God’s word – Page 5

Proverbs 30:1-10 – God’s Word is True

There are so many messages bombarding us these days. It used to be there was the newspaper, the evening news, and a magazine or two. With the internet and social media, it seems we can’t escape someone trying to tell us something every second of the day. We hear these days about “fake” news. We know we can’t “believe everything we read.” So, what can we do? There is freedom when you can unplug and just be still in God’s presence. You can hear so much more.

Today in my stillness, I can hear the wind rustling in the trees, birds chirping, car horns in the distance, a dog barking (not mine), and a rooster cock-a-doodle-doing (they do that here in Mexico it seems at every hour of the day)! In my quiet time, I have God’s word. As verse 5 and 6 says, “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” I don’t need to worry about fake news. I can trust God and his word.

Hebrews 4:12-13 – Word of God

Read Hebrews 4:12-13

While today’s Bible reading is short, it’s powerful. Any time God’s word talks about itself I stop and listen. It’s the instruction book of life we all long to have. It’s our love story with God. It illuminates the foundation of what we believe. It’s God’s gift to us.

How many times do you read a familiar passage but it sounds different? There is a new message that jumps out this time that you didn’t hear before. That’s a great example of what the writer says here, “[F]or the word of God is alive and powerful.” God’s word is alive and speaks to us differently at different times. It certainly is powerful when you think of how it fits so beautifully together, building on itself, one passage supporting another. Continue reading “Hebrews 4:12-13 – Word of God”

Ephesians 6:10-24 – Be Strong

Read Ephesians 6:10-24

Verse 10 is one of my go-to verses when I’m feeling weak and unsure of myself. Those times come more often than I’d like to admit, but having the assurance God is protecting is all I need to feel energized. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power!” We can all call upon this mighty power to help us stay strong and courageous during the storms of life.

The verses that follow have always been important to me, too, because they speak of how God equips us, the broken sinner, to be ready for the world each day. The armor of God was fun to teach children as well because it was so easy to act out. While the “armor” we had available, shoes, shield, helmet, and belt we used for our dramatization look completely different than what the 1st century Christians were using, the visual is still very helpful in making an impression. Continue reading “Ephesians 6:10-24 – Be Strong”

Luke 8:1-21 – Good Soil

Read Luke 8:1-21

There are several things going on in today’s reading. While my focus will be mainly on the parable, I wanted to also point out a couple other observations.

The reference to women following Jesus seems to be just sort of stuck in between things. But the message should be huge. In the culture and day, women were not allowed to learn from rabbis. Because Jesus welcomed them and allowed them in his close circle of followers, that shows all people are equal in God’s eyes. Women are still today asserting their strength and voice after feeling second class to men. We should all only worry about the most important relationship of all, with our Creator, Savior and Guide. If we hear and obey, we are all part of God’s family. Jesus offers us all an intimate relationship with him.

Did the “good soil” parable speak to you differently today? Jesus does a very good job of using this parable to separate the different people who hear his word. We have the “path” people, the “rock” people, the “thorn” people and the “good soil” people. Which one describes you the best? Continue reading “Luke 8:1-21 – Good Soil”

Luke 4:1-13 – What Tempts You?

Read Luke 4:1-13

Does it make you feel better to know that even Jesus was tested? What can we learn from his response to the devil’s schemes?

We see Jesus in this passage from the perspective of knowing who he is and how his life played out. Imagine if we were only seeing him for the first time in these few verses. What if we didn’t understand or realize he was the Son of God? Read the passage again through that lens (yes, I know it’s hard).

What are your impressions now? Here are some of my observations.

The devil knew Jesus was the Son of God. I wonder how?
I can’t imagine not eating for 40 days! I definitely would be hungry, I’d want to eat everything in sight!
Boy, Jesus was strong to resist that bread!
The devil tried to use Scripture, too, to fool Jesus. Crafty. Some people try to use it for their own purposes, too.
Why didn’t Jesus run away from the devil?

Continue reading “Luke 4:1-13 – What Tempts You?”