Sowing Seeds as You Read

The Bible is essential for our walk as a Christ follower.  It is our highest authority.  It is more than a book. God can speak to us through the pages of scripture.

The Reformers knew this, and worked hard to get these pages into the hands of everyone.  Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German so that common people could read God’s word for themselves.

If we are not reading God’s word outside of Sunday morning we are not letting God’s word do all that it can in our lives.  If we are not reading God’s word we will be like one of the people from our scripture passage today.

14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” -Mark 4:14-20

Make some time everyday to open up the Bible and listen for God’s voice as you read from his word.

Read today entire passage here Mark 4:10-20

It's all in the Book

Romans 10:8-11 (NIV) 

⁸  But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: ⁹  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ¹¹  As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 

For those of us who have ever wondered if we are saved, or have been asked by someone new to the faith if they are saved, Romans 10:8-11 are the answer. Concentrate on verse 9 and you can remove all doubt. Learning this fact, early on in our Christian walk is wise. How do we learn these things you ask? By reading and studying God's Word regularly.

Early in my journey with Jesus I was sharing short messages at local nursing homes. I would find a scripture to read to them and then would do just a little bit of studying up on the verses. Often I would gravitate to Psalms. Oh, how I discovered a wonderful way to read and learn God's heart. The beauty in so many different lines from this book took my breath away.

Often, God would use the Psalm I was preparing, to speak to my heart and help me discover things I never considered before. For instance, Psalm 139: I read this during a season when I was wondering if God had a clue about what my life was like. Then I had my answer, immediately in verse one. "You have searched me Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."  These words, while intimidating to some extent, were comforting.

And that is how Scripture is; it speaks to us and meets us right where we are. Words we need to hear have already been spoken/written and can be found on the pages of our Bibles. When seeking truth or direction, or answers to questions which stump us, we need only look as far as our own Bibles. 

Romans 10:8-15

God's Word for Relationship Building

Titus 2:1 (NIV) 
  You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 



Titus 2:7 (HCSB) 
  in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 

What subject was your favorite in school? Is the topic still your favorite today? I believe English was my favorite, especially in 10th grade. You see there was this cute teacher...but I digress. Getting back to your favorite subject; did you enjoy learning about it? Did you want to know more and more about it?

This text in Titus is all about teaching/learning. When we are children, we have everything to learn, we are as sponges and we soak up everything. When we get a bit older we can be more selective in what we study and choose to learn. But we never outgrow our need to read the right books, to study the right topics in order to improve our lives and the lives of those we touch.

Over the years, the Bible has become a valued tool I use when I don't know what to do next. When I am stumped as to which way to turn, how to respond to someone's remarks, or simply how to get through another day in this world, God's Word never disappoints.

At the chance of being on the way to losing your attention, I challenge you.  Have you ever tried to read/study your way out of a predicament?  Have you ever turned to The Holy Spirit for the wisdom to get yourself out of a jam? Do you understand how God's Word can help? If not, ask someone who you know follows Jesus.

Find someone to mentor you, and answer your questions. Seek out someone to share your life. You will never be the same. Your relationships will thrive and you will understand what to do so you can live a life of peace and joy.

Titus 2:1-15

What’s on Your Checklist?

Acts 8:26-40

(Use the link below to read the verses.)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+8%3A26-40&version=NIV;MSG

 

 

There are a few small advantages to being slightly OCD. For instance, every morning before going to work, I go through a checklist. Wallet? Got it! Phone? Got it! Nook? Got it! Keys? Got it!

 

Each of these items are very important for my day, but none more important than my keys. That’s why when I get to work, before locking my car door, I do an abbreviated checklist. Keys? Got it! Then I know that I can get back into my car at the end of the day, as well as get into the office. Like I said, a few small advantages.

 

Keys are important. They unlock many things in our lives. The Word of God is key in unlocking hearts and opening people to God’s Spirit. Nobody knew that better than Phillip.

 

The setting of Acts 8 was a chaotic time of persecution for the followers of Christ. But little did Saul realize that he was actually playing right into God’s plan of redemption to take the Gospel to “Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth”.

 

And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after

house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah.            Acts 8:3-5 MSG

 

Phillip went from one outcast people group (the Samaritans) to another (an Ethiopian gentile) sharing the Word to the “ends of the earth”.

 

Billy Graham in his sermons, was well known for the phrase, “the Bible says”. For him, the Word of God was the key to open the hearts of people searching for purpose in their lives. Not a magical key, like Simon the sorcerer was looking for, but a key that was “alive and active; sharper than any double edged sword”.

 

Maybe I should change my morning checklist. Wallet? Got it! Phone? Got it! Nook? Got it! Keys? Got it! Word of God? Got it!

 

What’s on your checklist?

 

 

 

 

 

Light for my path

I’m thankful to get the chance to share my favorite scripture with you this week.  Psalm 119:105 is a scripture I have clung to over the past four years. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

Serving God is not easy.  Working and serving in the church has it’s struggles.  Following God’s call to, go where He leads does not ensure a smooth journey.  I have been challenged to rely on God’s word like never before. 

When I’ve wondered where God was I’m reminded, in his word, that he is near.  When the battle gets hard, I read that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers in the dark realm.

If we mess up and spend too much time satisfying our own selfish desires, we’re reassured that nothing can separate us from his love.  God’s word is filled with everything we need to direct us as we journey through life. It is shining for us, giving us just enough light to take the next step.

Lamp to my Feet

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. ² Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 

I have a tattoo on my right foot.  It is Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  It was a Mother’s Day present.  It’s a reminder to me on what keeps my faith strong.  God’s word.  I love God’s word.  I have spent years studying the reliability of his word. There are so many outside sources that corroborate the truth found in the pages of scripture, that I get giddy when I read them. 

God’s word is perfectly true and as hard as it is to read a rebuke meant to pull me back on the path, it is equally wonderful when I read words such as the ones in Daniel 12.  “But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. ² Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life…”

I just love that! The promise of everlasting life.  This was actually the first time the reference to everlasting life was used in scripture.  How comforting it is to read that things are going to get hard, real hard.  A time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations hard, but there is hope.

Everlasting life. It is promised for God’s people.  This world is not the end.  All the trouble, disease, evil, and deception are not the end.  God has a plan.  It was rolled up in a scroll and saved for the exact right time, but it will come to pass.  His word says it will, so I believe it.

Sharing -- Pass It On!

Sharing is a part of life.

 

We share love with our spouse and our family. We may share an experience with a good friend. We might share an ice-cream sundae when on a date. We may share freshly baked cookies with a person or family new to the neighborhood. We might even share our most inner thoughts and frustrations with a small group of very close friends. And we might share our time and money with a local food pantry.

 

Sharing can make us feel good and it can teach younger ones to share by our example. Sharing strengthens existing relationships and can build new ones.  Sharing can also help us cope with life.

In today’s reading, Isaiah 55:1-11, Isaiah gives us a lesson in God’s sharing.

 

“Come, all you who thirst, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

 

God shares with us, not merely the things we think we need for life, but those things that are essential so that our “soul may life.”

 

What are those essential things? His Word, of course.

 

Yes, he shared His Word in oral and written form, which we today have in the form of the Bible. But God shared so much more.

 

We are told that God’s Word, “became flesh and made his dwelling upon us.” (John 1:11).

 

By giving us His Word, God gave us His Son, who lived among us. Stated differently, God shared Jesus – 100% God and 100% man -- with us.

 

Jesus lived a perfect life, and became a role model for us. Both a scapegoat and a sacrificial lamb, Jesus took our sins upon himself and atoned for our sins. But most important, he was resurrected, thereby demonstrating that he is capable of giving us everlasting life.

 

God shared Jesus with us. Jesus shared his life story with us. It is our job to share Jesus’ Good News with others.

 

Sharing – Pass it on!

 

A Father's Love

2 Timothy 4:1-8

 

The story has been told about a teenager in high school who played on the baseball team. He desperately wanted his father to be proud of him, but his dad never came to his games.

 

It was the final game of the season and his school was playing for the championship. The score was tied in the bottom of the ninth with two men out. He was the last chance for his team. He hit the ball deep into the outfield and began to run the bases. The crowd went wild. As he rounded third and headed for home he heard a familiar voice above all the rest, “That’s my son”! Dressed in a suit, his Dad had come to see him play.

 

The need for our father’s love and affirmation resonates deeply within me. Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father, and he had put Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus when he continued on his fourth missionary trip. Today’s passage comes from the second letter that Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him.

 

First, he gives him a warning: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

 

We can see this type of scenario taking place today in our own world. Preachers who craft their sermons so as not to offend anyone in the congregation. Besides this warning, Paul gives Timothy this advice:

 

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”. What better tool to use than God’s Word. But be sure to note that Paul instructs Timothy to do so with great patience and careful instruction

 

Finally, Paul gives the punch line. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”.

 

Paul uses himself as an example. Finish the job. Stay focused. Don’t be distracted from the prize. The goal for Timothy, for the Ephesians and for you and me is to finish well.

 

Like the young man who desperately needed his father’s love, we strive for the goal. In so doing, we can see our Heavenly Father waiting for us, even cheering us on. And, like the father in the stands, He is shouting with love in his voice, “That’s my son! That’s my daughter!”

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20timothy%204%3A1-8&version=NIV;GNT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Tim.4.1-2Tim.4.8

 

 

 

 

God's Word on God's Word

[Blogger's note:  In the devotional text for the day, John 10:31-42 (to read, click here), Jesus asserted this eternal truth:  the Scripture cannot be broken.  Today’s blog post further explores what Scripture says about itself.  With the exception of this introduction, today's blog post consists entirely of the word of God.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. [John 1:1-2[

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.  [Psalm 119:89]  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.  [Psalm 33:6]

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. [Deuteronomy 8:3]  Every word of the Lord is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.  [Proverbs 30:5]  For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  [Psalm 33:4]

O Sovereign Lord, you are God!  Your words are trustworthy.  [2 Samuel 7:28]  The sum of your word is truth.  [Psalm 119:160 (NASB)]  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.  [Isaiah 40:8]

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  [John 1:14]

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  [Hebrews 1:3]

Scripture cannot be broken.  [John 10:35]  Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  [Matthew 5:17-18]  It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.  [Luke 16:17] 

The word of the Lord endures forever.  [1 Peter 1:25]  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  [Matthew 24:35]  The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  [John 6:63]

God's word is not chained.  [2 Timothy 2:9]  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  [2 Timothy 3:16-17]  For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  [Hebrews 4:12]

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.  With justice he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.  He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  [Revelation 19:13]

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  [John 17:17]

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  [John 15:3-4]  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God  [1 Peter 1:23]

When you received the word of God ... you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.  [1 Thessalonians 2:13]  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  [2 Peter 1:20]

Blessed ... are those who hear the word of God, and obey it.  Luke 11:28  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.  [John 14:21]

Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.  [John 6:68-69]

Acts 2: 14-41

The Spirit Is For You!

Peter Addresses the Crowd

This “sermon” is the first by one of Jesus’ followers recorded in the bible. It should be of particular interest to those seeking to understand God, as it clearly touches on every important aspect of Christianity. Read and dissect each part of this message, and you will clearly see what the Christian faith is all about. Share with those who need to know. Peter presents these key points:

-Jesus did miracles and was unlike any other person who ever lived (verse 22) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

-Jesus was a real, historical person. He suffered, died, and was raised from the dead

(verse 23-24) “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

-Jewish prophets made specific prophecies about Jesus before he was born, giving proof that the Bible is God’s Word (verses 16-21-spoken by the prophet Joel, and 25-28-said by David about him).

-Jesus is Lord-Ruler of all, God in human body-the Messiah, the promised Deliver of Israel (verse 36) “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

-Trust in Jesus, not yourself, for salvation (verse 38) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

-God wants to dwell in you through the Holy Spirit (verse 38-39)…"The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

-The rest of the world is headed for disaster apart from God. Don’t get entangled by its corruption (verse 40) With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from the corrupt generation.”

Read/Listen to Acts 2: 14-41 

Face to Face

How do you communicate with others?

When I went away to college in 1968 my Dad told me that he expected me to write a letter every week. I must have complied because he was paying the bills.

Communication is vastly different today than it was 45 years ago. It started with the US mail and evolved into the Internet. Today you can fax, twitter, text, call on your smart phone while you check the Internet, or email from your phone, iPod or computer.

A friend of mine has a ministry called Face to Face. If you get a chance check it out on the web. It is a sports ministry that started with him interviewing Christian athletes. He would sit down with them, face to face.

So much of our communication today is dependent on technology. It is not personal. It is not face to face. And as much as we humans desire and need deep personal relationships, we seem to prefer the technology.

In the movie "Fiddler on the Roof", Tevye is a milkman that spends his days delivering milk from house to house as he walks along with his old lame horse. Spending most of his time alone, he talks with God constantly, face to face. He doesn’t text or tweet or talk on his cell phone or listen to his iPad.

That’s what Psalm 19 is about, making time for God.
He speaks to us through His world. "The heavens declare the glory of God".He speaks to us through His word. "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul".
For me, the meaning behind this Psalm is that God is a personal God. He desires to have an intimate relationship with us. He wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to listen to Him through His world and through His Word.

Let’s be sure to get face to face to "our Rock and our Redeemer".


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2019&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Ps.19

The rest of the story... - Romans 3:1-8

"So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't? As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference—but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures." (Romans 3:1-2)

The Life Application Commentary tells us being a Jew and being circumcised did have meaning, but only as part of God's total plan.  It is like the old radio program says, "But now hear is the rest of the story."  The Jews were entrusted with the very words of God. What a privilege wouldn't you say?  What a responsibility too, and one Paul took very seriously.

The Jewish nations were given the honor of recording God's Word, writing down for posterity and recording it truthfully and with love.  The Word being all about Jesus and the salvation He would be bringing to the world.  Anyone, Jew or Gentile, who rejects the Word of God doesn't change the fact that the Word of God is true.  I might not believe it, but it is still true.

The rest of the story is Jesus.

Read the Romans 3:1-8 text here.  Listen to the text here.

Luke 2:39-52

Have you ever heard the saying, "She is so heavenly bound she is no earthly good,"?  That does initiate a grin because we all know someone who could fill that bill. The lesson in Luke's Gospel today tells how important it is to be well-rounded, Jesus was.

The verse below is one many of us recognize but I need to tell you I never really took in the last sentence, never gave much thought to this because the preceding line about His mother pondering these things, always had my attention.  Now, as I am praying about what God is trying to tell me or show me when I read His Word, I see so much more.

Jesus grew in stature as he physically developed from boy to man.  He grew in wisdom as He matured mentally.  The as he got older he became socially adept.  Scripture says He grew in favor with God and man.  He was loved by others; family members and probably friends and neighbors.  He grew in favor with God indicates He was developing spiritually too.

Jesus knew the Sacred Scriptures, He had them memorized and He understood their meaning.  Young Jewish boys and men studied and read daily.  That is how they Grew up Strong in God's Word.  It is how we will too.

"Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:51-52)
Read the Luke 2:39-52 text here.

Watch Your Mouth-- Matthew 12:22-50

"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the mouth, the heart speaks." (Matthew 12:34)

This verse reminds me of the saying, "Garbage in, garbage out."  Most of us can think of a time we wished we hadn't voiced the words we said.  How many times can you remember your own mother saying to you, "Watch your mouth?"  Words, once they are said, cannot be taken back.  We can apologize, but harsh or critical words can never be unsaid.

The Message puts it this way, "Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation." (Matthew 12:37)

It stands to reason that words can be life-changing.  Sweet talk, or singing, or praying goes a lot farther than cursing, screaming and gossip.  I know myself, I don’t like to be in the company of someone who is crabby; or worse yet, someone who cusses all the time.  I cringe when I hear the name of the Lord taken in vain, but let me hear a loud praise song and I am right there with you.  Even my spirit feels lighter and my heart and mind are open to what you are saying.

What is the lesson here?  When trying to reach someone for Jesus, I need to use words Jesus would use.  "

It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season." (Matthew 12:35 MSG)

To read the text for today click here.