Scripture Nugget 1.25.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.25.2017

Scripture Read – Psalms 9-11
Nugget Psalm 10:1-4, 6, 11-14, 16-18
“Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor – let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart, those greedy for gain curse and renounce the LORD. In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’; all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’ …They think in their heart, ‘We shall not be moved; throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.’ …They think in their heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’ Rise up, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed. Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, ‘You will not call us to account?’ But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you; and you have been the helper of the orphan. … The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations shall perish from his land. O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more.”

Devotional thought: God in his mercy gives humanity room to maneuver – choice in how they will live. He allows each to take note of the boundaries he sets and then allows us a choice. This is the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. God would give them space then come walk with them in the evening. In his “absence” he still witnessed all that occurred. Today, in the present, just as when the Psalmist wrote these words, there are those who push the boundaries, break the boundaries, run into the wilderness – choosing to separate themselves from God, who, according to their thoughts, doesn’t exist. If God doesn’t exist then there are no rules, anything goes. But then in these phrases; “the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’; all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’ …They think in their heart, ‘We shall not be moved; throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.’ …They think in their heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it’“, there is recognition that God is God. They just hope, that God won’t act as God says he will. Believers, hope and pray, God will act as he says, that salvation is available for all, that all will experience not just forgiveness of sins but ongoing salvation (I have been saved, I am being saved, I will be saved some more). Indeed God notes trouble and grief, and takes into his hands the helpless. God is king forever and the wicked who think otherwise will be discovered and will perish, unless they turn to God. God does hear the cries of the oppressed, and God strengthens their hearts. Those who oppress the orphan, who commit evil and wickedness will have their day. Let us pray that before their day comes their hearts are changed and they cry, God is real and I am not God. Let me pray that I always put God first and never attempt to step into His place.

Scripture Nugget 1.24.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.24.2017

Scripture Read – Joshua 16-20

Nugget Joshua 17:14 - 18:3

“The tribe of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, whom all along the LORD has blessed?’ And Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear the ground there for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.’ The tribe of Joseph said, ‘The hill country is not enough for us; yet all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots of iron, both of those in Bethshean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.’ Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, ‘You are indeed a numerous people, and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.’ Then the whole congregation of the Israelites assembles at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them. There remained among the Israelites seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘How long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?’”

Devotional thought: “long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” God gives the land, God gives the ability to occupy and possess the land, the Israelites must move in faith and do the work necessary to occupy and possess. The tribe of Joseph balks at the prospect, as do the remaining tribes who haven’t competed the task – occupy and possess. Fear of the challenges, reveals a lack of faith. No different than the previous generation who feared the giants who occupied the Promised Land. Before we judge, let’s hear God ask us, “How long will you be slack about going out and taking possession of the communities and neighborhoods I have given you?” Who among us knows a family within 5 houses of our own that does not attend church? Who among us has not invited them to attend with us? At the beginning of the current appointment I am serving, I inquired about who lived in the farm house directly out the front door of the church. Was told we invited them repeatedly years ago, but they told us no, so we gave up. Our youth (all 4 of them) decided to host a hot dog cookout lunch at the beginning of the school year. They made flyers and distributed them. The lady who lived in that house came to church, 6 weeks later she was baptized and has become an active membership of the fellowship. ‘“How long will you be slack about going out and taking possession of the communities and neighborhoods I have given you?” O God forgive me for not doing my part!

Scripture Nugget 1.23.2017

Scripture Nugget1.23.2017

Scripture Read – Genesis 12-15

Nugget Genesis 13:8-13

“Then Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.’ Lot looked about him, and saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward; thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.”

Devotional thought: This is the scripture story that first caused me to develop the concept of Over-the-Horizon Faith. Later I came to realize God’s Over-the-Horizon Promise comes first, living faithfully into that promise requires Over-the-Horizon Faith. In these verses, Lot demonstrated for us what happens when we settle for what is right in front of us. Lot did this routinely through his life. His daughters learned the lesson well, too well, as indicated by their actions later when they got their father drunk so they could become pregnant by him. See the story in Genesis19:30-38. Abram lived a life journeying for the horizons- the long term promises of God. His father had stopped short, his nephew Lot does so as well. Will I go, all the way to where I’m sent by God and be filled to overflowing? Or will I seek my own course?

Scripture Nugget 1.22.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.22.2017

Scripture Read – Romans 5-6

Nugget Romans 6:22-23

“But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Devotional thought: Sanctification, being set aside for God then growing into Christ likeness by the grace of God. A gift, freely given by God – am I taking full advantage of the invitation to eternal life now?

Scripture Nugget 1.21.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.21.2017

Scripture Read – Matthew 5-7

Nugget Matthew 5:1-11

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

Devotional thought: Jesus, Son of God, teaches crowds of people. Jesus teaches those who are listening about life in the Kingdom of God, a life it is possible to enter now, in the present. It is a place of values that are so much bigger than any one person. On this day, the day after a presidential inauguration in our country, I think it is a wise and prudent move for all to consider who teaches us and what he teaches. This is not a message of right or left, conservative vs liberal but one of living inside or outside the boundaries of holiness and righteousness. Boundaries God defines and sets. The end of verse 11 says, “on my account”. The my is Jesus. Let’s all take a moment and assess on whose account we live, Christ’s or our/my/your own. There is a place for all in the Kingdom, however we neither define the boundaries or values of the Kingdom. Ours is to choose to enter in and live abundantly. The alternative is to live outside, selfish, angry, rebellious and in-complete. God’s values versus those defined by every single individual. Blessed are those who live in unity with Christ.    

Scripture Nugget 1.20.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.20.2017

Scripture Read – Isaiah 12-17

Nugget Isaiah 12:1-6, 13:4b, 9,11, 14:1

“You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. … The LORD of hosts is mustering an army for battle. … See, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the earth a desolation, and to destroy its sinners from it. … I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogance, and lay low the insolence of tyrants. … But the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land; and aliens will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.”

Devotional thought: Give thanks to God for His two sides that are never separated. God loves love, hates sin but always compassionately and mercifully provides for a remnant of redeemed believers to lead others to His grace. Those who believe, those who come to believe and are part of the remnant can’t help but rejoice, give thanks and proclaim the salvation they have received. These are the great Army being gathered for battle, lovers of God to battle sin by loving others – being the compassionate, being the inviters who receive the newly redeemed and restored into the house of God. God provides a seat at the holy table for all, God provides the way for all to sit in holiness at His table, and each will say, “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation!” This will be an example and encouragement to those who haven’t chosen to take their seat yet.

Scripture Nugget 1.19.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.19.2017

Scripture Read – Job 5-6

Nugget - Job 5:8-11, 15-17, 6:28-30

“‘As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. … But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth. How happy is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.’ …’But now be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face. Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake. Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?’”

Devotional thought: The argument between Job, his friends and God begins to be framed and heated. (A sidebar-thought; it seems that often when we begin to discuss, think through, offer explanation for something in Scripture [civil law, organizational rule, political discussion, etc.] the discussion gets louder and louder and reasoning more and more circular, so that each side attempts to prevail over the other; facts lose out to opinion and volume often wins the day we see this beginning in Job’s quest for understanding and his friends attempts to help.) There are snippets of truth from each that I see as offering a glimpse into the bigger narrative of God with his people. I find great advice in the phrase, “I would seek God, and to God I would commit,” and grace in this one, “He does great things and unsearchable marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth and send waters on the fields,” and salivation here, “he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” Why wouldn’t I seek and commit to the God who does such goodness? Well because, I am a sinner, who, deep-down in my humanness fears the wrath of God, fears I won’t be included; worse that I may be excluded from the promised gift. That’s the point! God invites all who are in need of his grace (and all need his grace); Imagine Jesus, on the cross – crucified, saying to you: “But now be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face. Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake.” Repent, turn to God, the Kingdom of God is here. Christ, cries out from the cross and from his seat next to the Father for all to turn. To not let his love for you, me, us go to waste, don’t miss this opportunity. Let me always remember that it is by faith in God’s grace that I am saved, God’s grace was, is and always will be offered first – I/you/we have a choice to make, I will seek Good and commit to Him, receive and share grace. Thank you, Jesus!

Scripture Nugget 1.18.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.18.2017

Scripture Read – Psalms 6-8

Nugget Psalm 8:1-9

“O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

“You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.”

“O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Devotional thought: The first and ninth verses are understated, probably to make a point and help humanity not feel quite so small within creation. O LORD how majestic is your name in all creation – how much larger are you great Creator than that which you have created; is a more accurate statement….. Notice though, how God places humanity into creation, gives us an elevated and responsible role. Next time I or you begin to feel small remember you are made a little lower than God, crowned with His glory and honor and been given dominion over the works of His hands……. To me this gives a new and fresh perspective on being fruitful and  multiplying – going and making disciples.  O Lord, our God, the one and only God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Scripture Nugget 1.17.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.17.2017

Scripture Read – Joshua 11-15

Nugget Joshua 11:4-9, 15-16a, 17b-18, 20-21a, 21c, 23

“They came out, with all their troops, a great army, in number like the sand on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. All these kings joined their forces, and came and camped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel. And the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will hand over all of them, slain, to Israel; you shall hamstring their horses, burn their chariots with fire.’ So Joshua came suddenly upon them with all his fighting force, by the waters of Merom, and fell upon them. And the LORD handed them over to Israel, who attacked them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephothmaim, and eastward as far as the valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, until they had left no one remaining. And Joshua did to them as the LORD commanded him; he hamstrung their horses, and burned their chariots with fire. … As the LORD had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. So Joshua took all that land: … He took all their kings, struck them down, and put them to death. Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. … For it was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts so that they would come against Israel in battle, in order that they might be utterly destroyed, and might receive no mercy, but be exterminated, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. At that time Joshua came and wiped out the Anakim …. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their towns. … So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.”

Devotional thought: The quality of our earthly life is directly connected with our obedience to God’s will. Our present is an outcome of our past, out future depends on our present. Joshua (and Caleb), two leaders who stood faithfully with God were shouted down and voted against by other leaders. The outcome of the vote caused the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 years waiting for that generation to die out so they could then be given another opportunity to enter the Promised Land. Here we find Joshua, exhibiting Over-the-Horizon Faith, still prepared to live into God’s Over-the-Horizon Promise. He fights to secure the promise, he utterly destroys the enemies of God. He stands up to those who oppose God (Israelites and their enemies). He does so completely, with perseverance, for a long time, as God told Moses to do, then Moses told him, so Joshua did. In the present, we are still called on to fight evil forces, to fight against those who would inhibit the move of God, those who stand against the Kingdom of God. To the point of “hamstringing their horses and burning their chariots”, then continuing the fight with the gifts and graces God provides, not being tempted to use the tools of our just defeated enemies. It is a long fight, this fight against evil, it is one that requires faith in God’s promises and one that that requires steadfast perseverance; God directed discernment and absolute surrender. O that I/you/we not be distracted by loud majorities who cause disobedience but that we would be bold and courageous and lead others into obedient response the first time. That we would do completely that which God commands. Then we will find rest from struggle. At least the old ones, until new struggles, new enemies present themselves.

Scripture Nugget 1.16.2017

Scripture Nugget 1.16.2017

Scripture Read – Genesis 8-11

Nugget Genesis 9:1, 7, 11:1-4

“God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’ …. And you be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it.’ … Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’”

Devotional thought: Return with me to Genesis 1: “And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth,’ (21d-22). … God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living that moves upon the earth’ (27-28). Be fruitful, multiply, fill, abound, subdue, have dominion all words of blessing and growth as well as words of huge responsibility. Nowhere does God say, settle, be still, amass treasure, build up. God comes down to his creation, it is impossible for creation to build up to God. “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” In other words, let us settle for what we want the way we want it, never mind what God asked of us, what God created us for. Examination of conscience calls us to take a serious look at our attitudes, and motivations. Are we doing for ourselves? Do build and save to make a name for ourselves? Are we about that which God intended? Be fruitful and multiply = Go and make disciples. Take a look at your life as an individual, examine the priorities of your local church. I might suggest that if amassing a large positive bank balance at the expense of mission and ministry, outreach and evangelism then maybe you/your church have settled, are building your own city attempting to build up to heaven, an impossible task. “The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built.” (11:5) God The Father, sent his son, Jesus, Immanuel – God with us), we don’t have to strive to get to Jesus, we can’t save ourselves – just accept the gift that God’s has given and respond accordingly. Be fruitful and multiply – Go, be a disciple and make disciples!