November 22 – James 1 - 5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from James 1 - 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.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

God has a wonderful sense of timing. Today he showed himself to me in a powerful way. My heart is hurting right now. I just have a mix of emotions flooding my mind. I have struggled to be productive, to write, to listen, and to worship because my heart has been heavy. I am not going to skirt around the truth … sometimes ministry is hard. Sometimes I get deflated. Sometimes people can sting. Often it is a culmination of things over a longer period of time.

Oh there are joys. The mountain tops are amazing. Watching someone come to Jesus is the greatest joy any minister could see and participate in. Watching people grow in Christ is just as rewarding. Participating in the weddings and funerals of members are both rewarding in their own ways. Being able to walk with church members in the trials of their lives gives ministry a real sense of purpose. Being able to communicate and teach the text of God’s Word is an immense responsibility and pleasure. I truly love my job.

But then there are seasons where I doubt my leadership. There are seasons when I doubt my strength. There are seasons I look at what I have been called to and think it is way above my own abilities and knowledge. I think these thoughts because I am serving real people, with real desires, with real problems, with real limitations, with real personalities, with real sin issues, and with real life happing.

Before reading today I sat down broken. I tried reading some blogs, but they just reminded me of another area of my life that I feel is not where I desire it to be. Thankfully that has all happened because it took me to my prayer journal. It forced me to go to the only place I could … to God. I sat and wrote my heart break before God. I turned on a cover of Wrecking Ball and God spoke to me. I then listened to Garden by NEEDTOBREATH and worship ensued. As I wrote I poured my heart to God through writing and another song Rest by Carrolton. Through it all God and I connected in a way that I had put off far too long.

And then God reminded me what trials and difficulties are in place for. When I sat down to read, and came to the passage I laughed. It is James 1. After his greeting James gives rather strange advice … “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:24 NIV) Here I am broken, going through trial, and it all erupts on the day we are scheduled to read this passage.

God I love you. I love your timing. I love your comfort. I love your strength. Thank you for your amazing reminder that you have a plan. Thank you for your reminder that you are involved in my life. Thank you for the reminder that you are running me through the fire to mold me and shape me into the creation you desire me to be. I know that when I walk with you, nothing is too big, or too out of reach, because of who you are. Thank you for the reminder that when I am hurting, I can turn to you! God I love you. 

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October 2 – Matthew 1 & Luke 2

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

The story of Jesus birth and all that happened are simply wonderful and amazing. Matthew starts his Gospel with what some might consider a boring genealogy. This genealogy however establishes Jesus as first being a Jew and second being from the right family tree as predicted by God. This was an incredibly foundation for Matthew to build upon.

What I also love about our reading is the awesome events that play out.

•   Joseph is visited by an angel in a dream – Matthew 1:18-25
•  Shepherds are sent to Bethlehem to see the child because angels visited them – Luke 2:8-20
• When Jesus is presented at the temple two people offer amazing prophecies, first by Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 and second by Anna – Luke 2:26-40.

 This birth is special. There is now way around it. Joseph and Mary had to know that what was happening was all because of God. How would you have felt to be chosen by God to do something so great? Would it have been hard or easy to accept knowing your life was going to drastically change? These are tough questions to answer. 

September 23 – Esther 1-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Esther 1-5. 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.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

The decisions we make have consequences. No matter how trivial or important they are, they all have consequences. It is always wise to make decisions when we are thinking calmly and with the right people around us. King Xerxes failed at this on two occasions today in our reading. The first is during a long feast and celebration the king was throwing. When his wife refused to parade herself before the guest, in anger the King did something he refused. The king turned to his trusted advisors and they encouraged him to make an example of the queen by banishing her.  

Having trusted advisors is important, but having the correct advisors is even more important. Xerxes listens to their ill advice and soon begins to regret his actions … “But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made.” (Esther 2:1 NLT) Had he waited until he was no longer angry, he might have made a better decision.

Xerxes did not learn from his first mistake, and the second time and entire race of peoples lives are put on the line. Haman has a personal hate campaign against the Jews, and seeks to use his position

with the king to wipe them out. Without doing any research, without pausing to think through the ramifications, Xerxes gives the go ahead for Haman to carry out his terrible plot. Fortunately as we will see tomorrow God is in control, and Esther is in position for such a time as this.

What about you? Do you ever react before thinking things through? Do you allow your anger or your carelessness to get the best of you? Let Xerxes teach you an important lesson, surround yourself with people who will give you wise advice, and allow yourself some time to think before hitting send. 

September 19 – Haggai 1 & 2

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

When Ezra leads a team back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple they face a wave of opposition and stop their work. For years the Temple remains and unfinished construction site. To us in the Cincinnati area this reminds me of the unfinished tower at Kenwood Mall. God uses a prophet named Haggai to preach a message that would spur the work to begin again. Read again God’s argument … “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4 NLT) What an awesome argument for God to give.

So how does that apply to our lives today since God no longer resides in a Temple made of wood and stone? Today God lives in a Temple made of flesh and bone. When Christ died on the cross God left the physical temple in Jerusalem. On the day or Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those who encountered a life saving relationship with Jesus God took up residence in His new Temple, the heart of man. So how does His Temple look today? Does His Temple look good and flashy on the outside, but on the inside the heart is torn up, rotting away, close to crumbling any day? Are we guilty of the same accusation that God waged against Ezra and His contemporaries?

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Haggai also taught me a second lesson today. God reminds the people that He is in charge. He reminds the people that they thought they would have a good harvest, but in reality things were not as bountiful as they had hoped and thought. God gives the reason that this was the case … “I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the LORD.” (Haggai 2:17 NLT) Sometimes the negative we face in life is God’s hand at work. Sometimes God works to break us so that the only place we can turn is to Him. When we see negative in life, are we watching to see what it is God may be trying to do in us and through us? 

September 4 – Ezekiel 25-27

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 25-27. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our home it is my responsibility to get our daughter ready for bed each night. Each night we brush our teeth, take allergy medicine, put on our pajamas and then go into her room where we read a book, pray, and then lay day for the night. One of my favorite parts of this routine is the prayer time. She is now learning to pray so some nights she does it. But when I get the opportunity to pray, I always try to include one portion in my prayer … to tell God I cannot wait to see what He has planned for Alivia. I know God has plans for each of us. And I want Alivia to grow up hearing those words. I want that to be so routine in my nighttime prayers for her that as she grows, she begins dreaming of all the ways God might use her.

You might look at your life, and think to yourself, “what is it that God can use me for?” Maybe you do not think you are worthy to be used by God. Maybe you think you have done too many wrongs to now do any right. Those thoughts could not be further from the truth. In our reading today we see God predict that he will use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against Tyre and even Judah (Ezekiel 26:7). God predicted and did use a pagan foreign king to bring punishment on His people.

I do not know what you have done, where you have been, or the life you have lived. But I do know God has a plan for you. Let Him work it in your life. 

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 23 – Jeremiah 49-50

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

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

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

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

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

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

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

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

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