materialism – Be Still…

1 Peter 1:13-25 – Holy Living

Peter continues to uplift us as believers with his instructions on holy living. These words should invigorate us and give us direction for how we should live. As followers of Christ, we want to reflect him well. We see plenty of people who call themselves Christians, but who don’t act in alignment with what Peter describes here.

Do you feel convicted to do a better job of living a life that honors Christ? It may seem a bit daunting at first, but God doesn’t expect perfection. He only desires a relationship with us that displays our obedience and worship. Continue reading “1 Peter 1:13-25 – Holy Living”

Numbers 11:16-30 – God’s Solution

Read Numbers 11:16-30

God’s solution has always been the Holy Spirit. Moses had already been gifted the Spirit’s power and protection. Because Moses was feeling overwhelmed (remember our previous reading), God listened and responded to Moses’ desperate cries for help.

Can you imagine having seventy helpers? Granted, Moses’ job was never-ending, having to keep track of all the tribes of Israel stuck in the wilderness. God chose that one man, Moses, but the Holy Spirit was also at work. Still, only one man doing the work to oversee and lead thousands is quite a big ask. God knew what he was doing in choosing Moses. Continue reading “Numbers 11:16-30 – God’s Solution”

Ezekiel 27:26-36 – Missing the Happy Ending

Read Ezekiel 27:26-36

After our last reading almost applauded the seaport of Tyre, we see the true fate of this key city. This message of God’s doom for Tyre comes in the form of a poem or song of lament. The people of Tyre missed out on their happy ending.

The perspective of these observations comes from outsiders looking in. What do they see? Signs that a bustling city has been destroyed and has vanished. I think of how storm surges these days level cities so that only foundations remain. Evidence that life once thrived in this place. Continue reading “Ezekiel 27:26-36 – Missing the Happy Ending”

Advent? Matthew 24:42-44 – Watch

This Advent reading comes from Jesus’ teaching on the future found in Matthew 24:

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

Jesus is coming back. He said so himself. Even as we draw closer to the celebration of His first coming, I’m still excited for Jesus’ second coming. Jesus gives us a warning here we should to pay attention to. “Keep watch!” Since we’re not meant to know exactly when he’s coming, being on watch will assure we are not drifting away from God’s loving arms. The not knowing can also make the waiting and watching much harder.

Haggai 1:1-11 – Put God First

Read Haggai 1:1-11

Haggai is one of the post-exilic prophets who spoke to those returning from exile in Babylon. Haggai’s messages begin the second year of King Darius’ reign in approximately 520 B.C. Babylon had been defeated by King Cyrus in 539 B.C.

The Persian Empire was in control in those days, and the Israelites had been allowed to return to their homeland. From what God says through Haggai, it appears the people are still living selfishly and not putting God in first position. His temple still lies in ruins.