodshed are daily news for those who anxiously watch.  Economic troubles, famines, and earthquakes are regular fare.  Nations are uneasy with wars, rumors of war, nuclear weapons, rockets, and armies in readiness.  Into this setting Christ, the Lamb slain, leads His followers and calls them to be overcomers!

John sees a repeat of the nativity story with a cosmic setting.  This sign appearing in heaven showed a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  This woman was pregnant and and in pain as she was about to give birth.  (Revelation 12:1-2)  John then saw another sign.  There appeared a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on the heads.  The dragon’s tail had swept a third of the stars from the sky and flung them to earth.  The dragon stood in front of the woman to devour her child the moment it was born.  (Revelation 12:3-4)

The woman gave birth to a male child, who will rule all the nations!  The child was snatched up to God and His throne.  The woman fled into the desert to a place God prepared for them.  Then there was war in heaven between Michael the Archangel and his forces and the dragon and his angels.  The dragon was hurled down to earth with his angels with him.  The identity of the dragon was the “ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan”.  (Revelation 12:7-9)

A loud voice from heaven announced the coming of the kingdom of God and the hurling down of the accuser of the brothers.  The brothers “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)  The heavens were rejoicing!  All who dwelt there were encouraged to rejoice!  Those on the earth, however, would have woe because the devil was enraged.  He knew his time was short! (Revelation 12:12)

As believers, we are seated in the heavens in Christ.  Heaven is our home.  We can rejoice because we have overcome.  The blood of Jesus speaks peace, joy, and pardon for all who will repent and trust the Lord!  We are overcomers with the forces of heaven!  The devil is cast down and we are snatched up along with the Man-child who was born to the woman!  No matter what might happen to us on earth, the best is yet to come!  Rejoice today and tell someone the good news!  The devil’s time is short!

Scripture reading for September 21th: Micah 3-5

“Because of you (prophets and leaders), Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound  overgrown with thickets.” Micah 3:12

Micah wasted no time in telling the leaders of Israel and Judah their sins.  These leaders had loved evil instead of good and failed to provide justice for the land.  (Micah 3:1-2)  The prophets of the land were no better.  If they were given food or pay, they would bring a message of “peace”.  If they were not paid, the message would be of coming war!   The prophets were for hire or otherwise they brought curses!  The results of the failures of leadership were the destruction of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem.  The leaders thought that they were safe because they called on the Lord and stayed near His temple.  They were just going through the motions and under a delusion of safety.  Micah was a true prophet of the Lord and warned them free of charge!

Leadership is so important for the people of God!  Wise leaders model godly behavior and love to see justice done.  They live by God’s word and call the people to follow.  They punish those who stray from the truth and reward those who are doing right.  Integrity is a mark of  good leaders.  They live what they say they believe.  They do not claim to love God and then do the opposite of what God has said is right.  As we look at our nation today, we find few leaders who really love God.  Many claim to be Christians, but their actions speak louder than their words.  Where are the godly prophets who will confront sin in the leadership of the land?

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.  Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.”" Micah 4:1-2

According to Micah, God was going to provide a new time of peace in the last days. He would again establish Mt. Zion as the place of rulership for all nations and peoples.  They would come to the Lord and desire to know His ways and His word.  There would be a time of universal peace and He would rule over the peoples from Mt. Zion.  (Micah 4:6-7)  But before this takes place, Israel must go into captivity in Babylon.  The Lord would rescue them.

Micah then spoke about the city of Bethlehem in Judah.  From this city would come one who would rule over Israel. He would shepherd the flock of God’s people and His greatness would spread to the ends of the earth!  (Micah 5:2-4)  Micah named  the city of Jesus’ birth over 700 years before the event!  God’s prophets are always known by the truth of their words.  Check out who you are listening to in these last days!

Scripture reading for September 15th: Amos 6-7

“This is what He showed me:  The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand.  And the Lord asked me,  “What do you see, Amos?”  “A plumb line,” I replied.  The the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel;  I will spare them no longer.” Amos 7:7-8

Amos had received a series of visions from the Sovereign Lord about the coming judgment on the nation.  The first vision concerned a swarm of locusts stripping the land clean.  (Amos 7:1-3)  Amos interceded for the nation and the Lord relented.  The second vision concerned a judgment by fire on the nation and Amos again interceded and the Lord relented.  Prayer by one man can make a difference!  We must never stop praying and believing in faith even when God warns us of coming disaster!

The third vision is the passage that we will consider today.  God had a plumb line and was standing by a wall that was built true to plumb.  Being plumb simply means perfectly perpendicular.  A plumb line is a line of string with a pointed weight on the bottom.  It is held up near the wall and shows clearly if the wall is plumb or not.  If the wall is not plumb, it is leaning and may topple or could be taken down.   The more out of plumb, the more the wall is in danger of collapsing.

In this vision, the wall that was built true to plumb was the nation of Israel.  God had “squared” them away and put His law as a plumb line in their midst to keep them straight.  The people, however,  refused to love God and obey His law.  He was their builder and maker and lived in their midst.  He sent prophets to drop the plumb line into the lives of His people and show them that their wall was out of whack!  Amos had been sent to warn them of their complacency and materialism. (Amos 6:1, 4-6) They were living lives of luxury and feasting and drinking but had forgotten the God who had formed them and blessed them to be His holy people!

Amos got the left foot of fellowship by King Amaziah.  He was told not to speak any more in Israel but to go back to Judah where he came from.  (Amos 7:12-13)  Plumb lines were not welcome!  The prophet was causing people to be upset and angry.  Prophets could bring a revival and the wall would come back into plumb, or the wall might just have to fall because it was too far out of plumb!  This time the wall would fall!  (Amos 7:16-17)

How is the wall of your life?  Is the plumb line of God’s truth being dropped regularly alongside of it?  Are you listening and reading and heeding the plumb line?  Today is a good day to straighten up and make the necessary changes!

Scripture reading for May 11th: Nehemiah 5-8:1

Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice!  Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need or in crisis or weak.  They lead us to gaining an advantage for ourselves at the expense of another.  Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies.  Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served.  Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves.   Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others.  Injustice in this system led some leaders to take action and a civil war resulted over this issue that cost the lives of many Americans and many who named the name of Christ on both sides of this issue.

Nehemiah faced injustice in his day among his own people.  Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king.  Their brothers who had money were loaning to these Jews who had no money.  Mortgages were taken on the fields and vineyards and even their homes.  Even sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury that was going on among the Israelites.  An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah and he pondered this problem of usury and the resulting enslavement. (Nehemiah 5:6-7)   Calling a meeting of all those involved,  he accused those with money of their sin, commanded them to stop these practices, and called them to walk in the fear of God!  (Nehemiah 5:9-11)  They publicly agreed to do so.   He charged the priests and nobles to take an oath to do what they had promised in response to his accusation.  He even shook out his own robe and prayed, “In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise.  So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13

God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house!  Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others.  We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak.  We must not manipulate or enslave others by our selfishness.  Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts in how they encourage giving.  Sometimes, manipulation and injustice takes place among God’s people through selfish leaders.  Slavery today comes when our sons and daughters go into captivity because of injustice in God’s house among God’s people!  Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it!  Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!

Scripture reading for May 8th: Nehemiah 1-2

Sometimes prayer is used as an excuse for doing nothing.  “I’ll pray about it” is an easy answer when asked to serve in a ministry or do a project.   I have used it myself!  Often times, as we pray, God moves on our heart and turns it to do His will and want what He wants!  (Psalm 37:4)  We have the choice of following His leading, or just continuing to pray and hope the prayer will be answered.  One choice leads to amazing journeys and seeing the desires of our heart (and God’s) fulfilled while the other produces little in the way of results.

Nehemiah was an Israelite who was cup bearer to the king of Persia.  He held a position of trust and would have been a close adviser and bodyguard for this king.  He heard a report from those who had returned to Jerusalem earlier to rebuild the temple.  They told how the work was at a standstill and the walls were broken down and gates were burned with fire.  This report disturbed him greatly.  He began to weep, fast, and pray before his God, the God of heaven.  (Nehemiah 1:4-11)  Nehemiah, in faith, prayed and confessed the sins of his own people.  He reminded God of His covenant with Moses to bring the people back if they would call on Him.  He asked for favor to approach the king. (Psalm 5:11-12)

As he was doing his job before the king, God opened the king’s heart to ask him about his sad countenance.  Nehemiah again prayed quietly and answered the king.  He asked for help in rebuilding Jerusalem and it’s walls.  God granted him favor and his prayers were answered.  He, himself, had been used by the Lord because he fasted and prayed and allowed God to move him into place to do something to bring the answer!  (Nehemiah 2:7-9)  Prayer often activates faith that brings action.  Note that Nehemiah continues to pray about everything along the way.  There are 10 recorded prayers of his in this book.

Is there something that really moves your heart with pity?  Is there a need that you see that is not being met or an injustice that is calling to you for help?  Why not begin praying and fasting and opening your heart to the Lord about that situation?  As you do, be open for action that you may be able to take to bring about change, healing, or a godly answer.  The Lord wants to move our hearts through prayer to godly work.  The result will be a joyous celebration when we realize what the Lord has accomplished as we prayed and worked!  In the end of this story, Nehemiah has rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days!