No Scheduled Reading

On Discipleship Journal’s “Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan” there are no assigned readings after the 28th of each month. Use this time to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past month, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revisit favorite or recently read passages.

I’m going to see if I can catch up on some of the reading and posts that I have missed and will post again on the first of next month.

Grace and peace to you!

Hope Is A Choice

Scripture

¹⁴ But as for me, I will always have hope; 
       I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14)

Observation

Hope is a choice. It’s really that simple, isn’t it? Notice, I didn’t say it was ‘that easy’ – but it is that simple. In each difficult situation we face we have a choice to trust God or not to. Do I really believe that God is good and has my best interest in mind? Do I really trust that God works for good in all circumstances? When it comes right down to it, do I really believe that God loves me?

In my experience, hoping in God leads me to praise; I have seen God work in areas where I have had to trust and this resolution causes me to be even more thankful and grateful for what God has done in my life.

Application

Today I will not fret, I will not worry, or be anxious. I will have hope – and look forward to trusting God to move today!

Prayer

Faithful God, you know what today holds better than do I, so I will trust in you and have hope that all will work out according to your plan. I look forward to seeing your goodness and love enacted in my life! Amen.

Hearing Both Sides

Scripture

⁹ During that night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. ¹⁰ If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah ¹¹ and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. (Judges 7:9-11)

Observation

Gideon is such an interesting man. He hears from God clearly – but God accommodates is timidity and lack of faith. God tells Gideon plainly that Gideon will defeat his enemies, but includes an “if clause.” “If you’re afraid to attack, go down” Gideon goes down – so we can assume that he was afraid to attack. God provided what Gideon was going to need to accomplish the task that was set before him – Gideon was able to hear from both sides. Gideon had heard from God what was going to happen, but when he heard the fear in the camp he knew.

Application

I will trust that what information God gives me is enough. There will be times when God appeases my lack of faith or fear, and there are times when God will say, “I have told you enough, now go and do!”

Prayer

Thank you for the example of Gideon – a man who accomplished amazing feats in your name, even through his fear. Help me to trust you, and to hear your voice. I will trust that what you give me is exactly what I need. Amen.

What do you want me to do for you?

Scripture

 

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ ”Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:32-34)

 

Observation

These two blind men approach God loudly and he responds to them. I would guess that they were surprised by Jesus’s question. Wasn’t it obvious why they were coming to the healer? Wasn’t their blindness clear for all to see? Why would he ask them that question.

However, I think there is great power in that question – and in naming the request before the God of the universe: “What do you want me to do for you?” 

In other contexts I have spent time on these verses, thinking about how I would respond if Jesus were to ask me the same question. This is the essential kernel of prayer: coming face to face with an all-powerful God who asks, “what do you want me to do for you?”

Application

Today I will pray with this question in mind. I will communicate with God as if all things were possible. After all, I can do all things through him who gives me strength!

Prayer

Asking Jesus, Oh that I would complain of our spiritual maladies, especially my own spiritual blindness! Many are spiritually blind, yet say they see. Jesus cured these blind men; and when they had received sight, they followed him. Thank you that by your grace you open people’s eyes, and draw hearts to you. These miracles are our call to you; help us to hear it, and to make it our daily prayer to grow in your grace and in the knowledge of you. Amen.

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.

A Great Psalm for a Rainy Monday

Scripture

⁸ The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; 
       where morning dawns, where evening fades, 
       you call forth songs of joy.
⁹ You care for the land and water it; 
       you enrich it abundantly. 
       The streams of God are filled with water 
       to provide the people with grain, 
       for so you have ordained it. 
¹⁰ You drench its furrows and level its ridges; 
       you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty, 
       and your carts overflow with abundance.
¹² The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; 
       the hills are clothed with gladness.
¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks 
       and the valleys are mantled with grain;
       they shout for joy and sing. (Psalm 65:8-13)

Observation

Rain can bring life. I have never lived in a desert (although SoCal was very arid) but even here in Minnesota, it is amazing to see what God does to the land with a little rain. All the grass that had gone dormant over the winter perks back up; the trees erupt with buds – and in a period of a few hours Spring has sprung.

What a beautifully, poetic psalm praising God for the rain on this rainy Monday!

Application

Today, I will thank God for the rain using the words of this psalm!

Prayer

Thank you, Great Gardener for the way you deck the land in shades of green this time of year. Thank you for the rain that you send so that “the hills are clothed with gladness.” Amen.

He Had Compassion On Them

Scripture

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14)

Observation

These verses say so much about the generous nature of Jesus. His dear friend and relative, John, was just murdered and Jesus wanted to be alone. But others heard of his plans and met him where he was going. Upon arriving at his destination Jesus was not to receive the solitude he sought but still, he had compassion on those who had gathered and he cared for them, healing their sick.

How many times do I imagine that God is too busy or has too much on his plate, or doesn’t want to hear from me? Here is a fantastic example of God’s character. God’s character is self-giving love, love that puts the other in front of self.

Application

I will remember God’s character.

I will seek after Jesus even when it is difficult going – knowing that he desires to be found and has already made himself available to us!

Prayer

Thank you God that you hear me when I call. Thank you for having compassion on me, and for never being too busy for me. Amen.

An Unlikely Message

Scripture

¹ In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” …⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. …

¹¹ ”I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3)

Observation

Repentance. It was the key word in John’s message – and people thronged to it. I can’t imagine people running to respond to this message today. Quick definition: repent ~ 1) to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of): He repented after his thoughtless act. 2) to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one’s life for the better; be penitent.

Can you imagine it? John, telling people, “Feel sorry about your past and do something about it – because God’s kingdom is here.” He performs a symbolic action (baptism) to represent their being set right with God and then asks for even more. He asks them to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” or to keep living this way. “If your repentance is real,” John says, “it will show up in your life.”

There is part of me that thinks it wouldn’t happen like that today – but I also know lots of people who acknowledge their life is less-than-perfect, who are willing to admit their mistakes, and who would like to live and treat people differently.

Application

Like John, I will call people to respond to the good news of Jesus – that although we have messed up, God is good and won’t hold our sins against us, if we ask for forgiveness. Then, together, we encourage each other to live lives that reflect this decision to repent.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me… a sinner. Amen.

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.

God’s Heart for the Nations

Scripture

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; 
    I will sing of you among the peoples.

¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; 
      your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 
      let your glory be over all the earth. (Psalm 57:9-11)

Observation

Even is the Old Testament, where the focus is on Israel, there are fantastic passages like this that demonstrate God’s heart for the nations. God is faithful, and it would be great if all people would worship him, too.

I so deeply desire that people knew the God of the Bible – not the one so often maligned in our culture today – but the one who loved humanity so much that he was willing to give up his one and only son that who ever would believe in him might have life.

Application

I will exalt you, lift you high today that others, too, can hear the truth about you and that they may sing your praises!

Prayer

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth! Amen.