Friday, July 31, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Romans 8:37-39

Romans 8:37-39 New King James Version (NKJV)

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:27-29

Psalm 37:27-29 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
28 For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:14

Proverbs 17:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Morning Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not [a]fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Footnotes:

  1. Jeremiah 17:8 Qr., Tg. see

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - 2 Samuel 22:31-37

2 Samuel 22:31-37 New King James Version (NKJV)

31 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

32 “For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
33 [a]God is my strength and power,
And He makes [b]my way perfect.
34 He makes [c]my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands [d]to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your gentleness has made me great.
37 You enlarged my path under me;
So my feet did not slip.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Samuel 22:33 DSS, LXX, Syr., Vg. It is God who arms me with strength (cf. Ps. 18:32); Tg. It is God who sustains me with strength
  2. 2 Samuel 22:33 So with Qr., LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg. (cf. Ps. 18:32); Kt. His
  3. 2 Samuel 22:34 So with Qr., LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg. (cf. Ps. 18:33); Kt. His
  4. 2 Samuel 22:35 Lit. for the war

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:25-26

Psalm 37:25-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is [a]ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 37:26 Lit. all the day

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:13

Proverbs 17:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 Whoever rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

Morning Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 19:4-5

1 Samuel 19:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - 2 Chronicles 6:1-11

2 Chronicles 6:1-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

 Then Solomon spoke:

“The Lord said He would dwell in the dark cloud.
I have surely built You an exalted house,
And a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech upon Completion of the Work

Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a [a]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ 10 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 11 And there I have put the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord which He made with the children of Israel.”

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:7 Lit. house, and so in vv. 8–10

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:23-24

Psalm 37:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 The steps of a good man are [a]ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 37:23 established

Mid-Week Message - Stand Up!

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."  1 Peter 3:13-14  (NIV) 

We can all remember times when we were tempted to do something that we knew was wrong.  Peer pressure is a mighty force, especially in our youth.  In order to be accepted, we will consider doing things that otherwise would never cross our minds.  That is why gangs become so powerful.  They draw young people in with the promise of acceptance and loyalty.  For those coming from broken or troubled homes, this is almost to much to resist.  

We are currently witnessing actions in this country that are riotous, violent and even deadly.  What one or just a handful of people would not do on their own escalates because of the sheer numbers of individuals willing to participate.  The fervor that ripples through the crowds encourages those involved to attack ideas, structures, automobiles and the lives of law enforcement officers and anyone else that they perceive is standing in the way of whatever they take on as their goal.  The destruction left in their wake is frightful at best.  

I have to wonder how many that are taking part in these riots claim to be Christians.  I would love to think that none of them would but I personally know some who have.  I do not understand how they reconcile this in their minds and hearts as they have witnessed the actions being taken by these crowds.  I am aware that we all have our own political and social opinions.  I simply do not understand how impacting our communities through destruction and pain becomes acceptable.

Beloved, this world is changing for the worst, just as we have been warned of.  2 Timothy 3 tells us, "But mark this:  There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God".   We are seeing this in real time as we watch the news reports and see the things being done, the words being spoken and the pain it is causing in so many lives.  

It is time to stand up for what is right.  There are many who wish to transform this country into a place where our Lord is not welcome.  We have already seen bans on Bible studies in public places, scriptures removed from signs and buildings, prayer banned in schools and the attempt to take the scriptures away from our military.  Even now there are those who want stained glass windows removed from churches, nativities disallowed, and statues of the Cross or Jesus torn down.  We need to pray like we have never prayed before but we also need to be vocal and be active in reaching out to those around us.  Many are confused.  Many are scared.  We have Jesus to share!  

This isn't the type of message I normally write, but if I am going to urge others to stand up for what is right and good and holy, then I must be willing to do so as well.  1 Peter 3:15 admonishes, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect".  

My prayer for each of us is for confidence in our relationship with the Lord and boldness to reach out, speak up and stand firm.  In His grace and mercy, God bless.  

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:12

Proverbs 17:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.

Morning Scripture Reading - Job 19:23-27

Job 19:23-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 “Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is [a]destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my [b]heart yearns within me!

Footnotes:

  1. Job 19:26 Lit. struck off
  2. Job 19:27 Lit. kidneys

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Acts 16:25-34

Acts 16:25-34 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Philippian Jailer Saved

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:21-22

Psalm 37:21-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be [a]cut off.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 37:22 destroyed

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:11

Proverbs 17:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

Morning Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 17:45-47

1 Samuel 17:45-47 New King James Version (NKJV)

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

Monday, July 27, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Acts 2:38-39

Acts 2:38-39 New King James Version (NKJV)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 2:38 forgiveness