I’VE GOT A SECRET

READING: GENESIS 3:8-13

Verse 8: “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the treesof the garden.”

When Adam and Eve sinned as described in this passage of the Bible, their response to God was to attempt to hide from Him. They didn’t want the Lord to see what they had done. As we read about their behavior, it is easy to be critical. A person might even consider that they insulted God by responding as though they could escape Him by hiding. It may be, however, that our behavior as Christians today is not much different from theirs. Many of us do things in the privacy of our homes or in other sheltered places that we would not want anyone from our churches to see. All of us entertain private thoughts that we would not want to have exposed. We would be very embarrassed and ashamed if anyone else would come to know of these aspects of our lives. With regard to such secrets, we essentially react as though the Lord does not see or know. We quickly acknowledge that Adam and Eve should not have hidden. We should be just as clear regarding the reality that our God is aware of all there is to know about each of us. Contrary to hiding from the Father, we should rush to Him with our sins and misbehaviors. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. As you picture Adam and Eve attempting to hide, what thought comes to you?

2. What is your best response regarding your personal secrets?

SOMETHING THAT REALLY MATTERS

READING: JOB 2:11-13

Verse 13: “So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw his grief was very great.”

When we encounter someone who is suffering adversity, we want to bring comfort and peace to the sufferer. However, there may be uncertainly regarding how to go about it. The verse above  demonstrates a major principle for such situations. When the friends of Job learned of his adversity, they simply went to him and were present with him. It is extraordinary that they sat with him for so long without even speaking. That is especially true when compared to our culture which is so much about rush, hurry and often impatience. However, their example is an effective one that we would do well to adopt. Often it doesn’t take great or powerful words in order to be of great help. Just being there to reach out with care and patience can bring great comfort to a person in need. 2 Corinthians 1 tells us why this simple measure is so helpful. Our comforting presence is effective when the Lord is the source of our comfort. We are then able to comfort others with the comfort He has used to comfort us. Every good and perfect is from Him (James 1:17). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your most notable experience with the type of comfort discussed above?

2. What needs to change regarding your initial reaction to another person’s grief?

CONNECTING

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23

Verse 19: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I may win the more;” 

Stooping or kneeling is a good way to relate to a small child. Being eye to eye at the child’s level is better than lifting the child. This simple observation illustrates our most amazing spiritual reality. So that He could relate to us as necessary, the Lord Jesus came to our level. Because He did we can be saved, but there is more. In the verse above, Paul is the example that encourages us to do the same thing. In order to communicate the gospel to the lost, we much reach them at their level. We don’t join them in being lost, just as we don’t become children to relate to them. However, what is important is that we offer those we are reaching something with which they can identify. The Bible clearly defines our goal. In verse 23 the Apostle Paul confesses to becoming all things to all men so that he can save some. By the provision and leadership of the Holy Spirit, we too can effectively promote the Gospel of God. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Paul said he made himself a servant to all. How does that influence you?

2. When has someone made a difference for you by making themselves available for you to identify with them?

KNOWING

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-6

Verses 2 & 3: “And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.”

In order to lead well ordered lives, we must be properly balanced concerning our regard for knowledge. The spirit and attitude of the world place great value on knowledge. There is the strong belief, for example, that advances in technological knowledge will ultimately resolve most of our problems. The two verses of scripture above powerfully refute worldly notions about knowledge. Abraham Lincoln is credited with having said the following during the Civil War. “The question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God’s side.” In other words, what is important is much more about God than it is about people. These verses teach that same lesson. The belief that human knowledge is ultimately significant only amounts to deception. Being known by the Lord God Almighty is what leads to redemption. One is the narrow way and the other is broad. According to Matthew 7 the narrow way leads to life and the broad way to destruction. Then, according to Deuteronomy 30, biblical wisdom is to choose life. We should all offer ourselves to the knowledge of the Lord. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. In what way is knowledge most important to you?

2. What person would you say is well balanced regarding their response to knowledge?

SOONER, NOT LATER

READING: ECCLESIASTES 12:1-8

Verse 1: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say ‘I have no pleasure in them’”

This chapter begins with an important instruction that we should give all due devotion to the Lord while we are young. This instruction is then reinforced by a description of the potential loss of reward that can come with old age. It is true that not all who reach old age are destined to suffer because of their many years. Some of the Old Testament patriarchs, many of whom completed their latter years with pronounced flourishes, are evidence of this. A good example is Enoch, who instead of dying was taken up directly to heaven. However, the wisdom of this verse provides counsel against taking chances. We are advised to be early in establishing relationships with God that will avoid the possibility of the grievous results that can occur otherwise. While the old age experiences of some of the patriarchs are impressive, today there is something even greater. We are able to relate to the Father much more simply and at any time, even in youth. We can accept the Lord Jesus as Savior, and instantly receive what formerly took ancient patriarchs complete lifetimes of devotion to achieve. What a special manner of love the Father has provided for us that we so readily become His children. We are blessed to live daily in what the patriarchs only saw from afar off. (Hebrews 11:13). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What about those who are no longer young?

2. Why would an older person not have pleasure in those years?

WHERE IS THE JUDGE?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-7

Verse 1: “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not the saints?”

In the verse above Paul scolded the Christians at Corinth for using the civil courts instead of resolving disputes among themselves. It seems that today we too lack the confidence necessary to allow the Lord to work through our churches to produce judgments about important matters. Very rarely do Christians in disagreement go to churches for binding decisions. Modern Christians simply don’t perceive this as a way to obtain acceptable hearings and judgments. The likelihood of this occurring is reduced even further if the complications of denominational or doctrinal differences are added. We are so far from what Paul taught that it seems almost impossible. On the other hand his teaching is godly and therefore must be regarded. It is a dilemma, but we certainly are not helpless in the matter even though it does leave us with the question “What can be done?” The answer to that question is not novel, unique or even unexpected. We must respond by ”praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...” (Ephesians 6:18). Resolution will come through the grace of our mighty God! That a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why is it rare for legal settlements or judgments to be made in church settings?

2. In the Christian Church at large, how often do we “got to law” before the saints?
    never       rarely       infrequently       occasionally       sometimes

THE BOTTOM LINE

READING: ECCLESIASTES 8:9-14

Verse 13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

Sometimes there appears to be prosperity in the affairs of evildoers. This can be difficult to understand at times even for mature Christians. Today’s verse speaks to that situation. It encourages Believers to concentrate on the other side of the coin in order to avoid that difficulty. Instead of difficulty, verse 12 presents the option to accept a grand fundamental conclusion. This great conclusion is that we must give full regard to God and His commandments - not to the conditions of evildoers. Most of this chapter of scripture emphasizes that we encounter much in life that we don’t  understand. We are sure to experience difficulties if we become caught up in those matters that exceed our understanding. However, this verse of the chapter points out something we can very well understand. It is this very understanding that allows us to avoid not only these, but all difficulties. All that we need, is simply accounted for by fearing the Lord and keeping His commandments. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why is verse 13 the conclusion of the whole matter?

2. What causes people to become distracted from this great conclusion?