BUSTED

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-12

Verse 10: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the  sorrow of the world produces death.”

Laura and June both got a cookie from the cookie jar without getting permission. They heard their little brother telling mom what they had done and knew they were in trouble. Laura thought, “It was wrong for me to take that cookie and I’m going to ask mom to forgive me for being disobedient.” June thought, “I should have been more careful about getting that cookie. Now I have to say the right thing to mom in order to ease the punishment.” Laura was sorry she did something that was wrong. June was sorry she got caught doing something wrong. As adults we still respond in those two very different manners. That fact gets us to the verse quoted above. Is there someone reading this devotional thought who practices the sorrow of the world? If so, you should know that Jesus has saved you from the death that results according to God’s order and principles. It is our Lord’s desire to change your worldly sorrow into godly sorrow that leads to salvation. If you are a reader who practices godly sorrow, please pray a prayer for those who need to repent and be saved. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is it about worldly sorrow that causes death?

2. What type of condition may motivate a transformation from worldly to godly sorrow?

ME FIRST

READING: 1 KINGS 17:8-16 

Verse 13: “And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me...’”

This passage of scripture describes how the Lord used the prophet Elijah to save a widow and her son from starvation and in the process established a great testimony of God’s greatness. By divine  inspiration, Elijah told the widow to give him some of what seemed to be the last of her flour and oil. He demanded what stood between her and starvation. She obeyed and gave a portion of her last, but then she began to discover that the flour and oil were miraculously replenished as she used them. We remark about the woman’s faith to obey, but it also took faith for Elijah to take that portion of her food. Many people would have a problem doing what Elijah did if placed in his position. There would be guilt and resistance regarding such an action. Many would be hampered by what people would think of them. “Shame on the great prophet for taking some of a poor widow’s last food from her.” It’s often harder for us to receive than it is to give. However, this scripture demonstrates what God did through Elijah’s faithfulness to receive. He proved that, when done in obedience, receiving can be every bit as godly as giving. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. With which do you identify most, Elijah or the widow?

2. Have you been in a position where you were reluctant to receive?

IN PLAIN SIGHT

READING: GENESIS 3:8-13

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

Following their sin, the response to God by Adam and Eve was to attempt to hide from Him. They didn’t want the Lord to see what they had done. It is easy to be critical in reading about their behavior. It may be, however, that our behavior as Christians these days is not much different. Many of us do things in the privacy of our homes that we would not want anyone from our churches to see. All of us entertain private thoughts. We would be ashamed if anyone else would come to know of some of these secret activities of our minds. If we have those reactions to people gaining knowledge of our private moments, what about God knowing of them? More or less we do act as though He, like other people, doesn’t see or know. It is easy to clearly conclude that Adam and Eve were foolish to hide. Maybe it would help us with our righteousness if we would be just as clear that that we are no different in our lives before the Lord. We can’t hide our sins either. It will be great if that fact will motivate us to more often take time before we act and consider that our Holy God is fully aware. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there a personal response for you to this reading?

2. How many out of every ten Christians considers God’s awareness of their behaviors?

GET IT ON

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Verse 11: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy.”

There are some situations that are just plain hard to imagine. Think of a person completely preparing and stuffing a large turkey, and then roasting it for only 15 minutes. What about someone who does a great deal of reading, but only reads the first two chapters of each book? These scenarios are difficult to grasp because, to an extreme degree, they represent only partial completion. It is true, however, that there are Christians who consider themselves thoroughly protected from the devil and his servants by one week an hour in church. Others assume that their prayer of salvation alone is sufficient to thoroughly shelter them from the reach and influence of the enemy. The Bible verse above brings clarity that identifies these as dangerously mistaken behaviors. In order to be protected from the kingdom of darkness, partial measures will not do. Every Christian must put on the whole armor of God. It is only by using the whole armor that we will be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How does a person put on the armor of God?

2. Is the armor put on once or more frequently?

UP FOR IT

READING: JOHN 21:1-8 

Verse 4: “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus."

 The words “when the morning had now come” constitute a compelling phrase which is full of hope and anticipation. When that statement is made, a person of Christian optimism will likely expect that some improvement or refreshment is about to take place. That is because Christians know that the Bible identifies mornings as times when special blessings are granted. For example, God’s word tells us that His mercies are new in the morning; that joy comes in the morning; that God’s lovingkindness is declared in the morning; and that the glory of the Lord shall be seen in the morning. That is just a sampling of many such encouragements. It is no wonder that so many biblical personalities rose early in the morning. They experienced so many supernatural goodnesses in those early times, that they came to expect it to happen. Blessings are still available and waiting when morning comes. When we are in place and expectant, we too can consistently receive the blessings of morning delights in the presence of the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is it in the morning that causes special opportunities?

2. What gets in the way of these morning blessings?

BECAUSE OF THE LORD

READING: DEUTERONOMY 20:1-9

Verse 1: “When you go to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

This verse is an assurance given by God to the Israelites many years ago regarding their enemies. Today we experience adverse conditions, situations and occurrences. They are unavoidable aspects of life in this world. These are our enemies. At times they seem as powerful against us as the horses, chariots and armies seemed to the Israelites. Examples of these modern enemies are debts, sickness, abuse, anger, abortion, crime, addictions and depression to name a few. When these enemies are encountered, they can cause in us the same responses that the Israelites experienced. We are blessed that the ancient assurance given by the Lord for His people of that day, also applies to we who are His people of this day. We are charged to not be afraid of these enemies because the Lord our God is with us. Even today Almighty God remains supreme over all of our challenges, and the resolution of all our fears. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What can we expect from God regarding our enemies?

2. Is there any confession you need to make to the Lord regarding fear?

CHRIST ALONE

READING: JOHN 5:31-40

Verse 39: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
Verse 40: “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

Jesus made the statement quoted in verse 39 above to the Jewish leaders of His time. The Lord had given the Law of God to the Hebrews so they could be instructed regarding relationship with Him. He wanted them to know Him and to have eternal life in relationship with Him. However, there was a problem. They had taken what was intended to be the means to that end, and made it an end unto itself. In effect, they regarded the Law of God with attitudes of regard, worship and expectation that should have been reserved for the Law-Giver, God Himself. The Church today is not free of that error. There are some who regard and worship the things of God with a fervor that should be only for the Lord. Instead of looking to the Father for direction, answers and security, they can be found entirely focused on doctrine, theology, or the latest book on godly responses. The result of that is misuse of what should connect people with the Lord just like the priests and scribes did, or even religious abuses. According to verse 30, before placing confidence in what is from God, we must be willing to go to the Lord Himself. Then we may have life. There is no source of eternal life in glory but He and He alone! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why did Jesus say the Scriptures did not have eternal life?

2. What advantages do we have over the Hebrews?