July 23, 2012

"His Refuge Will Be the Impregnable Rock" (7/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 31-34.

“‘You who are far away, hear what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge My might.’ Sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling has seized the godless. ‘Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?’

“He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, he who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; he who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; he will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the impregnable rock; his bread will be given him, his water will be sure” (Isaiah 33:13-16).

Knowing that God is willing and able to render punishment to whom it is due, the question that naturally follows is this: Who can be spared from punishment? This passage shows us some of the characteristics one must have in order to avoid God’s wrath.
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May 18, 2012

"Examine Me, O Lord" (5/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64.

David placed his complete trust in the Lord and relied upon Him for help in times of trouble. He regularly referred to his integrity as a reason why God should help him, even inviting God to examine him to prove his faithfulness.

“Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

“I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders” (Psalm 26:2-7).

What if God examined us? What would He find?
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April 17, 2012

"The Lord Will Repay Each Man For His Righteousness" (4/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 25-27.

As Saul pursued David, David had several opportunities to kill the king and save himself. Yet each time, David refused to kill Saul. Notice his explanation why on this occasion:

“The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He deliver me from all distress” (1 Samuel 26:23-24).

David’s trust and faith were in the Lord. Therefore, he was looking to Him for deliverance from his enemies and the threat that existed from the king.
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March 29, 2012

Qualifications to Lead

Man with Tie

During an election year, it is common for people to discuss what characteristics qualify a candidate for public office. The Bible certainly addresses the role and desired character of civil authorities, but I want us to focus on a higher authority in this study – God.

In the Old Testament, God was the Israelites’ King (1 Samuel 8:7). In the New Testament, Christ is the person of God identified as our King (John 18:37). He is in a position of ultimate authority, even over our civil rulers (Ephesians 1:20-21). But what qualifies Him to be our King and worthy of honor and respect?
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January 18, 2012

He Appeared to Them to be Jesting (1/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Genesis 19-21.

The men who lived in Sodom were “wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). So much so that the Lord determined to destroy the city. But first he sent two angels into the city to deliver the lone righteous man among them – Lot.

“Then the two men said to Lot, ‘Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:12-13).

Lot was now aware of the coming destruction, which gave him the chance to escape. He also had time to convince others to come with him and be saved.
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December 31, 2010

Resolutions for the New Year

Notebook

As one year quickly draws to a close and we look forward to a new year, we usually take some time for self-evaluation and making resolutions to improve our lives. Many resolutions that are made have to do with our lives here on this earth: improving our finances and health, eliminating bad habits, etc. These are all good, but we must remember that improving our spiritual lives is far more important.

“For bodily exercise is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

In the new year, you may get in shape, eat healthier, quit a bad habit, and get out of debt. Those are all great goals, but none of them will matter if your spiritual life is not in order. So as you make your resolutions for the new year, here are six suggestions for improving your spiritual life.
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October 22, 2009

Contrasting the Righteous and the Wicked: A Brief Examination of Psalm 1

Psalms

In the first psalm, we read of a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. As we strive to be righteous and avoid wickedness, let us briefly consider the words of the psalmist.
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