Scripture Nuggets 3 18.2017

3.18.2017

Scripture Read Mark 1-2

Nugget Mark 1:8

“I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Devotional thought: “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ … And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house, where they were sitting.” Acts 1:8, 2:2 When God breathes big things, huge things happen! Read Gen 1, see what happens after God breathes upon the formless void (v2). Read Ezekiel 37:1-4, see what happens after God breathes upon dry bones (v14). Read Acts 2, see what happens after God breathes on believers in the Upper Room (vss4-12, 21, 41, 47). On this day, deep in the Lenten season, what is it still in me/you that prevents God’s Holy Spirit from fully operating within me/you. Take time to assess your inward being, then approach God with confidence, ask forgiveness and an anointing.

Scripture Nuggets 3.11 .2017

3.11.2017 (3.18.2017)

Scripture Read Matthew 26-28

Nugget Matthew 26:65-68

“Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophecy to us you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?’”

Devotional thought: What part of this scene am I/are you responsible for? Over what idea or action have I/you been a part of that denies Jesus as Messiah? It is one thing to say, “He is Christ, Messiah, Savior,” and another to live it out. When worship is called for, have I/you spiritually spat in Jesus’ face? If yes, then now is the time to pray, to ask God’s forgiveness and turn back to God.

Scripture Nuggets 3. 17. 2017

Scripture Nuggets 3. 17. 2017

3.17.2017

Scripture Read Isaiah 56-61

Nugget Isaiah 59:1-2, 20

“See, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. … And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the LORD.”

Devotional thought: It is my sin that separates me from the fullness of the relationship God desires to have with me; it is your sin that separates you from that fullness of the relationship God desires to have with you. God loves us, from the very beginning, long before we became who we are, God loved us, His plan is for all to receive, return and share that love. Love God, love others, love self. Let us fully open our hearts to God, now and every minute of every hour of every day to come.

Scripture Nuggets 3.10.2017

3.10.2017 (3.17.2017)

Scripture Read Isaiah 51-55

Nugget Isaiah 55:6-9

“Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Devotional thought: What a powerful piece of scripture for us during this Lenten season! Seek God, seek God’s ways, seek God’s thoughts. Turn from myself, turn from my ways, turn from my thoughts and return to God. Return to the Maker, return to the Giver of Life, return to the Fulfiller of promises; the One who abundantly pardons all who seek pardon, who humble themselves before Him. In Jeremiah 29:13-1414, He says, “When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Scripture Nuggets 3. 16. 2017

Scripture Nuggets 3. 16. 2017

Scripture Read Job 21-22

Nugget Job 22:1-3, 21-23a

“The Eliphaz the Temanite answered: ‘Can a mortal be of use to God? Can even the wisest be of service to him? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? … Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored’,…”

Devotional thought: Laying aside the depth and width of theological argument Job and his friends are in the middle of, from a practical point allow me to answer Eliphaz’s questions. Yes, a mortal can be of use and service to God. And yes, our righteousness and blamelessness would bring pleasure and gain to God; if we singularly and/plurally could be righteous and blameless. In the beginning it was so, and in the end it will be so again. That is the point of Lent, it is the reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God died and was resurrected and it is God’s desire. The Kingdom of God is not only near, it is here and we are invited to enter in, live, grow and remain in God’s Kingdom. Repent, return to God, not only be forgiven but also live in the freedom and fullness of God’s love. Love God, love others, love self – that will please God immensely!

Scripture Nuggets 3.9. 2017

3.9.2017 (3.16.2017)

Scripture Read Job 19-20

Nugget Job 19:1-6, 25-27

“Then Job answered: ‘How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are not ashamed to wrong me? And even it it is true that I have erred, my error remains with me. If indeed you magnify yourselves against me, and make my humiliation an argument against me, know that God has put me in the wrong, and closed his net around me. … For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Devotional thought: In the Lenten season the temptation to look others and compare ourselves to them is easy to do. O how I can make myself feel better when I exalt myself by putting others down. Job’s “friends” have done so, Job is also guilty as they banter back and forth. As believers, on the far side of Easter our Standard Bearer is Jesus Christ, He is also our Redeemer. Every day is a time to take pause and consider that in my life that separates me from Christ like, to recognize, confess and turn from all that is revealed. Then in turning from that stuff and turning to God I can live in the freedom of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ and the life giving promises of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

Scripture Nuggets 3.8.2017

Scripture Nuggets 3.8.2017

3.8.2017 (3.15.2017)

Scripture Read Psalms 27-29

Nugget Psalm 29:3-4, 10-11

“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. … The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

Devotional thought: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. …. ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ … ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ … ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ … ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ … ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ … ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ … Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So 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 thing that moves upon the earth. … And it was so.” (Genesis 1:1-30) Yes the voice of God speaks thunderously, the voice of God creates majestically out of formless void and chaos, God strengthens His people and blesses them with peace. Is there emptiness (formless void) or struggle and hurt (chaos) in your life? Turn to God, the one who from the beginning breathed the Spirit of life into all creation. Everything He said, was so and it was good – very good. We are about midway through this season of Lent, isn’t about time you stepped into the promise of God? Allow God’s Holy Spirit to anoint you this day.

Scripture Nuggets 3.15.2017

Scripture Nuggets 3.15.2017

3.15.2017

Scripture Read Psalms 30-32

Nugget Psalm 32:1-5, 11

“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in those whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin. … Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.”

Devotional thought: The joy of forgiveness leads us into freedom to fully participate in life with God. Forgiven and pardoned by God, He reconciles us to lovingly respond to His love, to love others and ourselves – as He first loves us! Confess, asked for forgiveness. In Jesus Christ you are forgiven! Believe that promise, receive and live out that promise, live a joyful life beside the river the life as God intended from the very beginning.

Scripture Nugget 3.14.2017

3.14.2017

Scripture Read 1 Samuel 1-6

Nugget 1 Samuel 2:17, 22-25

“Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt. …. Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If one person sins against another; someone can intercede for the sinner with the LORD; but if someone sins against the LORD, who can make intercession? But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to kill them.”

Devotional thought: Stubbornness in the face of accountability is dangerous. Stubbornness in the face of God is deadly. The sons of Eli, priests who serve God and are charged with the responsibility to offer sacrifice for the people’s sins are the biggest sinners in the community! Who is it God puts in front of you to hold accountable? Eli, the father, was responsible for his sons, he waited too late to challenge their misconduct. Therefore, they grew more boldly in their actions. God was not pleased. This day ask yourself, first what is it that I do that displeases God, and second, who is it God ask me to hold accountable for what they do that displease God and are you doing so? It is a matter of life or death. “Therefore the LORD the God of Israel declares: ‘I promised that your family and the family of your ancestors should go in and out before me forever’; but now the LORD declares; ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt. … I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and I my mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed one forever.’” 1 Samuel 2:30, 35

March 15, 2017

Scripture Nuggets 3.8.2017

Scripture Nuggets 3.8.2017

3.8.2017 (3.15.2017)

Scripture Read Psalms 27-29

Nugget Psalm 29:3-4, 10-11

“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. … The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

Devotional thought: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. …. ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ … ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ … ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ … ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ … ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ … ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ … Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So 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 thing that moves upon the earth. … And it was so.” (Genesis 1:1-30) Yes the voice of God speaks thunderously, the voice of God creates majestically out of formless void and chaos, God strengthens His people and blesses them with peace. Is there emptiness (formless void) or struggle and hurt (chaos) in your life? Turn to God, the one who from the beginning breathed the Spirit of life into all creation. Everything He said, was so and it was good – very good. We are about midway through this season of Lent, isn’t about time you stepped into the promise of God? Allow God’s Holy Spirit to anoint you this day.

Scripture Nugget 3.7.2017 (3.14.2017)

3.7.2017 (3.14.2017)

Scripture Read Ruth 1-4

Nugget Ruth 2:8-9

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Now listen, my daughter, do not go glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.’ … Then she said, ‘May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants.’”

Devotional thought: Ruth displays and demonstrates “Over-the-Horizon” Faith by following and trusting her mother-in-law. She has left everything, family, home and country to a new place. No promises were issued to her. Her faith is even greater than Abrahams! She receives a gift from Boaz, an opportunity to provide for herself and her Naomi; hand-up not a hand-out. How does Ruth’s faith affect the community she has come to live in? How does Boaz’s response affect the future? Read the end of the book of Ruth, we find that Boaz marries Ruth they have a son Obed, Obed is father of Jesse, Jesse father of David. This day in Lent, look deep inside, ask God to reveal any barrier within you that prevents blessings upon the next few generations.