FROM COMMON TO GODLY

READING: GENESIS 2:7-20

Verse 7: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

There is an expression that is occasionally used, having to do with land or real estate. It is said that real estate is valuable because it is no longer being produced and there will never be more than there is now. That idea probably has merit in an economic sense. However, when we view land as just ground, or just plain ordinary dirt, its value changes. The term “cheap as dirt” indicates the extent of the change in value. However, as we read in Genesis 2 we see the following. Verse 7, as quoted above, informs us that man was made of dust. Verse 9 says He made the trees to grow out of the ground. Verse 19 states that God formed every beast and bird out of the ground. The Bible establishes how special the ground has been in God’s process of creation. When we consider this matter of the value of ground, a great truth emerges. Like mankind from the ground, in the hands of Almighty God even the most common substance is elevated to greatness in the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think about the fact that the Lord used dust instead of something else?

2. What other way can you see that God has transformed something common into something special?

THE REST OF THE STORY

READING: PROVERBS 13:13-21

Verse 20: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

The biblical Proverbs are often presented in two parts. The second part often contrasts the first. As you may have already noted, verse 20 above is such a proverb. The first part is about the wise. The statement made is clear and easy to grasp. Basically it states that we become like those with whom we associate, that are wise. The second part is about the foolish. If a person were to stop reading too soon, it is likely that person would conclude wrongly about this part. Based on the message in the first part, it would be expected that the point of the second part would be about becoming foolish as  the result of keeping company with the foolish. Not so, there is a surprise! Instead, the second part informs the reader that the result of hanging out with fools does not stop with only the creation of more foolishness. Instead it goes much further and produces destruction! This unexpected variation in the second part serves to magnify the counsel provided in the first part, and multiplies its impact. It helps us to appreciate that those who practice associations with the wise are not only made wise, they are also saved from the destruction that is associated with the foolish. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. In today’s culture, what does it take to walk with wise men?

2. Is there another proverb that this one brings to mind?

SAFE AND SECURE

READING: JOHN 10: 7-11

Verse 10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The devil brings influence into the world with full intent to do harm and cause loss. As our adversary, he prepares packages of destruction and tries to make them appear to be desirable gifts. For example, to a person in need of love, an offer that would appear to meet that need could be an attractive proposal. However, if the offer had been created by Satan, it would not provide true love, but a counterfeit. Such an offer would actually result from a destructive motive such as greed or selfishness, disguised as love. Inevitably some form of injury would occur. What may be attractive, even appearing as the perfect provision, would be harmful instead. We don’t want uch experiences, nor does our Lord and Father want them for us. Therefore, He equips us with protection. His care for us is more complete than we can understand, but some of it is provided by the wisdom of Proverbs 3:6. Those who properly acknowledge the Lord will not be deluded. They will be guided into His loving provisions and away from the deceptive offerings of the enemy. There is safety and security for all who allow the Lord to guide their paths. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is another source of spiritual protection that the Lord provides?

2. Under what condition are you most secure and protected?

WHAT’S NEXT?

READING: LUKE 2:8-15

Verse 15: "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’” 

Very frequently, we find ourselves feeling that we need to know what to do. That is a feeling that is capable of producing prodigious mental exercises. Compelling thoughts can transition into emotional  experiences, which can then generate a great deal of stress and pressure. At such times, as we try to  search out the right response, what we really need is direction from the Lord. When His input comes, we know what to do. In today’s passage of scripture, the shepherds had a glorious experience with an angel of the Lord and a multitude of the heavenly hosts. When the angels had gone away from them, they could have been swept into a frequently experienced human mode. Their reeling minds could have been filled with the question, “Now what?” However, the Bible shows us that they very quickly knew how to respond. They promptly agreed to go and see the baby Jesus. Because they had been divinely affected by their heavenly encounter, they were rightly directed in their situation and knew what was necessary. There is right direction for all who, like the shepherds, practice heavenly focus. Our help comes from the Lord! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How do you respond when you need to know what to do?

2. What is your best response when someone asks you what they should do?

NOT DOWN – FAR FROM OUT

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-15

Verses 8 & 9: “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

The Apostle Paul wrote about his life as described above. The conditions he faced were certainly daunting and challenging. To provide clarity and more details, a list of his many sufferings is provided in 2 Corinthians 11. Paul’s hardships far exceed what most of us are even able to imagine. Anyone seriously considering what Paul so effectively endured must sooner or later be compelled to consider how and why he did it. This great man provided answers to those questions for us in 2 Timothy 1:12. In that verse he wrote “... for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” Paul’s victorious, attitude and stance, and his just plain toughness were obtained purely by faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior and Provider. That model that he established has not become outdated or outworn, and is as current as the most recent “breaking news”. What constituted such powerful godly success in Paul, is also present for us. Our victory also is available through faith in our Lord. Jesus obtained it for us and is the  reason that, as we are called, we have the strength of Paul. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Which of Paul’s challenges would be most difficult for you?

2. What is the key to Paul’s type of faith?

GREAT PROFIT

READING: PSALM 40:1-5

Verse 1: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”

In this verse David describes one manner in which he was faithful to the Lord. That was to patiently wait. Then, as expressed in verses 1 - 3, God replied to David in six ways. He inclined, heard, brought, set, established and put. These responses were all granted as His provision for David’s well being. This illustrates the principle of the Father’s great supernatural return in response to relatively small human investment. This aspect of the Lord’s character is even more powerfully seen in Genesis 12. In this chapter, God’s establishment of covenant with Abram is recorded. As with David, it was necessary for Abram to accomplish one act of faith. His assignment was to leave his country to go where he was led. Then, God’s promised response would be to bless Abram in eight ways that would be for him and his descendents. Abram obeyed and the Lord has been faithful. These eight blessing have multiplied for thousands of years, and have embraced countless people. Our loving Holy, Heavenly Father causes our actions taken in obedience to Him, to produce returns that are far greater than our investments. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

 

1. How have you invested in relationship with the Lord?

2. How God has responded to one of these investments?

KEEP IT SIMPLE

READING: JOHN 21:1-6

Verse 6: “And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.’”

The verse above describes the manner in which Jesus appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias following His resurrection. The Lord told them to cast their nets again after they had unsuccessfully fished all night long. Not knowing it was Jesus who instructed them, the disciples probably had the typical human response. “Why should we do that? We’ve already tried everything. Nothing is going to work.” As it may have been for the disciples, there are times when the Lord’s directions for our lives also don’t seem to be what we need. His expectations seem to lack wisdom. However, just as the disciples found their need to be met when they obeyed Jesus, so we will find it to be likewise in our lives. We are often not able to identify with His infinite wisdom. That is so simply because we are not infinite in our wisdom. What we have can’t touch what He has!! We are like the child who just can’t reach that cookie jar. Therefore, our best response is clear. We should not try to exceed our limits. We always ought to simply trust and obey. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Consider whether you unnecessarily complicate matters in relating to the Lord.

2. When have you had excessive blessing like the disciples did?