Friday, December 31, 2010

Thundering Voices

Read Revelations 19-22

Revelations 19:5 says, "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great."  When we see injustice and pain in the world, we wonder why God doesn’t do something about it.  When our lives are in crisis, we plead with the Lord to deliver us and can’t understand what takes Him so long to answer our pleas.

If God is so powerful, why don’t we see more of that power?  If God is the ruler of the universe, why is there so much chaos?

It’s because of God’s grace and mercy that He doesn’t cut loose.  If He showed all of Himself to us, like John saw in Revelations, we’d be scared to death.  You’d better believe we’d be obedient and righteous in the face of all that terror.  But God doesn’t want to scare us into relationship with Him—He wants us to love Him.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Lamb Shall Overcome

Read Revelations 16-18
 
Revelations 17:14 says, "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."  We wish we could see what the future holds for us.  We want to know what we’ll be doing in 10 years, 5 years, even this time next year.  We especially want to look into the future when we have to make a life-altering decision, because we’d like to be able to see what impact might be made by each of our choices, to make sure we choose the best outcome.

When we’re in the middle of a crises, we’d especially like to look ahead and find out how long we have to endure until we come out of it.  And we’d like to make sure all is going to be well.

Prophecy tells us that a battle is ahead.  It foreshadows how terrible things are going to get.  But God promises He is going to win in the end.  No matter what comes we can be assured: the Lord is going to be victorious.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 19-22

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Taking It With You

Read Revelations 13-15

Revelations 14:13 says, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."  Money is useful and convenient, but it’s not eternal.  Not only can we “not take it with us” when we die, we can hardly hold on to it on earth.  Even the rich can have financial difficulties bad enough to lose everything.

When we want to be remembered after we’re gone, we have to find another way.  We try to build things that will last or try to accomplish something remarkable that will get us a mention in history books.  No matter how hard we try, we can’t guarantee we will be remembered.

But when we pour our lives into others’ and when we do what is right and what the Lord commands us to do, those works follow us.  Even when we’re gone the people who love us will remember what we did for them.  Those remembrances are the only things we can take with us.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 16-18

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

He Shall Reign

Read Revelations 10-12

Revelations 11:15 says, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."  I love all the renditions of the Hallelujah Chorus from the Silent Monk edition to the Flash Mob Mall edition.  One can’t help but sing along, even if only in the mind.

The song sweeps us up in the joy and excitement of the words and music.  Without a director to tell us that we can’t, we find ourselves singing all the parts—soprano, alto, tenor, bass.  If somebody is singing, we’re singing, too.

The words are prophetic—taken from this verse.  All of the kingdoms of this world—whether countries or fortunes—will be taken over by God at the end.  All problems will be fixed, all issues resolved, when the Lord reigns at last.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 13-15

Monday, December 27, 2010

Every Need Met

Read Revelations 7-9

Revelations 7:17 says, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  What if we didn’t have to stop what we were doing to eat?  What if we didn’t have to worry about staying hydrated because we never got thirsty?  What if we were never disappointed or hurt and no one else was either, so we were never moved to tears?

That’s what Heaven is—a place where there are no needs and no fears.  It’s a place where everything you might ever want is already there.

As we suffer here, we can know that God has planned a place where there is no suffering.  As we struggle, we can know that God has prepared a place where there is rest and peace and we will be free from struggles.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 10-12

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Awesome Lamb

Read Revelations 4-6

Revelations 5:13 says, "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."  We think about what heaven will be like and look like when we get there—the pearly gates, the streets of gold.  We think about all the people we know who are already there and how wonderful it will be to see them again.

We think about all the people we never met and don’t know but can’t wait to meet, like Moses and David, and how exciting it will be to hear their stories firsthand from them.  We think about the crowns and mansions that await us.

But when we finally see God face to face, we probably won’t even think about anything else.  We will be so mesmerized by His glory and majesty that we can’t even imagine, we won’t have eyes for anyone or anything else but Him.  Seeing Him will be our ultimate reward.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 7-9

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Knocking

Read Revelations 1-3

Revelations 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."  When someone says let’s get together, we don’t know if they really want to get together, or whether that’s their way of ending the conversation on a friendly note.  So when we try to set a real future meeting, we find out how sincere they were.

If they can’t make our first suggestion, we offer a second.  We can keep proposing date after date after date, but most of us recognize that after the third no we should quit.  We give up.  But when we’re the ones saying no and we really mean to connect, we know they’re going to give up after the third try, so we participate in the choosing, letting the others know we mean business.

Jesus doesn’t give up on us.  He waits and knocks on the door of our hearts and lives, waiting patiently for us to let Him in.  Once we do, He offers us complete and intimate relationship with Him, no matter how long we made Him wait.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 4-6

Friday, December 24, 2010

Keep Yourself

Read 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Jude 1:21 says, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."  Once we’ve found the Lord, you’d think we’d never want to return to those old things we left behind.  But habits are hard to break and we have to make a conscious effort to stop.  Every day we have to decide to say no to the evil things we are trying to weed out of our lives.

When things get tough, we seek comfort in the familiar and again find ourselves slipping into the very things God delivered us out of.  We have to start all over again.

But if we can learn to seek good habits, we have something to turn to.  God knows how hard it is to stomp out evil without having something in its place.  He provides all we need in love and mercy when we turn to Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Revelations 1-3

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Cleansed From All Unrighteousness

Read 1 John 1-5

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  This is one of the most wonderful verses in the Bible—this promise that God will always forgive and will forgive all.  Sometimes we can get so caught up in wrong doing, we wonder if we’ll ever get out.  Sin is a trap that we need help to escape from.

We can’t get this kind of deal from anywhere else.  People we love and have hurt can forgive us wholeheartedly, but they can’t help but be changed by the experience we’ve put them through.

No matter how far down we’ve fallen, no matter how long we’ve been estranged from our Heavenly Father, there is forgiveness awaiting us.  He won’t condemn us and He doesn’t make us clean ourselves up first.  All He requires is our repentance.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Keep Growing

Read 2 Peter 1-3

2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."  It can be discouraging to never reach a point where we don’t have something to learn.  Electronic gadgets, scientific discoveries, new theories about any number of things keep popping up all around us.  We have to make an effort to keep up with everything.

Learning exercises our minds.  Staying current exercises our organizational skills as we find time to read newspapers or follow the directions on our latest contraption.

We exercise ourselves spiritually when we seek to be more like Jesus.  There is always room to grow in grace and always more to discover about the Lord, no matter how many years we’ve been at it.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 John 1-5

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Suffer for Doing

Read 1 Peter 1-5

1 Peter 3:17 says, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."  At first, I couldn’t figure out where Peter got such a notion.  Who wants to be punished at all, let alone for doing something good?  If you’re going to be accused and convicted anyway, shouldn’t you at least have had the satisfaction of knowing you’re guilty?

But those who make sure they are always doing what they should, to the best of their knowledge, can know they did what was right.  If there is any justice in the world, they know they will be exonerated.  And if there isn’t justice, those who know them, their real friends, will know the truth.

Most of all, it’s important to do what’s right to stay in right relationship with God.  No matter what we’re accused of, no matter what happens to us, God can make things right.  He is capable of getting us out of even the most impossible situations.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Peter 1-3

Monday, December 20, 2010

Swift and Slow

Read James 1-5

James 1:19 says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"  James says we should be quick to hear.  God wants us to be ready to hear His word, but also to be ready to listen to each other.  Sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen to him.

Then we shouldn’t be too quick to open our mouths.  We don’t always like what we hear and want to protest, complain, or argue.  If we think first, we might realize we’re ready to argue because we didn’t fully understand in the first place.  We should even hold off being too quick to give out advice.  If someone is confiding in us, if we let them finish, they might solve their own problems, rather than arguing over why the wise advice we’ve given them won’t work in their circumstances.

Lastly, James recommends we be slow to wrath.  Instead of letting our emotions take over, if we can reason through something that has irritated us, we might be able to dispel the anger so we can act rationally.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Peter 1-5

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Offering and Faith

Read Hebrews 10-13

Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,"  Abraham believed God’s promise, but tried to help Him out with Hagar.  Once Isaac was born, he saw what God was capable of.  It must have been doubly hard to sacrifice Isaac—because he loved his son and because this would mean the death of the fulfillment of God’s promise.

It doesn’t matter that Isaac didn’t die—that Abraham didn’t have to kill him.  He offered him to God wholeheartedly.  He was poised to carry the deed through.

It’s hard enough waiting for God to answer our prayers.  When He does, I can’t imagine having to give up the fulfillment.  It must seem like you’re going backwards and may feel like you’re slapping God in the face since the answer was from Him.  But when we’re sure what God is asking of us, we can step out in faith and do whatever it is, no matter how illogical it might seem.  We can be certain God knows what He is doing.

Tomorrow’s reading: James 1-5

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Only Once

Read Hebrews 7-9

Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  When God set up His covenant with Israel, there were all kinds of things they had to do to keep themselves in right relationship with the Lord.  Some things took place often, sometimes once a year, sometimes several priests contributed and sometimes only the High Priest dared to come before the throne of God on behalf of the people.

They had to keep up these rituals and keep them exactly as God gave them or face God’s wrath.  They stayed in uncertainty, never quite sure everything was right between them and God—what if the priest missed or messed up something?

Then Jesus came.  He only had to come once, die once, rise from the dead once.  We can accept what He did for us, knowing it was everything God demanded, knowing it’s good enough to make us and keep us in right relationship with our Father.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 10-13

Friday, December 17, 2010

Boldly Before the Throne

Read Hebrews 4-6

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  There was this new director who announced he had an open door policy—anyone could come talk to him anytime about anything that was on their minds about the company.  He soon learned to close his door and set up availability hours because he spent so much time being interrupted by the couple hundred employees at the company taking him at his word, he was not able to get any other work done.

We soon learn there are good times and bad times to approach our parents, our teachers, our pastors, our bosses, even our peers and children.  We also realize we have to set boundaries around our own time and accessibility for peace and productivity.

But God doesn’t have our limitations.  We can come to him any time, any where and in any state.  We can cry out when we can’t even form real words to express our anguish.  He listens to us and He is always there when we need Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 7-9

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Man or Angel?

Read Hebrews 1-3

Hebrews 2:16 says, "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham."  What if Jesus had come in the form of an angel instead of a man?  For one thing, He would have spared Himself the agony of others’ disbelief.  Everyone recorded who saw angels, singular or plural, were frightened or at least impressed.  No one would have dared question Him, so He would have been spared the disrespect He so often got, especially from the Pharisees.

It seems like it would have been much better for Him.  Everyone would have listened to Him—everyone would have believed Him.  But it wouldn’t have been better for us.

Because Jesus came in human form, He suffered like we suffer.  He experienced hunger, exhaustion, and love just like we do.  He was human so He could pay our penalty for our sins and we could have eternal life. He didn’t choose to be an angel to make His time on earth better.   He chose to be human for our sakes.

Tomorrow’s reading: Read Hebrews 4-6

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Not Our Doing

Read Titus 1-3, Philemon 1

Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"  Being good all the time is exhausting.  We get our behavior right and our attitude is bad.  We get our attitude right and our thoughts are wrong.  We get your thoughts under control and our behavior is called into question.  We can’t seem to get the hang of perfection.

Fortunately, God knows our imperfections.  He knows we are going to fail to meet His standards.

That’s why He sent Jesus to die for our sins.  We declare ourselves righteous, not because we’ve done anything to deserve the title, but because God’s mercy has made us so when we accept Him and His gift of salvation.

Tomorrow’s reading: Hebrews 1-3

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

First Taste

Read 2 Timothy 1-4

2 Timothy 2:6 says, "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits."  Whenever I make my Christmas cookies to send to my family, I always make sure to have enough so I can sample them before anyone else.  That way, if I’ve made a terrible mistake and they’re awful, I can make more, this time the right way.  Perhaps fruit wouldn’t fall into the same category—it’s unlikely that something would go wrong with the whole harvest of them, as long as they’re ripe.

But any time we do something we are planning on sending out, we want to make sure it’s as good as we can make it.  Whether it’s a gift or a product, our reputations are on the line.

We want to offer God our best efforts.  Even if He knows our weaknesses, our failings, and our worst, we want to be able to give Him the gift of doing what we know will please Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1

Monday, December 13, 2010

Live Like the Rich

Read 1 Timothy 4-6

1 Timothy 6:18 says, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"  Popular philosophy says if you act like you’re rich, you will get rich.  That concept is not as new as it seems.

Paul told Timothy to make sure the rich didn’t just trust in their riches or give only of their money.  He wanted them to get out there and do good works, take a hands on approach.

This is certainly a way we can act like the rich do without going over our budgets.  We can reach out to others in need and help in our churches and communities whenever and wherever we can.  We can be rich in those things that matter, like helping others, no matter how empty our bank accounts may be.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Timothy 1-4

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christ, Our Mediator

Read 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"  It’s a good thing we don’t have to depend on anyone but Jesus for access to the Father.  Anyone else wouldn’t be reliable, even if their intentions were good.  If we had to depend on a leader, we might not be able to meet their price or requirements—we wouldn’t be rich enough or good enough.

If we had to depend on family, we might have a falling out with the very one who was between us and God.  Or we might not have family at all, at least not blood relations.  Those who make their own families by getting close to the people around them would be out of luck and never be able to get through to God.

So God made sure there was only one way to Him—His Son, Jesus.  Jesus loved us so much He died for our sins, so we know we can always approach God’s throne through Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Timothy 4-6

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Lead By Example

Read 2 Thessalonians 1-3

2 Thessalonians 3:9 says, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."  When we’re kids we long for the day when we’ll be grown and nobody can tell us what to do.  As employees we dream of the day when we have our own business and can be the kind of boss we wish we had.  In our neighborhoods and churches, we wish someone would ask us for a list of people we’d rather not be around.

No matter what situation we find ourselves in, the people we deal with can drive us crazy.  If only we had the power to make others behave as we think they should.  If only people would listen to us, we could straighten them out.

Nobody wants to be told what to do.  Even when someone asks you what you think they should do, if you tell them truthfully, they’ll argue with you about what you’ve recommended.  But we can be examples of what we believe.  We can continue to do what we think is right and let others be influenced by how we treat them.  Change is hard,  not impossible, but people have to be motivated in themselves to change.  We’ll provide the working model.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Timothy 1-3

Friday, December 10, 2010

Constant Rejoicing

Read 1 Thessalonians 1-5

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Rejoice evermore."  He’s kidding, right?  With all the things that are going on in this world—the injustice, the suffering, the wars—Paul doesn’t really expect us to be happy about it, does he?

We can see remembering to rejoice when there is something to celebrate.  Instead of going from one request to the next, to the one after that, and so on, we can stop and thank the Lord for what He has already done, for the requests He has already answered.  But then, shouldn’t we get back into the trenches of spiritual warfare and keep petitioning God for answers and for relief?

Of course we should.  But that doesn’t have anything to do with rejoicing.  We can keep our blessings in mind and be thankful for those things God has done for us and continues to do for us.  Our constant rejoicing is for who God is, what He has done, and for our relationship with Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Hearty Labor

Read Colossians 1-4

Colossians 3:23 says, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"  It’s hard to get excited about cleaning the garage.  It’s not easy to be enthusiastic about scrubbing the floor.  There is little to motivate one to get happy over laundry.  Some things you can look forward to doing and others you only do when there is no other choice.

But if you are cleaning the garage because you’re going to have a partying there, it’s not such a trial.  If you’re scrubbing the floor because a baby is going to be visiting, you’ve got something to look forward to.  If you’re doing laundry because your favorite outfit is dirty and you want to wear it, you’re motivated to finish.

No matter how mundane the chores we need to do are, we can find ways to do our work cheerfully.  When we can’t find a good reason in the natural, there is always the Lord to please.  We can always work willingly, even heartily when we are doing a job as unto God.

Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Ask With Thanksgiving

Read Philippians 1-4

Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  There’s a debate about praying for something.  Do you keep asking until you receive it or does that show a lack of faith?  Do you ask only once and then move on or does that show arrogance?

Does God want us to keep asking like the woman with the unjust judge who finally gave in to get some relief from her?  Is God already sending the answer but being hampered like the angel who was on his way to Daniel, but got waylaid by the devil?

God knows what we need before we even ask.  We don’t have to take the responsibility for asking, like a clerk might be responsible for ordering when supplies are low, so the company doesn’t run out of something.  But God wants to hear from us.  He wants us to know He is the supplier of our needs.  So we can ask and give thanks and know God hears and answers us.

Tomorrow’s reading: Colossians 1-4

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Kindly Tenderhearted Forgiveness

Read Ephesians 4-6

Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Children are naturally tenderhearted and forgiving.  We teach them to be kind to others and they readily take it up.

But as we get older life happens to us and we toughen up in order to endure.  Our survival depends on our strength and we can begin to see everyone else as our potential enemy, especially those who hurt us.

But God wants us to relearn those childlike lessons and stay tenderhearted.  We have to choose to forgive others and keep on forgiving.  We have to be vigilantly kind or we can risk becoming bitter.  The Lord knows we won’t be happy if we don’t practice kindly tenderhearted forgiveness.

Tomorrow’s reading: Philippians 1-4

Monday, December 6, 2010

Inner Man Strength

Read Ephesians 1-3

Ephesians 3:16 says, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"  We can exercise and lift weights to strengthen our bodies, but how to strengthen our inner selves isn’t as obvious.  We spend our whole lives developing on the inside while our outsides become more feeble.

The problems we go through help make us stronger.  The hurts we endure help us grow.  The worst situations in our lives bring about the most maturity.

It isn’t only through experience that we learn.  Reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Bible increases our understanding of life and the Lord.  Through prayer, the Holy Spirit can strengthen our inner man, keeping us at peace with God, no matter what we face.

Tomorrow’s reading: Ephesians 4-6

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Prove Yourself

Read Galatians 4-6

Galatians 6:4 says, "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."  There are those who seem to excel in everything they attempt.  Everything they try, everything they learn, everything they do they end up being the best.

It can be discouraging for everyone else.  No matter how good we get, someone is better.  No matter how hard we try, we can never be as good.

Even if we’re discouraged, we still have to keep at it.  We’ll get better as we practice.  God doesn’t require that we be THE best, just that we do OUR best.

Tomorrow’s reading: Ephesians 1-3

Saturday, December 4, 2010

There is More

Read Galatians 1-3

Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."  When things get you down, it’s nice to remember that there is more to life than what’s going on right now.  It’s good to know that there is a reason why disappointments must happen.  It’s comforting to know that God has a purpose even for the worst that we go through.

We keep in mind that God loves us and wants what’s best for us.  When we ask for His will to be done in our lives, He might close the only door we have so we are open to a new direction.

It may feel like punishment at times, but God is in control.  When we crucify ourselves with Christ, we continue to live in this world, but we have an advantage.  Christ lives in us and we live by faith.

Tomorrow’s reading: Galatians 4-6

Friday, December 3, 2010

Be Perfect

Read 2 Corinthians 10-13

2 Corinthians 13:11 says, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."  Paul says be perfect.  Maybe he thought he could be, but I’m guessing it was probably as laughable to the Corinthians as it is to us now.  The other things on his list are at least doable.  Surely he wouldn’t want them insisting they were perfect when they weren’t, just so they could believe they were in compliance!

It’s a good thing to strive for, anyway.  The only problem is, once you conquer one bad habit or once you get one sin under submission, you see how many bad habits you still have to go or how many sins still stand in the way.  It’s discouraging.

But we can’t let ourselves stay discouraged.  We can taken a deep breath and look again to our heavenly Father to guide us to the next path.  He can remove sin, He can strengthen us to break bad habits, He can help us get one step closer to perfection, one step closer to being more like Jesus.

Tomorrow’s reading: Galatians 1-3

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Diversify

Read 2 Corinthians 7-9

2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  Investors tells to diversify our investments and not to pin our hopes on just one account in case it takes a downturn.  Specialty store owners never offer just one thing for sale, no matter how specialized they are.  Even clothing will have the same item in different colors and sizes.

We learn to be kind to everyone, not just the people closest to us.  We reach out to all our neighbors, not just the one on the other side of our fence.  We interact with all our coworkers, not just the one who sits next to us.  Even when we buy servings made just for one, we tend to buy more than one of them.

The Lord knows that it’s best for us to spread a wide net, to be inclusive, to sow bountifully.  When we concentrate on just one thing, we are too devastated if that one thing fails or disappoints us or leaves us.  But our lives are richer when we open our arms wide.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Faith vs. Sight

Read 2 Corinthians 4-6

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"  This verse is an aside from Paul—he just mentioned this in with the rest of his point.  But this principle is at the foundation of our whole being.

We don’t realize how many things we have to take on faith—it’s part of our everyday lives and we don’t think about it or question it.  We have faith that our loved ones continue to exist, even when we don’t see them.  We have faith—sometimes misplaced—in our vehicles, our appliances, our furniture, our modern conveniences.  We trust that things haven’t fallen apart just because we’re not using them right now.

God’s promises are even more trustworthy.  Just because something seems impossible, doesn’t mean it is, if God has said it.  We can walk confidently by faith and not worry about what is in our sight.

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Corinthians 7-9