WE ARE WELCOME

READING: PSALM 103:13-19

Verse 14: “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”

No one knows each of us as well as our Holy Heavenly Father does. He completely understands us down to the very most basic and uttermost aspects of who we are. Along with that intimate knowledge of us all, He also has merciful compassion for us. The result is that our Savior knows ourlimitations and weaknesses, but does not allow them to interfere with His loving responses to us. Many struggle with that - some are completely unable to accept it. In their earthly experiences they have received harshness and rejection as the result of their limitations and weaknesses. Consequently, they come to expect painful results when they believe they don’t measure up. That is not so with our God. He is not that way. He is different! Instead of harshness and rejection, the Father never fails to provide us with understanding, mercy and patience. Our Lord accepts, receives and loves us with perfected grace. Jesus is our peace and our abundant rest. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there someone to whom you should deliver this message?

2. How do you view your weaknesses and limitations?

IT’S OLD AND IT’S NEW

READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-11

Verse 1: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

There is a tale of encouragement that was often told by an ancient and wise servant of God. He spoke of a man who had a very great store of worldly goods. The servants of the devil started to steal and destroy those things, so he decided to guard them. He soon found that when he guarded one part of  his belongings, another part would be attacked. In the throes of his desperation, the man turned and saw Jesus patiently watching him. He instantly knew that he should go to the Lord, but was afraid to leave his things. Then Jesus gestured for the man to come. After much internal struggle, he obeyed the Lord. As he went to his Savior he looked back at the goods he had so highly valued. To his amazement he saw that he had been deceived. What he had thought was important was now unattractive and of no real value. However, at the feet of Jesus, he found the contentment he had tried to get from his possessions. The ancient and wise servant always concluded his story with this advice. He would tell his listeners to seek those things which are above, where Christ is. Today the message is not ancient and wise, but modern and wise. We should go and do likewise. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What of great importance to you expect to find where Christ is?

2. As a wise servant of God, what advice do you have to give?

READY, SET, SEEK GOD

READING: GENESIS 33:12-17

Verse 15: “Then he said to Him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.’”

Moses wanted to be absolutely certain he was following God as he led the Israelites. He didn’t want to move without the assurance of the leadership of the Lord. He knew very well and without a doubt, that failure would occur if it were to be otherwise. Unfortunately the Israelites later lost sight of this important principle that was practiced under Moses. Following their spectacular victory at Jericho under the leadership of Joshua, they presumptuously attacked the city of Ai. The attack was based on the observation that the city was small and the resulting conclusion that victory would come easily. They failed to first consult with the Lord. If they had done so, they would have learned there was sin in the camp. It was sin that needed to be addressed before they attempted to fight a battle. Their failure to seek the Lord caused there to be unredeemed sin present, which caused their defeat in battle. This is another of countless scriptural lessons all of which repeat the same principle. This principle is neatly summarized by Ephesians 5:17. “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Without the leadership of the Lord, we can expect defeat, failure and ruin. With Him, nothing will be impossible. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How did the Israelites arrive in a posture where they failed to seek the Lord before acting?

2. How can today’s Christians avoid the trap that the Israelites experienced?

WHEN THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-11

Verse 2: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

For some, the encouragement given above can be a little hard to accept at times. There are people who feel they must, at least occasionally, set their minds on some earthly things. They may believe they need to do so in order to avoid being taken advantage of, neglected or abused. They fear being suddenly overtaken by some situation for which they were not prepared. As the result, although they may want minds set on things above, they still feel compelled to keep an eye on things of the earth. However, this verse doesn’t seem to leave loopholes or make ways for exceptions. It demands the exercise of a level of faith and trust in the Lord, that permits our minds to be properly directed above. Those who practice Holy Spirit led responses are granted this way of living. They need not fear because they will be fully protected and cared for. We are promised that to be spiritually minded is
life and peace. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think is the greatest earthly distraction from minds on things above?

2. Why is it that this verse does not provide loopholes or exceptions?

FOREWARNED

READING: COLOSSIANS 2:11-19

Verse 18: “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding unto those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

It is so reassuring to recognize how thoroughly the Lord has planned and prepared for those who are His. Today’s verse is one source of this reassurance. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these words were written between 60 and 61 A.D. according to the Reese Chronological Bible. Now, one thousand nine hundred and fifty three years later, we see the continuing purpose of this caution that was given so very long ago. For example, just a few years ago numbers of people were misled by widespread deceptions regarding angels. Those deceptions caused loss to some who were not educated in the truths of the Bible. Some could even have been defrauded of their rewards in Christ. The same types of loss remain possibilities today. This is so not only regarding the worship of angels, but also the other threats described in this verse and other passages in the word of God. We are blessed that our loving Heavenly Father foreknew these traps and possibilities, and has used scriptures to warn us against them. We have security in His abundant provisions. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How would a person “intrude into those things which he has not seen”?

2. What scriptural has kept you from loss?

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

READING: PSALM 127:1-5

Verse 1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

The verse above is Solomon’s wisdom for those who regard his words. It is worthy to note that the verse does not say it is not possible to build without God. Instead, it informs us that what does get built without him, ultimately will not benefit the builder. Solomon’s wisdom is confirmed in a parable told by the Lord Jesus. In Luke 12, He describes a rich man who decided to tear down his barns so the he could build even greater barns to store more crops and goods. This man was called a fool because the reality was that that he would not live long enough to complete his plan. Solomon’s wisdom is even further validated by Psalm 94:11. This verse declares that the Lord knows the thoughts of a man and that they are futile. The thoughts of people without the influence of the Holy Spirit will not produce authentic value. So far, this reading has been all about uselessness and futility. Now let all of that be reversed and overcome by the following sentence. Praise God that all of our uselessness and futility are redeemed by His grace! “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” (Luke 1:68) That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What comes to your mind that must have God’s redemptive trust in order to be of true value?

2. What in your life has the Lord redeemed and established on a righteous path?

MARKED WITH APPROVAL

READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12

Verse 4: “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”

In the verse above, the Apostle Paul acknowledged that he was approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. His statement is certainly authenticated by his accomplishments as a servant of the Lord. The Bible thoroughly documents his faithfulness to the gospel. As we view ourselves, those  perceptions usually convince us that Paul was far, far greater than we could ever hope to be. It does seem extremely unlikely that anyone will ever be the equal of this great man of God. On the other hand, none of us should underestimate what the power of the Lord is able to do. After all it really is all about Him and His unlimitedness, not our skills and capabilities. Nothing about Paul’s earlier years even remotely hinted his future stature as a Christian. What is in our futures? Is there some Paul in us? The key is as mentioned above. The essence of Paul’s unique service was that his ministry was approved by God. With the approval of the Lord as its source, the resulting excellence of Paul’s ministry was assured. Today, that should serve to boost our hope. We should not allow self-perceived limitations to constrain us. Like Paul, we too are approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, and with God all things are possible. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How do you compare with the Apostle Paul?

2. Are you being detained by self-imposed limits?