Weapons

Read Ephesians 6:11-20. I was waiting for my weapons of war from God, you know, for the great battle with good and evil. Are they great bombs? NO. Are they big guns? NO. How about some dynamite? NO. It looks like teeny tiny chisels and tweezers.The first battlefield is me, myself and I. Good and evil are at war within me.
So your assignment this month is to look for yourself in the Bible. I've found myself over and over in my Bible reading. I am bold Peter, and the cringing, fearful, Peter denying Christ. I am Joseph, as well as his jealous brothers. Thank God, He saw both the good and bad in us, and knew our good can triumph empowered by His love.
Here's your memory verse:"But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful." Romans 5:8 CEV. Christmas is the celebration of Christ's coming into this world to lead us back to God. Now humbly read the Christmas story in Matthew chapters 1 and 2, or Luke chapter 2.

Simplify

We all want to get the most out of life, but look how we go about it. We busy ourselves too much, often getting involved in more than we can handle. Look up Moses' story in Exodus 18.His wise father-in-law saved him from wearing out. Such wisdom needs to be remembered by everyone. How long does it take to forget this principle? Read Acts 6:1-7 and you will see the early apostles had similar problems.It's easy getting so involved in the work at hand that we don't realize it's happening. God never asks us to do it all; it's just that, as we take on more and more, we try to grow to do it all on our own. Think of it this way, if we try to do it all, aren't
we setting ourselves up as gods?God never asks of anyone more than he can handle, but we do that of ourselves regularly.We are not God! So here's your memory verse:"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought
thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20-2&3 KJV
Let God be God and look for ways to simplify your life to spend more time with Him. Read
your Bible to look for wisdom and comfort in the busy times of life.

Who are you following?

Are you sure of who you are following? If we like what we hear, does that mean it's right? Of course not! Don't let flattery or pleasant words send you down the wrong path!! Here's your first memory verse:"Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NIV Sometimes it only takes listening to what we want to hear instead of the truth for us to be misled. Back in the old testament God gave Jeremiah bad news to deliver to the people of Judah. Destruction was on it's way. See Jeremiah chapter 1. The next thing you know there were false prophets telling the people what they wanted to hear, that Jeremiah was all wrong. In Jeremiah 18:18 They said," Come, let's make plans against Jeremiah....let's attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says." In the end Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken captive.Remember to read your Bible and pray for direction. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5&6

Drawn into Battle

No matter what; you're reading a translation of the Bible - not the original text. Sometimes that makes all the difference. For instance,my morning Bible reading just blew me away. It was Ephesians 6:13-15 in the Message translation. Check this out.
"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's word is an indispensable weapon."
Now look these verses up in another translation.As a child if you learned these verses you probably made a Roman soldier with armour. That got my attention back then. But today I need this new version so that I am again drawn into the battle so to speak.
This is no ho hum deal it's the real thing. Church is not a group you join and then sit back and relax. If you truely believe, you are under attack by the very best the Devil has to offer. This scripture is our General's pep talk before the big battle. Christianity isn't easy! Be on your gaurd and keep reading those Bibles!

Who Is your God?

Who is your God? What would you tell me about who God is? Would you describe what he does for you? When Moses asked who God was at the burning bush God said "I am who I am." In a way maybe He was saying "Look what I'm doing. Can you do this?"How often do we think of God as someone who should be making our world better? How outrageous! Maybe we need to rethink this. How do we fit into God's plan? After all, how big is your God? Would you prefer a god (notice the little g) who just makes life easier for you or Someone who has a much grander plan than you can imagine--probably not with you as the center of it. Much as I dislike being corrected; I trust that God has my best interests at heart and I will be better for it.
Read the story of Balaam in Numbers 22:1-24:25. He thought he could make some good money by taking over in the blessing and cursing business. That job belongs to God. Another story about taking over for God involves Abraham's wife Sarah. Look it up in Genisis 15:1-18:15.The Psalmist said it well "Who is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?"Psalm 8:4 NKJV. Like the words from the song "He is the potter; I am the clay." How many times have we asked God to fix things the way we want or believe they should be? Or do we fear getting too religious, if we ask for God's input in our everyday lives.Try it you'll like it and just keep reading those Bibles.

God's foolishness vs. man's wisdom

Our pastor lost his finished sermon when the computer crashed. Computers are the best technology we have. They are faster and easier to compose with than the pen and paper, but God had another idea."For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."1 Corinthians 1:25. How often I need reminded that God is so far out in front I'm not even in the race! I'm just riding on His shoulders.God has advice for us when things seem to be going wrong - "Be still and know that I amGod; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."Psalms 46:10. Remember who is in charge and call on Him and His wisdom. Trust that the one whomade our entire world can handle any problem that comes up. Try reading 1 Corinthians.Paul has a lot to say about God's wisdom, and how simple salvation is. Jesus just openedthe door to heaven to show us the way. Here's a third memory verse for this month: "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV. Look to your Bible in troubled times we all need to look for God's wisdom over man's knowledge.It's summer, enjoy God's creation, let him take care of things,and keep reading that Bible.

Spiritual Horizons

Where are your spiritual horizons? Is God able to take care of your needs when you call because he is just there and you know it, Or are you unsure? I guess I'm saying "How big is your God?"
The Philistine army had a champion so intimidating no one would go up against him. Read it in 1 Samuel chapter 17.Pharoah's army had Moses cornered in a no win situation. The whole story is in Exodus 14. No one reported the elimination of God's chosen nation the next day.There were 5000 men, with their families, out in the wilderness listening to a wandering prophet, when they suddenly realized they had no plans for supper.The story of this simple solution is in Mark 6:30-44.
In each one of these situations I guarantee you if it was me, I'd be thinking only as far as my immediate family. Maybe just me! As you read these references, put yourself in the story that way. See Jesus break the bread and fishes. Watch with fear and amazement as a boy goes out to face the giant. In my 60 plus years I've learned that if God holds my hand as I pass through deep maybe even rushing waters; all will be well. Just look what he did for the Israealites -- they expected to be swimming!
Your memory verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."There are things we dread that if we pray about them -- it's all over so fast, you may say "What was I worried about?" It's all about how big God is in your world.
Read that Bible carefully so you know just how big God is and how much He loves you.

More to just read it

It seemed like the right thing to do. For many years I've read the Bible through start to finish in the year. It started when an older lady, told me she was just starting to read the Bible through for the third time in that year. She was 90 years old and such a wonderful person!
Well it's taken me 10 years to figure out it's time for a change. My Bible reading has become like a familiar path, or maybe I should say the road to work, or to school. I start and end at the right place but don't remember much of the actual way there. Read Acts 8:26-40. This reader seems to have been in the same boat.
Phillip asks "Do you understand what you are reading?"Acts 8:30. Is the act of reading your Bible doing you any good? If you find Bible reading becoming just a habit it's time for change. This month at 8:30 AM or PM remember Phillip's question; that is location in Acts the Bible story.Your memory verse Proverbs 28:26 "He that trusts in his own heart is a fool; but he who walks wisely, shall be delivered." Seek someone elses advice and knowledge as you read and don't just keep reading the Word of God.

Speak before you think

Do you speak before you think? That happens to me all the time. So I've reason to identify with the apostle Peter, the wild and crazy guy who stepped out of a perfectly good boat--and walked on water!! Peter knew he could walk on water if Jesus called him,he said so--and then he thought about it. That's what made him sink.
Peter was a man of profound insight. He is the one who said "You are the Christ the son of the living God." Mathew 16:16 But somewhere between what you know in your head and what you know in your heart -doubt takes charge. For a little good advice read James 4:13-17. When Peter said he would never deny Christ, he didn't know what trials and danger he would be facing. Now read John 21:15-17. This is Jesus saying forgive yourself, because I already have. He knows we will do what we don't want to do sometimes. When we fail we need to dust ourselves off and get up and keep on going.
For your memory verse I've chosen Psalm 34:13 "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies." It's a tough assignment, but it gets easier if you just keep reading that bible.

Perfection

If you've been reading 1 Corinthians 13 carefully,you may know you're not perfect yet.
I am not always patient or kind, and I give up pretty easy sometimes. In fact the further down on that list I get, the more impossible it gets to live up to God's perfect love.Oh what a wonder that Jesus loves me!
Now look up the story of David being annointed King of Israeal. You will find it in 1 Samuel 16. One of my favorite memory verses is in this part, and it was only the second half of the verse. Here's the whole thing because it puts it in context and helps you find it."But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
The writer of 1 Corinthians does understand our struggle to be perfect; he also wrote "I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do." Romans 7:19 NCV Read all of this chapter and the next.
We as Christians will struggle to always do the right thing, but God knows our hearts. Don't let it get you down.Just remind yourself and the Devil that you are a baby learning to walk in God's way and keep on reading that Bible.

The Love Orders

If I could choose who to love and leave the rest out, being a Christian would be so easy, but Christianity is tough; we are ordered to love! That's right. Jesus said "Love one another even as I have loved you."John 13:34
Jesus set the example by loving us first, or "We love each other because He loved us first."1 John 4:19 New Living Translation

The hardest for me is the unpleasant, seemingly unloveable people Jesus asks me to love. It's easy to love the pretty, popular and personable; but there are no exceptions. We've all known that kid we didn't want to send a valentine to--my mom made me.

Every so often I want to say "But Jesus their wrong, it's not fair." God has this one covered two ways. Paul has pulled together some Old Testament scriptures to convince us to do God's bidding. Check out Romans 12:19-20 "My friends, don't try to get even. Leave room for God to show His anger. It is written,"I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back," (Deut 32:35)says the Lord. Do just the opposite. Scripture says,"If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads."(Proverbs 25:21-22)

I guess God knew sometimes picturing those burning coals is the only way we can be talked into behaving. Funny thing sometimes being nice is what changes everything around. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and try to live up to Godly love. Just keep reading your Bible.

Christmas Presents

What did you get for Christmas? No, not that! What did you get Jesus for his birthday celebration? We've got this holiday all backwards! I've been looking through the new testament for Jesus' list. In Matthew there is the Great Commission "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19&20 NIV
Buying for Jesus is just like when I'd ask Mom what presents she wanted; she'd say she wanted her children to get along and to help around the house.Jesus wants us to feed his sheep, at least that is what he asked of Peter. See John 21:15-25.Somehow that sounds like helping around the house.
The part about getting along with each other, seems to be what we call the Christmas spirit. Jesus would really, really like it if the Christmas spirit was a year round occurance.Here's another good memory verse for you."By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 There's your New Year's Resolution. Keep on reading that Bible.