January 12, 2014 – Psalms 5 & 6 – Taking a New but Old Approach

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 home today will be safe. Pray that the challenges our teens experienced will stick beyond this weekend. Pray that any bonds created during this weekend will grow when we return home. Pray that our teens will be ambassadors for Christ in their schools.

What Does this Passage Say?

• David has an amazing ability to articulate the attributes of God. He correctly labels God’s disdain for wickedness. He also shows that God delights in righteousness and offers protection to those who chase him.

• David battles with worry and agony. While he battles he also understands where he must go … he must go to God. David has faith that God has heard him, he does not question it. He might still be in agony, but he knows this truth; God cares and hears his every longing of David’s heart.

What is this passage teaching?

• One aspect I love about the Psalms is that they teach us how to praise God. They give us so many insights into the character of God. They show us the love and care God provides. They show us the righteous judgment that God must operate under. Simply put they give us a word picture of our savior.

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Does your prayer life struggle? Do you struggle to praise God in your time of prayer? Do you find the majority of your prayer is requests? If so spend time reading the Psalms. Even start to pray the Psalms. By doing so you will learn to praise God, worship God, and then follow up with your own personal supplication and requests. You might just see a huge change in your attitude and appreciation for God! 

January 8, 2014 – Matthew 6 – A new and exciting blessing!

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 is in the middle of His famous Sermon on the Mount. He is teaching on a Mountainside near the northern sections of the Sea of Galilee, near the town of Capernaum. As most teachers of the day did Jesus is sitting down. What we are privy to is only about fifteen minutes of His sermon. While what we have recorded for us might be the entire sermon, it is safe to assume we are only given a small glimpse.
• Chapter five dealt with matters of the heart especially those pertaining to public moral behavior. Chapter six of Jesus sermon will deal more with the religious duties of the Jews. We must remember that Jesus is early in His ministry. While there is a timeless truth to what Jesus teaches here, He is speaking to a Jewish audience still living under the law. He is nearly three years before His death, burial, and resurrection. He will not usher in the church age until after all that takes place. While Jesus teaching helps direct our lives in a grace supplied system we must remember His original audience.
• Why do you give? Do you give so others may praise you? Or do you give so that Jesus will be glorified and people in need will be helped? That is the question Jesus wants you to ask yourself.
• Prayer is simple but hard. Prayer is our communication tool with God. He speaks to us through nature, through worship, through others, and through His Word. We speak to Him through prayer. We must be careful not to pray in a way that makes us look good, but do so in a way that connects us with God. That is the purpose of prayer to connect us with God.
• Fasting is something that has been greatly lost in the church age. From time to time Christians do it, but it is not practiced like it once was. When Jesus spoke to His audience He spoke in a way were He assumed they were going to be fasting. He gave instructions on fasting. Again He reminds them that it is a spiritual blessing and connection with God, not something they are doing to glorify themselves with others.
• Your heart is very important to your walk with God. If your heart is dark, your eyes will only see darkness. Have you ever meet someone who sees the world through a negative lens? Unfortunately that person has allowed darkness to fill their hearts and guide their life. Whatever controls our hearts is what controls our lives. Jesus suggests that we turn to heaven, a place of beauty and light, a place where we will reside with God. When this is dominating our lives darkness cannot.
• God provides for those who cannot provide for themselves; the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. God loves and cares for us much more than them. Because of this truth we should not let worry fill our minds. If we are willing to work and trust then God will provide for us our every need. That does not mean abundance. That does not mean we will not have moments of struggle. But our needs will be met and with that we can cast worry out the window.  

 What is this passage teaching?

• Jesus focus on encouraging His audience was again for them to check their heart in the religious duties. For what motives and reasons do you follow God’s Law? For the Jews it was an idea of looking forward, to pleasing God for the purpose of salvation. And, if they looked good to others, then they must be a very righteous and godly person. As Christians living after the cross we are not saved by keeping the Law, we are saved by the work of Jesus on the cross. There is nothing you and I can do to gain salvation; it is all the work of Jesus. Therefore we do not seek righteousness for the purpose of salvation but to honor God in appreciation of salvation. This mindset is what Jesus is trying to convey to His audience. They too are not saved by keeping the Law because no one could keep the Law. As humans we are too imperfect to do so. They too are saved by God’s grace. For them it was an anticipated reality. So Jesus looks at them and advises check your heart. Check your motives for your prayer, your fasting, and your generosity.

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• So what is your motive for the way you worship, pray, fast, give, or do anything for Jesus? Remember, it is for God’s glory, not ours that we live a life of praise and worship. In the future do not look at your worship and righteous living as earning your salvation. Look at is a way to store up treasures in heaven. When we store up treasures in heaven it already assumes we have a place in heaven reserved for us. If we have a life changing relationship with Jesus then we have a place in heaven reserved. What we do here on earth in essence is building our treasures in heaven.
• While it has a future blessing to it, our worship and righteous living has a here and now blessing to it as well. Remember you are worshiping God in the flesh. Not only does it praise Him but it also blesses you. Have you ever worshiped and felt a blessing from it? Have you ever walked away from worship and felt closer to God when complete? The change of heart and approach will help all of this materialize as well. When we move from the idea that I am saving myself to the idea that I am blessing and praising God a new world of worship opens up; a new and wonderful world!

November 19 – Acts 9 & 10

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Acts 9 & 10. 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.

Have you ever worked on a project and no matter what you did you were not able to be successful? You kept working and working but nothing you did made you successful. Finally you just set the project down and walked away. Then amazingly when you came back and picked it up you completed the project successfully on the first try? I do not know how many times I have done this. I remember in college I was playing a video game. For days I worked to try and beat what turned out to be the final level. No matter what I did I was not successful. Finally I got frustrated and stopped playing the game for months. One day I decided to pick the game back up, went in and completed the mission on my first try.

Why do we do this? Sometimes it’s because we do not know any other way. Sometimes our skills just are not up to the task at hand. Other times our knowledge might not be as great. Sometimes we just are not ready to learn. Sometimes we need to step away, clear our minds, and approach the problem or task with fresh eyes. Many times it is new perspective (at least fresh perspective) that gives us the needed clarity to complete the project.

In our reading today we find Peter, one of the twelve, the man who had the privilege of delivering the first presentation of the gospel message (a message where three thousand people were baptized), and he needed a new perspective. Until chapter ten of Acts all Christians were Jews who accepted Christ. There were some exceptions … the Samaritans, but they were simply half bread Jews, and others who had fully converted to Judaism. Now for the first time God is ready to extend salvation to a full on Gentile.

So to prepare Peter, God works to give him a new perspective. He shows the vision of the white sheet and the unclean animals. He tells Peter to accept the messenger’s invitation. He pours out the Holy Spirit before baptism. He does all of this to bring about new perspective; this time a new inclusion of people into the Kingdom of God.

Is there a place in your heart where you could use a time away to draw a new perspective? Maybe it is clothing worn to church. Maybe it is a new heart for hurting people. Maybe it is a new look at your marriage. Maybe it is a renewed approach to your parenting. Maybe it is a fresh approach to worship. I do not know what your current perspective is, but I am confident there is an area that we can all improve ours in. 

September 30 – Malachi 1-4

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

Today we close out the Old Testament. It has been a long nine months going through the Old Testament. I love the Old Testament. There are so many wonderful stories as well as so many heart breaking stories. I love that throughout God gives hope in the darkest moments of despair. Now for the next four hundred and some years God will be somewhat silent as Israel waits for the coming Messiah. But he does not leave them without a challenge to give fully to Him.

The entire book of Malachi is God challenging the quality of the sacrifices and gifts brought before God. To be frank, their gifts were not that great … “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.” (Malachi 1:7 NLT) … “You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, is not that wrong?” (Malachi 1:7-8 NLT) … “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered!” (Malachi 1:10 NLT) This is just a little sample of the strong words God brings against Israel.

Let’s apply these thoughts from God to our giving. What does it look like? Are we giving God our best or what is left? Yesterday I had lunch with a very godly woman whose husband is barely hanging onto life right now because of his health. She made the comment that when he was healthy and involved in his day job that the school he worked for got the best of him. How often does that scenario play out in your relationship with God? How often do we let everything else come before our relationship with God and when we get to Him, we are wiped out, barley giving Him any quality. As we turn to the life saving mission of Jesus tomorrow, let’s contemplate our sacrifices before God. 

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 7 – Jeremiah 1 - 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 19 – 2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31, & Psalms 48

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31, & Psalms 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.

Examine your church, or even your own faith, do you have any sacred cows? A sacred cow in church vocabulary is something that is worshiped and held to a high level that isn’t God himself. Maybe for you and your church it might be the stained glass windows that were dedicated by a family years before in the churches history. Maybe for your church it is a program or event that has been done for years. Maybe it is a song that is sung at the beginning of service. Those types of things tend to be corporate sacred cows to churches. Maybe you have them in your own life as well.

Now sacred cows are not wrong (we wouldn’t call them sacred cows at that point, just worship aids) if held with the right perspective and the right attitude. There is nothing wrong with stained glass windows, traditional church programs, or even specific songs that are sung. However, when they are held at a level of worship that if they are damaged, done away with, or changed, and you or your church get all bent out shape, then you have a problem. You are letting an object, or a thing get in your way of worshiping God; they may have even taken the place of worshiping God. That is wrong!

We see this happen today in our reading. When the Israelites were in the wilderness after the Exodus because of sin God set snakes to strike and kill. To save his people God instructed Moses to erect a bronze snake that if they looked at it they would be saved. This was kept to remind them of this, to not fall into sin, and to follow God. But by the time Hezekiah rules in Judah, the people are now offering sacrifices to this bronze snake. What does Hezekiah order, he orders it destroyed.

Friends that is the right move. It might have been hard and sad to see such an important reminder destroyed, but it was necessary. When something becomes a hindrance in our worship to God, or even takes our worship to God, we have to eradicate it from our lives. Maybe this has been recognized by leaders in your church and they have done away with something. Examine your heart, find out why you are upset and then determine if you are in the wrong. Be honest with your selves, have you allowed something to become a sacred cow that should not be?

July 18 – Isaiah 23-27

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 23-27. 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

“Throughout the earth the story is the same-only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest. But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the LORD’s majesty.” (Isaiah24:13-14 NLT) A lot of Bible readers struggle reading through the prophets because God paints such devastating pictures of his righteous judgment he was about to bring on the earth. But what I love is the glimmers of hope he plants throughout his word.

When I was in college and taking homiletics courses (The fancy word for preaching class), we were always taught to point to hope. Whether that is pointing to Jesus or putting a positive spin on some negative preaching. That way you do not just beat people down you give them some positive actions to take to correct whatever it is you may have been preaching about. God knew this long before we did. That is why he slips hope in throughout his word.

The words above not only gave Israel and Judah hope in their day, but give us hope today. It seems our world is much like those in Bible times. Our world does not worship God. Our world does not honor God. Our world does not respect God. But, you and I, along with millions of other believers in the world, are that faithful remnant today who has the privilege of shouting and singing for joy; we get to praise the LORD’s majesty. So how are you doing at being the faithful?

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 10 – Isaiah 5-8

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

Our reading today is incredibly rich. It contained a beautiful allegory comparing God’s love and care for the nations of Israel and Judah to a vineyard. We even got to experience the proclamation of hope coming to earth through the virgin Birth. Isn't it exciting to see God laying the foundation for the coming Messiah, our savior Jesus Christ?

One of my favorite excerpts from our reading today deals with Isaiah’s call. Isaiah is called by God and he gets this amazing glimpse of God on his throne in heaven. He sees and hears the seraphim worshiping God. As their voices shake the Temple Isaiah has this realization … “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  (Isaiah 6:5 NLT). WOW! Do Isaiah’s words resonate with you? Do you feel like him? Do you fill like you are sinful, like you have filthy lips, you say things you know do not honor God, you speak words that tear down others instead of uplift others, and do you realize the world around you is full of filthy lips and lives and actions?

We are incredibly like Isaiah. Isaiah gets a glimpse of God. As followers of Christ, as Christians, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That means God is within you. Not only do you have the promise of spending eternity in front of the throne of God that Isaiah was able to gaze upon, God has taken up residence within you! Now by seeing Isaiah’s reaction, and by knowing what you do about God’s residence, does that change your actions here in this life? I hope it does. 

June 28 – 1 Kings 20-21

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 20-21. 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.

Twice in our reading today God decides to show himself to Ahab and the northern kingdom of Israel. While the southern Kingdom Judah is not perfectly following God, Israel has completely obliterated their relationship with the Him. God is working to restore that relationship. He brings deliverance against the king of Aram not once but two different times. At the end of the second defeat Ahab spares Ben-Hadad’s life by making a treaty with him.

Ahab allowed God to bring him victory. He even recognized that it was God. But by signing the treaty he was not willing to go far enough. He would not go over the edge and finally turn back to worshipping God. How often do we do this? We accept parts of God’s work in our lives, but do not want his involvement in other areas. We think too often we can do this ourselves. Maybe it’s a pride issue. Maybe its not trusting God enough. Maybe it is part of the growing process for you. Whatever it is, continue learning to let him have full control.

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 11 – 1 Kings 5-6 & 2 Chronicles 2-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Kings 5-6 & 2 Chronicles 2-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Because of bloodshed David did not get the privilege to build the Temple to become the home of God. That responsibility was left to his son Solomon. When Solomon began construction he chose the site for the Temple as the site his father David had purchased from Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague of death that was attacking Israel. There is an interesting theme I want to draw from.

When David went to purchase the threshing floor, Araunah wanted to essentially give it to him along with everything necessary for the sacrifice. David would not have it. He replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burn offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24.24 NLT) David would not offer sacrifices that would cost him nothing. He had to pay for what he was going to offer to God.

Now Solomon is building the Temple of God. For portions of the construction Solomon desired to use Cedars of Lebanon to adorn the Temple. He received those from David’s dear friend, King of Tyre, Hiram. In doing so he offered to pay whatever the cost Hiram desired (1 Kings 5:6). We find later in the reading what Solomon provided for the timber and the men to cut it … annually 1000,000 bushels of wheat and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil (1 Kings 5:11).

Solomon like his father chose to not accept anything to offer to God that he did not purchase. He did not want his offering to God (the Temple was certainly an offering to God) to cost him nothing. Let me ask you, do you seek things for nothing? Do you try and offer to God something that cost you nothing? I hope not! I hope the God you call master, savior, creator, and leader of your life is worth sacrifice; is worth offerings that cost you something.

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.

May 25 – 1 Chronicles 23-25

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 1 Chronicles 23-25. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Every month a group from our church volunteers at the Lebanon Food pantry. The food pantry is supported by churches that are within the Lebanon School District and help families in the district. Our group that serves always serves on Wednesday mornings. On Wednesday nights there is always a group that comes in during the pantry’s open hours to help distribute food. Each time I have helped our group I am always amazed at the work they put into helping the group for that evening. They spend all of their down time stocking the shelves and cleaning the room all so that it is ready to go for the next group to come in. No matter how they find the pantry, it is their goal to leave it better than they found it ready for the next group to go right to work.

Our example above is exactly what we see David carrying out in our reading today. David knows that God is going to let someone else build the temple, but that doesn’t mean he can’t prepare for it. When he came in as leader of Israel their worship of God was certainly lacking. David corrected those issues within the nation. By the time of his death David left the nation of Israel in much better shape than he found it. I think that is a wonderful lesson for us to learn as well. How can we do that in our families, our churches, our schools, our workplace, and wherever it is you have the privilege of spending time?

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 24 – Psalms 108 - 110 - Worship Music

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 108 - 110. 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

Its amazing what the Psalms can be used for. I have suggested throughout our time reading the Psalms different ways to use them in your prayer life. The Psalms can help you in confessing your sins to God, or help you figure out how to praise God, or remind you about God’s creation, and so many other ways to connect with God. Then on Wednesday I talked about how we have been called to sing a new song to God and the battle many churches have about worship. The Psalms can do so much.

Today as I was reading I came across this line … “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies,” (Psalm 108:4 NIV) and it reminded me of the Third Day Song Your Love Oh Lord. Listen and watch the video of Third Day performing this song ... 

Did you catch where some of the text comes from? It comes right out of the Psalm. So many of our contemporary worship music selections are really much older than we think; really they are thousands of years old. Create In Me a Clean Heart is taken from David’s prayer in Psalm 51, or 10,000 Reasons and Psalm 103, or Forever and it’s relationship to Psalm 136. So if you struggle with new worship music, think about where the lyrics come from, they may just be straight out of the Bible.

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 22 – Psalms 95, & 97-98

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 95, &  97-98. 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

“Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds.” (Palms 98:1 NLT) Music in church is one of the most highly contested elements of any churches life. The reason for this is music is a very personal preference. Music takes us to many places and times. We connect with music on an emotional and mental level.

I love country music. Whenever I hear the song Austin by Blake Shelton it takes me back to a yard I mowed in high school. For whatever reason the summer that song was new every week when I mowed that particular yard that song came on the radio in my headphones. When I hear the song Breath I am taken to Ohio Teens for Christ when David Crowder lead worship and introduced it to us the first time. When I hear the song Don’t Take The Girl by Tim McGraw I am taken to Myrtle Beach summer of 1994 where I bought that cassette tape as a nine year old.

Church music is highly contested in church because we all have an emotional and mental connection to it. We remember the song that was being sung as we walked down the isle to give our life to Christ. When we sing a familiar song we remember the first time the lyrics spoke to us and the worship that ensued because of it. We connect and are protective of music because it speaks to us in ways other things do not.

So how do we balance this encouragement of “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds” with our connection to “old” music that has already spoken to us. I think the answer is this, new songs have the ability to connect us with God in worship in a way another song did not. New songs have the ability to teach us new truths about God. New songs come from a new perspective, and new view point, a new joy, and even new heartaches, allowing us new insights into God’s character. Rejecting new songs means you are saying you have arrived in your understanding of who God is and indicates an unwillingness to grow as a disciple.

The beauty of it all is when the old songs merge with the new to paint a complete picture of who God is in our lives. The blending of the old and new allow us to more fully express our worship with God in new and old ways. Finally what is really exciting to me is that a new song gives me a new opportunity to make a new emotional and mental connection with God!

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.