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Day of Rest for February 12th

Isaiah 26:3-4

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.5He humbles the proud

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Prayer for April 26th

Heavenly Father, we pray that you would help us to remain steadfast. Let this prayer be the first of many that show our faith and trust that you know best! We believe that you are working in our lives and give You control over our lives. We are excited and joy filled to see what you will do. We pray this all in the loving name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen!

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Day of Rest for February 3rd

Romans 15:13  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for the patience as we flipped the reading schedule for March 1st and 3rd due to a scheduling mistake! 

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Reading for May 30th                                                                                       

Jeremiah 36

Do you ever sit and think about how easy we have it in today’s world? Do you think about all of the freedoms and abilities we have and yet so many of us do not take advantage of them out of fear. We fear rejection. We fear offending others. We fear making people mad at us. And we allow fear to control us.

Jeremiah was banned from the temple and yet he was still actively finding ways to share God’s word with the people. He was putting his life at risk, not to scare them, but to save them. 

I sit here frustrated with myself at not taking advantage of the opportunities I have had to share the Word or to be the voice of encouragement and truth. I am frustrated with how often I take for granted my ability to read the Words from God Himself and instead I opt to fill my head with the lies of the world through various media platforms.

God offered these people a word of truth, He offered to save them, and they chose to turn their backs on Him and ignore His warnings. It is so easy to turn a blind eye, to ignore the truth, and fall prey to the lies of the world because sometimes it feels like a more comforting and safer option, but that’s exactly what we need to be weary of. 

Are we keeping our ears, hearts, and minds open to truth or are we burning up the message without first listening to what God has to say to us? Are we paying attention to the warnings or are we simply turning a blind eye? 

Be mindful of what you are filling yourself up with. Choose carefully on what truth you want to lean on today.

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Day of Rest for March 26th  John 16:31-33  Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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Reading for April 15th 

Jeremiah 5

This chapter is a conversation between Jeremiah and God. God wondering if there is even one honest person. Jeremiah recited all the wrongs of the people of his time. God pondered if he can even pardon them fortheir transgressions, particularly turning their children against God. My notes say leading someone away from God  is “an example of something for which God will hold us accountable.” It reminds me of the responsibility that we have to our children and grandchildren. It was one I take very seriously and used as a guide to in my work as a school administrator and now as a Pastor. Psalm 19:14 hangs on my mirror, “May the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O’ God, my rock and my redeemer.” 

In verse 22, God asks “Why don’t you tremble in my presence?” A great question for each of us! Too often our relationship with God becomes so familiar that we forget that we are interacting with our God! We are praying, conversing with the Almighty, the Creator, our Saviour and the one who guides us even though He knows our hearts and the sin that is within us. We would do well to remember that we should enter His presence with a trembling demeanor. 

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Reading for February 3rd 

Isaiah 22

Jerusalem is in an uproar!  Bodies are lying about, not killed by the sword, but by starvation and cowardice. The leaders left the city without resistance. People are being captured after trying to flee. This leaves Isaiah in tears.

Isaiah tried to warn his people. “Get back to God”, he proclaimed.  Without God, we have confusion. We lose our faith and obedience; we lose our protection from God. 

Jerusalem tries to prepare for siege instead of asking God for help. Jerusalem has lost its way by choosing to eat and drink instead of asking God to help. Jerusalem rejects the Lord so there is no atonement for them. 

Our story moves to Shebna, the palace administrator. He holds an honorable position yet does not bring honor to it. He chooses to glorify himself. God throws him out of office and out of the land. He is replaced by Eliakim, a man of integrity. Eliakim inherits an unusual gift from God. He can open doors that no one else can. He can close doors that no one is able to open. There again, Isaiah is prophet to all of us. The story of opening doors that no one can open is found again in Revelation 3:8!

Isaiah can be difficult to read and let soak into our hearts. Warnings are not easy to take if we want control. Remember, God is in control at all times. Look up. Surrender.

Heavenly Father, thank you for a tough story to read.  We are a stubborn lot. You know we need a “look up” moment. Remind us to look towards you in all areas of our lives. Forgive us when we do not. Help us to think in your direction, not our own. You love us as a good father who wants only good things for his children. We ask all of these things in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

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Reading for June 5th 

Jeremiah 39

This chapter of Jeremiah focused upon the fall of Jerusalem. While Jeremiah was still in prison one of the prophecies given him by the Lord was the destruction of Jerusalem. Now it has happened. Particularly interesting to note that God said it would happen and that Jeremeiah would see it and he did. I am certain that realization was affirming in one way to Jeremiah; it reinforced that God was truly speaking to him and he could trust that what he was hearing and reporting was true. And troublesome in another; it reinforced that God would follow through on His prophecies even when they were unpleasant. God’s work in our lives can also be affirming and troublesome. We do our best; He does it better. 

Also note that when the Babylons overtook another country they deported the rich and powerful but left the poor who were then grateful to their conquerors. It left behind loyal and weak so the Babylonians would not have to conquer them again in the near future. Seems like a good strategy; albeit not so pleasant if you are the country being conquered. 

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Day of Rest for March 12th

Psalm 4:6-8 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

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Reading for January 24th 

Isaiah 16

Lowell Sensintaffar

Chapter 16 is part 2 of the prophecy against Moab and again, the prophet (and Yaweh), weep for Moab (v 9).  Even though Moab is an ancestral foe of Judah, the prophet is touched by Moab’s predicament and empathizes with the Moabites. Is this not Jesus’ example? We were, and often still are, at odds with Jesus and yet he empathizes with us as our high priest (Hebrews 4:15).  It is tempting to read the predicaments of the Moabites, Babylonians, Philistines and others in Isaiah and place ourselves above them–”We are not that evil!”  But we are them–not appreciably different–just separated by time, geography, language and culture–and, thankfully, we are recipients of Jesus’ empathy and redemption. 

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Reading for January 9th

  Isaiah 5

  Early on in life I was taught that you could have success in anything if you had at least two of three characteristics. Natural talent, hard work, and/or passion. For those who were naturally talented and loved doing something (passion), they could ride their gifts and desire to success. Similarly, if someone worked really hard and also had natural talent, they were also likely to succeed. If, however, you had all three, then you could be one of the greatest!

  What has always been sad to me is one someone has incredible natural talent but neither the discipline to work hard or the passion to pursue their gifts. When this happens, there's always the feeling of "what could have been?" Israel, more than once, wasted its talents and gifts from God. They turned away from the Lord, became selfish, and lost sight of the end goal, which was to be a holy people, set apart for His purpose.

  We can learn from Israel in Isaiah 5. God's laws are there for our protection and His judgment for fairness. Therefore, let's check ourselves and make sure we don't believe that something evil is good, or something that is actually darkness is light. The easiest way to do this is to study the Bible! Let God speak to and challenge you through His word, there's no easier way to learn what is right and wrong according to God... than God!

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Reading for January 10th

Isaiah 6

Isaiah 6 has always had a special impact for me. In it, we see the author have a vision that is common to us in the book of Revelation. Here, we see the seraphim next to the throne of God chanting Holy, holy, holy. After a moment of fear and cleansing, God asks a most important question, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?"

The author's response... "Here I am. Send me."

Instead of expanding on the chapter, or adding a practical application, we're simply going to pray.

Heavenly Father, we pray that you would call us to be your messenger to the people who don't know you. Draw us out of our comfort zones and give us the words to speak a message of life and hope to the world. Lord, we are here for you, send us out into our families, communities, region, and nation to return to your holiness. We pray this in the mighty and unending name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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Reading for June 30th 

Lamentations 5

Our final chapter of the book of Lamentations contains a powerful reminder in verse 19. "But Lord, you remain the same forever!" 

I find it a great tragedy that many people lose sight of the importance of this exclamation. In a world that is manic with the latest news, trends, tragedies, and ideas, we need to have something in our lives that everything else can be measured against. This is the role God plays. He is the tree that is our anchor against the ever changing world. 

For instance, during the life of Jesus, the religious leaders, his disciples, and the crowds all wanted to know what to do about Roman occupation. It was the hot topic of their day! But Jesus kept pointing the people back to the unmoving and unchanging nature of God. 

We must do the same. There will always be chaotic elements of a fallen world that will attempt to distract us from God. The best thing we can do for ourselves and for those we love is to reflect the steadfast nature of the God we worship. Instead of being blown about from one idea to the next, let's stand firm in the faith and place our trust in the Lord who is the same forever. 

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Reading for June 29th Lamentations 4

Have you ever heard the term, "totality of circumstances?" The idea is that in order to understand a situation, you have to look at every area that could have possibly influenced the situation. From a personal level this would be the mental, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual aspects that contribute to a person. For a community, you would look at law, morality, standards, expectations, social structure, and anything else that could impact the community at large. The challenge is that it becomes more difficult to grasp the totality of circumstances the more people are involved and the complexity of the situation.

When I read Lamentations chapter 4, I feel it is difficult to unravel all of the aspects that influence the situation. We see great punishment and even greater evil. Children are cast aside, those who were rich are now poor, and all seem guilty. "Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger."

How terrible must a people be in order to earn the anger of the Lord so completely?

As difficult as this is to write and/or read, this is the punishment that we deserve. Our sins defile us. We are no better than the people of Jerusalem. We have shed innocent blood with the anger in our hearts, lack respect for the priests, and no longer honor the leaders of our communities.

But we are not the people of Jerusalem, we are Christians, and we can shout our praises that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17 NLT)

How great and merciful is our God.

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Reading for June 10th

Jeremiah 43

Have I told you how much I love my study bible footnotes?! Today’s chapter notes for verses 4-7, “Many of his (Jeremiah) words had already come true, and he had turned down an offer to live comfortably in Babylon, returning instead to his beloved people. But the people still rejected Jeremiah's advice. THE RESPONSE OF OUR AUDIENCE IS NOT NECESSARILY A MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS. Jeremiah was doing all God asked, but he had been called to minister to a very stubborn group of people.” I shudder to say how many times I have been that stubborn person; not heeding what God is telling me in His word or through His spokesperson. My prayer today is to listen and hear and obey! To God be the Glory! 

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Reading for May 29th Jeremiah 35

We are hardwired to be sinners. We’re born with a rebellious nature. Tell us not to do something and whether or not it’s something we wanted to do in the first place, we find ourselves having to fight the strong urge to disobey.

I see this all the time with the teens I lead, with my own daughter, and even with myself. We don’t like being “confined” or told what we can and can’t do. In fact, many of us end up looking at it as a challenge more than anything else.

Today, we read the comparison between the Rechabites and the people of Judah. On one hand, we have the Rechabites who are a radical group of nomadic people and on the other hand we have the people of Judah who have been finding themselves in a lot of trouble. The Rechabites chose a life of obedience. They chose a life of being covenant keepers and because of this they were honored.

There is great honor in being obedient.

Obedience is not blindly following a list of dos and don’ts. Obedience is merely evidence of our love for God. Being obedient takes into consideration whether or not our actions will honor God and it takes into consideration how it will reflect our love for God.

When we begin to view obedience under a different scope, everything changes.

Whether we choose to live a life of obedience or a life of rebellion we will have to deal with the consequences of our decisions and God will either bless us or correct us.

As Christ followers, our behaviors, decisions, and beliefs are all a reflection of our faith. They are writing our testimony for us whether or not we realize it and they speak louder than any words we could possibly say.

If others were to examine your love for God based on your obedience would they believe you truly loved God?