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.
Monday, May 10, 2010
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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