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READING: 2 TIMOTHY 1:1-7

Verse 7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

One of the definitions for faith in Webster’s Dictionary, says it is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof. It is interesting to note that those same words can define fear. Many fears, like faith, are beliefs in something unproven. Both fear and faith begin with the belief that something is going to happen. However, major difference is introduced when the faith involved is biblical faith. Fears come from entertaining negative expectations that harm or loss is going to occur. The faith of a Believer reflects positive expectations that God’s dominion will insure our wellbeing. The devil tries to produce fear to distract us from the realty of our Heavenly Father’s faithfulness. As today’s verse says, that is clearly not from God. Through godly faith, we can remain encouraged and strong as we receive the Lord’s promised gifts of power, love and soundness of mind. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What should a person do when they realize the presence of fear?

2. Review in your mind an incident during which you recognized the operation of power, love and soundness of mind.

A GOOD THING THAT DOESN’T END

READING: 1 PETER 1:1-9

Verse 4: “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Without necessarily thinking about it, we very much respond to the assumption that good things won’t last. We keep extensive records that keep us aware of how long past good things have lasted. These records encourage us with regard to endurance, however they are also subtle reminders that those good things have eventually ended. At times, people are so anxious about the anticipated ends of events, that they are unable to enjoy them while they do last. While that is the nature of much of our worldly experience, we are given a very different heavenly expectation. The verse above speaks to us of an everlasting inheritance that does not loose its richness, which is being kept for us in heaven. No one will ever establish the record number of days of consecutive joy in heaven. It will not be possible to achieve such records, because the days of joy and all the other promises of God will never end. We won’t count the amount that has gone before, won’t wonder about how much yet remains and we won’t be reluctantly expect an end. We will simply abide in the glory that will be present. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think may be one part of your inheritance?

2. Is there anything you can receive from this scripture or reading that you can practice now?

COME AS YOU ARE

READING: JOHN 21:1-9

Verse 7: “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter head that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. Verse 8: “But the other disciples came in the little boat...dragging the net with fish”

Have you heard of “come as you are” gatherings? That’s when people are contacted and invited to immediately come to a location just as they are. That means no change of clothes, no makeup, no hair combing or teeth brushing, etc. The Lord’s invitation to us through the Gospel is like that. That idea also applies to the responses of the disciples when they realized that Jesus was waiting for them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There were two different reactions. Peter plunged into the water and swam ashore, providing an impressive display of exuberance. The others used a boat to get there, and in the process took the fish that had been caught. It seems that the Lord approved of both behaviors. He accepted both the exuberant and the practical. We don’t have to create some false identity or facade to be received by the Lord Jesus. He would see through such a thing anyway. In response to His invitation to salvation, all are welcome to “come as they are.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Did you respond exuberantly or practically?

2. Has you mode of response changed or is it the same?

WE NEED MORE

READING: JOHN 21:1-5

Verse 5: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’”

In these verses we are able to observe the behavior of the disciples. They were fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and had fished all night without catching any fish. Then Jesus appeared on the shore. The Bible tells us He asked them if they had been successful, and they answered that they had not been. Since it was the Lord who was asking, we know He was not asking for the purpose of obtaining information. It almost looks as though He was rubbing their noses in their failure, but that wasn’t His purpose either. Instead, it seems to me He was actually helping them to fully understand and appreciate their situation, their inadequacy and their need. It was necessary for them to recognize their need for more, in order to be postured for the Lord’s intervention. Then they found that the “more” they needed was the Lord. The situation just described provides wisdom for us today. Often, when we experience lack of success, our need is identical to that of the disciples. We also need to recognize our need for more, and that “more” for us too is Jesus. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Does the Lord have a question for you today?

2. Fishing was distracting the disciples from considering Jesus.
Do you need to be made aware of any distraction?

TREAT FOE LIKE FRIEND

READING: PROVERBS 25:21-22

Verse 22: “For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the lord will reward you.”

People are very much conditioned to desire and to expect direct rewards for what they do. In fact, many are not willing to commit to anything unless the reward is clearly established, visible, and provided “up front”. If governed by this common expectation, Proverbs 25 would provide the following message: Give bread to eat to your hungry enemy, and water to drink to your thirsty enemy; and your grateful enemy will reward you.” However, that is not the promise of this passage. It is certainly true that these verses do instruct the reader to give bread and water to needy enemies. The difference is that it most certainly does not create the expectation of reward from the enemy. We are not being motivated to give in order to obtain something to be received in return. Instead, it states that it is the Lord who will reward kindnesses shown in the manner described. It is also stated in the Book of Proverbs that, “...he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.” (Prov 11:18). We know that our Lord is the Sure Rewarder! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What would you say to an enemy while displaying this type of kindness?

2. How do you think the Lord might reward this type of kindness?

PEACE EVERLASTING

READING: JAMES 3:13-18

Verse 16: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

This verse speaks deeply into the sin and iniquity that are so evident upon the earth in recent times. One powerful example of its truth is the world’s horrible experience because of Nazi Germany. At the utter extreme of self-seeking, Hitler declared that Germans were of the superior Nordic race and that all other non-Nordic people were inferior. This lie caused gross deception that brought about the presence of evil at its uttermost. Wherever the Nazi influence prevailed, every attempt was made to suppress Christian influence. Further, the torture and murder of millions of Jews occurred; and the death and destruction of World War II took place. With that as background, it is refreshing to have verse 18 of James 3 as our alternative. It promises that “...the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” The victory at the end of World War II provided a limited and temporary peace. However, we rejoice that the Prince of Peace and all who accept the peace of His Lordship; will know and live eternal peace. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is it an exaggeration to say that “every evil thing” was present during World War II?

2. Where are “envy and self-seeking” most evident in the world today?

A SPIRITUAL BOOMERANG

READING: ROMANS 1:18-25

Verse 18: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

The Book of 1 Kings 18 describes a meeting between Elijah the Prophet and Ahab the King of Israel. Upon seeing Elijah, Ahab said, “Is that you O trouble of Israel?” Ahab considered Elijah to be trouble because Elijah challenged him so thoroughly. Ahab’s conclusion, however, was rooted in deception. Elijah’s response to Ahab, which was rooted in truth, exposed the existing deception. Elijah said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the  commandments of the Lord.” Ahab had attempted to blame the one who was righteous, attributing to Elijah the results of his own sin. That was a gross, selfserving error. The erroneous accusation was like a boomerang. Ahab tried to throw it to Elijah, but it returned back to him. Our verse for today responds to this error resulting from deception, by describing the dire consequence that is against those who commit it. In these, our days before the Lord, we are so warned. Accordingly, may we be found free of the suppression of truth. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What group of people is most guilty of suppressing the truth?

2. If you were to throw a spiritual boomerang, what would you throw?