WHO NEEDS A NATHAN?

READING: 2 SAMUEL 12:1-12

Verse 1: “Then the LORD sent Nathan to David...”

The interaction that took place between Nathan and David serves to offer a lesson regarding an important spiritual principle. This passage of scripture relates what Nathan the Prophet said to King David, and how David responded. David was told about someone rich who sinfully took advantage of a poor man. After David became very angry about the sin of the rich man, Nathan pointed out that David was guilty of the same wrongdoing in his sin with Bathsheba. David had not been properly sensitive to the seriousness of that sin as he committed it. However, he reacted sharply when a similar act was attributed to someone else. This characteristic is not limited to David. The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 remind us that people have the tendency to notice the speck in another’s eye, while not considering the plank in their own eye. David’s error can be avoided when Christians respect the admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:31. This verse informs us that if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. As children of God by the Holy Spirit, we are made able to examine ourselves anf profit in godliness as the result. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think might have happened if David did not have Nathan?

2. What step follows self examination?

IT IS HERE

READING: PSALM 33:1-12

Verse 5: “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

Some phrases associated with the word “full” are:
1. Holding as much or as many as possible
2. Being at the highest degree or largest extent
3. Completely developed
The list of similar definitions is lengthy. The point is that if the earth is “full” of God’s goodness, then it is plentiful and we must be submerged in it. Even at that, there are times when people do not notice the presence of that goodness. Nonetheless, it exists just as His word promises. Therefore, our problem seems to be that people become distracted from the goodness that is present. People used to say “It’s hard to focus on draining the swamp when you’re surrounded by alligators.” That describes severe distraction, but even under extreme conditions, we can still have success at consistently acknowledging the goodness of God’s presence. There is scriptural help for those who desire to do this. If we regard Psalm 27:13 and obediently exercise belief that we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living, then surely the Father will respect that hope and expectation. He will lovingly reward our faith and confidence regarding the presence of His goodness. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is a common distraction from the presence of God’s goodness?

2. What advice could you give to help someone focus on the presence of God’s goodness?

BLIND MAN’S BLUFF

READING: MATTHEW 15:10-14

Verse 14: “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 

The Lord God is faithful to provide direction for His people. It is His desire that we not get out of place, become lost, trip and stumble in our lives. However, the truth is that we of ourselves cannot avoid these problems when it comes to experiencing the future. It is just not possible for us see with much certainty or clarity, where we are going or what to expect. We make attempts to see, know, predict or even control what is before us, but the stark reality is that people are basically sightless regarding the future. Without our Lord we are very much relegated to that blindness. Any other leadership that a person might seek, is equally blind regarding the way to the goodness of God in the future. However, that picture changes for followers of Jesus. Our omniscient Lord is the possessor of all of the foresight and vision we need in order to successfully and victoriously proceed into our futures. So why be led by the blind? Why fall into a ditch? Instead we should all accept His promise made to us in Proverbs 3:6. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Where do you see the blind leading the blind?

2. What is one way to keep from being led by the blind?

WORTHINESS IN A NAME

READING: PSALM 111:1-9

Verse 9: “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.”

His name is certainly, as the verse above proclaims, holy and awesome. Those words begin a description that goes on in infinite greatness from there. That is about the glory of His name, but the Bible clearly demonstrates that names for people are also very significant. In Genesis 17:5 Abram was renamed Abraham when he was designated by God as the father of many nations. Then, in verse 15, his wife’s name was changed from Sarai to Sarah to acknowledge her as a mother of nations. In Genesis 35:10 the Lord established that a nation and a company of nations would proceed from Jacob, and therefore changed his name to Israel. Soon after his conversion, Saul of Tarsus came to be called Paul as recorded in Acts 13:9. Revelation 19:12 describes Jesus at His second coming, as having a name that no one knows except Himself. Special names are also promised for those who overcome. According to Revelation 2:17, they will get a new name written on a white stone. Like the secret name Jesus will have, no one will know these white stone names either, except those who receive them. Psalm 147:4 says God counts the number of the stars and calls them all by name. I believe He does no less for His people. Certainly those who are His are also known to the Father, and are well named. Special names are marks of our worthiness in Christ. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. In what way is your earthly name spiritually significant to you?

2. What comes to mind when you consider the white stone name?

THE ABSOLUTE WINNER!

READING: MATTHEW 24:27-31

Verse 30: “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

The second coming of the Lord Jesus will be a uniquely conspicuous event on the earth. Everyone will see it! This will be a time of great victory, honor and glory for our Lord. It is also an event that is intended to provide current encouragement to every Christian, by granting us opportunity to look ahead to His return. It is in our nature as people to get great reward when we identify with a winner. The whole concept of spectator sports, which is also a major industry, is based upon this type of individual identification with winners. However, our response to that context is miniscule when compared to the matter of our identification with the return of the Lord. When it comes to the anticipation of His appearing, we are brought to the ultimate level of encouragement that can come from the exercise of identity. Our blessing is that we are able to go far beyond identifying with a winner or some winner. We are identified with THE WINNER!! He is Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior and soon coming King. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you anticipate will be the greatest reward for those who identify with the Lord?

2. How can you currently express your identification with Jesus?

THE BEST BASKET FOR YOUR EGGS

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-13

Verse 6: “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.”

Today’s verse provides some rich godly direction that is wholly pertinent to our time. Everyone needs someone or something in which to place hope and trust, some source of confidence and security. Some are counting on science to solve problems and relieve stresses. Others believe that materiel possessions will provide contentment. Still others expect that social advances and government are the instruments of wellbeing for mankind. The belief is widely held that human knowledge somehow will ultimately provide for every need. 1 Corinthians 2:6 corrects all the preceding deceptions and misunderstandings. This verse establishes that the wisdom and rulers of this age are coming to nothing. In response to that grim reality, Hebrews 7:19 then provides the comfort of God’s truth. “...on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God”. That better hope is our fulfillment which is found in the Lord Jesus and through Him only. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why are the rulers of this age coming to nothing?

2. What is the “better hope” in Hebrews 7:19?

RUN AWAY

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-22

Verse 14: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

At first glance, obeying the verse above may not seem to present much of a challenge to modern Christians. That is true at least regarding the image of idol worship that readily comes to most minds. After all there aren’t that many people, at least in our society, who set up idols as objects of worship. Or are there? Idol worship may not be that common if the operative definition of an idol is a statue or some physical image. However, what if an idol is defined as anything that is given the absolute highest level of respect , or is even placed in substitution for our Lord God Almighty? If that is done it becomes a different matter. If that definition is applied, we all are put in the position of having to examine ourselves. A useful basis for such an examination is as follows. Does a person find there is something that is more important to them for their security and wellbeing than the Lord is? Is there something to which a person would turn before trusting God? If that is so, then to whatever extent that something has replaced Him, it has become an idol. Any person finding this to be their reality should promptly obey Paul’s command. He instructs that people flee from idolatry. No matter what form it may happen to take - flee from idolatry. That’s a thought – about Gods Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is the first step in fleeing from idolatry?

2. Is there anyone who needs your help because of engagement in idolatry?