REAPING + SOWING = REJOICING

READING: JOHN 4:27-38

Verse 36: “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

In this verse the Lord Jesus is describing the ideal result that is achieved when His order is respected. In our human experience, however, it can be frustrating for a sower if a crop is not reaped later. It is also frustrating for a reaper to expect a crop only to learn nothing has been sowed. Likewise in our spiritual experience similar situations can occur. From one perspective, a person may initiate or establish a good work that someone else may complete. From another perspective, a person may see a result obtained but did not get to see it through from the beginning. From either perspective, both can feel unfulfilled and that they are suffering loss. Then of course there are times when some are blessed with the completeness of both reaping and sowing. Regardless of which scenario applies, this verse establishes the Lord’s divine intention and provision. Even in cases when we experience only one alternative or the other, we are to still be fully blessed. Instead of being locked into one sided viewpoints, in Jesus those in both positions are able to rejoice together. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you inclined to prefer one of the possibilities over the other?

2. What can the reaper and sower agree upon that brings them together in rejoicing?

FOUR LITTLE WORDS

READING: JOHN 2:1-10

Verse 3: “And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.”’

When they ran out of wine at the wedding at Cana as described in John 2, Mary the mother of Jesus responded by asking Jesus to provide help. She was certainly correct in recognizing the Lord as the best source of help. However, Mary not only did the right thing, but she also did the right thing with the right person and the right touch. She made a very simple statement to Jesus about the wine. In so doing she powerfully displayed her complete confidence in Him. She trusted that if He could be made aware of the problem He would resolve it. Sometimes our approach to God is a bit different from Mary’s. Instead of her simplicity, people will at times take a detailed action plan to the Lord. Their plans are complete with goals, objectives, milestones and timeframes along with alternatives and options. Those prayers sound as though the one who is praying is afraid that God won’t know what to do. At such times we know we need help from the Lord, but there is still that human urge to be in control. Instead of that type of attitude we need to practice full confidence in the Father. We should remain reminded of the mighty miracle that resulted when all Mary said was, “They have no wine.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your primary attitude when you pray?

2. Why do you think Mary had so much confidence in Jesus before His ministry began?

THE HOLY MAKE OVER 

READING: PSALM 40:1-10

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

In this psalm David writes about feeling as though he was in a horrible pit stuck in mud and clay. Many of us can identify with the feeling that David describes at times when our lives become difficult. The psalmist colorfully expresses the manner in which God took care of him. He does so to encourage others who find themselves in a similar condition, to trust the Lord as the way out of their pits. David says he had to take only one action in order to be removed from the pit. How refreshing it is to know there is only one thing to do. David waited patiently for the Lord. In response to that God did six things that gave new life to David. He let David know He was present. He heard David’s cry for help. He released David for his problem, gave him stability and provided new direction. Finally He completed the job by sending David off singing a new song. For those who, like David, turn to the Lord in patience and faith, monumental effort is not required. Our God provides rescue, freedom and fulfillment. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What does it mean that God inclines to us, what happens?

2. How will God’s response to you be different from to David’s?

WHICH COMES FIRST

READING: PROVERBS 18:13-20

Verse 13: “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”

It is good to know the order of things as God has arranged them. We benefit from being aware of what comes first and from understanding where to start. For example, some serious difficulties are unavoidable for someone who wants to build the second floor of a building without providing a foundation and a first floor to support that second floor. What about someone who wants to do post graduate studies without having mastered elementary academics? This verse tells us an equivalent level of difficulty results when someone attempts to answer a question or give advice before knowing what is being asked. Being in such a position will likely produce embarrassment, but it can be more serious. It can amount to behavior that is excessively costly or unprofitable, or even tragically or criminally foolish. That is folly and as this verse describes, it results in shame. It is best to get it right. Success comes from following the order prescribed by the Lord. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What consequences have you seen from something done out of order?

2. Where do you see people trying to answer questions before they are asked?

LET’S TAKE A WALK

READING: EPHESIANS 5:1-6

Verse 2: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

This verse encourages us to walk in love. Although this is a simple statement of encouragement, living it out is not so simple. Most Christians quickly accept that walking in love properly begins with the blessing of receiving the love of the Lord. Walking in love also includes the privilege of freely expressing love and adoration to our Holy Father and God. Then, walking in love must also involve loving others. Sometimes that presents us with the challenge of loving those who do not love in return, and even those who respond as enemies. Further, walking in love should include accepting the love of others. These loving responses should not just occur occasionally, nor should they be merely the result of a mood at a given time. Walking in love should be constantly expressed as a reflection of who we are in Christ. The expectation to walk in love is a simple statement in this verse. Although living it out may not be simple, doing so is certainly an effective way to respond. When we walk in godly love, every observer will see by our love that we are Christians. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What best exemplifies walking in love to you?

2. What comes easily for you, and what constitutes a challenge for you regarding walking in love?

DON’T BET ON THE HORSES

READING: PROVERBS 21:24-31

Verse 31: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is from the Lord.”

There are familiar scenes which repeatedly appear on television news broadcasts. These scenes first involve views of ferocious winds and waves. Next is footage of people doing their best to secure homes and businesses that are in the path of the storm. Then finally we are shown cars and trucks making their way out of the threatened region. These scenes depict people who are taking reasonable precautions. However, it would be great if they would show just a bit more. Reasonable precautions are wise and should be taken, but the most important of all steps needs to have top priority. That step is to relate to, expect and depend upon the provision that comes from God and no other source. Today’s scripture verse states this precisely. Whatever we can properly accomplish to prepare for the day of trouble is fine, but our first and greatest hope and chief priority should be in our Lord who is sovereign and will not fail. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What are some “horses” of our culture that get prepared for the day of battle?

2. What does it take for the Lord to be our greatest hope and chief priority?

NEVER BEEN CLOSER

READING: PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21

Verse 20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Some people totally lack enthusiasm and excitement about the return of our Lord Jesus. Many of them are pretty much satisfied with their lives as they are, and don’t want change. Their idea is that, “It’s not broken so let’s not try to fix it.” Others may not be quite so pleased with how things are now, but still resist the concept of the Second Coming. They don’t understand the glory of that day to come. Therefore, it’s easier for them to accept the status quo rather than to look forward to the return of the Lord. They choose the known as preferable to what they don’t know. Both views are based on an earthy perspective. They do not recognize the existence of vision that exceeds the limits of earthly perceptions. Of course what is needed in these cases, is a heavenly viewpoint. That is the insight required to be eager and to appreciate that Jesus is coming back. The Apostle Paul speaks from the position of that heavenly attitude in today’s scripture verse. We who joyfully anticipate the Lord’s appearing are fully like minded with that great man of God. In agreement with him we say, “Come Lord Jesus, come!” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your level of enthusiasm regarding the return of the Lord?

Lo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hi

2. What responsibilities do you have regarding His return?