February 2, 2014 – Psalms 13 & 14 – God is there!

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.

As we venture through the Psalms and Proverbs portion of our reading it will take on more of a devotional thought and less of the passage teaching of the New Testament study.

There are times in life where God feels distant. There are times in life where we feel that we are on an island all alone, even though we are surrounded by people. David felt that way throughout his life. But he knew that God was there and that even though he felt distant from God he put his trust in God. He knew God’s love was never failing and that God offered ultimate salvation. When you feel alone, when you feel distant from God, remember He is there, and His love is never failing. 

January 28, 2014 – Matthew 20 – God's Grace

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 has completely rejected the standards of the Pharisees. He has spoken and taught in ways that others do not. Now as He seeks to establish His kingdom, He is about to go above and beyond what man deems as fair. He illustrates that with a story about a land owner hiring men. In a lot of cultures throughout the world the poor often find work each day instead of having a steady job. They go to the market place and an employer hires them for a predetermined and agreed upon wage. The worker is then paid at the end of the day. Throughout the day In Jesus story more men are added to the workforce. When the day is over, the employer decides to be generous and pays all hired men the same wage regardless of the time they have put in.

• This angers the men who have been present all day. Jesus compares this decision to be generous to the grace that comes from Christ. It is a teaching that many Christians struggle with, especially those who have been faithful for many years. We often wander why someone who gives a death bed confession is rewarded with the same gift of eternity that the lifelong follower of Jesus is given? We miss the grace that God has chosen to bestow upon mankind.

 What is this passage teaching?

• God’s grace and forgiveness is for Him to decide. It is God who chose to give grace and salvation to mankind regardless of when they chose Him. It is God who elevates to the proper place in His kingdom, not necessarily Jesus. It is God who heals the pains of this life. This passage is teaching and reminding us that God is in control, and that God has chosen compassion and grace.

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• One thing I struggle with is people who want the worst for those who have done horrible things. Do not misread me … I am not advocating that there should not be consequences for a man’s sins and the crimes he commits against another man. My argument here is completely about the man’s eternal resting place. It is not for me to decide who God pours His grace upon. Whether it is a man who has lived his entire life following God, or a man who comes to Jesus after doing horrible things, I want all mankind to know and experience the Kingdom of Heaven.

Examine your heart and ask yourself these questions. Do I believe a person as evil as Adolf Hitler should be in Heaven? Do I watch a murder trial like 2013 trail of George Zimmerman and wish the worst for him? Do I see a sexual predator and desire for him to spend eternity in Hell? I am not saying there should not be consequences for these men and their actions. For the crimes committed on earth there should be consequences for those crimes, and I am even ok with the ultimate punishment of death. But at the same time it breaks my heart to know that any person, regardless of the life they have lived, has the chance of spending eternity without God and not in the Kingdom of Heaven. If it does not break your heart that these and others like them may spend eternity in Hell, I believe this is an area you need to start praying about. God’s grace is for all mankind regardless of the wrongs one has committed. 

October 21 – Mathew 17 & Mark 9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 15 & Mark 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: sean/mundy

Every year I spend a week at Butler Springs Christian Camp serving a week of camp with fourth and fifth graders. This is the first full week that campers come and spend an entire week, Sunday through Friday, at camp. One of the issues we always face is homesickness. For many this is their first time away from home without parents or other family members with them. For many this is their first time disconnected from technology. For many of them this is their first time really getting dirty, playing in the woods, and learning about Jesus. With all this new or different stuff going on homesickness can show up.

Jesus has spent around thirty years on this earth by the time we find Him in our reading today. He takes the three disciples of His inner development circle up onto the mountainside with Him. He leaves the remaining nine at their basecamp in town. On the mountain side God shows up in a powerful way along with Elijah and Moses. God shares with all present that Jesus is His son. For a brief moment Jesus is reminded that this earth, full of all its dirt and grime, its lack of glory, is not His home; He is just temporarily visiting.

Immediately on their return home Jesus is reminded of the differences between earth and heaven … He is certainly not in heaven any more. The disciples left behind have been unsuccessful at casting out a destructive demon from the body of a young boy. The father comes to Jesus asking Him to do what the disciples could not … heal His boy. Jesus then utters these harsh words … “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (Matthew 17:17 NLT) I wander what the tone and volume of these words was. Regardless Jesus is sharing His heart. Hours before He was reminded that this earth is not His home. He was in the presence once again of God and now He has returned to the grime of our lives. How He must have been homesick.

What caused Him to be here? It was His love for us and His desire to restore the relationship torn apart because of sin. Jesus put up with all the messed up stuff we offer so that He could do life with us again. For that I am thankful. 

September 12 – Joel 1-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Joel 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: Matt Molly

In the ancient world one way to show grief, shock, or repentance was by tearing your clothing from the neck down. This was an outward symbol of what was going on in the mind and heart in the moment of anguish. In our twenty-first century minds this is an odd way to show grief. But in reality until recently we had some similar practices … wearing only black to a funeral … as a minister I attend many funerals, people no longer wear solid black to funerals. I am sure there are other ways today that we show morning through our outward appearances.

God knew this practice existed and in the return from exile, He wanted His people to turn back to Him. “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Do not tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate.” (Joel 2:12-13 NLT).

So while we may show the physical signs of mourning, I do not believe that is enough. I believe we must turn to God. We must find comfort and strength in Him. In God we should find our medicine. Only in God will true joy be realized. In cognitive thinking that is an easy thing to do. But in a practical application it is harder. Doing so will be something that takes effort, thought, and time to develop into a habit. To tear your heart and not your clothes is giving it to God because only He can mend the torn heart. 

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. 

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)

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 3 – 2 Kings 5-8

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

Sometimes we have to learn the hard way don’t we? Maybe it is repeating history. People tend to make the same mistakes each and every generation has. Maybe it is accomplishing a task. For some reason we just do not see the easy way of doing something, so we spend our time learning to do it the hard way. Maybe at times it’s our bullheadedness. Sure we could do it the easy way, but that would mean listening to someone else, or giving in, or acknowledging you just do not have all the answers.

Today we saw a man almost let his pride take him the hard way. Naaman had leprosy. His wife’s servant shared with him about the prophet Elisha and his ability to heal Naaman. So Naaman left his nation of Aram and went to Israel to seek Elisha. Elisha told Naaman to go to the Jordan River and dip himself to wash seven times. Well Naaman had seen the Jordan as he crossed over it and believed it was nowhere near as nice as the rivers back in his homeland. So he thought this advice was silly. Luckily for him, he had wise officers with him.

These officers reasoned with him sharing this idea … “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, would not you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured.!” (2 Kings 5:13 NLT). So where do I need to say that to you? Why do you try the hard route when honoring God can contain the simple route? Why are you willing to do the hard things for God but completely ignore the simple things that build a solid foundation for spiritual growth?

June 27 – 1 Kings 17-19

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 17-19. 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: Group Publishing Vacation Bible School 

Last week West Side conducted our annual Vacation Bible School program. We had a terrific week with many children learning about God. The theme line for the week was God Helps Us Stand Strong. Over and over again we heard the phrase Stand Strong. I have heard it so much that it slipped its way into my sermon last Sunday and it is the overall theme of my sermon this Sunday. With that thought on the brain it was easy to navigate to that idea when reading about Elijah this morning.

Elijah took many risks on behalf of God. He went to Ahab and told him that God was going to shut of the rain from the sky for three years. He went and lived in the valley until the water dried up. He boldly asked for bread from the widow. He raised her son back to life. He stood on Mount Carmel and prayed a simple prayer to God. He ordered all the prophets of Baal killed. He stood before God at Mt. Horeb. To do any of those things, to stand strong, Elijah had to know that God was standing with him.

Do you know that and do you believe that? God is standing with you and because God is standing with you … you can stand strong. When culture tells you to do one thing, but God tells you another, remember you can stand strong. When sin is inviting remember with God you can stand strong. When you want to share your faith, but are nervous, God tells you to stand strong. Elijah had the same power of God beside him that you and I have today. So Stand Strong!

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.

June 16 – 1 Kings 9 & 2 Chronicles 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 9 & 2 Chronicles 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.

One of the reasons God allows the construction of the Temple is to make his known and as a place for His name to be honored. We see him share that a few times throughout our reading … “this place you have built where my name will be honored forever.” (1 Kings 9:3 NLT) or “This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God.’” (1 Kings 9:8-9 NIV) The Temple was the physical representation of God in the world.

As we have said several times through this blog we know the Temple no longer exists. In fact the Temple that Solomon built was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Temple was rebuilt during the return from exile and is made even grander by Herod the Great. Finally in A.D. 70 that Temple is destroyed to never be built again. But that is ok, because before its destruction, God left the building. Upon doing so the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple tore in two, indicating that God no longer considered it home (Matthew 27:51).

Leaving the Temple did not leave God homeless. Soon he took up residence in the very heart of believers. That is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that all Christians receive upon salvation. Now we are considered the Temple of God. Let me ask you … Are you helping God’s name be honored as the Temple? Are you helping make his name famous? Or are you hurting his name, making him look foolish? These are all strong questions we must continually ask ourselves.

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.

June 12 – 1 Kings 8 & 2 Chronicles 5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 8 & 2 Chronicles 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.

There is just something magnificent about our reading today. I don’t know if it stirrers you as you read the account the way it does me. Just imagine having the privilege to be witness to God’s very prescience. Now I know and understand as Christians we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit inside us and that he is doing life with us in a different way than what he did with Abraham’s decedents. But still to see a physical manifestation of God would have been amazing.

In our reading we watched as the Priest carried the Ark of the Covenant and placed it into the Holy of Holies … the most sacred place in the Temple. As the Ark is placed there and the Priest continued their worship God takes up residence in the Temple … “When the priest came out of the Holy Place, a thick clouded filled the Temple of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8:10 NLT) God was now in His house and taking up permanent residence. I certainly wish I could see something like that!

Here’s the cool thing … one day I will. But what I will see will be much better. What I will see will not be a cloud representing God’s prescience … No! Because I know Christ as Lord and Savior I will stand before the throne of the Living God, bowing down in worship for all eternity. For that I am grateful, excited, and anxiously awaiting!

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.

June 6 – Proverbs 10 - 12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Proverbs 10 - 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.

God loves for his children to be honest. Read these proverbs again … “The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” (Proverbs 11:1 NLT) or “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.” (Proverbs 11:5 NLT) or “The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.” (Proverbs 11:20 NLT). Detest is used twice to describe God’s view of dishonesty. Detests is a strong word.

Let me ask you do your actions in life please God or do you give him opportunities to detest your actions? That is a question you must ask yourself whenever weighing between right and wrong.

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.

May 26 – Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, & 145

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, & 145. 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 we are reminded by the Psalms that our entire lives matter to God. In Psalm 139:13 we read “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” These simple words remind us that God was the one designing us and creating every facial feature, every personality quirk, and every line in our finger print.

As we keep reading today we are reminded that God’s work did not stop at birth. He is involved today as well. “Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.” (Psalms 144:7 NLT) Or “The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.” (Psalms 145:17-20 NLT) What a great reminder that God is involved in our every day lives. I find comfort in that, do you?

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.

May 18 – Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, & 64

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, & 64. 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.

Some of the best memories I have of my life include times of worship. As a follower of Christ for my entire life I have had numerous intimate moments of worship. Some of them have been in a corporate setting at church or at convention, and others have been while I have been alone, with no one else around. The settings are different, but on the memorable instances one thing stands true; I have entered the sanctuary of God.

In David’s time on the run, entering God’s sanctuary of worship might be just what sustained his life. Read again David’s words … “I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O LORD, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glorious presence dwells.” (Psalms 26:6-8 NLT). David had such a relationship with God that he was able to enter God’s sanctuary.

I have connected with God several times in my life where I feel I have entered his sanctuary. All those times are when I come to worship already feeling closer to God. If you want to enter God’s sanctuary and truly feel his presence it is something you will have to foster long before entering worship.

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.

May 15 – 2 Samuel 13-15

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Samuel 13-15. 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.

Sin has consequences. One of the greatest examples of this fact if found in the life of David. David succumbed to the lust of the flesh, committing adultery with Bathsheba, impregnating her, and killing her husband to cover it up. His sin did not remain hidden from the eyes of God. Because of his sin the child born out of the adultery died and God told him family strife would ensue. That is exactly what we see play out in his family today. Amnon, one of David’s son’s, falls in love with his half sister, the whole sister of Absalom. He tricks her and rapes her. David hears of this and essentially does nothing. So Absalom takes matters into his own hands, eventually killing his brother. After a time in personal exile, Absalom returns home, wins the favor of the people and dethrones his father, sending David on the run for the second time in his life.

In the midst of this story David is persuaded/tricked into extending grace to Absalom by a woman. Her words remind us of a very important truth about God … “All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” (2 Samuel 14:14 NLT) I love it. God does not sweep life away, he devises ways to bring us back. Friends that is exactly what the story of Jesus is all about. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins to die for us. In Jesus forgiveness is found.

However, in that process we also learn another thing from David. David as we learned yesterday in Psalms found forgiveness from God and the freedom from confession. But there were still consequences for David’s sin. It’s like the alcoholic, in Christ forgiveness and redemption is found, but there is still consequences for the years spent drinking; possible cirrhosis of the liver. Or think about the person who lived a promiscuous life. There is freedom and healing from sexual sin in Jesus, but the consequences of sin might still plague someone in the form of STD’s.

Freedom from confession, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life in the presence of God is possible. But like David the consequences may be long term. If that is your situation, take comfort knowing grace is sufficient and life in Christ promises life with God eternally.

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.

May 12 – Psalms 65 – 67 & 69 -70

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 65 – 67 & 69 -70. 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 Clipart

God is creator of everything that exists. There are some who believe in no God at all. There are others who do not want to argue whether there is God or not. Then you have a group that believes there is a God, but beyond creation he has nothing to do with this globe. They believe that God created everything in existence, set the laws of science into motion, and than walked away taking a cosmic vacation. Those folks tend to be called deist.

David was not a deist. We see that in our reading today in the very first chapter. David wrote … “You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain for you have ordered it so.” (Psalms 65 NLT) God is not some big cosmic being that created, started, and then walked away. God is involved in the intricate details of our world each and every day.

Why is this so? Because God loves and cares about His creation. He made us to have relationship with us. He wants to know what is going on in our lives. He wants to be the person we run to when we are hurting and when we are celebrating. God created you for intimacy with him. I am thankful for that!

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.

May 10 – Psalms 50, 53, 60, & 75

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 50, 53, 60, & 752 Samuel 8-9 & 1 Chronicles 18. 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 Psalms 50:7-15 the psalmist, speaking as God reminds us that nothing on this earth is out of the dominion of God. Everything is his. While this is not necessarily the intended teaching of this passage, it is a great reminder that nothing on this earth belongs to us; all of it is God’s. Is this fact something you think about often?

Let me challenge you to think of all things in this way. When you do it will change and shape the way you approach life. You will see all as blessings from God. It might cause you to take better care of the possessions which God has entrusted into your care because they are His and not yours. Remembering that all belongs to God and you are just a caretaker might even cause you to be a little more generous as God has been with you. I wonder how that might impact the world we life in.

How do you think this simple mind shift might disturb they way you move through life?

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.

May 7 – 2 Samuel 6 – 7 & 1 Chronicles 17

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Samuel 6 – 7 & 1 Chronicles 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.

After David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and reestablishes its role amongst the Israelites, David has a stark revelation. I can just imagine him sitting in his palace, looking around at the sturdiness, the protection, the comfort that it provided him, and realizing God’s “physical” home amongst the Israelites did not compare. When David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem he erected a tent. He did this because this is all they ever knew as a home for the Ark.

A tent is all the Tabernacle was. A tent was the only practical choice for their place of worship during the days of the wilderness when they would be moving around. This was still a perfect choice during the days of the conquest when they were still occupying the land. Even during the judge’s period, when no central “king” or capital city was established. But now, life was different, a monocracy had been established, and David had selected a capital city for Israel.

So David compares and contrasts his home to the home of God amongst Israel and he says something is not right. He decides he wants to build a permanent home for God, one that would protect the Ark of the Covenant which was the physical representation of God. This is a noble thing, but because of David’s past, God says he will not get the privilege, that privilege will come to one of his children.

Now in our culture and world today there is no temple, at least not one made by brick and mortar. Upon Jesus death on the cross, the Temple in Jerusalem was vacated by God because he had found a new home. He had found a home in the heart of every immersed believer of Jesus Christ. As a Christian, who now serves as a living temple for the Living God I think its wise for us to ask the same question David asked … What kind of temple are we? Is the temple where God resides today up to the standards it should be? Does God’s temple, your body, reflect the home He should have?

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.

March 25 – Joshua 9-11

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Joshua 9-11. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

If you will let God, He will do for you what He wants to do for you. Read that again … If you will let God, He will do for you what He wants to do for you. I feel the important part of that is “if you will let God.” God has desires for you, God wants to work in powerful ways for you, but too many times we stand in his way. Too many times we try to do it ourselves. Too many times we do not wait for God to act.

The Israelites almost messed it up in today’s reading … They made a treaty with the Gibeonites without consulting God … “So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD.” Joshua 9:14 NLT. God wanted to deliver the Israelites from all the people of the land. They did not consult him, and we will see as the story unfolds whether or not they will become a throne in their flesh.

So where in your life have you done this? God wants to do for you what He wants to do for you. But the question is, are you going to stand in the way, move faster than God plans to move, or do it on your own? Or are you going to let Him work?

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.