Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16:32

Proverbs 16:32 Holman Christian Standard Bible

32 Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.

Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled

6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Evening Scripture Reading - Ezekiel 37:25

Ezekiel 37:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible

25 “They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 147:1

Psalm 147:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Psalm 147

God Restores Jerusalem

1 Hallelujah!

How good it is to sing to our God,

for praise is pleasant and lovely.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16:31

Proverbs 16:31 Holman Christian Standard Bible

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;

it is found in the way of righteousness.

Morning Scripture Reading - Isaiah 30:19-22

Isaiah 30:19-22 Holman Christian Standard Bible

19 For you people will live on Zion in Jerusalem and will never cry again. He will show favor to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears, He will answer you. 20 The Lord will give you meager bread and water during oppression, but your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher, 21 and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” 22 Then you will defile your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, and call them filth.

Evening Scripture Reading - Exodus 14:13-14

Exodus 14:13-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible

13 But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.”

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 146:10

Psalm 146:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible

10 The Lord reigns forever;

Zion, your God reigns for all generations.

Hallelujah!

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16:30

Proverbs 16:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

Morning Scripture Reading - Job 37:14-18

Job 37:14-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible

14 Listen to this, Job.

Stop and consider God’s wonders.

15 Do you know how God directs His clouds

or makes their lightning flash?

16 Do you understand how the clouds float,

those wonderful works of Him who has perfect knowledge?

17 You whose clothes get hot

when the south wind brings calm to the land,

18 can you help God spread out the skies

as hard as a cast metal mirror?

Evening Scripture Reading - Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible

6 Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed,

for they will be filled.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 146:5-9

Psalm 146:5-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible

5 Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea and everything in them.

He remains faithful forever,

7 executing justice for the exploited

and giving food to the hungry.

The Lord frees prisoners.

8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord raises up those who are oppressed.

The Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord protects foreigners

and helps the fatherless and the widow,

but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16:29

Proverbs 16:29 Holman Christian Standard Bible

29 A violent man lures his neighbor,

leading him in a way that is not good.

Morning Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 31:23-25

Jeremiah 31:23-25 Holman Christian Standard Bible

23 This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore their fortunes, they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities, ‘May the Lord bless you, righteous settlement, holy mountain.’ 24 Judah and all its cities will live in it together—also farmers and those who move with the flocks— 25 for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”

Evening Scripture Reading - Mark 9:38-41

Mark 9:38-41 Holman Christian Standard Bible

In His Name

38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”

39 “Don’t stop him,” said Jesus, “because there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name who can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of My name, since you belong to the Messiah—I assure you: He will never lose his reward.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 146:3-4

Psalm 146:3-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible

3 Do not trust in nobles,

in man, who cannot save.

4 When his breath leaves him,

he returns to the ground;

on that day his plans die.

Mid-Week Message - The Scars of Life

 "He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed."  1 Peter 2:24  (NLT)

An old friend of mine was in a terrible car accident when we were in high school.  She ended up with gashes in her face and many, many stitches.  I remember, once the stitches were removed, the reminders of that accident in the form of scars. Although they have faded with time, the traces remain.  

Parents do everything they can to safeguard their children from falls and accidents.  Sooner or later though, a head hits a table, a knee is scraped when falling from a bicycle, or a child needs a surgery that leaves a scar.  Aside from keeping them bundled up in bubble wrap, there isn't much we can do to totally prevent our little ones from injury in one form or another.  

There is a scene in the movie "Jaws" where the men on the boat are sitting around a table and comparing the proofs of their past hurts.  It is quite funny but it also points to the fact that as we age we have more and more evidence of things that have happened to us in life.  A history.  A physical, mental and emotional "photo album,"  if you will.  The marks of a lived life and the healing that occurred after the pain.

When Jesus was crucified, nails were driven through his hands and feet and a spear was thrust into His side.  These wounds left eternal scars on our Savior.  John 20:24-27 tells us that Thomas said he would not believe that the other disciples had seen Jesus (after His resurrection) until he could actually touch the wounds.  Eight days later, Jesus appeared before them and He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands.  Put your hand into the wound in my side.  Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"  

There are those who walk among us who bear physical scars obtained by acts of love such as the mark left behind after donating a kidney or the burns on the father who ran back into a burning house to rescue a child.  Lifelong reminders of sacrifices that would be made again should the same set of circumstances be presented.  We bear pain out of love without thinking about the marks that will be left behind.  

The love that Jesus showed for us is insurmountable.  The agony of all He withstood before He even was placed on the cross, unimaginable.  Yet, He withstood each blow, each insult, each rejection  because He understood that without His sacrifice there would be no forgiveness of our sins.  The scars that He bears belong to each of us.  

No matter what we experience in life, no matter the depth of pain we may deal with, when we observe the scars left behind, let's remember the One who came to rescue us for eternity.  One day, when we meet Him face to face, we will have the chance to kiss those nail-scarred hands.  What a day that will be!    

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16:28

Proverbs 16:28 Holman Christian Standard Bible

28 A contrary man spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.

Morning Scripture Reading - Mark 8:27-30

Mark 8:27-30 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

27 Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the road He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 They answered Him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”

30 And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him.

Evening Scripture Reading - Romans 1:8

Romans 1:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.