Daily Bible Blog

At New Life, we are calling this weekend, our “Weekend Without Walls”.  The church is spending time outside of the physical walls of the Lucy Simms building (where we normally meet for Sunday Worship), and we are asking God to lead us into His places of ministry which He has prepared for us.  While physical walls will certainly keep us from connecting with people who are on God’s heart, there are many other “walls” that have been built up by us, or for us, which keep us from seeing, hearing, and engaging the same people whom God is concerned about.  In John 9:34 this morning, I was challenged by the “wall of pride and arrogance” the pharisees displayed which kept them from being able to hear common sense questions from a man who had been truly touched by the God whom they claimed to represent.  Is it possible that we also have this same wall along with many other walls which are keeping us from hearing the simple cry of hearts all around us?

They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

John 9:34

Prayer

Father, touch our hearts today and reveal the places where we have “walled out” the opportunities to connect and share YOUR love with anyone YOU bring into our circle of influence.  Humble us with Your grace and lead us to genuine places of love and ministry by Your Spirit.  Fill us up and empower us to speak boldly of You.  Be glorified as your people take Your love “outside the walls”.  I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Zephaniah 1-3, John 9)

In a prophetic word concerning the restoration of Israel, Isaiah declares a truth that ought to make any child of God stand up and walk with boldness!  Even when we are suffering “trials of many kinds”, even when we are experiencing the suffering that produces righteousness … whatever the difficulties we face, there is this promise that came to the Israelites that says essentially, In the end, I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, and I WILL MAKE THINGS RIGHT …

While it may be hard to see suffering and injustice and to feel these things even in our own lives, our hope is in our “Dad” who is God and Father … Hear his words today for Israel, and know that He will contend for us as well … in His own time … It is the heart of our Father in Heaven.

For thus says the Lord:
“Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,
and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,
for I will contend with those who contend with you,
and I will save your children.

Isaiah 49:25 (ESV)

Prayer

Father (Papa in Heaven), our hearts cry out to you as children today believing and looking for that day when you make all things right … Enable us to walk in complete trust of You and to accept the truth that You are at work ALWAYS and that You are at work even now, when we may not feel it.  Fill us with new hope today, and remind us of the ultimate “contending” that was done on the cross by your own son, Jesus.  Empower your church to walk with boldness and faith in You in all things.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Isaiah 46-49, 1 Peter 5)

“Do I REALLY believe what I say I believe?”

That question may tend to linger and remain unresolved for many Christians for many years.  In 1 Peter, we’re told that there is a “proving ground” for our faith, and the proof is in the trials … How do we respond in times of trial?  Are we “fair weather Christians”, or are we rooted deeply in a faith in Jesus Christ at the core of our existence?

It is one thing to declare, “I believe in Jesus”.  It can be quite another thing to live it during “various trials” that we face in this world.

If you’re facing a trial today, my hope is that you will embrace the truth of these verses, press “deeper” into the truth of who Jesus is, and embrace the ultimate joy of knowing Him again today as the Savior of your soul.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father in heaven, some of us are in need of encouragement and strength today as we face the trials that go along with living in this fallen world.  I ask for the grace of Jesus, Your Son to overwhelm us and remind us of the ultimate prize that is salvation of our souls.  Remind us, encourage us, embolden us, and empower us for YOUR glory today.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 76, 1 Peter 1)

So I leave home a few days ago with much less “margin” than I needed.  Actually, I was in the “negative margin” I needed to be at my appointment on time.  Quickly to the end of the road … ready to turn onto a 55mph road … and there he came … meandering at about 35-40 mph … should I cut him off and get in front of him?  I chose safety this time and pulled directly behind … Now what?  You’ve all been there.  I have my plans, my appointments, my schedule and I know the speed limit is not 35 here!!!  What is wrong with this …

And then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart … “Are you going to bless him?”

What?!! Now?!!

How many times have I used the same tongue to “curse” those who don’t fit my agenda while blessing God in worship at other times?  Father, refine us and tame this tongue.  We could certainly use the help!

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

James 3:9 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father, make us a people who bless without cursing!  When we are tempted to “call out” someone for getting in the way of our plans, I pray for the prompting of Your Spirit to speak a word of blessing over that life instead.  We cannot tame our tongue, but You are able!  I ask for the grace to speak blessings over all I encounter this day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (2 Kings 17, 2 Chron, 28. Psalm 46, James 3)

Generally, when we highlight the “Faith” chapter – Hebrews 11, we focus on all the great “heros of the faith” and how they accomplished so much for God.  It’s not nearly as common to see Christians today acknowledge and embrace verses 35-38 as models of people living in faith.  However, there they are … right alongside Abraham, Noah, Moses … are all of those who died for their faith, or suffered in their faith.  It is a clear statement of fact that faith is NOT a guarantee of “prosperity and good things” as we describe them in this world.  Rather, faith is the core belief we hold to that moves us forward in ANY circumstance.  By faith, what will your life be like today?

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,tthey were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 12:35-38 (ESV)

Prayer

Father, grow your church up to a place of genuine and strong faith in You!  Lead us to a life of steadfast direction toward you, and daily walking with you so that we will be those who live a life that “the world is not worthy of”.  Challenge our “easy life” attitudes and empower us by Your spirit to press forward in everything You call us to.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Isaiah 19-21, Hebrews 11)

Walk into a Christian book store and you will be inundated with options for improving our “Christian Faith”.  At any given time, I tend to have three or four books in process of being read.  Many, if not all of them have very good information about the Christian life.  I wonder, however, if we sometimes get too caught up in “doing it all correctly”, and we lose sight of the “confession of our hope”?  With so many “do it this way” books, is it possible that we lose sight of the simple fact that we are saved by the blood of Jesus … PERIOD.  His sacrifice was all that was needed.  Our hope can ONLY be in HIM and in what HE has done.  And for that, I love Him even more today.  Where is your hope?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Prayer

Father God in Heaven, draw us back to a simple faith in Jesus Christ, and empower us to live in a COMPLETE hope of salvation that comes through the shed blood of Jesus alone.  Where we have devised our own plans and attempted to gain a “better salvation” through our works and ideas, call us to repentance, and lead us back to the cross of Jesus.  We confess our hope is in Jesus alone again today.  Amen

Today’s Bible Reading (Isaiah 15-18, Hebrews 10)

I relish the “finality” of the declarations in Hebrews chapter 9.  The comparison of temporary cleansing from sin vs. the finality of the complete work of Jesus Christ on the cross!  Today I am grateful and thankful again for the finished work of Jesus!  His coming, his living, his dying and shedding of His blood has made it possible for all people to come into an eternal relationship with God our Father.  And yes, HE is coming back as it says in verse 28, “not to deal with sin” … that has been completed!  Rather, he is coming back to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.  I wonder today how many of us are really eagerly waiting for Him?  Or are we so caught up in this world that we don’t have time to contemplate and yearn for the return of our Lord Jesus?

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9:28 (ESV)

Prayer

Father in heaven, I ask for a renewed sense of eagerness among those of us who profess to follow Jesus.  Would you stir our hearts today toward the present reality of the potential of Jesus’ return for those who eagerly wait for Him.  Father, draw us away from the love of this world, and prick our hearts with the yearning for eternity with you in Heaven.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Isaiah 11-14, Hebrews 9)