January 31, 2014 – Matthew 23 – It is for you to decide.

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• Jesus isn’t going to go down without a final word. He knows that He is in the last week of His life. He knows that things are going to quickly turn. He knows that soon He will once again be back in Heaven in the presence of God himself. He knows that this tough world will soon be behind Him. But as He has done all along He has compassion on the people He came to save and knows they still have to live in a world that will be controlled by the Pharisees. He gives them seven warnings against the Pharisees and other various teachers of the Law. 

1. They are more concerned with how they look than honoring the Law of God.
2. They teach the Kingdom of Heaven, but don’t allow people to enter, and don’t even live it themselves
3. They do all they can to win people to God (a noble task) but then they burden him down with so many laws and restrictions that he cannot live joyfully in that kingdom.
4. They have put importance on the wrongs things, missing the right things when they value the material possessions over the words being uttered and the One being worshiped.
5. They worry about observance of the Law and beings strict about it but miss the heart of the Law; justice, mercy, and faithfulness
6. They look good on the outside but their inside is dirty with greed and power.
7. They look for a prophet and a messiah, but in reality they would reject him, just as they are about to reject the one true messiah.

• This all breaks Jesus heart. Jesus has come to save all of mankind. While that will be available to all, He knows that some, like the Pharisees will reject Him and completely turn on Him. 

What is this passage teaching?

• The teachers of the Law are to be respected but only when they are teaching the Law, not drumming up their own rules and regulations. Jesus won’t stand it anymore. They have been trying to trap Him and now He has laid out everything that He finds wrong and sinful about their ministry. He does leave them with hope, acceptance of Him and His kingdom. An acceptance we know that many of them will reject. 

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Friends, as a minister it is my goal to only teach the truth of scripture. It is my goal and desire to relay and share the Word as I understand it. I may offer advice and wisdom as to the best ways to live out the gospel and life Jesus calls us to live, but I pray I will never demand it upon you. It is for you to decide to what level you will follow Jesus. It is for you to decide with what devotion and righteous living your life will resemble. If you are listening to a minster or involved in a church where the minister is demanding and requires a certain lifestyle, please be cautious. Please examine everything I say for yourself and base it upon your own knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. 

January 27, 2014 – Matthew 19 – Childlike Faith

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• We find three separate stories in our reading today that on the surface almost feel like they have nothing in common, but on closer examination there is brilliance in their grouping. The authors of the four gospels often do not tell Jesus story in chronological order. In many regards they group stories and teachings together that follow a similar theme. That is what we have here in chapter nineteen.

• Jesus is now back in Judea, closer to the home base of many Pharisees, and closer to Jerusalem. He is still drawing larger crowds and some in the crowds are the Pharisees themselves. They are still trying to trap Jesus. They know that God values marriage, but that God allowed divorce through Moses for various reasons. They want to see what Jesus will say. Jesus takes the permissions of the Law of Moses and comes down a little stricter. Maybe Jesus was thinking it is time to get back to their original intention when God ordained the institution of marriage. Here as with many things, the people of Israel are concerned about the letter of the Law and not the heart of the Law.

• Immediately after this discussion of divorce we read about little children coming to Jesus. His disciples shoo them away. Jesus is not too busy for these children. Jesus doesn’t have any harsh teaching for these children. Jesus doesn’t rebuke these children. Jesus simply blesses these children and proclaims that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

• We finish our reading with a story about a rich young man. This man has lived a righteous life. He comes to Jesus wanting to know what he can do to inherit eternal life. Jesus suggests some things and the man confirms he has kept them all. Then Jesus advises that he sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor and follow Him. The rich man is not willing. Jesus points out that keeping the letter of the Law is not enough … that salvation is a heart issue … and then alludes to the grace issue that will be realized in the cross.

 What is this passage teaching?

• So what three things does each of these stories have in common? The heart of the Law. In the first and last episodes we see grown men concerned with the letter of the law. In the middle story we find children, who are in many regards naive to sin finding praise from Jesus. This is the type of faith Jesus wants us to have; not a faith that is reduced to keeping a bunch of rules and regulation, but a faith that believes and heart that loves. 

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Think about your own life. Do you put your stock of salvation in the things you do? Or is your faith more childlike? What things could you do to make the proper shift from a salvation based off of keeping a bunch of rules to a salvation trusting the grace of God? Begin examining your life and investigating where you have work to do. 

January 22, 2014 – Matthew 16 – Do you believe?

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• This chapter is all about who Jesus is. There is a lot of confusion. The Pharisees and Sadducees certainly understand the claims Jesus is making but their tricks to trap Jesus illustrate that they do not believe in Him. They ask for a sign and Jesus correctly points out that they are reading the sign correctly but unwilling to understand.

• Following this request for a sign, Jesus disciples struggles in understanding Jesus are evident. Here we find the disciples believing and even devoted to Jesus, but not understanding. Jesus warns against the Pharisees by calling them yeast, but they just do not get it.

• What a striking difference between education/knowledge and faith. The Pharisees were educated but unwilling to believe. The disciples were mostly uneducated, unable to fully understand but full of faith.

• Peter is blessed with an awesome privilege’ the first to call Jesus Messiah and Lord. If you would like a fuller understanding of this section let me invite you to listen to a sermon I just preached on it in our “Your Are the Church” series (You Are the Church: Exalted).

• Following Peter’s amazing proclamation of who Jesus is, Peter does something incredibly stupid. He has just made the first proclamation of Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God, and now He tries to rebuke God. Jesus is sharing that He is going to die and that death is going to be sooner rather than in old age. Peter does not like this. Now at the heart of this is he still does not understand who Jesus is. For his rebuking of Jesus, Jesus rebukes him and calls Peter Satan. In essence Jesus is fighting the temptation that Satan is throwing in His path to not fulfill His mission. Fortunately for us Jesus is steadfast in His pursuit of us!

 What is this passage teaching?

• There is a balance that we must strike between knowledge and faith. The Pharisees had knowledge but their knowledge (along with power, greed, and status quo desires) blocked their ability to have faith. The disciples had faith but struggled with knowledge and understanding. What would be ideal is a proper mix of faith and knowledge.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Where are your pursuits? Are you striving to understand the Bible? I know many who know the Bible well but have no faith in the Bible. Let me suggest balance. Faith with out knowledge is blind and I do not believe God gave us His Word to ask us to live by blind faith. But I also believe that some of what is in the Bible takes faith to believe. Strive for balance in your life!

January 21, 2014 – Matthew 15 – The heart of God coming to the hurt of man.

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• Our reading today comes on the heels of Jesus feeding of the five thousand. The crowds are growing and Jesus has begun taking on the Pharisees. They are now ready to kill Him. They come to Jesus looking to entrap Him.

• They have observed His disciples and realize that they do not wash their hands before eating, a lesson they have undoubtedly learned from Jesus. There are two elements on the table here … the Law of Moses (God’s Law given through Moses) and the Oral Law of the Pharisees. The Oral Law takes the Law of Moses and builds upon it often making things so extreme that it is hard to follow. The Oral Law stated that all good Jews must wash in a ceremonial fashion before any meal. Jesus and His followers are not doing so … this is a perfect example for the Pharisees to try and entrap Jesus.

• Jesus does not directly answer their question. Because His disciples were breaking the Oral Law and not the Law of Moses Jesus saw no basis for their challenge. However, He knew that their Oral Law caused them to offend the Law of Moses which was a serious offense. We find that in His question about their mother and father. Honoring your parents, no matter your age, was a requirement of the Law. But the religious leaders had found an out.

• We can turn to Mark 7:11 for a better understanding. In this same discussion Jesus says you dishonor your parents by declaring something Corban. Declaring something as Corban meant you devoted and object … a house, a cart, or any type of resources … to God once you died. When doing so you could not give it to someone else. You could not loan it to someone else. You could not take it from God and give it to another, but you were allowed to use it until you died. This was often done when you did not want someone to have something of yours.

• So say you had a parent in need. Selling your possession for the finances or giving that possession to your parent in need would be a terrific idea. But if you had labeled it Corban then you could not do it. By not being able to help your parents with the Corban piece you were putting the Oral Tradition above the Law of Moses. Which one offends God? Breaking the Oral Tradition, or breaking His Law?

• With this discussion Jesus has gotten at the heart of the problem. They are more concerned with their Law than God’s Law. His disciples were not breaking God’s Law by not washing their hands. Filth on the hands does not make you ceremony unclean … it might not be the most hygienic thing to do, but that is not what is at question … what makes you unclean is the filth you allow to fill your mind. What comes in that way is what comes out through your words and actions. That is what offends God. Jesus reminds that God will one day judge based on their fruits!

• Matthew follows this discussion with a story of Jesus leaving the area and healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman. Canaanites were considered a Gentile. Gentiles were vile people because they did not observe the Law of Moses or the Oral Law. Not only were they unclean, but she was a Canaanite … a long despised people group of the Jews. Jesus mission during His time on earth was not to the Gentiles, but here this woman’s faith in Jesus is huge. What a sticking contrast to the previous discussion … one where Jews were considered unclean by other men for not washing their hands. Here is the great faith of a woman who was genuinely unclean but Jesus helped anyway. This shows the heart of Jesus mission to save all people.

• Matthew then shares the story of the feeding of the four thousand. This is a similar occurrence to the time where He feed five thousand. Here Jesus heart breaks and He has compassion on the people who have been following Him. I love Jesus. He is willing to go toe to toe with the religious elite of the day and confront their “wrongness,” while at the same time having compassion on those who desperately want to see Him at His core! Where do you find yourself?

 What is this passage teaching?

• The bulk of our reading today deals with the rules and regulations put on the people by the religious leader and religious observers of the day. They had all sorts of rules that controlled life. Jews evaluated other Jews by their religious observances rather than the condition of their heart. They watched how they observed the Sabbath. They watched their observance of their clean verses unclean lifestyle. They followed that up by observing a strict dress code. What this can lead to is feeling justified by observing Oral Traditions all the while missing God’s expectations like helping the poor, feeding the hungry, and rescuing those who are perishing without God.

• It’s funny how things really have not changed in the church age. Do we not do the same thing? We observe peoples attendance at church, especially Sunday mornings. We say they are super Christians when they are in attendance on Sunday and Wednesday nights. We teach and preach a healthy diet of all things Christian, and avoidance of things that are not; alcohol, nicotine, and R-rated movies.  We too judge people by what they wear … especially to church and church functions. We are no different, and the results are no different. Now by themselves keeping these things are not wrong. But when we feel justified in our following of Jesus by keeping these things, but are neglecting the needy, or hungry, or not winning souls to Jesus then our focus is in the wrong place.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Have you spent your life as a Christian strictly observing the churches rules and neglecting the needs of man? If so there is one thing you must do … repent. You are forgiven if you have been saved by Jesus. Repent and begin focusing on the needs of men. I used to attend a church in North Carolina that had as their mission statement connecting the heart of God to the hurt of men. I think that is a very applicable lesson for us. God wants us to follow Him and live righteous lives, but He also has given us, the individuals who make up the church, responsibilities to carry out. Live righteous but do not neglect the hearts and hurts of your family, your communities, and your church. 

January 15, 2014 – Matthew 11 – Childlike Faith

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• Jesus gave instructions in our last chapter to His disciples to send them out on their preaching, teaching, and healing journey. We can assume He sent them out. While they are out on their own, Jesus continues doing what He has been doing.

• His relative, John the Baptist, has been arrested for his own preaching and teaching. Whether John is confused or just unsure of exactly who Jesus is we do not necessarily know. We know that his life is shortly going to be taken from him. Maybe he is reflecting on life and wanting to be assured that it was not a waste and that Jesus really was the Messiah. So he sends his own disciples to ask Jesus.

• Jesus confirmed John’s question by presenting the evidence. The evidence strongly suggests that Jesus is the Messiah. All that the scripture talk about concerning the Messiah Jesus has done. John’s life was not lived in vain.

• Jesus then reminds the people who John was. He was not a polished man or even a wealthy man. He was a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. He is the man that the Old Testament writers prophesied would come. John played a special rule in the Kingdom of Heaven, leading the way for Jesus.

• Matthew takes a unique turn in verse twenty. At first glance it seems he is going onto a different topic about faith. But let’s connect the dots. He has just finished sharing what Jesus stated about John the Baptist. It takes some level of faith to believe that John was who he claimed to be, who the scripture predicted he would be, and who Jesus said he would be. Jesus carries on this idea of faith and belief that one must have to follow Jesus.

 What is this passage teaching?

• The underlying principle of this chapter is belief. John questioned his belief in Jesus. The crowds in a lot of ways had no idea who John was to rightfully believe in him. The cities that Jesus ministered to struggled to understand who Jesus was which lead to very little belief in the claims He made. Jesus then concludes this passage with a plea to God thanking him for childlike faith needed to believe in Jesus. Childlike faith doesn’t take much convincing. Childlike faith reacts on basic belief and understanding. This can be a good thing. Jesus then utter the famous words … “for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30 NIV). Jesus knows it is not the definitive proof that draws us to him, but childlike faith and the broken weary moments of life. For that Jesus is ready with His arms open wide.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• What leads you to doubt? What leads you to question Jesus? Jesus does not make belief in Him something hard to grasp. He compares it to childlike faith. All these people who encountered Jesus had the evidence of miracles, healings, and the casting out of demons. But they did not believe or have faith. Their reaction to Jesus will eventually be to chant “Crucify!” We are not witnesses to the miracles, healing, and the casting out of demons. We have to have childlike faith. We have to take the evidence presented before us and believe in Him through it. If your faith is wavering dive in and examine why. 

January 10, 2014 – Matthew 8 – Turning to Faith in Jesus Power

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. 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.

Please say an extra prayer today. Nearly 20 West Side Christians and Teens are in Gatlinburg for the Tennessee Christian Teen Convention. Pray that our travels will be safe. Pray that our teens will be challenged to follow Christ more closely with their lives. Pray that our youth group will bond tighter during our time away.

What Does this Passage Say?

• Our reading today focuses on Jesus power. Not only was Jesus the Son of God but He was God incarnate which means God in the flesh. Jesus had control over everything in creation. We see that when He heals the man’s leprosy. We experience His power over paralysis. We are marveled when we He heals Peters mother-in-law from her fever. We witness Jesus have power over the demons of the spiritual world. We are amazed as He speaks and calms the wind and the waves. And we are astonished when He cast the demons out into a herd of pigs. In this one chapter we see Jesus’ power over sickness, the spiritual world, and the physical laws of nature. Jesus is truly God in the flesh.

• Not only does this chapter highlight Jesus power, it also highlights what it is that invokes Jesus power …faith. The man with leprosy had faith that Jesus was able to heal him. The centurion’s faith amazed Jesus. These were people who were only given a glimpse of Jesus and they had great depths of faith.

• The people who shock us the most are Jesus own disciples. They are in a boat, rocking on the waves and scared for their lives. Jesus rebukes their lack of faith. They should have the greatest level of faith, they are with Jesus constantly, yet they have the weakest amount of faith. This is immediately contrasted by Matthew when pointing to the demons. They know who Jesus is. There is no level of faith on their part. They have seen Jesus from the beginning of time. They do not have faith; they have 100% belief in Jesus and His power and ability.

What is this passage teaching?

• This chapter teaches us a great lesson in faith. When we are willing to have faith, to put our trust in Jesus we can be confident that there is nothing more powerful than Him. He has power over sickness. He has power over the spiritual world. He has power over the physical laws of nature. We should take comfort in that knowledge. With that comfort and knowledge we can have faith in allowing Jesus to lead our lives.

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Are you currently going through the storms of life? Are you facing a sickness? Are you battling the temptation of Satan? Are you struggling with your finances? Has a physical calamity struck you and your family that you did not see coming? Where is your faith? Are you like the centurion or are you like the disciples? Try faith in Jesus for the next thirty days, relying on His strength and power and see if you find any strength and relief. 

January 2, 2014 – Matthew 2 – Trusting the evidence.

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 1. 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 Does this Passage Say?

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem a small hamlet in the region of Judea. Bethlehem is a bedroom community for the city of Jerusalem five miles away.
• Some wise men, how many we do not know, who come from eastern lands, more than likely the land of Babylon which had been conquered by the Medes and Persians (modern day Iraq), see a star in the sky and they follow it to Jerusalem looking for a king.
• It is interesting that they know what they are looking for. There is a lot of speculation about these wise men. These men are possibly the religious teachers of their day. They were the primary scholars of their day. With these roots they would be knowledgeable in astrology, astronomy, medicine, math, and natural sciences.
• With their educated backgrounds these men may have been experts in many different types of religious literature. The writings of the Jews would certainly be known to them since the Jews were once conquered by and lived under Babylonian and Persian rule. In fact several Jews had high ranking positions within Babylon and Persia … remember Daniel, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), Abednego (Azaria), and Ester (Hadassah).
• There is also a chance that these wise men that came had Jewish ancestry. When the Persians allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem during the times of Nehemiah and Ezra not all returned. Some had pretty good lives established in the land of captivity. Instead of returning many continued to live their lives in the new land. We do not know for sure, but some of these wise men may have been Jewish. This would give reason for their desire to worship … however, you did not have to be Jewish to worship.
• These wise men understood something that the Jews would later struggle with, they were expecting the birth of Jesus and they were looking for it. They were watching because they understood the words of the prophets and they believed them. When the wise men come looking for the child they begin by going to Herod, the King (Not really the king since Rome was in charge, but a title the Roman’s allowed him to keep).
• Herod struggled with this because he felt threatened. Now the Jewish priest and teachers of the Law understood the scriptures but they missed all the sings. This will be a theme of theirs for Jesus entire life.
• Herod sends the wise men on their way, to the town where the Priest said He would be born. He also tricks them making them believe he too wants to worship this new king. Fortunately for Jesus we learn that God intervened because Herod had other intentions.
• The wise men find Jesus just after following a star that lead them right to Him. Jesus was not in a stable and probably still not in a manger. Time has passed. The census that we learn of from Luke has passed and Mary and Joseph are now possibly the invited guest into someone’s home, home owners themselves, or renting a place (Joseph a carpenter would be able to find work in Bethlehem). There is a chance that Jesus is nearly two years old by this point. Later we learn that Herod wants all baby boys in and around Bethlehem that were two years or under killed. This possibly gives us Jesus age.
• The wise men present Jesus with an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. People have speculated about various spiritual implications of these gifts connecting them to Jesus life and mission, but we will not do that here. We do know this; there was a lot of value in the gifts they presented Jesus and His family with.
• When the wise men leave they do not go back to Herod because God directs them not to. Herod becomes furious and decides to kill all boys two and under. Jesus is not one of them, because God had already sent Jesus and His family to Egypt. The gift of the wise men would certainly help fun this journey.
• The family lives in Egypt until Herod dies and then they are lead to return home. The young family decides to return to their hometown, Nazareth to avoid any more threats on the child’s life from Herod’s son.

 What is this passage teaching?

• Throughout this passage Matthew references the prophetical writings of the Old Testament. Matthew established in our chapter one that Jesus had a strong linage from Abraham and David. Now in chapter two He established Jesus divine linage. Jesus just was not some child that was randomly born. His life was planned and the events of His life foretold through the prophets; the place of His birth, the result of His birth leading to weeping in Bethlehem, and His growing up in Nazareth. Matthew wanted His audience to understand Jesus was from God and all along part of God’s plan.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Friends … Jesus wasn't a mistake. God had a plan for Jesus all along. He sent His son to us in a prescribed way giving us a lot of evidence to make faith in Him something easy. God never wanted salvation to be something hard … if He did, He would have made it something we had to do. No Jesus came so that He could save us from our sins. Do not beat yourself up and do not struggle trying to save yourself. Jesus has done that for you. He asks us to have faith, confess and repents our sins, accept Him as Lord and savior, and then die a death in the watery graves of baptism. What I love about God is He gives us so much evidence to believe in Son!

October 15 – Mark 4-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Mark 4-5. 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.

In our reading today Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by demons. His case is severe. They have caused the man to live in a cemetery because of his wild behavior. He could no longer be restrained because he broke the chains and shackles. There was no one strong enough subdue the man and he spent his days wandering the hills and caves howling and hurting himself. When Jesus arrives on the scene he comes out to great Jesus. To a normal person we might have run at the sight of this man, but Jesus did not.

Why? Because the man came before Jesus paying the utmost respect and honor due to the creator of all things. Does that response startle you? It should. People do not just run up to someone and bow before them. It happens here because the demons possessing this man know who Jesus is, “With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, do not torture me!” (Mark 5:7 NLT) When this demon saw Jesus he knew immediately who he was.

While the people traveling with Jesus were still not sure who he was … remember the scene before in Mark 4 when Jesus calmed the storm they were left questioning who Jesus was that the wind and the waves obey him … this demon knows Jesus! There was no doubt in their minds who He was and why He was here on this earth. He was here to end the reign of Satan. He was here to end their reign of terror and ultimately crush evil and death.

Do you believe with the same conviction in Jesus that the demons did? While they rejected obedience to God, they believed in God, they believed in Jesus, and they knew that their days were numbered. This may sound odd, but we should develop the level of faith the demons possessed … just do not follow their example of obedience to God. 

September 17 – Ezra 1-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezra 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.

Are you willing to stand strong under persecution to carry out the will of God? That is a big and important question all followers of God must answer at some point in life. God does not always call us to do the safe things for Him. God does not always ask us to go where it will take no stretching of faith to go. God wants to mold us and shape us and sometimes that means we must go through some hard times.

Today we started the book of Ezra. Ezra is called by God to go back to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple of God in the city. All the prophecies pointing to the hope of the return from exile are now beginning to be played out. Their work however is met with obstacles. There are people living in the land who do not want the exiles to return. Some of these people were other nationalities brought in from regions all around when the Babylonians exiled the Jews. Some of these are Jews who were not faithful and may have been left behind in the land. Read again these words of Ezra 3:3 … “Even thought the people were of afraid of the local residents, they built the altar at its old site.” (NLT) Even though they were afraid, thy built anyway.

What is God asking you to that will stretch your faith and trust in Him? Are willing to do it, or are you going to shyly step back and do what is only in your comfort zone. Some of the greatest change this world has ever seen was because people allowed God to stretch them. How can God use you?

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. 

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. 

July 30 – Isaiah 54-58

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 54-58. 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.

I am back. Camp was a blast. Unfortunately I did not get to get near my computer long enough to write blog post or even upload the readings to the blog. When was on my computer I spent it writing things specifically for camp. I apologize for that. I now plan to be back to my normal schedule. Thank you for your patience.

I have also found a renewed freshness to my reading. The break has done me some good. When I came to read the word today I found so many different topics to write about. When we dive into the word of God each day, especially reading it in this chronological order we find very similar topics day after day. We have heard from many prophets over the past month or so about the coming destruction of Israel and Judah. You might find comfort to know that I am ready for it to happen so we can move onto something a little more uplifting.

Today I found three independent areas I want to draw thoughts from. To cover all three means I am only going to be able to do a smattering of justice to each of them. Let’s begin.

God often compares His relationship to us by reminding us of our own family relations. In our reading today we found these words … “For the LORD has called you back from your grief-as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband.” (Isaiah 54:6 NLT) Why would God use such an analogy? Because he knows we understand the emotions tied to this idea of abandonment. Some of you reading this may know from a painful past what abandonment feels like, so when you read this, deep emotion pulses through your veins. For others, while not experiencing this can relate, you understand the emotions. God uses what we know and experience to relate to us, and for all of us family relations are our first community experiences.

God relates to us this way because God is not us, but He wants to do life with us, so He has to relate how He created us to relate. God is bigger and more diverse than we are. The second thing I noticed today is a reminder that we are not God, and we do not think like God thinks. Read these words again … ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT) Because God is so much more than we are, He must communicate with us in a way we can connect with. God is too vast to interact with.

Last week during camp I taught a class on baptism. On Thursday I had a roundtable discussion with all the kids wanting to be baptized. They asked about how Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit could all be one. I cannot really explain it, especially to fourth and fifth graders. It is a concept that is incredibly hard to wrap our brains around. It is something that requires faith. And you know what? That is absolutely ok. God is so much more than we can understand. That is ok!

The final thing I found while reading is some comfort from Isaiah. Often we see bad things happen to good people and wander why. Sometimes it is even the loss of a family member, a friend, or even a faithful church member. But when they are in Christ, is it really that much of a loss? Maybe for us it is. But is it for them? Absolutely not! Isaiah gives us some insight into God’s plans and offers a little comfort … “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” (Isaiah 57:1 NLT) When I look at our world, I am reminded that to be home with the father is much better than to be present on this earth. We should long to be homesick. While someone’s death from this world leaves a hole in our heart, if they are in Christ, then they are home; somewhere we should long to be.

July 16 – Isaiah 13-17

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 13-17. 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.

We are drawing near to the end of both Israel and Judah as nations. It seems like every generation has struggled to follow God. So now God is predicting their destruction. This prediction for Judah is not an empty threat. This prediction is coming with some specifics. God calls out the nation he will use to deliver the blow … the Babylonians.

When we read chapter thirteen of Isaiah we see this prediction given through Isaiah’s words. What amazes me is that while God is going to use Babylon it does not mean he approves of their actions, their worship, or their lifestyles. Does this give you some idea at how horrible God’s so-called consecrated people had become? In the same chapter where God proclaims he is going to use Babylon to pour out his vengeance he also says he is going to one day destroy them. And again he gives indication of who will bring their end … the Medes.

God’s hand on the movements of nations is amazing. It makes me wonder what it is God is up to here in America. Sure we have free will, but I wonder if God is at work preparing and doing something that we are just not aware of. All I know is that to those faithful, to those who follow God, who continue to worship, God will honor. All I know is we can never stop sharing the love of God. Israel and Judah held off God’s wrath because they repented and worshiped; they listen to the words of God’s messengers the prophets. Maybe it is our responsibility as the faithful to be God’s messengers today. Maybe it is taking the frog in the kettle, things heating up real fast that will wake us up. I pray this is the case. 

July 14 – Micah 1 – 7

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Micah 1 – 7. 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 often find myself in groups of Christians who are struggling with the current state of politics and sin running rampant throughout our present day America. I understand and often agree with them that things are not like they used to be. It saddens me to see that many in our nation no longer find direction and strength in the Word of God like they used to. It saddens me that our leadership on so many levels does not see eye to eye with me when it comes to what we have termed social issues.

While I am saddened, today’s reading reminds me who is in charge. Read these words again from Micah 1:5 “And why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel – yes, the sins of the whole nation. Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!” (Micah 1:5 NLT) Throughout the rest Micah’s message we see him preach destruction and hope like other prophets, but he also points to the root of this societal degradation. The sinful leadership of the nations kings and rulers.

Friends, I see a lot of similarities between our nation and the nations of Israel. However, as American citizens we hold some power. I am not convinced that politics is the answer to our nation’s problems. I believe the answer is Jesus Christ and following the teachings of God’s word, the only written truth that exist. Change people and you change the political system in our nation. To change Washington and Columbus (or wherever your state capital is) you must change the hearts of those elected. It also means electing people who have a heart bent on Jesus.

July 8 – 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26. 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 Office Clip Art

Chains are designed to be hard to break, depending on its design and how much weight you put on it. When you have a project in need of a chain you go to the hardware store and purchase the chain designed for your use and weight you need to put on it. Today in our reading we see a chain of kings in the northern kingdom of Israel who did not follow God. A chain of destruction had been created and it was very hard to break.

Look at your family chain. Maybe you come from a family where following God has not been part of it. Maybe you are the first in your family in generations to really live a life with a relationship with Jesus. Maybe you have stepped up and out and are working to break that chain. At times though you have noticed it is hard when you have family outings, or get togethers, or celebrations or simply conversations where they are trying to pull you back into the chain. Be the broken link in the chain and continue to lean on God and pull your strength from him. Maybe with your leaning on God you will establish a new chain for your family and the generations to come.

Maybe the chain for you is a family heritage that serves God. What a wonderful heritage for you? Work hard in your family to continue that chain and its strength as you pass on faith to the next generation. Do not be like the kings of Judah who seesawed in faith up and down with each new king who sat on the throne. Learn what it will take to raise kids who are devoted followers of Jesus.

July 2 – 2 Kings 1-4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 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.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Most days I try to have something spiritual to say about our daily Bible reading. Every day the Bible teaches us great lessons. Every day there is a devotional thought we can pull from the text. But you know sometimes reading the Bible is simply fun. It’s like playing in the water while trying to give a dog a bath. It’s like going down that first hill on a rollercoaster. It’s like sitting down to read a novel that will take you to a far away land. It is simply fun. Today was one of those days. It’s not overly confusing. It’s not hard to get mental images of the text in your minds. The Bible paints a graphic image of an amazing exchange of prophetical leadership between Elijah and Elisha.

In fact it is here my wife’s favorite Bible story appears in the text … look back at the story in 2 Kings 2:23-25. I listen to the Bible on my iPad from YouVersion each morning while I am getting ready and when she heard this she shouted with excitement … “This is my story!”  Elisha is returning the Bethel, he is mocked by some youths where he decides to call a curse on them. Two bears appear mauling forty-two of the youths. I do not know why this is Crystal’s favorite story in the Bible but it is.

So do you find the Bible fun to read? Do you have a favorite story? Share in the comments below. 

June 25 – 1 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 13-16

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 13-16. 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 want to start by apologizing about yesterday’s post. I realized this morning that I failed to give the correct scripture notations for that. If you want to go back and read everything in context I have fixed the post.

Today’s post is a hard one to write about. It contains a lot of history. It contains a lot of ups and downs in the reign of Judah’s kings. At times they are following God, and at other times they turn their backs on him. When they follow him God gives them amazing results, but when they do not they see defeat.

How often does that same scenario play out in your own life? I bet it does more than we care to acknowledge. God does not want us part of the time. He does not want us when things are going good. God wants relationship with us through all times. He wants us to remain faithful and true no matter what is going on in life. He does not want us filling voids in the pleasures of the world. He wants us filling the voids with him and his spirit.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

April 26 – Psalms 73, 77, & 78

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 73, 77, & 78. 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.

One of the questions that seems to come up when things happen such as the Boston Marathon Bombings, or when we see cancer strike a loyal and faithful follower of God, is why do bad things happen to good people and why do good things seem to happen to bad people? David seems to ask that same question today in Psalms 73. Read again just a sampling of his words … “They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Psalms 73:6-7 NLT)

It’s something we have all seemed to ask from time to time. It’s an observation we have all made at some point. We see the wicked, the crooked, and the relentless get the bigger house and the nicer cars, all while seeing people who seem to sacrifice everything live on the edges of poverty. In our earthly mind something just does not seem to add up right. But let me remind you what David realized himself … “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slipper path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.” (Psalms 73:17-18 NLT) Remember, this world is not our home. If we belong to Christ our rewards are not on this earth. While those who pursued the lustful desires of this world, while skipping a relationship with Jesus Christ, got their rewards here in this life, those who belong to Christ will spend eternity experiencing their prize … God himself!

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

April 2 – Judges 8-9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Judges 8-9. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Sometimes we just need a good reminder that we are all in this together. As Gideon was winding down his campaign his men are growing hungry and they are told to wait until after the battle by two fellow cities before they will feed his three-hundred men. As we know food is fuel for the body. Imagine fighting battles in those days ... An army had to walk to the battle. Each soldier had to carry their own supplies. The battles themselves took physical strength to accomplish. Food was essential. Two towns tell them to finish the campaign before they give them food. For this Gideon brings destruction. It was for their worship, their peace, and their protection that Gideon was bringing this battle before them.

Friends, as Christians we need to remember we are in this together. Too many times we fight trivial battles. Too many times we fight against the direction the world is moving. I am convinced that one of Satan’s tactics is to get us fighting and arguing amongst ourselves and not trying to love and lead people to a life changing relationship with Jesus. If we would just love one another as well as others, I think we could see a drastically different world. We need to unite together, draw together and serve together so that destruction to ourselves doesn't happen and so Christ is glorified.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

March 29 – Joshua 22-24

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Joshua 22-24. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Sometimes you have to make the best out of a bad situation. You weren’t going to get a blog post today because my family and I are on the road to Florida to visit Crystal’s mom and step-father. However, as we got off the interstate in Knoxville to get gas our serpentine system in our van completely locked up. So now after getting my van towed, I am sitting in McDonalds doing my blog post and waiting on a mechanic to call me. So by our misfortune you get your daily Bible reading! God provides.

We learn a good lesson in our reading today. We have to be careful that the symbols we erect are in the proper context. The Israelites living on the east side of the Jordan who got their inheritance before entering into the Promised Land return home after all the battles and erect a memorial. However, the priest and the Israelites leaders see this and fear it will become an altar to God. A quick side note … it is a wise choice not to jump to conclusions. I think we need to be careful to not always seek the worst out of people. Back to our story … the Israelites affirm them that this is not an altar but simply a memorial.

Memorials are important. They remind us about things from our past. Our nation is full of them. Just spend an hour in Washington D.C. you will find a plethora of them. Joshua even lead the Israelites in the creation of one after they crossed the Jordan on dry ground. We will see one erected during Samuel’s era called an Ebenezer stone reminding the Israelites of how far God had brought them.

Do you have events in your life where you could use a memorial to remind you of what God did for you? Let me caution you though, make sure that the memorial does not become on object of worship. A memorial is a simple reminder. Take things such as the cross … to some it is an object of worship, but this should never be. It is a simple reminder of what God did for us through Jesus on the cross.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.