Monday, July 27, 2020

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:18-20

Psalm 37:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

18 The Lord knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:10

Proverbs 17:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Morning Scripture Reading - Isaiah 59:21

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?”

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 35:17

Jeremiah 35:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

17 “Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’ ”

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:16-17

Psalm 37:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Excel in Giving

In the early days of the pandemic, people began to hoard all sorts of things. If you went through this, then you know exactly what I mean. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and a number of other items flew off store shelves. In addition to those items, food items like canned meats and beans soon became scarce. When I visited a local big-box store, I saw people stealing from other people’s carts. When store associates pulled items from their storerooms, people descended upon the palettes like a flock of vultures feasting on a new carcass. I could not believe my own eyes. People shoved others away from items only to grab armfuls of them for themselves. Families came into the stores pushing multiple carts and filled them with all sorts of items. By the time I went to the store to do my weekly shopping,  store shelves were bare of almost everything.

Some preachers declared that the world was soon coming to an end and demanded that their viewers send more money to further their ministries. There were those who not only preached that the world was soon coming to an end but also fleeced their flocks of cash or sold them “miracle cures” for a donation. I guess some believed the words of one politician who said that you should never let a crisis go to waste. 

The sad part of all of this was that this frenzy was unnecessary. Contrary to the messages of some of the televangelists, the world didn’t and hasn’t ended. The sun still rises and sets and life, for the most part, still goes on. Those who used credit cards to buy up all the toilet paper in hopes of making a profit soon found themselves unable to sell a single roll for profit. The day of judgement that some preached never came.

As I reflect on those moments that I personally witnessed and the stories that I heard or read, I realize that some wasted an opportunity to truly show generosity and goodwill to others. Instead of hoarding, people could have taken only what they needed and helped others. People could have given to others love and understanding. Things could have been so much better for all, but we chose the path of selfishness and greed.

As kind and compassionate human beings, we could have excelled by doing for others and helping those in need. We could have been a shining example to all and been part of a great chapter in history. When this pandemic becomes a thing of the past, I lament what will be written in our history books. Instead of saying that we rose to the challenges like those during World War II to defeat a common enemy, the history books will focus on our greed and selfishness. Pictures of people fighting over toilet paper will punctuate the words describing how we hoarded everything.

In chapter eight of his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, “Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” Paul was asking the church there to finish what they had started. They were the first to give and the first to begin giving. He remembers that whatever they give is acceptable as long as it is given with eagerness. He didn’t ask them to give if it would make it hard for others. He asked them to be equitable in their giving and since they had plenty, they needed to give to those in need.

Later, he reminds them that those in need will return the favor to those who once had plenty and now find themselves in need. Paul is describing a concept that is almost alien in our day and time. It is called sharing. When we are blessed with bounty, we have a Christian duty to share with those who are in need. We do not just share with fellow Christians. We are commanded by our Heavenly Father to give even to our enemies and those who would persecute us. We are to excel in giving.

When we give what we have to those who are in need, our Heavenly Father sees those acts of generosity and blesses those who cheerfully give. We should not fill our cellars and storehouses with the bounty and not share it with others. We should give to those without expectation of praise from those around us.

Jesus, in chapter six of the Gospel of Matthew, tells us, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

So, in order to excel in giving, we, as Christians, should excel in our giving by doing it equitably without fanfare and the expectation of receiving praise from others. When we give with those principles in mind, we will be rewarded by Father God who sees all that we do.

As this pandemic wears on, we still have opportunities to share with those in need. There are many who are unemployed and are in need of food. We live in one of the greatest nations in all the world. God has poured out His blessings upon us. As recipients of those blessings, we must share them without holding back. Remember the words of Paul. When we find ourselves in need, we will receive the help of those who were once in need.

The author of Proverbs writes, in chapter twenty-two, “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.”

Think of it this way. When we give generously, we receive generously. Our Heavenly Father blesses our work and our gifts. What we share with others is a blessing to them. Just as we received a blessing from God, we should share it with others. That is how we excel in our giving. 

In chapter fifteen of the Book of Deuteronomy, the author perfectly summarizes how we should excel in our giving to others, “Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.”

By truly following the example of Christ Jesus and the words given to us by Father God, we can, without a doubt, stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 17:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Morning Scripture Reading - Hebrews 13:15-16

Hebrews 13:15-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, [a]giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Footnotes:

  1. Hebrews 13:15 Lit. confessing

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Matthew 8:5-13

Matthew 8:5-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:12-15

Psalm 37:12-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15 Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:8

Proverbs 17:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Morning Scripture Reading - Ecclesiastes 7:7

Ecclesiastes 7:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason,
And a bribe [a]debases the heart.

Footnotes:

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:7 destroys

Friday, July 24, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - 1 Kings 4:29-34

1 Kings 4:29-34 New King James Version (NKJV)

29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. 33 Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. 34 And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:9-11

Psalm 37:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

For evildoers shall be [a]cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 37:9 destroyed

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:7

Proverbs 17:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

Morning Scripture Reading - Ephesians 3:14-19

Ephesians 3:14-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

Appreciation of the Mystery

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Footnotes:

  1. Ephesians 3:14 NU omits of our Lord Jesus Christ

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Evening Scripture Reading - Acts 18:9-11

Acts 18:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:7-8

Psalm 37:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Rest in the Lordand wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:6

Proverbs 17:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.

Morning Scripture Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:19 reckoning