KEEP IT SIMPLE

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8

Verse 8: “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

One compelling characteristic of the Bible is its simplicity. The verse above gives an example of this observation. Upon reading verse 8, our human inclination is to want to understand more about Paul’s statement. We want to know details about what will take place and how it will be. Sometimes, when details are not given, people can be found formulating expectations and attempting to fill in blanks. It is when that type of response occurs, that simplicity can become complexity. That could easily occur with this verse. Many questions could come to mind regarding the manner in which what is described will actually happen. However, the alternative to speculation and calculation is to plainly and simply accept that it will happen. The promise of His coming can be comfortably embraced with only the knowledge that it will be glorious. This can be done without trying to understand what is far too magnificent for us to grasp. The discrepancy between the reality involved and our understanding, is like a flea trying to understand astrophysics, but much greater. There is comfort instead of complexity in accepting and trusting that what God has spoken will be done. He will well accomplish all the details without our foreknowledge. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. There is information that the Lord withholds from us. Why do you suppose that is so?

2. Do you produce unnecessary complications?

THREE STEPS TO GOODNESS

READING: ROMANS 12:2-8

Verse 2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” 

There are times when it is not enough to merely be removed from a destructive situation. Sometimes more than removal is needed to achieve wellbeing. Here is an example. Ed was a member of an Arctic exploration team. The ice collapsed beneath him and he plunged into the frigid water. With help Ed promptly escaped from the water, but he had no dry clothes or shelter available. As the result he was the victim of exposure. Just getting out of the water wasn’t enough for Ed, he needed more. The verse above counsels us to be both un-conformed and transformed. It was not enough for Ed to only get out of the water, and it isn’t enough for people to only cease to conform to the world. Although that is an important first step, just that step alone falls short of what it takes to fully receive the goodness that the Lord provides. We need more and He provides it. To those who are no longer conformed to the world, He adds renewed minds. Then through those renewed minds, He completes their transformations. They become un-conformed, renewed and transformed people! As such they are able to fully participate in the goodness of God’s plan for their lives. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. When have you seen someone get started but fail to complete all the steps?

2. What would be evidence of a renewed mind?

BY HIS SPIRIT

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-14

Verse 14: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

How is it possible to receive the things of God? Scripture establishes that there is in existence both the spiritual man and the natural man. The natural man is hindered from receiving from God, but spiritual discernment makes it possible for the spiritual man. Therefore, the key to receiving the things of God is a spiritual matter. In order to receive the things of God, a person must be properly spiritually equipped. Not only does the Bible identify this as the spiritual key to receiving the things of God, it also guides us regarding how it is used. 1 Corinthians 2:12 informs us of the exact manner in which it operates. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” The Lord grants us the Spirit that is from Him. Then, by the grace of that Spirit, we receive those precious things of God that He has freely given. It is by the Spirit of God that we receive the things of God. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What “thing of God” especially blesses you?

2. Where do you stand now regarding the things of God compared to this time last year?

RIGHT ON SCHEDULE

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-5

Verse 5: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the LORD comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

One of the wonders of Holy Scripture is the relief granted therein from attempts to do what we are not intended to do. Verse 5 in today’s reading is a source of such relief. Often one reason that relief is needed is because there is much around us that potentially can cause us confusion about appropriate judgments. This can be true even as we desire to understand the word of God and the mind of the Lord. At times the more we press into these judgments, the greater the confusion becomes. Sometimes the great variety of interpretations and doctrines results in questions and responses that don’t lead to solid resolutions. The counsel of today’s verse can be a source of help regarding some of these dilemmas. It gives us freedom from attempting to reach judgments that it is not yet time to accomplish. It defers these judgments until the Lord comes with His revelation. It can be frustrating and futile to attempt to judge before the time. Conversely, there is peace in waiting for the light, revelation and counsel that the Lord will bring. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What needs to be done while we wait?

2. Is the message of this verse personally helpful to you?

I’M GRATEFUL TO.................!

READING: PSALM 92:1-8

Verse 4: “For you, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.”

Most of us have attended many awards presentations, graduations and other similar times of recognition. At those events the high point of numerous speeches is the part where honorees give heartfelt recognition to their family members for the support they have received. Athletes also are often found giving recognition to others. Like graduates, they also frequently give credit to families, along with coaches and teammates; and very often even the sports fans. These forms of recognition are fine especially when they are sincerely and humbly extended. What is better, however, is when people in such a position use their platforms to express their gratitude to the Lord for their success. What is even greater is when the model established in today’s verse is followed. Although the psalmist may have been grateful for his accomplishments, he elevates his acknowledgement to a higher level. His praise to God was not for what he, King David, had done. His emphasis was on what the Father had done. He gloried in the work of the Lord. Like him our greatest recognition and praise also should always be unto the Lord. The goodness of God endures continually (Psalm 52:1). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. For what work of the Lord are you thankful today?

2. We don’t use the word triumph very often. Can you identify triumph in your life?

RESPONSE - ABLE

READING: 2 SAMUEL 11:1-5

Verse 1: “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel...But David remained at Jerusalem.”

The failure to fulfill responsibilities can have far-reaching repercussions. For example, King David’s sin with Bathsheba was the result of irresponsibility that occurred even before David saw her. As stated in verse 1, David sent Joab, his servants and the army of Israel to battle while he remained in Jerusalem. As the king, it was David’s responsibility to go out and lead in battle. Instead he neglected that responsibility and sent others. Because of this irresponsible choice, he was exposed to the temptation which resulted in his sin. The impact of the events that followed illustrates that the failure to fulfill a responsibility can produce disastrous consequences. In this case a chain of reactions was begun that lead to lives being lost. Today we can be thankful that the opposite is also true. Through our relationships with the Lord and the leadership and provision of the Holy Spirit, we are able to faithfully fulfill responsibilities. Fulfilled responsibilities also cause chain reactions. However, these become events that provide the wealth of God’s goodness and blessings. The Lord Jesus set the ultimate standard! May we too exercise godly responsibility. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How are you now benefitting because someone was responsible?

2. How is someone benefitting because you were responsible?

THE RIGHT WAY TO START

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-7

Verse 5: “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the LORD and then to us by the will of God.”

Many Christians struggle with questions about giving. They want to be faithful to their responsibilities before God, but are unsure of the exact nature and extent of those expectations. Some give but feel guilty, concerned that they should be giving more. Others give resentfully and under compulsion, fearing the wrath of God as the consequence of giving wrongly. Some are anxious about their giving compared to what others give, and what others might think of their giving. People who are challenged or burdened about their giving can benefit from the example of the Macedonians as recorded by the Apostle Paul. Their first step in their giving (and this should apply to every Christian response, not just giving) was to surrender themselves to the Lord. It seems they wanted their giving to be determined and directed by the will of God for their lives. As they gave themselves to Him, they accepted Him as the sovereign answer to every question about giving. That, for them and for us, is the source of excellence in giving, and the source of peace and freedom in giving. All questions and struggles, all challenges and burdens are resolved by first giving ourselves to the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How does a person give themselves to God in the process of financial giving?

2. Are any adjustments needed in your manner of giving?