January 4, 2014 – Proverbs 1 – Steering Clear of Sinful Men

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?

• On Saturday’s and Sunday’s we will pause from our reading of the New Testament and read through the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Some Saturday’s we will read through Proverbs and all other weekend days we will read through Psalms.
• The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon the third true King of Israel, the son of David, born to Bathsheba. Solomon ruled over Israel during an amazing amount of peace and was able to lead the nation into great wealth and prosperity. Solomon was also privileged to construct the Temple of God.
• Proverbs are often short statements sometimes standing alone giving wisdom and guidance. Proverbs begins by sharing its purpose. It then moves on into advice concerning wisdom.
• Our thirty-one day (that’s how many chapters are in Proverbs) may not follow the new structure of the Bible reading plan. That will be due to the random nature of Proverbs. However, there will be one thought that I will typically pull from that days reading.

 What is this passage teaching?

• The first couple chapters of Proverbs will concern wisdom. Wisdom is an import part of life. Seeking sound wisdom is important. In our reading today Solomon warns us to be wise against the invitation of Sinful Men. This invitation is often the destruction of many. What a brilliant place for Solomon to begin.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• How often do you fall into sin simply on your own? It may happen on occasion, but often the sins we struggle with, the sins we stumble upon have been introduced to us by others. Solomon warns it is wise to not let sinful men entice you, to not give in to them. What wise advice. Steer clear of situations where you may be tempted. Steer clear of friends that may drag you away from serving and following God with all you are. There is profound wisdom in the words of Solomon.  

September 27 – Nehemiah 6-7

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

Nehemiah’s discernment is amazing. Throughout all the work on the walls of Jerusalem the builders have faced the threat of an attack. There work blessed by God was not blessed by the non Israelites of the land. The entire time Nehemiah understands the trickery they are trying to lead him astray with. One time he sees through a supposed prophet and shares these words, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No I won’t do it!” (Nehemiah 6:11 NLT) Nehemiah had an amazing level of discernment as leader of the rebuilding project.

Do you have good discernment? Do you pray and ask God to build up your discernment? Do you rely on him for it? Discernment is a wise tool. It will keep us from danger. It will help us avoid costly mistakes. It will help us make the best possible choices for our families, our ministries, and our communities. No matter your ability at discernment there is always room for growth. 

June 21 – 1 Kings 10-11 & 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 10-11 & 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.

We have finally come to an incredibly sad time in our reading of the Bible. We began our reading looking at the beauty and majesty of all that Solomon had acquired. He had certainly made the nation of Israel unlike any before or since. It was the only nation in existence operating under the leadership of the one true God. The blessings, the riches, their importance was all the result of God’s work! Sadly though, with all his wisdom, Solomon still could not overcome it.

We quickly shift from the beauty and majesty, the parade of riches Solomon is able to take the queen of Sheba on, to the proclamation of destruction. Solomon has let false worship into the nation through his many pagan wives and concubines. With all his wisdom he still was not wise enough to follow the commands and decrees found in God’s law. His choices have now set the nation of Israel on a downward spiral ultimately to destruction.

What lessons can you learn from this? Maybe the best is to listen and accept wisdom, but always measure that wisdom against the wisdom of God found in his word. No matter how good others wisdom is if it does not jive with God’s word then the wisdom is faulty. Trust in God first and foremost!

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 3 – Proverbs 1- 3

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

The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, the third God appointed King of Israel, son of David born to Bathsheba. In the beginning of Solomon’s reign God grants Solomon anything his heart desired. Solomon wisely asked for Wisdom. As a wise king he wanted his people to be wise and so he wrote proverbs to help his people be wise. God choose to include some of those in His word for us to learn from. Proverbs is unlike any other book in the Bible. In many books you can pick up a general theme or story from a chapter or section of scripture. This is not always the case with Proverbs. Many of the proverbs we find are short independent statements. However, the first several chapters of proverbs deal strictly with seeking wisdom in our lives.

I love the way chapter two starts out … “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:2-5 NLT) Let me ask you … do you pursue wisdom in your life? Do you track it like you would a deer in the woods or a treasure in the earth? Do you want to gain the knowledge of God? Do you want him to teach you, speak to, and mold you to be like him more and more? To gain wisdom is to draw nearer to God; to become more like him. That is noble goal for your 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 31 – 1 Kings 3-4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 3-4. 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

When I was in high school we had these monthly youth group nights called Youth After Church a.k.a. YAC. On YAC nights we worked hard to invite our friends because after church we would invade a church member’s home where we would hang out, play games, eat food, and enjoy a devotional time together. On YAC nights at church, before leaving, would typically involve a game we loved to play called boundary breakers. In this cherished game a question would be asked and everyone in the group had to answer the questions. Sometimes the questions were plain crazy and off the wall. Other questions would be more introductory like name, age, and high school. Some questions where deep and caused us to think. I absolutely loved this game and have used it with my own youth groups over the years.

One of the questions asked every few months would be if you were going to be stuck on a deserted island what three items would you take? Another question would often be if you could have three wishes what would they be? Often the responses were funny, off the wall, and even serious. Someone inevitably would always give the response for three more wishes. Let’s have some fun, in the comments what three items would you take to a deserted island or what three wishes would ask for. (By the way needs are met; food, water, and shelter; your items are for pleasure). My deserted island items … My iPad, a satellite connected router, and a solar charging station.

As Solomon begins his reign this is essentially what God request of him. God ask Solomon what he wants and He says he will grant it. What would you ask for … wealth, grownup toys, health, family, notoriety, or victory? Solomon asked for none of that, he asked for Wisdom. Why do you think he asked for wisdom? I think he was already wise, and he knew he was young and over his head. But I also think it is much deeper than that. I believe Solomon asked for what pleased God because his heart was already connected to God. He was already doing his best to worship and serve God as his father David had. His heart was connected to God and that shaped his request.

When our heart beats as God’s heart beats, our request of Him become molded after His heart. Our heart will begin to break where God’s heart breaks. Our heart will rejoice after what makes God’s heart rejoice. This all comes by a continual process of growing closer to him each and every day. So what would be your request?

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.

February 9 – Exodus 30-32

Today’s reading comes from Exodus 28-29. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth in six days and then we learn on the seventh day he rested. In Exodus twenty we read the Ten Commandments. One of the commandments is to honor the Sabbath by keeping it holy. God in various times has instructed his people to partake of the Sabbath rest. When God provided the manna for his people he gave enough on the sixth day so they did not have to gather on the seventh. When we look in the New Testament period they had all kinds of manmade rules about what was considered work on the Sabbath. They knew how many steps they could take before it was considered work. The Sabbath was very important part of the Law God gave.

In today’s reading I was reminded how important it should be to us as well. Many Christians do not follow the principle of a Sabbaths day’s rest. Many push forward seven days a week. I know I am one of them. And I don’t think that because the old covenant has been fulfilled and we are now under the covenant of Christ that we can go on without a Sabbath. Read again what God told Moses … “It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.” Exodus 31:17 NIV84.

Now the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant to Israel just like circumcision was. God gave his people circumcision for many reasons but one major one was for a cleanliness purpose. We continue to circumcise today not because it marks a covenant but because it is much cleaner. I think God knew what he was doing when he commanded the Sabbath. Are we bound by the covenant God poured out through Moses? No, we in Christ are saved by grace for freedom from the bounds of the Law. But what God gave to be beneficial to His people then, I would believe is beneficial to us today. So how can we develop the habit of a Sabbath day’s rest in our life? Where do you need to start?

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. 

A Beautiful Passage

Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along. If you would like a copy of the reading plan you can request one in the comment section. Please include your email.

I do not remember the last time I read today’s passage (Proverbs 8). When I sat down I was the only one in the church, my mind was going in ten different directions, so I chose to read out loud. As I did, the tone of the passage over took me. I felt like I was giving an amazing discourse. It was a beautiful passage that marked out the role Wisdom has had over the course of this world’s existence. Did you catch all the claims Wisdom made?

Wisdom speaks what is true
Wisdom’s words’ are just
Wisdom dwells together with prudence
Wisdom possess knowledge and discretion
Wisdom is what kings and rulers use to make their laws by and to govern by
Wisdom loves
Wisdom’s fruit is better than gold or silver
Wisdom walks in righteousness
Wisdom was created by God before all else
Wisdom blesses those who seek it out

This is the wisdom of God. So as we draw near to the end of the Wisdom passages in proverbs, ask yourself these question: Am I seeking out the Wisdom of God? Am I using God’s Wisdom to govern my life? Am I truly walking in the Wisdom of God? It is my hope and prayer that each one of us is.

Prayer for Our Leaders

Each day I will be posting from the daily Bible Reading plan we will be doing at West Side. On weekdays we will be going through the New Testament. On the weekends we will read passages from the Old Testament books of Psalms and Proverbs. We invite you to join along.

Today’s reading (Proverbs 3) discuses a common theme found in the book of Proverbs; Wisdom. It talks about seeking the wisdom of God and what comes with it. If we seek wisdom like one searching for silver then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Now most of us in our lives pray for wisdom. We seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and discretion in our lives, but do we ask for that same thing in others lives, particularly the ones we have asked to lead us. We should pray for our political leaders, our church leaders, and even the leaders of our civic groups and organizations.

Today let me challenge you to prayer for the leaders of our country that they seek God’s leadership, wisdom and discretion.

Prayer that our church leaders will seek the leadership and discretion of God as they work to take Christ church to all people.

Prayer for those who work with your children or grandchildren that they will lead and inspire your kids to find God’s guidance in their lives.

Knowledge Seekers

Each day I will be posting from the daily Bible Reading plan we will be doing at West Side. On weekdays we will be going through the New Testament. On the weekends we will read passages from the Old Testament books of Psalms and Proverbs. We invite you to join along.

Today begins our journey through the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is a book of short sayings that tend to be true from life experience. Proverbs however are not promises. If that were the case Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it,” would always come true. While that tends to be true it is not always the case. Proverbs are also not commands. So how do we use the book of Proverbs? We must remember that they are general principles of life tested by the ages applicable to everyone.

Today’s reading, Proverbs 1, is consumed with the idea of wisdom. Verse 7 stands out when it says “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Do you seek knowledge or do you despise it? Do you grow in knowledge every day or do you allow nuggets of truth in one ear and out the other?

I love knowledge. If I could I would spend all day searching through articles on Wikipedia learning everything I could about anything possible. But is this beneficial knowledge? What is good Knowledge? What is bad knowledge? According to scripture good knowledge is fear of the Lord. Knowing who he is, knowing what he does, knowing his grace and love and his wrath is what we are to be gaining each day.

How does your knowledge stack up? Do you fear God, or do you fall into the category of the fool?