Week of November 20 through November 26
Something to think about this week: Why hindrances to doing common tasks can be so annoying, even when they’re minor. For example, you want to fix supper but everything you want is in the freezer at the moment.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Joshua 24:1-14 – Remember God’s Goodness.
Tue. – Joshua 24:15-24 – Choose Whom You Will Serve.
Wed. – Acts 5:27-32 – Obey God Only.
Thu. – James 1:19-27 – The Perfect Law of Liberty.
Fri. – Psalm 119:41-56 – Love and Delight in God’s Commands.
Sat. – 1 Corinthians 8 – Do Not Cause your Neighbor to Fall.
Sun. – 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 – Be Free, but Remember Others.
Now, think about how someone can be a hindrance to another’s faith. What are the implications?
Lesson 13 – November 26 – Freedom to Edify
Today’s lesson points out that simply because we are able to do anything, it doesn’t mean we should. We must beware of the example we are showing to non-believers in their circles and take that responsibility seriously. If you feel uncertain, consider whether or not an activity is edifying. Pray for guidance about anything you need to change or avoid doing in the future.
Set Apart for the Lord
As Christians, we know we are called to be set apart for the Lord and to live differently than the rest of the world. There are obvious differences such as fidelity, monogamy, not murdering orstealing, etc. However, not every issue is so black and white. Many times, there are gray areas. For example, should Christians watch R-rated movies? Should Christians play poker with their friends? Should Christians have wine with dinner? After such an act, you may have heard the remark, “I didn’t know Christians did that,” by a non-believer. This can lead to feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and confusion. There’s such immense pressure to be this example and light to our non-believer friends, and we don’t always know where the line is. Certain issues are clearly laid out in the Bible as right or wrong, but not everything. It boils down to this: what am I showing others about my faith and Jesus when I participate in this activity? It’s a personal decision that we’ll have to make on a case-by-case basis; no two instances will be exactly the same. In the end, we’re not perfect and we will make mistakes. We can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is the ultimate example that we follow, and He is no stranger to second chances.
Most of us have Christian friends or non-believers who regularly watch what we are doing. Whether we think about it or not, we’re setting an example for them of some kind, good or bad. We should stop and think if there are any changes we need to make in that example we are presenting.
What example are you setting for other believers or nonbelievers you know or see regularly? Upon thinking about your example, what do you need to change?
Week of November 13 through November 19
Something to think about this week: An imitation of something real such as a model of an airplane or a souvenir Statue of Liberty.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 – The Lord’s Spirit Brings Freedom.
Tue. – James 2:8-13 – Judged by the Law of Liberty.
Wed. – Leviticus 25:8-17 – Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land.
Thu. – Luke 4:14-22 – Jesus Announces Freedom and Release.
Fri. – Psalm 23 – God Provides and Comforts.
Sat. – Colossians 2:6-15 – Rooted and Built Up in Christ.
Sun. – Colossians 2:16-23 – Hold Fast to Christ.
Because when they buy souvenirs they find out they were made in China.
😄
Lesson 12 – November 19 – Freedom from the World
He’s the Real Thing
A new social media catchword is the “humblebrag.” The Internet provides this definition: “It’s when someone makes an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement with the actual intention of drawing attention to something of which one is proud such as ‘She humblebragged about how awful she looks without any makeup.’ Of course, any of her friends would say, ‘You look fabulous with or without makeup!”
Another example of a humblebrag: “I lost 20 pounds but I’ve gained half of it back.” The friend: “Oh, don’t worry, you still look wonderful!”
Today’s lesson talks about false humility—which is exactly what a humblebrag is. There’s no true humility involved, but rather, it’s an exercise in fishing for compliments.
This happened in Bible days, too, as people tried to follow rules to outwardly look better to others, and to favorably compare themselves to others. But in reality, nothing mattered except following Jesus and obeying what He taught. Any requirement or tradition a group of believers might have added to simple faith may have looked good on the outside, but ultimately, it was worthless.
It’s the same today. Our goal should not be to impress people around us, but to please Jesus Himself. In Galatians 1:10, the apostle Paul did some self-evaluating: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We must forget trying to impress others. We serve an audience of One.
From the Cumberland Presbyterian Confession of Faith
5.02 The church is one because her Head and Lord is one, Jesus Christ. Her oneness under her Lord is manifested in the one ministry of word and sacrament, not in any uniformity of covenantal expression, organization, or system of doctrine.
Deception in Today’s World
There’s an ongoing battle for our souls, and one of the biggest weapons in the enemy’s arsenal is deception. We can combat this with the truth of God’s Word. False doctrines, false teachings, and false humility will not lead us to happiness or fulfillment, despite their promises. Truth can only be found in Jesus.
Week of November 6 through November 12
Something to think about this week: The most loving thing someone has done for you.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – 1 John 4:7-13 – Let Us Love One Another.
Tue. – 1 John 4:14-21 -Perfect Love Casts Out Fear.
Wed. – Deuteronomy 10:12-22 – Love and Serve the Lord.
Thu. – Galatians 5:1-6 – Faith Working through Love.
Fri. – Matthew 22:34-40 – The Greatest Commandment Is Love.
Sat. – Leviticus 19:9-18 – Loving Deeds.
Sun. – 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Romans 13:8-10 – Fulfill the Law through Love.
Everything we do to show love to the least of these, as well as to the person who lives next door, the one we work alongside, or anyone. . . is an act of worship.
Lesson 10 – November 12 – Freedom in Love
The Story of the Other Wise Man
The Story of the Other Wise Man is a fictional short novel by Henry van Dyke. It tells the story of Artaban, a Persian Magi, who has seen the star of Jesus’ nativity and plans to go with his friends to see the child. At great cost, he brings with him three precious gifts: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl of great price.
Along the way he encounters a dying man and stops to help him, making him late to meet up with his friends. Now, having to make the desert crossing on his own, he must sell one of the stones to outfit his own caravan to complete the journey.
When he finally reaches Bethlehem, his friends have already been there and left. The Messiah and his parents have fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s orders to kill the young boys of Bethlehem. As the soldiers go house to house searching for infants, Artaban takes mercy on a pleading mother and gives up a second precious stone to save the life of a child.
Artaban makes his way to Egypt and back to Israel searching for Jesus, always just a little too late to catch up to Him. He saves his pearl of great price to present as a gift to Him.
At the end of his life, Artaban reaches Jerusalem as Jesus is being taken away to crucifixion. He hopes to use his pearl to ransom His life but gives it to a young woman about to be sold into slavery. An earthquake marks Jesus’ death, but also dislodges a roof tile that strikes a fatal blow to Artaban. He feels he has failed the Lord, but he hears a voice saying, “Verily I say unto thee, inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). He dies, having found his King at last.
When asked which is the greatest commandment, Jesus answered that there are two: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”; and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:36-39).
If we fail to obey these two commandments, we have fallen far short of God’s ideal for us. Thankfully, loving others is something that brings joy and blessing to us as well as to them. How gracious God is, that His greatest commandments to us represent something our souls yearn to do!
Week of October 30 through November 5
Something to think about this week: Traditions you have for certain holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Acts 15:12-21 – Welcoming God’s New People.
Tue. – Psalm 37:27-40 – The Lord Delivers.
Wed. – Psalm 121 – My Help Comes from the Lord.
Thu. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 – Many Parts, One Body.
Fri. – Acts 17:22-34 – God Is Near to Anyone.
Sat. – Isaiah 56 – Salvation for All People.
Sun. – Acts 15:1-11 – Saved through the Grace of Jesus.
Lesson 10 – November 5 – Freedom from Expectations
Earlier in my marriage, I felt there was a “correct” way to celebrate the Christmas season. First, my tradition insisted we had to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving; there were no other options. While we were doing that, hoping the twinkling lights would twinkle, and pondering where to hang each sentimental ornament, Christmas music had to be playing to effectively set the mood. Then the days of Christmas could rightfully begin and continue until New Year’s Day, when the tree and all decorations had to come down and be packed away until the next Christmas.
That’s how Christmas had to happen. Or so I thought.
As I’ve aged, I’ve come to realize that Christmas comes, no matter what I had compulsively required in my earlier days for its arrival. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter when the decor is put up or taken down. It simply doesn’t matter.
Today you’ll focus on Acts 15, when the Pharisees insisted that the Gentiles be required to follow the law and be circumcised. It was the way they had always done it. It was what they knew, and they believed it was God’s message from the Old Testament.
But they were wrong. There was no need for the Gentiles or the Jews to try (an impossibility) to keep the law, since God sent Jesus on that first Christmas, and gave us the best Gift of all time. The “rules” and all of life had been forever changed. Nothing but faith in Jesus would be required for salvation.
Remember the thief on the Cross? “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise'” (Luke 23:43). That man simply believed Jesus is who He claimed to be.
That’s salvation.
Week of October 23 through October 29
Something to think about this week: Things that are commonly inherited and what you have inherited over the years.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Genesis 12:1-9 – A Promise to Abram’s Offspring.
Tue. – 1 Peter 1:3-12 – An Imperishable Inheritance.
Wed. – James 2:1-7 – Poor in the World, but Rich in Faith.
Thu. – Psalm 16 – The Lord Is My Portion.
Fri. – Deuteronomy 32:1-14 – God Is the Rock.
Sat. – Hebrews 11:8-19 – Heirs of God’s Promise.
Sun. – Galatians 3:23-4:7 – Children of God.
This week’s lesson focuses on what Christians inherit as children of the Father.
The things of God are eternal while the things of the world are not; the things of God fulfill our true needs while the things of the world do not; and the things of God come from God’s grace while the things of the world do not. If we lack all the things of the world but have the things of God, we are truly abundantly rich.
Lesson 09 – October 29 – Freedom as an Heir
Our True Inheritance
Greer Carson was a major actress in the film industry during the 1940s.
She received seven Academy Award nominations for Best Actress, winning an Oscar for her performance in the title role of the 1942 film Mrs. Miniver. She was married for nearly 40 years until the passing of her Texas oil tycoon husband, from whom she inherited millions.
What is little known about her is that Greer Carson was a devout Christian, and by the time of her death at the age of 91, her vast fortune had dwindled considerably. The reason was because of her charitable heart. She not only gave millions to the theatre, but she also gave to hospitals, to conservation, and to Christian agencies. What she donated to others reflected the great inheritance she had received from God.
Carson received fame for her extraordinary beauty, acclaim for her outstanding acting skills, and tremendous wealth from her devoted husband, and yet, she understood that her greatest blessings came from the Lord. Most of us will not be as fortunate as she was in terms of what she received from the world, but we can all appreciate the reality that what the Lord gave to Greer Carson is the same as what He gives us. We all share equally in the inheritance we have in Christ Jesus.
We may not have the resources to give millions to Christian missions, but we can give from what we have. The poor widow gave two small copper coins worth only a few cents, yet what did Jesus say of her? He praised her, and she became a model of giving for all of us (see Mark 12:41-44). Moreover, her inheritance from the Lord is nothing less than what Greer Garson or any of us has received. Praise God that we have received an inheritance from Him that is eternal and priceless!
When we pass from this life, no amount of worldly wealth will go with us. What will go with us will be our inheritance in Christ. God’s love for us is eternal, and the blessings that are bestowed in our inheritance from Him are eternal as well. They cannot be stolen or wane. They can, however, be ignored, which we must never do if we are to live a full and vibrant life as a devoted follower of Christ Jesus.
Week of October 16 through October 22
Something to think about this week: Something that fooled you recently
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Hebrews 2:1-9 – So Great a Salvation.
Tue. – Hebrews 2:10-18 – Christ Destroys the Power of Death.
Wed. – Psalm 1:1-6 Delight in the Law of the Lord.
Thu. – Ephesians 1:3-14 – Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing.
Fri. – Ephesians 1:15-23 – The Hope to Which We’re Called.
Sat. – Galatians 3:1-5 – Receiving the Spirit.
Sun. – Galatians 3:6-18 – Redeemed from the Law’s Curse.
1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
2. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.
More info here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams
Lesson 08 – October 22 – Spirit and Flesh
April Fool’s Day is a fun day in our family. Every year, I try to trick my two (now adult) kids and my husband. I love making a shocking statement, getting a big reaction, and then quietly saying, “April Fool.” I always get “the look,” a smile, or, sometimes, a sock in the arm! Of course, I have to work this all in when they’re not on high-alert, waiting for the annual “April Fools’ Joke.” I try to distract them, then, barn! I catch them. Such fun!
In today’s Scripture, Paul wasn’t joking when he referred to the Galatians as “foolish.” He reminded the Galatians that they had heard him preach about Jesus’ crucifixion. Paul had described this event and its significance so that it was as if the Galatians had seen it themselves. Yet, they were tempted to go backward by trusting the law. He was astonished at their thinking.
Sometimes we are foolish, too. We may say we trust Christ completely, yet feel we need to do good deeds to cement our place in heaven. We know intellectually that Jesus paid the price, but we figure our good actions will surely earn us points, too.
Scripture is clear that nothing we do will save us before God. It’s only our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus that saves. John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
From the moment of our salvation in Jesus, there will always be ideas that will tempt us to think that Jesus alone does not redeem us. During our earthly walk with our Lord, these ideas will try to fool us into thinking that we must do more to be truly acceptable in the eyes of God. If we are fooled, spiritual troubles will beset our lives, and our joy in Christ will fade. We, therefore, must fully anchor our trust in Jesus’ atoning work to spiritually grow and thrive.
What does the Confession of Faith have to say about the topic of this lesson?
Good Works
6.06 Believers are saved by grace through faith which produces the desire to do the good works for which God creates persons in Christ Jesus.
6.07 Good works are done in thankful response to the gift of God’s grace. God graciously accepts the works of believers despite their many weaknesses and imperfect motives.
6.08 Good works are the result of and not the means of salvation.
6.09 Good works encompass not only those deeds of service and mercy exemplified by Christ, but also those ethical and moral choices that reflect Christian values and principles in all of life’s relationships.
Week of October 9 through October 15
Something to think about this week: Something that is humanly conceived in which you have faith, but you would have trouble describing exactly how it works such as an iPad or helicopter.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 – The Lord Preserves the Faithful.
Tue. – Mark 10:46-52 – Your Faith Has Made You Well.
Wed. – Psalm 28 – My Heart Trusts in God.
Thu. – Acts 15:22-35 – The Gospel Sets Us Free.
Fri. – Micah 6:1-8 – Justice, Kindness, and Humility.
Sat. – Galatians 2:1-10 – The Gospel for All People.
Sun. – Galatians 2:11-21 – We Are Justified in Christ.
Hebrews 11:1 – “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”
Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, “There ain’t no Lord!!”
Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for GOD to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted “PRAISE THE LORD. GOD I NEED FOOD!! I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. PLEASE LORD, SEND ME SOME GROCERIES!!”
The next morning the lady went out on her porch and noted a large bag of groceries and shouted, “PRAISE THE LORD.”
The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, “Aha! I told you there was no Lord. I bought those groceries, God didn’t.”
The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and said, “PRAISE THE LORD. He not only sent me groceries, but He made the devil pay for them. Praise the Lord!”
Lesson 07 – October 15 – Works and Faith
Paul scolded both the Galatians and Peter for allowing the Jewish laws to dictate their behavior at the expense of the teachings of Christ. His criticism is a strong reminder to each follower of Christ that our Christian faith must not be on what we seemingly do for God but on what God has done for us through the atoning work of His Son, Christ Jesus.
The Mark of a Christian
“Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways,” declared A. W. Tozer, “He is the only way.” Indeed, Jesus Himself proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
In a world in which all ideas are becoming increasingly relative, the reality that only in Jesus can a person be redeemed is an absolute truth that a believer can in no way compromise. In fact, we cannot minimize nor alter our faith in our crucifixion with Christ if we are to fully experience Christ living in us.
The mark of a Christian is Jesus empowering His followers to live humbly and righteously before God and the world. Without His power, we are nothing. All that is apart from Jesus Christ is mortal and invariably meaningless; all that is from Christ is eternal and priceless.
“Crucified with Christ” is not merely a doctrinal statement; such a reality has a powerful and practical application to our lives. Being crucified with Christ and having Christ in us affects how we think, feel, and deal with others. When we are justified through Christ’s sacrifice, it motivates us to live righteously before our Father so that we behave justly in all that we do.
Week of October 2 through October 8
Something to think about this week: Differences between spiritual life and spiritual death.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Deuteronomy 5:1-15 – Living Before God.
Tue. – Deuteronomy 5:16-22 – Living with Others.
Wed. – Romans 7:14-25 – Who Will Rescue Me?
Thu. – Jeremiah 7:1-15 – God Sees Human Intentions.
Fri. – Romans 6:1-12 – Dead to Sin; Alive in Christ.
Sat. – Romans 6:13-23 – Present Your Bodies to God.
Sun. – Romans 7:1-12 – Dead to the Law through Christ.
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:22-25).
Lesson 06 – October 8 – Old and New
Follow the Spirit’s Leading
Paul encouraged his readers to die to what once bound them, the law, in order to live in the new way of the Spirit. The law showed us what to do and not do, which we responded to by doing exactly what the law told us not to do. It’s like the child who is told not to be mean to a younger sibling and then proceeds to do that very thing. Or when we read Jesus’ words to refrain from judging others and before we know it, we are questioning and criticizing a family member’s actions.
Sin entered the world when the first man and woman were offered forbidden fruit. The knowledge of good and evil enticed them, leading to sin and death. Paul’s example of coveting seems especially appropriate; we too want that which we’re told we cannot have. Our sinful desires may include possessions that become idols, selfish attitudes and behaviors, and words that destroy rather than encourage.
Even though the law shows us what sin is, as well as what is good and holy, it cannot bring us eternal life. Only through belief and trust in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection can we be delivered from the power of sin and receive His Spirit. The Spirit leads us to a better life that produces good fruit, not forbidden fruit.
Rules and commandments guide us in God’s ways, but do not bring us life. How can we experience the Spirit’s leading in what we do? To walk with the Spirit is to depend on Him to help us avoid the temptation to become entangled again in sinful behaviors. Instead of being bound by the law, we choose to allow God’s Spirit to write His law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). In this we experience freedom from sin and death.
Week of September 25 through October 1
Something to think about this week: Laws we need to obey whether we may like them or not.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Keep Gods Laws in Your Heart.
Tue. – Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 – Practice Your Piety in Secret.
Wed. – John 15:1-8 – Abide in Christ.
Thu. – Ezekiel 36:25-30 – God Will Give the Spirit.
Fri. – Romans 2:1-8 – God Will Repay Each One’s Deeds.
Sat. – Romans 2:9-16 – God Shows No Partiality.
Sun. – Romans 2:17-29 – God Looks at Your Heart.
As he approaches the car he notices 6 penguins in the back seat of her car. She rolls down the window and the cop says “Ma’am I pulled you over because you ran that stop sign back there, but now that I am here I have to say, you can’t just be driving around with these penguins in your car. You should take them to the zoo.”
She smiles and says “You are absolutely right officer, I will do that immediately.”
He lets her off with a warning and they both go about their day. The following day at the same intersection the same cop sees the same car run the same stop sign. This time he is determined to give her the ticket and not get distracted. But, as he approaches the car, he notices all 6 penguins in the back seat, and they are all wearing sunglasses.
She rolls down her window and smiles. The cop says “Ma’am, first you ran the stop sign AGAIN. Second, I though I told you to take these penguins to the zoo immediately.”
“I DID!” she exclaims. “They had such a great time too, so today I am taking them to the beach.”
Lesson 05 – October 1 – Inward and Outward
Paul wrote his letter to the Romans while in Corinth (in Greece). He would not arrive in Rome for several more years—and only then because he had been arrested and had requested to be taken to Rome to plead his case. At the time of his letter, many Jews—including Jewish believers in Christ, whom Paul often addressed in Romans—had already been forced to leave the city of Rome by the emperor Claudius. Aquila and Priscilla, who met Paul in Corinth, were two of those (Acts 18:2).
Throughout the first half of Romans, Paul presented an irrefutable case that everyone was accountable to the law, whether they were fully aware of its dictates or not—and that those who did know the law were held even more accountable than those who didn’t. Conversely, he argued, those who didn’t fully know the law but kept it would be just as blessed as those who did.
Non-believers see right through any judgmental attitudes. That’s one reason Paul cautioned his audience against judgment and boasting in keeping the law, lest we turn people away from, rather than toward, Jesus.
Knowledge of right and wrong, even keeping God’s commands, isn’t all God looks for. Paul implied we should look not only to God’s Word, but also to His Spirit who writes the law on our hearts, to determine what God truly requires.
Paul asked questions to challenge his audience to ask themselves if they truly followed the law. In the same way, Jesus also challenged those who claimed to be righteous to examine their hearts. A heart of obedience from loving motives is what matters. Our most important goal and focus should be maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Week of September 18 through September 24
Something to think about this week: The last time you offended someone or someone offended you and what happened.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Ephesians 4:17-32 – Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven.
Tue. – Psalm 130 – God Forgives.
Wed. – Matthew 5:27-32 – Adultery in the Heart.
Thu. – Matthew 7:1-5 – You Get the Judgement You Give.
Fri. – Psalm 32 – Rejoice in God’s Forgiveness.
Sat. – Isaiah 55:6-13 – Let the Wicked Forsake Their Way.
Sun. – John 8:1-11 – Neither Do I Condemn You.
How easy it is for us to think of ourselves better than another person. Often, we need to be reminded that at the bottom of the Cross we are all sinners that need forgiveness.
What does Jesus offer to all who sin and desire forgiveness?
We should acknowledge that Jesus, who could condemn us for our sins, instead offers us forgiveness and grace. Although we deserve condemnation, Jesus gives us grace.
Why do we need to offer grace to others instead of condemnation?
Look inwardly and see your need to give grace to those who sin instead of being quick to condemn them. We should realize that Jesus is the only one that has the right to condemn, yet instead He offers grace. If Jesus gives grace to others, how much more should we extend grace to others?
Lesson 04 – September 24 – Jesus Prevents Two Stonings
Just as God isn’t partial in regard to who He extends grace to, we can’t be partial either.
Inclusive Grace
Justina disliked all holidays. It’s not that she didn’t enjoy decorating for Christmas or seeing families celebrate their mothers on Mother’s Day. Justina’s disregard for holidays was because her family wasn’t around to celebrate. Most of her children were prodigal children. They left home with no desire to return home. They blamed her for struggles in their childhood that she had little control over such as financial hardship and her mental illnesses. Every day Justina prayed for her children. Despite her children’s criticizing her for their upbringing, Justina extended grace to them. Jesus had forgiven her for all the mistakes she made while raising her children and she prayed that one day her children would forgive her too.
Jim cringed every day when he walked past the brick house in his neighborhood. His friend overdosed in that house. Yes, his friend shouldn’t have gone into the house or taken the drugs, but why did the previous owners sell drugs to children? Over time, Jim began to walk past the house and pray for the people who once lived there. Instead of condemning them for their actions, Jim was learning to extend grace to them by praying for their salvation and transformation.
Julia had nightmares for years after she was robbed. Yet one day, at a friend’s graduation, she saw the man who robbed her. He had spent a few years in prison but was released. Now, he laughed and talked as if nothing had ever happened. Julia wanted to leave, but she stayed and tried to be happy for her friend’s sake. Eventually, Julia was able to look at him and pray for him. She prayed for God to give her the grace to forgive him one day. For now, she was glad to be able to be in the same room with him and have some peace within herself.
Even though we deserve condemnation, Jesus offers us grace. With this in mind we must not forget the importance of extending Jesus’ grace to others through our thoughts, words and actions.
Week of September 11 through September 17
Something to think about this week: All the ministries and activities you are involved in at church.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Isaiah 58:6-14 God Demands Justice and Promises Healing.
Tue. – John 5:1-9 Do You Want to Be Well?
Wed. – John 5:10-16 God’s Work Faces Resistance.
Thu. – John 5:17-21 The Father Works on the Sabbath.
Fri. – Deuteronomy 4:1-14 Obedience Shows Wisdom and Discernment.
Sat. – Psalm 119:113-128 God, Teach Us Your Statutes.
Sun. – John 7:14-24 Jesus Glorifies the Father.
Meeting on Sunday.
Bible reading.
Communion.
Music and Singing.
Prayer.
Teaching in the form of a sermon.
A collection or offering.
Lesson 03 – September 17 – Jesus Glorifies God
Jesus said to His critics that His teaching was not His own, but that it came from the One who sent Him. Of course, Jesus was speaking of His heavenly Father. This reflects on the great mysteries of the Trinity. Even though the Son and the Father are equally God, the Son voluntarily submits His will to that of His Father. Only in the garden of Gethsemane did those two wills seems to experience any tension between them; but even then, Jesus submitted His will to the One who sent Him. In this, Jesus provides the supreme example for us when it comes to submitting our lives to God and fully trusting our heavenly Father.
Glory to God, Not I
God’s Word continually demonstrates that there are consequences to self-glorification. King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-30 looked at the great Babylon and glorified himself for all that he had done. In return, God took his authority from him and turned him into a wild beast to live among the animals. Thankfully, King Nebuchadnezzar learned from this experience and turned to heaven to glorify God (vs. 34). After King Nebuchadnezzar praised and glorified God rather than himself, his kingdom and sanity were restored to him.
Giving glory to God in all that we do takes refocusing our mindset.
When we keep a close relationship with God, we focus less on ourselves as we look for ways to serve Him and glorify Him. We can be at peace when we glorify God because we stop trying to make ourselves the center of our own attention, which is never successful as we always end up wanting more commendations.
Week of September 4 through September 10
Something to think about this week: How we honor the Sabbath.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Psalm 103:1-12 – Bless the Lord Who Heals.
Tue. – Psalm 103:13-22 – Praise the Lord of Compassion.
Wed. – Exodus 20:8-11 – Remember the Sabbath Day.
Thu. – Hebrews 4:1-10 – Rest for God’s People.
Fri. – Hebrews 4:11-16 – Enter God’s Rest.
Sat. – Deuteronomy 22:1-4 – God’s People Must Care for Others.
Sun. – Luke 14:1-6 – The Sabbath Is for Doing Good.
From the Confession of Faith:
The Lord’s Day
6.23 The Creator has given one day in seven for special reflection on God’s nature and deeds. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ the seventh day of the week, known as the sabbath, was the Lord’s Day. Subsequent to Christ’s resurrection, Christians celebrate the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day.
6.24 Appropriate activities on the Lord’s Day include worship, study, doing good works, and other activities leading to renewal. The proper observance of the Lord’s Day enriches the quality of life for all other days.
Lesson 02 – September 10 – Honoring God honors the Sabbath
God created the Sabbath as a day of rest to mirror the rest He took after creation. As Genesis 2:2-3 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
When Jesus came, He affirmed the importance of a Sabbath rest, and proclaimed, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). He also said to the law-keeping religious leaders who objected to His “work” on the Sabbath, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:12).
The Pharisees and experts in the law did not understand how their many laws and regulations had actually hindered God’s desire for them to honor the Sabbath. Jesus showed them that God is interested in people, not laws and rituals. God wants us to honor Him both in our words and in our actions every Sabbath and every day of our lives. Observing a day dedicated to God is not a ritual but a reaction of our hearts to the awesome God who created us.
We honor God on the Sabbath when we think of Him first, do good works He leads us to do, and rest from the relentless cares of this world. The One who created us deserves our honor and praise on the Sabbath He created for us.
Week of August 28 through September 3
Something to think about this week: Think of the best neighbors you have ever had.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. – Mark 7:1-8 – Follow God, Not Human Traditions.
Tues. – 1 Samuel 1:19-23 – Birth and Sacrifice.
Wed. – Psalm 6 – Be Gracious to Me, 0 Lord.
Thurs. – Luke 7:24-35 – Jesus, a Friend of Sinners.
Fri. – Luke 14:7-14 – Humility Before God and Others.
Sat. – Exodus 30:17-21 – Come to God in Cleanliness and Holiness.
Sun. – Luke 11:37-44 – Be Cleansed Inside and Out.
The Second Greatest Commandment
When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:36-39). Jesus said these two kinds of love—for God and for others—are the greatest commandments and the greatest challenges for His followers.
Lesson 01 – September 3 – Jesus Confronts Hypocrisy
The Most Important Part
Oftentimes we are more concerned about our spiritual appearances than having clean hearts that love and serve God.
When 18-year-old Carl got his first car, he was more than determined to keep his used car clean and smelling “new” at all times. It was not unusual to see Carl at the carwash at least three times a week. Carl took much pride in keeping his car clean on the outside. Months later, the car started to run rough, and his dad asked Carl if he had his oil changed like he told him to do when he first got the car. The answer: “No.”
First Corinthians 13, often referred to as “the love chapter,” explains that love should be the basis for all our words, actions, and motivations. If love is not the motive or foundation for what we do, then what we do has no real meaning. You can unravel biblical mysteries and have faith to move mountains, but without love it means absolutely nothing. You can give all your possessions to the poor, and you gain nothing without love. Love is patient, kind; it protects, trusts, and hopes. Love never fails. Faith and hope are great, but the greatest of all is love—loving God and loving your neighbor.
Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church 