Thursday, August 29, 2013

August 29 – Ezekiel 9-12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 9-12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

The word of the lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.” (Ezekiel 12:1-2 NLT) While this was written about those in Jerusalem and remaining in Judah before the final destruction, you could easily see those words talking about our day and culture. This past week has been filled with the news of Miley Cyrus gyrating in barely there clothing on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards show.  Also in the news is the newly constant debate about race relations in America. Constantly we are bombarded with images of sex, scantily clad women, homosexual relationships, drug abuse, and so many other grievous sin issues that we quickly connect with these words of God.

The destruction that we face today is different than what Israel faced. Israel faced the destruction of their city, their promised land, and the mass loss of life. Today we may not see the physical destruction, but those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, but refuse the message of the gospel, they face a permanent destruction in Hell. That thought should break our hearts. It should break our hearts to action.


Maybe we are Ezekiel and the people living in exile. We know something else. We know that there is life with God. We know that there is joy in Christ. It is our responsibility to creatively open up they eyes and ears so that the gospel message can reach deep and wide. So what are some ways we can open up the gospel? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

August 28 – Ezekiel 5-8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 5-8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: J.T. Noriega

How big is your God? How omniscient is your God? By the time of Ezekiel’s writing and prophesying, God to Israel was not very big. In our reading today God takes Ezekiel for an awesome trip. First of all wouldn't it be cool to have the privilege to see the glory of God like Ezekiel did? Then He takes him on some out of body experience to Jerusalem to see the detestable sins of the people.

In Jerusalem the sins of the people keep growing. They are under siege, but they are not turning to Yahweh. They are dying of starvation and sickness, and they turn to the gods of the people around them. They believe at this point God is either small or no longer present. “The LORD does not see us; he has deserted our land!” (Ezekiel 8:12 NLT)


Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you are going through a rough patch of life; cancer, divorce, loneliness, sickness, death, financial struggles, and you feel as Israel felt, God has deserted you. But just like Judah, God knows what is going on in your life, in your heart, and in your mind. He may not be working in a way that you can see or feel, but He is still there. Give Him time. Put your trust in God. Live a life that is worthy of the salvation you cherish. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

August 27 – Ezekiel 1-4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 1-4. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Today we start one of the oddest books in the Bible. The book is odd because of the imagery Ezekiel describes and the things he is asked to do. Ezekiel is a priest, thirty years old, who is one of the 3,000 Judeans who have been exiled in Babylon some five years. He is in the region of Tel Abib on the banks of the Kebar River (Chebar, depending on translations, we are not sure of this location today), when God begins to speak to him.

God speaks to Ezekiel in a pretty magnificent chariot, with four wheels along with four human and beastlike figures with some pretty cool appearances. God comes to Ezekiel to prophecy and prepare those in exile for what is going to happen in Jerusalem under the Babylonians siege. What I find amazing is God’s need to prepare His people. Here is Ezekiel in the land of exile preparing those in exile for what will happen to their home country. Just imagine you are on vacation and a tornado rips through your home town. How much would that break your heart to read, hear, and maybe even watch it unfold while you are still miles away? Just as Jeremiah, a contemporary of Ezekiel, had the responsibility of sharing with those in Jerusalem; Ezekiel has the responsibility in exile.


God might work in ways we do not always understand … remember reading about Ezekiel laying down for 390 days on his side, pretty mysterious … God always does things for our benefit, without sneaking up on us. Sometimes it takes listening to what God is trying to tell us. Has God sent someone to your life that might be trying to tell you something, but you just are not listening? Maybe it is time to notice the things happening in your life, the messages being shared, and the situations you keep finding yourself in. God just might be preparing you for something. 

Monday, August 26, 2013

August 26 – Lamentations 3-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Lamentations 3-5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 

Friday, August 23, 2013

August 23 – Jeremiah 49-50

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 46-48. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I love projects where I can see immediate results. That is what I loved about my high school job. When I would mow a lawn, I immediately saw the results of the cut grass. With each pass of the mower beautiful stripes were put into a lawn. With each pass of the mower I was one step closer to being finished with that particular lawn. That brought about a lot of gratification.

My other high school job was working at a movie theater. Sometimes that work seemed like it was never done. When selling concessions it seemed like as soon as one customer was served, the line was only getting longer. It was really difficult to enjoy the job at the movie theater because there was no immediate gratification.

In our reading it has been hard to see exactly what God is up to. Just imagine if you were living it as Israel and Judah did. The once proud (in the proper context of proud) nation of Israel has been torn in two, and now because of sin has been completely destroyed. As we have read it can be a challenge to see what God is doing through all of this. Sometimes it is simply hard to read all the death and destruction God is planning to dish out. No wonder so many people read the Bible and walk away confused.

At West Side we are doing a thirty-one week study through the Bible based on the book The Story. Through our study we have talked about God’s upper story and God’s lower story. The lower story is what is happening to the people in their every day lives. The upper story revolves around God’s overall plan. The lower story often supports the upper story. Sometimes it can leave you scratching your head to figure out how God will use the lower story to fulfill his upper story plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
What I love about God is the fact that there is a plan. Even when the lower story seems a mess, like it does right now for Israel, God has not been thwarted. God has a plan, a prosperous plan of hope for Israel … ““In those coming days,” says the LORD, “The people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4-5 NLT). God’s plan was restoration; a restoration that would allow Him to continue in His upper story plan of bringing hope to the entire world.


So how can you look at your lower story and find hope in God’s upper story? Maybe right now the daily pains of life are hard to bear. Maybe right now it is hard to see any hope. Maybe those days are behind you or have not come yet. Maybe for you the best hope you can turn to is the promise of spending eternity in the presence of God in Heaven. I do not know about you, but that is a pretty good hope to me. 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

August 22 – Jeremiah 46-48

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 46-48. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

I do not know if you are guilty of this as much as I am, but I believe at some level we all try to be in control as much as we can. I do not ride roller coasters because I feel like I am not in control of what is about to happen to me. I do not like to ride in a car unless I am the one driving; if we wreck, at least it was my fault. I struggle with control issues to a certain degree.

During our reading today, I was reminded that I have no real level of control taking place in life. The one in control is God himself. God is creator and sustainer. God is the one who organized the stars in the sky. God is the one who set in motion the weather patterns. God is the one who established the laws of physics and nature. God is the one who makes nations prosper and struggle.

While Egypt, Philistia, and Moab each had their own gods, these gods were not real. They did nothing for them, no matter how much they worshiped, prayed, and sacrificed to them. Any blessings these nations received were because of the one true God. This one true God, Yahweh, used them for His purposes, and then when done with them, He reminded them of who was in control. Through Jeremiah he announced their destruction.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Let this be a reminder to us of who is in control. We may think we are, but in reality, God is the one ordering our lives, providing our blessings, and handing out appropriate discipline. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

August 21 – Jeremiah 41-45

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 41-45. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Reflections on Faith and Culture

There is something about our reading today that is both heart breaking and refreshing. Jeremiah again shares the words of God with the people in chapter forty-four. This time instead of paying lip service to the words of Jeremiah, or calling him a lying prophet, they simply flat out say we do not care. It is refreshing to finally see a group of people speak honestly. It is heartbreaking that they do not want to listen to God and that they have decided to openly turn their backs on Him.

This scene also reminds me of the parable of the seed sower that Jesus told in Matthew 13. The first seed that the sower chucked from his satchel fell on the path. This seed was quickly gobbled up by the birds because the path was to firm to accept it. In essence, this seed fell where those Judeans in Egypt were at spiritually. They were done with God, and they were ready to openly reject Him. They hadn’t seen His blessing because they were half heartedly following Him. Like the path they were hardened and turned their back. Jesus taught us that there would be people who would simply reject the message that we have, just like the path rejected the seed, and the Judeans rejected God.

These two passages together reminded me of the example Jesus gave His disciples in Matthew 10:14 to shake the dust from their feet. This teaching was in preparation for His disciples as they went out on a preaching journey. Jesus knew some would reject their message. Jesus said to shake the dust from their feet. This was a first century symbolic act to say we are done with you. You rejected us, or brought harm to us, or did not care for us, so as we leave, we are removing the dust of your houses and towns to rid ourselves of you. Jesus was teaching us that our time is precious, and sometimes, no matter how hard and painful it might be, we must focus on good soil, on people willing to openly investigate God.


Is this something you need to do in your evangelism of the Gospel? Are you trying to share Jesus with someone who has come to the place that the Judeans in Egypt were at? Have you come to a point where you need to back away, begin to only pray, and invest your time elsewhere? These are things all Christians must consider. 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

August 20 – Habakkuk 1 - 3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Habakkuk 1-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

There is no real spiritual edification that is about to be bestowed on you for what you are about to read in the next few sentences. One of my favorite books of the Bible to pronounce is Habakkuk. I love letting it thrust from my throat. I loved to smack the back of my tongue against the roof of my mouth at I stress the K’s. For some reason I feel I am German and must sound angry when I am saying it (When I was in Germany I felt every one was always angry when they were talking; they could be saying I love you and to me it sounds angry). You can go to Wikipedia and play the pronunciation suggestions at the beginning of the description to see how to say it. Both versions are correct. Now to some real spiritual edification …

In God’s response to Habakkuk in chapter two God reveals the truth about false God’s. In a way I feel as if God is taunting the proud, greedy, murders, and strait up sinners. God says … “What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, “wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They me be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.” (Habakkuk 2:19 NLT)

Are we like the people in the last days of Jerusalem? Have we put our hope in man made images and objects? Sure they may not be idols carved of wood and stone that serve as a deity to us. But they are physical man made object that have become our hope. Things like retirement accounts, sports, television, the internet, alcohol, and so many more fill our hope. Now many of these things are not wrong and if used right can be a tool of God for His blessing. But when our hope is in them, and not in God, we are doing what Judah did. When we turn to them for fulfillment, the internet, television, and alcohol, just to name a few, instead of God, we are doing what Judah did.


Friends, put your hope in God. He is so much more than a carved image and so much more than any escape we might find. He is creator and sustainer of everything we know. He has shoulder broad enough to carry any pain, any hurt, and any worry. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to pay the debt of your sin. Turn to Him!

Monday, August 19, 2013

August 19 – 2 Kings 24-25 & 2 Chronicles 36

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 24-25 & 2 Chronicles 36. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Could you imagine being in a city when it came under siege? Could you imagine the famine and the sickness that would break out? Could you imagine having children not knowing the future of their safety and if they would have any quality of life? Could you imagine what the scenes would be like when the enemy finally came through those walls and began invading your home? These final days of Jerusalem were probably filled with every horrible thought that entered your mind plus many more.

It is all the result of God’s decision to no longer offer forgiveness to His chosen people. God chose not to forgive. Read these words again … “Surly these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive.” (2 Kings 24:3-4 NLT). Those final words hit me hard today… the Lord was not willing to forgive. All the horrible images that filled your mind when Babylon came in and conquered was because God’s mercy and grace were not being poured out like they had been so many times before.


Passages and stories like today make me even more grateful for the cross and what it represents. Jesus died on that cross. God determined through Jesus that once and for all He was going to provide the ultimate forgiveness for our sins. No longer does God have to determine if He is going to forgive another time … He has done it, Jesus is our mediator! For that we can rejoice!!!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

August 17 - Jeremiah 35-37

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 35-37. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

When God has a message to bring to His people we cannot thwart it. The scroll Jeremiah had originally dictated to his secretary was destroyed by King Jehoikim. God again inspired Jeremiah to dictate every word again plus many more on a new scroll. When God wants a message out, He will get it out. Regardless if we run like Jonah. Regardless if we ignore it like many in Jerusalem did. Regardless if we destroy it like King Jehoikim.


Examine your life and heart. Is there something God wants you doing that you are avoiding? Is there a message you need to share that you are simply not? Is there someone you need to tell about Jesus to? What is holding you back? God has the strength and power to win, so give and rely on Him to bring you through. 

Friday, August 16, 2013

August 16 - Jeremiah 32-34

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 32-34. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 

How do you feel when you are able to do something nice for someone else? I would imagine, unless you have ice in your veins, that you feel pretty good. Maybe that good feeling comes after cleaning the leaves for an elderly neighbor in the fall. Maybe that good feeling comes when volunteering at the food pantry in your community. Maybe that good feeling comes when you serve with others at a place like Matthew 25 Ministries in Cincinnati. Maybe that good feeling comes when you get your loved ones that specific gift they have desired. It thrilled me last Christmas to watch Crystal open her Kitchen Aid mixer when she thought it was completely out of the budget! Doing good, making someone’s day, often leaves us with a happy feeling.

This is because we have been created in the image of God. What makes us happy is what makes Him happy. God reminded us today in our reading blessing us makes Him happy. God says … “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.” (Jeremiah 32:40-41 NLT) God wanted to do good for Israel. In doing good He confessed it would bring them joy.

However, His blessings were based on a covenant that God created with them. It is important to not that a covenant is not a contract. A covenant is much more than a contract. A contract says if one of the parties does not keep up their end of the deal then both can easily walk away. But a covenant while creating an agreement is much more binding. A covenant does not look out for your own interest, but for others. A covenant requires unconditional promises to be made. A covenant relationship is based on steadfast love. A covenant views the commitment as permanent. A covenant requires confrontation and forgiveness when wrongs are committed. A covenant requires the exact opposite commitment of a contract.


I am thankful for God’s covenant with us. I am thankful, that if I keep my end of the covenant, I do not have to suffer the confrontation that is necessary. I am thankful that blessing me in whatever God chooses is what makes Him happy. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

August 15 - Jeremiah 30-31

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 30-31. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our chronological study of the Bible we are just now experiencing the crushing blow Babylon is bringing against Jerusalem. Throughout God has told Judah through prophets that His judgment would be harsh and some would be taken away from the homeland. This promise is exactly what we experienced two days ago. We also learned yesterday that God was going to yoke up with us in a partnership and what a blessing that is. Today God gives us hope again, and this hope is comforting.
                                                
In Jeremiah 31:10-11 God says this … “Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands: the LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock. For the LORD has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them.” (NLT) Now this is talking about God’s care for Israel. But remember, as a Christian you have been redeemed by God. Your sins have been paid for. Christ has become your ransom. He now stands before God as our mediator. And as Israel was redeemed and protected as a shepherd protects his flock, we the redeemed can find comfort in our great shepherd.  


We have talked about love and grace a lot. I do that because I think grace is something hard for us to grasp. We struggle to forget where others have wronged us, even if we have forgiven them. God forgets our transgression because of Christ. We struggle to understand how God could forgive us because we know all the wrongs we have committed. Grace is hard to fathom. While we might understand it on a cognitive level, we struggle to get it on a heart level. Because grace is so powerful and freeing, we will continue to explore it as the chance presents itself. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

August 14 - Jeremiah 26-29

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 26-29. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 
Photo Credit: Jeanette's Ozpix

Ok, so you have to admit the imagery of Jeremiah is pretty awesome. Jeremiah is like a modern day preacher, pulling out all sort of props and doing cool visual illustrations. I have tried a few of these myself; pulling rocks out of bag to represent the burdens we carry, having people place stones with sins on them before a cross, lighting felt on fire, and a few other little gimmicks. However, I have never gone to the extremes that Jeremiah went to. I did not live my life with an ox’s yoke around my neck. Could you just imagine the Hollywood cartoonary that would illustrate this story? Jeremiah trudging around Jerusalem, slouched over, sweat is glistening across his brow, as he carried this yoke on his shoulders?

Then could you imagine the epic scene in the Temple where Hananiah (This must be a different Hananiah than was taken into captivity with Daniel) pronounces God’s deliverance from the oppression of Babylon? Could you imagine how Hananiah would have gone about destroying the yoke around Jeremiah’s neck? I think this sort of imagery is what I love about the Bible.

The Bible is the greatest romance novel ever written. It tells an awesome story of how God has relentlessly perused a relationship with you and me. But it is also an action adventure story. How many battle scenes have we seen play out through the words on the pages? In the midst of that it is also a drama. Today’s story highlights that aspect of it as well.

On a side note, have you put a yoke around your neck that you are trudging through life with? Is it weighing you down? Is it holding you back? Do you need to let go? Here’s the cool thing, while it was not time for God to remove the yoke of oppression of the Babylonians, in Jesus, God wants to remove any yoke you may be carrying now. Really he may not completely remove it, but he will join with you and help you carry your yoke. That is what a yoke was designed for. It lightened the load, spread it out over two animals or more, to help pull whatever it was they were pulling. Here is an awesome promise from Jesus … “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

August 13 – Jeremiah 23-25

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 23-25. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 
Photo Credit: Dexell1827

While extremely grateful, I realized today I have always somewhere felt bad for the pilgrims. I am grateful that they came and settled here in the new world. But when we hear the stories of how hard life was for them especially during the first few winters, my heart breaks for them. And the genesis of it all was to escape religious persecution; all so they could worship God the way they believed they should. After today’s readings, I am beginning to wonder if I should feel so bad for them. Let me explain.

In our reading today we find a discussion between God and Jeremiah. God is telling Jeremiah what He is going to do to the faithful in Judah and Jerusalem. He does so through a picture of good and rotten figs. Here is what God said of the good figs … “The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians. I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” (Jeremiah 24:5-7 NLT) God basically said he was taking His people, the good people, those who loved Him and was moving them out to protect them.

The amazing thing to me was he was moving them to a pagan land where they could truly worship God as they choose. We know some of these as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from Daniel 1. These men glorified God in amazing ways as we see with the fiery furnace and Daniel in the den of lions. The words God spoke to and through Jeremiah He fulfilled in those stories, plus many more.

Should we feel bad for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? No! They were under the care of God in the land of Babylon. The good figs were protected and cared for. The bad figs, those that remained in Jerusalem, they are the ones our hearts should break for. They were the ones to feel the wrath of God. What about in your own life? Do you have people whom God would consider a bad fruit, simply because they have not accepted a life changing relationship with Jesus? Does your heart break for them?


Maybe I am simply finding perspective. No longer will my heart break for the pilgrims. Maybe their trails here were God using them to do something new and bigger in His grand scheme. God sending the faithful off to Babylon was His protection. Where my heart should break is for people who do not love and know God. 

Monday, August 12, 2013

August 11 – Jeremiah 18-22

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 18-22. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I am often amazed with stories of Christians willing to stand against culture and even laws to preach and teach about Jesus. We are astounded by men like C.Y. Kim who has gone to prison over and over again for preaching Jesus in his native Southeast Asia. We honor men like Jim Elliot who gave his life to reach tribal people of Ecuador. We marvel at men like Dr. Livingston who gave his whole life to share Jesus with people in remote corners of Africa. We are able to feel this way because we can comfortably watch from the sidelines in our safe American churches.

Jeremiah faced his own form of persecution. He preached the message God gave him. God sent Jeremiah out with an object lesson where he broke a pot indicating what God would do to Judah, especially Jerusalem. He spoke words outside the Temple of God, and when the priest in charge of the Temple heard Jeremiah speak, he arrested him. Now Jeremiah only spent one night in jail, but he was still arrested for speaking the message that God had given him. Trouble for Jeremiah is only beginning.


Let me ask you, are you willing to possibly become more uncomfortable for Jesus? We admire people around the globe who stand up for Christ. But what if your faith, what if you relationship with Jesus called for you to do the same? The more I watch our world, the more I am convinced that I may just see some sort of real persecution for my faith in Christ. The struggle I have in my own mind is the question of whether I will be strong enough and willing to sacrifice for my God and savior. I used to say I hope that day would never come, but as time goes on I am beginning to prepare and accept that it will come. Maybe for me that is a good indication that I would be willing to stand up for God. Where are you at in your own heart? 

Friday, August 9, 2013

August 9 – Jeremiah 7-9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 7-9. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

One of the things I absolutely about the Bible are the clear points it makes. There are times that the Bible can be confusing, but those typically are on things that are not life or death. The Bible is very clear that sin separates us from God and that God loves us so much Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Today in our reading we found some very clear and common sense questions from God given through Jeremiah. “When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?” (Jeremiah 8:4-5 NLT) This is common sense questions God is asking of His people. There is no confusion that can be found in these words.

So let me ask you the same questions. When you realize you are on the wrong road, why do you not turn back? When you realize that you have wronged someone, why do you not apologize? When you realize you have hurt someone why do you not make amends? When you realize you have not served enough, why do you not step up your game and serve more? When you realize you have let someone down, why do you not fix what you missed and then go even further? When you realized you have sinned against God, why do you not repent and confess before God your sins?


I think our world would be a little better if we did the harder thing and picked ourselves up after we fall, turning back from the destructive path we have found ourselves on. 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Jeremiah 4 - 6

When I went to type today's post I realized I read the wrong the passage. I will try and have that up for you later today. Good news though, tomorrow's post is already finished.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

August 7 – Jeremiah 1 - 3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 1 - 3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Sometimes a rude awakening is what we need. Other times God speaks gently and that is enough to speak volumes to us. Sometimes it’s an entirely different approach. Today God broke my heart in the reading. God talked about how Israel and Judah both had prostituted themselves to false worship, idols and images made of wood and stone. He told them that they had no need for Him, unless something was wrong. It was in the hurting moments Israel and Judah would run wildly back to God. Sadly I have seen that play out in my own life too many times.

What really hit me is a truth that I struggle with too often. If your minister is anything like me, and I bet he is, he struggles with this too. Read these words again … “The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who taught my word ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.” (Jeremiah 2:8 NLT) Now I cannot say I have ever turned specifically over to other objects, idols, and materials in intentional worship, but as a teacher of God’s Word, as a leader in ministry, I have certainly found myself distant from God. Sadly it is so easy to do. The Bible becomes a text book. Prayer becomes something you do and often the power of it is forgotten. And quickly distance is built between my heart and God’s, even though I am talking, teaching, and praying about Him all the time.


Please pray that God is continually renewing the fire and passion your ministers have for God. Please pray that they are seeking Him more than they are seeking anything else in this life. Please pray that their leadership in your church is based on the firm foundation that is God. If they do not do this, there is no way strength will build in your church. 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

August 6 – Zephaniah 1-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Zephaniah 1-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Our reading today comes from another one of God’s prophets sent to deliver a message of destruction to Judah. The time has come for God’s solid hand of punishment over his people to be issued. Here is a stark contrast … many of the prophets sent have spoken during times of moral corruption and failure. When Zephaniah preaches he does so during a time of renewal and honest worship to God under the leadership of King Josiah, Zephaniah 1:1. This is a reminder that God is always in charge.

However, no matter what judgment God has ordained to take place, there is an opportunity for individual repentance. Zephaniah writes … “Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.” (Zephaniah 2:2 NLT) God’s judgment was going to come regardless. However, there was still ample time for individuals to make a decision for God.


God has already ordained the final day of this life, whether it be in our own individual days or the final days before the return of Christ. However, each one has the opportunity to make a decision for Christ. We who know him have been called to make sure others have the same opportunity offered to us. That means we must constantly busy ourselves with sharing the gospel, or as we say it at West Side … loving and leading people to a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Monday, August 5, 2013

August 5 – 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Could you imagine becoming a king, or president, or even a responsible adult at the age of eight years old? I certainly could not imagine it. In our reading today that is exactly what we find, an eight year old boy who becomes king over God’s people. It is assumed that he had some sort of official ruling for him until he was old enough and wise enough to actually rule. Whoever that person was, they must have been a person in love with God. The previous examples that Josiah sees in his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh had no real love for God (Manasseh developed it late in life after his world crashed around him). This was very fortunate for the people of Judah.

Unlike his father Josiah had a deep love for God himself. During his reign he did many great things to bring Judah back into worshiping God. In his effort, not only did he focus their hearts on God, but he also cut out from Judah everything that pointed to the worship of false gods. This was an important part of the heart purification. 2 Kings 23 really highlights all that Josiah did.


What lesson can we learn from Josiah? The important one is this … to truly worship God your life has to be purged of everything that does not honor God. Start with the small things. Continue working each and every day, week, month, and year to become more and more like God. Understand that it may not happen over night, but it is a process you must go through. 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

August 3 – 2 Chronicles 32-33

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Chronicles 32-33. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What happens in your brain when you come across a passage of scripture or a story in the Bible that you are familiar with? Do you struggle to read it with new understanding and insight? Do you glaze over the words simply to check your reading off for that day? I have to admit, I struggle. Today was one of those days. I have read these stories before and have preached on Hezekiah, Manasseh and his son Amon a few times for father’s day. When reading stories that you have read before and know well you have to work hard to try and focus on and learn new insights from the text. That is part of the reason I have decided to read this year from a different translation than before.


So what do you do when reading something you are familiar with? How do you breathe new life into the text? How do you grasp new understandings? Is there anything specific you do? If so share in the comments below.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

August 1 – Isaiah 64-66

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 64-66. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Akshathnkumar Shetty
I was never good when it came to molding things out of clay. Art really is not my thing. I can take a lump of clay and roll a pretty mean snake, but beyond that, I just lack the talent. It’s not for trying; I have given it my best effort. In middle school art class I tried to make a dragon, but the proportions were completely off, and the only thing right on it was possibly the green color. I thought it would be fun to sit down at the pottery wheel, but every time the urn began to form it would collapse back down. (Still the romantic scene of me and Crystal together at a pottery wheel sounds like fun!) The most memorable thing I made was a clay pot out of snake rings piled on top of each other and then smoothed over. It is midnight blue and black in color and sits in my attic today.

I love that the Bible often likens God’s work in us to Him being the potter and us being the clay. Unlike my lack of talent, God has all the ability that we could hope for. He is the master potter. He is the ultimate craftsman. He wants to mold us and shape us to his will for our lives. At least that is what Isaiah reminds us of … “you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8 NLT)


Now the question is are you allowing the potter to work? Are you allowing God the Father to mold and shape you into the beautiful creation He desires you to be? Are you praying, asking God to be the potter of your life? I hope so, but you must know it takes giving up control. It takes allowing God to take you through things you might not necessarily get or understand. It takes you allowing God to put you through the pressure of His hands and through the finishing fire. It may not always be pleasant, but what comes out on the other end is magnificent. My pottery projects were disasters, but my hands are not the hands of a master potter. God’s hands are the hands of a master potter, and his works are magnificent!