ALL – Psalm 119:81-95
ALL – Proverbs 16:6-7
OT – 2 Samuel 13:1-39
NT – John 17:1-26
Interesting passage for the day: And this is the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth! – John 17:3, The Living Bible
Thought: Sometimes it seems weird to think that life comes by knowing the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ. I’m not sure why it seems weird; perhaps it’s because we get so used to thinking that we can live without God. We think our life is real living, and we feel as though we’re getting along pretty well without God. But we forget the truth. Life has always come from God, and only from God.
How did life start? God created us. When did death enter the world? After humanity rejected a pure relationship with God and sinned against Him. In His grace, God has continued to create men and women, giving us all the common grace of life on this earth, and has created a new possibility of eternal life for us all through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We can be created anew to live forever by knowing Him! When you stop to think about it, it really makes sense. God gives life, and life can only be found with Him.
Question: How much do you care about your life? Is that reflected in an overwhelming love for God and a desire to know Him better each day?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Unseen Presence
ALL – Psalm 119:71-80
ALL – Proverbs 16:4-5
OT – 2 Samuel 12:1-31
NT – John 16:1-33
Interesting passage for the day: But the fact of the matter is that it is best for you that I go away, for if I don’t, the Comforter won’t come. If I do, he will—for I will send him to you. – John 16:7, The Living Bible
Thought: The Comforter—the Holy Spirit—has come. And Jesus said that it was for our best that the Comforter was coming, even though Jesus would be leaving. It was Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit.
So often we want God to be right here with us. We wish we could live when Jesus lived, walk with Him, be one of His disciples. But the fact of the matter is that God is still with us. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, and we are not alone. With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we have the presence, wisdom, and power of Jesus available at every moment.
Question: How can we express our dependence on the Holy Spirit in practical ways and remember that He is with us even though we can’t see Him?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 16:4-5
OT – 2 Samuel 12:1-31
NT – John 16:1-33
Interesting passage for the day: But the fact of the matter is that it is best for you that I go away, for if I don’t, the Comforter won’t come. If I do, he will—for I will send him to you. – John 16:7, The Living Bible
Thought: The Comforter—the Holy Spirit—has come. And Jesus said that it was for our best that the Comforter was coming, even though Jesus would be leaving. It was Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit.
So often we want God to be right here with us. We wish we could live when Jesus lived, walk with Him, be one of His disciples. But the fact of the matter is that God is still with us. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, and we are not alone. With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we have the presence, wisdom, and power of Jesus available at every moment.
Question: How can we express our dependence on the Holy Spirit in practical ways and remember that He is with us even though we can’t see Him?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Struggle to be Holy
The message, preached on May 16th, 2010, covered Jude, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. While we definitely feel like we need a break, and while it is true that Jesus Christ is our rest, we cannot take a break from the pursuit of holiness. We need to be aware of our companions’ lives, be aware of their destinies (and our own), and to labor for holy safety. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.
Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Truth in Real Life
The message, preached on May 9th, 2010, covered 3 John, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. Truth is more than just knowing about Jesus Christ; it’s knowing Him. We need to do life with Jesus, not think of ourselves as more real than God, and imitate lived truth. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.
Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Watch Yourself to Guard Your Reward
The message, preached on May 2nd, 2010, covered 2 John, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. We who follow Jesus have a reward coming our way, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to watch the way we live. We are to follow Jesus’ teaching and to persevere in truth and love. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.
Resurrection: A Universal Experience
ALL – Psalm 118:1-18
ALL – Proverbs 15:24-26
OT – 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13
NT – John 11:54-12:19
Interesting passage for the day: When the ordinary people of Jerusalem heard of his arrival, they clocked to see him and also to see Lazarus—the man who had come back to life again. – John 12:9, The Living Bible
Thought: Jesus didn’t just raise Himself from the dead. Before Jesus raised Himself, He raised Lazarus. And people flocked to see Lazarus. Rising from the dead is no ordinary thing in today’s world, and it wasn’t usual in Jesus’ day, either.
But here’s the thing: resurrection is going universal. When? I’m not sure of the exact date and time, but whenever Jesus returns, all the dead will be raised to live forever. Unlike Lazarus, who was merely raised to extend an earthly life, when Jesus returns we’ll all be raised to live forever. Those who trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really live—to be with Jesus and praise Him and do His work in the new heavens and the new earth. And those who do not trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really die—not just to stop being with people physically, but to be aware forever that they rejected the Son of God and are suffering eternally for it. Jesus, the Son of God, will one day raise all the dead, and what was once seen as uncommon will be the experience of us all.
Question: Which way will you experience the resurrection? Will it lead you into real life, or real death?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 15:24-26
OT – 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13
NT – John 11:54-12:19
Interesting passage for the day: When the ordinary people of Jerusalem heard of his arrival, they clocked to see him and also to see Lazarus—the man who had come back to life again. – John 12:9, The Living Bible
Thought: Jesus didn’t just raise Himself from the dead. Before Jesus raised Himself, He raised Lazarus. And people flocked to see Lazarus. Rising from the dead is no ordinary thing in today’s world, and it wasn’t usual in Jesus’ day, either.
But here’s the thing: resurrection is going universal. When? I’m not sure of the exact date and time, but whenever Jesus returns, all the dead will be raised to live forever. Unlike Lazarus, who was merely raised to extend an earthly life, when Jesus returns we’ll all be raised to live forever. Those who trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really live—to be with Jesus and praise Him and do His work in the new heavens and the new earth. And those who do not trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really die—not just to stop being with people physically, but to be aware forever that they rejected the Son of God and are suffering eternally for it. Jesus, the Son of God, will one day raise all the dead, and what was once seen as uncommon will be the experience of us all.
Question: Which way will you experience the resurrection? Will it lead you into real life, or real death?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Savior Divine
ALL – Psalm 116:1-19
ALL – Proverbs 15:20-21
OT – 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
NT – John 10:22-42
Interesting passage for the day: “So if the Scripture, which cannot be untrue, speaks of those as gods to whom the message of God came, do you call it blasphemy when the one sanctified and sent into the world by the Father says, ‘I am the Son of God’?” – John 10:35-36, The Living Bible
Thought: For those who doubt that Jesus was anything more than a man, here’s a passage where He clearly claims to be more—though not less—than a man. The people are about ready to stone Him for the blasphemy of declaring Himself to be God. Does Jesus deny the charge? Far from it! Instead, Jesus gives the above defense. Men who received God’s message were called “gods,” though they were clearly not divine. But Jesus is not merely some man who has received the message of God. He is “the one sanctified and sent into the world by the Father.” Jesus is not of this world. He came as a man, but He is more than a man. His claim to divinity and to the title “God” is justified.
Question: Have you acknowledged that Jesus is God, the Son of God? If you have not, will you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 15:20-21
OT – 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
NT – John 10:22-42
Interesting passage for the day: “So if the Scripture, which cannot be untrue, speaks of those as gods to whom the message of God came, do you call it blasphemy when the one sanctified and sent into the world by the Father says, ‘I am the Son of God’?” – John 10:35-36, The Living Bible
Thought: For those who doubt that Jesus was anything more than a man, here’s a passage where He clearly claims to be more—though not less—than a man. The people are about ready to stone Him for the blasphemy of declaring Himself to be God. Does Jesus deny the charge? Far from it! Instead, Jesus gives the above defense. Men who received God’s message were called “gods,” though they were clearly not divine. But Jesus is not merely some man who has received the message of God. He is “the one sanctified and sent into the world by the Father.” Jesus is not of this world. He came as a man, but He is more than a man. His claim to divinity and to the title “God” is justified.
Question: Have you acknowledged that Jesus is God, the Son of God? If you have not, will you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Blind—With an Incredible Imagination!
ALL – Psalm 113:1-114:8
ALL – Proverbs 15:15-17
OT – 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15
NT – John 9:1-41
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus told him, “I have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” – John 9:39, The Living Bible
Thought: How do blind people get along in life? With help, right? People care for them and guide them. Of course, they want to grow toward independence; they don’t want to always rely on other people. So they learn independence, but that independence comes as those who are blind learn to walk with guidance from a dog or a special cane, and as they learn lifestyle patterns that guide them through familiar steps at home and in their neighborhoods. They still need and depend on guidance—and they take the steps to get the guidance they need.
What if a blind person was unwilling to receive guidance? What if she insisted on making her own way all the time? What if a blind person imagined she could see and simply tried to go and do whatever her imagination suggested? A blind person following only his imagination would hurt himself terribly!
Jesus came to heal the blind—not just the physically blind, but the spiritually blind. But some of us spiritually blind people imagine we can see without Jesus’ healing.
Question: In what ways do you imagine you don’t need Jesus—even when Jesus is offering to help you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 15:15-17
OT – 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15
NT – John 9:1-41
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus told him, “I have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” – John 9:39, The Living Bible
Thought: How do blind people get along in life? With help, right? People care for them and guide them. Of course, they want to grow toward independence; they don’t want to always rely on other people. So they learn independence, but that independence comes as those who are blind learn to walk with guidance from a dog or a special cane, and as they learn lifestyle patterns that guide them through familiar steps at home and in their neighborhoods. They still need and depend on guidance—and they take the steps to get the guidance they need.
What if a blind person was unwilling to receive guidance? What if she insisted on making her own way all the time? What if a blind person imagined she could see and simply tried to go and do whatever her imagination suggested? A blind person following only his imagination would hurt himself terribly!
Jesus came to heal the blind—not just the physically blind, but the spiritually blind. But some of us spiritually blind people imagine we can see without Jesus’ healing.
Question: In what ways do you imagine you don’t need Jesus—even when Jesus is offering to help you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Know God’s Will by Doing God’s Will
ALL – Psalm 108:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 15:4
OT – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23
NT – John 7:1-30
Interesting passage for the day: If any of you really determines to do God’s will, then you will certainly know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. – John 7:17, The Living Bible
Thought: We like to think we’re pretty smart. We can figure things out. We are pretty sure we can even use our intellect to figure out what God’s will is. Now don’t get me wrong—intellect is involved. We can definitely use our brains as we hear people make claims about what God’s will is. But we cannot confirm what God’s will is merely by thinking and reasoning. God sent Jesus to teach us His will, and Jesus taught us God’s will so that we can live by it. Until we live out what we’ve been taught, we haven’t really “discovered” God’s will. We’ve just talked about it. It’s like the difference between doing accounting in a classroom and in a business. In the classroom, it only affects a grade; in a business, you’re living and benefiting from what you’ve been taught. Let’s not be classroom disciples. Let’s get down to business, doing the will of God as Jesus teaches us.
Question: Is there any decision you’re trying to make, but you’re not sure what God’s will is? What are the options? Why do you think they might be God’s will? What’s keeping you from choosing one of the options and getting down to business?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 15:4
OT – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23
NT – John 7:1-30
Interesting passage for the day: If any of you really determines to do God’s will, then you will certainly know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. – John 7:17, The Living Bible
Thought: We like to think we’re pretty smart. We can figure things out. We are pretty sure we can even use our intellect to figure out what God’s will is. Now don’t get me wrong—intellect is involved. We can definitely use our brains as we hear people make claims about what God’s will is. But we cannot confirm what God’s will is merely by thinking and reasoning. God sent Jesus to teach us His will, and Jesus taught us God’s will so that we can live by it. Until we live out what we’ve been taught, we haven’t really “discovered” God’s will. We’ve just talked about it. It’s like the difference between doing accounting in a classroom and in a business. In the classroom, it only affects a grade; in a business, you’re living and benefiting from what you’ve been taught. Let’s not be classroom disciples. Let’s get down to business, doing the will of God as Jesus teaches us.
Question: Is there any decision you’re trying to make, but you’re not sure what God’s will is? What are the options? Why do you think they might be God’s will? What’s keeping you from choosing one of the options and getting down to business?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, May 10, 2010
More Trustworthy than a Miracle
ALL – Psalm 106:32-48
ALL – Proverbs 14:34-35
OT – 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27
NT – John 6:22-42
Interesting passage for the day: They replied, “You must show us more miracles if you want us to believe you are the Messiah. Give us free bread every day, like our fathers had while they journeyed through the wilderness. As the Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven.’ ” – John 6:30-31, The Living Bible
Thought: It really would be nice if Jesus would perform miracles for us every day—at least, it feels like it would be nice. It feels like it would be easier to trust Him. These people even managed to come up with a seemingly Scriptural basis for daily miracles. But Jesus ends up correcting their use of Scripture, and the fact is that trust and faith cannot be established merely on the basis of miraculous powers. Evil people and false religions have demonstrated miraculous powers at times. Miracles demonstrate power, but power in and of itself is not trustworthy. Character counts, and Jesus was demonstrating His character all the time, even when He wasn’t performing miracles. The Son of God lived the righteous life of God. Jesus was (and is) utterly trustworthy, whether He’s in the act of performing a miracle or not.
Question: As important as it is to know that God is all-powerful and can perform miracles, is that the most important truth about God? What have you found to be even more important as you’ve journeyed with Jesus?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 14:34-35
OT – 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27
NT – John 6:22-42
Interesting passage for the day: They replied, “You must show us more miracles if you want us to believe you are the Messiah. Give us free bread every day, like our fathers had while they journeyed through the wilderness. As the Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven.’ ” – John 6:30-31, The Living Bible
Thought: It really would be nice if Jesus would perform miracles for us every day—at least, it feels like it would be nice. It feels like it would be easier to trust Him. These people even managed to come up with a seemingly Scriptural basis for daily miracles. But Jesus ends up correcting their use of Scripture, and the fact is that trust and faith cannot be established merely on the basis of miraculous powers. Evil people and false religions have demonstrated miraculous powers at times. Miracles demonstrate power, but power in and of itself is not trustworthy. Character counts, and Jesus was demonstrating His character all the time, even when He wasn’t performing miracles. The Son of God lived the righteous life of God. Jesus was (and is) utterly trustworthy, whether He’s in the act of performing a miracle or not.
Question: As important as it is to know that God is all-powerful and can perform miracles, is that the most important truth about God? What have you found to be even more important as you’ve journeyed with Jesus?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Test: Will You Trust Me?
ALL – Psalm 106:13-31
ALL – Proverbs 14:32-33
OT – 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
NT – John 6:1-21
Interesting passage for the day: (He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.) – John 6:6, The Living Bible
Thought: Remember when Jesus fed the 5000? This verse came right before that miracle, when Jesus asked Philip where to buy bread for all the people there. Can you imagine how much Jesus must have stressed Philip out by making Philip think He expected him to be responsible for all these people? Philip didn’t want that kind of responsibility. And Jesus never intended for Philip to carry it alone. But Philip’s response was not a response of faith; his response demonstrated that he was still trying to handle life’s challenges in his own strength. Principle: When a challenge comes our way, perhaps (or more than perhaps) it’s a test from God—NOT to see whether we can handle the challenge on our own, but to see whether we’ll respond in faith by asking God to lead us.
Question: What is your response to the thought that some of the burdens you’re trying to carrying are burdens that God intended you to trust Him with? How would seeking His help make a difference?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
The rest of the week's readings:
May 10, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:32-48
ALL – Proverbs 14:34-35
OT – 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27
NT – John 6:22-42
May 11, 2010
ALL – Psalm 107:1-43
ALL – Proverbs 15:1-3
OT – 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15
NT – John 6:43-71
May 12, 2010
ALL – Psalm 108:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 15:4
OT – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23
NT – John 7:1-30
May 13, 2010
ALL – Psalm 109:1-31
ALL – Proverbs 15:5-7
OT – 1 Samuel 14:1-52
NT – John 7:31-53
May 14, 2010
ALL – Psalm 110:1-7
ALL – Proverbs 15:8-10
OT – 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
NT – John 8:1-20
May 15, 2010
ALL – Psalm 111:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 15:11
OT – 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4
NT – John 8:21-30
May 16, 2010
ALL – Psalm 112:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 15:12-14
OT – 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
NT – John 8:31-59
ALL – Proverbs 14:32-33
OT – 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
NT – John 6:1-21
Interesting passage for the day: (He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.) – John 6:6, The Living Bible
Thought: Remember when Jesus fed the 5000? This verse came right before that miracle, when Jesus asked Philip where to buy bread for all the people there. Can you imagine how much Jesus must have stressed Philip out by making Philip think He expected him to be responsible for all these people? Philip didn’t want that kind of responsibility. And Jesus never intended for Philip to carry it alone. But Philip’s response was not a response of faith; his response demonstrated that he was still trying to handle life’s challenges in his own strength. Principle: When a challenge comes our way, perhaps (or more than perhaps) it’s a test from God—NOT to see whether we can handle the challenge on our own, but to see whether we’ll respond in faith by asking God to lead us.
Question: What is your response to the thought that some of the burdens you’re trying to carrying are burdens that God intended you to trust Him with? How would seeking His help make a difference?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
The rest of the week's readings:
May 10, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:32-48
ALL – Proverbs 14:34-35
OT – 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27
NT – John 6:22-42
May 11, 2010
ALL – Psalm 107:1-43
ALL – Proverbs 15:1-3
OT – 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15
NT – John 6:43-71
May 12, 2010
ALL – Psalm 108:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 15:4
OT – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23
NT – John 7:1-30
May 13, 2010
ALL – Psalm 109:1-31
ALL – Proverbs 15:5-7
OT – 1 Samuel 14:1-52
NT – John 7:31-53
May 14, 2010
ALL – Psalm 110:1-7
ALL – Proverbs 15:8-10
OT – 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
NT – John 8:1-20
May 15, 2010
ALL – Psalm 111:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 15:11
OT – 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4
NT – John 8:21-30
May 16, 2010
ALL – Psalm 112:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 15:12-14
OT – 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
NT – John 8:31-59
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Trust That’s Real
ALL – Psalm 105:16-36
ALL – Proverbs 14:26-27
OT – Ruth 2:1-4:22
NT – John 4:43-54
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son is healed!” And the man believed Jesus and started home. – John 4:50, The Living Bible
Thought: If my son was dying, I wouldn’t rest until the doctor had seen him. I wouldn’t be satisfied until my son had been treated, until his condition had stabilized, until I could see that the doctor actually was saving his life. The story of this man is amazing! He left his son at home and went to call for Jesus’ help. And when Jesus didn’t say, “Sure, I’m on my way,” this man didn’t complain. When Jesus said, “Go back home. Your son is healed,” this man didn’t question Him. This man believed Jesus. And how do we know that he believed Jesus? He simply went back home. He obeyed, even though he had not yet seen the truth of Jesus’ words. He believed Jesus was trustworthy, and he obeyed.
Question: How quickly do we obey Jesus? How often do we procrastinate until we’ve made sure we’ll be taken care of, rather than just trusting Him?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 14:26-27
OT – Ruth 2:1-4:22
NT – John 4:43-54
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son is healed!” And the man believed Jesus and started home. – John 4:50, The Living Bible
Thought: If my son was dying, I wouldn’t rest until the doctor had seen him. I wouldn’t be satisfied until my son had been treated, until his condition had stabilized, until I could see that the doctor actually was saving his life. The story of this man is amazing! He left his son at home and went to call for Jesus’ help. And when Jesus didn’t say, “Sure, I’m on my way,” this man didn’t complain. When Jesus said, “Go back home. Your son is healed,” this man didn’t question Him. This man believed Jesus. And how do we know that he believed Jesus? He simply went back home. He obeyed, even though he had not yet seen the truth of Jesus’ words. He believed Jesus was trustworthy, and he obeyed.
Question: How quickly do we obey Jesus? How often do we procrastinate until we’ve made sure we’ll be taken care of, rather than just trusting Him?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Invigorating Evangelism
ALL – Psalm 105:1-15
ALL – Proverbs 14:24
OT – Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22
NT – John 4:4-42
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. – John 4:34, The Living Bible
Thought: Jesus was in the process of harvesting souls. He found it invigorating, refreshing, strengthening. It was enough for the time. He didn’t need food. His hunger wasn’t noticeable, because He was so filled up with doing God’s will and finishing God’s work.
Question: What would it take for us to acquire a taste for sharing the good news to such an extent that it invigorates us? What should it take?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 14:24
OT – Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22
NT – John 4:4-42
Interesting passage for the day: Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. – John 4:34, The Living Bible
Thought: Jesus was in the process of harvesting souls. He found it invigorating, refreshing, strengthening. It was enough for the time. He didn’t need food. His hunger wasn’t noticeable, because He was so filled up with doing God’s will and finishing God’s work.
Question: What would it take for us to acquire a taste for sharing the good news to such an extent that it invigorates us? What should it take?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A Bride is For Her Groom
ALL – Psalm 104:24-35
ALL – Proverbs 14:22-24
OT – Judges 19:1-20:48
NT – John 3:22-4:3
Interesting passage for the day: The crowds will naturally go to the main attraction—the bride will go where the bridegroom is! A bridegroom’s friends rejoice with him. I am the Bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. – John 3:29-30, The Living Bible
Thought: Pointing people to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is sometimes difficult at this point in history, since they can’t see Him. Often people turn to their ministers for help—or to psychologists, self-help gurus, and other men and women who are supposed to have wisdom—rather than turning to Jesus Christ. But based on this passage, the successful minister of the gospel is someone who gladly sees people seeking Jesus Christ rather than him.
Question: What can pastors do to help point men, women and children to Jesus—even though people can’t currently see Him? What has most helped you to learn to depend on and seek Jesus Christ?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 14:22-24
OT – Judges 19:1-20:48
NT – John 3:22-4:3
Interesting passage for the day: The crowds will naturally go to the main attraction—the bride will go where the bridegroom is! A bridegroom’s friends rejoice with him. I am the Bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. – John 3:29-30, The Living Bible
Thought: Pointing people to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is sometimes difficult at this point in history, since they can’t see Him. Often people turn to their ministers for help—or to psychologists, self-help gurus, and other men and women who are supposed to have wisdom—rather than turning to Jesus Christ. But based on this passage, the successful minister of the gospel is someone who gladly sees people seeking Jesus Christ rather than him.
Question: What can pastors do to help point men, women and children to Jesus—even though people can’t currently see Him? What has most helped you to learn to depend on and seek Jesus Christ?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Dying Man’s Last Hope
ALL – Psalm 104:1-24
ALL – Proverbs 14:20-21
OT – Judges 17:1-18:31
NT – John 3:1-21
Interesting passage for the day: There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust him to save them. But those who don’t trust him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God. – John 3:18, The Living Bible
Thought: People think they have time to spare before Judgment Day arrives, but John writes that Judgment Day has already arrived. People are already moving toward death. If any unbeliever thinks that he has not yet chosen to walk the path of death, he fools himself—but not God. Jesus is not one of a living man’s options; Jesus is a dying man’s last hope. Thank God that Jesus is our true hope!
Question: Whether you believe this verse or not, would this verse classify you as condemned, or as someone who faces “no eternal doom”? What do you like or dislike about your classification?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz. The readings for the rest of the week are:
May 4, 2010
ALL – Psalm 104:24-35
ALL – Proverbs 14:22-24
OT – Judges 19:1-20:48
NT – John 3:22-4:3
May 5, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:1-15
ALL – Proverbs 14:24
OT – Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22
NT – John 4:4-42
May 6, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:16-36
ALL – Proverbs 14:26-27
OT – Ruth 2:1-4:22
NT – John 4:43-54
May 7, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:37-45
ALL – Proverbs 14:28-29
OT – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21
NT – John 5:1-23
May 8, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 14:30-31
OT – 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22
NT – John 5:24-47
May 9, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:13-31
ALL – Proverbs 14:32-33
OT – 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
NT – John 6:1-21
ALL – Proverbs 14:20-21
OT – Judges 17:1-18:31
NT – John 3:1-21
Interesting passage for the day: There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust him to save them. But those who don’t trust him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God. – John 3:18, The Living Bible
Thought: People think they have time to spare before Judgment Day arrives, but John writes that Judgment Day has already arrived. People are already moving toward death. If any unbeliever thinks that he has not yet chosen to walk the path of death, he fools himself—but not God. Jesus is not one of a living man’s options; Jesus is a dying man’s last hope. Thank God that Jesus is our true hope!
Question: Whether you believe this verse or not, would this verse classify you as condemned, or as someone who faces “no eternal doom”? What do you like or dislike about your classification?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz. The readings for the rest of the week are:
May 4, 2010
ALL – Psalm 104:24-35
ALL – Proverbs 14:22-24
OT – Judges 19:1-20:48
NT – John 3:22-4:3
May 5, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:1-15
ALL – Proverbs 14:24
OT – Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22
NT – John 4:4-42
May 6, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:16-36
ALL – Proverbs 14:26-27
OT – Ruth 2:1-4:22
NT – John 4:43-54
May 7, 2010
ALL – Psalm 105:37-45
ALL – Proverbs 14:28-29
OT – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21
NT – John 5:1-23
May 8, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 14:30-31
OT – 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22
NT – John 5:24-47
May 9, 2010
ALL – Psalm 106:13-31
ALL – Proverbs 14:32-33
OT – 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
NT – John 6:1-21
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Choose This Day…
The message, preached on April 25th, 2010, reviewed the key themes of 1 John, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. Not everything that seems good is good for us. In the area of spirituality, we’ve been told that only Jesus is good, that only Jesus gives life—but many people want to sit around experimenting with holding onto both Jesus and their sinful lifestyles, alternative beliefs, etc. At some point, we have to choose—Jesus or self, Jesus or alternative gods, Jesus or the world. Jesus is the real deal; every other so-called life is a counterfeit. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.
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