On Twitter Mobs, Mockery, and Sarcasm

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”

Psalm 1:1 NASB

This well-known verse of Scripture warns against three things: walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of scoffers. I am especially struck today by the part about sitting in the seat of scoffers.

“Scoffer” (NASB/ESV), “scornful” (KJV), “mocker” (CSB and others) refers to one who routinely expresses contempt and derision for something or someone. The Bible says that the mocker is proud and haughty (Prov. 21:24), delights in mocking (Prov. 1:22), cannot find wisdom (Prov. 14:6), is an abomination to men (Prov. 24:9), is a fool in the language of wisdom (Prov. 14:6), does not respond to instruction (Prov. 15:12), and continually stirs up strife by insults (Prov. 22:10). Apparently scoffing is a serious offense to God and men and one who is a scoffer does not demonstrate the fruit of godly wisdom.

I suppose one of the reasons this stands out to me is that I have the gift curse of a sarcastic mind. (I read somewhere that those who are sarcastic are actually intelligent, but I digress.) Sarcasm is by definition using irony to mock or show contempt, and it comes naturally to me. Sarcasm, however, is in many ways antithetical to love. God has not been sarcastic with me but has dealt with me in love. Even when God rebukes me and calls me to repent, it is not by mocking me or making snide, critical comments to me. Even His rebuke is motivated by His love for me.

I am challenged here to lay down my sarcastic and snarky ways and relate to people in love. I confess this is a challenge, but it is right. I am calling on my brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same. Our sarcasm, snark, and flat out mocking needs to stop. I suppose I see it most often on social media, where it is easier to hide behind a phone, tablet, or keyboard and say things that are clearly not motivated by love. Christians should not be a part of twitter mobs and the like.

Lord, please help us not to sit in the seat of scoffers. Rather, help us to use our words, posts, and tweets to bring glory to God.

Thoughts on March 20 Bible Reading

March 20, 2018
Reading: Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading.

Thoughts on March 17 Bible Reading

March 17, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's reading.

Thoughts on March 16 Bible Reading

March 16, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 31-31; Luke 1:1-23

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading.

Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts on March 15 Bible Reading

March 15, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30; Mark 16

Deuteronomy 29:29 (CSB)

²⁹The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 30:14–15 (CSB)

¹⁴But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it.

¹⁵See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (CSB)

¹⁹I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,

In Deuteronomy 29 and 30, Moses is calling the people of Israel to be faithful to the Lord and His covenant when they cross into the promised land. He also explains the curses they will receive if they are unfaithful.

From the verses above, I was struck by the fact that God had made Himself and His expectations known to the Israelites. They did not have to wonder who God was or how to relate to Him. Then Moses called them to decide whether they would follow God and explained the consequences to them.

This is true for us as well. God has made Himself and His ways known to us. We do not have to wonder who He is or what He is like. Rather, we have the Bible, His Holy Word. Further, each of us must decide how to respond to Him based on His revelation of Himself to us.

Are you pretending that you do not know who God is or what He is like? He has given us His Word. Take it up and read. We all have a decision to make. Will you believe God? Will you believe the gospel? Will you obey the Lord? These decisions have consequences.

Mark 16:7 (CSB)

⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ 

Mark 16 gives us the account of Jesus’ resurrection and of His followers’ responses. Over and over, His followers were commanded to “go and tell.” God has called each of us to be a “go and tell” people. We are called to go and tell others that Jesus is alive, and He is willing to save any who will place their faith in Him.

Who had God placed in your path today that you need to go and tell about Jesus?

Thoughts on March 14 Bible Reading

March 14, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 26-28; Mark 15

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading. I hope the thoughts encourage you as you continue to meet with God in His word.

Thoughts on March 13 Bible Reading

March 13, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:51-72

I recorded a video with thoughts on the Bible reading for today.

Thoughts on March 9 Bible Reading

March 9, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 14-16; Mark 13

It has been a while since I’ve provided thoughts on our Bible readings. I hope you are still meeting the Lord in His word each day. If you have gotten behind in the readings, I would encourage you not to give up. You can just pick up on the reading for today and go forward. As I have mentioned before, there is no crown in heaven for completing all the readings in the guide. My goal is to provide a place for you to meet God in His word each day.

Deuteronomy 15:11 (CSB)

¹¹For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.’

Deuteronomy is the final book of the Law of Moses and is sometimes referred to as the Torah or the Pentateuch. In the book, Moses gives a series of speeches to the next generation of Israelites, teaching them the Law and calling them to be faithful to God and to the covenant. This was very important because the generation that came out of Egypt died in the wilderness because of their unfaithfulness to God and their lack of faith. This next generation was positioned just across the Jordan River from the Promised Land and would soon go in to begin possessing the land without Moses there to guide them.

From the reading today, we see Moses repeating several of the laws he first gave to Israel at Mt. Sinai. One thing that struck me today was Deuteronomy 11:15 (above). Throughout the Old Testament, we see that God has always been concerned for people that are poor and He has always expected His people to be generous to help those that are poor.

This is a challenge for Christians today to help those that are in need. Some of the political rhetoric today can cause Christians to be less concerned for the needs of the poor. Further, with many middle-class Christians residing in suburbs, American Christians can become blind to the poor all together. How is the Lord calling you to be a part of helping those in need? What will you do in response to God’s concern for those that are poor and His commands that His people help?

Mark 13:32–33 (CSB)

³²“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.

³³“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.

In Mark 13, we read Jesus’ words from the Olivet Discourse. There He taught about future things while on the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple complex and Jerusalem. One of the things that stood out to me was the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus. He has promised to come again, and He will keep that promise. The verses above remind us that we do not know when He will return, but that the time will come suddenly and catch many people by surprise.

Are you ready for the return of Jesus? He is really coming, and He could come at any time. Even if He waits many years, we still do not know the time of our death—whether we will grow old or die suddenly. It is really important to be ready for His return. Do you know where you stand with God today? I would love to talk with you about that if you have questions.

Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts on February 23 Bible Reading

February 23, 2018
Reading: Numbers 11-13; Mark 5

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading.

Thoughts on February 22 Bible Reading

February 22, 2018
Reading: Numbers 9-10

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's reading. If you are getting behind or if you are getting frustrated because Numbers is difficult to understand, please don't quit. Hang in there, it will be worth it!

Thoughts on February 21 Bible Reading

February 21, 2018

Reading: Numbers 7-8; Mark 4

(Guest Post: Barnabas Roland)

Numbers 7-8

With legal passages like these, an easy way to pay attention as you read is to jot down the important notes about one of the topics so you can review at the end. For example, I noted these things about the Levites as I read Numbers 8:

• They are to be cleansed (8:5)
• They are to be separated to serve the Lord (8:14)
• They are to be a substitute for the firstborn at the Passover (8:16-18)
• They are to serve the people by performing sacrifices (8:19)
• They are to serve from ages 25-50 and then retire (8:24-25)

My goal here is reading rather than deep study so I’m not trying to exhaustively write down everything. This short list is enough for me to glance back over and reflect on what I read. Overall, what really sticks out to me are the words service and sacrifice. What a life the Levites must have had with sacrifice (a picture of the gospel) at the center of what they did each day as they served the Lord and the people!

Mark 4

As a church planter overseas, I love to read these parables of the kingdom. I have seen the lives of many people transformed by the Holy Spirit. My heart has broken over seeing counties of several hundred thousand people without a single church. And less than a decade later some of those same counties now have churches that have planted churches that have planted churches. 

We try to come up with the best ways to share the gospel and teaching others how to plant churches, but it all comes down to God himself moving in the hearts of people and doing this work. The British pastor John Stott defined the kingdom of God as, "his rule set up in the lives of his people by his Holy Spirit.” God’s kingdom is not something that we can control. The spiritual work in the heart of a person is out of our control. Our role is to faithfully sow the seed of the gospel. 

Thoughts on February 20 Bible Reading

February 20, 2018

Reading: Numbers 5-6; Mark 3

(Guest Post: Barnabas Roland)

Numbers 5-6

These are certainly some intriguing chapters having to do with purity. Put those with skin diseases outside of the camp. Let the priest test the woman accused of adultery by having her drink from the cup of bitterness. Let someone who wants to take a special vow of holiness grow out his hair—as Samson later did. How are we to understand these things much less follow the teaching?

A brief and partial answer is that during this time of history God worked through the priesthood and laws to teach the people of Israel. This historical context is of utmost importance. During this time of the Israelite priesthood, God was teaching Israel about purity. The teachings on purity taught them about God and what was demanded of people. Jesus later taught the crowds on a mountainside, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). Paul would one day write to the young church of Colossae, “Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires” (Col 3:5).

Numbers 6:24-26

Make sure that you pay attention to this great prayer that many people pray for their children each day:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Remember that the power is not in a special prayer, but in the Lord who hears our prayers.

Mark 3

In today’s New Testament passage we see some great things happening in the ministry of Jesus. After he heals a man and withdraws with his disciples to the sea, crowds from Galilee and Judea and even areas outside of Israel begin to flock to him. Jesus continues healing and teaching and is now at the point where he formally appoints the 12 apostles. 

Apostle means “sent-out one.” Jesus pours into these leaders, sends them out on short-term trips, and after he dies, they are the foundation of the church. They are the first-hand witnesses of the resurrection and guard the Biblical truth of what becomes the New Testament canon. 

We haven’t yet arrived at the death and resurrection of Christ, but already Jesus seems very successful in what the Father has sent him to do. But look more closely at the opposition that is also taking place. The Pharisees meet up with one of the other political parties called the Herodians for the purpose of destroying Jesus (Mark 3:6). Scribes from the capital travel down to oppose him saying he is using Satanic power to heal people (Mark 3:22). His own family tries to seize him because they thought he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). 

The final verse of the chapter sums up how Jesus responded to all of this. Success is doing the will of God. Our identity of who we should seek to please is God—no matter what any other group of people think. It doesn’t matter what the culture, our co-workers, our schoolmates, or even our own family say or think if we are not doing the will of God. Our success is doing the will of God. Our identity is first as a son or daughter of God.

Thoughts on February 19 Bible Reading

February 19, 2018
Reading: Numbers 1-4
(Guest Post: Barnabas Roland)

Today we begin the Book of Numbers so all four chapters are from this book. Israel has just been given the law as they have stopped at Mt. Sinai for one year. Here in the first 10 chapters, they are still camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai. These ten chapters are all about the camp.

Today’s reading describes how each of the tribes are numbered and arranged with the tabernacle in the center while chapters 5-10 are about the laws about ritual purity. After these 10 chapters we’ll see quite a lot of action with all kinds of exciting stories that happen during the wilderness years: spies, rebellion, water coming out of rocks, attacks of venomous snakes, talking donkeys, and a prophecy of a promised king. The journey here to the promised land should take about 2 weeks, but for Israel we’ll see it takes 40 years because of God’s judgment of their sin. But first we need to understand the importance of Israel’s organization.

As you read today try to imagine the actual size of the numbers of these people. Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa has a seating capacity of a little over 100,000 people. You’ll see each of the the tribe’s numbers are smaller than 100,000, but notice that the numbers listed are just the fighting men of each tribe. Can you imagine what the camp would look like with women and children added to each of these massive 12 tribes surrounding the tabernacle?

Understanding the organization of the camp further helps to make this concrete. I challenge you to get out a piece of paper and try to draw out the camp organization as you see it organized going out the four different directions of north, south, east, and west. If you do so, you’ll notice that at the center of this giant cross type of organization is the tabernacle. This is symbolic of God’s holiness at the center.

Later when Israel is told to move, you can see the similar order of God’s holy presence (in the form of a cloud in Numbers 10:11) as the leader and guide for where they should go. God is there dwelling in the camp of Israel. And one day Israel would later see God dwelling among them in flesh in the form of Jesus. Before Jesus’ ascension to heaven, he told us that his presence would continue. Today, we, the church, are the body of Christ with God dwelling among us as we are the temple of God.

This is not simply symbolism. We’re talking about God’s actual presence. We’ll see how this matters and helps us understand the purity laws of camp in the next few chapters. But today we can reflect on whether we are ordering our lives around God or not.

If we are actually ordering our lives around a holy God, then holiness and obedience makes perfect sense. If holiness gets to be bothersome and troublesome, then maybe we’re not really ordering our lives around God but have something else in the center instead. Or maybe we are forgetting the God who has delivered us from bondage. Maybe we’re forgetting the creator God of the world dwells not just around us invisibly, but in fact the presence of his Spirit is inside us: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Thoughts on February 16 Bible Reading

February 16, 2018
Reading: Leviticus 24-25; Mark 1

I recorded some thoughts on the Bible reading today for those that are following along.  Blessings!

Thoughts on February 8 Bible Reading

January 8, 2018
Reading: Leviticus 7-9; Matthew 25:31-46

See the video below for thoughts on today's Bible reading. Tell me how things are going with your reading. I would love to hear from you!

Thoughts on February 6 and 7 Readings

February 7, 2018

Reading: Leviticus 4-6, Matthew 25:1-30

I have not posted thoughts on our readings in a couple of days, but I hope your time with the Lord is going well and that you are staying in His Word. 

Leviticus 1-6

Well, here we are in the book of Leviticus. This is the place where many who start to read the whole Bible lose heart and quit. Leviticus is a difficult book to understand and apply as a Christian in the 21st Century. Below I am posting a video which gives an overview of the book and also an outline of Leviticus that comes from the ESV Study Bible. These will be a help to you as you seek to understand Leviticus and how it may apply to your life. Remember that this is a part of God’s Word and the Lord has given it to us for a reason. I am happy that our reading plan includes a New Testament reading most days as well.

  

Matthew 24:44 (CSB)

⁴⁴This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:45–46 (CSB)

⁴⁵“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time?

⁴⁶Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.

Matthew 25:13 (CSB)

¹³“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.

Matthew 25:19 (CSB)

¹⁹“After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

Matthew 24 and 25 include Jesus’ teaching from the Mount of Olives during the week of His crucifixion. This portion of Matthew is often called the Olivet Discourse. In these chapters, Jesus taught His disciples about things related to end times prophesy (destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the time of great tribulation, the return of Jesus, etc.)

The verses from Matthew 25 above struck me this morning while I was reading and echo what Jesus said in Matthew 24. First, we do not know the time of Jesus’ return or when He may call us home through death. Therefore, these chapters show us how important it is to be prepared for Christ’s return or our death. His return will come suddenly and unexpectedly, are we prepared to meet God?

Second, Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:45-46 and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 remind us that we must continue to be faithful to fulfill the ministry God has given each of us to do until He returns or calls us home. Every Christian is called to serve the Lord and His Kingdom in some capacity (see Ephesians 2:10). We cannot neglect the responsibilities He has given us. Being reminded that He is coming unexpectedly should motivate us to faithful service to the Lord every day.

Hang in there, Brothers and Sisters. God will use your daily interactions with Him in His word to continue to conform you to the image of Christ. Praying for you in the journey!

Mac

Outline of the Book of Leviticus from the Introduction to Leviticus in the ESV Study Bible

1. Five Major Offerings (1:1–6:7)
1. The burnt offering (1:1–17)
2. The grain offering (2:1–16)
3. The peace offering (3:1–17)
4. The sin offering (4:1–5:13)
5. The guilt offering (5:14–6:7)
2. Handling of the Offerings (6:8–7:38)
1. The burnt offering (6:8–13)
2. The grain offering (6:14–23)
3. The sin offering (6:24–30)
4. The guilt offering (7:1–10)
5. The peace offering (7:11–36)
6. Summary (7:37–38)
3. The Establishment of the Priesthood (8:1–10:20)
1. The ordination of Aaron and his sons (8:1–36)
2. The first tabernacle service (9:1–24)
3. The Nadab and Abihu incident (10:1–20)
4. The Laws on Cleanness and Uncleanness (11:1–15:33)
1. Clean and unclean creatures (11:1–47)
2. Uncleanness of a childbearing mother (12:1–8)
3. Leprous diseases and their purification (13:1–14:57)
4. Discharges from male and female reproductive organs (15:1–33)
5. The Day of Atonement Ritual (16:1–34)
6. The Handling and Meaning of Blood (17:1–16)
7. The Call to Holiness (18:1–22:33)
1. Prohibitions against pagan practices (18:1–30)
2. Call to holiness (19:1–37)
3. Punishment for disobedience (20:1–27)
4. Holiness of the priests (21:1–24)
5. Holiness of the offerings (22:1–33)
8. Holy Times (23:1–25:55)
1. Holy feasts (23:1–44)
1. Introduction and weekly Sabbath (23:1–3)
2. The Passover (23:4–8)
3. The Firstfruits (23:9–14)
4. The Weeks (23:15–22)
5. The Trumpets (23:23–25)
6. The Day of Atonement (23:26–32)
7. The Booths (23:33–36)
8. Summary of the annual feasts (23:37–44)
2. Oil and bread of the Presence (24:1–9)
3. The case of a blasphemer (24:10–23)
4. The sabbatical year and Jubilee (25:1–22)
5. Laws of redemption (25:23–55)
9. Blessings and Curses (26:1–46)
1. Fundamental conditions (26:1–2)
2. Blessings for obedience (26:3–13)
3. The first stage (26:14–17)
4. The second stage (26:18–20)
5. The third stage (26:21–22)
6. The fourth stage (26:23–26)
7. The fifth stage (26:27–39)
8. Conditions and confession within the covenant (26:40–46)
10. Vows and Dedication (27:1–34)
1. The case of persons (27:1–8)
2. The case of animals (27:9–13)
3. The case of a house (27:14–15)
4. The case of land (27:16–25)
5. The case of the firstborn (27:26–27)
6. The case of devoted things (27:28–29)
7. The case of tithes (27:30–33)
8. Postscript (27:34)

Thoughts on February 3 Bible Reading

February 3, 2018

Reading: Exodus 34-36; Matthew 23

Exodus 34:6–7 (CSB)

⁶The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth,

⁷maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

Exodus 34 through 36 is the account of Moses meeting the Lord on the mountain after the golden calf incident, his return to the people of Israel with his face glowing, and the beginning of the construction of the tabernacle. While on the mountain, God answered Moses’ request to see His glory by passing by him. (Remember from Exodus 33 God would do this but not allow Moses to see His face.) As the Lord passed by Moses, He proclaimed His name to him and told him what He is like. God’s description helps us to see what He is like. God is full of compassion and love with a willingness to forgive sin, yet He is also just and will not leave the guilty unpunished.

Let that sink in. God is a God of compassion and a God of justice. If we are honest with ourlves, we will recognize that because of the sins in our own life (all of us have sinned), we should be recipients of God’s punishment. Yet, because of His love, He provided the sacrifice for our sins--His own Son. God maintained justice by punishing Jesus as a substitute for you and me. He maintained love by providing the sacrifice of His Son so that we can be forgiven and saved. Wow.

Matthew 23:2–3 (CSB)

²“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.

³Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.

In this chapter, Jesus denounced the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy. He told the crowds and His disciples that because these leaders were teachers of the Bible, they should do what they say. However, people should not imitate what they do. This is important for us in our day because sometimes people will see hypocrisy in the lives of religious leaders and decide that not only are the hypocritical leaders faulty, but the Bible or the Savior that they claim to represent are also faulty. Here Jesus affirmed the Word of God while denouncing these teachers of the Word. Don’t let your faith in the Lord and His Word be shaken by bad messengers.

It is worth our time to look at some of the ways these religious leaders were hypocrites. Jesus said they did not follow the requirements they put on the backs of others (v4). They made a show of their religion to impress others (v5). They sought and enjoyed the honor they received from people because of their religion (v6-7). They used technical language to justify their deception of others (v16-22). They carefully gave a tithe of very minute things but did not worry about the more important matters of God’s Word—justice, mercy, and faithfulness (v23-24). They polished their image to others but never sought to change themselves personally (v25-28). They condemned those who rejected God’s Word in the past while continuing to reject the Lord and His Word in their day (v29-36).

Let us look at this list and ask ourselves whether there are any hypocrisies in us. Let us confess those hypocrisies to the Lord and forsake them. Let us be more concerned about who we are in the Lord than how we appear to others.

I am praying for you as we continue to read Scripture together. Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts on February 2 Bible Reading

February 2, 2018
Reading: Exodus 32-33; Matthew 22

I recorded a video with thoughts from today's reading. Hope it encourages you in the journey!

Thoughts on February 1 Bible Reading

February 1, 2018
Reading: Exodus 29-31

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's reading. Hope they help you as you read God's Word today.

Thoughts on January 31 Bible Reading

January 31, 2018
Reading: Exodus 26-28; Matthew 21

I recorded a video with comments on today's reading. Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts for January 30 Bible Reading

January 30, 2018
Reading: Exodus 23-25

I am a day behind in posting these thoughts on the reading on January 30 (yesterday). Josh and I were on the road and I never got around to actually posting the video we made. Hope these thoughts encourage you to stay the course in your reading. Praying for you in the journey!

Thoughts on January 29 Bible Reading

January 29, 2018
Reading: Exodus 20-22; Matthew 20

I have recorded some thoughts on today's Bible reading for those who are following along. I hope they encourage you in the journey!

Mac

Thoughts on January 27 Bible Reading

January 27, 2018

Reading: Exodus 16-19

Here are a few thoughts on today’s reading in the hopes that they will encourage you to continue in God’s Word.

Exodus 17:6 (CSB)

⁶I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

As the people of Israel continued in their journey away from Egypt into the desert, they grumbled against Moses because they did not have any water. (The people complained to Moses a lot, however, I would say that not having water is a legitimate problem.) Moses cried out to God over the situation. God instructed Moses to strike a certain rock with his staff and told him that water would come out of it. Moses obeyed, and God brought water for the people of Israel out of a rock.

I am encouraged that God can provide for my needs in miraculous ways. He is the God who can bring water from a rock and He can meet my needs in ways that are exceedingly and abundantly more than I can think or imagine.

I praise You, Lord, for your power and for your concern for me and for all people. Amen.

Exodus 18:18 (CSB)

¹⁸“You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.

Exodus 18:25–26 (CSB)

²⁵So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

²⁶They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves.

The weight of responsibility was bearing down hard on Moses. As they traveled through the wilderness, all the people would come to him with their disputes so that he would inquire of the Lord and judge them accordingly. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, saw how heavy these responsibilities weighed on Moses, and made a wise recommendation. On this recommendation, Moses chose men from all Israel who were capable of leading and judging disputes and gave them the responsibility and authority to lead the people and deal with them. Moses delegated.

Perhaps you are weighed down from the strain of leading others or providing for them. Sometimes I feel like I have to do everything myself, as if others are not capable. The better part of wisdom tells us to share the load of work and responsibility among others so that the weight is not so great on us. Further, by empowering others and holding them accountable, you are helping them grow into more responsible human beings.

Exodus 19:16–18 (CSB)

¹⁶On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.

¹⁷Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

¹⁸Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Exodus 20:18–19 (CSB)

¹⁸All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance.

¹⁹“You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”

God came down on Mount Sinai in power when He first spoke the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel. There was thunder, lightning, thick cloud, loud trumpet, smoke, fire, and earthquake. It made the people tremble before God. It made the people listen to God and want to obey Him.

I am reminded here that God is POWERFUL. What happened at Mount Sinai on that day was just a minor manifestation of His power. He spoke the universe into existence by the power of His Word. Consider the vast distances of space, from one planet to the next, from one star to the next, from one galaxy to the next. Consider the sheer power of the sun. Consider its size. Now think about the fact that the sun is just an average star in an average galaxy that is dwarfed in size by the larger stars. He spoke all of this into existence from nothing. Our God is POWERFUL.

Sometimes we forget who our God is. Who are we that this God should have regard for us? Why would we treat this God with doubts and disobedience? What would we speak to Him or about Him with disrespect? Give thanks to God for creating you. Give thanks to God for saving you. Give thanks to Him for hearing your prayers.

God is AWESOME. Yet that word pales in its ability to describe just how awesome He is. Worship Him today. Amen.

Thoughts on January 26 Bible Reading

January 26, 2018
Reading: Exodus 11-15

I recorded a short video with a few thoughts from today's Bible reading. I hope it encourages you in the journey!

Thoughts on January 24 Bible Reading

January 24, 2018

Reading: Exodus 7-8; Matthew 18

I am happy to share a few devotional thoughts on our reading for today. I am praying these thoughts help you to dig deeper into the Bible for yourself.

Exodus 8:32 (CSB)

³²But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also and did not let the people go.

Exodus 7 and 8 begin to tell the story of the plagues God brought on Egypt because Pharaoh (Egypt’s king) refused to allow the people of Israel to leave. Each time, God announced through Moses and Aaron that a plague was coming and then the plague would come. After a few of the plagues, Pharaoh began to agree to allow Moses to take the people out to worship God in exchange for relief. However, after the plague would subside, Pharaoh would harden his heart towards God. Paying careful attention to the text of Exodus, you see that Pharaoh hardened his heart toward God after the early plagues. However, looking forward into the next couple of chapters, God began to harden Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh refused to respond to God with obedience so many times, that he moved past the point at which he would ever be able to respond to Him at all.

Hardening our heart toward God is very dangerous. Each time we refuse to listen to God and obey Him, our hearts become more hardened toward Him. The example of Pharaoh shows us that people can reach a place where we will be unable to respond to God at all.

Is your heart hardened toward God? Don’t take this condition lightly. “One who becomes stiff-necked, after many reprimands will be shattered instantly— beyond recovery” (Proverbs 29:1). Begin today to confess your sins to God and repent of them. Ask God to soften your heart toward Him again, and obey Him when He speaks to you.

Matthew 18:7–9 (CSB)

⁷Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes.

⁸If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.

⁹And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.

Matthew 18 covers a lot of significant life topics; children, confronting an erring brother or sister in Christ, the importance of forgiving others, and this issue of dealing with stumbling blocks in our lives. Jesus is serious about our holiness. He died on the cross, receiving the punishment for our sins so that we can be forgiven and made righteous. A Christian is not perfect, but is forgiven by the blood of Jesus. However, once we come to know Christ, he calls us to forsake sin and to live for Him.

Many Christians have a particular sin or sins that they have greater difficulty overcoming than others. Some people refer to these sins as besetting sins. Jesus teaches us here that we need to take every painstaking effort to remove those things from our lives that tempt us toward those sins. I believe he is speaking in hyperbole here when He says we should gouge out our eye or cut off our hand. However, the point is that we should make radical efforts to keep ourselves from continued temptation. That may mean that others can watch certain tv programs that you cannot. It may mean others can have a smart phone but you cannot. It may mean that you need to stay away from certain places that to which others can go without a problem.

Ultimately, its our own sinful desires which spring from our sin-stricken heart that lead us to sin. However, a very practical way to deal with temptation is to avoid those things that make you more likely to be tempted. Is God calling you to remove something from your life for your own protection?

Hey, don’t miss the part of Matthew 18 that deals with forgiveness!

Praying for you in the journey!

Mac 

Thoughts on January 23 Bible Reading

January 23, 2018
Reading: Exodus 4-6; Matthew 17

I recorded a video with some devotional thoughts from today's reading. May they encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in His word.

Thoughts on January 22 Bible Reading

January 22, 2018
Reading: Exodus 1-3; Matthew 16

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's reading. Hope it is a help in your personal Bible reading and application. Praying for you in the journey!

Thoughts on January 20 Bible Reading

January 20, 2018
Genesis 49-50; Matthew 15

I recorded a video with thought on today’s reading. Hope it helps as you continue to read God’s Word!

Thoughts on January 19 Bible Reading

January 19, 2018
Reading: Genesis 46-48; Matthew 14

I recorded a short video with a couple of thoughts about the reading for today. I am praying for you as you meet the Lord in His word!

Thoughts on January 18 Bible Reading

January 18, 2018

Reading: Genesis 43-45

Genesis 45:5 (CSB)

⁵And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.

Genesis 45:7–8 (CSB)

⁷God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

⁸Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Today’s reading in Genesis covers the story of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers and bringing his family to Egypt during the famine. From the verses above, a couple of things struck me from the reading. First, how amazing is it to see how God used the evil actions of Joseph’s brothers and of Potiphar’s wife to bring a rescue for the people of Israel? Who else could write this script? God really can take the terrible, broken things in our lives and redeem them. This does not in any way excuse our sinful actions, but it does provide us hope that God can still work in us and through us despite our past failures.

Second, how amazing is it that Joseph was able to perceive the things that happened in his life as God’s plan to rescue his brothers? How amazing is it to see Joseph fully forgive his brothers for the evil they had done to him? How would you treat your brothers if they sold you into slavery and told your father you were dead? Joseph’s life is a foreshadowing of Jesus in many ways. Joseph suffered because of the sins of his brothers. Yet, Joseph forgave his brothers and rescued them from certain death, just as Jesus has done for those who know Him.

Oh Lord, please help us to be in awe of the way you redeem us. Please help us to extend the same forgiveness to others that you have extended to us through Christ. Amen.

Thoughts on January 17 Bible Reading

January 17, 2018
Reading: Genesis 41-42; Matthew 13

Today has been a snow day here in Central Alabama, so there is no good reason I am posting this so late in the day. However, here it is for those who are paying attention.

I hope your Bible reading is going well and that you are able to stick with it. It is easy to become discouraged if you get behind or if you do not really connect with what you are reading. I hope these posts are helping you stay connected. Hang in there!

Thoughts on January 16 Bible Reading

January 16, 2018

Reading: Genesis 38-40

I recorded a video with thoughts for today's reading. On the video, I said the wrong date. Oops. Let me hear from you how your own reading is going!

Thoughts on January 15 Bible Reading

January 15, 2018

Reading: Genesis 36-37; Matthew 12

Happy Monday to you! I want to share a few thoughts on today’s reading in an attempt to encourage you to stay engaged in the Bible.

Genesis 36-37

Genesis 36 is one of the many genealogical lists in the Old Testament. It is often difficult to pay close attention to these types of lists, causing us to skip over them or to read them so fast that we do not pay attention to what we are reading. Using a good Study Bible can help us understand the significance of some of these lists. I am reading from the CSB Study Bible this year and the study notes provided below the text were helpful for me. I will say, however, that I found the study notes in the ESV Study Bible to be even more helpful.

CSB Study Bible

ESV Study Bible

Genesis 36 tells us what happened with Jacob’s brother, Esau, and his descendants after this time. The focus of the rest of Genesis will be on Jacob and his descendants because the line that would become the people of Israel goes through Jacob. Esau’s descendants eventually became the Edomites that are found later in the Old Testament.

Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph’s dreams and his subsequent mistreatment by his brothers because he was Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and made his father believe he was killed by wild animals. By the end of the chapter, Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house.

Matthew 12:39 (CSB)

“An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

Matthew 12 continues to describe the ministry of Jesus. In verse 38, the religious leaders requested that Jesus perform a miraculous sign. I suppose they did this because they wanted Jesus to prove His authority to teach or the authenticity of His message. Jesus refused to provide a miraculous sign, stating instead that they would only see the sign of Jonah; Jesus would be in the grave three days and nights in the same way Jonah was in the fish the same amount of time. Jesus’ resurrection would be the sign for them to see.

We often believe that if only people could see a miracle, then they would believe in Jesus, or trust in Jesus. However, that was not always the case in the New Testament. Many people saw Jesus perform miracles in the New Testament. Some marveled, but went on with their lives. Some followed Jesus for a while, but left Him when His teaching challenged them. Others placed their faith in Jesus and followed Him until the end of lives. A miraculous sign from God will not necessarily lead people to become followers of Jesus. We must look to the information He has already given us. He has given us the Bible, His Word.

Lord, help us to believe You and to trust You without demanding a sign. You have already provided all we need to have faith. 

Thoughts on January 13 Bible Reading

January 13, 2018

Reading: Genesis 33-35; Matthew 11

I would really like to hear from some of you who are reading the Bible with me this year. How is it going? What is the Lord teaching you? What are you finding difficult? What would make it easier? Use the comments section below to share.

Genesis 33-35

Jacob’s family had problems. His daughter was raped by a foreigner who was infatuated with her. His sons deceived and killed the men of the town to avenge their sister. His oldest son had sex with Jacob’s concubine who was the mother of the young man’s brothers. Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel, died in childbirth. All of this sounds like a soap opera. Yet God also confirmed His promises to Jacob, the same promises that were given to Abraham and Isaac before him.

I am really thankful that the Lord continued to be Jacob’s God. I am thankful God kept His promises to Abraham and Isaac. My own salvation has come through Jesus because God kept His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  I am also thankful that my family and my circumstances do not have to be perfect for me to remain a child of God. Thank You, Lord!

Mathew 11:2-3 (CSB)

“Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'”

Matthew 11:11 (CSB)

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

I am not sure what caused John the Baptist to second guess Jesus. Perhaps Jesus was not doing what John thought the Messiah would or should do. John doubted, so he sent his questions to Jesus and Jesus reassured him. Jesus then followed that up by saying that John was a great man.

I think all people have doubts at one time or another (whether or not we want to admit it). Here, I think we can follow the pattern of John with his doubts. We can take our doubts directly to Jesus. I once heard a pastor say that we should “doubt our doubts” rather than doubting the Lord and His word. I like that.

Lord, please help me to doubt my doubts. Help me to bring my doubts and questions to You. Help me to trust you even when I do not have the answers I desire.

Amen.

Thoughts on January 12 Bible Reading

January 12, 2018
Reading: Genesis 29-32

Thoughts on January 11 Bible Reading

January 11, 2018

Reading: Genesis 27-28; Matthew 10

I am sharing some devotional thoughts from today’s reading in the hope that it will encourage you to stay engaged with God’s Word as you read together with me this year. Please do not let these thoughts be a substitute for spending time reading God’s Word and applying what you learn to your life. I am praying for you as we continue this journey together.

Genesis 27-28

Genesis 27-28 is the account of Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing by deceiving his dad, Isaac. Esau was infuriated and began plotting to kill Jacob. Their mother warned Jacob and told him to flee to her home land and her family back east. While on the journey, God spoke to Jacob and made the same promises to him that He made to Abraham and to Isaac.

God’s promise to Jacob seems unfair, yet it makes me rejoice. God’s choice to bless Jacob over Esau had nothing to do with Jacob’s worthiness. Jacob was a deceiver who essentially stole his brother’s birthright and blessing. Yet, God, in His grace, chose to bless Jacob. God’s grace is the good He gives to people even though they do not deserve it. God, in His grace, has chosen to bless me with salvation and with every other good gift He has given to me. I am not worthy of any good thing from the Lord, and neither are you. Yet, God has not given me what I deserve, but by His grace, has given me good gifts.

Thank You, Lord, for Your grace. Thank You, Lord, for not giving me what I deserve, but for dealing with me according to Your loving-kindness.

Matthew 10:16 (CSB)

¹⁶“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves."

In Matthew 10, Jesus called the twelve apostles and sent them out to do ministry. He gave them some instructions as He prepared to send them out. Verse 16, above, tells them that He is sending them out like sheep among wolves, so they need to be shrewd and innocent. As I read that, I am reminded that God expects me to act in the same way. There are some legitimately bad people in the world, probably more than we care to think about. He has sent me, and all of us who belong to Jesus, to love people and to share the good news of Jesus. Yet, in our love for others and ministry to them, He also expects us to act with wisdom so that we are not unnecessarily harmed in some way.

So, Lord, help me to love people like You love people, and to be faithful to share the good news of Jesus and do all the good I can do for as many as I can. Yet, Lord, please give me wisdom and help me to live according to it. Amen.

What is the Lord showing you from His Word today? Be a doer of His Word and not a hearer (or reader) only.

Bonus: How to use an expository dictionary to help you understand words in the Bible.

Thoughts on January 10 Reading

January 10, 2018

Reading: Genesis 25-26; Matthew 9

A few thoughts from our reading today. I hope these encourage you to stay engaged in your reading of the Bible. 

Genesis 25:33–34 (CSB)

³³Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him.

³⁴Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright.

In our Old Testament reading for today, Abraham dies, and we begin to see the stories of Isaac and his two sons, Jacob and Esau. This family is the beginning of the Jewish people. God called Abraham and made promises to him in Genesis 12. The line goes through Isaac, his son, and then eventually through Jacob and his twelve sons. This family became the nation of Israel.

One thing that struck me in the reading for today was how Esau, Isaac’s oldest, basically gave away his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. A birthright may not seem that important in our day and time, but this was a very big deal. It is also noteworthy that Jacob essentially used extortion to gain his brother’s birthright from him. Neither of these two people are particularly good. Yet, God had said before they were born that the older would serve the younger, and here we see His words coming to pass.

God’s Word will come to pass, even when we do not see how it could be possible. The choices of people and apparent setbacks progress will not thwart God’s Word coming to pass.

Matthew 9:12 (CSB)

¹²Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick.

In Matthew 9, we continue to see the ministry of Jesus. One thing that I noticed in the reading was that people criticized Jesus for spending time with sinners and tax collectors instead of with the more religious people. His reply was that He came to call sinners to Himself, that they were the ones who needed a doctor, not those who were well. 

Man, this really hits home with me. As a pastor, I spend a lot of time around Christian people who are involved in church. I bet if you are active in a local church, you spend a lot of time with the same kinds of people. Yet Jesus came to earth for everyone. I need to spend more time with people who are not connected to a local church or who do not already have a relationship with Jesus. Lord, help me to have the same love for all people that you have shown, and help me to spend more time with people who need Jesus. Amen.

What is the Lord showing you in your reading today? What will you do about it?

Join me in reading the Bible this year!

Join me in reading the Bible this year!

For the last several years I have put together a one-year Bible reading plan for the congregation I serve.  This year, I would love for you to join us in the journey!  I have attached this year’s reading plan for you to download and use. The guide includes an explanation on how to use the guide and some information on how to apply the things you are learning to your life through a journaling method. I hope you will join me in allowing the Lord to speak to you in His word this year!

Click here to download the reading guide.

Thoughts from January 8 and 9 Bible Readings

January 9, 2018

Reading: Genesis 23-24; Matthew 8

I missed a day in the reading.  There, I said it.  It happens.  By God’s grace, I was able to catch up by including yesterday’s reading this morning. The Lord used the reading in Matthew 7 to remind me that the person whose sins cause me the biggest problems are my own. While I have a responsibility to my brothers and sisters in Christ to help them recognize and repent of their sins, I should be more bothered by my own sins than theirs, and I need to address my own sins before I help them address theirs.

Genesis 24:2–4 (CSB)

²Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,

³and I will have you swear by the Lord, God of heaven and God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,

⁴but will go to my land and my family to take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Our Old Testament reading for today continues the story of Abraham and his family. In Genesis 23, Sarah, his wife, dies. In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant back to his relatives to find a wife for his son, Isaac. I do not want to assume too much about the reasons Abraham was concerned that his son marry someone from his people rather than from the Canaanites, but it was important. Marriage is important for many, many reasons.

I am a dad of two children, one of whom is now a college student. Who my children marry is important; for their sake, for their children’s sake; and for the sake of the glory of God. I sometimes wish I could arrange their marriages for them, but that is not how it works in this time and in this culture. What I can do for the marriages of my children is to pray for them and their future spouses and to teach my children about marriage and the kind of person they should seek to marry as a follower of Christ. 

Oh Lord, please find me faithful in praying for my children and in teaching them about Christian marriage. Amen.

Matthew 8:34 (CSB)

³⁴At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Matthew 8 contains the stories of several miracles that Jesus did.  The miracles include healings, casting out demons, and calming storms.  One miracle included Jesus casting demons out of two people who lived among the tombs. (Can you imaging how tormented these folks must have been?) He sent the demons into a herd of pigs who ran off a cliff into the sea. I am sure the owners were not happy. After seeing this miracle, the whole town asked Him to leave. Two of their lesser citizens were healed at the cost of a herd of pigs and the Son of God was in their midst. Yet, they preferred the status quo rather than the necessary changes to see Jesus redeem these lives and the lives of others.

How often do I prefer the status quo over the good things the Lord may want to do in my life or through my life? I believe many of us prefer the status quo over the works of God because the works of God may cause us to change, may cost us something, or may positively impact some we do not care deeply about.  Oh Lord, please help me, help us to desire You and Your works over the status quo. Amen.

What is the Lord addressing in your life from this reading in His Word? 

Thoughts from January 6 Reading

January 6, 2018

Reading: Genesis 18-19; Matthew 6

This is day 6 in reading the Bible together, and it is very likely that some of us who are reading have already gotten behind or have missed a day or more. Please do not get discouraged and quit! Each Sunday in this reading plan is a catch-up day, so take advantage of that.  If catching up is a little too much, then just pick up on the current day and go forward.  Our goal here is not to get a prize for checking the boxes, but to provide a place to meet the Lord in His word each day.  If the reading is too much for you each day, then just read the New Testament portions for the day. I am praying for you as you continue this journey.

Genesis 18-19

Our Old Testament reading for today continues to cover the life of Abraham and his family. Again, as we read these historical accounts, it may sometimes be unclear why this should matter to us. One thing I would say is that this is our family history. This is the story of how God worked through history to provide salvation to mankind through His son Jesus. Another thing I would say is that there are things we can see in the lives of the Old Testament folks that teach us what is good to do and what is not good to do. Case in point, the Lord told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a child by that time the next year. Abraham had to choose whether to believe God in the face of contrary evidence. We regularly face the same situation in our lives, whether to believe God and live according to His word, or whether to go with our own assessment.  There is more we can learn from the passage.  Read it and ask God to speak to your life. Then apply what He shows you!

Matthew 6

Matthew 6:1 (CSB)

¹“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:6 (CSB)

⁶But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:33 (CSB)

³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matthew 6 continues Jesus’ sermon on the mount.  There is so much we can learn and apply to our lives and I trust the Lord is impressing on your heart what specifics you need to apply today.  One thing that stood out to me was Matthew 6:1, where He tells us not to practice our righteousness in front of others in order to be seen.  Man, that is challenging, especially for me. I am a pastor who stands in front of people to pray and teach regularly. I am writing and posting things about my own Bible reading (with the sincere hope that I am encouraging you in your journey). I need to check my motivation, always, when it comes to public ministry. Matthew 6:6 reminds me of God’s expectation for me to be praying regularly. Matthew 6:33 reminds me that priority number one for my life is to seek God and the things of God and to trust that He will provide all that I need. 

There are a lot of personal things the Lord may be addressing in our lives from today’s reading. I would love to hear from you how God is using His word in your life!

Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts from January 5 Bible Reading

January 5, 2018

Reading: Genesis 14-17; Matthew 5

The Old Testament reading for today covers a swath of the life of Abraham and the New Testament reading begins Jesus’ well-known Sermon on the Mount.  Again, there is so much to learn and to apply to our lives from these passages.  Our goal here is not a detailed study of each passage (though that is certainly a worthy pursuit).  Rather, our goal here is to help us think through some of the things that God is showing us in His Word to which we can personally respond.  So, again, these are devotional thoughts from the passage. 

Genesis 15:6 (CSB)

⁶Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

I believe that the defining characteristic of Abram’s (later Abraham) life was that he had faith in God, meaning he believed God.  God made big promises to Abram in Genesis 12 (go back and read them).  Yet, as time went by, it became clear to Abram that there was no way humanly possible for those promises to be fulfilled.  God had promised him that his descendants would become a great nation, that he would make his name great, and that he would bless all the peoples of the earth through him.  By the end of our reading, Abram was 100 years old and his wife was 90 (a little past child-bearing years), and yet they had no children to fulfill this promise.  Yet, Abram believed God and God credited righteousness to him because of His faith.

Ultimately, faith is hearing from God and believing what He says.  Faith is not some form positive thinking.  It is believing God and living your life according to what He says rather than according to what your intellect, your peers, or your world say.  Today, let us believe God rather than our feelings or logic.  Today, let us live according to what God says, rather than what we think.

Matthew 5:14–16 (CSB)

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁵No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

So much in Matthew 5, what short devotional thought can I share???  Well, these three verses above struck me today.  Jesus tells us, as Christ-followers, that we are the light of the world and that we need to let our light shine before others so that they may see Christ in us and become worshipers of God. 

I don’t like it when people make a show of their religion and one of the things I want to guard against in my life is trying to make people think a particular way about me by acting religious in front of them.  (The fact that I am writing this to be read on the internet gives me pause.)  Yet, here Jesus tells us to let our lights shine before others, not to hide the fact that we are committed to Christ and living in His ways.  He wants to show others the glory of God through the lives of His people. 

Oh, Christian, if you do not show others by your life and tell others by your words who God is and what it means to know Christ and live for Him, who will?  There seems to be a growing ignorance about God and the things of God in our day, which is hard to believe in the information age.  Now, let’s not make a show of our religion trying to make people think well of us by doing spiritual things in front of them, but let’s live godly lives and talk to people about the God who created them, who loves them, and who wants them to know Him and His salvation.  Be a light today!